Small World/Big God
I'm in a first-class shopping mall called Mandela Square with a pastor, Patrick, from a local church. I met him at the seminary in Kwamhlanga and only knew him as a friendly guy. Yesterday we were relaxing at a local establishment and discovered that not only has my pastor been to his church here in nearby Pretoria area, but that he is good friends with a man who had visited my small group bible study four or five years ago, Bill Viss. Bill came to our Bible study to do a training on evangelism, and he also came here to South Africa for the same thing. So this man has been to the homes of both Patrick and myself. We were very excited to make these connections and believe that it is perhaps an indication of things to come.
Patrick's church is in an incredible area. As we were driving down the highway, I could barely contain myself at how extravagant the homes were, from what I could see over the electric fences and security walls. I was thinking, "This is way better than Philadelphia!". But then we made a right hand turn and in an instant our view went from opulent mansions to a village of thousands of squatter shacks crammed into an area the size of maybe five city blocks. The obvious disparity here blows my mind. From block to block you will see a range of incomes from zero to ten million. I know we have disparity in the US, but I've never seen such extremes in such close proximity. This reality will probably puzzle me for a long time. How did this come to be and how/why does it persist?
In the midst of incredible poverty, I am very impressed with what Patrick's church is doing. They have a beautiful hospice house that can care for maybe 15 patients in-house and many more through home-based care. There is an orphanage for many children on the same property as the church. There is a small recording studio where we found two guys making some very cool music yesterday. There is a large garden providing food for the hospice and for those in need. There is a Christian school with maybe 25 students. Tomorrow will also mark the second service in a new church that they have started in one of the illegal squatter camps that I described above. So they are doing a lot of good work and I am very encouraged to find this place. If I end up coming back to South Africa, it will most likely be to work with this group.
I remember the first time I saw the Hunting Park neighborhood. It was a special moment where my heart was moved and I fell in love with the place. I would say that yesterday when we turned from the main road and I first saw the squatter camp, I had a similar experience. I am simply in awe of the disparity here and the relative lack of concern that the wealthy people seem to show for their poor neighbors. It reminds me of the story of the Good Samaritan with all these nice people walking by and ignoring an obvious need. The standard of living for the wealthy is beyond that of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia and yet down the street you will find poverty that is worse than any I have seen in Philly. I would encourage you to come and see it for yourself. I left my little adapter at the farm house, but when I return I will try to upload a few videos of what I'm finding here.
Ryan Kellermeyer
1 comment:
So excellent to hear a bit of what is going on in your heart.
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