Here are some details from the last days of my journey to South Africa:
Wednesday, June 10 (pm)-
John and Avril Thomas came to dinner at the Team House. By dinner, I was out of bed (from my Migraine) and able to socialize a little bit. I was so pleased to be able to sit at a table with Avril and some of the Faith Promise ladies (a team that was at the Team House with us). The Thomas' told us the story of how they met and got married... quite unusual and a great picture of the Lord's faithfulness!
John told us a story that brought tears to all of our eyes. In an effort to help our team understand the dispair, stigma and pain that this community deals with daily, John told us about a 15 year old girl that he encountered not too long ago:
This 15 year old girl that John knew ended up pregnant. John obviously had a good relationship with this girl, asked her how this pregnancy happened, and this was her answer...
She'd figured out that she was destined for a life of pain- no education, maybe could be a house-maid making $30 a week, her family and surroundings told her she wasn't worth living and had no hope. She'd been told that sex was good, it was fun, and it can be dangerous- you can contract AIDS. With the lack of hope in her life... she decided that contracting AIDS would be her goal. She saw this as the only way to get out of a life of hopelessness and pain. The lifestyle she'd chosen would allow her a death-sentence, and she was pleased with that. When she finished her story, she told John, "I've succeeded. I've contracted HIV and I'm on track with my goal."
These teenagers (and many even younger) can't see past their township, have no hope that they can ever get out of this poverty, and when they dont' think clearly, they find HIV/AIDS as a way out. This twisted thought and mindset is tragic. This is why Living Hope and it's programs are so important. Living Hope is teaching Prevention and also treating those with HIV/AIDS with medicine to help prolong their life and limit their suffering while simultaneously tell them about the love of God and His hope! This combination is crucial!
Thursday, June 11 -
Went door-to-door with Marsha and Maggie (natives of Capricorn). We visited homes on Maggie's street; went to homes Maggie knew needed prayer.
One salvation happened this day! Maggie led us to a home of a mom whose daughter was a drugie. We came to pray for the daughter via the mom, and much to our surprise, while in the early part of our visit, the daughter walked through the door. We got to talk to her (Natalie), the conversation led to the question, "Do you know the Jesus we know? Do you have a relationship with Him?" She said she knew OF Him but didn't have that relationship. Kevin was prodominantly talking to her, he asked her 4 or 5 times if she was serious about wanting a relatinoship with Jesus- telling her that she'd have to leave the lifestyle she was in. She kept saying she understood. We left that home with the Holy Spirit lingering there! It was amazing!
That afternoon, we got to do Kids Clubs for the last time in Capricorn. I got to spend good time with my friends (Life Skill Educators that lead the clubs) Natalie, Stacey, Ilana and Shagmie (pronounced Shock-me).
Shagmie rode with our group to the Mountain View community where we were helping with a Community Outreach and Dinner that the Faith Promise team was putting on. Our group jumped right in- played and danced with the kids, worshiped with the community, passed out dinner plates and soda, and tore down the chairs. There were about 250-300 people under a big circus tent worshiping God that night! It was great to be in a different community seeing God work just as powerfully through another team as what we'd experienced in Capricorn!
Friday, June 12 -
Living Way
Went to the Living Way campus- where Living Hope helps people in need learn a 'job skill' from an educated, experienced teacher and helps them begin their own businesses from scratch.
All of the team (except me) did yard work- picking weeds, cutting grass, spreading chicken-maneure, etc. It was hot. They worked so hard! Living Way was so proud and honored to have them working and maintaining their campus!
I was asked to help with a special project. I made a database of their new 'Sponsor a Child' program for their day-care program. Parents that are working during the day, are looking for a job (and can prove this staus) are allowed to enroll their children (preschool age) into the Living Way campus' childcare program. There are about 50 children enrolled right now. Once the children get older, they're funneled into a local school; however, the local school has enrollment fees that these parents usually can't pay. So, Living Way is looking to find sponsors for these children to go to school. A sponsor's money would go to uniforms, school supplies and general schooling needs. One child can go to school for $25-30 per month.
So, I had to match pictures of children with their profiles (I worked with two of the teachers on this part), made a spreadsheet and a system of tracking each child and their sponsor, and organized this new program. It was so much fun! I even got to meet most of the children that needed sponsors. One look at their sweet faces and one warm hug from their tiny bodies made me melt.
Friday night! Capricorn Kids Club.
Hunter and Allie led some games.
Chelsea R. led music.
Kevin spoke.
It was so special getting to pour into Clinton, his youth and the Capricorn church!
Saturday, June 13 -
Day off. Toured a bit.
Green Market Square- bought some African cloth and jewelry.
Mandela Museum.
Saw a cheeta reserve.
Went to Mama Africa for dinner. Had CROCODILE kabobs. So good!
Sunday, June 14 -
Capricorn Church. The youth led the service. Clinton spoke! Chelsea R. was asked to lead music. It was so great watching the kids (that we'd built relationships with) lead us in worship!
Went to Bolder Beach to see the Penguins. Ate our sack lunch on the beach. Headed to Cape Point- the (so-called) Southern tip of Africa. Saw ostritches and baboons... oh my!
Attended Hillsong's night service. It was their one year birthday. The worship leader from Hillsong-London helped lead a service of music worship! The pastor of Hillsong London led us in a short devotion and celebration of God's work in Cape Town this past year.
Monday, June 15 -
Living Hope Health Care Center
Got to sit with patients, the girls painted the women's nails, a few of the girls sang songs around each bed, the guys were in the male ward, the girls in the woman's ward.
I got to see Khume (who makes bags and has a buisness that spawned out of Living Hope/Living Way). She recognized me, told me how she was feeling and how her family was dealing with her illness again. She was in a lot of pain, so we didn't stay too long, but I soaked up every minute with her! A small group of girls prayed with and for her. It was an honor and a blessing to visit with Khume!
Tuesday, June 16 -
Capricorn Kids Hygiene Day
At 9am, our team helped wash feet, cut toenails, wash hands and arms, cut fingernails, put lotion on their clean feet and hands, and teach about how to brush your teeth properly. The kids were fed a homemade snack, given some goodies to take home (some chips, a tooth brush, toothpaste, and some hygiene handouts). It was so much fun watching their faces as they got pampered.
This was our chance to say goodbye to the LSEs and the kids of Capricorn. It was sad, but I have great hopes that I will be back to see them in the future.
We headed back to the Team House, took quick showers, ate a hot lunch of soup that Nadine made, and went to the airport.
Gordon wasn't working that day, but he drove to the airport to say goodbye. What a guy! Clynton was probably glad our crazy-full-of-life team was on their way, but he put up a good front in telling us we'd be missed.
The two weeks went by so fast.
I praise the Lord for all He did for Capricorn, in us, and in those that prayed for us! THANK YOU!
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