Each day we've been here we've had a word of the day...words like "encouragement", "empathy", and "purpose". These words have helped focus us as a team and have started amazing conversations. Today our word was a bit less deep. Today we had FUN! We taught at a creche (preschool) called Sinothando ("Our Love" in Xhosa). We read the story of Daniel in the lions den, made paper bag lions, and we also brought our beads and made bracelets and necklaces. It was a fabulous success, especially watching the cute teachers make their own beaded bracelets. It's so great to see how much fun the adults can have with something as simple as a children's craft. In the afternoon we had another day of kid's club. It has been so much fun to see everyone open up to the children and love on them with their whole hearts! I have seen incredible growth in each of our teammembers and am very proud of the way they have served.
Tomorrow we will be switching gears completely in the morning. Instead of working with kids we will be supporting Living Hope's health care counselors for a health day in Masiphumelele. We have been told that we will be doing things like washing feet, checking blood pressure, and taking BMIs of adults in the community. Some of our team is a bit apprehensive to do this, and we know that it will take all of us out of our comfort zones, but we are excited and expectant of what God will do. Will you please be in prayer for us as we seek to serve in very tangible ways tomorrow? We would greatly appreciate it and will update you when we are done!
On Sunday we went to the King of Kings Baptist Church that John and Avril the founders of Living Hope started. I kept having to remind myself that I was in South Africa because it reminded me a lot of my childhood experience with church. They were very friendly and welcoming but also more quiet and reserved (not in a bad way) it's just the way it was. The message was about how sin is a master we choose. I believe everyone on our team was impacted by this especially since our word of the day that day, was obedience, what a perfect word to go along with such a strong message.
After King of Kings we went to Masi Baptist and I will tell you, even though this church has no actual musical instruments the Lord has equipped them to praise His name. I have never heard such singing in my life! The structure of their service was song of worship, short testimony, song of worship, short testimony, song of worship short testimony, song of worship, short testimony, offering, song of worship, message and more songs of worship. It was so great to hear so many testimonies in one Sunday service. What I remember the most was one of the young men saying "Yes, this is my testimony but I share it not for my own self, it is all for God."
I know many of you have been waiting to see pictures of us (the team) in action but our past 2 days have been so busy you may have to wait one more day...sorry.
Friday: First in the morning we took time to do a devotion together with the Life Skill Educators and later we took them out to lunch and then bowling! I know that lunch and bowling doesn't sound like mission work but it gave all of us a priceless opportunity to sit down and hear the Life Skill Educators' stories/testimonies outside the busyness of their normal days. It was also a way to give them something they probably would never spend their own money on.
Saturday: This was kind of a day of rest for us even though it was one of the longest scheduled. In the morning we saw penguins at the beach and then went to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. The tour was so full of history and it seems that every country had some influence on South Africa. Here's a link for more about Robben Island http://www.robben-island.org
I hope to bring more pictures and maybe even a video tomorrow. Good night and God bless.
In my first couple days here I have noticed that the kids and the youth are no different then the kids in United States. What do I mean by no different? The kids in the township act the same way any child would when they are at any age group. For example, the boys are playing soccer or playing tag together and the girls are all hanging out together on one side of the church. It is just unfortunate that these children are growing up in a much different situation then other kids in the United States.
Thank God has given John and Avril Thomas a vision to create an organization such as Living Hope. (http://www.livinghope.co.za/) Living Hope is able to give hope, Christ, and faith to these children everyday in their lives. With Christ, faith, and hope these children can do anything they put their hearts too.
"Its better to build a whole child than try to mend a broken man” —Avril Thomas
Finally, Some of the biggest experiences among the kids of South Africa I have learned so far is that the kids have the up most respect for their "mama's" and the "LSE's". Mama's are the women teachers & the LSE are the assistants to the teachers. So, once of the mama's speaks or gives them the look they immediatlly listen. All of us on the team can quickly see that these mama's are very special and great disciples of God because they love these kids with all their heart and invest some much in these children.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
Please Check the below You Tube Video to listen and see what Living Hope is doing here in South Africa.
My word of the day is incredible. This morning we split into 3 groups so we could help 3 preschools with about 15 kids each. We taught a lesson, did a craft, sang several songs and played. Then we went back to the teamhouse for lunch and made about 80 sandwiches for the afternoon 'club' kids. At 'club' we joined in in with the lessons and worship. We were surprised at how well the kids knew the Bible when we played a trivia game.
We pray that everyone back home is safe and well. God Bless.
Today, we had orientation which included a welcome and a tour of all the different aspects of Living Hope. Honestly I was completely blown away by everything they do for the people here. We are all very excited to see what tomorrow will bring because believe it or not it will technically be our first FULL day serving here.
SHVteamSouthAfrica
