During the school holiday, we have had two abatwana (kids) clubs and have been visiting with people in their homes and even at the hospital. It was a tough week of ministry and I am looking forward to seeing our girls on Monday. My heart is aching for the people of Soweto to know the Father and His love for them. Continue to pray for Soweto.
We went to our friend Refilwe's indlu (house) to help his mother with her school work. She is taking a computer course so we went to teach her Excel, hence Zach's macbook sitting on the table. They cooked pap (maize/corn), chicken with tomato and onions and cabbage. It was delicious! Please notice we are eating with our hands - I love it.
We went to a museum to learn a little history of Soweto. The establishment of Soweto is, like Joburg, linked directly to the discovery of gold in 1885. People from around the world and South Africa came to the new town to seek their fortunes or to get a job working in the mines. More than half the population was black and lived in shanty towns. In 1905, the Johannesburg City Council took the opportunity to establish racially segregated residential areas.
In the early 1900s, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer a German diamond and gold mining entrepreneur went to South Africa. He was appalled by the housing situation of the people so he arranged a loan for the construction of houses and the demolition of shacks. The Oppenheimer Tower was built in the 1950s by mine workers. They used the remains of shacks to make bricks for the tower to honor him.
We also went to the Credo Mutwa Cultural Village just beside the tower. Credo is a writer, sangoma (witch doctor) and playwright who built this village of buildings and sculptures that depict African culture. It was interesting but a little shocking to learn about some of the beliefs.
This is Bossman, Zach, myself, Amber and Refilwe at the top of the tower overlooking Soweto.
We went to Baragwanath Hospital to visit a friend whose baby is sick with leukemia. I can't even explain the sadness that I felt walking by the many beds of sick babies and children...
This hospital is one of the largest in the world. It is the only public hospital that serves the population of Soweto which is estimated to be around 5 million. More than two thousand patients check in to the hospital daily and nearly half of them are HIV positive.
This is just one of the many buildings that make up Baragwanath hospital.
2 comments:
I miss you guys! Tell everyone that I said hi! 10 days till baby Mary Grace!
Rachel, I recently began attending Summit Church and have been praying for you for several weeks. I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and your grandmother right now and interceding to God on her behalf.
The questions you wrote in your last entry just about broke my heart! I can't imagine what those grade 7 girls have to deal with everyday.
I am glad that God has placed you in South Africa, and that you are being his obedient, diligent, faithful servant. Keep it up!
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