South Africa Trip
I got off the plane at 8:30 this morning and after 20 hours of flying I must be touched in the head, but I am at work. Time to make the donuts or something...
This trip was unlike any other I have been on in that much of the time was spent in preparation work for the bigger trip in July/August. We spent a great deal of time hearing the needs of local Pastors and Youth Pastors and it struck me that, at our very core, all people are the same. We all start as kids with dreams of being a cowboy or rock star or teacher or mommy or whatever and then somewhere in our teenage years those dreams either develop or die. We become people of purpose or people existing. I read a statistic issued by the South African government that 70f their population is under the age of 19. That is staggering and obviously indicative of the HIV pandemic they are facing. In light of this, I am more convinced than ever that investing in the teenagers of South Africa and telling these kids, that in many cases society has deemed as useless, that they are valuable and wanted by God. And by more than just words people with flesh and blood will give their time to show them that love.
The government's response to this issue is condomization (I made that word up, I think, but you get the point) "Wrap it up for Safety" was everywhere and I kept thinking that they were treating symptoms without dealing with the problem. Which actually, makes sense to me though. Jesus called us, you and me, to be lights to a dark world - not our governments or kings or whoever is calling the shots. If our neighbor is in need - WE need to be the solution not just an impersonal check from a stranger. I love that I have so many diverse friends who in their own way roll up their sleeves and aren't afraid to get some of the dirt of lost people on their own selves in order to show love and compassion. This inspires me. This is Jesus. This is being a light and a city set on a hill.
In one particular orphanage, the Barcelona Informal Settlement, we met Pastor Julius and his wife Irene. Julius is a black man (they would call him African in Cape Town) and during Apartheid was a voice calling for unity among blacks, whites and coloreds (that's what they call mixed races or Indians). This call for peace led the blacks in his community to murder his teenage son and leave him on their door step with his throat slit. This was in the 90's. Five years ago, Julius and his wife would drive past Barcelona and pray at the entrance because they were afraid to drive in. One evening God spoke to Julius in a dream and called him to go there to those people, he was afraid and asked God for more confirmation - God did just that by speaking to Irene in the same manner.
Fast forward, three years ago Julius and Irene sold their home and moved into Barcelona. In June 2005 someone left a child on their doorstep who had been orphaned by AIDS. They weren't sure what to do other than take care of this baby girl. Since then they have taken in ten additional children, most of whom are HIV positive. They had know idea that God was bringing them there to open an orphanage, but that is what it seems He is up to.
There was one little girl who was around three years old that I instantly connected with. Her name was Gift (they relate names with circumstance and most of the children in the orphanage have been given new names). She was precocious and adorable. I was reminded of conversations I had with my Uncle Charlie (who died of AIDS related complications) that when you have HIV, people don't touch you anymore and you miss the simple pleasure of human contact. I am teary now just thinking about that sweet little girl and the few minutes of loving affection I was able to give her. Again, it brings me back to the point of how God longs for us to know how deeply we are valued and loved and accepted. I want to be a voice to these children of that message.
Obviously you can tell that I am still "full" from this trip. I will write more when I have digested the experience and SLEPT. I took lots of photos as well and will be posting them soon. Thanks for all the prayers that were sent up on my behalf. It was a wonderful trip and I am excited for the dreams God is giving me for Africa.
This trip was unlike any other I have been on in that much of the time was spent in preparation work for the bigger trip in July/August. We spent a great deal of time hearing the needs of local Pastors and Youth Pastors and it struck me that, at our very core, all people are the same. We all start as kids with dreams of being a cowboy or rock star or teacher or mommy or whatever and then somewhere in our teenage years those dreams either develop or die. We become people of purpose or people existing. I read a statistic issued by the South African government that 70f their population is under the age of 19. That is staggering and obviously indicative of the HIV pandemic they are facing. In light of this, I am more convinced than ever that investing in the teenagers of South Africa and telling these kids, that in many cases society has deemed as useless, that they are valuable and wanted by God. And by more than just words people with flesh and blood will give their time to show them that love.
The government's response to this issue is condomization (I made that word up, I think, but you get the point) "Wrap it up for Safety" was everywhere and I kept thinking that they were treating symptoms without dealing with the problem. Which actually, makes sense to me though. Jesus called us, you and me, to be lights to a dark world - not our governments or kings or whoever is calling the shots. If our neighbor is in need - WE need to be the solution not just an impersonal check from a stranger. I love that I have so many diverse friends who in their own way roll up their sleeves and aren't afraid to get some of the dirt of lost people on their own selves in order to show love and compassion. This inspires me. This is Jesus. This is being a light and a city set on a hill.
In one particular orphanage, the Barcelona Informal Settlement, we met Pastor Julius and his wife Irene. Julius is a black man (they would call him African in Cape Town) and during Apartheid was a voice calling for unity among blacks, whites and coloreds (that's what they call mixed races or Indians). This call for peace led the blacks in his community to murder his teenage son and leave him on their door step with his throat slit. This was in the 90's. Five years ago, Julius and his wife would drive past Barcelona and pray at the entrance because they were afraid to drive in. One evening God spoke to Julius in a dream and called him to go there to those people, he was afraid and asked God for more confirmation - God did just that by speaking to Irene in the same manner.
Fast forward, three years ago Julius and Irene sold their home and moved into Barcelona. In June 2005 someone left a child on their doorstep who had been orphaned by AIDS. They weren't sure what to do other than take care of this baby girl. Since then they have taken in ten additional children, most of whom are HIV positive. They had know idea that God was bringing them there to open an orphanage, but that is what it seems He is up to.
There was one little girl who was around three years old that I instantly connected with. Her name was Gift (they relate names with circumstance and most of the children in the orphanage have been given new names). She was precocious and adorable. I was reminded of conversations I had with my Uncle Charlie (who died of AIDS related complications) that when you have HIV, people don't touch you anymore and you miss the simple pleasure of human contact. I am teary now just thinking about that sweet little girl and the few minutes of loving affection I was able to give her. Again, it brings me back to the point of how God longs for us to know how deeply we are valued and loved and accepted. I want to be a voice to these children of that message.
Obviously you can tell that I am still "full" from this trip. I will write more when I have digested the experience and SLEPT. I took lots of photos as well and will be posting them soon. Thanks for all the prayers that were sent up on my behalf. It was a wonderful trip and I am excited for the dreams God is giving me for Africa.
posted by 2 K's are Better Than 1 | 11:03 AM
1 Comments:
Awesome! Our church is sending a team down there this summer. Unfortunately, I won't be part of it.
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