Choices

Life is full of choices. On Sunday, the group I'm with were given a choice. We could stay at the hotel, we could walk to a nearby church on our own or we could hop on a bus to visit the JL Swane Church Centre in the township of Guguletu. I chose the latter and I'm glad I did. Here's why:

We had the privilege of meeting with the lead pastor, Rev Dr Spiwo Xapile,  prior to the service. He took the time to tell us about the history of the church: how it was the first to embrace the needs of the rapidly growing HIV positive community; how instead of hoping people would come to the church, they would focus on having people go out into the community to meet people, get to know them, understand their needs and then point them to Our God. He described the difficulties of their journey, but underscored the victories that God is bringing on a regular basis - victory that most often is reflected in restoring hope to people in an otherwise bleak circumstance. As a result of their ministry they have found that people, organizations and businesses have a desire to support the work of the church, because they recognize the unique value that it is bringing.

Here's one other thing that stood out: they decided that they would not start any ministry, except that which grew from the gifts and passions of the people and were able to be brought together with another community organization which was addressing the need. That way they were helping people to serve and building into their community.

Their greatest form of discipleship (helping people grow in their relationship with God) was to encourage them to discover growth through "presence" - intentionally valuing the other person....love that!; maybe it sounds familiar...yet we have so much to learn from what the Lord is doing in South Africa.

We then went into the Zulu language service and though we could not understand very much, we were completely captured by the presence of God; the joy and hope in the Lord that was shared by this community - a community that we might otherwise fear knowing, let alone getting closer to through serving and authentic friendship. The sermon was based on Joshua 24:15, the choice of Joshua to follow the Lord, and his invitation for others to likewise make a courageous choice in the face of an uncertain future. he then tied that passage to the Luke 15 passage about the Compassionate Father (or Prodigal Son) and the choices both the son and the father had each step of the way. Ultimately, despite their differences and their options their choice was to be together through forgiveness and the result was celebration. (If I understood Zulu, I'm sure it was better than I just described).

But more than the message, the reflection of that truth in the community that gathered there had a greater impact. As the service closed, the Dean of our Seminary was invited to say the Benediction - just as he opened his mouth to speak, the people as one voice began to sing this song, in english. I was fortunate enough to capture it (audio not video), hopefully it communicates a message deeper and brighter than my too many words.  Those who are singing (which is everyone) have a choice they can give in to hopelessness and despair or find hope and joy, strength and purpose in Our God.

Thanks for continuing to pray that God would allow us to see more of what He is continually showing us.

Deve