In order to complete the story of the first Reconciliation Day, we visited the Church of the Vow in Pietermaritzburg. To refresh your memory, before the great Battle of Blood River, the Voortrekkers made a solemn vow that they would erect a church in gratitude to God if they were victorious in the battle against the Zulu leader Dingane and his warriors.
They did more than just win. They killed! Like "Agincourt-killed." Just like the British at Agincourt, the Voortrekkers were greatly outnumbered by the Zulu army. And just like at Agincourt, the Voortrekkers came out of the battle with the bare minimum of wounded and dead while enough Zulu blood was shed that day to turn the Ncone River red.
The Voortrekkers chose to build their church in nearby Pietermaritzburg, a city named after their two great leaders, Piet Retief and Gert Maritz. The Church of the Vow is now the centerpiece of the Voortrekker Museum in the heart of the city. There is a museum, a conference center and a research library. You can also tour the remains of the great Blood River commander Andries Pretorius' house which has been relocated from its original location to the grounds of the museum.
The Voortrekkers were nothing if not true to their word. God is Life.
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