Up until just ten years ago, this neighborhood was clouded by darkness. There was no electricity in this neighborhood of Cape Town and people lived by candlelight in the darkness. It was known as Dark City.
Pa and Ma Haynes, as everyone knows and calls them, have lived here for thirty years. They remember the days without electricity on the streets and in the homes. It is so hard for me to imagine people living without electricity in the 21st century, but that was their reality from when they moved into this house until 2002.
As literal light reached dark city through electric power, spiritual light also began to infiltrate this place. The New Hope Jeremiah Project opened its doors and began to reach out to children whose physical and emotional needs were not being met. Ma began to feed the children snacks and meals after school. She also invited them in to hear about God and read the Bible with her. Kids started telling each other about this place and more children began to come with hungry stomachs and eager hearts.
On any given day, this place is bustling with school-aged children. Dancing, singing, games, prayer, Bible reading, and love overflow from this home. However, this neighborhood still has darkness with drug houses on every block, abusive homes, robbery, and violence. But light overcomes darkness. The Light has come to Dark City and it is spreading. I declare this, not only for this neighborhood, but also for all of Cape Town and South Africa.
