I have been in South Africa for about a week and a half now and I love it here, God has been showing up in big ways. We are working with an organization called Beam Africa whose focus is orphaned and needy children in the townships of Pretoria. The hosts are amazing and they have provided us with an amazing house where my team and I have been able to get to know each other and grow as a team. The organization is in a weird time of transition so our expectations of playing with children everyday haven’t come true. South Africa has a long history of racism and inequality, and even though the apartheid ended in the 1990’s, corruption is a huge problem in the government and battles of race happen everyday. Beam Africa has been working in a township called Nellmapius for the past eight years but now government services want to move into the area and Beam Africa has been forced to leave. Last week was their last week feeding the children in that area, and they are moving into another township called Mamelode. So, my team has been helping our hosts in anyway we can, whether its cleaning a garage or going to help deliver food to the children.
Personally, I have been challenged. It has been extremely difficult to wrap my mind around the history of the country. Being white or being black has so much meaning behind it. Where we live is extremely nice, I feel like I am in America but twenty minutes away people are living in extreme poverty. The income inequality is extreme and the separation from black and white is a challenge. It breaks my heart to see this, but it has been awesome to get to know our ministry hosts and see the impact they have had on the children here. They are amazing people who strive to follow the will of God in their lives and do not let skin color or a messy history get in the way of that.
God has been challenging me too. I have been learning about myself and how I love selfishly. Some days I feel like I’m only thinking about myself, my comfort and my lack of WiFi. But when I take a minute to think about the reason I am here, I remember Jesus loved selflessly and that is the quality I want to strive for. Living with a new group of people has been awesome but we are all learning how to live together and love each other well. I love that people who care are surrounding me, care about my life and are all striving to live like Jesus. Overall, I know God is going to continue to work on my heart, reveal my struggles and make me new.
I am sorry this blog has been all over the place but my mind has been a little all over the place these days. Thank you for all the people who have supported me in this, your prayers are more than appreciated! Remember God loves you!
Megan
