FARMINGTON – From the forks of the Tyhume River in South Africa to the beautiful green mountains of Maine came four members of the MacFarlan Church of Alice, South Africa.

On Saturday, July 10, Rose Xuza, Ernest Jwambi, Rhei Tobile and Winnie Maneli were welcomed into the Farmington community by members of the Mission at the Eastward.

The Mission of the Eastward/MacFarlan South African Partnership between the two communities has been an in effect for four years. The nine rural Presbyterian churches that make up the mission have been linked with the MacFarlan group since summer of 2000.

In 2002, a delegation of 18 local parishioners was sent to South Africa to build a church for the community there. Most recently a group of 18 youths, many local teenagers, plus three chaperones visited South Africa for two weeks and upon their return welcomed back the four adults from their sister church.

As a part of their goodwill tour of Maine, the four visitors will be speaking at several churches within the state and will also have a chance to soak up some of Maine’s friendly atmosphere.

With the help of mission members Stu and Babbie Cameron of Farmington and many other statewide representatives of the partnership, the four will be experiencing a part of life unlike their own.

For Maneli, a retired teacher of 33 years, this visit marks her first journey out of South Africa. Maneli credits the fall of apartheid and the growth of democracy as reasons why she is now able to visit places like Maine.

For Xuza, a teacher for Grades 5 through 7, not only was it her first time out of South Africa, but it was her first time on an airplane. “The welcome at Boston was wonderful, everyone was so friendly,” said Xuza.

Jwambi, a successful farmer, was particularly impressed with the “friendly nature” he felt going from house to house. “They’ve brought us to beautiful places, and taken us on wonderful picnics,” said Jwambi. “There is a great feeling of association.”

The last of the group and also a teacher, Tobile admits that he loves Maine but has been very homesick. “I miss my family, my cows and my chickens,” said Tobile.

On Wednesday the group also got a chance to speak with members of the Leeds Community Church about their lives in South Africa and how, with the aid of the partnership and Heifer International, they are able to make ends meet.

Heifer International provides material for proper farm maintenance, focusing on the more poverty-stricken areas of the world. With donations of a single cow, or a dozen chickens, Heifer builds the awareness of growth and possibility to those stricken with less-fortunate circumstances.

All the visitors agreed that their lives are beginning to improve through efforts of the partnership and other groups.

“Working together brings success in life,” said Jwambi.

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