By JEFFERSON WEAVER
Staff Writer

A local dancer is part of an international ministry dedicated to witnessing about Christ in an unusual way.

Tabitha Ward was home for Christmas with her family in Riegelwood, and brought a friend and fellow performer with her. Talita Wassermann, a resident of Pretoria, South Africa, was Ward’s host while the women were in Africa preparing for a tour of the United States.

The women are part of 13th Floor ministries. The group uses music, dance, drama and the arts to bring basic Christian principles to students and young people across the nation. Participants must raise $8,500 each to take part in the program, although donations are accepted through the organization.

Ward said she was at a ministries convention in Nashville, Tenn., when she saw a sign for 13th floor.

“I knew immediately this was something I wanted to do,” she said.

The group, which is currently on tour in America, is a joint effort of C-Kruis, a South African-based mission organization, and Adventures In Mission (AIM), a U.S. missions group.

“We hope 13th Floor will be in 11 countries soon,” Wassermann said. “It’s a really exciting way to spread God’s word.”

Touring companies have 40 members who commit to a year’s service. After three months training, the Christian road show heads out on a sometimes frantic schedule.

Ward and Wassermann underwent their training in Africa, where they ministered in some areas Ward called “eye-opening.”

“Someone tried to steal my purse once,” she said. “We went into some places that were incredibly poor – it makes you appreciate what we have here.”

Ward and Wassermann are part of a group of 15 Americans and 15 Africans who make up the ministry troupe.

Many of Ward’s adventures in Africa are available in her online journal, along with comments about the advantages of being reared in a rural area.

For instance, a manual transmission wasn’t a mystery to Ward like it was to some in her group.

In an entry dated Oct. 22, Ward notes how “out of 20 American girls, I was the only one who knew how to drive a stick! Hooray for being raised in the South!”

Ward and the troupe trained in an outdoor arts facility. They also spent several days in a team-building exercise that was more reality show than ministry class.

The young people endured grueling hikes, scanty food, and camping in harsh conditions.

“The worst part was the raft,” Ward said. The team had to build a raft, then spend a chilly night floating on the makeshift boat.

Problem was, it began sinking after only a few hours.

“They had pity on us and rescued us,” Ward said

Ward and Wassermann became fast friends, and when they reached America, Ward made the most of their Christmas break.

“We went to the beach,” Wassermann said. “Tabitha took me to so many places.”

The women went to movies, Camp Dixie, and an N.C. State football game, among other activities. Wassermann developed a taste for Roberta’s Country Kitchen in Riegelwood.

“There were a lot of church and family gatherings,” said Ward’s mother, Sylvia.

The South African woman and her Columbus County friend said there are many similarities between the two countries, but many stark differences as well.

“The Cokes are better over there,” Ward said. “They use pure cane sugar to make them.”

“I love Sun-Drop!” Wassermann said. “We don’t have that at home. And Bojangles.”

Wasserman said she was also struck by the “trust and pride” Americans have.

“You could see it in the stores we visited,” she said. “Even in the Wal-mart. There weren’t security police everywhere checking people. But you don’t have to pump your own gas in South Africa.”

The women were scheduled to start the American tour this week.

“We hope to pick up some North Carolina locations this year,” Ward said.

For more information on 13th Floor, go to www.13floor.org. To read Ward’s blog, go to www.whereintheworldistabitha.blogspot.com.