Africa- Louisvaleweg: Church, Children, and Adult

I got the opportunity to go to church at Louisvaleweg two weeks. Our first Sunday there and our last. The first Sunday it was Whitney, Sloan, and me, with Mariana. Before church started we were outside with the children. We taught them some songs and they taught us some songs. We just had fun with them singing and playing some games. This one little girl, Chesvega, she was a cheeky little girl. Whitney would laugh and Chesvega would imitate Whitney's laugh. Then Whitney asked,"Are you mocking me?" To which Chesvega replied, "Are you mocking me?" It was quite a funny thing and it was captured on video!

Chesvega

I love that smile!

Whitney and me with some of the kids after church.

So for church we each shared our testimony and something God had been revealing to us in scripture lately. Whitney took one for the team and went first, then Sloan, then me. I shared 1 Corinthians 10: 12-13 "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." After we all three shared the pastor came up and reiterated what we said. Worshiping in Louisvaleweg was a bit of a different experience. They don't have sound systems or instruments or screens with the words or even hymnals but they sure do know how to worship and make their own music. Maybe you didn't know but the Bible also doubles quite effectively as an instrument. They would hold their Bibles and beat on them with their other hand for the music. Also if their was any pause in talking or praying someone would start up in song.

The pastor of the church and I think that is his wife.

The church building.

The second time I went to church at Louisvaleweg was with John and Liz, Lindsay, Sloan, and Eddy. Eddy preached. He preached on lukewarm Christians and how we are not called to be lukewarm but to be either hot or cold. We also had the Lord's supper that Sunday. Funny story from that. The guy who was passing out the bread on out side of the church passed Lindsay and the lady next to her more than once. Lindsay kind of raised her hand to try and get his attention and he started coming back but went to someone else. I don't know how many times he just kept passing them right up. Liz asked me, "How big is your piece?" I showed her and we both broke ours in half and gave the other half to Lindsay and the lady next to her.

Eddy preaching

We spent one day playing with the children in Louisvaleweg. Ethan was at someone's house giving piano lessons and Whitney went there to play with the kids there.Eddy, I don't remember where he went but I don't remember him being with the rest of us. The rest of us went to the church yard to play with kids. We blew bubbles for a while then we sang songs and just had fun with them Lindsay was playing soccer with a group of kids. Petrus told a story, Daniel and the Lion's Den, and every time he said Daniel the kids said, "Praise the Lord," and every time he said lion the kids roared. When we were just about to leave the police came to see what was going on. John started trying to explain and all he had to do was mention Hanah Milo's name. I guess she is so well known, known as being a Christian women, that that was all it took. John also said that while we were playing somebody came up and thanked us for what we were doing with the kids.

Morgan and me teaching some of the girls to play slide (Megan's photo)

Father Abraham (Megan's photo)

Petrus telling Daniel and the Lion's Den (Morgan's photo)

We also had a ladies tea one day with the ladies in the church. Much like the tea at Rosedale, but we had the one at Louisvaleweg first. Lindsay led a Bible study on Esther. Towards the end of tea we each prayed individually with the women.

Ladies' Tea (Megan's photo)

We also prayer walked through Louisvaleweg once. The group I was with while walking only got to talk with a couple of people. One guy we talked with told us that his son was murdered a couple of weeks ago and his body was found in the ditch.

There is a lot of darkness in Louisvaleweg. Louisvaleweg so desperately needs prayer.

