Along with open-air evangelism our group was also involved in community outreach which was challenging at best but so fun and so worth every ounce of time we spent helping the youngest to the oldest.
The D.R.C. or Democractic Republic of the Congo refugees live in various parts of South Africa and come near and far to Bellville Baptist Church to learn English so that they can thrive in their new country...Problem...Xenophobia: /ˌzɛnəˈfoʊbiə, ˌzinə/an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange. Black South Africans who are already jobless and destitute fear this reality will quickly beome their endless fate if refugees come and get their jobs so they retaliate. One way that we were informed of was dragging the refugees out of their homes in their camps and beating them, filling a tire with gasoline and lighting it on fire around their necks....nonetheless these people exhibit great courage and FAITH (for-real FAITH). Most of the refugees (French speaking) are learned and lawyers, scientists, engineers and the like by trade and we sat with them teaching basic English reading, writing and math skills...talk about humbling. We spent only a few hours with them and wanted desparately to stay. 2 of the STINT (year-long) missionaries from IMPACT head this project for over 30 refugees who are all on different learning levels. That day their were 15 of us and still not enough. It's frustrating to even reflect on...
The D.R.C. or Democractic Republic of the Congo refugees live in various parts of South Africa and come near and far to Bellville Baptist Church to learn English so that they can thrive in their new country...Problem...Xenophobia: /ˌzɛnəˈfoʊbiə, ˌzinə/an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange. Black South Africans who are already jobless and destitute fear this reality will quickly beome their endless fate if refugees come and get their jobs so they retaliate. One way that we were informed of was dragging the refugees out of their homes in their camps and beating them, filling a tire with gasoline and lighting it on fire around their necks....nonetheless these people exhibit great courage and FAITH (for-real FAITH). Most of the refugees (French speaking) are learned and lawyers, scientists, engineers and the like by trade and we sat with them teaching basic English reading, writing and math skills...talk about humbling. We spent only a few hours with them and wanted desparately to stay. 2 of the STINT (year-long) missionaries from IMPACT head this project for over 30 refugees who are all on different learning levels. That day their were 15 of us and still not enough. It's frustrating to even reflect on...
Esther..she was a lawyer back at home
1 comment:
This was such an inspiring blog! Kudos to people who go through leaps and bounds to make their lives better. And kudos to you for helping to give them that chance.
You may have to wait a few years before getting yourself an original Mowgli/Squanto painting. Hah! Lil sis is not at a point where she is capable of parting with her work. Just like you, she just made the move to Arkansas to begin her freshman year of college! And she took along all those paintings. Selfish right? I was gonna hang them up in the living room but she wanted to show them off in her dorm room.
Anyhow, can't wait for your visit!
Nosmo
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