We are nearing the end of our time in South Africa.
And today, Esther, Hannah, Nicole and I are sitting in Crazy Dave’s living room listening to the only rain we’ve seen all month. It’s lovely, It’s solemn, It’s cleansing.
All of us were amongst 4 teams who lived at Impact Africa’s base outside of Johannesburg. This month was transformative. We visited the Apartheid Museum, which was heavy. Soaked it in as such. Important History.
The teams were: Koinionia (my team), SHINE, Overflow, and Kindle.
My first impressions as we walked on the base were:
WOW.
wow.
and wow.
We had heard of stories of people camping out all month or sleeping on floors, no hot showers, etc, which is coming for us eventually.
However, we got real beds, (camp style bunkbeds), hot water, and sweet staff that poured into us. It seemed too good to be true.
Every day I would mentally note how lucky we were, express gratitude for each day, but also mentally prepare for the coming months which were to not be as generous (in those ways, at least). We know that all sacrifices are good and pleasing to the Lord, and we find Joy in the “suffering”. That is, bring on bucket showers, the Hot african summer, mosquitos, and conflict.
A lot has happened here.
First, i know theres a lot of interesting perspectives on missions trips, (via No White Saviors), and previous movements that have expressed negativity towards short term trips.
I get asked a lot “What exactly will you be doing”
Which I couldn’t honestly answer until I arrived.
As each country is different, each ministry is different, so there is not a one-size-fits-all answer.
But now that I have you, Let’s peer into the ministry of my first month, South Africa.
After all, you have supported me financially and I think you deserve to know.
Here’s some words that encapsulate my month.
— SQUATTER CAMPS. PHYSICAL LABOR. OUTREACH. PRESCHOOLS. TEACHING. ASSEMBLIES. HOSPITALS. — [Spicy Uno. Gray Water. Flat Rat. Taco Tuesday. PB&J. Volleyball. Hammocking. Aunties. Coffee. Feedback. Full Schedule. Interns. Frisbee. Northgate. NikNaks. SEND IT. chakalaka. WAKA WAKA. POP. Hebrews 13:5-6. 1 John 5:20]
Now let’s dig in.
First note that in Johannesburg, there are quite a few immigrants from places like Zimbabwe and Malawi. People come from all over to find jobs in Jo-burg. They have homes back in their countries, but take up shelter in “squatter camps”. These camps are tight, full of creative shacks, families, pop-up shops, and tons of KIDS!
The SC we spent most of our time in was Diepsloot.
Impact Africa has been in these communities for 15 years, they employee mostly local african staff along with staff from all over. The organization has a handful of ministries we took part in. We partner alongside locals, which is magical.
Our days were long, scheduled, dirty and amazing.
Here is my personal account of the ministries.
1. Jubaloni Kids
Means “Happy Kids” Zulu.
We preformed programs for kids in the squatter camp community! When the Impact bus runs through this community, residents smile, wave, and it is so so sweet. We pick up a translator that Impact employees, and set up shop inseveral locations performing skits, memory verses, songs, dances (jives) and games. Kids would literally pop out of the ground the join. We joke that JK is a full-on cardio workout. It was. It realllllly was.
this is the ministry that is the most tiring, we have to go into our reserve tank to really push through the second program. It’s hot, its sunny, it’s dusty. And it really is a whole lot of fun.
2. Impact Kids
Preschool! Every week we would help assist teachers in preschools near the camps. It was soooooo fun and wild and crazy. The preschools are all self-sustaining. that is if Impact left, they could still be operated and maintained. Bowen and I worked with the Rhino class (3-4yrs) and served as helpers for Teacher Barbara! The kids were playful, excited, and smart. They loved to chase. Bowen and i were “Teacher Bowen and Erin”, and every minute you would hear a chorus of “Teacher! Teacher!” “Teacher LOOK!” “Teacher PUSH ME ON THE SWING” or my favorite: “TEACHER LOOK AT MY STYLE!”
I really enjoyed this because I have dabbled with the idea of being a teacher. I absolutely love kids. Theses few weeks we have learned about fruits and vegetables, and farm animals! We read stories as directed by Teacher Barbara.
^ Teacher Barbara and I with the Rhinos
3. Impact Schools
Do you remember when you were in elementary school or middle, and you would go to the gym (or wherever) for the occasional assembly? I loved them. They were a nice change of pace. But I never thought I would be DOING THEM. I have such huge stage fright, but somehow managed. Our first assembly was on respect, the next was on bullying. Our role in the middle schools in SA were to perform these assemblies and skits, and also go classroom to classroom with curriculum for life coaching. The teachers at the school have a strict anti-drug curriculum already, so they approved of the ciriculums beforehand. We chatted with a lot of the staff in the break room, and they seemed elated as well, which was affirming. Sometimes it feels like you’re overstepping, or trespassing, or like “why is what I’m saying more important”. The truth is that is isn’t more important, but is it important. And we have been so endearingly welcomed by the local staff at the preschools and primary schools.
