a conversation
A conversation can show much more love and care than any amount of money.
Today shifted my world upside down when I started to realize the power of coming along side someone in need with weakness instead of strength. It was the difference of a hand out asking what will you give me to a hand to the plow asking how can I give.
We were a part of a support group today where Mama's come to receive basic care from our friend Vava. At the beginning of the group they wondered why we were there and bluntly asked "What are you here to give us?"
We told them that we were there to offer a relationship and encouragement. To help them find the one true giver of life. We asked them what their biggest need was. As a group they decided that their community needed a clinic. The community is literally seeing young women and men die of HIV/Aids. It is running rampant in the village. Also, a lot of the mamas have high blood pressure and need basic care.
We engaged in a conversation.
We cast vision and gave them hope of a true community where each give a little for the greater good. We pitched the idea that they all give something to achieve the goal of a clinic with basic medicine and care giver for their community. One mama offered a building at her pre-school for the clinic to be held. Others offered to help fund the medicine. Vava (the woman who led us to the community) is a licensed care giver and offered to mentor and assist someone in the community to become the care giver for the clinic.
It was amazing to watch this all take place before our eyes. To watch an idea they had grow into a conversation and hopefully one day grow into a reality for their community.
We hope it can even grow into a place where care groups can happen for the people of the village to come. There the care giver could give them the gospel through discovery Bible studies and give them help for their physical needs as well.
It was amazing to be a part of that conversation and it gives us great hope for the future.
Today's conversation makes me want to blow my vuvuzela (Even if I only have it as an iPhone app) that coming into a village in our weakness actually turns out to be a strength. To help them see a future that is brighter than the reality they live in today. They all have their heads down and can't see any way out. The amazing things a conversation can do! The crazy hope I have for this country and the people in it!
training wheels
World Cup Fever
Don't ask...I just have World Cup fever and thought a SA colored mullet wig would help the fever...wrong...
Earlier today I tweeted..."Just finished our first discovery group in Bukwini. Kinda feels like getting on a bike for the first time. Shaky but excited for the future."
This is so true! When I was a kid, I learned to ride my bike rather quickly. However, I remember there being a time where I was shaky even with the training wheels on. Riding downhill, even with the nerdy training wheels felt so scary. I felt insecure and unsure of how to make a turn going that fast or how I would stop if I was moving too quickly. Sooner or later it was no problem to turn and stop with the geek wheels on, so then it was time for me to be a big boy. To take off the little wheels next to me and go for it without them any longer. I decided my first try would be down the big hill in Judah park behind my house in Maryville, MO. My dad proudly took off the training wheels and puffed up his chest as I stood at the top of the hill for the first time ready to make my first move without the wheels. I was brave and went for about 5 feet and got scared and fell on my side. No damage done, just to my pride. I quickly got up and tried again. I sailed down the hill like it was nothing and never looked back. Later that week I think I even built my first ramp and started jumping my bike.
Our journey in South Africa can be tied to this example time and time again. Whether it be cultural experiences or spiritual ones. There is an obvious difference here on African soil, yet a glaring sameness. God is still God and he will get us through.
Today we launched our first Discovery Bible Study in Bukwini. We have a lot to learn, but we will stay faithful to where He has called us. We feel more confident now in the method than ever before. To make disciples just like Jesus did. To meet people where they are, just like Jesus did.
So we will continue, on our training wheels. Not knowing how to turn or stop. Not even knowing where to turn except to Him. We are confident that one day we will ride without the geek wheels down the hill and He will be guiding us as we go fast!
Mthatha meetings
We drove into the Transkei last night and arrived in Mthatha around 5 o’clock. We met up with Bongile, a contact we knew through Rufus (www.HuntSA.com) and we went straight to his sister’s house in a village outside Mthatha. She has a nice portion of property with a main house and 1 rondoval that Shea and I stayed in. This morning we found out that we were the first white people to stay in her house and village. I felt very privileged to know this! Bongile’s mother lives on the property with his sister and she came to visit with us this morning. She was in awe and wondered why 2 white people from America would want to stay on this property in this village. She said she was thankful to God for us being there, and we assured her that we were just as thankful to God for her and their hospitality to us.
One of the most beautiful things about my day today was the fact that God was my only commonality Bongile from Mthatha. We are meeting, dreaming, and scheming about how the Gospel can spread like wild fire throughout his community and the surrounding villages.
He has a vast knowledge of the culture and the Transkei. Today we listed the different villages that he has direct access to, and the number blew me away. He knew someone from over 25 surrounding villages. This is a great access into a big portion of the Transkei. One of the surrounding villages he has access to is Bukwini! Most of you who may read this blog are familiar with this village because of the involvement of Shoal Creek with the Child Sponsorship Program for the orphans of the village. Tomorrow we (Me, Shea, and Bongile) are headed to Bukwini to try and start a Discovering God group. Pray for us as this is the first time that we are going to crack open the Bible and help the committee of the village discover God for themselves. To see our strategy check out www.cpmtr.org and www.discipleship.co.za.
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