Well, we’ve been in Jeffrey’s Bay for just over a week. It’s great to finally be in the land that I have anticipated and dreamed of for so long. After almost two full days travel we finally made it! Jeffrey’s Bay is beautiful, we’re staying at Ucsa, a Christan Camp that is located literally a block away from town. The minute we step out of the walls of of our compound we can see the ocean, which is a mere two minute walk away. While in town you can hardly tell that you’re in Africa. Storefronts complete with internet cafe’s, coffee houses, resturantes, billabong, clothing stores and even a putt-putt course. This being not quite the Africa I had invisioned… but the farther right you walk the more you can see the distinct line between rich an poor. Only about a ten minute walk away is the township, the place my heart is beginning to beat for.
Most in the town do not tread on the unpaved grounds of the “community” (township), most don’t even talk about it. Considering the close proximity of the township I would think that life in the township would not be as invisible as it appears, but still people walk by the immense need and do nothing. Even the streets are inhabited by young boys who are homeless and without family. How can we blind ourselves to such brokenness? I myself am guilty of too often walking by and doing nothing. Even in writing this I cannot help but be convicted. Too often I walk by brokenness and do nothing.
Over the past year God has been dealing with my heart on the issue of brokenness and poverty. I stuggled with it at home with my homeless friends, and now it’s hard to see it here and to not know what to do. Every day we pass by the street boys- the only thing I know to do is pray and get to know them. It’s ahrd to see such obvious brokness in their eyes and to be able to do nothing. Some of these boys are only 8 years old but their eyes are aged beyond their years. The townships are full of children who come from broken and abusive homes, these kids need so much love. I am stuggling with how to love them. I know it’s not right to just pass by- the passage in Matthew 25 continuasly rings in my mind, “Whatever you have not done for one of the least of these, you have not done for me.” I cannot, I will not simply pass by.
“You can do no great things, only small things with great love.” Please pray that my team and I may have great love for every person that we meet. Pray that we would make the most of everyopportunity. Pray that we would not simply pass by but that we would put our love into action.
May our eyes never be closed to suffering, may we do small things with great love.
