Reflecting on South Africa
As our vision trip to South Africa comes to an end we have gained a fresh first hand perspective of the country and a far greater understanding of why God has called us here.
Before we departed on this journey, many asked why South Africa. One gentleman even questioned why we would go the richest country in Africa when there were so many other countries on the continent whose needs were far greater?. Many in the West think of South Africa as an exception to other countries is Africa. Basically speaking they consider it the same as a first world western democracy that just so happens to be located in southern Africa.
The fact is South Africa is a very complex and diverse society that cannot really be ladled in regards to a world class. One of the people and a great man of God I have gotten to know since being here put it this way. Our country has first world cities and the rest is third world. After being here and observing for over two months I tend to agree with that assumption. Take here in the town of Newcastle proper. Everything here including the shopping, roads, homes, hospitals, commercial buildings etc. reminds me very much of what you would find in any western civilized town. However, it is when you venture out a few kilometres you get a whole different perspective.
There is a densely populated area just outside of Newcastle which houses about 300,000 people, everywhere you look you see abject poverty and realize quickly you just entered a different world. Additionally, the countryside throughout this region is dotted and consumed by makeshift townships and camps. Many of these places are full of dwellings that would not pass any building codes common in the western world. Also much of these areas are void of basic necessities including, running water and electricity. Let me contrast this. The town of Newcastle proper has a population of about 17,000 people, the poor areas I just described are home to nearly 4000,000. This only includes this immediate area around Newcastle. I can only imagine what the numbers are like nearer the big cities and in the vast rural areas of the country.
Before we came here, we really felt like God was telling us He was sending us to a place that has been neglected and what we found was an area that was ripe for the hope of the Gospel. The need here is vast and seemingly never ending and we are privileged that God has called us to this place at this time. Even though we are looking forward to going home, seeing loved ones, share our adventure and articulate the need. We also take back with us an excruciating burden for the people here and cannot wait to get back.