La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church: Social Outreach: Mission to South Africa p2

Well, we’ll certainly know more after we experience it first hand. But here is a quick look at some of the questions and answers we discussed with Mike and Michelle during their visit.

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Mark 6:3

Should we bring "things" for the children with us on this trip?

In general, no. South Africa’s regulations, taxes and policies make it difficult to bring or send items into the country. It’s not impossible, just difficult. Certain items (such as school supplies) have a better chance of making it through the screening process. The good news, however, is that unlike other places in the world, the South African economy does produce the things these children and villages need. But the children and villages just don’t have the money to buy them.

It appears that money will be the best thing for us to bring along. Once in Africa, your mission team will be able to shop for the children and even take them shopping for themselves. Michelle shared that most of these children have never been shopping and have never had belongings that weren’t hand-me-downs.

Michelle emphasized that our presence, our willingness to love and care for these children is actually the most important aspect of the trip. She explained that for these children, someone coming all the way from America to share kind words, a gentle touch, a laugh, a tear, love and hope is an amazing gift. The children feel less forgotten; they feel hope.

What Is Needed Most?

School supplies top the list. South African schools require uniforms, special school shoes, pens, pencils, paper, glue, etc., all at the expense of the student. Michelle has agreed to put together a list of needed items (school-related and otherwise) and the estimated cost of each item to guide those who wish to contribute toward specific items in this manner.

Mike and Michelle shared that the children in this region value school greatly, but of a lack of shoes or supplies often prevents them from staying in school.

Mike told us they were successful just recently in getting almost 20 children into school for the very first time. These were mostly teenagers who will be starting with first grade studies – and they feel so blessed.

Now you should carry this project through to completion just as enthusiastically as you began it. Give whatever you can according to what you have

2 Corinthians 8:11

What Will the La Casa Vision Team do?

Right now our team plans to conduct a Vacation Bible School program for 30 of the village children. During our trip we also have several outings scheduled to interact directly with many more children, leaders of the village, and pastors from the surrounding area. The La Casa High School kids are putting together a scrap book with pictures of themselves and handwritten notes of encouragement and Bible verses to present as a gift to the children. In the short term, our goal is to be able to provide all the supplies that these 30 VBS children need to attend school for the very first time! For the long term, we will actively observe, firsthand, the HHIA (Helping Hands in Africa) mission work in the village, and our goal is to return with recommendations for La Casa's future involvement in this desperate part of our world.

What are the Villages Like?

Villages in this area range from 2,000 to 5,000 people. They consist primarily of children under 20 and the elderly. The generation from 20 to 60 years old have died of AIDS.

Michelle explained that most of the children are from families who have lived in these villages for hundreds of years. These orphaned children are left to live in the homes (corrugated steel huts) their parents provided while they were still alive.

Running water is extremely rare. Most villages have a central water source that is visited regularly with wheelbarrows and buckets. Two-car families in the U.S. translate into two-wheelbarrow families in South Africa. Our “rubberized” roads and landscaped medians translate into weedy paths and winding dirt roads.

Similar to Native American lands, all the land within the villages belongs to and is governed by the village. Each village has a “head man” who makes decisions. One Helping Hands facility is on land “loaned” to them by the “head man” of the village.

150,000 people make up the broad community that Mike and Michelle live in - 600 are white. Michelle grinned as she warned us to be ready for lots of curiosity – even to the point of the children wanting to touch the hair on our arms (something the children aren’t used to seeing) and playing with, what is to them, the long hair on our heads.

Is It Dangerous?

There are dangers – both health and security risks. But Michelle and Michael have worked closely with a number of groups to minimize these risks. La Casa's mission team are all getting shots and taking along medications that we may need. We are also learning about the things we can do (and avoid doing) to protect against danger.

See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The LORD GOD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."

Isaiah 12:2

How Many Groups Like Ours visit each Year?

Mike shared that last summer (their winter) 4 groups like ours came to work with Helping Hands. This year (so far) there are 5 groups scheduled.

What is the Most Important Thing that Groups like Ours Can Do to Help?

Michelle touched us all with her answer. As much as she hopes and prays for what we can do for and with the children while we are there, Michelle’s greatest hope is that La Casa's mission team will return with the stories on our hearts that will help others understand just what is at stake for these children and these villages. And through understanding, she prays for compassion, for action, and for change.

I felt chills when Mike shared his concern about a generation of children who will be parents - without ever having been parented themselves. What kind of parents will they be? He prays that Christian love, caring and teaching will play a big role in answering that question.

My goal is that they will be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have full confidence because they have complete understanding of God's secret plan, which is Christ himself.

Colossians 2:2

What About Healthcare?

South Africa has a policy and plan to provide health clinics within 3 miles (5 kilometers) of each village. For now, many must travel 10 miles or more to reach these facilities. And the facilities have limited resources - both people and supplies.

One troubling example – they have access to the medicine that could help those suffering from HIV, but don’t have access to medical personnel who are qualified to administer it. Thus, most in this region go untreated.

So What Can We Do? How Can We Help?