Hope in a harsh place

03/09/2008Long-term mission worker Dan Pratt reflects on his first month in Johannesburg, South Africa.Working at the Baptist Convention College in Soweto, Dan will be training youth leaders to minister among youth in local churches.

He says that settling into a new country is both exciting and exhausting as a myriad of first impressions bombard the senses.

Makeshift houses and shopping malls

“The first surprise that I had”, writes Dan, “was that poverty and wealth co-exist in such close proximity.

“The first week I was here I came into the famous township of Soweto. I was struck by the makeshift houses with corrugated iron roofs and walls which appear they could be blown over at any moment.

“Then, across the road, was a huge mall which would outshine Manchester’s Trafford Centre. Modern architecture and huge, sparkling glass windows contrasted immediately to the dusty, makeshift houses near it. Inside the mall were all the modern clothes and electrical gadgets one could ever wish for.

“Yet many outside the mall’s sparkling interior were those who were struggling to obtain enough food for the day.”

Trusting God daily – Grace’s story

It is not only the physical surroundings that make big first impressions, but also people with whom our mission workers are privileged to come into contact.

Upon a recent seven-hour drive to the Northern Cape, Dan, along with the national youth committee for the Baptist Convention in South Africa, met a wonderful lady called ‘Grace’.

Living in a poor township just outside of Kimberley, Grace and her husband were diagnosed as HIV-positive six years ago.

Shortly afterwards, Grace’s husband died, leaving behind his wife to look after three small children.

Each day Grace trusts in God to help her continue living to look after her children.

Aids workshops and community development

With over 27 per cent of the population in that area diagnosed with HIV/Aids, Grace decided that she would start doing workshops within the local community.

These workshops both educated people about the illness (how it is contracted and prevented), as well as advising and comforting people already suffering. Out of the little that Grace had, she gave food parcels to those most in need.

The community responded to Grace and she is also now called upon to help with domestic abuse cases as well as other problems affecting the community.

Dan writes: “To look at Grace, you would never guess she was sick; she had more life in her than most ‘well’ people that I have met.

Her eyes were sparkling as she spoke of what God had done in her life and what he continues to do through her. Her life is truly one of hope in the midst of a harsh and unjust world.”

Has this article inspired you to go too? Click here to find out more.

If your church is looking for a Link Up relationship and you would like to consider a link with Dan, please contact Mandy on 01235 517616 or linkup@bmsworldmission.org

Dan Pratt - read his profile by clicking here

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