Another chilly morning greeted us as we rose to participate in a high school assembly before morning classes. 200 or so boys & girls in maroon sweaters, white button-down shirts and slacks/skits look upon us in formation in the school courtyard. After a song by them, we are invited to speak. Tami shares her testimony. I encourage them to excel in life but be sure to “lay up treasures in heaven”, and Susanna inspires them to “let no man despise thy youth”. So attentive and respectful they were. We sing a “I love you lord” for them and went into our attempt at “Singabahambayo” – a historic South African worship/freedom song that gained popularity in the anti-apartheid movement. (here’s a video of us in action – I did the steady camera work. Um, ok, this isn’t us.) They all smiled when we actually knew it and joined in. We were whisked off for a brief word to the teachers and then onward to the construction site.
We got the frame up today! It looks like a building now (albeit a naked one). We were climbing all over that thing…20 feet up in the air pounding in nails. I haven’t climbed around like this since childhood and my aching knee reminds me so.
It’s fun to have interactions with the community members. Throughout the day they stop by and chat with us – there’s a buzz in Mfuleni about what we are doing. I also recognize faces of some kids now. They run up to us and give big hugs. There’s such enthusiasm to be touched, held, paid attention to – such abundant life spirit despite their surroundings.
We then left – exhausted – and went to watch soccer matches at Nelson Mandela Park in Khayelitsha. African Leadership does sports ministry (soccer and netball) and we met the leader Chris and Advocate an assistant. They use soccer to build community, offer an alternative to drugs/booze/etc. for local teens. We watched Larry & Wanga play – amazingly quick they were. Chris teased us by saying had we gotten here earlier the guys could’ve gotten to play. All for the best as it would’ve been both amazing & embarrassing all at once.
I’m still awaiting word from God about life purpose. Funny though how I’ve given three talks here about this topic, and I realize that I’m preaching to myself as much as anyone else. I pray this simple message seeps deep within me. I do know that this missions thing isn’t so bad after all. It could be the amazing new family that my teammates have become. It could be that we’ve been going strong from sunrise to sunset since we landed. But I’m not missing my routine, my comforts, or my culture at the moment. I’ve had no appointments, no meetings, and no obligations other than to serve my team, African Leadership and the people of South Africa. I rest so peacefully at night. I celebrate the blessing of this assurance.
We got the frame up today! It looks like a building now (albeit a naked one). We were climbing all over that thing…20 feet up in the air pounding in nails. I haven’t climbed around like this since childhood and my aching knee reminds me so.
It’s fun to have interactions with the community members. Throughout the day they stop by and chat with us – there’s a buzz in Mfuleni about what we are doing. I also recognize faces of some kids now. They run up to us and give big hugs. There’s such enthusiasm to be touched, held, paid attention to – such abundant life spirit despite their surroundings.
We then left – exhausted – and went to watch soccer matches at Nelson Mandela Park in Khayelitsha. African Leadership does sports ministry (soccer and netball) and we met the leader Chris and Advocate an assistant. They use soccer to build community, offer an alternative to drugs/booze/etc. for local teens. We watched Larry & Wanga play – amazingly quick they were. Chris teased us by saying had we gotten here earlier the guys could’ve gotten to play. All for the best as it would’ve been both amazing & embarrassing all at once.
I’m still awaiting word from God about life purpose. Funny though how I’ve given three talks here about this topic, and I realize that I’m preaching to myself as much as anyone else. I pray this simple message seeps deep within me. I do know that this missions thing isn’t so bad after all. It could be the amazing new family that my teammates have become. It could be that we’ve been going strong from sunrise to sunset since we landed. But I’m not missing my routine, my comforts, or my culture at the moment. I’ve had no appointments, no meetings, and no obligations other than to serve my team, African Leadership and the people of South Africa. I rest so peacefully at night. I celebrate the blessing of this assurance.
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