Lori visits South Africa: Part 1

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

I'm so blessed to have such a good friend! Lori has come to visit for two weeks to see what ministry is like and spend time with each other. I can't wait for her to meet all my South African friends.

As soon as I picked Lori up from the airport we headed to Soccer City to watch the South African football team, Bafana Bafana play Colombia. I'm glad she got to experience this cultural event especially with the World Cup being in 11 days.

We went to a Bible Study located in another part of Soweto called Tshepisong. We studied the story of David, Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan which led to great discussion about God's forgiveness. We celebrated Brenda's (beside me) 28th birthday afterwards with a cake that Lori and I baked.

And of course the children loved Lori and were quick to become friends!

The Botanical Gardens is a nice escape from the chaos of the city of Joburg and is only ten minutes from our flat. We had a picnic and enjoyed the African landscape.

On Sunday we worshipped at Faith Baptist Church in Snake Park. This is Lori with the Sunday School class.

Lori teaches Sunday School at the Summit Church. She has taught them about missions and the importance of praying for children in other countries who may not know the Lord. We are going to give this picture to the children at Faith Baptist Church so they know that they are being prayed for by children in America.

Ngikhuluma isiZulu

I speak Zulu. One of my passions is to speak to people in their heart language.

"And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet."

Acts 22:2

I found this verse while reading through Acts and it has left a huge impression on me. Paul spoke Aramaic to the Jews and Greek to the Roman officials. Continues to remind me of the importance to minister to people in their own language.

My desire is to be able to share the Gospel in Zulu. Please pray that I would be diligent in studying and bold in speaking.

I have already had a few slip ups which make for good stories... A child asked me in Zulu for 50 cents. I was trying to say 'give me' but by mistake I said 'take me.' So as the kid came running towards me... Given, our national friend, started laughing. As we walked away, he explained that I basically said take me, as in to be your wife. Brad commented by saying I led the kid on, the boy thought he was getting 50 cents and a wife but now he has nothing. I felt horrible but I know that you must try and sometimes fail in order to learn.

Many times I practice with my girls from Girls Club. Some laugh because they are shocked I can speak Zulu. Some laugh because I sound funny with my white American accent. And others correct me.

Monde and Jabulo play soccer with Zach. They love teaching me Zulu words. They will point at things and say it in Zulu and tell me to khuluma (speak).

I want to thank my Grandma Lolo, Aunt Barbara, Uncle Pete, cousins Sean, Theresa and Brett for supporting me financially. Without them I couldn't have taken a Zulu Beginner Course and now move on to take an Intermediate Course. Your impact goes beyond me and reaches the people who I work with in Soweto. So thank you!

This is Umfundisi Joe, the teacher. He is such a joy. He has taught us not only the Zulu language but culture as well. You can't study language without understanding cultural traditions and beliefs. I look forward to taking the Intermediate Course with him starting 9 June.

Meet my Zulu class. Brad and I have really enjoyed the course. Everyone is amazed that two Americans would want to learn Zulu! It has allowed us to share why we are here in South Africa and what we do in Soweto.

And here is a video of some of our girls singing. See if you can hear one of the three clicks of Zulu. Their voices touch my heart!

Sing it girls! from Rachel Jensen on Vimeo.

Deliverance

Disclosure: This is a very serious post and requires much prayer.

This letter was given to me by one of our girls in Girls Club. I was told it was serious and needed to be read immediately. Basically, this letter says that this girl has been raped and has become pregnant. She says that she went to the clinic and the baby is infected with HIV. She says that the man has threatened to kill her or her parent if she tells anyone. She goes on to say that she feels alone and wants to kill herself.

I read this letter in the presence of the girl who wrote it, Sibongile and her friend. I was in complete shock. We had previously asked the deputy principal the protocol for one of the students being raped. Therefore, we have already had a discussion with our grade 7 girls about what they need to do if they have been raped. We tell them that we want them to be able to trust us but we must report the incident to their principal who is there to help.

So, I encouraged Sibongile to speak with the deputy principal. We have such a good relationship with her and know that she cares for these children. I told Sibongile I would go with her if she needed me to. I prayed with her and told her that I love her and more importantly God loves her.

Afterwards I went to speak with the deputy principal about this. She read the letter and then proceeded to tell us that this girl has been writing letters like this for a while now. The principal does not doubt that she has been raped. They have done everything they can for her.

Sibongile is running around and sleeping with many men. Her mama has tried to help her but has come to the end of herself and feels hopeless. Her mama never knows where she is or what she is doing. Sibongile is also involved with sangomas (witch doctors) who practice ancestor worship which is basically the contacting of evil spirits. Sibongile's grandfather is forcing her to be a part of these traditional african rituals.

The deputy principal says that we must pray for deliverance from the evil spirits that are inside of Sibongile. Now, I know as soon as I say this our American mindset says... not possible. But I have witnessed demon possession and it is real. But what I have learned is that America is closed to the spirit world therefore satan works in less obvious ways. Satan uses materialism, the quest for knowledge and the worship of science to blind the eyes of Americans. On the other hand, Africans are open to the spiritual world. Satan uses his power and manifests himself in such a way that causes Africans to fear him instead of God.

I ask that you would pray for Sibongile and the many others in Soweto who do not know the Lord. Pray they would not believe the lies of the evil one. Pray that Sibongile would confess Jesus as Lord and put her trust in Him and Him alone. Pray that she would be willing to come to church and realize that the help she needs comes from the Lord.

At times I am frightened by the work of satan here in Soweto until I am reminded that God is in control and we do not need to fear, "for he who is in you (Jesus) is greater than he who is in the world (satan)." 1 John 4:4.

