During our last week of ministry in Pretoria, we had the opportunity to go to three orphanages in a place called Shoshanguve. The kids were so happy to see us, so they welcomed us with songs, hugs, and big bright smiles. They would ask us where we were from, ask why we talk weird, and ask if they could have our wristbands and/or hats. But the question that was truly burning in the minds of the boys at these centers was whether or not we had skills in the game of football (you folks back in America know this sport as soccer).
Putting all the pleasantries aside, the orphans were ready to take us out to the field to show off their stuff. This "field" may as well have been a parking lot, with just a thin layer of orange dirt on top. With a scratched up, semi-deflated ball, the pre-adolescent South African kids made us full-grown American men and women look like idiots. I was honestly shocked with how good their foot skills and quickness was. What was even more astonishing was the fact that none of them wore shoes. No shoes. No socks. No problem. I guess growing up with no money (I mean this literally, not in the exaggerated American sense of the term) for shoes leads to a boy's feet becoming rough and calloused, because they were slipping and sliding across the hard ground like it was nothing.
These kids are tough. I started to admire this, and wanted to see if my 24 year old feet could handle the terrain, so I went barefoot for the last match of the week (honestly it was because I wore flip-flops). It wasn't 5 minutes into the game that I regretted this decisions. My feet were KILLING ME. I don't know how they do it, but it doesn't phase them whatsoever. They just walk around barefoot. Everywhere. All the time. And back home we don't think twice about the need for shoes. We have handfuls of shoes stuffed away in our closet that we never even wear, and we call it the norm. The norm for a South African child is MAYBE one pair of shoes, and only because their school uniform requires it. This was definitely a reality check.
I feel like we hear about the need for shoes all the time back home, but until you can put names and faces to the feet who need them, it's not the same. Joseph needs a pair. So does Lerato. Tatu could use some too. Yes, they need shoes, but more importantly they need the best kind of shoes (Ephesians 6:15).
In order for me to continue on with my team, I need almost $3,000 to come in by December 1st. I would appreciate so much your prayers and consideration for my financial support for this trip. There are so many people ready to be loved, and I just want to be a part of it. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this possible up to this point! Kingdom Come, Conner
