Limpopo Valley was our last outreach of 2008 and was definitely one of the most challenging. Our team has really been pushed to what we feel is our limits. We have been going non-stop for quite some time now and on this outreach we really felt the effects of that. We went into the outreach exhausted from Teen Street and anxious for our vacation time. I prayed many times throughout this outreach that God would strength us and help keep us focused. Thankfully God did answer and I realized that many times we feel as if we are at the breaking point but God is at the peak of His performance in us.
Limpopo Valley is one of the most beautiful places we have been to so far. There are mountains everywhere. God was definitely watching over us because Limpopo is generally extremely hot but every day we were there (except for the last) it was cloudy and “cool”. This was a great sign to me that God wanted us there. The whole week we attended different churches. There was anywhere from 20 to 150 people at each church. The whole year a team of young people from this area put together a program to teach locals about staying healthy and active not only physically but also spiritually. They challenged them to memorize verses and learn Bible stories.
We were there for the last celebration day of their program. So our involvement was really to stir up excitement in the town so that others may also want to join the program next year. Many people came to see the “lekua “- white people. It was very fun to play games, sing songs, dance, do skits, kid’s programs, etc. Although I would be quite exhausted during the day whenever I was needed in a program I really felt reenergized- something only God can do.
The people in Limpopo are in desperate need of understanding God’s love. A Christian native told me her testimony, which made me realize the state of these people. Over 80% claim to be a “Christian.” But many of these “Christians” are a part of the Zionist church. The Zionist church takes some Christian morals, but completely disregards the need of salvation and acceptance of Jesus to be saved. They also encourage members to go to the songomas (witch doctors) for help. They are caught in this cycle of ancestral worship and can’t get away from it.
This local believer told me how for her exams she went to the songoma all the time in hopes that she would do well on her exams. Whenever she visited the songoma she would come home to find that her mom was extremely sick. The more she went to the songoma the worst her mom became and suddenly one day her mom became blind. She has been blind now for ten years. She said that after she became a Christian things are better with her mom but her mom still wishes to go to the songmas in hopes to have sight again. This is not an uncommon story. When we did house visits there were three people who when asked if they had any prayer requests, they all said that they have terrible dreams and feel as if some kind of spirit is troubling them.
People in Limpopo Valley, as well as many other parts of Africa, have these issues with spiritual warfare, something we as Americans do not experience. I would really ask that you
- thank God for where you are and that this is not such a huge issue
- pray for these people, even right now as you read this, pray that they will not believe the lies of Satan and will find Jesus.
I’ve realized from this as well how powerful Jesus is and I am very thankful that He has all the power and authority on the Earth.
Limpopo was a tiring yet beneficial outreach. I’m sure you can understand me when I say I am very excited to have some vacation time. On Monday the team is leaving to Capetown for the holidays! I only have a few things to do like wash clothes, pack, finish up presents, etc. but I can’t wait to be able to relax on the beach in Capetown. With the warmth it is very hard to find the Christmas spirit but today I was listening to Christmas music and making Christmas cut outs and I really felt like I was at home. I know that my Christmas will be a unique and memorable one. I hope that yours is as well. May you enjoy the hustle and bustle of the season, the snow, your family and most importantly celebrating the birth of Our Lord and Savior. May you have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
me & the 3 rondovos round houses that are naturally shaped mountains
african art village
beautiful mountains
church
my family
gorgeous scenery
