South Africa: A Guide to the Senses

By: Glenn Sawatzky

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Much of our energy so far has been spent processing the wide range of information we have received.  The disparity we've seen from one week to the next has been, in a manner of speaking, a bit difficult to digest.  For example, the move from Soweto, a city of black townships, to an upper-class white Afrikaaner community in Pretoria was particularly shocking.  A brief examination of some of the five senses may help create a clearer picture:

While Soweto often tasted like grisly meat and saltless potatoes, Pretoria tasted like decadence - succulent rump steaks and, for some, fine wines. Our living quarters in Soweto smelled neutral at the best of times but our Pretorian bedrooms and bathrooms were constantly fresh and clean thanks to the diligence of our 'domestic workers'.  The sounds of Soweto were traffic noise and the constant excited chatter of people in the streets communicating in their native African languages. The sounds of Pretoria, for me perceived from within the confines of my secure gated community, were those of ease and tranquility; a gently gurgling fountain or the humming of a BMW engine easing into the drive.

But beyond these more tangible descriptions, I must explain something that has been referred to as 'the sixth sense' - that gut feeling or intuition that seldom misses or lies.  Interestingly, it was this sense that allowed me (and others) to feel more 'at home', as it were, in Soweto than Pretoria.  It seems absurd that the greater comfort should lie not in the plush fabrics, queen sized beds and leather upholstery but rather in the dusty roads, the hard brick surfaces, and the run down buildings that comprised the Soweto community. 

           This is, as far as I am concerned, evidence that something far beyond outward luxury is required to instigate a true, inward sort of comfort. Even flawless writing could not completely convey this very peculiar feeling as it is one which, by my estimation, must be experienced to be understood.  For now, let it suffice to say that at the urban heart of South Africa's black community a very special flame is flickering - a flame which, though not always smelt, seen, or touched, is leaving a definite impression on all who are willing to come near.   

By: Glenn Sawatzky

Lessons Learned From the Hope of a Child

By: Jenn Hamman

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One of the things I’ve enjoyed most this semester is the opportunities we’ve had to connect with kids in the townships and schools. These experiences have evoked a wide range of emotions in me. As much as I have wanted to invest in their lives, these kids have ended up having an unexpected impact on me. As I meet more and more children I’ve come to realize that it’s almost impossible not to be touched by the contagious joy of these kids who in most cases have so little.

               Walking through the township of Kliptown, we were met by dozens of little hands grasping for any affection they could get. When looking at each member of our team connecting with a child in their own special way, it was impossible to miss the love and trust being exchanged. That image reminded me of Jesus’ unconditional love for His children. Staring into the eyes of a small girl in Kliptown, God was able to reveal Himself to me in a new way. My only hope is that when staring back, that small girl was also able to see God’s love reflected in my eyes.

            It surprised me how easy it was to feel God’s presence amidst the heart-wrenching poverty of the black South African townships. I think it’s because back in Canada it’s so easy to get caught up in money making and material possessions that we miss seeing God at all. The feeling I got there was indescribable; like mixture of wonder, joy and hope. What I saw in the townships broke my heart, but God’s light is shining so bright there that the hope is undeniable. It’s in the schools, whenever a principal tells his students that they are special and each and every one are made in God’s image. The hope is there in the smiles of each one of those children who have a hunger to make their dreams a reality. Being here has taught me so much about God’s overflowing love for each of his children- and the joy that comes with embracing this love.     

By: Ms. Jennifer F. Hamman

Memoirs of a Metro

By: Josh Dookhie

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As I wearily climb onto our bus after a week of work projects in Strandfontein, I take the half-hour bus ride east to Stellenbosch to contemplate my last month and a half of experiences in this beautiful country called Africa. I find myself overwhelmed by the diversity of what I have experienced. All throughout South Africa, from SOWETO to Pretoria, from Cape Town to Strandfontein, one clear life-changing experience manages to stand out in the midst of my tired mind.

                         We have sung Zulu worship songs in SOWETO, visited after-school programs for kids in Jo-burg, lived in an Afrikaaners mansion in Pretoria, and dug trenches in Philippi to provide homes. Everywhere we are, whether it is within our group or visiting our brothers and sisters in the informal settlement of Kliptown, we are welcomed with open arms.

                         This seems to happen everywhere we go, regardless of how intrusive our rather conspicuous touring bus carrying 40 white people may appear to even us. We experience again and again the gracious and generous invitations to serve and grow with God by the people within this diverse country. 

                         Since the moment my feet stepped onto this dusty red soil, the one thing that has never left, that has transcended every cultural barrier, every poverty line or denomination, is the embrace of the unifying love of Jesus Christ. I have been family in every home I have stayed.  I have been welcomed as part of the body of believers in every church, from the Dutch Reform churches to the small, leaky brick churches under the African rains of SOWETO. Even though I have never met these amazing people before, we have something that unites us, and makes us family. I cannot express how deep this unnerving, worldly illogical, yet comforting truth has penetrated my North American heart.

