This past Sunday we had the
honor of attending church at Siyathemba Nokeng, a ministry we have been working
with. Although we have been serving there multiple days a week for a few months
now, we had never attended a church service. We now admit that we have missed
out. The service was abounding with worship music (vocals only because there
were no instruments) with full participation of the entire congregation. Songs
broke into dance then into praise and prayer. Although the words were in Zulu
and Sesotho, we still knew what was being sung. It was an amazing experience to
witness the energy and authenticity of the culture.
The construction of our flat
in the back of the property is complete! We moved out of BEAM House last week
and have settled into our little home. It is a comfortable place with lots of
windows and high ceilings. The one space heater does not quite warm the whole
house during these cold winter months so hoodies and jackets have become our
permanent attire.
Here are some comments from
our individual perspectives:
Mike:
The last few weeks have been
crazy with preparation to move and preparation for multiple teams that have
come from the US. The last two weeks BEAM has hosted 21 Campus Crusade
students. The day after they leave a World Race team comes in. We have been
helping with the preparations for their accommodations. Meanwhile, Jeanine and
I have been busy working on various projects. She is still teaching the little
ones at Siyathemba Nokeng. My responsibilities there have included the removal
of some humungous pigs from the property. The swines have become a major
nuisance that feed on anything they can find. I am afraid they might start
eating the vehicles or jungle gym equipment. They reproduce more than rabbits
and faster than white blood cells. They are beginning to be the majority of the
population. I was tasked with their removal, but I am sad to say I have failed
at my job. My strategy, although well though out and promising, proved to be
inadequate. My efforts of pig extraction resulted in an escapade now famously
known as "The Pig Incident". I
sustained injuries including a fractured collarbone and a broken ego. I was
documenting the removal process and therefore have "The Pig Incident" on video. You can see it on YouTube.
I remember some things from
our short-term trip here in 2010 that were still true when we got here in
November of 2011. The spiritual realm in this country is physically noticeable.
I don’t know if it is because of all the different cultures and beliefs. There
are witch doctors in the townships, parents cover their children with bead
strings to inherit ancestral attributes, and bonfires are lit to worship false
gods. Our spiritual battles here feel like physical battles. Many times we feel
exhausted from the warfare, as do our allies. We know the war is already won,
but the battles are still fought. It was not until recent weeks that we have
felt as though we are winning our battles. We feel more and more encouraged and
the power of the Holy Spirit is evident. We also know that your prayers for us
are another weapon in our crusades. We want to thank you and ask that you keep
fighting the fight with us.
Jeanine:
As the sun begins to set, creating a soft glow over the
entire sky that will eventually turn to one of the magnificent South African
sunsets that are the norm here; I sit in front of our little flat with
Mike. Our own little flat…our
home. After 3 previous residences,
after all of our illnesses; one spider bite and a broken collar bone; after
spiritual attacks and bouts of homesickness… we are at peace and we have a
home. And it is amazing!
Three days ago I was driving down the dirt road that takes
me to the crèche that I teach at twice a week and I was filled with an amazing
sense of joy. As the dust
billowed out behind the Landy I watched my surroundings in awe. I thought…”Lord, I am in Africa… I LIVE
in Africa….YOU have brought me to Africa.” My thoughts were suddenly filled with all of the
people I have come to know and adore these past 8 months. Images coming and going and the feeling
of love and excitement filling my heart in ways I had not felt in a long
time. It was like God was
saying….”you done good, you passed the entrance exam, NOW let us begin”. And I am ready.
8 months… YIKES!
Can you believe we have been here that long? Time has flown by, friendships created and nurtured,
children loved on and blessed by, lessons learned (some repeatedly) and through
it all an attachment to a new country that amazes me. A love for a place and a people that I never thought would
be this intense, a sense of comfort in the lifestyle....you know? This feels right. One thing I have really learned was
to let go of my pre-conceived notions of what serving in another country would
look like. Yes, we have had plenty of opportunity
to serve: in Rayton; teaching the kids, building fences, painting & fixing
up the centre….in Nellmapius; feeding the kids & playing with them, admin
& computer help at the centre, things we would expect. BUT South Africa is a place where you
CANNOT live WITH the people you serve they say,
……………………or can’t you?
We have had multiple teams come and go within BEAM House (the large
lodge on the plot we live on).
Young people coming to serve who sometimes just want someone from their
home country to talk to; OR our plot mates who need transportation or help when
ill; OR our new found friends who are waiting to hear if they can adopt a child
or dealing with the anniversary of the death of a parent. God has shown us in this place we
serve EVERYONE. It may look
different than the “typical” mission field, but in a place where darkness is a
presence that is actually felt every day?
It is still a mission field. And a glorious one at that!!! One that we cannot wait to share with
all of you. Hopefully this is
something we will be able to do this spring (ok so YOUR fall *grins*).
We ask for your continued support and prayers. But most of all, we ask for your
prayers for those who live in the townships and squatter’s camps. Winter is upon us now and homes do NOT
come with furnaces or fireplaces for the most part. In the townships and camps, most people live in metal shacks
and get their warmth from a hot plate of by lighting a cookfire outside of
their shack. When you are talking
lows of 25-30 at night…that is pretty danged cold L. A lot
of the children spend this time of year (and it has already begun) with colds,
flu and ear infections. So, please
pray for these people. For warmth,
for work, for understanding that Jesus loves them where they are.
Much love!!!
MmeJ
A South African Sunrise from our home
How Mike fixes things
Pastor Lawrence speaking to visitors in Phumzile Park
BEAM Kids at and event with a corporate sponsor
Siyathemba Nokeng (River of Hope) Church
Hey Mike and Jeannine! I'm excited for you guys and your (new) home! You are definitely missed but you would be so happy to hear the way my children talk about you to their friends. "My aunt and uncle live in Africa - they gave up everything because they love the people there". They are very proud of you and we all love you. We miss you guys, you are in our prayers!
ReplyDeleteHi, I miss you guys so much!!!! Your story is absolutely amazing!!! I am so glad that God has put you there to minister to these folks. I would love to see pictures of your flat also when you have a chance.
ReplyDeleteI miss you guys so much but am so thrilled at what you are doing there in South Africa! I hope you do get to come for a visit in the fall!!!! Keep the posts coming and keep up the great work!
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