Violence Against Women

16 Days Of Activism

Here in South Africa, we are currently in the middle of an annual campaign that addresses violence against women and children. One just has to read the daily newspaper to see what a huge challenge this is for this still so new democratically ruled country. To my way of thinking, the treatment of women and children is at the heart of this nation's challenges. In fact I recall a special New York Times Magazine , "Why Women's Rights Are the Cause of Our Time." The editors, Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn wrote then. "In many parts of the world, women are routinely beaten, raped or sold into prostitution. They are denied medical care, education and economic and political power. Changing that could change everything." Writing in the local paper on November 26, Lungiswa Memela shared these facts; one in four South African women has experienced abuse from their partners and more than 40 per cent of men have been guilty of this. South Africa has one of the highest incidences of rape but few are reported to the police. Most shocking of all, after HIV and AIDS, violence is now the second largest cause of death here. Memela says that:"sexual and domestic violence is so widespread in South Africa that they are perceived to be a normal part of the relationship. and a normal part of community life." Sadly, may women think beating is a sign of love. "Violence against women will go on until we change the way we think," Memela says. One of my other concerns is the rate of pregnancy among women here. One lady told me this. "We have no education about this and just do things that do not know the consequences." In the light of this, our work with women becomes so important as we seek to give them a skill and lift their self esteem from God's Word. I have never asked in my class although I have known of some instances of abuse, but more and more I see women who are more self aware, and, I pray, women who understand how much God loves and values their lives. This is our work here.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving
Today in South Africa, it is a gorgeous summer day.
There is not a hint of Thanksgiving but Christmas in everywhere.
But for me, as for most Americans, before Christmas, is this uniquely American day and there are so many reasons that fill my
grateful heart today. How can I ever express my thanks to God for his love that fills my life and gives me purpose. So to you Lord is my first thank you for life, a great career in Christian service and, now, this chance to help others and learn how to trust God more. I am so thankful for all of the students whose lives have touched mine here in our sewing and computer classes.I am thankful for my family whose love encircles me here, so many miles away, for their support and encouragement. I am so thankful for my church communities, The Falls Church, Muizenberg Community Church and King of Kings Baptist Center that help me to serve God with strength and joy. I am so thankful for the friends I have at home and for new ones here in South Africa. I will enjoy a Saturday Thanksgiving with them. I am so thankful for all of you who support Evangeline Ministries, your ind words, advice and visits and help in so many ways. Today I am thankful,with a grateful heart for all of the above and more.

North Carolina guests

Our lovely North Carolina guests
(L-R) Estella Haywood and Carrie Amankwah visited us recently from
lovely North Carolina. They came with the team from the church to which to which Estella belongs, the Low Country Community Church in North Carolina. Carrie shared her gifts in helping people
with self awareness and self esteem and she plans to return
next year to be a longer term volunteer with Living Hope and a friend to the work of Evangeline here. Estella and I shared in the
joy of helping to send Urica back to her home to try and restart
her life with God's help. I hope to see her when I get out to North Carolina to see my sister. We see so many visitors here who are interested in what God is doing and how they can help and when they stop by and visit with me I love it and thank God for them, and yes for these sisters in Christ.

