Time Flies: Jonathan week of June 7

Well, we're now another week closer to the end of our time with the students, who are now in the middle of the final exams for the semester, then most will be heading home within the next week or so. It's ridiculous how fast this has gone by, and how much God has been working through our time here, both with our ministry on campus and within our team. Usually when you cram 17 college students into a house (front entrance pictured) together for seven weeks, blow-ups between individuals or genders are bound to happen, Christian or non-Christian. I am amazed to say that the Lord has preserved our team in that way, which is so helpful for team unity, and effectiveness in being Christ-centered. With the students, it's been so cool to see each member of our team find his/her niche with certain students, and see the relationships that have formed. The girls have grown very close with the girl leaders, and I've already heard many stories of great conversations that they've had with them about ministry, helping them invest in other Christians and also strive to share the gospel with non-Christians.


Matt and I have been holding it down in Afslaan, both of us are spending more and more time with the first-year guys (Kaptein, Klip, and Ndaba), even amongst the crazy exam schedules these guys have. I had the wonderful privilege of tutoring Klip in genetics (pictured), a class I took last semester, so needless to say I was pretty fresh (if that's not God working, I don't know what is). It's funny to think back on the first time I met all the guys in Afslaan. Most of them were pretty quiet initially (just like me sometimes, depends on the day), so Matt and I were pretty apprehensive about the impact and relationships that we would have with them, but now he have a blast when we are with them. Africans are subtly hilarious. For example, we were with Rubber in his room. He gets up with a small bag to meet someone at the front door, and returns empty-handed. He then answers to the sketchiness by nonchalantly telling us that he sells his ADD medication to classmates to help them study. Matt and I are totally convinced, and have no idea how to respond. Thankfully he then told us that they were free vitamins he got, but he had us for a while. Friday night us Afslaan guys got to hang out at McDonald's, demolish a few McFeasts, and watch Black Hawk Down, which was definitely much more thought-provoking to see in Africa, since it took place only a few countries north of here.


Saturday was a field trip to Soweto, a township outside of Joburg, where 5 million people live in a not-so-huge area. After someone backing in our car, meeting them at a police station, filling out our own police report, we finally got to visit a UJ student's home, where we got to enjoy some delicious African homemade soup. It's their tradition to offer something, usually food, to anyone who visits (even the students on campus will do it). It was great to be able to hang out and meet her parents, and get to find out more about how life is growing up there. The ride back was a whole other experience. The SA vs Poland soccer match has just ended, so traffic was horrendous. In the States, bad traffic means sitting at a light until finally getting through. Here it means large intersections are packed with cars that are trying to make their own way through, resulting in an absolute standstill. We finally got out of there when a traffic cop directed us to drive on a sidewalk. Hilarious.


Sunday was our last service at the church we've been attending (Melville Union Church), which has been so great to be able to be a part of, with both serving in worship and meeting with those who work in it. We then visited Neil Gooch's house, a man from Georgia who has now been here many years, and has been pivotal in creating the Campus Outreach ministries at the Johannesburg campus. It was a treat to be able to pick his brain while on his experiences with ministry over a braai, and hear advice on how to be effective in each of our areas back at home. His house was incredible, designed to have large get-togethers with mission teams and give his kids a great place to grow up. His family is full of builders, so he naturally has the gift of constructing a home that does just that.


So that is the run-down of our week/weekend, and as you can imagine, it As much as ministry is supposed to be God-centered, it is easy to get caught up in the business of schedules and giving all my time and energy to the people I'm around, and neglect my time and focus on the Lord, and allowing Him to be the source of my strength and truth. I have to fight the urge of relying on myself. Whenever seeking time with the Lord starts to feel more like an obligation instead of a passion, it's a sign that I'm missing something, and that I'm my own life above the Source of life. Yesterday (Monday) was very helpful for me, because it was our Sabbath, planned so that we can break from the hectic week, and simply rest in the Lord, reminding ourselves of His presence, His faithfulness, love, and truth of the gospel. So yesterday I got to take advantage of that, and realign my focus (and get some much-needed exercise at the rugby fields afterwards).


This week is one of our last with the students, and Matt and I's (along with the rest of the team)
focus is to cement the work that we've done with the students into something that will continue here the next few semesters, whether that means connecting guys with Bible studies, non-Christians with other Christian peers, or simply giving them books that might challenge their faith and understanding. Please be praying for the team, that God would give us wisdom for these last couple weeks on campus, that this would leave a lasting impact on the students, and on the Christian movement on campus.


Cheers!
Jonathan



P.S.- Here are a few more pictures for you

A few guys manning the braai stand


Me, Kaptein, Tyre, and Matt chilling by the fire

Matt and Rubber hanging out outside one of the complexes in Afslaan