I forgot about something that happened a few days ago, when we first arrived in Johannesburg at the airport. I was walking toward the restroom when I kicked something. It was a piece of paper, more like an envelope. I stopped to pick it up. When I opened it I saw a $100 bill on top of what was definitely a lot of money. I later discovered it was $1,300! Jon (our YWAM leader) and I thought about what to do with it. We tried to find an owner, but there was no identification with it, just cash. I was sure we would never find the owner, and I wondered what I would do with $1,300 extra dollars. I didn't feel right having it, because I knew that whoever lost it was feeling miserable. I kept watching around the terminal for anyone who looked like they were looking for something. It was then that I saw two men walking together and glancing all around at the floor. I followed them until they stopped and I overheard one of the men speaking English and saying to someone "What do we do, he was robbed, or lost his money?". I asked them how much they lost and the said it was $1,000 or more. I immediately knew this was the guy, and I handed it over. The men burst into smiles and loud voices as they hugged me. The man who had lost his money didn't speak English, but joy came through lour and clear! It felt absolutely great to bless this man. What a great start to this experience.
Now for today, what a great day it was! We started the day by driving up to the top of a hill that overlooks all of Bethlehem. There, Marleen and Tiisetso told us about the city, its history, its current situation. They pointed out the different communities where Afrikaans, coloured, and blacks lived. There was such extreme differences between the areas. We worshipped on this mountain and prayed. It was such a powerful experience. The told us about Bohlokong - poor area that literally means "Place of Pain." Withing this area there is a community with a name that literally means "We are rejected." I could not believe it! What an identity to have. What if my identity was that I came from a "place of pain" or that I was "rejected"? As we prayed and worshipped there, God broke my heart for this place. They told us of the brokenness, the hopelessness, the crime, the HIV/AIDS rate (35% are HIV+). I wept as we held out our hands over the city and prayed that God would redeem it. As I prayed there God reminded me of the story of Naomi in the book or Ruth. Her name meant "Pleasant", but after such hopeless times she wanted to be called "Mara" or "bitter". Throughout Scripture God is often taking people with one identity and giving them a new one. Abram to Abraham, Simon to Peter, Saul to Paul. In Naomi's case, she felt that her situation was hopeless and she gave up. But God helped her to regain that hope, and to regain her true identity. I felt that God was telling me that he wanted to do that here for these people. As I read through Ruth to search for what or why God brought that to mind I was blown away. Where does the story or Ruth take place? BETHLEHEM!! Here I am with my hands out over this city, also Bethlehem, being reminded of a story of a hopeless person that God restores. I am so sure that this is from God. He loves these people and is saddened by how they see themselves. He wants to make this a place of hope, and a people who are accepted, chosen, and loved by God. The name "Bethlehem" means "house of bread." It's a place that gives life, a place of hope. God, may you make this a place of hope! Will you rise up a new generation that will follow you and love you? You are the God that redeems - and I trust that you want to redeem this place as well.
After this time, we drove into Bohlokong, and the place known as "we are rejected." There we walked the streets and picked up trash. Though we filled several bags, we hardly made a dent. We got to talk with the people, and play with the children. Tiisetso took time to explain to us about this town, the people, the political system, HIV/AIDS in the area and lots more. He gave us such a great perspective as one who has grown up here. He told us that for many people, this is the life they choose. He called it "poverty of the mind." The government offered houses to many of these people, but most never signed up to receive one. He talked about how many people simply believed that after apartheid that that the government would simply come flying in with helicopters and give them whatever they wanted or needed. The need here is to teach the people how to build a community and to produce things on their own. As for HIV, there are billboards and radio messages all the time. The government offers free testing. But still, many are still so naive. They look at someone and assume they look fine so they much not be infected. One story he told us was recent - about one of the leading candidates to be the next president. He sounds like an evil man. But he was accused of rape, which turned out to be consensual sex. However, the girl was HIV+. The man was asked whether he then had HIV, to which he replied "No, I showered afterwards." Wow! One of the problems is also how when someone dies of HIV/AIDS, they will almost never say that. Instead, they will say that they died of pneumonia, or something like that. There's such a stigma because it is seen as such a curse. It's not really talked about.
