Today was an even earlier rise & shine. Out the door by 7AM to a local high school to pass out bookmarks we had made with encouraging Bible verses. The kids are entering exams now and we hoped to give hope along with sustenance with some candy bars. The kids were delighted as they entered the school grounds. Quickly we were outnumbered and running out of bars. It was crazy as kids grabbed for bars and engulfed us. We left frustrated by the potentially dangerous situation. But we circled up, prayed for the kids and for African Leadership to gain similar access to other high schools in the township.
From there we went back to the college to do a worship service and devotion time. I volunteered to share for the team. I talked about I Cor. 15:58 – why it’s my favorite verse and why it was the reason I was in Africa. I touched on the radical nature of the Christian faith. Though often promoted as safe and offering perpetual happiness, it truly is an 180 degree departure from the world’s ways. I shared how how the magnitude of the world’s needs can intimidate, but it should not stop us from realizing that God takes seemingly small instances of making a difference and combines them into a huge cumulative sum. It was a word to myself as much as it was for them. I marveled at the 30+ people in the room who just days ago were strangers and now they’re family members. Monday seems like a lifetime ago. Worship was amazing and I felt connected to God with renewed vigor.
We left then for more work on the pre-school. Building the side frames. Chris, a local guy who just wanted the help out did so, proved to be a great help. I managed to take a few good pictures of the kids who hang out with us throughout the day observing and interacting. There was a meaningful moment for me today…I looked up from driving in some nails and nearly finishing a frame. I paused for a second and it sunk in again where I was, what I was doing, and I felt very much like my dad’s son. I sensed that I was there representing him and knew that he was proud of me.
We then came back to the mission house for some well-needed rest & social time. Another outstanding meal was offered to us (we’ve been eating like royalty – tasty Korean, Brazilian, Xhosa, etc. meals). Testimonials were shared and I actually led worship for the group (poorly) on guitar. Yet another in a growing list of firsts for me on this trip.
It’s hard to imagine that we leave in one week from today and I’ve known my six (plus two) teammates for only one week – we have become a family unit. We bonded immediately, love one another, encourage each other, and openly appreciate our new relationships. This is not an unusual phenomenon for short term mission teams to experience, especially when you spend 24/7 with one another. Yet I’m told our team’s level of closeness is rare and I believe it.
I don’t want to think about one week from now, separating from my new brothers & sisters. I want instead to celebrate the beauty of relationships as one of God’s truly finest gifts to humanity.
Humorous Editorial Intermission; Funny Moment #432:
Here’s the scene, Geoffrey is trying to explain a game to the children (red light, green light perhaps). One energetic young boy who we’ve come to adore named Ludwa is on the receiving end of this priceless exchange. Let’s listen in…
Geoffrey: Do you speak English?
Ludwa: Yes
G: Do you understand me?
L: Yes
G: If I teach you a game, will you tell the other kids?
L: Yes
(Geoffrey offers five minutes of detailed game instruction, rules and strategic theory)
G: Do you understand the game?
L: Yes
G: Ok, go and tell the others.
L: Yes
G: No, you go now and tell the other kids how to play.
(Ludwa stands and gives an enthusiastic smile, revealing that “yes” is one of the only words he knows in English. Geoffrey scratches his head, wishing he had those five minutes back, wiser now for having learned a lesson in not asking yes/no questions.)
From there we went back to the college to do a worship service and devotion time. I volunteered to share for the team. I talked about I Cor. 15:58 – why it’s my favorite verse and why it was the reason I was in Africa. I touched on the radical nature of the Christian faith. Though often promoted as safe and offering perpetual happiness, it truly is an 180 degree departure from the world’s ways. I shared how how the magnitude of the world’s needs can intimidate, but it should not stop us from realizing that God takes seemingly small instances of making a difference and combines them into a huge cumulative sum. It was a word to myself as much as it was for them. I marveled at the 30+ people in the room who just days ago were strangers and now they’re family members. Monday seems like a lifetime ago. Worship was amazing and I felt connected to God with renewed vigor.
We left then for more work on the pre-school. Building the side frames. Chris, a local guy who just wanted the help out did so, proved to be a great help. I managed to take a few good pictures of the kids who hang out with us throughout the day observing and interacting. There was a meaningful moment for me today…I looked up from driving in some nails and nearly finishing a frame. I paused for a second and it sunk in again where I was, what I was doing, and I felt very much like my dad’s son. I sensed that I was there representing him and knew that he was proud of me.
We then came back to the mission house for some well-needed rest & social time. Another outstanding meal was offered to us (we’ve been eating like royalty – tasty Korean, Brazilian, Xhosa, etc. meals). Testimonials were shared and I actually led worship for the group (poorly) on guitar. Yet another in a growing list of firsts for me on this trip.
It’s hard to imagine that we leave in one week from today and I’ve known my six (plus two) teammates for only one week – we have become a family unit. We bonded immediately, love one another, encourage each other, and openly appreciate our new relationships. This is not an unusual phenomenon for short term mission teams to experience, especially when you spend 24/7 with one another. Yet I’m told our team’s level of closeness is rare and I believe it.
I don’t want to think about one week from now, separating from my new brothers & sisters. I want instead to celebrate the beauty of relationships as one of God’s truly finest gifts to humanity.
Humorous Editorial Intermission; Funny Moment #432:
Here’s the scene, Geoffrey is trying to explain a game to the children (red light, green light perhaps). One energetic young boy who we’ve come to adore named Ludwa is on the receiving end of this priceless exchange. Let’s listen in…
Geoffrey: Do you speak English?
Ludwa: Yes
G: Do you understand me?
L: Yes
G: If I teach you a game, will you tell the other kids?
L: Yes
(Geoffrey offers five minutes of detailed game instruction, rules and strategic theory)
G: Do you understand the game?
L: Yes
G: Ok, go and tell the others.
L: Yes
G: No, you go now and tell the other kids how to play.
(Ludwa stands and gives an enthusiastic smile, revealing that “yes” is one of the only words he knows in English. Geoffrey scratches his head, wishing he had those five minutes back, wiser now for having learned a lesson in not asking yes/no questions.)
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