It’s about 5:30am, and I’m finally finished with what seemed like an eternal flight from Germany to Cape Town, South Africa. Two friends were there to greet me, and they promptly ushered me into the car for our journey to where I was staying.
And that’s when the contrasts began. As we were nearing a stoplight, my friend slowed, but
wouldn’t come to a complete stop. “You don’t want to come to a full stop at a light, if you can help it,” she said. “because if you do, there’s a chance you could be carjacked. We’ve had that happen here – people taken from their cars at stoplights and harmed.” That was an eye-opening statement for me, one of many to come about this vibrant, beautiful, city on the cusp of change…
First impressions of Cape Town: WOW! The jagged peaks jut out over
the ocean, and the view is breathtaking. After having been in land-locked Germany for some time, the mountains and oceans (the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet here) were a welcome sights indeed. My friends and I spent an afternoon at a national park, where we came to the southernmost point of Africa (see pictures), and along the way, ran into a troupe of baboons (these critters actually go through neighborhoods upending garbage and going into unlocked doors in search of food) and ostriches. Yes, ostriches by the ocean! Who knew? We saw pictures of penguins that are in the area, but alas, no sightings. Sad day.
And then, after the initial enjoyment of nature’s beauty, other impressions begin to edge their
way into my consciousness. Black South Africans walk the streets, and some come up into the neighborhoods, scrounging for food in the trash cans. Poverty is a big issue, and it’s a very apparent one – I was staying in a nice home on the hill, but just 10 minutes away was the “township” of Masiphumelele, which is full of very small shacks that house too many people and don’t have running water or consistent electricity. The shacks leak when it rains (and it rains a lot in winter) and are susceptible to fire because of the cooking methods and the unsafe, hijacked electricity. Unemployment is high in the township, and hope can be low.
But in the middle of a situation that man would say is without hope, hope lives. A small group of YWAMmers, along with other ministries, are reaching out in an effort to bring transformation to this community of about 20,000. Transformation, while a nice word, takes time, a lot of unified effort and what one person said, “long obedience in the same direction." When I arrived, the YWAMmers were just finishing up the rebuilding of a shack for a woman and her 4 children. Another man was taking time to teach basic computer skills to help men and women upgrade their abilities so that more jobs would be open for them.
And then there was another endeavor that really excited me. I have always enjoyed business, and I see that business can have a dramatically positive social change if it’s walked out with God-inspired principles. African Hope Crafts (www.africanhopecrafts.org) is a Christian founded business that has the goal to provide jobs for men and women suffering with HIV/AIDs. The employees create beautiful jewelry which is sold through a small store front in Cape Town as well as through those who’ve chose to become distributors. The sale of one set of jewelry – necklace, earrings, and bracelet – gives the funds for one day’s wages for one person. As the distributors increase – and anyone can become one – the revenue increases, more people are employed and a community is changed. Now that’s exciting!
So, all-in-all, my meetings were successful, spending time with good friends was encouraging, and my time in South Africa was impacting. Even though I've shared these observations about the township, please know that Cape Town was much more than what I communicated. Iit's a city coming alive with possibility - with businesses, schools and ministries - but is also one dealing with issues many of our cities are dealing with. As you continue to see Africa in the news,
I hope this note comes to mind and you are urged towards prayer and action.
And as you think about what I’ve shared here, be on the lookout for a wild troupe of baboons in your own neighborhood…
Know that you’re appreciated - until we type again,
Cory
P.S.: Next stop, India Outreach team visit, with 10 hours of flying and 16 hours of bus travel…more to come….
And that’s when the contrasts began. As we were nearing a stoplight, my friend slowed, but
wouldn’t come to a complete stop. “You don’t want to come to a full stop at a light, if you can help it,” she said. “because if you do, there’s a chance you could be carjacked. We’ve had that happen here – people taken from their cars at stoplights and harmed.” That was an eye-opening statement for me, one of many to come about this vibrant, beautiful, city on the cusp of change…First impressions of Cape Town: WOW! The jagged peaks jut out over
the ocean, and the view is breathtaking. After having been in land-locked Germany for some time, the mountains and oceans (the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet here) were a welcome sights indeed. My friends and I spent an afternoon at a national park, where we came to the southernmost point of Africa (see pictures), and along the way, ran into a troupe of baboons (these critters actually go through neighborhoods upending garbage and going into unlocked doors in search of food) and ostriches. Yes, ostriches by the ocean! Who knew? We saw pictures of penguins that are in the area, but alas, no sightings. Sad day.And then, after the initial enjoyment of nature’s beauty, other impressions begin to edge their
way into my consciousness. Black South Africans walk the streets, and some come up into the neighborhoods, scrounging for food in the trash cans. Poverty is a big issue, and it’s a very apparent one – I was staying in a nice home on the hill, but just 10 minutes away was the “township” of Masiphumelele, which is full of very small shacks that house too many people and don’t have running water or consistent electricity. The shacks leak when it rains (and it rains a lot in winter) and are susceptible to fire because of the cooking methods and the unsafe, hijacked electricity. Unemployment is high in the township, and hope can be low.But in the middle of a situation that man would say is without hope, hope lives. A small group of YWAMmers, along with other ministries, are reaching out in an effort to bring transformation to this community of about 20,000. Transformation, while a nice word, takes time, a lot of unified effort and what one person said, “long obedience in the same direction." When I arrived, the YWAMmers were just finishing up the rebuilding of a shack for a woman and her 4 children. Another man was taking time to teach basic computer skills to help men and women upgrade their abilities so that more jobs would be open for them.
And then there was another endeavor that really excited me. I have always enjoyed business, and I see that business can have a dramatically positive social change if it’s walked out with God-inspired principles. African Hope Crafts (www.africanhopecrafts.org) is a Christian founded business that has the goal to provide jobs for men and women suffering with HIV/AIDs. The employees create beautiful jewelry which is sold through a small store front in Cape Town as well as through those who’ve chose to become distributors. The sale of one set of jewelry – necklace, earrings, and bracelet – gives the funds for one day’s wages for one person. As the distributors increase – and anyone can become one – the revenue increases, more people are employed and a community is changed. Now that’s exciting!
So, all-in-all, my meetings were successful, spending time with good friends was encouraging, and my time in South Africa was impacting. Even though I've shared these observations about the township, please know that Cape Town was much more than what I communicated. Iit's a city coming alive with possibility - with businesses, schools and ministries - but is also one dealing with issues many of our cities are dealing with. As you continue to see Africa in the news,
I hope this note comes to mind and you are urged towards prayer and action.And as you think about what I’ve shared here, be on the lookout for a wild troupe of baboons in your own neighborhood…
Know that you’re appreciated - until we type again,
Cory
P.S.: Next stop, India Outreach team visit, with 10 hours of flying and 16 hours of bus travel…more to come….
