Almost 5 weeks have gone by since we landed in this beautiful, crazy, wild, nation of South Africa. We have made our home in the middle of a local township called Masiphumelele, or Masi for short. This township is unlike anything I have seen in the past 2 years of missions. Over 40,000 people live on this plot of land that you can walk through in 30 minutes. Most homes are shanties, built in clusters and made of tin, with a few dozen stone houses scattered among them. Roasting chicken feet and sheep’s head can be bought at any corner. Taxis, in the form of large vans, race down the streets, horns blaring. Bars are open with a consistent flow of buyers, and Tik (their version of meth) is as common and accepted as cigarettes. Kids run barefoot and mamas’ walk to the corner store (known as Spazas) with their babies on their backs, held in place by strapping them on with a bath towel. We are the only white people who live here, but drive 10 minutes away and you’ll find your self at a western mall, selling your favorite brands.
(street in Masi)
Our days are spent partnering with different ministries and running along side the long term missionaries here. Some ministries are working with women learning to sew to make a living, and for the men, learning to woodwork. We meet up with our local friends and study the Word together. We partner with BabySafe (a local ministry helping mothers and babies) in intercession and playing with kids. But our biggest ministry is just living. Simply obeying Jesus, becoming more like Him, and letting our overflow of that influence the people we see everyday. Our home is open during the day so locals and children can come and build relationship, discover more of God together, and learn from each other.
(Cape Town Coast)
Our team has been learning how to grow in community each day. Our team of 10 live with an African, who has been walking with Jesus for the past year, and we all share 1 bathroom. It is safe to say we have all grown in the area of patience! We cook for ourselves and rotate days we make dinner for everyone. We have been growing in intercession and taking everything we struggle with as a team to the Lord. We have grown so much in overcoming passivity and fear and I am excited to see how much more God will do with us!
There are several things you can be partnering in prayer with us during our time here!
- We will begin prostitution ministry next week, please pray with us for that!
- Safety
- For continual breakthrough in our team
- For health! Sickness has been going around our team
- Wisdom as we go about our lives here in Masi
Thank you so much for your prayers and support! Internet is not that common, but I do hope that I can continue to share stories of what God is doing during our time here!
Much love,
Kristi
