"Your experience is of high value to us, and God is keeping you so that you can give us direction," were the words of Bishop Khaya Mcekana, of the Ethiopian Episcopal Church to around 50 old people at Noluthando Hall in Joza on Tuesday.
"Your experience is of high value to us, and God is keeping you so that you can give us direction," were the words of Bishop Khaya Mcekana, of the Ethiopian Episcopal Church to around 50 old people at Noluthando Hall in Joza on Tuesday.
He was speaking at a special senior citizens' lunch hosted by the church. Emphasising that God has a reason to keep old people amongst us, he said, "No one is useless and we have a responsibility to take over from where you are going to leave us. I wish that God can keep you for longer, because we are proud of you."
He said there was a lot people could learn from the elderly, particularly through their folk tales, and lamented the fact that not every old person enjoyed their last days, saying some were abused by their own grandchildren.
One of organisers of the annual event, Deneo Matebese, said that as a church they wanted to get to the deepest issues of the community. "As a Church we are dedicated to helping with home, family and social life," she said. "There are old and sick people who cannot go to church every Sunday and this is a special day for them."
