“Hey buddy, what’s your name?” No answer.
“What’s yo nam?” (My attempt at Africans) still no answer.
I turn to Michelle, “do you know how to ask in Xhosa?” “Umm no”
“hmm, where are your mommy and daddy?”
“home”
“So you came here by yourself?”
“yes, I was bored?”
“oh…ok…how old are you?”
Hanover Park, one of the most well-known townships of Cape Town, SA, is best known for its gangsterism and drug problems. We were there for a talent show in a church right in the middle of town. We arrived with the people from our ministry, Camp Joy, for a night of gospel music, drama, and dancing; in all, a night of praise to our Maker.
This sweet boy, I call Batman (check out his shirt), was only four years old. I found out he often comes to the church when he becomes bored or doesn’t want to be at home. Many of the church members and staff know the boy, and when it gets dark, they escort him home.
Batman sat on my lap through most of the service. We watched as people performed. We stood and worshiped together during the corporate praise time. He nuzzled his sweet dirty head into my neck as we watched other children dancing. The whole time he sat on my lap, I prayed over him. I pray that his sweet spirit wouldn’t be swayed by the violence in the streets. I pray that God would keep His hands as protection over Batman’s body and over his ears as gun shots are blazing through the neighborhood. I pray that curiosity would be limited and that when drugs pass by him, he wouldn’t see them.
I prayed that as he grows, he would be the Batman of Hanover Park. I know that sounds crazy, but hear me out on this. Batman doesn’t have super powers, but he is a Superhero (which if you know me, Superheros are awesome and Batman I love!). Batman’s goal for Gothem City is to get crime and the criminals off the street. Due to his profound ability to do this, he has become a Superhero.
Many times when we, World Racers, go into a village or work in the slums, we work a lot with children. We find it so easy to love these children who may not even get a cracker let alone a hug throughout the day. As the month progresses, and our time with them comes to an end, we have a choice. We can sulk over the idea that these children may have no hope of breaking out of the poverty cycle; that the only hope they have is to turn to theft, prostitution, drugs, and gangsterism. OR we can choose that WE are the change they need to see in their life; that our small amount of time with them, praying and loving over them, is enough to remind them that they are loved and they are made for more than what society says they are.
I fully believe that Batman will remember that one night sitting in church when some crazy white girl picked him up and wouldn’t let him go. I believe that when faced with drugs and gangsters, his spirit will quicken and the discernment of the Holy Spirit will sway his mind. I believe that God used me to pray over Batman’s life that night. If I doubt that His using me is in vain, why am I here?
