Blessed Relationships

Wonderful Relationships

One of the benefits of my work here in Cape Town is meeting other like-minded people and ministries from whom I learn so much and am so encouraged in what God has called me to do here. I have written about the partnership with the Warehouse, an Anglican ministry that whose work I admire a lot. There are others. Soon after I arrived , I was introduced to Floyd McClung Jr. He heard about me, what I did, and that I was a journalist and was interested in it all. I had no idea who he was or what he had done. Just as well because it meant I came to the meeting with no preconceptions. It was all about first impressions. I am not sure what he thought then, but I was captivated by his love for God, his passion for African leaders and the way in which he immediately made me feel at ease. Later I found out about his work and that he is known all over the world for his incredible ministry with prostitutes in the streets of Amsterdam and runaways in Afghanistan. He graciously gave me his classic book "The Father Heart of God" Now he is in Cape Town as the international director of All Nations working to build up African servant leaders who will plant churches and disciple people and work to alleviate poverty through various enterprises. I resonate with that. I love it when I walk into the All Nations offices and see pictures of and quotes by Martin Luther King Jr. Nelson Mandela and others who are among our best role models of justice Most of all, I am moved and encouraged to see young people and adults from around the world, but mostly from Africa learn, pray, study, evangelize and have fun together , models of what a new Africa might be, and certainly the Biblical model of Galatians 3: 28. "neither Jew, nor Greek,slave or free, male or female." I add to that, black or white or red or yellow, shack dweller or palace queen, "all are on in Christ Jesus" This model is sorely needed in post-apartheid South Africa where the racial and economic divisions are still so wide. It is needed on a continent where power and position are prized above all else. Well that sounds to me like the rest of the world. It is my opinion that Africans and especially African males need to be encouraged in their skills and built up in their desire to serve their people with a new example. They need a Biblical model of Jesus who though he was rich became poor for our sakes. So often they see leaders who become rich and do little to ease the burdens of their people. African women need to be encouraged in their unique skills and gifts, not an easy goal as they face huge hurdles from some of their traditions. Those of us who come from outside the continent, especially Western missionaries need to model the same passionof early missionaries to the continent but with humility as we acknowledge that well meaning but some damaging mission policies precede our work in Africa.I find much to cheer my heart in all of these areas about the mission of All Nations here. No one group, and there are more than you can imagine, has all the answers to any of the problems in the church, in mission or otherwise here. While each has its own focus and strength, I think we all need to work with each other. That is my prayer for Evangeline Ministries. I thank God for the work of All Nations in South Africa.I have had the joy of interviewing some of the men and women who come for their leadership training and who are ready to risk all for Christ and help others in need. I have seen them rebuild burned out shacks in the squatter area of Red Hill and the informal township of Masiphumelele. I have sat in small groups they lead in these and other needy areas as they personally work with young men to teach them the Bible and have watched our Evangeline sewing leader Namgamso grow in her spiritual life because of one of the women's Bible studies and prayer groups they lead. So it was with great joy that I accepted Floyd's invitation to speak to the current Discipleship and Leadership students on Thursday morning. The best parts for me were the worship, oh the joy of African singing and dancing, and the chance to answer questions and discuss some of the wonderful ideas there are that could involve our sewing graduates. I hope I encouraged them as I shared my journey to Cape Town, one that was such a surprise, but one that has brought such fulfillment in the ministry here. Currently Evangeline works as part of Living Way, the economic arm of the Living Hope ministries. We will also join hands and hearts with other ministries, national and international, and work together for the changes we all want to see happen. An African proverb says, 'a bundle cannot be fastened with one hand. We need each other. That is true in every area of life, none more so than in Christian work in South Africa.