No electricity day

Our community has wanted to experiment with a “no electricity day” for about a year now.  On Holy Saturday (April 11), we all went without power, and it was amazing.

This was partially motivated by wanting to do our small part of using less electricity.  There’s just not enough to go around!  Furthermore, South Africa has experienced “load shedding” over the past few years – times when there is too much strain on the power grid and whole cites have to be shut off.  Yes, it’s that serious.  The resources we use to create electricity are finite.  God wants us to take care of this place

A local friend told me last year that every Sunday, his family goes without electricity.  They started this practice during load shedding – involuntarily at first.  But they felt it was a good way to rest – tangibly – from the busyness of life.  Also, it reminds us of all those who go without electricity every day, not by choice.

This year, we finally managed to organize a day to try it ourselves.  We chose Holy Saturday because that is the day we remember Jesus in the tomb.  He had not yet been resurrected.  It is a day of questions, darkness, and even doubts.  Going without electricity served to reinforce our sense of helplessness on this day.  it also forced us to use candles and literal darkness as part of our meditative stations that day.

We didn’t just do this at Pangani.  Those of us who live offsite also chose to go without electricity.  The staff get-together was held at the park.  We all had to make other arrangements for food.  In the evening, our family lit candles and played charades.

It seems that for most, the discipline of going without electricity did several good things. First, it forced us to be more intentional with what we did, how, and when.  Also, it instilled a surprising sense of stillness and silence.  Finally, it seems to have actually brought people together more – sharing candles, playing games, and having conversations.  In fact, people enjoyed it so much that we are considering making it a monthly practice.

We hope that others will also practice “no electricity day” themselves.  Would love to hear how it works for you.