Issue #1,147 July 6, 2004 A Taste
We're settling into our short time in South Africa. I walked through fields of
tall dead winter grasses, I marveled at plants I had never seen before. I watched
beautiful birds that I couldn't even begin to identify. I think Genni the wonder
dog would love this place. I also pondered some of our experiences so far.
We've just been getting orientated to South Africa and we've had some adventures
already. The service station at the Johannesburg International Airport had no
"petrol" for sale. They had run out. The bank in town was unable to exchange US
dollars. Driving on the opposite side of the road has been a challenge although
it will come with practice.
We had the pleasure of being guests at a brai (a South African barbeque) where
we met some delightful brothers and sisters in Christ. We've delighted in time
spent in stimulating conversation with our hosts, learning about them and the
issues the nation faces.
We've met a couple passionate about doing their thing to help comfort those who
suffer from HIV. We've met several people involved in prison ministries. A number
of people we've met are involved in ministries that feed the hungry. Our host
couple have the gift of hospitality and have spoiled us incredibly. All of these
people freely admit there are huge challenges that face their country.
Corruption and violent crime are rampant. High levels of unemployment have left
many without hope and dignity. The AIDS epidemic is hitting the country hard.
Sexism and racism are still huge problems. There's a huge need to facilitate reconciliation
between people groups.
Yet in admitting the scope of the problems, they also see much reason to be hopeful
and rejoice. The problems are staggering in size, they defy my imagination, but
God has the tools to resolve all the issues if believers will simply be obedient
and put their God given talents to work in his service.
We've seen poverty, and encountered many angry people. We met a boy man named
Moses (maybe age nine or so) who has AIDS and is battling meningitis. He was too
weak to get out of his bed. A pleasant, handsome boy, trying his best to deal
with the pain of his illness and to make us feel comfortable even though he knows
he is dying. Other children with AIDS living in the same home, laughed and rejoiced
as they tried in vain to teach me a traditional Zulu dance (without a great deal
of success I must confess). Moses was in a critical care bed next to a wonderful
woman in her eighties who is recuperation from starvation. Her family had abandoned
her to die, someone rescued her and brought her to the hospice.
We've seen people who are freezing as one of the coldest winters on records presses
down on this country. The eighty pair of mittens we brought will warm the hands
of eighty children and that's a wonderful blessing but we could use 800,000 more
pair and then some more.
The problems are immense. The opportunities for Christians and in South Africa
to serve and transform lives through the power of Jesus Christ are incredible.
The AIDS hospice could use a team to come and do some building work for them.
The team would have to be responsible for purchasing the building materials and
doing the construction because every penny that comes in goes into daily care
of the dying.
There is tremendous need for deliverance ministry to deal with generation of
occultic practices. The ministries to the prisons could use financial support
and laborers. The opportunities to how God's love to a hurting people are tremendous.
There is much suffering here, but there is even more opportunities to share the
love of Jesus. The harvest is truly ripe for the picking. I have much to learn
yet about this country and the issues it faces, but I've already begun to understand
some of the words of Jesus in a deeper more profound way.
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues,
preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed
and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The
harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore,
to send out workers into his harvest field."
Matthew 9:35-38 NIV
There is so much yet for me to learn, but I see and hear that there is opportunity
here for you and I to use our talents and resources to help bring in the harvest.
Until next time, I encourage you to pray an see what God is calling you to do
to bring more of the love of Christ to this hurting country (or elsewhere in the
world is that's where God is calling you to be involved). You and I are harvesters.
All of us have something to contribute to bringing the harvest into the storehouse.
Will you commit to seeking what it is that God will have you do?
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Kevin
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have
value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing
to the world. You are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without
you.
HELP FOR THE HURTING
If you're looking for purpose and meaning in life, if you're looking for a grand
adventure, look no further than Jesus Christ. He's got plans that exceed your
wildest expectations. The very first step in the adventure is getting right with
Him. Will you take that step?
If you want to know how to do that simply email us and we'll send you some Bible
verses that will explain it to you.
You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your
heart; admitting you need God's help; turning away from your sin and saying a
prayer along the lines of the one below. There isn't any "magic" in the prayer;
it's simply a way to open up to the gift that Jesus already bought for you with
His very life. You can't earn it. You don't deserve it. He freely offers it to
all who will accept it.
Jesus:
I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have
sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world
and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and
rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you
Lord.
Amen
If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with
you. It's not the end of the process. It is the beginning of a wonderful journey
to become more like Jesus. It's your starting point.
NEED PRAYER? GOT QUESTIONS?
If you're in need of prayer or answers to questions about the faith email us
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