Okay, so we were supposed to visit the Juvenile prison on Monday... which we did, put on a program and spoke with the boys who are there. Our program was successful enough and the boys were just pleased to have people visiting and interested in them I think. It was very odd though to have 15-17 year old boys touching my hair. I was more than a little weirded out by it. But luckily I got over it and I was able to have some interesting conversations with them. Why they were in the prison, what are their dreams when they get out..that kind of thing.
Then yesterday we were supposed to go to the adult prison, but we had some major miscommunication, so we spent the day planning for our other ministries this week. Well that meant that things were supposed to be straightened out for today to go to the adult prison. We had worked out a program and we were going to interact with the prisoners for a few hours. We meant to leave at 7:30 am, do orientation, then join up with Hope Prison Ministries, and go into the prison. Well instead we left at 8:20 am, did a little orientation and devo at the prison, got our permits, and went to the area where we would do ministry. Well we prayed and waited and waited and prayed only to find out that the head female pastor wasn't told of our visit, saw us, and decided that we weren't allowed in to do ministry because she didn't hear of it first. Absolute craziness!
So instead, we're planning on returning to the prison tomorrow morning for ministry and then going to the juvenile prison again to do more ministry and hang out time with the boys. This afternoon, we went into the Capricorn township for children's ministry. We had a great time hanging out with the kids, singing, doing a drama about the potter and his clay, and playing games. The people from Living Hope, the organization that puts on the program, also bring food for the children. It's just great working with the kids and getting to spend time with them week after week.
This evening after dinner, Sami, SoYoung, and I went to Kosie's Place for coffee and dessert. it was so relaxing to just spend time together eating and not having to worry about tomorrow and ministry. I had a banana split and coffee. It was delicious after a very hot and somewhat odd day.
*Please pray for favor for us from the people at the prison tomorrow and that the prisoners would be open to receive what God wants to do in them.
Wednesday, 31 January 2007
Monday, 29 January 2007
Xhosa church
Yesterday we had church from 9:30 (when we left Muizenberg) until we got back to the base around 5:15 pm. It was so long, but it was really good. The worship is just so different from Western style and the people are so much more alive in their worship. It's not about conforming to a certain style, but dancing and singing and praying when the Spirit moves you. I got asked to teach Sunday School for the children by Pastor Gabriel's wife, so I ended up doing a lesson on creation for about 65 children, outside, in the heat. It was interesting to say the least. We also played games, danced, and sang. The church was having a service where they were really inviting the Holy Spirit in, so we got to pray with people and just receive His Presence. To just be in that mode of freedom and waiting on God can be so filling as you're pouring out to others.
We didn't get the chance to go the juvenile prison on Thursday, so we're going today and Thursday. Hopefully all will go well with our program.
The other team leaves today as well, so we're going out for coffee and hangout time this morning to spend some last times fellowshipping before we meet up again in 6 weeks for debrief. It's going to be so strange without them here. As much as I will miss the other team though, it'll be fantastic to meet back up with them in Jeffrey's Bay and to reconnect. I know that we'll have plenty of time to hang out, but it just won't be the same without them here in Muizenberg.
We didn't get the chance to go the juvenile prison on Thursday, so we're going today and Thursday. Hopefully all will go well with our program.
The other team leaves today as well, so we're going out for coffee and hangout time this morning to spend some last times fellowshipping before we meet up again in 6 weeks for debrief. It's going to be so strange without them here. As much as I will miss the other team though, it'll be fantastic to meet back up with them in Jeffrey's Bay and to reconnect. I know that we'll have plenty of time to hang out, but it just won't be the same without them here in Muizenberg.
Sunday, 28 January 2007
South Africa
We have officially made it to Muizenberg, South Africa. The team and I arrived on January 15th in Cape Town and we're staying in Muizenberg, which is actually a white suburb outside of Cape Town. We're staying on the YWAM base, where they're running a DTS that started in January and an SBS (school of biblical studies) that started last September. Needless to say, there are about 4 times as many people on the base here than in Carlisle and it can be slightly overwhelming at times, but it's great meeting so many other YWAMers.
