Durban

I just returned a few days ago from a two week outreach in Durban. Durban is a busy city on the east coast of South Africa. We didn’t actually work in Durban but rather in the Zulu speaking areas right outside the busy city.

The first week we worked at Lilly of the Valley. LOV is a community projects place that is making a huge difference in the surrounding community. On the base there they have a soup kitchen, sewing classes, computer classes, Zulu classes, vegetable tunnels, community center, an outdoor amphitheater and a medical clinic. There are tons of volunteers who are encouraged to creatively think of ways to reach the community of various age groups. It was amazing to hear of all that LOV is doing and it was clear when we went throughout the community that they were making a big difference.

There is also an orphanage nearby that LOV supports. A year and a half ago the kids at this orphanage were being sold as sex slaves but you would never imagine that when you visit it now. It is a place that is full of joy in Christ. The kids love reading, playing, smiling and being in Sunday school! They are even putting on a Christmas play in the next few weeks.The orphanage was one of my favorite places to be. I loved reading with the orphans and just playing with them. They had so much joy and always wanted to be hugged. God is definitely working through the volunteers, the staff and hopefully our team as well.

We also went to nearby medical clinics in LOV. We sang Zulu songs, did a drama, an application and prayed with the many people that were waiting in lines to go in. Some of the people would wait all day just to see a doctor. It was at our first medical clinic that I really had a touching conversation. In the beginning of our program we were singing some Zulu songs and this beautiful young woman kept catching my eye. She had such a big, bright smile and I really felt like I needed to talk with her. So when we had a chance to pray with people I went over to her. She told me her name was Zudowa and she was 24. She told me about how she was almost done with school with a marketing major. She asked me questions about my life, etc.

After a short conversation I told her I wished to pray with her and asked if she had any special requests. She said school but more importantly healing. She then went to tell me that her younger brother died last week of AIDS. She said as she walked three miles to get to the medical clinic today she couldn’t stop thinking about him and was really sad. I told her that I was very shocked to hear that because the first thing I noticed about her was her joy and big smile. She then just looked at me, smiled and said, “I can’t not smile when I see you smiling. You all brought me great joy today and now I can’t stop smiling.” I was really blown away by this comment.

At another medical clinic five people came to know Jesus. Many others asked for prayer from us. God was truly working through us at these medical clinics. We also visited medical clinics in the second week in IMBALIYWEZWE. We had another awesome experience at a medical clinic. As we went to leave our leader said we want to give hugs to you all before we leave. The translator then translated in Zulu and all of a sudden everyone jumped up from their seats with joy and opened their arms. There was so much love and joy in that room- I can’t even describe it. I never realized before that morning how much a hug can mean to someone.

We also did many kid’s programs in preschools and helped clear some ground for a church plant. During this week we also stayed with families. So now my name is Maria Ntuli. My family was very hospitable and had four adorable children. Although we weren’t in the homes that often it was once again a great opportunity to see how people here in South Africa live.

After our two weeks of ministry we stayed a few extra days so that we could see more of Durban. We went to a street market where you could buy great African crafts. But my favorite time was going to the Indian Ocean! It was my first time seeing the ocean in my whole life! The waves were huge and fun to swim in. God definitely can be seen in the vastness of the ocean. He really blessed me by giving me this relaxing time at the beach but also here at the OM base.

We don’t have anything until December 8th so we have a good amount of time to reflect and relax. On December 8th we are leaving to go to another location here in Pretoria. There is a week long conference for local teenagers called Teen Street. We are helping in the kitchen for the week and may also get to attend some of the sessions. Please pray for Teen Street. They are still waiting for applications to come in, trying to set up everything for the conference. Pray for the teenagers: that they may come in with open hearts that are ready and willing to be changed. Thanks for your prayers and I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Enjoy the pictures