Over the past three months, I've been blessed with such an amazing opportunity. Besidesd taking DTS classes, I've gotten to help lead an after school program in Embonisweni. Even though I don't know every single one of the kids' names in the program, I have gotten to know each of their personalities. Each one of them have such fun quirks, differing characteristics, beautiful smiles, and crazy styles. God has definitely opened up my eyes to see how He views each one of His children on an individual basis. Each one of them is so beautifully and uniquely made! I've had so much fun seeing how much they've already grown, especially the younger ones. These children are so smart, and so valuable. It's so easy to see that they have a true desire to learn, and know how to have a lot of crazy fun while doing it. They each have so much potential!
I've especially noticed how bright some of the boys are. I know that God has some amazing plans for these boys, but there's just one problem. A lot of them are stuck in the cycle. The cycle of being brought up believing that they must act a certain way. That they must fend for themselves, that they must be cool enough, that they must be tough. Too tough. Very often when boys in this area of South Africa reach just the age of thirteen, they are expected to grow up. But at thirteen and even older ages, many do not know what it means to truly grow up. Growing up means caring for others and taking responsibility, not just gaining power. Many boys are encouraged to seek this power in any way possible. This is just one of the many things that contributes to the cycle of a fatherless culture filled with terrible consequences such as AIDS.
These boys deserve so much more. They deserve to grow up having loving fathers in the household, and eventually to become great fathers and leaders in their communities. Pray that the after school program would continue to grow and bring more of these boys in. Pray that they would realize their worth and the importance of their leadership. Pray that they would realize that growing up doesn't mean just gaining power; it means to lead by serving. Pray that they would continue to grow in the right direction, and that they would continue to yearn to learn and grow. Pray that they would never lose sight of the talents and personalities that God has given each of them. Pray that they would come to understand their own personal value in Christ. That they would begin to understand just how much God loves them.
I've especially noticed how bright some of the boys are. I know that God has some amazing plans for these boys, but there's just one problem. A lot of them are stuck in the cycle. The cycle of being brought up believing that they must act a certain way. That they must fend for themselves, that they must be cool enough, that they must be tough. Too tough. Very often when boys in this area of South Africa reach just the age of thirteen, they are expected to grow up. But at thirteen and even older ages, many do not know what it means to truly grow up. Growing up means caring for others and taking responsibility, not just gaining power. Many boys are encouraged to seek this power in any way possible. This is just one of the many things that contributes to the cycle of a fatherless culture filled with terrible consequences such as AIDS.
These boys deserve so much more. They deserve to grow up having loving fathers in the household, and eventually to become great fathers and leaders in their communities. Pray that the after school program would continue to grow and bring more of these boys in. Pray that they would realize their worth and the importance of their leadership. Pray that they would realize that growing up doesn't mean just gaining power; it means to lead by serving. Pray that they would continue to grow in the right direction, and that they would continue to yearn to learn and grow. Pray that they would never lose sight of the talents and personalities that God has given each of them. Pray that they would come to understand their own personal value in Christ. That they would begin to understand just how much God loves them.