Month 1 Ministry: Impact Africa
Starting World Race Round 2 strong! I LOVE South Africa! It is beautiful here. The land, the people, the food 🙂 Oh man, the food: pap, chakalaka, roasted beef and chicken. So simple, fresh and delicious. I cannot travel to a country and NOT ask a million questions about and experience the traditional foods. But the ministry here is absolutely incredible. This month we are partnering with an organization call Impact Africa.
Quick background. We are working in communities called informal settlements aka squatter camps. These squatter camps are very impoverished communities. One of my favorites communities we work in has nearly 300,000 people living in an area less than two square miles. The squatter camps exist for a list of reasons, but one major reason is related to the number of jobs here in Johannesburg. More than 25% of the GDP of the ENTIRE CONTINENT of Africa comes through this region. People from nearby nations flock here for jobs. There are so few jobs available in their home countries. Even still, joblessness remains a problem, and a level of hopelessness rises when people have left their homes, families and cultures, but still struggle to find a job.
Impact Africa was started 15 years ago by a couple who had a desire to see hearts and lives transformed here in South Africa. The ministry has just continued to grow. In our time here, we have had the privilege of participating in multiple different areas of the ministry. Below I will share a brief summary over each part of the ministry that we’ve been a part of.
Jabulani Kids
Oh man! This children’s program is so so so incredibly special and fun. After school is out on Friday, we walk through the squatter camp community letting the kids that play outside know that we will be “jiving” (dancing), having “sweeties” (candy), playing games, learning a Bible verse and Bible story, and giving awards. We then go wild! We dance, spin kids around, give high fives, “shops” (a super cute hand shake that includes snapping our thumbs together), hugs, kisses, and show them so much love. We have a chance to tell these kids of God’s great love for them, and allow the Lord to use us!
Community Outreach
We break up into small teams with locals and do evangelism in the squatter camp communities. We make new friends, join them in their daily routine by serving them in any way (washing clothes alongside them, folding clothes, sweeping floors…), then engage in spiritual conversations, share the Gospel, disciple them, encourage them, pray for healing, pray for jobs, really just share whatever the Lord has to say to the people we meet. It’s amazing! There is something so special about spending time with someone in their home, and watching the Lord work.
Work Projects
Manual labor! Whoop whoop! I actually super enjoy manual labor. It’s really cool to work hard physically alongside a team. We have been partnering with a local church to help them finish the parking lot and front patio section of the church. During this time we really connected with the other male church members. We played them in soccer yesterday and had an absolute blast.
Infant Baby Rescue
We assist the local social workers with presentations in the clinics and hospitals for pregnant women, telling them about the services that are available to them and other forms of support. Abandoned babies is a common occurrence in these poor communities. Shame and fear have held too much power in this place. Hundreds of signs advertising abortions line streets and walls. Through Infant Baby Rescue, Impact shows love, grace, and support to both the mama and the baby to save both of their lives. The last resort option is a Baby Safe, where a mother can safely leave her baby in a place that is watched 24/7.
Baby Home
I get to go on Wednesday to offer any occupational therapy services and general treatment strategies. This is a place where babies that were not able to be reunited with their families come so that they can be adopted. I am PUMPED.
Impact Kids
*** My FAVORITE***
Basically Jabulani Kids, but in the schools built by Impact. These are preschoolers and kindergarteners, and it is FUN!! Jumping, shouting, playing… It is so fun to delight over these babies. They are amazing and loved SO well.
Impact is a really special place. I am so grateful that we get to be a part of this ministry. Would you pray that the people we encounter have open eyes and sensitive hearts to God’s pursuit of them?
