Cape Town, South Africa
I wish it were simple to tell you what an average day looks like in South Africa — but every day looks different here. Zehandi Missions believes in plans, not schedules, leaving plenty of space for the Holy Spirit to move.
Zehandi Missions, originally based in Malawi, is just starting up in South Africa. Their hands have quickly jumped into working at baby halfway homes (babies who have been found/or given up for adoption), with hopes of having their own home someday, ministering to the prostitutes on the streets, and working in squatter camps.
baby halfway homes.
what we did..
We held babies, yep, classic missionary girls holding beautiful children — I loved it. Babies are the coolest little creatures, miniature and hilarious, full of personality, charm, and gas. I love that they have the best smiles, toothless and slimy, full of honest joy. I love that they are so excited when you pick them up, so excited they could just spit up every where, and sometimes they do. They need you in every way to survive, but more importantly they want to be near you — to know you're there. It was perfect.
God moment..
These babies come from all different backgrounds, from moms who just
can't provide for a child to babies that were just thrown out. They have been rescued and well cared for — but the most exciting part is they are all in the process of being adopted. Every single child is heading to a home. The walls of the homes are filled with pictures of growing children with their new families. Amazing.
squatter camps.
what we did..
You're not going to believe this, but we didn't come bearing great gifts of food and clothing, solving all their problems for that week and you're not going to believe that it's not really what they want. Strange, I know. We just went around building relationships, coming only to be a friend. Their hearts were grateful, for once someone wanted to know them, to know what their struggling with, to know what their rejoicing in, to pray with them if they wanted it, to play with them.. And yes, their physical needs are extremely important and will certainly not be neglected, but it was true, it wasn't only physical things they needed.
What's Zehandi Missions vision for the squatter camp?
To build relationships and fuel empowerment.
While being part of the team at Zehandi Missions, we also found out their greatest needs and brainstormed ways the people could be empowered to take care of themselves. [For example, people in the squatter camp said people need food, so Zehandi Missions would help make a way for the people to build a kitchen and have the residents make the food for their community.]
God moment…
I didn't usually play with the kids, not because I don't like kids, but let's be honest, my team and the team we were working with are all women, and most girls think children are as cute as puppies. I knew that there were plenty of grown people that needed a friend, and I was going to be it, which is what happened. But eventually, I found myself with all the little nuggets.
There's something about playing soccer against eight year old boys that makes me believe I could actually be a professional. I love it. haha. My favorite part is the excitement they have because you want to play with them. They are just full of smiles and giggles__ it's like the circus just came to town giving out free carmel apples and elephant rides__ they're just that ecstatic to be with you. I felt so blessed that God said yes to me coming all the way to South Africa, to hang out with these kids, to love them, and crush them in soccer 😉
prostitution ministry.
what we did…
Ready..set.. jump. All of sudden it's time — jump out of the van. There's the woman you're going to talk to, she doesn't have much time because her pimp is watching, every word you're about to say matters. There is only a short amount of time every night you go. It's crazy and heart breaking and hopeful all at the same time. Many women have similar stories, they need to support their family or they've some how been sucked into the business and escaping doesn't seem possible.
Zehandi Missions has just recently bought a home where prostitutes can escape and be made whole. It is still in the works, but when it's ready, women will be supplied with the resources needed to stay out of the sex industry. Until the house is ready Zehandi Missions will continue to build relationships, brainstorming ways for girls to get out if they wanted.
God moment…
We started talking to a girl my age — for once she wasn't associated with a pimp who was watching her every move. We could talk with her, she wanted to talk with us. She was bubbly and sweet. It was obvious she had gotten herself in way over head. I didn't see a prostitute in front of me, I saw a girl who had no idea what she had gotten herself in to. It was heavy on my heart to pray for her. I started to pray, and remind her who God created her to be — a known daughter of the King of Kings. Tears started falling from her eyes — she was meeting with Jesus. She was broken and tired, this wasn't what she wanted. God didn't show up, as if this was His first time chasing after His child — He was just shouting that He had never left her.
Here's a video of the start up of Zehandi Missions in South Africa (featuring my team– and team Radiant)…