Well, my hand hurts from writing. The sunset is beautiful right now. I miss my wife, I miss my Hannah. But God is teaching me great things. I am seeing things I won't likely forget. I pray that I don't. God is breaking my heart, which is what I asked him to do. I am also really learning a lot about prayer. Today on that mountain was an incredible time of prayer, and I'm convinced that God spoke to me there. Thank you Lord!
Now for today, what a great day it was! We started the day by driving up to the top of a hill that overlooks all of Bethlehem. There, Marleen and Tiisetso told us about the city, its history, its current situation. They pointed out the different communities where Afrikaans, coloured, and blacks lived. There was such extreme differences between the areas. We worshipped on this mountain and prayed. It was such a powerful experience. The told us about Bohlokong - poor area that literally means "Place of Pain." Withing this area there is a community with a name that literally means "We are rejected." I could not believe it! What an identity to have. What if my identity was that I came from a "place of pain" or that I was "rejected"? As we prayed and worshipped there, God broke my heart for this place. They told us of the brokenness, the hopelessness, the crime, the HIV/AIDS rate (35% are HIV+). I wept as we held out our hands over the city and prayed that God would redeem it. As I prayed there God reminded me of the story of Naomi in the book or Ruth. Her name meant "Pleasant", but after such hopeless times she wanted to be called "Mara" or "bitter". Throughout Scripture God is often taking people with one identity and giving them a new one. Abram to Abraham, Simon to Peter, Saul to Paul. In Naomi's case, she felt that her situation was hopeless and she gave up. But God helped her to regain that hope, and to regain her true identity. I felt that God was telling me that he wanted to do that here for these people. As I read through Ruth to search for what or why God brought that to mind I was blown away. Where does the story or Ruth take place? BETHLEHEM!! Here I am with my hands out over this city, also Bethlehem, being reminded of a story of a hopeless person that God restores. I am so sure that this is from God. He loves these people and is saddened by how they see themselves. He wants to make this a place of hope, and a people who are accepted, chosen, and loved by God. The name "Bethlehem" means "house of bread." It's a place that gives life, a place of hope. God, may you make this a place of hope! Will you rise up a new generation that will follow you and love you? You are the God that redeems - and I trust that you want to redeem this place as well.After this time, we drove into Bohlokong, and the place known as "we are rejected." There we walked the streets and picked up trash. Though we filled several bags, we hardly made a dent. We got to talk with the people, and play with the children. Tiisetso took time to explain to us about this town, the people, the political system, HIV/AIDS in the area and lots more. He gave us such a great perspective as one who has grown up here. He told us that for many people, this is the life they choose. He called it "poverty of the mind." The government offered houses to many of these people, but most never signed up to receive one. He talked about how many people simply believed that after apartheid that that the government would simply come flying in with helicopters and give them whatever they wanted or needed. The need here is to teach the people how to build a community and to produce things on their own. As for HIV, there are billboards and radio messages all the time. The government offers free testing. But still, many are still so naive. They look at someone and assume they look fine so they much not be infected. One story he told us was recent - about one of the leading candidates to be the next president. He sounds like an evil man. But he was accused of rape, which turned out to be consensual sex. However, the girl was HIV+. The man was asked whether he then had HIV, to which he replied "No, I showered afterwards." Wow! One of the problems is also how when someone dies of HIV/AIDS, they will almost never say that. Instead, they will say that they died of pneumonia, or something like that. There's such a stigma because it is seen as such a curse. It's not really talked about.
Well, my hand hurts from writing. The sunset is beautiful right now. I miss my wife, I miss my Hannah. But God is teaching me great things. I am seeing things I won't likely forget. I pray that I don't. God is breaking my heart, which is what I asked him to do. I am also really learning a lot about prayer. Today on that mountain was an incredible time of prayer, and I'm convinced that God spoke to me there. Thank you Lord!
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