Journeys and Reflections

South African Dispatch, Pt. 3 August 12, 2006

The time in South Africa is flying by – I’m almost down to my last week! The days have continued to be filled, hanging out in Khayelitsha, praising God in song, playing with kids, doing various odd jobs – we finished tiling and grouting the bathroom at the retreat center, and we are very proud of our beautiful creation. On Sunday we we went for the second time to Pastor Yeza’s church in Site C, one of the regions of Khayelitsha. It was so good to be there again worshiping with that congregation. One of the mamas let me look on at her Xhosa hymnal and actually complimented my pronunciation – it made my day!

This past weekend we traveled to the city of Port Elizabeth for a graduation of pastors. Back in Khayelitsha, our home base of operations is the African Theological College, a small school which trains pastors in an intensive two-year program. This is where Pastor Ohm’s ministy is most closely connected to the larger organization African Leadership led by Larry Warren which focuses especially on equipping pastors. Unlike in the States, most pastors in Africa do not have the chance to study at a seminary before entering ministry – like Apollos of old, they simply preach what they know with great fervor. African Leadership works to train these pastors, especially focusing on teaching them how to study the Bible.

This is why African Theological College was established. However, for the many pastors who live far away and cannot come to Khayelitsha to study, something else was needed, so satellite schools were set up all over southern Africa. We traveled to Port Elizabeth to take part in a graduation for one of these satellite schools. Pastor Ohm and a couple other pastors who traveled with us spoke some word of encouragement to the seven graduates. Joey and I sang “Be Thou My Vision” as a blessing over them. It was really special to be a part of such a significant day for those pastors.

Things are about to pick up rapidly. A team from Canada arrives today, and Joey and I will be working with them to do ministry in the high schools, which just recommenced this week after winter holidays (yeah Southern Hemisphere!). This weekend, we’ll be taking student leaders from Christian clubs at the high schools on a retreat for discipleship and training. While I am at the retreat, Joey will be traveling with Seyeun to Transkei to finish work on the clinic and later to do ministry with the Canadian team as I did with the team from Seattle. After the retreat, I will have just a couple days to wrap things up here, and then my time in South Africa will be over as I return to the States to celebrate the marriage of Adam Harris and Jenn Huang.

As my time here comes to a close, please pray: 1) For the ministry in the high schools and the retreat, that the Gospel will be shared and that we can be an encouragement to the young leaders. 2) For Joey and Seyeun in Transkei, that God will bless their work on the clinic and their ministry with the team. 3) For me, as my time here finishes, that I will have good time with the people here and that God will finish showing me what he desires me to see and learn.

For the Kingdom!
David