by Margaret Kapteyn
(Further reflections below by
Kathy Wensink,
Matthew Wensink and
John Kapteyn)
How does one summarize in a few words, the sights, sounds
and especially the stories of the people in northern South
Africa? Not easily.
Group: Rev. John Kapteyn, Margaret Kapteyn, Rebecca
Wulkan, Kathy Wensink, Nathan Wensink, Clarence Alkema
A group of six people from the Regional Synod of Canada
travelled together to South Africa to discern if there is a
possibility of partnering with the United Reformed Church in
Southern Africa [URCSA] in their struggle to overcome the
issues of HIV/AIDS, poverty and unemployment, the
disintegration of family life and crime.
One of our tour guides said, " you will see the good, the
bad and the ugly", which we did. We travelled to remote
villages as well as to inner city ministries to see what the
local church is doing to address these very serious
problems. We found a caring, loving and hospitable people,
who are demonstrating a sacrificial love that is rarely seen
in Canada. We saw many smiling faces and received big bear
hugs. Many of the women in their communities are stepping
out in faith to set up drop in centres for children who have
lost their parents to Aids. They provide love, a safe place
for the children during after school hours, food, education
and support. Home Based Health Care Programs are being set
up in communities which are run by volunteers. These
volunteers are being trained to provide care to patients who
are recuperating from hospital stays, as well as providing
palliative care and support for AIDS patients.
Much is being done to educate congregations about the
transmission of the Aids virus, as well as trying to address
the stigma that is associated with having HIV/AIDS.
Workshops are being held for pastors and church leaders, so
that they can educate their congregations and be an example
to them. We met with local church councils and shared with
each other what the challenges were in our churches and what
ministries our churches were doing to help those in need. We
discovered that we have much in common with our South
African brothers and sisters in Christ .We saw churches of
various denominations and communities working together to
overcome the problems of their society.
We saw excellent work being done in the
inner city of Johannesburg for the homeless by Metro
Evangelical Services,
www.mes.org.za .
We saw the beauty of God’s creation, such as giraffes,
zebras, lion, hippos and rhinos at Kruger National Park. We
saw lush green mountain sides and beautiful sunrises.
We heard the heart wrenching stories of life during the
apartheid years. We met many people who had decided that
instead of seeking vengeance after the collapse of
apartheid, they would follow the example of Jesus Christ and
practice forgiveness and reconciliation.
We visited Motsoaledi, one of the worst slums in Soweto,
where families of four or five people live in a one room
shack made of corrugated steel. They have no water or
electricity. This community has learned that if they share
and work together they are stronger and their dream is that
one day places like their slum will no longer exist.
So, what have I learned from my time in South Africa. I
learned that in spite of the misery and ugliness that can be
found in South Africa, as well as in every country, God is
working in and through His church. He is bringing hope and a
renewal in the church and we as a church in Canada can learn
much from their example. I also learned from South Africans
the importance of relationships and getting to know people
at a deeper level.
My hope and prayer is that we as the RSC will be able to
provide the needed resources to help our brothers and
sisters in South Africa and to deepen our relationship with
them.
Kathy
Wensink's reflections
We travelled to South Africa to
explore the possibility of the churches of the Regional
Synod of Canada partnering with the United Reformed
Church of South Africa with a particular focus in the
fight against HIV/AIDS.
We landed in Johannesburg and
traveled to Pretoria. We were welcomed with typical
African hospitality (in other words with open arms and
hearts). The team met with several of the local pastors
and leaders including Rev. Daniel Maluleke over a
friendly dinner.
We then traveled to Phalaborwa
where several projects are already in place. Many of
these were begun by individuals but it is felt that it
is now time for the church to step forward and work
together to advance the work that has already begun. The
projects include an after school drop in centre which
offers tutoring, HIV/AIDS prevention training, and daily
food for over 200 children. Many of these children come
from homes headed by grandparents or sometimes even by
older children as the parents have passed away.
Another project involves volunteers
being trained to provide homecare to those who are sent
home from the hospital but still need nursing. This
program is run by retired nurses who use their own
retirement pension money to keep the centre open.
Caregivers make daily visits and minister to those who
suffer from AIDS, T.B. and diabetes, as well as many
other diseases and injuries. They are on the front lines
of care.
A visit to a primary school
revealed the need for a building, school resources,
uniforms, and teachers. The children were delightful and
eager to entertain us with their songs and dances.
It greatly touched my heart to see
how far South Africa has come in the 15 years since
apartheid ended. The level of forgiveness is evidence of
God working in this country.
There is great need for improved
housing in many inner city areas. In Soweto people are
struggling to live without electricity and running
water. In Johannesburg shelters are filled to capacity
and realize there is still so much to do. Innovative
programs are in place but help is needed.
Upon meeting with the leaders of
the Northern Synod it was made evident that many great
projects are currently in place but the need is even
greater. The greatest impression I received from the
meeting was that the churches of South Africa are
looking for a hand in partnership, not a hand-out.
Jesus has asked us to be His hands,
His feet, and His heart to all. God can use all of our
gifts and talents to partner with our brothers and
sisters of South Africa.
Kathy Wensink
Matthew
Wensink's reflections
8 People - 3 countries – ONE LOVE
O boy! I had such an incredible time these past 2 weeks, diving into new
relationships and possible partnerships with South Africa and also with Christ.
