One Month Down - 11 To Go!

Greetings everyone!

Since my last post, things have ramped up to a whole new level. After completing our orientation, we began to establish connections and lay the foundations for the ministries each intern will be a part of. After a meeting at Sunnyside Primary School (a K-7 school in a rough part of inner city Pretoria) that list of ministries expanded TREMENDOUSLY!

Before that meeting started, we were anticipating being involved in their soccer program after school. After the meeting, our involved read as follows: Boys and girls soccer, cricket, 2 softball teams, two tennis teams, a field hockey team, a drama club, student counseling, homework help, running an overnight soccer camp at Kimiad, running a delinquent kids overnight camp at Kimiad, running a Holiday Club (like vacation bible school) at the school during their winter break (June/July), and anything else that came up during the year.... whoa

We couldn't believe that opportunity that presented itself at this school. The pastors of our church have felt strongly that we were called to get involved in the Sunnyside area and that the Primary School was a great place to start. They didn't know how quickly or easily we would be able to get involved. My tasks on the above list are most of the sports teams, and we are now 1 week into practices for all of them. So far, there has been a mixed response. My softball teams are extremely excited to play and practice, and were even receptive already to me praying with them before and after training. I shared with them the that the reason i volunteer to coach is because God loves them, and that i wanted to teach them about that love. My cricket, and soccer teams were much harder to work with. They are not terribly well behaved and their need in regards to discipline, respect, and general behavior issues is tremendous. I'm glad that i am able to be a part of that process, but it will indeed be a process.

In addition to Sunnyside, I am also involved in two other ministries. The first is at Leeukop prison outside of Jo'burg. I am mainly aiding the coaches and ministers who have been involved there already, but on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we travel down and train with a group of players selected from the juvenile section to be a part of the Hope Academy. Each session we train, do bible study, pray, and have accountability time about what the guys are struggling with. This has been the most encouraging ministry so far. These young men are strongly dedicated to living a strong moral christian life, and we are merely encouraging them on that path. Their energy and passion is remarkable for any person i would meet in a church, let along someone who faces the challenges that they have.

Lastly, I am involved in an after school program on Fridays in the township of Mamelodi. Kids wander over from a nearby school to Mandela Park where we have a short biblical lesson translated into their native language, and then we have a training session and game followed by fruit and juice. This ministry is unique from the others because of the cultural setting. Being in a township, the economic level is much lower than in Pretoria. Many kids play barefoot, and for some, the fruit and juice is the best nutrition they may receive all week. The language barrier is also slightly harder in the townships, because among the younger groups, English is not understood. That has been the largest hurdle for me so far in my two visits. Having to have someone translate limits the depth of the message i can share with my group of kids.

Now that we are a couple weeks into active ministry, i am beginning to see what my time here will look like....and it looks good :) I am excited about being involved in so many starkly different ministries and interacting with so many kids. The potential for profound life change is ENORMOUS for this year and we haven't even begun ministry surrounding the Confederation's Cup in June.

As you probably noticed, i started a slideshow on the blog in the top right corner. I will keep that updated with new pictures as they come up. Unfortunately, i cannot take a camera into the prison except on special circumstances, so you will have to wait to see pictures from Leeukop. I do have some pictures from Mamelodi up there, and Sunnyside pictures will be coming soon.

Sorry this has been long, i plan on posting more regularly from now on, which will also mean each post will be short and to the point :) I hope you all are well and blessed. Email if you would like! I would love to hear from you.