Goeie dag (good day) from Heidelberg, South Africa! If the name of this town brings you back to days of church catechism, you’ve actually already caught on to the heritage of this little place in rural South Africa. Heidelberg was indeed colonized by the Dutch in the 16-1700’s and with the Dutch colonists brought the Dutch reformed church. The town was named in honor of the Heidelberg in present day Germany, where the Heidelberg Catechism was created. A beautiful looking Dutch reformed church built in 1913 still stands at the center of town today. There is definitely some European flavor to this place! About 15% of the town population is white (mostly of Dutch decent), with the rest being “coloured”. The primary language here is Afrikaans, a language of Dutch origin, but sounding a lot like German to my ears. English is also taught in the schools here so the vast majority of people speak at least some English, with most educated people being bilingual. Outside of town offers a farming community with a dairy industry. Cattle pastures and fields of canola and wheat can be found throughout the countryside and I’ve even seen a few ostrich pastures! Heidelberg is located between the beautiful Langeberg mountain range and the Indian ocean, being only 25 miles from the coastal town of Witsand. This place is definitely not what I pictured when I imagined South Africa but I’m glad to be here for the month and it actually reminds me a bit of my own small town home!
The old Dutch Reformed Church that stands in the center of Heidelberg
This month, my team and I are working with Phil and Tanya Smythe of Langeberg Christian fellowship. Phil and Tanya have a whole lot going on here in Heidelberg which creates a variety of different ways for us to join in and help out! After balancing ministry along with their successful careers in the architecture field and electrical business, Phil and Tanya decided to follow the Lord’s calling on their lives, move from Durbin to Heidelberg and begin ministry full time. Phil led church services in a local restaurant for two years before he and Tanya opened the doors to the newly constructed Langeberg Christian Fellowship church building in 2005. In 2006, new doors were again opened to the addition of Heidelberg Christian School, which is connected to the church. Heidelberg Christian is an English school offering a Christ centered education for students from preschool through 12th grade. The construction continued yet and in 2007, Charis bible college made for the newest addition to the campus at LCF. Charis (the Greek word for grace) is a division of Andrew Wommack ministries from Colorado Springs and offers a 3 year course for those wishing to further dig into the truths of the bible.
The front entrance to Langeberg Christian Fellowship. This entire facility is well designed and well kept.
A side view of Heidelberg Christian School; connected to LCF with Charis bible college in the background
Charis Bible College
The preschool designed by Tanya Smythe; raised above ground to provide shade for children to play and swing underneath the school.
So what have we been up to so far here in South Africa!? The days tend to have a lot of variety as a result of the many different things that take place here. The custodian of the campus has recently sprained her ankle, so we’ve been able to help out with a bunch of cleaning and keeping the buildings looking fresh and clean. Mopping floors and emptying trash cans might not sound like the most exciting ministry in the world, but it’s certainly ministry promoting God’s kingdom and we’re happy to help out where help is needed.
We’ve also been able to plug in with the bible college a bit by sitting in on some of their sessions and we’ve also had the opportunity to go and do some outreach with a some of the college students. Some of our team went to do street outreach in town while my teammate Hannah and I took a drive to a hospital in a nearby town to make some visits with patients there. I partnered up with a student, Michael, who is actually from the Netherlands and studying at Charis with along with his wife. We were able to pray for healing, peace, comfort and encouraged many with scriptures of the Lords provision. We entered in with the intention of being a blessing to others, but in return were blessed by the smiles and thankful hearts that we experienced. It’s funny how that pattern seems to repeat itself when it comes to ministry!
LCF also supports and partners with three different preschools in the Heidelberg area. We were able to split our team up and send two of us to each preschool and give the teachers a hand for a day. We had lots of fun with the kids and were able to lead them in some songs and dances, help them with learning their letters and numbers, share bible stories with them and simply goof around! It was a lot of fun but I have some serious respect for preschool teachers! That job requires some real energy, grace and patience. The three preschools supported by LCF are all located on the east side of town, which would have been the coloured area during the apartheid time of racial segregation in South Africa. Phil and Tanya’s hearts are for the entire community in Heidelberg, so they are glad to provide books and the same curriculum they use in their Christian school to these preschools.
Children of God 🙂
My teammate Stacy helping out with the letter “S”
He may have struggled with making “S” go the right direction.. but that SMILE!
We’ve also been able to join in on the Wednesday evening home groups led by congregation members of the church as well as share testimonies and speak during school assemblies at Heidelberg Christian along with an alternative high school on the east side of town. I’ve enjoyed the variety of things that have compiled together to make up our first week here in Heidelberg. It brings a sense of wonder in what the day might look like, but I love that our team responds with a yes to whatever the day might have in store! I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks here.
We are blessed with our living conditions this month as we have a big old mission house to ourselves with electricity and warm showers! We have a full kitchen to cook for ourselves again this month, but have also been blessed with some meals made for us by LCF congregation members! The church put out a sign up sheet to help provide some meals for us while we’re here and we’ve already had a few great times of fellowship having dinner with some of the LCF family. We’ve certainly eaten well and there is also a dairy store within walking distance that sells some awesome fresh cheese, milk, yogurt, and ice cream. The nice fellow that owns the shop sends his two children to the Christian school so I naturally have to support the business! ; ) Not to mention everything is quite reasonable with the exchange rate to the US dollar.
Today (Sunday), we were treated to a real deal South African braai cookout! We were invited over to a young couple, Len and Elme’s house for lunch. Ike and I helped Len cook up a bunch of mutton chops, sausage and traditional braaibroodjie sandwiches over the wood fire. He explained how much of a social event these braai cookouts are in South Africa. It was a great time socializing with Len and chatting about the goodness of our God while cooking up dinner. It was absolutely delicious and we enjoyed some fun fellowship with everyone and a few games of cards to follow!
Team CIA’s first South African braai! From left to right – Heaven, Hayden, Hannah, Stacy, Ike, Len and myself.
Braain’ with a view!
We are certainly in good hands here in South Africa. We are spoiled by our hosts and Phil and Tanya definitely treat us as children of their own. It’s a breath of fresh air to be poured into and loved the way we are here. I will certainly be enjoying the rest of our time here in small town South Africa and looking forward to the adventures ahead here!
Thanks for staying up to date and God bless!
