Recognizing a Need

DAY 5 IN SOUTH AFRICA

Hello everyone, I hope today's entry finds you doing well and blessed. Today we were back on the ground in Masi, but in a different way. Due to a threat of rain, this morning's preschoolers were not able to come to the church for kids club, so we instead split up into three groups and went and visited each of the creches from which the students would have come. Creches are the preschools here that are located in the townships, and there are nine in Masi (three different creches visit the kids club each day Monday-Wednesday). This was a great change for our team because we were able to walk through the township some and visit the kids and preschool workers in their own environment. Our team leader, and Campbell University campus minister, Faithe Beam and I teamed up to visit a creche along with one of the Living Hope Life Skills Educators, Natalie. While there we were able to read a book with them, pray with them, and sing songs and dance (their favorite thing to do for sure). This aspect of the day allowed our team to visit the people of Masi in their environment, and I think it allowed for not only a different perspective, but a new way of connecting with the people of Masi and the Life Skills Educators we are working with.

For lunch, our driver and friend Frans took us by the Cape Town stadium where the FIFA World Cup was held in 2010. This stadium was constructed for the event and it was a must see for me and others on our team, and it lived up to expectations. Then Frans took us up on one of the mountains overlooking Cape Town and we were able to enjoy our sandwiches with quite an amazing view. 

                                       Cape Town Stadium site of the 2012 FIFA World Cup

Our view of Cape Town at lunch today

After lunch, we went back to Masi to prepare for the afternoon teen club session. Because of the poor weather conditions we were confined to inside the church which made for an interesting time at crafts. We had over 80 kids this afternoon at craft time, and we were running short on materials, but the Lord provided in a unique way and we were able to be flexible and the pictures the children created went off without a hitch. Following this time, we separated the older teens from the preteens as we have done the rest of the week, and we had by far the best time we have had all week with the older teens. 

 Masiphumelele Baptist Church where we meet for Kids and Teens Clubs

 This paved lot beside the church was recently paved (formerly dirt/gravel) and is where we held our sport clinics/camp. 

Our team playing the Rock, Tree, Bridge game with some of the children.

There were about 30 or so teenagers, and we started the time playing some games that they introduced to us and they were a lot of fun (kind of a spin off of musical chairs in a way). After the fun time, one of our team members, Will Vines, led the group in worship where we sang songs such as "How He Loves Us" and "How Great Is Our God". Some of you may find this shocking, but these are songs that are familiar to the teens here, and they were suggested to us by the Life Skill Educator Desmond who works with the teens. It was a powerful experience which was followed up by Amanda O'Neil of our team, a recent Campbell grad and former Lady Camel basketball player who shared her testimony about the time in her life when the loss of a loved one lead to frustration and anger with God, something I know we have all experienced at some time. The teens shared some of their own experiences and had questions following Amanda sharing. The afternoon of worship and testimony had just as big of an impact on our team as it did on the students. 

 Will Vines, one of our Campbell FCA worship leaders, leads the group in songs of praise

Former Lady Camel basketball player, Amanda O'Neil shares her testimony with the teens. 

At supper tonight, we had some very special visitors as Pastor John Thomas and his wife Avril joined us. Pastor John is the lead pastor of King of Kings Baptist Church and the founder of Living Hope Ministry here in Cape Town. The ministry was the church's response to the HIV and AIDS crisis here in the city and it has grown to blossom into multiple areas of ministry and providing for needs of the poor in the city. They shared with us the story of Living Hope and how it came to be in existence, and an overview of the various ministries which Living Hope operates. It was so nice that they wanted to come and visit with us, and their passion for the poor and oppressed in this city is unprecedented. They are certainly doing the work of God in this city, and we were very fortunate to be able to spend time with them.

Pastor John Thomas and wife Avril of Living Hope/King of Kings Baptist

Then tonight, we had to take one of our team members to the airport as Courtney Williamson had to return home early to attend a close friend's wedding this Saturday. Though we wish her well, we are saddened that she is not here with us. She has been a great asset to our team this week, and it was like sending off a close family member. That is what this team certainly is, a family. Our driver and Faithe were going to take Courtney, but we all decided as a team to go together. We are a team, and we stick together. 

I challenge you today to try and notice a need in your community. It may be something small, but it may be big to the person suffering from it. That is how Living Hope began and it has led to a massive effort to provide for the needs of the poor here in Cape Town. Pastor John saw a need and encouraged his church to rise up and meet that need. What difference could you make in the life of someone else today?