I think that this month, more than any, I have experienced the redemptive power of God in a person’s life.
We’ve been in Cape Town, South Africa, working with an organization called Cease Fire. Basically, they are people who seek to resolve gang conflicts without the use of violence. They are made up of former gang members turned Jesus lovers and are very well respected throughout the community- by gang member and citizen alike. Cease Fire has a few rehab centers for those wanting to get out of their lives of drug addiction and gangsterism, and that is where we come in.
The REALITY: Cape Town was not how I had envisioned or expected it to be. In my mind, it was a relatively wealthy and developed vacation beach town. With a small exception, this wasn’t the case. Apartheid forced a large population of South Africans to move from their homes and relocate into various impoverished communities. The result of this is widespread violence, drug use, and gangsterism. There was one moment that this really hit me. We got the opportunity to work with kids at an afterschool program in one of the worst areas in Cape Town. At one point, the kids were asked to act out dramas in groups. Every single group made mention of doing drugs, shootings, and gang activity. These kids are 6-13. My initial reaction was to say, “seriously, you are allowing and encouraging these kids to act out and talk about violence and guns and drugs?!” But I was hit with the sobering reality, this is their lives. Kids would casually talk to me about the shootings that go on almost daily and about parents beating each other. The leaders can’t just shield them from these “bad things” and pretend that they don’t exist. This goes deeper than worrying whether kids are going to be influenced by violent video games or discover alcohol with their friends. Most of the kids are within the ages where they are at risk of getting involved with gangs and so this stuff has to be addressed- and it is only within this context that they can understand Jesus, and hope, and redemption.
So the question remains- how does someone break from this cycle when it is all they have ever known?
Camp Joy, Camp Mercy and Breaking Chains. These are names for redemption. These are rehab centers for people who WANT to change and who refuse to become another statistic. The staff is full of changed people, and after only 6 weeks in one of the centers, they have a 80% success rate.
These camps are seriously such beautiful places. I have met people who have murdered, raped, robbed, and been heavily into drugs. But if you didn’t tell me, I would honestly have no idea. I have felt so safe, uplifted, and had so much fun with these people. The sense of God’s presence is so real and apparent on each of their lives.
In a place where violence and hopelessness is the norm, they stand out.
One of our friends is an ex-gang member and drug user of 11 years. He grew up as a Muslim and was high up in the ranks of his gang. He left his lifestyle only 4 months ago and is so on fire for God and wants to become a pastor. He is always talking about something new He read in the Bible or learned and leads a daily bible study. He seriously has the kindest heart and such childlike faith.
One of the leaders of the camps was a gangster for 20 years and as he tells us, he has committed every crime imaginable. He should have went to prison for life but when he gave his life to the Lord and came to Camp Joy, all of the charges against him mysteriously vanished- hello God! Today he is dedicated to seeing Jesus set other men and women free from drugs and gangsterism.
And then there are the beautiful girls we got to work with, who were bawling one day after we showed them a movie about God’s love. God started awakening dreams in them- to become pastors and missionaries and parents and college graduates, and mentoring children.
These people aren’t angry- they are fully of joy. They aren’t hopeless- they have big dreams for the future. They aren’t bitter- they have tasted the love of God who has set them free! Jesus is alive and His offer of forgiveness and redemption still stands. No life is too far gone for Him to transform and make new.
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Oh yeah and Cape Town is also pretty beautiful, so here’s a token photo for you!
