Ruth, a cyber friend through this blog, sent me this email highlighting what has been happening in her part of the country. It is so heartening to see how people are reaching out with help. Thank you, Jesus! And thank you Ruth for sharing this with me (and the blog readers).
Proverbs 21: 15; 21
15 ‘It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity…
21 He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness and honour.’
Phillipians 4: 6-7
6 ‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (NKJV)
Hi Taryn
It truly has been a nightmarish few weeks regarding the violence across the country. My brother says we should call it what it is – not xenophobia (fear or contempt for anything strange, especially foreign people) but pure unbridled hatred for other human beings inclusive of murder, rape and other crimes. My husband, Joel and I went to Bramley Police Station (near Alexandra, where the attacks started originally) a week ago to drop off gospel tracts, Gospel of Johns, blankets, pap etc. We spoke with the Superintendent and there are about 150 people staying there. They seemed concerned for the plight of the people and we are, Lord willing, going to return this week. They were quite happy for Christian material to be disseminated.
On Sunday afternoon, we went to the Germiston Civic Centre for a similar trip. We collected gospel tracts, baby products, old clothes and school stationery (some of the people are setting up a makeshift school for the children as they are too afraid to go back to their schools). Gren’s company had bought R20 000-00 worth of stuff (talk about corporate power!) and he went and dropped it off on Friday so he said he would wait in the car with Joel while I had a "guided tour". This was on a much larger scale with approximately 800-1000 displaced foreigners staying there. I must say there were donations all over the place but not enough people to sort the articles. Prior to this a group of volunteers were kicked out for stealing the donations. Unfortunately the government has been slow to provide structure and support. A guy named Mark is co-coordinating the whole thing but there is a certain amount of chaos. Some of the people have been in the same clothes since 20 May as they left with nothing, a lady had tried to drown her two month old baby in a toilet (some said she was mentally ill while others said it was the sheer stress and hopelessness of the situation), others were being treated by a lone young doctor and paramedic. Although the violent outbreaks have calmed down – as you have seen for yourself – it is now the humanitarian crisis that threatens these men, women and children.
Just going to the shops, one can sense a certain amount of tension in the air. It’s as if everyone is wondering are they foreign, is she from here, how should we act etc. I realise now more than ever that Christ is the only solution to humankind’s sin. Without Him all is hopeless! God has been so merciful to us in being so long-suffering even though we break His law all the time. I pray that these terrible times of lawlessness would bring souls to CHrist for His glory alone just as it has done in Zimbabwe. My gran, aunt & uncle etc. all still live in Zim and our domestic worker is also from Zim so we have very full prayer lists every morning. Praise God for little Kiera who is so willing to be selfless and charitable. By God’s grace she will be an example to other children in her attitude toward those less fortunate.
I pray God will supply every need for Bruce and Christina. They are an example of esteeming others above oursleves, especially at such a difficult time and only a month or so into their marriage!! I long for the day when Christ will rule and the lion will lie with the lamb. A time when justice will prevail!
Regards,
Ruth
