I have been living in South Africa for a week now and I can honestly say the ministry that we are doing is some of my favorite that I have gotten the opportunity to be a part of this year. I never thought that I would love evangelism so much, but in this culture and the way we go about it here is so beautiful. I am learning a lot about what it looks like to love by serving.
At this point I have literally only been living in Africa for a number of days, and to claim that I have a detailed understanding of all the injustices and innerworkings of the social climate here would be completely false. From my limited knowledge though, I do know that there is a TON of racism in this country. I don’t fully understand the politics behind why it is there and everyone involved, but I know that it exists.
I hate to say black and white, but honestly that is how Africans have explained it to me here; even though we are the minority, white people are seen as the ones with money, the ones that can give black people a job, the ones that are somehow above black people. It’s messed up, it doesn’t sit right for a reason.
Besides racism, probably even more obviously, this country has a drastic and definitive class divide . There are people living in extensive slum neighborhoods directly next to shopping malls with stores that are equivalent to Whole Foods.
It’s hard to reconcile it all in my brain, honestly.
The reason that I share about this racism and class divide, is because it is so important to be aware of when I get to go out into the slum neighborhoods to share the Gospel. An unparralleled gift and privilege, by the way.
Jesus doesn’t care about class or color or any manmade division that we could possibly concieve. He cares about hearts.
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household.” (Ephesians 2:19)
The Gospel is absolutely countercultural. Loving like Jesus is unexpected. We have been spending our days in a large community called; Diepsloot. Within Diepsloot there are 13 extensions (basically towns). Each extension is full of shacks made of metal sheets and other salvageable materials mostly. The people in these communities are poor in the world and many of them rich in the spirit.
They know a thing or two about community that I could take a milliom cues from. They share the little they have as if it wasn’t soley theirs in the first place. My first day of ministry we ran into a joyful and full of life woman named Cleopatra who was carrying a square of foam to a friends house who had no bed of her own.
Many of the kind and humble people living in Diepsloot aren’t originally from South Africa. Many come from countries like Zimbabwe or Malouwi or Lesotho or other countries to find work. Everyone speaks English and there are at least 11 other languages that are also spoken in this community; Portuguese and Zulu and so many others.
Like the rest of the year, being laughed at as I try to pronounce words in new languages has followed me to South Africa. I kind of love it.
I’m here because I love Jesus. He has changed my life. He is the only constant thing and I believe the only true thing. I want to tell people. I have Jesus and prayer to offer and that’s about it. The biggest mistake I could make is to walk into these communities and think I am the only one with something to offer.
Frick no!
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ” God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)
Oh man, more grace PLEASE.
Before we leave every morning, I pray for a heart of humility and teachability. I have so much to learn.
Like I stated before, racism here is so real and when I walk into their community, pasty white as I am, most of them make their assumptions about me.
My favorite thing I have done is help people wash their clothes. We walk up to someones house, ask them if we can talk a while, and they almost always say yes. They pull up a chair for me like they’ve been waiting for me all day. Their welcoming spirits and hearts of invitation are palpable. If they are washing dishes or cleaning clothes I ask if I can help. They usually laugh. White people don’t get on their hands and knees and wash clothes, they usually think. It’s cool when they finally let us help.
To sit on a bucket on someone’s porch, and scrub their dirty clothes with them is beautiful. I feel humbled and absolutely grateful for the opportunity.
“Why are you here?” A question I love to be asked.
The sweet thing is that Jesus could completely work without us, but He invites us in so we can know more of Himself. He doesn’t need me, but He lets me meet beautiful people and hear their stories and pray over them. Ugh I can’t describe the gift!!
I’m sure I do a lot of things wrong. I know I have a million things to learn. Thank You Lord for the freedom to speak Your name and the joy of finding more of You in Your people.
Lord, help me walk in boldness. (Acts 2:29)
Lord, help me walk in discernment. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
Lord thank You for the ever growing heart for Your people You are cultivating in me. (Ezekiel 36:26)
Lord search me and find any offensive way in me. (Psalm 139:24)
Amen.