The power of Reconciliation

Reconciling Power.
Yesterday I did something I needed to do for a while. I made a brave effort to reconcile with someone. If it bothers you then you need to act and this relationship bothered me a lot. Turned out we had a lovely conversation, once I was assured all was OK and then we listened to each other's stories. I felt a whole lot better afterwards. Today in the local paper I read about a huge act of reconciliation besides which mine pales and which fills my heart with hope and joy at what is happening inspite of the recent disheartening news and discourse on race relations here. The wounds of apartheid are far from healed and from my vantage point, the racial divisions are sharper than ever, at least in Cape Town. The work of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee led by Bishop Desmond Tutu did vital work but that was just the beginning. Hamilton Wende, a Johannesburg based commentator who is doing research for a documentary and looking at how reconciliation has progressed in the last 15 years, shared this story. On December 24, 1996 bombings in Worcester killed four people and injured 67. One of those injured was Olga Macingwane. She had just finished her grocery shopping when she remembered, she was "ovewhelmed by a huge wave of sound and darkness." She was able to crawl out the back of the shop when she heard an explosion and her next memory is waking up in the hospital. Since then her life has been one of pain and pills. She ahs received little help and to this point, no compensation. one of the men responsible for the act is Steefans Coetzee now in prison for the crime. Long since repentant he desired to meet his victims and apologize to them for his actions. While the social workers at the prison were willing to set up such a meeting, most of the still very angry victims had no interest in such a meeting. Olga and a few others agreed to do so. The Cape Times article described it this way. "Our cameras were off but in that tiny room in the summer's heat an extraordinary South African experience took place. Olga asked to begin with a prayer. She knelt on the floor and prayed aloud in Xhosa while the rest of us bowed our heads." The report noted she said little as each one introduced themselves. She wanted to hear what Coetzee had to say. He was brutally honest. He was a racist, nurtured in this by his family, but had since learned the error of his terrible ways. "I do feel remorse. I am asking forgiveness because I want to move on with my life. I want to do something else with my life and not be remembered only as a murderer."
Again the report described life-changing moments in that room. "Now that I have heard your story, I can forgive you," one man said. When it was Olga's turn to speak here again is the report from the article. "We waited as she gathered her thin, pain-wracked body in her chair. " I want to thank you," she said to Coetzee in Xhosa. "Because I have heard your story, something has left me. I feel healed." Then she and Coetzee stood up and hugged each other. There were tears in both of their eyes." Wende wrote: "The enormity of the deed and the power of Olga's forgiveness give no easy answers, no glib benedictions. There was something immensely powerful in the restraint and the silent depth with which forgiveness was granted by Olga and accepted by Coetzee, something uniquely South African." And I dare to add, something uniquely Christlike.

Partners in Ministry

Partners Together in Christ
As I wrote some time before, one of the delights of doing mission working here in Cape Town is the chance I get to meet like-minded people whose ministry is such an encouragement to what I do. One such ministry is African Renewal led by Bruce Retief. I first met Bruce at the church I attend, the Muizenberg Community Church where he leads the music superbly. then I learned he is a composer and arranger whose work is heard in commercials, ads, movies and on records. That was impressive enough. What to me is as impressive is that God has called him to work, not only to carve out an international musical career but to help African refugees who stream into Cape Town by the thousands, looking for economic relief from countries battered by war and other man-made disasters. At church Bruce works with the refugees to help them find shelter, food and access necessary social services but God called him to do more. Now in a new office down town fish Hoek, which also has an electrical key board, Bruce offers them a chance to develop their skills in English proficiency, computer and graphics classes. They also get food parcels with goods given by nearby stores. "A year ago, I would never have believed I wold be doing this or this was possible," Bruce told me as I marvelled at the bank pf new computers just installed. I can understand how he feels. As a journalist I run sewing classes. God does not care what the qualification is. He just wants us to follow His lead.

African Renewal is about Living Christ, something Bruce is passionate about. The gospel of Jesus Christ colors all this ministry does. He is equally passionate about Giving Christ in this practical form of Christian love. We share both those commitments and are looking at ways we can even work together.

