"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2
I see him often. Sometimes sitting alone, sometimes sniffing glue to get high, or other times with the other street boys. But rarely with a smile. He sat on the steps to the entrance of the shop just across my house. As I walked towards the shop he waved at me. He seems to always remember me, because I have made it a point to know him and remember his name. I greeted him and began with just small talk. I tried to imagine myself in his shoes with no home, just the streets when on days like today it's pouring rain and cold.
I ran inside the shop to get him something warm to drink and came back and handed him the drink. We began to talk again and I asked him questions about himself and how/why he came to Jeffreys Bay. His expression/countenance changed as he realized someone was really interested in getting to know him and not just giving him a handout and walking away.
After speaking for a few minutes he gave me a big smile and said, "thank you for this." I think I saw the face of Jesus. A smile. So simple, but yet is rarely seen in the face of a boy that lives on the street with no home. Day after day his life is begging for food, sleeping on the streets no matter what the weather is like and living with the memories of the home he left 5 years ago or the family that didn't care for him. He's so easily judged and walked past, receiving condemnation from people that think if he really wanted to, he could be off the streets, find a job and live in a shack. All that could be so true, but if you took time to listen to his story of pain, neglect, abuse and poverty the answer isn't that simple.
He's trapped in a cycle of lies and strongholds. Surrounded by people his whole life that have told him, he's a failure and unable to do anything in life. The answer isn't to simple. He's in need of a Perfect Heavenly Father to take him as he is and heal his broken spirit and the Mighty Deliverer to set him free from the spirits and lies he's lived with. Jesus could appear to him cloud and do all this, but it's not most likely. He gave us that command. Love each other as I have loved you.
This week the Lord has been changing my heart, and opening my eyes. We did a practical exercise in LXP this past week with how to speak to complete strangers. Simply making small talk, but being open and discerning to how the Spirit of the Lord might lead us in conversation. That day we had to go out and actually practice it, so my partner Bukie and I set out on a mission to get to know people of all races- white, colored and black. It was such a great experience and I was forever changed by this practical exercise of being aware and intentional with the people around me every day and that I interact with where ever I go. I've chosen to no longer leave with conversation with a person at, "Hello! How are you?" But to engage and get to know each person a little more. Since that decision I am so surprised at the conversations I've had with people and how open people really are if only you take time and one step further to get to know them. Each person has a story, each person is in need of the love of the Savior and it's our privilege to be the tangible hands of Jesus.
I challenge you to no longer look at the person at the restaurant as just your waiter, but a person with a story and a heart in need of Jesus.
I challenge you to talk to the person you see every day, but only casually greet.
This isn't something new or strange. It's a command from Jesus Christ Himself, I think it's about time we take it seriously and make it our lifestyle.
My beloved children
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Beat The Drum
Its a chilly and windy day in Jeffreys Bay. The waves are increasingly rising up on the sand, evidence that the Bilabong Pro Surf competition is only a week away. People are walking around bundled up in scarfs and caps, while others are out on the water in wet suits catching the waves- its winter in Jeffreys Bay!
I am now hidden in little cafe right off the beach on a Saturday afternoon after a full morning of 8am yard work with my family(my lxp team) at the house. We spent the whole morning working together-raking, trimming, weeding, anything and everything to clean! This past week has been a nice slower week as the whole team came back together after a two week holiday, everyone going to their own homes-resting and reflecting. I spent my holiday with one of my teammates-Khanyo. I went home with her to a small town called Morgans Bay in the Eastern Cape. It was an adventure of a lifetime! I loved every minute of it! From killing chickens, to bathing in a basin of 2 inches of water, having no running water in the house, not speaking to a white person for a week, learning to speak more Xhosa, and really becoming part of Khanyo's family, it was time I will never forget! The Lord taught me so much and I could see every step of the way that He is preparing for what He has for me in the future.
This past week has been a time of regrouping and reflecting on what we learned as we spent time back home. We shared our stories of challenges, victories and struggles and we looked back over the past 5 months and reflecting on what we learned and how the Lord has changed us.
Currently, things are quite busy as we start to prepare for our biggest project in LXP- which is: BEAT THE DRUM (BtD). A Aids Awareness Campaign that was originally started by Bruce Wilkison. He began the campaign in 2004 with thousands of volunteers mostly people coming from the states. It was at that time that Pastor George, the leader of LXP saw the need for a discipleship and leadership program in Africa. Most the people helping with the campaign were Americans, the need for Africans to rise up was hugely needed and God really placed that burden on Pastor George's heart and that led him to start LXP.
On the 22nd of July we will be traveling to Durban- a days drive away for a week of training and preparation. We will be working with some other African teams and also a group of Americans. The BEAT THE DRUM campaign is based on the Beat The Drum movie, about a boy that tries to uncover the lies of HIV/AIDS and save his village from the "killer"(AIDS) among them. BtD has gotten smaller over the years, since Bruce is no longer a part, and the campaign is now headed by my leaders George Mwanza and his wife Michele. But still today it remains extremely effective and it's effects are long lasting. And I've also had previous experience with BtD when I was in South Africa in 2008.
