Amakhosi 4 Life

The Soweto Derby is an exciting rivalry match between two South African soccer teams. Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

We basically ended up getting a private taxi ride to Orlando stadium. I have been wanting to ride in a taxi since arriving in Joburg. Taxis are not the safest form of transportation but I wanted to get a feel for what it was like. But I have requested to have another ride since typically they are packed out with maybe 12-15 people side by side. Now that is what I call fun.

Please take note of the green horn or vuvuzela that Philani has... the whole way to the stadium I was blowing it out the window. People were shocked that a white girl was able to blow it and yelled their support back at me.

Orlando Stadium in Soweto will be a training venue for the 2010 World Cup. There is much history behind this stadium which had a major part in the fight for freedom during apartheid. The Soweto Uprising was when students marched in protest on their way to Orlando Stadium but never made it. Thousands of mourners gathered at this stadium for the funeral service of Walter Sisulu, an anti-apartheid activist. Nelson Mandela spoke here and pledged his commitment to the children and youth of South Africa. 

Orlando stadium and the game of soccer gave hope to many during the struggle. Even Mandela mentioned how soccer matches at Orlando helped lift spirits of those imprisoned on Robben Island. You can still feel the excitement surrounding the game of football today!

"Amakhosi 4 Life - Peace and Love" is the Kaizer Chiefs motto and is shown by holding up a peace sign. I have become a Chiefs fan because of their history of promoting peace and sportsmanship during a time of turmoil. Oh and Mandela supports them... what other reason would you need?

Hanging out with friends.

Vuvuzela. The sound of Africa. These horns are blown by fans at football matches in South Africa. There is debate over the origin of the name. It could have come from Zulu for 'making noise,' from the 'vuvu' sound it makes or from township slang for 'shower.' FIFA wanted to ban the use of vuvuzelas for the 2010 World Cup but the ban has been dropped. I look forward to joining the excitement of an authentic South African football experience and blowing my vuvuzela!

Magaliesberg Mountains

The Magaliesberg Mountains are named after the Tswana chief Magali who ruled during the time white pioneers ventured into this part of the world for the first time. The Magaliesberg provides deep gullies and kloofs that run as much as 100 metres or 328 feet deep. 

We had the opportunity to go kloofing which is a popular activity in South Africa. Kloof is an Afrikaans word meaning gorge or ravine. A kloofing trip involves hiking, climbing, sliding, jumping, swimming and falling.

I know it looks like we are just playing around in this picture but I was seriously scared for my life a few times during this kloofing trip. You can't see how high this rock wall is but many times we would have to stand flat against the rock and inch sideways to get across. Oh and we saw a poisonous boomslang snake on the rocks that jumped into the water with us!

We spent the night in tents and got to see a beautiful African sunset. Priceless.

In South Africa, one of the most important words you can learn is braai which means barbecue or roast. An important distinction between a braai and a barbecue in the States is the use of an open flame opposed to gas. This is a social custom that is taken very seriously by Trent who goes all out. For dinner, we had different kinds of meat (chicken, steak and boerewors), veg and garlic bread. Delicious.

The next morning we went on a hike to the top of the mountain overlooking the deep ravine we hiked the day before. The views were absolutely stunning. We got to see monkeys, baboons, a warthog and a duiker (in the antelope family).

I didn't really think I was afraid of heights until we climbed up and down huge boulders. Reminds me to give praise to God for His power and majesty that is displayed in creation!

It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.

To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.

Isaiah 40:21-23, 25

Diepsloot

Diepsloot is a densely populated township made up of formal and informal houses. Diepsloot is home to about 150,000 people; many of them living in 3m-by-2m (9.8ft by 6.5ft) shacks assembled from scrap metal, wood, plastic and cardboard. Some families lack access to basic services such as running water, sewage and rubbish removal. Families use paraffin stoves and coal for cooking and candles for light. Diepsloot is known for the high level of crime. Even the NY Times did a story on this township in June 2009.

Amber, Nick and I have the awesome privilege to go to Diepsloot and help with training members of Immanuel Baptist Church in how to lead Sunday School. Please pray for our safety as we work here.

The church is an izozo (shack) made out of metal and is attached to Pastor Thabo's house. An izozo is what Faith Baptist Church is looking to buy once a plot of land is allocated to us in Snake Park. Continue to pray for Faith Baptist to find a location to meet for church. 

These are some of the young women inside the church. As you can see, the floors are made of dirt while the walls and roof are made from metal scraps which swayed and creaked in the wind. But it didn't matter because we were there to praise the Lord! 

This is Nick and Amber with Pastor Thabo. He is an amazing man of God and was discipled by Kurt who assisted in planting this church in Diepsloot. Praise God for Thabo's passion and desire for people to come to know the Lord as Savior!

Please pray that God would give the two ladies we will be training a desire and passion for the next generation to know Jesus! We hope to do outreaches in the community so pray for the children of Diepsloot to understand of God's love for them.

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

Psalm 78:4

Love on Display

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Matthew 22:37-39

During the holiday break Amber and I decided to get involved with an orphanage in Snake Park. We asked members of Faith Baptist Church to participate in order for them to learn how to serve and love their neighbors.

This orphanage is run by a woman who belongs to a Zionist church which believes in praying to your ancestors who speak to Jesus on your behalf. The traditional African belief in ancestors is one of the biggest barriers to the Gospel. Many Africans believe in Jesus but do not believe Jesus' words when He said, "I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

The children prepared songs, dances and even a sketch (skit) about King Solomon. The story can be found in 1 King 3:16-28 where Solomon in his wisdom is able to decipher who is the true mother of the baby. And to our surprise, one of our girls from last years Girls Club sang a song for us. Just reminds me not to take for granted the opportunity we have to love on our grade 7 girls and teach them of Christ's love.

Brad led the children in a few songs with his guitar. He shared his testimony about being scared of dying when he was young because of being sick.  He also shared the story of Jesus calming the storm and saving the lives of his frightened disciples. God has power over nature, sickness and death. Please pray that seeds were planted in the hearts of these children and the young adults as they heard of how God loves them and desires to have a relationship with each one of them.

We had three members of Faith Baptist and Philani are language tutor come with. Sibongile also shared a story from the Bible. Thembane led the children in singing and dancing. Zakele and Philani had a good time playing with the kids. Pray that church members would understand that God calls us to share His love with our neighbors, even the orphans living a few blocks over!

I can't find the right words to describe the beauty of this picture... Christ's love transcends culture, language, and skin color. Amen!

Who can resist these beautiful faces? As we were leaving, some of the children began to cry. Please pray for these 19 orphaned children to understand the love their Heavenly Father has for them, in spite of them not having an earthly father.