Leaving on a train

My agenda for today was full but but God kept interrupting. An appointment to look at possible work for some of the women was suddenly moved up two hours ahead of time. I had to close down my computer, get dressed and be there in a half hour. As I discussed the project I suddenly knew I was talking to a fellow believer. Sure enough she was and then I was so moved at the way in which God works. This was the first time I met her. How did she know about the work with the women I asked. It was someone at the Muslim fabric shop who told her. Dear God how is it possible that you put things together in this way I prayed as I thanked God that He does works in incredible ways, beyond our understanding. What I do know is that at that shop there is a world of goodwill and love for what I do and the women who are helped. As I left there and moved to the next place, I had no idea of the bigger interruption that was waiting for me. There to discuss another work project with homeless women before I hurried off to yet another appointment, I met Eurika, a young woman I knew. Last Sunday she showed up in church, weeping and bent over. Homeless and tortured by drugs she was stabbed and had just come from the hospital. I just want to go home she said repeatedly. Not knowing what else to do, I turned her over to one of our leaders who works with refugees and helps people like her and I went home.Here she was now at Living Grace weeping with Stella, a visiting volunteer. With all the love of a grandmother,Stella had prayed with her, shared with her how to know Christ, but above all listened to her story and encouraged her to change her life. She needs to go home Stella told me. People in my church had promised to help but that was on Sunday and Monday and today, Tuesday, they were not available. I tried to leave but just could not. When I promised her I would take care of it tomorrow, the tears came in torrents. I want to go home today she said. Something about the way she said it so moved me that I agreed she needed to go home today and with some donations and prayer from our visiting volunteers I took her to the train. First though, she needed to clear her locker. But Eurika had already done that. Clean for two days, she had already thrown everything away. She was ready to leave this terrible life behind. All she had was a gift packet of toiletries from Stella,my card and the money I gave her. I took her to the train, bought her a first class ticket to town and gave her the money for the ticket to take her home to her mother, about two hours away. As the train came to the platform she ran to the doors, paused long enough to wave to me and was gone. A huge smile filled my heart. Talk about new beginnings, well I am not so sure, but I won't bet against Eurika making it, with God's help. And then I reflected on how many people had touched her life with compassion over this past weekened and before that, the hours of love and help given by Living Grace. God had put all of these resources at the disposal of one young woman, just like that lost sheep, just like our Lord.

Take a Risk

What a Risk
There I am at the Bloukrans Bridge in South Africa-the world's highest bridge at 216 meters or approximately 707 feet. (This is about half the height of the Sears (Willis Tower). You would never know this as you drive over but the height of the bridge is extremely important if you are a bungy jumper, yes, that is , if you want to bungy jump. Well I thought about it and actually wished I had the courage to do just that, allow myself to be pushed into space in a swing and dangle there between heaven and earth. What I found so impressive was that almost all of the workers there who come from impoverished black and colored South Africa told me they had jumped And they loved it Why not, this was a huge adventure to give them the thrill they could never get as they fight the struggles they face. I was so proud of them and envied them They tried to encourage me by telling me a 90 year old man had jumped. Well I would have to see that to believe it. What a risk I met someone who had actually jumped and he said he was really scared but he was alive to describe it to me. Well before you can attempt to jump in that oh so small harness, there is a list of tests you must pass. It looks like the same tests for those heart-stopping amusement rides but as I checked it out, and believe I passed each one, heart, lungs, bones etc, there was one missing-FEAR Sure enough when I went to the store there were those tee-shirts, "Confront your fear" I have thought about this a lot and realize that at some point, we all have to take risks to grow, and as believers in Christ, to obey what sometimes is a great call and redirection for our lives. So here I am in Cape Town, South Africa and to me, it was a huge risk to leave all and trust others to support me and come here. Four years later I am still here, trusting God every step of the way. When you bungy jump you have to trust that harness! Thank God I have something even stronger and surer. It is my faith in the Christ who called me here and who has promised to keep me until all is accomplished! Maybe there is something you want to do or feel called to do but are afraid. Go ahead, take that risk. Trust a God who will not let you fall