A Piece of my Heart

My heart breaks for the people of Soweto, especially the children and youth that we work with. I prayed for a long time before moving to South Africa for God to give me a love for these people and He has. And let me tell you... it hurts! I leave Soweto with a heavy heart knowing that I want to say more... I want to do more... I want to be there more... I want to love more. I know that "we love because He first loved us." And my prayer is that the people of Soweto would know and accept God's love and His gift of salvation through Christ Jesus, our Lord.

There is no place I rather be right now then in Soweto. I long to hold every crying baby, hug every hurting child and tell every suffering person how much I love them and more importantly how much God loves them. As I stand and talk with people I learn of how they have lost loved ones, how they do not have enough to eat and how they are suffering. This is why my heart hurts.

But there is hope... hope in the only One who can save us!

Please pray with me that the people of Soweto would turn to the Lord. I can do nothing in my own strength... as I can not adopt every unwanted child, feed every hungry person or provide them with shelter... but I can pray for them. I can pray that they would accept Christ as their Lord. I can pray that their Heavenly Father would provide all their needs as He has promised to those who are His children.

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?"... your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:31-33

Some people live in shacks which have no electricity or running water. They must walk to where a water spout is in order to fill buckets for cooking, cleaning and bathing. Others have no shelter... we have heard of one man who is living in the cemetery.

Children in Soweto do not have much of a childhood. Children grow up quickly because they are forced to take care of their younger siblings because their parents are not around.

Many people in Soweto live in fear as there is much poverty and crime. It is very common for young girls and boys to be emotionally, physically and sexually abused.

It is very difficult to get work so you can find beggars at almost every robot (traffic light). Even young children are found begging instead of being in school.

Gogo's are forced to take care of their grandchildren because their own children have died as a result of HIV/AIDS.

As a result, there are many orphans...

I didn't intend to write this to upset anyone but it is something that has been on my heart. I hope this draws you to your knees to pray on behalf of the people of Soweto. We have a God who cares and loves all peoples and desires that everyone would be saved.

I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people... that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

Dobsonville Mini Cup

The Dobsonville Mini Cup is brought to you by Zach and Brad! They did a wonderful job bringing 7 Soweto schools together for a day of soccer, fun and the Bible. Zach did well sharing a Bible story and the Gospel. Pray for the boys, coaches, teachers and families who came that they would understand of Christ's love for them.

Thanks to Philani who assists Zach with soccer we had an announcer who would give a play by play of games as well as share Bible verses during the day.

Philani has an amazing testimony of how Christ has changed his life. Please read about it at Africa Stories. He also has a lot of connections and one of them being Soweto TV. They came out to video the final game of the Mini Cup which will soon air. Pray that lives would be changed through this soccer outreach so that God may be glorified!

A member from Faith Baptist Church in Snake Park came to support his team. Nicholas is a new believer and assists Brad at Hector Pieterson with soccer.

Brad made a plan for the bracket and it worked out well. Each team was able to play at least two games. Teams who lost the first time were put in a losers bracket and were given the chance to win their way to the final game.

Unfortunately, my team Mayibuye Primary lost a game and was put into the losers bracket. They were not able to make it to the championship game. They were fourth out of seven teams. Ngithanda abafana! I love these boys!

I made myself unofficial photographer of the day. I had fun letting the boys take pictures of each other as many had never used a camera before. Some children asked if their photo would be in the newspaper. I love soccer but I love children more so many of my pictures are of faces. Have you seen more beautiful children?

Many of the games ended in ties which lead to penalty kicks to determine who was moving on. Please note this awesome goal.. the position of the goalie and the soccer ball in the back of the net.

This is Hector Pieterson, where Amber and I have a Girls Club, cheering on their teammates who are taking the penalty shots. They would sing songs and dance in support of their team!

I know that soccer is just a game but for some of these children this is all they have. Children in Soweto do not get many opportunities like this.

I'm so proud of the boys who had good sportsmanship. After one game in particular, Mayibuye was quick to shake hands with the Obed Messiane team. So sweet.

Second place is... Enkolweni Primary! This is one of Brad's schools located in Dobsonville where we are trying to start a church. Brad has a good relationship and enjoys working with Rasta, the coach.

First place goes to... Bonamelo Primary! This school is located in Snake Park and coached by Zach and Philani. Philani claimed from weeks prior that Bonamelo would take the cup and he was right.

Kids Club

Amber and I decided to hold a Kids Club in Diepsloot in order to raise excitement and interest in Sunday School at Immanuel Baptist Church. Ma'm Dudu, the Sunday School teacher assisted us and did a wonderful job translating. We are praying that many of these children will begin coming to church and Sunday School. Pray for these children to know of Jesus' love. Pray for Ma'm Dudu as she teaches these children!

With the help of Zach, Brad, Nick and Pastor Thaba the boys played soccer. Anytime you bring out a soccer ball the boys come running.

The girls usually do not want to play soccer or maybe the boys don't want them to play. Anyway, the girls chose to play netball instead. We decided to start face painting with the little girls and soon after the older girls were in que to have their faces painted. I'm not an artist as you can tell from their faces.

South Africa 2010... now that's ayoba! The meaning of this word is an expression of delight in South African township slang. The excitement of the World Cup can be seen everywhere with only 40 days left!!

I had the privilege of telling the Bible story. I told the story from Mark 5 of Jesus healing the man with many evil spirits. I feel this story is very relevant to these children as it is common for people to be possessed here. It is important for these children to know that God is more powerful than satan therefore they do not need to fear as long as they have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you (Jesus) is greater than he who is in the world (satan).

1 John 4:4