April 5th, 2013
Each Wednesday, for the past 3 weeks, I have been leading the kids’ program in Tafelsig, which is one of the disadvantaged communities within Mitchell’s Plain. So you may say – ok kids, no big deal! But omg it has been the most stretching project I have taken on. Each week has ranged from 50 – 70 kids and it has been INTENSE! When I was first asked if I would like to take on the project, I was a bit nervous and hesitant because I do not have much experience in this area; but I am here to serve, so I accepted, not knowing how I was going to cope. But that’s what God does; He puts us in situations out of our comfort zone to develop us. How will we grow if we only do what’s familiar and comfortable? The children are not used to structure so they run, jump, play – and will most often do the opposite of what you say. The reason why they are often like that is because of the lack of attention that they recieve from home. Some come from difficult home environments; and many are not taught how to properly respect there elders, specifically women which makes it difficult to get through to them while I am with them. We are there to change their outlook and be examples; showing them that everyone is equal and has value. As well as changing there individual perspective in life, by telling them that God has a special plan and purpose for each of them, and that they can do anything that God has put in there hearts to do. I may not see the fruit of it right now but maybe 3 / 5 / 7 years from now, they will remember that volunteer who came and spoke to them which sparked a change within them to turn there lives around.
I honestly wanted to give up while I was doing the program at first because the children were that bad! But I was thinking, ok, it’s my first time, they are getting to know me and that the following weeks will be better, but the next week there behavior was even more challenging! The kids would not listen and it was even more chaotic to say the least. Many of them speak Afrikaans as their first language and will listen to you more if you speak to them in that language – but the enemy was using all those things against me in my mind for me to make excuses and give up. But then God used someone to speak to me who did the program last year, and she was saying that it doesn’t matter what language they speak, expect God to show up in the room and have everything under control when you get there. And that’s what I did. I went to God before I started the day and I thanked the children for their patience and obedience. I also thanked God for showing up and prayed that He will cast out any ungodly spirits that was causing the children to be distracted and not feel loved.
Josh (another HAF intern) and I arrived there early. He suggested we pray together before the rest of the team got there – I just love as a team how we can pray together. He prayed for me, I prayed for him, then we prayed for the projects together.
We started the program and Deborah and I did a play with the kids about David and Goliath – and we actually did the entire play with no distractions! That in itself was a miracle because last week we tried to do the same play and we couldn’t get past three minutes of it without complete chaos. We also did another activity and things just flowed. It wasn’t perfect, but it was so much better then last week! I’m so happy that I didn’t give in and give up. God put people in my path to help and encourage me. I know that He chose me to be here for a reason and a purpose. Things don’t always start out easy – but I know God is developing and molding me.
It’s so much bigger than myself; it’s about instilling love, hope and future into this next generation.
1 Corinthians 13:13 “Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.”
Love,
Juliette
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