Speaking with the Learners

One of my favorite parts of this experience has been speaking with the learners (the South African term for students) one-on-one or in small groups. We started our ministry on the West Coast in the town of Vredenburg (A fishing town on the Atlantic side). Among our regular schools we were able to visit and then follow-up at a boarding school for troubled kids. We got to listen to, speak the word over and pray with several of the young girls and boys. The first night only four of us went to meet with the boys. We thought we were going to just video tape a few testimonies, what followed was a God-sized encounter. The next thing we knew the four of us were speaking to a group of 150 boys. The things that were coming out of our mouths amazed even us. 120 of those boys made commitments to change their lives. The next night we all went to minister to the girls. After 80 of the 90 or so girls prayed the sinner’s prayer with us, we had a time of one-on-one prayer. We prayed for at least a dozen girls each. Their stories were devastating, but it was a blessing to leave them with the one thing that could help them….Jesus. We returned again just to hang out with the girls and love them and pray with them some more. Soon some of the regular schools were inviting us back to talk to the students in small groups. We were able to speak specifically to their questions about life and the God we serve. It was great to encourage them.

We then drove back to the East-side of the country to a town called Phalaborwa. It is on the outskirts of Kruger National Park (Mozambique is on the other side of the park and the Indian Ocean). We have seen a lot of wild animals…hippos, crocs, warthogs, monkeys and elephants from a distance. But the most precious thing in this area is its children. We got to spend some extended time in one such school, where an unfortunate but common harassment incident happened, speaking with the seventh graders in small groups. We spoke about our presentation, the Book of Hope, issues they face, their lives, and of course they are always interested in our travels, America, and how many famous people we have met.

Pray for these children, they are the future of South Africa and this world.

More photos can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/kimart4ch