Living Grace

6.5.09 First Full Day in South Africa

Today it's windy and very cold in South Africa. The dreary weather could easily get you down, but it did NOT stop our team or God from moving greatly in the lives of our team and of those that we met at Living Grace.

After entering the Feeding/Rehab Center (Living Grace) a bit after schedule, we entered and quickly sat in the back. Chad and I found out only minutes before entering that the managers of Living Grace expected our team to give a devotion before the feeding began. So, I turned to the book of Matthew then turned to Kevin and said, "Kevin, we need you to do a devotion on 'faith like a mustard seed'." He thought I was kidding, and then realized I was very serious. When called upon, Kevin got up and did an amazing devotion for the homeless sitting in front of him. God moved and spoke through Kevin!

After breakfast was served, the guests left and went back into the streets. Our team was given a tour of the facility and then put to work- cleaning windows, organizing a 'donated clothing room,' organized a pantry, mopped floors, worked in a 'work shop' and other odd jobs. Keaton, Mandy and I got to get in the kitchen and begin preparing the next meal! So, at 9:15 am, Joan (the woman who practically runs Living Grace) turns the kitchen over to the three of us and a native South African, Claudine. Joan would come check on us every now and again, but the hot lunch was up to us! You should have seen us making the largest pot of stew- throwing in anything and everything in the kitchen- with Joan coming in adding an ingredient or two when we weren't looking. She was hoot!

While the stew was simmering, I was able to go lend a hand in other areas, but mainly got to talk to some of the people that were hanging around. I could go on for days about who I met, what we talked about and their stories, but there's one story in particular that I want to share:

Tyron is a man I met at Living Grace. He worked there. He's in his 30s, looked like a young-professional, and seemed to know the ropes of Living Grace. I began asking him what he did there, where he was from, etc. I found out that he drives Joan and her husband around (to run errands, go to doctor's apts), lives in a spare room in Joan's house, and is looking for a job. He told me he had to move to the area and Joan took him and his twin brother in; I was very intrigued by his situation because Joan would NEVER house anyone from Living Grace; she's a 'hard' woman, stern and feared but loved by those at Living Grace. I told Tyron that he must have been super special to be loved so greatly by Mrs. Joan. I asked Joan about Tyron and she said, "I had Tyron and his brother come clean out my garage. They did a great job, I had a stern talk with them about the importance of getting a job and getting a steady job, they were not addicts- circumstances just brought them to homelessness."

In more conversation about Tyron, something tipped me off that he was not a Christian. I asked him straight up- "Are you a Christian?" He said, "No. I believe in Christ but I'm not ready to make that commitment." I was floored. He knew the Gospel, we walked through the process of salvation, I asked him what he believed about Jesus- he knew all the right answers. His hesitation was full-commitment and surrendering his life to something He didn't really understand. He said he didn't want to become a Christian until he could fully commit. I told him he was right - it's a big commitment- you surrender you life, your will, your old ways... BUT, I said, "Tyron- you of all people know that we're not promised tomorrow. What if you died today? You'd have to stand before our Lord and tell Him you knew all about him, but didn't want to call Him Lord." Tryon understood that, was fearful of that circumstance, but was still hesitant to become a Christian. It was a facinating conversation, an affirmation that the Lord is working on him. The conversation with Tryon was the highlight of my day. It was so honest, so natural, so real.
What a great beginning to this journey. One full day down and many more memories to go!