Like I said previously after a week of training we will then travel to the Transkai area to start the project. The first day we will be showing the movie in the schools and then the rest of the week will continue with a pair of volunteers in each classroom teaching the curriculum. The materials start with values, uncovering the lies of HIV/AIDS, abstinence, God's plan in sex and everything coming together in sharing God's plan for their lives and His love for each one of them. Finally, the last day is an opportunity for for the students to choose to be HIV tested.
The whole project with training, traveling and the campaign will run July 22- August 8. I am so excited to see the lives Jesus is going to change and draw to Himself and out of the lies of the enemy.
The transkai area is the deep rural Xhosa areas. A place of of deep traditions and culture. Which also means a lot of witchcraft, strongholds and a great need for the Light and Blood of Jesus.
-Please join me in praying for the students my team and I will will be ministering and teaching in the schools. Pray for a great thirst and hunger for the truth-Jesus Christ.
-Pray that the works and plans of the enemy will be completely demolished and that the lies that they believe will be exposed and the truth and love of Jesus Christ seen by all!
-Pray the Lord grants us favor with the principles and teachers in the schools.
-Also, please pray that I would be bold and courageous as I lead a team of volunteers and also teach in the classroom.
I am excited to come back and testify of the lives changed and power of Christ that I will see in Transkai.
Blessings to you my dear Brother and Sisters!
I am now hidden in little cafe right off the beach on a Saturday afternoon after a full morning of 8am yard work with my family(my lxp team) at the house. We spent the whole morning working together-raking, trimming, weeding, anything and everything to clean! This past week has been a nice slower week as the whole team came back together after a two week holiday, everyone going to their own homes-resting and reflecting. I spent my holiday with one of my teammates-Khanyo. I went home with her to a small town called Morgans Bay in the Eastern Cape. It was an adventure of a lifetime! I loved every minute of it! From killing chickens, to bathing in a basin of 2 inches of water, having no running water in the house, not speaking to a white person for a week, learning to speak more Xhosa, and really becoming part of Khanyo's family, it was time I will never forget! The Lord taught me so much and I could see every step of the way that He is preparing for what He has for me in the future.
This past week has been a time of regrouping and reflecting on what we learned as we spent time back home. We shared our stories of challenges, victories and struggles and we looked back over the past 5 months and reflecting on what we learned and how the Lord has changed us.
Currently, things are quite busy as we start to prepare for our biggest project in LXP- which is: BEAT THE DRUM (BtD). A Aids Awareness Campaign that was originally started by Bruce Wilkison. He began the campaign in 2004 with thousands of volunteers mostly people coming from the states. It was at that time that Pastor George, the leader of LXP saw the need for a discipleship and leadership program in Africa. Most the people helping with the campaign were Americans, the need for Africans to rise up was hugely needed and God really placed that burden on Pastor George's heart and that led him to start LXP.
On the 22nd of July we will be traveling to Durban- a days drive away for a week of training and preparation. We will be working with some other African teams and also a group of Americans. The BEAT THE DRUM campaign is based on the Beat The Drum movie, about a boy that tries to uncover the lies of HIV/AIDS and save his village from the "killer"(AIDS) among them. BtD has gotten smaller over the years, since Bruce is no longer a part, and the campaign is now headed by my leaders George Mwanza and his wife Michele. But still today it remains extremely effective and it's effects are long lasting. And I've also had previous experience with BtD when I was in South Africa in 2008.
Like I said previously after a week of training we will then travel to the Transkai area to start the project. The first day we will be showing the movie in the schools and then the rest of the week will continue with a pair of volunteers in each classroom teaching the curriculum. The materials start with values, uncovering the lies of HIV/AIDS, abstinence, God's plan in sex and everything coming together in sharing God's plan for their lives and His love for each one of them. Finally, the last day is an opportunity for for the students to choose to be HIV tested.
The whole project with training, traveling and the campaign will run July 22- August 8. I am so excited to see the lives Jesus is going to change and draw to Himself and out of the lies of the enemy.
The transkai area is the deep rural Xhosa areas. A place of of deep traditions and culture. Which also means a lot of witchcraft, strongholds and a great need for the Light and Blood of Jesus.
-Please join me in praying for the students my team and I will will be ministering and teaching in the schools. Pray for a great thirst and hunger for the truth-Jesus Christ.
-Pray that the works and plans of the enemy will be completely demolished and that the lies that they believe will be exposed and the truth and love of Jesus Christ seen by all!
-Pray the Lord grants us favor with the principles and teachers in the schools.
-Also, please pray that I would be bold and courageous as I lead a team of volunteers and also teach in the classroom.
I am excited to come back and testify of the lives changed and power of Christ that I will see in Transkai.
Blessings to you my dear Brother and Sisters!
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