Blessed to be here in Muizenburg, (45 min train from Cape Town) South Africa. Living on $2.45/day per person for food and watching God provide much with little all while staying in a hostel – 5 min walking distance from the beach. It blows my mind. I have never lived in a beach town, but I could probably get used to it… Ok, I am used to it. I feel so blessed to be able to run along the coastline each morning listening to praise music and thanking God for the beauty He created.
Part of me is thinking, this is too good, while the other is like- soak it up… you don’t know what is next! 🙂
This month my team is working with the nonprofit- Volunteer South Africa (VSA). The founder, Mandy runs an after school program for the street kids from the near-by townships (towns established during Apartheid for non-whites). These towns are pretty devastating- 3rd world conditions amidst a country that is on its way to being a first world nation. The children in these towns are beautiful. Bright eyes and full of wonder & love. I can see why Jesus always celebrated children. Their complete innocence is so beautiful, refreshing & healing to my soul.
VSA runs surf school and soccer and reading programs Monday-Friday. I thought I would be on the soccer field running around with the kids, but 2 days in I discovered that I am not gifted at this sport. Mid last week I was beginning to wonder, ‘How is the Lord going to use me this month? I don’t surf, I don’t play soccer- I could read, but they already have enough people for that. How am I going to contribute?’ Wah! Oh if I only knew what He had in store!!!
Last Thursday that question was answered. On the soccer field that day there were 6 little girls that had no interest in playing soccer, but they had lots of interest in learning how to cheer. ‘What? Really? That is so cool! God is going to use my talents and past in cheerleading to reach out to these young girls.’ We got right to work. On the side lines I taught them everything I could remember (movements such as- V, T, Gold Posts, Diagnal, and my favorite V-I-C-T-O-R-Y! cheer). They seemed to have lots of fun with it (as did I) and they greed to come back the next Monday (tomorrow).
The day got even better! As I walked the kids back home with a couple of my teammates, one of the girls asked to hold the Bible I was carrying in my hand. When I handed it over she quickly opened it to see if she could read it. In mild disappointment she said, “Oh, its in English.” It turned out, she couldn’t read English just yet. I asked her if she knew any people or Bible stories in the Bible and she responded, “I know about the devil.” ‘O wow- Ok, well that’s a start…’ I thought. As she was staring up at me to tell her more. I asked her if she would like me to read her a story next week during cheer practice. With great excitement she said, “YES! YES!” ‘O my wow! Cute!’ It was so moving to hear and experience her excitement for the word of God. Wow, how many more kids are just like her?
It brought new meaning and depth to the verse Luke 18:16 “But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”” There is such a bond between the two.
I look forward to the next couple weeks that I have with these sweet girls. Please be in prayer with me for our time together.
Loving my life.
God bless~ with love,
Kristen
