5 Lessons from South Africa
What makes South Africa (ZA) endearing is not just its immense natural beauty, but also the authentic beauty of the people who live here. There is so much good in their hearts.
1. Being people-oriented
People seek out relational living; where a person is worth the time it takes to help them, where people are sure to be cared for – whether that’s pulling over on busy roads to offer lifts, being a welcome house at any time of day, or going out of one’s way to make sure even strangers are looked out for.
2. Forgiveness and moving on
Racism was abolished in ZA in the 90’s, historically later than in the USA. We lived in the hillside community of Ocean View, which was the re-location site for blacks and coloureds when the whites decided they wanted the beautiful land and views of the ocean in Simons Town. Being the only 7 whites living in the ~20,000 person populated Ocean View, I was impressed with how the older generations who were directly affected by this history, treated us. I assumed there would be hatred, bitterness, pain, or defeat, and even when I reasoned it was because we were from North America, I learned they didn’t change their countenance for white ZA’s. I was very impressed with the forgiveness that must have gone on in so many hearts.
3. Potential in humanity
We were navigated through a tin shanty village to the drug-area where we hopped out of the car onto sandy roads littered with glass and wrappers. When they saw us, children and teenagers come out of the woodwork. A couple minutes later we were worshiping our great God with our Canadian, American, and South African accents. My teammate shared her testimony, we held the kids closer as the evening winds pick up, and the sun set behind the mountain. I felt God there with us as we gathered, and as I looked around the circle at the faces, I saw a desire in them for more. I saw the pureness people use to describe children, I saw that they had a lot to overcome in life, but I saw even greater potential. I wondered what they wanted to be when they grow up, I wondered what subjects in school were their favourites, I wanted to sit and talk with each of them, encourage them, ask that they rise to their potential, to follow the good in their hearts, for the sake of themselves, and the betterment of their community, their world, their lives.
I saw potential in the kids of the poor community of Masiphumelele. The cycle of poverty literally shocked me every day I went into this community, I left in tears twice. Something about the many kids who weren’t shown enough love, teenagers who weren’t cared for or guided, and adults who wouldn’t lead, who wouldn’t parent, made me wonder why change wasn’t happening, why corrections to this lifestyle weren’t naturally evolving. We invited many kids to come play soccer with us. I lead them out onto their perfectly manicured soccer field, a field they can see but aren’t allowed access to without adults – a rare opportunity. I had no plan, but I quickly learned the bond of sport and exercise doesn’t need a plan, or even a shared language, and I felt I was seeing with God’s eyes when I’d look into theirs, when they would tell me about their lives. We had only one afternoon with these specific kids, but it felt like an important one for them and for me. There was something translated through play, something God had His hand in.
We had a week at Simon’s Town school where we led physical education classes for kids in grades 1 through 12. I saw the potential in them to overcome the challenges in their home lives, the racial disadvantages, the usual changes in the years of youth to university, and I saw that they each wanted to be someone, but a lot of them didn’t know how to get there. I am truly thankful for the opportunities to speak into the lives of the next generation, where we could offer guidance and be a trustworthy, life giving, and dignifying conversation.
Lastly, our team had the unique experience of having our house broken into. It was 0400 when I shuffled to the washroom, flicked the light on, casually closed the door with my foot, when I saw a boy crouched in the corner, staring back at me, eyes wide. My team woke quickly and we worked well at ensuring our safety, he left at our demands, and was soon caught just as the sun was rising. A few days later, when my teammate and I were arriving back to our community, I saw that familiar face looking at me on the street. He slowed his walking, waited to see if we would stop or not. He told us he had paid his fine and was released. He was just a boy, needing to be a man but not bridging that successfully. I saw potential in him too. I wondered what it must be like to live a thieves life at such a young age, I wondered what he felt about himself, I wondered more what he didn’t see in himself, and I wondered who he still could be instead. He caused my team some trauma, but in meeting him, I have a reason to pray anew, a prayer for him to have a way out, to find what he’s looking for in life and not in other peoples’ houses.
I saw what God must see when He looks at us, I saw what is in us that Christ must have died for, I saw why His love is furious, why He offers help. I saw potential in humanity to be more.
4. The Relevance of Jesus
I’ve had my questions about this. I saw success as more relevant, I saw the goings and comings of the days as more meaningful, more real to me than Jesus was. But I’ve given Him this year of my life to show me otherwise, and I’ve learned that He really is relevant to my life, and also to any culture, any generation, even any conversation.
His relevance is in His love. Love is always relevant.
His relevance is also in His guidance.
His relevance is in His planning and providing for us.
His relevance is in the peace He offers day after day.
His relevance is in His character, His integrity, and His coaching.
His relevance is in His company and conversations.
His relevance is in how well He knows each one of us, and how He wants the best for us.
His relevance is in the hope we can have in Him for more out of ourselves, out of our relationships, and our lives.
I experienced the relevance of Jesus EVERY TIME I spoke about Him to someone here.
I learned that praying for people is also relevant. Not many people would turn down this question: “Can I pray for you?”
5. God gives good gifts
After how I’ve experienced God healing me again of some new worrisome neck pain I experienced this month (see my previous blog “My Spine”)…
After all the grace and mercy He’s extended to me for my countless sins, my stubbornness, and doubts…
After captivating me all over again here in ZA, showing me the glory of His creation through the place and the people…
After again showing me that I can really trust Him, that He loves me, wants me, and wants what’s best for me…
After these things I have concluded that God does give good gifts, He gave me South Africa for my Race, and new dreams for the rest of my life.
