Now, onto my real day. Today we went to a church called Fodisha. Fodisha is a church on a farm in the middle of a very poor community. When I say poor, I mean these people barley have food, no cars, and there houses are small and made from tin. It is a really sad drive to be honest. First of all, the road is closed down technically, only residence are allowed (but the police force here is terrible, so there is no one to enforce that). So we start heading down the road and you see all these kids and older people just walking in the pure heat. Then you can see there “houses” off into the distance. Its just a really sad site. Then we get to the church, and it’s a quite nice place. It has a house, and an area for the kids, and then a building for the main church. Its not huge, and I wish I took a picture of it now, so maybe while I am here I will go again and get a picture of it. Anyways, there where a bunch of kids there, and a few adults as well. So the people who run the church (which are friends of my sister and brother-in-law’s) have trucks go out and pick up the people because they don’t have cars. So then they get there and start playing on a bouncy thing, and volley ball (which I found out today I am pretty good at) and just playing around. It was a great site. Then they go into the church and start singing. Now, the songs aren’t in american because a good bit of the people don’t speak english. Then the preecher gets up and starts talking. She would say it in american, then she had some there to interprut it to the people who don’t speak english. The message was amazing, and had a great story to it. Then at the end of the service, she asked for people that wanted to pray with her to come up, and the rest where dismissed. So she asked My sister, brother-in-law, and me to come and help her pray for people. Now, the praying there is a little different then the way we do it though. They put there hands on the person, and then they start speaking in tongue, then one person starts praying aloud while the rest keep speaking in tongue, then the person finishes praying and the next person starts praying. Now, I didn’t speak in tongue, lol, nor do I really plan to any time soon. Not because I don’t want to, but I think I will know when to start if that time comes. Anyways, I got to pray for 2 people, and then I was present for a few other prayers as well. The best/saddest part was I got to listen to the problems these people where having. Best because I got to listen and be able to help them, and the saddest because they are struggling so hard. Some where battling social workers, others where in pain, and even alchol problems. Its just like problems you and I may face. A relative died, or not having enough money, or alchol, or pain, or anything. They have the same problems we do and then some. Now, quick side note, these people don’t make much money, in yet they still give what they have, so the next time you think you are giving to much, smack your self in the face as hard as you can and as many times as you have to until that thought is gone, cause your insane. Now that I got that out, I learned a lot today as well. Here is one thing I learned:
God’s
Riches
At
Christ’s
Expense
I could come up with something really cool and smart and christian like to say after that, but my brain and body is to tired right now. All I know is that when I think back to the message today, that is what really sticks out.
Ok, all of the above was written around 4 p.m. South Africa time. It is now 9:23 p.m. I just got back from my sisters church, and it is quite a beautiful church. It is sort of like a mini CCC (community christian church). Loud and up to date music, and a great message (all though, today we watched a video of another paster from a different church). It was a real eye opener, and I am going to try and buy the dvd so I can bring it back. Anyways, I don't have to much more to add, but I have a few pictures below.
This is the church that my sister and brother-in-law go to regularly. This is the mini ccc.
This is some of the people at Fodisha dancing to the music.
This is the sound board they use, and the reason I post this is for the CCCers that read this. They will know why I am posting it. lol.
Ok, well that is that. Side note to my parents, everyone loves their gifts. Reshmi and Tessie say thank you, olivia loves her "laptop" (leapfrog), Sebastian loves his fancy shirts, and Tasha loves hers as well.
Also, to answer a question, no, South Africa was not what I thought it would be. It is actually a bit more advanced then what I thought it would be. There are also a lot more american companies and shows here that I thought would never be. Of course, its not all nice, there are many low grade communities, so dont let me fool you into thinking this place is perfect. Well, I must be off, have a great night guys, and I will talk with you again tomorrow.
love,
simon
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4 comments:
Sounds like things are going well. Thats great! It's sad to think of how good we have it here and how bad some of the people there have it. I think its a great thing your doing trying to spread the word!
Agreed, and thanks again for your donation Andrew, that was awesome of you.
yes people here don't realize how good things here are. I remember all to well what poor is in these countries. Just keep doing what your doing, we're proud of you
just be happy it's hot, we're starting our days in the low 20s
love you mom
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