Africa- Louisvaleweg: Youth

We had two youth meetings with the youth in Louisvaleweg. At the first meeting there were about 9 youth and their leader Howard. We were told the youth in this group were all saved. We had some discussions with the youth, I don't recall what exactly. I think at some point in the discussion it was actually asked if they were all saved and they all answered yes. Since there were 9 of us and 9 youth (although I think a youth might of left so it was 9 with Howard, not really the relevant oart though) we each got together individually with a youth. I don't recall the girl's name who I was talking with. I asked if she had any questions or struggles. She said no. She really didn't seem like she wanted to be there. She did finally say she wanted to know about God. Well, that's a pretty big topic. I asked if there was anything more specific she wanted to know? No, she just wanted to know about God. So I'm not sure what to say or where to begin. I start with some stuff about the Trinity and tell her it's hard to understand even for strong Christians. Then I start with the Matt Chandler podcast on Colossians, specifically Colossians 2:15, "He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation." He, Jesus, is the image of God. You want to know who God is look at Jesus. So I start telling her what I can remember from the podcast. None of that is what she wanted to know. I finally get out of her that she wants to know God more personally. So I tell her to know God more personally you have to spend time with Him. Pray. Read His Word. I tried but overall I don't think I did a very good job. Morgan comes back inside with the girl she was talking to and says the girl gave her life to Christ. The girl was baptized a few weeks ago. Morgan told us she was talking with the girl and she said she didn't know who Jesus was. The whole group is confused and in need of guidance. Many of them, and not only the youth but many people in Upington, believe they have to pray and ask God to save them each day. They don't understand that once you accept Christ you are saved. You don't have to ask to be saved again everyday. Some of the team described Louisvaleweg as feeling like it had a darkness in it. Not just the fact there was only one light in the building but an unnatural darkness. There is evil in Louisvaleweg trying to suppress the Lord. Louisvaleweg desperately needs our prayers.

The girl I got to talk with and pray for.

we had a second meeting at Louisvaleweg the next week. We started out this meeting by playing some games to show the youth that you can have fun at youth meetings. It doesn't have to be all sitting and talking. We played I never. In I Never someone stand in the middle of a circle and says something they've never done, or never been, etc. . Then everyone who has or is gets up and runs to find a new chair in the circle. Well, a girl is standing in the middle and says, "I've never been a boy." So all the boys have to get up and run and find a new seat. Somehow a girl (not the one who was originally in the middle) ends up in the middle. I think something got a little lost in translation on that one. I was really distracted at the meeting. I'm not sure why and not I can't even remember what was on my mind. During the meeting we had a discussion on the Lord's supper and baptism. I don't really remember to much from the meeting because I was so distracted. At one of the meetings, I actually think it might of been at the first meeting with them, John taught them how to share their testimony using the three parts: life before Christ, how you came to know Christ, and your life since you accepted Christ and what He's doing in you now.

Us with the youth after the first meeting (Eddy's photo)

Africa- Paballelo

We only had one youth meeting at Paballelo. It was on a Monday night, our first Monday in Upington. Let's go back to the beginning of that day. We got to sleep in a little later than usual because we had nothing really planned for the morning. We went to John and Liz's to check email and whatnot for the first time. We were there from sometime in the morning until at least 4:30pm. I had enough time to start and finish a bracelet there. So the day was long and kind of boring. Someone even said ,"This day is so boring, I just wanna die." Surely they didn't really want to die but you get the gist of how the day was going. Our first youth meeting was planned for that night at Paballelo. Most of us, if not all, didn't have big expectations about it. We didn't really know what would be happening or what we would be doing there. Originally not all of us were supposed to go. We were only supposed to send a few so we didn't show up in overwhelming numbers compared to how many youth would come. I was okay with that and okay if I didn't get to go. We all ended up going and how grateful I am we all did! Over the course of the night there were 4 youth. Monica and Olwetu who were there the entire time, a lady with her kid who left after we played a game or two, and Elliot who didn't come until much later. So we began by playing I Never.

After the game Eddy shared his testimony. At one point he used the word "conviction." We had a discussion about what conviction means. In that discussion someone used the word "repent" so we then had a discussion on what it means to repent. After that I shared my testimony. After I shared Petrus used the waiting for sign then realizing I don't need one part from my testimony to lead a discussion with Olwetu and Monica (Elliot was still not here yet). He asked them if they were waiting for a sign. They both said they didn't need a sign. Morgan and Lindsay took them outside to talk with them and some time shortly before they went outside Elliot arrived. While the girls went outside Ethan shared his testimony. So then Petrus used that to lead a discussion with Elliot and then John and Ethan went outside with Elliot to talk more.