As I sit and reflect, I feel that in my own culture we have often lost this sense of true community, of family within the church. I wonder if I can feel this kind of community in my own culture.  Is this attainable outside of Outtatown experiences? Discovering this refreshing truth in Africa, I have been trying to figure out how this love for others prevails so much in the midst of their poverty.

                         I consider that I have maybe mislabed the people I consider impoverished. I conclude that this true unity and community is only found outside the borders of our own comfort zones. Rather, unfortunate that our North American culture seems to be drugged by comfort.  So I ask myself, which standard will I live by? The safe comfortable standard of a possession obsessed culture, or will I embrace my passions, love uncomfortably, walk by faith pursuing a unity that often seems unattainable?

God has gifted me with this experience and a responsibility. This experience will shape how I live, love and reach out within my own culture. Because I truly believe that it is not the building, not the culture, the age or denomination that unites us as brothers and sisters. It is the love of God within us.

Peace out from SA

Your brother in Christ,

Josh Dookhie

Community Living: an African Perspective

By: Dayna Sullivan

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Trying to get to know God in a foreign country has proved to be more difficult than I expected it to be. The first month in South Africa consisted of continual adjustments to the different cultures. None of which I had ever experienced, it was excited as well as challenging. It was hard to make the time to be with God alone, dealing with all the changes that come with living in a new country. Whether it was seeing and dealing with poverty, meeting and living with families or adjusting to new foods and sleep patterns, you can become very preoccupied and lose focus on your faith. Sometimes in your walk with God there are times you feel very alone and confused.  To live in the Outtatown community means you never have to face your struggles alone, and chances are someone else is feeling similar to you. It helps to be surrounded by other Christians who are living and dealing with many of the same issues. It can be difficult being so far away from home, to connect with God. Though there is nowhere I’d rather be to figure out my faith, to realize where and what God wants for my life. These past weeks have taught me the importance of commitment to God and what a vital part of faith it is.  The people of Africa, with their many diversities, have taught me what it means to trust the Lord, to have faith that lasts no matter what obstacles appear. I am amazed at the openness of the people we encounter and the way they welcome us with open arms. You can see God in the people of Africa, in the children playing, in the families of our homestays and in the beauty the country holds. I have been amazed by this past year; last semester taught me alot about myself and my personal relationship with God. This semester in South Africa has opened my eyes to the ways God is working in the world. Working in the hearts of the people here, allowing them to reconcile and rebuild the country. Though it may be awhile before the rest of the world realizes what is happening in this country I am grateful that I have the opportunity to experience it. To sit with the sun shining and the view of a gorgeous vineyard and reflect on a month gone by blows my mind. Everyday I now thank God for bringing me to South Africa and showing me its beauty and heart.

By: Dayna Sullivan

Community Building

By: Marcus Fowler

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This story is less about the experience of South Africa, and more about being a part of an incredible team of people…while experiencing South Africa.

It is very interesting coming back to South Africa in my second year as team leader, having already been here with a team last year. When I came here the first time everything was new and exciting; I was experiencing all of the emotions of seeing the contrast of such wealth and immense poverty. I was also taking in afresh the beauty of such a wonderful and diverse country. This year, all of that is still very interesting and exciting to me, but I feel like I am coming at it from a different perspective. I have already processed a lot of my own emotions of being in a different culture that is VERY far away, and asked myself questions such as: Where is God in all of this?

In our third week, we reached Cape Town which is often called one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Our purpose there was to experience a rest and adventure week, but instead of reveling in the pristine coastal surroundings, many were feeling depressed and not sure how to grasp what they had seen. Watching our team of students process these emotions for the first time is something I have found quite fascinating, and at times quite distressing. It can be a terrifying thing for some, and exhilarating for others. Some see despair, and others see opportunities. I began to wonder if having this “rest week” was a good thing for the team. However, as the week went on we began to understand the meaning of true Christian community. For us, it meant no longer putting on a perfect image, but rather emptying oneself and choosing to trust those around us with our burdens and frustrations. We found that when we were so wrapped up in our own struggles, we missed opportunities to serve others in our community and became self absorbed. We were challenged to reflect on Hebrews 10:24-25, “…to spur one another on toward love and good deeds and to not give up meeting together…but to encourage one another daily.”  This has become our renewed vision for the remainder of the semester. 

It has been our challenge as leaders to guide the students in dealing with these emotions. We certainly do not pretend that we have all the answers, but we attempt to help them process their emotions in a healthy way. Although we are flawed and inconsistent, it is such a blessing to be a part of a wonderful and growing community.

By: Marcus Fowler

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