Klipheuwel and a Call to Action

Helen, Estelle, and Inside Out

Ministering to the Elderly

We had an amazing opportunity to go spend time with the Elderly people of Klipheuwel. Our team went twice but because I was sick I had to miss the second time. We helped them practice for some type of senior citizens' games that were going to be held in the coming months. It was so much fun to see how full of life and energy these people were. You could tell they were so excited to be out of the house and have something to do that was just for them. It made them feel special. I hate I missed this but on the last day the team was with them, they expressed how grateful they were because they feel so forgotten in their community. It meant a lot to them that we were there and they asked that we would never forget them.

When we were done with the field games with them we had the chance to share a meal with them which eventually turned into this.....

South Africa Pictures

Here are links to see my pictures from South Africa:

Pictures from Klipheuwel

The team and other people I was with in South Africa

Sights of South Africa

Nkupane

*Nkupane's nickname means "My Brother"

Break from South Africa posts, Student Life, Target and MJ, and the Lake

I am really sorry that I have been inconsistent with blogging this summer. Working with 100 kids every day has been extremely exhausting. When I get home I have no desire to use my brain therefore I have been slacking on the blog. My apologies to my audience of very few. But don't worry more is to come about South Africa, just not this week.

This week I will be venturing to Liberty University with Grey Stone's youth group for Student Life Camp. I went last year and had a blast so I expect to have a great time this year too. Hopefully there will be no seizures and strep throat this year.

Have a great week with out me and I'll see you kids later.

P.S.- Just got Michael Jackson's greatest hits CD for 10 bucks at Target. Steal. Don't judge me for liking his music.

P.P.S.- I come back from camp Friday and then turn around and head to the lake for the day with the college peeps from G-Stone. I'm on a boat. Well not yet but I will be.

All things to all people

"I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings." 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (ESV)

This is one of my favorite verses when it comes to ministry. I have always believed that the best way to minister to people is through relationships and most of the time relationships are started because of a common bond. But what happens when we have no common ground with someone? When they are from a culture completely different than ours? A different background? A different race? A different social class? Instead of just walking away, we must become.

Many times we fail to become. I know I have failed at this many many times. Usually, when we can't relate to someone we just move on and just say someone else will come along and befriend that person. But when we do that we are neglecting God's word. When we come across someone we can't relate to we must get on their level and create the common bond.

I put this verse in practice for the first time, that I can remember, in South Africa. Before going to South Africa, I was nervous about being able to relate to this young men. We are from different countries and completely different environments. We have a language barrier and a race barrier. However, it wasn't hard to relate because of one simple thing.....a soccer ball.

Growing up I have always made fun of soccer. I always said it was a girls' sport. It was for boys who couldn't play football. I hated it. Mainly because I never played it. But here I was in South Africa standing in front of the boys who I came to share God's love with and the main opportunity I had to relate with these guys was the game of soccer. Needless to say, I didn't stand there and make fun of the game or make fun of them for playing what I used to call a wimpy sport. Instead, I became a soccer player for them. Because of this sport doors were opened for us to find more common bonds with the boys.

We could have gone in to the town and made all of the kids sit down for an hour while we preached to them but it wouldn't have been effective. Instead, we came to them and participated in their favorite past time. We showed them that we were here for them. That it wasn't about the rich, white, Americans. It was about them. About how much God loves them and how much we love them.

Jesus took the same approach. Instead of just sitting up in heaven and snapping his fingers to save us, which he has all the power and authority to do, he became like us. He came to us and related with us to show us how much he loves us.

Paul did the same thing when he became a minister to the Gentiles. A people who he once hated and looked down upon. He became like them. He lived with them. I'm sure he even broke his Kosher diet and ate some pork so that he could relate to them.

So the next time you encounter someone that you have a hard time relating to, become something to them. Find a way to build a bridge to that person. Get out of your comfort zone and try something new. Who knows you might actually enjoy whatever it is. I still suck at soccer and I was schooled by kids almost half my age but because of my time in South Africa, I have a new found appreciation and interest in soccer. My eyes have been glued to the t.v. the last couple of weeks whenever there has been a Confederation Cup soccer game on. Plus the fact that the games are being played in South Africa adds a little extra interest for me.

The Soccer Boys sporting their new soccer jerseys that they made.