Olwethu, Patience, Monica

While they were all outside talking. Petrus got a call from his daughter-in-law that she was getting ready to have her twins! So we prayed for the conversations that were happening outside and for Petrus grandkids that were on their way. Then Petrus was like, "Tiffany, I have a word from God for you." He shared it and later that night when we were having a group devotion Tiffany told us how true it was and how much it meant to her. So there was amazing stuff happening inside and outside.

They all come back inside, and we have 2 new sisters and 1 new brother in Christ! Amen! We thought this day was lame and nothing was going to happen. How wrong we were! God showed us and showed up in mighty ways!!

Lindsay joked more than once, before and after the meeting, that she was going to journal about me that night. That morning had been my turn to lead the devotion and share my testimony. Devotion on Mark 1:35 and Luke 22:39-46. Jesus went out "as usual" to pray, He went to a "solitary place", He prayed so earnestly that, "His sweat fell like drops of blood." How much more should we be praying if Jesus prayed that much and so earnestly. Follow it up with Philippians 1:3-6 as a prayer for John & Liz and Petrus & Mariana and then we prayed with them. I was like I am nobody but God uses nobodies. Petrus is the one that then took my testimony to guide a discussion if it were up to me it would of just ended after I gave my testimony. Ok, so maybe it was still my testimony that was used but it weren't for Christ I wouldn't even have a testimony. I don't want to take any credit for what He did.

Throughout the rest of our time in Upington we were not able to have another youth meeting in Paballelo but the 2 girls, and another girl Patience who has not yet accepted Christ, came to a cultural party we had and we were able to spend a girls day with them shopping and hanging out. We ended the day getting milkshakes/desserts as Wimpy's with them and talking to them about the Bible and suggestions of books and passages to read.

Africa- Rosedale: Youth

We met with the youth for the first time at a youth meeting held in Debra's yard on a Wednesday night. We had already met many of the youth who came. We started out the first meeting with a few games: human knot, mingle, the winking game, and big booty. I managed to bruise my legs playing big booty, that is ridiculous. It was fun and we had a good time.

Playing a game with the youth (photo courtesy of Eddy)

After the games we gathered in a circle. Lindsay shared her testimony then Ethan asked a question. Then it was kind of like uh, where are things going? It did eventually lead to good conversation and discussion. John asked the youth what they would like if they had their own church. The youth started naming stuff: singing, dancing, prayer, a message, talk about problems, everybody can participate in some way. So we started doing some of the things they named and kind of had their first service. We sang some songs and then the youth started sharing some of their testimonies and trials in their life. Enna shared with us how she keeps losing the father figure in her life. In short, her biological father died and two fathers she has had since then have died. There were many tears. The girls gathered around her and prayed for her. I just wanted so much for her to know she has the best Father anyone could want or need. She has a Father in Heaven who will never leaver her or forsake her. While the girls were praying over Enna the guys were on the other side of the yard talking. When we gathered back together the guys had some great news. Winston, Garrick, and Amor accepted Christ! Amen! A time and day were discussed for the youth to have their own youth church. They decided on Saturdays at 3pm. We sang a few more songs, prayed and the meeting was over. The meeting was over but we weren't done. I guess it'd be more appropriate to say the Lord wasn't done. A boy, Albert, had been hanging around the outskirts of the group the whole night. Honestly I thought he was one of the children but he was really 13. He started talking to Whitney and Ethan. Albert gave his life to Christ! 4 new brothers in Christ, amen! God is good. God is so good! It amazed me how open, honest, willing to take charge and get things done the youth were. I hope, I pray, it isn't just a temporary thing but it lasts long after we've left. I was also amazed at all the young children who hung around the youth meeting from the games until a good ways into the discussions when parents and siblings began taking them home. They behaved so well, sitting and listening. So that first meeting with the Rosedale youth went very well. Sloan and Eddy had to miss part of it to go meet with some guys in Louisvaleweg who ended up not speaking English so they just listened to Petrus talk in Afrikans to the guys. As Sloan and Eddy said though, "4 salvations and a church!"

