Day 3, Week 3 of Children’s Camp and we are still going. If you ask most of us, we are ready to drop from exhaustion, but loving every minute of our experience. Last week we were at Mathoeng primary school in Atteridgeville. Most of those kids were middle class. They will be part of the next generation that will make a difference in South Africa. They were a fun group, but small. This was the first year that we have done their kids camp so we averaged 50 for the week. I had 10 year olds and had 8 kids for the week. They all spoke excellent english and asked great questions. Even the first day I had one student asking about ancestor worship and asking if you are bad your whole life and do one good thing right before you die will you go to heaven? We had lots of interesting conversations. Even with their education and better social status these kids still had a skewed view of Christianity. One day, Thabong, my only boy for the week began to tell me that some Christians whip themselves and wear barbs around their legs to cause pain so they can serve Christ better. I realized that he was refering to the character from the DaVinci Code. I made it clear quickly that this man was not one who was a Christ follower. He did bad things in God’s name and he was not seeking to do God’s will.
This week we are at Mamelodi informal township. 1.3 million people live in this “informal” settlement. It is really a unique place to be. As you drive through town you can look out one window and see homes. The other side is an ocean of shanty houses. It is a challenge in that I have 10 year olds again this week but I only have 2 that even understand english. They also are from a much lower social class. I also have had an interesting time with interpreters. Last week I didn’t need an interpreter but the week before I had one that I had to remind to translate. I have found myself in the same situation this week, where I have a great girl who helps out but I have to remind her that she is supposed to be translating my words for the kids. We are making it though. God blessed by giving me a different interpreter yesterday as we talked about salvation. He was on top of every thing I said. He made sure the kids really understood what I was trying to tell them. We have a unique opportunity this week, in that we get to go to our kids homes if they want us to and their guardians have given permission. I am going tomorrow to visit with one of my girls family. It was so sweet to see her reaction and excitement when we told them we wanted to meet their families and see their homes. Did I forget to mention that I have 23 in my group and they are mostly boys? We are having a lot of fun!
Please pray that these kids will hear the Lord’s voice through me, regardless of the language challenges. Tomorrow we are going to talk about how God’s love protects, please pray that these kids will be open and honest and that I will have the right words to say to help them understand God’s protection over them. Also pray for opportunities for me to share God’s protection over my own life with them. These kids are amazing and I want them to be with me in heaven one day.
You can also be praying for the Daughters of Zion as we are in the process of praying through what God wants us to do with the next two weeks after camp and before debrief with everyone at Alabanza. We are praying for God’s confirmation on what He has seemingly laid on our hearts as a team. Pray that we will continue to grow together in knowledge of our Father and love for one another.
