Update from the Team

Rachelle, Koos (The Team’s South Africa Contact), & Kate 

Our journey has begun.  We landed in Johannesburg, South Africa, with adventurous spirits, ready to do whatever the Lord placed before us.  We have been blessed to take the first few days to acclamate ourselves to South Africa.  As Paul did when he entered a new city, we have been meeting those who follow Jesus and live in the area near where we plan to work.  Our hosts have been warmly hospitiable and have brought us up-to-date on various situations including the history of South Africa, apartheid, racial relations, and the effects of AIDS.  Here are a few of the many insights we have gained from our new friends: Koos and Jeni Basson and our faithful guide, Lennit.

With the focus of our trip being to serve residents at an AIDS hospice, many of our initial questions had to do with the disease and its effects on South Africa.  AIDS was first identified in South Africa in the mid-1980s.  Truck drivers and mine workers were the main progaters of the disease, as they were mobile throughout Africa and often had many partners.  Today, we see the government trying to fight  promiscuity with the “ABC”s of healthy living.  “A” is for abstinence.  If you cannot abstain, then “B” is for be faithful.  If you cannot be faithful, then “C” is for condomize. 

Given the rise in the number of people with HIV/AIDS, it is clear that most people choose “C.”  Those we are meeting with believe this educational strategy tries to placate different interest groups, but fails to give the right information.  Whether you believe in God and His design for marriage or not, abstinence is the only way to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS through intercourse.

In the words of a Congolese immigrant (who is a student of Lennit’s wife), “South Africans are the victims of their own democracy.”  We are seeing the truth of this statement as we learn more about all aspects of life here. 

Pray for us as God prepares us as we head to Sparrow on Friday.  Pray that God will continue to teach us as we soak up the truths about South Africa and learn about the deceptions.  Pray for discernment, for continuned unity, and for rest.

Thank you for your commitment to our team and to the vision of the Lord.