The first youth meeting we had while many of the kids were still there. (Photo courtesy of Eddy).

We met with the youth twice more for youth church on Saturdays. I don't remember too much from the first youth church and I checked my journal and didn't say much about it. The second time we had youth church not as many youth showed up but a guy named Trevor did come. Trevor asked how can he know God when he can't see God. So church was spent on that question. John led a discussion on John 1:1-18, verse by verse, to answer Trevor's question. Then he went through the Romans Road. Trevor said he got it but he didn't want to accept Christ. At the end we found out Trevor is a Jehovah's Witness. We knid of came to the conclusion that he was probably passing by when he saw us meeting meet and thought we were JW (b/c they meet on Saturdays) and didn't find out until near the end we are Baptist. He said he would go to church in Rosedale on Sunday but he did not show up. Trevor needs our prayers.

John and Trevor (photo courtesy of Megan)

Amor (the girl) isLena's youngest child (just in case you're trying to keep up, Lena has 4 children: a son, Suzie, Enna, and Amor. Her son and Suzie are done with school). Amor I would say is youth aged maybe a little younger since she never came to any of the youth meetings/you church. At the ladies' tea in Rosedale Amor accepted Christ! Amen! What a joy for Lena that 2 of her daughters accepted Christ within days of each other and Enna already has.Pray for Lena's son to accept Christ.

Africa- Rosedale: Children and Church

One afternoon we went to Rosedale to play soccer with JimLee and whoever might show up. On our way to the (dirt) field we tried getting some kids to come too. Little did we realize that by the time we got to the field we would have a following of children! It started out with everybody kind of unsure of what to do. We brought a soccer ball and frisbee with us but there were so many kids! The boys started playing soccer and frisbee. The girls, lead brilliantly by Lindsay and Morgan, sang silly songs with the kids and played games. By the end of our time with them we had all branched off with some kids all doing different things. I tried learning some Afrikans and then ended up just letting them play with my hair.



The second time we went to play with the kids we had a bit of a rough start. Lindsay, Morgan, and Whitney were all in the car that first went by Paballelo before coming to Rosedale. All of our best leaders in children's songs and games were missing! We tried. We really did but the kids just weren't having us. We led the same songs that Morgan and Lindsay had the week before we just couldn't get it to work though. So once they got there things picked up. It was much like the first time. Silly songs and games. Lindsay tried telling the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego but the kids weren't doing so well at listening. We also attempted Red Rover with the kids. It worked. Not! The first person was called and ran like normal but then everybody ran, from both sides! So we broke them into smaller groups and had several circles of duck, duck, goose going on. Me and Tiffany ended up in a circle with some girls learning I guess you could call it a dance. It was like Little Sally Walker in a way except there was a set dance to do each time. It was fun!


Church. The second Sunday Sloan, Tiffany, and I went to church in Rosedale. Sloan got to preach. He did great, even though each time I tried telling him so it ended up sounding like a back handed compliment. He really did go a good job. He preached on not having a guarantee of tomorrow. He used the following scriptures: James 4:13-15, Proverbs 27:1, Matthew 25:1-13. I'd never really thought about the two fold nature of it that not only could something happen to you and you might not be around tomorrow but also the Lord could come back and you have no tomorrow. I think Matthew 25:1-13 is one of those passages that I tell myself I know what it means but I never did really think about it before.

Suzie, Lena's oldest daughter was at church that day. During our time in Upington Tiffany was able to develop a good relationship with Suzie and spend time with her one on one on multiple occasions. The next day Tiffany met with Suzie again and Suzie surrendered her life to Christ! Amen!

(Whitney's photo)

*I didn't get any photos from church on Sunday. I didn't get any of or with Suzie or Amor either. :( I'm a slacker. But there are many pictures of beautiful children!