Through this particular ministry, I thrived, I felt a love continue to grow for teaching.
4. Project Baby Box
Having a new baby is HARD, crazy, and exciting.
This ministry partners with another organization that makes baby blankets, knits hats and shirts and outfits by hand (with love), and creates these “baby boxes” with gifts for new mothers. Baby abandonment is an issue in South Africa. The aim of this organization is to cheer on new mothers, give them a baby shower, provide encouragement, and more importantly: offer resources to help encourage the new mama to keep their baby, foster excitement, and provide care for the baby.
5. Community Outreach
My first day of community outreach was incredibly discouraging. I hated it. I felt pressured to speak when i had nothing to say, to spew out scripture I didn’t have memorized, and just felt incredibly exposed. I didn’t want to enter someone’s home, barely converse and head straight to: “DO YOU KNOW JESUS????@?@?!?!?!?!?!!?ERGDHSEoshfjgsk” Urrr, Hard pass.
But what choice do we have? To quit? No. This was a unique opportunity for connection with my squadmates. I had noticed others felt the same way, and Hannah and I bonded over our experience. We felt our discouragement, we layed it allllll out, and then we kept MOVING.
And so. We had our last day of outreach just a few days ago, and as we sit at the table near the rain, we noted about how things have come full circle. We spent our first day of outreach together and our last. And man, the difference. Our last day was incredibly natural and beautiful. We were paired up with Jeevan as well, and our translator was Beauty, a local from Diepsloot herself. She’s super huggable,…. anyways. We walked past some streets we have been on many times. Walking up to some ladies sitting outside, we kindly greeted them (sometimes this is even scary – but by the end of the month we were so much more confident, and we knew the locals were extremely hospitable). They invited us in, and then we chatted about their business. One of the ladies then directed us to wash her car. Um, YES. One thing about outreach is that is looks different everyday. Sometimes we help with washing clothes by hand, sweep floors, cook, chat, laugh, dance, pray. That day, we washed cars. Our friends put on their dance music and we all hopped around, sudsing up the cars, laughing. Jeevan, Hannah, and I were DANCING HARD, and the ladies LITERALLY JOINED US IN A DANCE CIRCLE. It was so fun and natural and easy and beautiful. After we finished, I learned how to properly sweep the porch. We talked about jesus with our friends, as they were christians too, and we had a sweet moment of prayer. One of the ladies prayed for us, and it was POWERFUL. THE WAY SHE SPOKE, WITH SUCH AUTHORITY! This is life in South Africa. This is a day in Diepsloot. This is such connection. This is FAMILY.
Some other notes:
We visited a mosque.
Every monday in south africa we would take classes on world religions. It is not common for non-muslims to be permitted to enter an active mosque. So it was our upmost privilege to visit. our guide/friend allowed us to tour this mosque to help dispel any negative misconceptions and build bridges. It’s beautiful and we are all family. I love to ask questions and that desire was fulfilled.
Wednesday nights we had “holy spirit time” called OASIS with Erinn, which was always beautiful and powerful. She poured into us so we could pour out. On our last OASIS, the boys came in and washed our feet as an expression of “loving + serving without expecting anything in return”, something a lot of girls have yet to experience. They shared encouraging words and prayers. It was so touching and sweet.
A taste of African Church.
We got to experience 2 different Africa Churches. It was SUCH AN EXHILRATING SERVICE! I LOVE IT! We DANCE. Like DANCE DANCE. Everyone is energized and praising God in such fun, exciting ways! The worship was downright my favorite worship experience ever. The intermingling of culture rested in this HOUSE OF GOD. No division, just FAMILY! The pastor Sipho came and prayed for us beforehand, and after. He was the kindest, humblest, sweetest man. This is good. THIS IS REAAAAALLLLY GOOD!
Physical Labor
Ahhh, my strong suit.
Just kidding. This day was really fun. Team SHINE + KOINONIA were chosen to help fill in this foundation for an extension of the church. Moses helped teach Esther, Nicole, and I how to lay bricks. We raked dirt. Moved big rocks. Dumped wheel barrows of substance into a large pit. All in the beautiful, baking, african sun.
So this is it.
We came here without expectation and we leave here thankful, in the cheesiest way. Yep. We welcome month 2, with whatever it may bring.
Shouting praises. Asking questions. Seeking truth.
That’s what this is all about.
So for those of you asking what I do on the race, I hope this could give you a teeny tiny glimpse. This is month 1/11. So theres tons of room for new and challenging experiences.
ZIMBABWE!!!!! BULAWAYO!!!!!
COMING! FOR! YOU!!!
RAINY SEASON!!!!!!
SUMMER!!!!!!!!!
AHHH!!!!!!
Speak with you soon,
xoxo
Erin