So, the team arrived safely, but without Meghan, who was asked by the leadership to not attend outreach. She wasn't really in the mode to be able to do ministry and due to some prior instances, safety was also an issue. It was so difficult leaving her at the airport and it's definitely made our team dynamics change. Since Meghan isn't with us, our team dropped down to 4 DTS students and 2 leaders. Once we arrived in South Africa, we found out that there was a student who wasn't able to go on outreach with his school because of difficulties with his visa. So Alido, who is from South Africa, joined our team last week and it's been such a blessing.
We've been working primarily with Pastor Gabriel in the townships and with the church that he's planting. It's been an interesting experience so far. We've been doing door to door evangelism in the townships of Green Park and Delft. We've also been helping with the youth group on Friday nights in Mfuleni and attending the church service there on Sunday mornings. We've seen 3-4 people come to Christ in the townships and we've been able to pray for a number of others. We've also done some beach evangelism in Muizenberg. There's a children's ministry in Capricorn, another township, and we will be putting that on weekly until we leave for Jeffrey's Bay.
This next week, we'll be working in the prisons, both juvenile and adult, putting on a program and just trying to bring some hope.
It's been a bit of a shock being here in South Africa in that the food is different, the climate is much warmer, and the people are so much more receptive to hearing the Gospel (at least compared to England). It's so odd to see miles and miles of townships and coloured communities that are in pretty poor condition. Apparently conditions are getting better compared to what they were even a few years ago. The children are so beautiful and just want to be loved on (as all kids do). The youth that we're working with are so passionate about Jesus and about furthering their educations so that they can improve the situation of South Africa. Many of them did a DTS here in Muizenberg in the past year or two, so they know exactly why we're here and have been so willing to help.
Please continue to pray for the team as we do ministry. That we would meet those whom God has intended for us to speak to. That we would be a blessing to the people. That we would stand together in unity. Also pray for the Garden Route team as they prepare to leave to Ashton on Monday and will be traveling.
So, the team arrived safely, but without Meghan, who was asked by the leadership to not attend outreach. She wasn't really in the mode to be able to do ministry and due to some prior instances, safety was also an issue. It was so difficult leaving her at the airport and it's definitely made our team dynamics change. Since Meghan isn't with us, our team dropped down to 4 DTS students and 2 leaders. Once we arrived in South Africa, we found out that there was a student who wasn't able to go on outreach with his school because of difficulties with his visa. So Alido, who is from South Africa, joined our team last week and it's been such a blessing.
We've been working primarily with Pastor Gabriel in the townships and with the church that he's planting. It's been an interesting experience so far. We've been doing door to door evangelism in the townships of Green Park and Delft. We've also been helping with the youth group on Friday nights in Mfuleni and attending the church service there on Sunday mornings. We've seen 3-4 people come to Christ in the townships and we've been able to pray for a number of others. We've also done some beach evangelism in Muizenberg. There's a children's ministry in Capricorn, another township, and we will be putting that on weekly until we leave for Jeffrey's Bay.
This next week, we'll be working in the prisons, both juvenile and adult, putting on a program and just trying to bring some hope.
It's been a bit of a shock being here in South Africa in that the food is different, the climate is much warmer, and the people are so much more receptive to hearing the Gospel (at least compared to England). It's so odd to see miles and miles of townships and coloured communities that are in pretty poor condition. Apparently conditions are getting better compared to what they were even a few years ago. The children are so beautiful and just want to be loved on (as all kids do). The youth that we're working with are so passionate about Jesus and about furthering their educations so that they can improve the situation of South Africa. Many of them did a DTS here in Muizenberg in the past year or two, so they know exactly why we're here and have been so willing to help.
Please continue to pray for the team as we do ministry. That we would meet those whom God has intended for us to speak to. That we would be a blessing to the people. That we would stand together in unity. Also pray for the Garden Route team as they prepare to leave to Ashton on Monday and will be traveling.
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