Month 3

When i was younger i was really into superhero cartoons and comic books. Call me a loser all you want I DONT CARE!! Watching Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles, Batman, Spiderman, Superman, Star Trek and Dragon Ball Z sent chills down my spine. My big brother and I would pretend to be Super Sayens from DBZ, he was Goku and I would be his enemy Vageeta. He would always win because good guys always win, and he was older so I didn't have much say in the situation. In middle school I'd often be caught doodling Superman symbols in my Geography notebook and would often pay the piper.

For the first 2 months of my time here I described South Africa as Bizzaro World and I was Superman. Most of the differences between the two nations are subtle, things like: driving in the right side of the car on the wrong side of the road, people speaking English with a funky accent, and look at me as if i were a martian because of the way i speak. For the most part however, it just like America; people don't say goodbye when they first see you and hello when you leave, but I'm just now starting to feel at home here.

My only justification for feeling the way I felt was I came here with different expectations. I didn't understand the strategy YFC was using to minister to the people here, but after several meetings with my project manager and director clarity came to me. The smothered suffering here is insane. In America, if someone to were to confide in someone that they were raped the other day, the person who was confided in would be very sympathetic, and do everything in their power to make sure something was done about it. Here in South Africa they would say, "Ah shame..." and that's it! The same response would be expected if the news was murder or theft. I got a chance to match up the children and the homes that they live in and i noticed that the children with a serious behavior problem are the ones that live in the "poor lands" or metal shacks. I met Stephanie's mom when i worked with Auntie Sina, and Lisa handing out food to the people in the "poor lands" and understood why Stephanie needs so much attention.

I was concerned about the little amount of actual evangelism we do here in South Africa. I felt as if I were just doing a bunch of social work. Don't get me wrong; we need social workers and i appreciate the hard work that they do, but i just pictured spending my time here differently. I began to lose hope that Kylemore would ever experience the true meaning of Jesus dying on the cross, and my zeal started to fade away. It wasn't very long however, that God intervened and convicted me. I learned to not underestimate what we do here by learning the ways of the Quick-draw Cowboy. There are laws that prohibit us from really tackling schools with the powerful message of Jesus, and even though I think it would be AWESOME to be arrested for talking about my faith in Jesus I know that as soon as i was bailed out my boss would kill me. We have to strategically plan our approach to our projects, and wait patiently for that sweet moment that hundreds of missionaries wait for. Its when the people ask why are we here (UGGHH how i hunger for that moment).... its then where we have to quickly and accurately discharge our magnum of faith to make war upon the enemy that has held these people captive for so many years. I've been so blessed to play a part in several victories. This kind of Secret Agent Evangelism is soooo exciting but takes sensitivity to the Holy Spirit that i can only rely on God for.

Social work?? NOT BLOODY LIKELY. South Africa is still Bizzaro World but our home has become a Fortress of Solitude for the Superhero kids here of Kylemore. If we weren't stationed here hundreds of kids wouldn't have someone to encourage them or play soccer with which is extremely important to the little dudes. God has filled me with new compassion for them and I pray that God with raise them to be forerunners during the dark times ahead. i miss you and love you and know that you're praying with me; God has allowed the me, the planter, to see growth in these miraculous men and women.

Hail to the King.