I can think of thousands of ways to put this but I truly feel like God has done
something and placed us in South Africa for a purpose. God not only taught me
new things about myself but by seeing the things in Africa- whether it be the
creatures, the people, the creation, I’ve realized the magnitude of His love for
us and it makes me think sometimes about truly why we worry about anything-why
we have the audacity to be upset about the pain in this world- especially our
easy lives in Canada.
Now for the details..I cannot pick out an especially
favourite part because they were all so amazing but in every situation I enjoyed
seeing the hospitality of Christ shown through these people. They gave their
best. They considered it a great honour to have us. If only that worked so well
in Canada...something to think about. I also enjoyed the honour of just sitting
at the table filled with so much knowledge. To be honest parts of the things
said I did not even understand but I did come away with the knowledge that there
are people here and there that understand the real idea of what it means to have
a Christ-centered partnership. Not necessarily a money-centered partnership but
one filled with wisdom and Christ’s ideals.
I would love to see incredible
things happen with this and I trust that God’s will can be done. I don’t know
how much I can be involved but if anything I will continue to pray for
everything going on not just in Africa but things here. That the church will
come to conclusions slightly more regardless of money than normal maybe and
truly find Christ’s will. God has changed us and has given us this opportunity
and I am overwhelmed with excitement to see where He will take it. Even if
nothing happens people still experienced change. I know there are not many
details in here about specifics but trust me, like everyone else on the trip,
the animals, the projects, the volunteer-mentality with whole-heartedness
absolutely blew my mind.
John Kapteyn's
reflections
Lord, make me an instrument of your
peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not
so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in
giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are
pardoned;
and it is in dying
that we are born to eternal life.
Prayer of Saint Francis of
Assisi
We came to give or to discern how God
wanted us to give. I came away having received so much
more than I gave.
From
Nov. 3-12, a team of six people representing the
Regional Synod of Canada (RSC)
visited
South Africa
and were accompanied and led by Derrick Jones,
supervisor of RCA mission in Africa. The purpose of the visit was
to discern whether God would have us provide support in
the fight against HIV/AIDS. specifically in the areas of
nutrition, education, and health care through a
partnership between the Regional Synod of Canada
and the Northern Synod of the Uniting Reformed Church in
Southern Africa (URCSA).
We were met at the
airport in Johannesburg
by Efraim Oppelt, who works with deacons,
pastors, and regional synodical
coordinators to promote, administer, and develop the
URCSA’s diaconal programs. Efraim, also a community
development consultant to the private and government
sectors, made us feel at home through his calm, caring
and Christ-like presence. Derrick also met us at the
airport and we thank God for his knowledge, experience,
and compassion for mission.
Dr. Daniel Maluleke,
Executive Minister of the Northern Synod of URCSA and
some Northern Synod pastors met us at a welcome dinner.
The next day we drove 500 km to the
Phalaborwa area, where the Namakgale church and Mma
Roddy minister to children (many orphaned because of
HIV/AIDS). They operate a feeding station and a school
for children. We were deeply touched by the number of
people who sacrificially give of their time and
resources to teach children about HIV/AIDS and to care
for their needs. We visited a home care centre and
joined in some home care visits.
We
observed the great need for help, the excellent work
being done, the dedicated local leadership, as well as
the commitment and expertise of the Northern Synod
leadership. When we met with the Northern Synod and
URCSA Moderator, Prof. Selaelo Thias Kgatla, we agreed
with the Northern Synod that this project will be the
focus of a proposed partnership between the two Synods.
The Northern Synod will draft a proposal and the
RSC will also present a report on how we hope
to provide this support. This will be done under the
guidance of Derrick Jones for RCA Global Missions.
The
partnership will depend upon the
RSC receiving support from churches and
individuals within the RSC.
We will seek such support once the partnership proposal
is finalized.
Highlights
of our trip included a visit to
Kruger
National Park
and the wildlife we encountered, a meeting with Metro
Evangelical Services in Johannesburg which
opened our eyes to the vast inner city work they are
doing, preaching at the URC Pretoria and our stay in Soweto.
In Soweto
we toured the area including the Apartheid
Museum.
I thank God for what He
gave me during our trip.
-
The love and
care of those we met.
-
The awareness of
the importance of personal relationships in any work
we hope to do together
-
His watching
over our health and travelling
-
The way we
bonded as a team from the
RSC
-
That though the
HIV/AIDS problem has been ignored by many of the
URCSA churches, there is a commitment in the
leadership to change this and we see the Holy Spirit
at work in changing this
-
The way coloured
and black South Africans are letting go of the past
and not seeking vengeance and how the hearts of many
whites are being changed.
South Africa
has many challenges as she moves ahead and but we in
North America have much to
learn from them.
-
How God guided
us to a specific project that all agreed upon
-
The beautiful
and joyful faces we saw in children and adults
In Malachi, God tells his people that
they are to give to the poor and needy. As Jesus later
tells us in Matthew 25, when we give to them we are
giving to God Himself.
In
Malach 3:10, God also makes this connection:
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there
may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD
Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the
floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that
you will not have room enough for it.
My prayer is that
the
RSC will respond to God’s word and His leading
for us to partner with the need and opportunity He has
set before us. We will receive more than we give.
As
I reflect on what God has given me during these few days
in South Africa,
I can hardly contain the blessings that are overflowing
within me.
God bless you!
John
Kapteyn
