The last couple of weeks we have been doing various things around POPUP ministries which include playing/teaching kids at the day care, teaching computer classes, grading english papers, working with women in sewing, leading devotions for the learners, building a desk, helping the kitchen staff, taking inventory and doing some data entry. POPUP is committed to helping adults get training for hospitality, home base care, sewing, computer and administration as well as bringing the gospel through daily devotions. They also have a day care for children whose parents are incarcerated. These kids are taken care of by family members or care givers. They call their teachers mama following their name. They have about 30-40 kids of ages 1 – 8 and have about 4-5 teachers. These women are very dedicated and enjoy their work. All of them have a big smile, sing a lot and are always laughing.
My job for the last couple of weeks has been doing inventory – going around from room to room and marking off what is in a room, as well as doing data entry for the learners who have taken their exam to get into the program of their choice. We have also done ministry outside of POPUP and did something we call ATL (Ask the Lord). This is basically going out to the streets and asking the Lord to direct us on where to go. So the 25 of us went to a park a couple of blocks away. On the way there was a man who was asking for cigarettes and Russell (the guy in charge of us) said we didn't have any money to give him but asked if we could pray for him. He said yes and after all of us had got done praying, Russell, as he was hugging the man side ways said to him "go take care of your children and wife. You have a responsibility to your family. Now go and take care of them". The man looked at him with conviction in his eyes. As we continued walking to the park, we took down signs for abortion. We prayed for a little girl who was cross eyed. We prayed for two police officers and when we arrived at the park, we sat and played worship songs and a flood of kids gathered. There were men and women asking us what we were doing and we were able to present the gospel and pray for people. A little girl named Ashley, 6 years old, got close to me. I don't know where her parents were. She was with her sister. We sat and listened to worship being played and as she sat on my lap, I sang to her praying that she would remember the words being sung. She loves to sing and said she wants to play guitar. I told her that the songs we were singing were to God and that when she sings, she could sing to God. She did not leave my sight and even after we were leaving, she followed me right outside the park gates. We have also done other ministry outreach involving orphans and going to a Cornerstone College (what is high school in the states) and doing a presentation on how the Lord has changed us and can use broken and seemingly unqualified people to bring the good news.
On Monday it was Brie Day (kind of like labor day weekend). Some of the men in Russell's men's group came to worship with us the week before and because they were so touched by what we are doing, they wanted to bless us and not only by inviting us to go brie (same as bbq-ing) with them on Monday, but on Sunday they took us to a Lion and Rhino farm and payed for all of us. It was kind of like a safari and got to see lions, gazelles, ostriches, tigers, hyenas and many more animals up close ( I got to pet a baby lion and tiger!). Then on Brie Day, they had tubbing, a boat ride, lake, pool and plenty of food – lamb, sausage, steak, bread and pop (which looks like mash potatoes but really is corn meal) for us to enjoy. Then on Wednesday, we got to go to passion in Pretoria (city in which we are currently in).
POPUP has not wanted us to pay for any housing and they provide lunch for us (other meals we cook ourselves). We have been so incredibly blessed that I cannot even begin to say how thankful we all are. I know that all of us were not expecting this whatsoever. We have showers, typical Western toilets, electricity, gas, internet and a room to sleep in – we don't really care that we're on the floor and all in one room. Our other squad mates have been roughing it with none of the things I have just mentioned. I'm sure we'll get a chance to live without these things soon enough. All of these blessings has reminded me that bringing the gospel – the true transforming, powerful gospel that bears fruit, is not only for the orphans, the sick, the widows, but it's for those who are spiritually dead – and this reminds me of the American church. My heart is burdened because in America, we can hear the gospel and talk about the bible and theology and study the words we read in Greek and Hebrew, but if we are not doing what it says and bearing fruit and being uncomfortable – then what are we teaching our brothers and sisters in Christ? We lack in doing and caring about the global church. Like I had mentioned before, we were suppose to be in Zimbabwe or Botswana, but the Lord's plans are far greater than ours. I have started to develop a heart for praying for my church in Chicago, but also for the churches in our nation that they may truly see the benefits of losing our lives to gain it in Jesus. That we may start to be convicted and moved to do something greater than ourselves.
These past weeks I have thought 'what am I doing here? I don't feel like I am doing anything impactful'. The truth is, where ever I go I have Jesus in me and he will be used through me and whatever I do whether in word or deed, I do it onto the glory of God. I know there is more for me to learn and my being here is not a mistake. The Lord has a plan a purpose for me. Not only me, but for my team and our whole squad. We are learning what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus and learning how to live and sharpen each other through community. It hasn't been easy all the time, but we're growing.
May the Lord continue to bless each of you daily.
Sara
