We finally made it! Our team arrived in Cape Town around 8:05 this morning with a boat load of luggage. We met up with Sue and James who drove us to Bridges of Hope where we had a little bit of time to put our stuff down and settle in. Our schedule for the day consisted of a tour of a particular museum near District 6 and a little coffee stop. It was an extremely informative tour that helped us understand more about the apartheid and the segregation that is so prominent in South Africa today.
Our team headed into a few of the townships and what we saw was both heartbreaking and eye-opening. The way these people live and survive is incredible. We went to a township called Heideveld, where we met up with a couple of women that have created a safe home in the community for children of all ages. They have also set up an informal school for children to learn both English and Afrikaans. We sat and had tea with these women while they poured out their incredible testimonies to us and the struggles they had gone through and continue to go through on a daily basis.
One of the townships that we visited today was called Guguletu. Within this township, there are about 100,000 people that live in shacks. I don't even know if you could call them shacks. They are more or less different pieces of material put together to form a "home". One of these homes that we were graciously welcomed into was about the size of a walk-in closet. Her home consisted of a full sized bed, a small and I mean small shelf with maybe two drawers, a small refrigerator, a microwave, and a two-top stove. All of this literally fit into this walk-in closet sized home. We could not believe our eyes. And on top of all of that, she had a beautiful and healthy two year old girl that lived with her. Something that our entire team began to realize with all the people we encountered today was the joy and contentment that each person radiated. Even with so little, they were so content with what they had.
Our experiences for our first day were incredible. God is doing wonderful things within the hearts of many people among these townships. We are beyond excited to see what God has in store for not only us over the next two weeks, but also the children staff of Bridges of Hope. Keep praying and sending your love to us. We miss you all!
We miss you all!
Kinsey
Glad you all made it safely. Love the photos. Praying that God uses each one of you.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading how your first day went and glad you all made it safely!!! There is so much to do on this journey!!! I hope that you continue to see God's love everywhere you look and will be praying for God's will as you step into what he has for you in ZA!! Be blessed and be a blessing!!
ReplyDeletePraying for your team! Thanks for serving God and being His hands and feet. Prayers for energy and endurance with abundant enthusiasm!
ReplyDeleteHello RH team! So glad to hear from you. You're always in my thoughts and prayers. Hope you all had a great Independence Day during the flight.
ReplyDeleteMuch love from California.
"They are Your servants and Your people, whom You redeemed by Your great strength and Your mighty hand. Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of this Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants who delight in revering Your name. Give Your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man."
I was cupbearer to the King.
NEH 1:10-11
Jesus is sweet huh!?! :)!!
ReplyDelete