Blankets with Penny

A Blanket of love

Our sewing class is still talking about the very special day they had with Penny Day who was part of a team that visited the Living Hope ministries from the Next Chapter Church in Kentucky, USA. From the emails we exchanged I could sense her heart of love and a passion to do something useful during her short stay with us. When she spoke about her blankets, I realized this was a perfect way to get to the heart of the women, most of whom are mothers.One of the ladies brings her son to class in wrapped in a blanket or towel around her back. Once I met Penny I was taken by her energy and focus to get it right for these wonderful women. Penny's blankets are adorable and beautiful, and, can be if pursued by these ladies, a hot selling item here and elsewhere. On Tuesday we shopped for all the material Penny needed and then on the Wednesday we held this extra special class. With just a few hours at hand, Penny, went to work and by the end of the afternoon, the women were well on the way to completing their blankets. Penny provided them with a treat,lunch, and yes, I baked cookies but i was delighted to see the attention they gave to the project. Why a blanket? Penny explained that a blanket is an expression of the love God has for us, the love she has experienced. We are "Wrapped Up in God's love." This is her testimony and she believes, must be shared at the earliest time of a child's life, as a baby, who must be wrapped in something as warm and comforting as a blanket. This visual expression underlines our purpose for being here, to show women who are poor and disadvantaged that God loves them dearly. They too are precious in His sight. The women plan to complete their blankets by December 5, Graduation day and for this, we all send huge thanks and love to you Penny!

Graduation Excitement builds!

What graduation means

Bulelwa Mlahlwa and the other women are busy working on the traditional skirts they are making to wear when they celebrate the end of their six month sewing and computer courses. I am excited too because I understand what these courses mean to the ladies. The sewing machines they will receive and the basic computer work they have done has the potential to unlock skills that other wise would not be seen. Our goal in Evangeline is to give the women hope and confidence that they are loved and can build better lives for themselves but this is not easy for so many of them. They all live in Masiphumelele which according to recent demographics,has more people in its postage size area than in all the area of spacious Sun Valley around it. In fact the title of a recent article says that the heart of the city is not in the Central Business District, the way it is in many cities around the world, but in the crowded south east where the informal settlements are. In Khayelitsha with more than a million people, "the average density is 100 people to a hectare,(less than one acre) five times higher than the southern and northern suburbs which average 20 people to a hectare." Why is this? The answer lies in the headlines from another article. "The West seems best when the East has less."It is jobs that force people to leave their homes in the Eastern Cape and crowd into these unstable places where, for many there is no running water or electricity and from which they often travel long roads to get jobs that pay subsistence wages. One man said simply, "there are no jobs in the Eastern Cape."Currently there is a lot of unrest in many of these places where people want houses and the basic amenities we enjoy. Not only is housing affected but so is medical care and the school system and the grants on which many young women, and especially those with HIV and AIDS depend. Where is hope? The answers are so hard to come by, but for a few hours a week the ladies in our classes get the chance to do something that gives them hope. With their new skills they want to make life better for themselves and their children.They never miss a class except for illness or pregnancy and they are a delight to be with. We all have cause to celebrate!

Chapman's Peak is Open Again!!

Chapman's Peak is Open again!


Today I drove over Chapmans's Peak, one of the big five
attractions here in the Western Cape. It is a must see for the millions of visitors who come here every year and since June 2008 it has been closed. It is also the shortest route from Fish Hoek where I live to Hout Bay which I enjoy. Why is this important. For one, it is a marvel of nature's beauty and human engineering. Named after the mountain of that name, the winding road slowly snakes along the base of vertical mountains that rise gradually and then to heights that give you panoramic views of the Western side of the Atlantic Ocean. Man however is no match for nature and rock falls,about which you are warned at every bend in the road, caused the closure at first, and then struggles with the government and the firm chosen to repair it delayed it even more. Today as I drove along, I could see men rappelling up the sheer mountain side as they continued to work to secure this wonder of the Cape. I was amazed to see how much of the mountain side was now encased by steel curtains and hanging steel hammocks to catch stones. For me, this mutes the brilliant beauty, but then again, I don't want a rock on my car either. I was also shocked at the cost to travel one way and this led me to take the longer and less scenic route home. But the opening of this road has more significance than just its breath-stopping beauty. Many small businesses depend on the road to bring tourists to their shops and some of these shops sell the bags the women make. One shop even closed down, both because of the recession and the closing of Chapman's Peak. With the mega football -soccer-games less than seven months away, it was time to get the road going again and I pray the shops going again. So as I stopped to take these photos and refresh my memory of the sights and sounds of the peak, I thanked God for what it will mean to the women who need the income this spectacular road helps to bring in.