First Month's Update

[Rebecca Clendenin]

Friends,

It's hard to believe, but this time last month we were enjoying our first full day in South Africa.  Now we're celebrating our first full month!  It has been a great one.  Bear with me as I try to share some of what we've learned, experienced and felt as well as an update on the projects we're underway with:

First Impressions: Pretoria vs. Mamelodi

The initial adjustment to life in South Africa was fairly easy, due in large part to the fact that Pretoria East, where we live, feels similar to suburbia U.S.A. in a lot of ways: loads of developed neighborhoods, retail shops, a giant mall every so often, etc.  Definitely Western in feel.  However, the simple 15-minute commute into Mamelodi is a reminder to us that daily life here is so different that what we’re used to and that the privilege enjoyed in Pretoria is by no means universal privilege.  Just driving a few kilometers northeast into the township, one is startled by the contrast.  My first time driving in and out of Mamelodi, I was both prepared for what I was going to see given all the photos of Nate's I've seen and yet still unprepared. The most humbling site was an informal settlement near the bridge crossing back into Pretoria East: thousands of slum shacks, completely dark at night without a glimpse of electricity...yet knowing that thousands of people were inside makeshift shacks.  Even driving past the poverty of the township now on an everyday-basis, we cannot become numb to it....

Serving Alongside The Powerhouse

Simply put, it is an honor to be worshiping and serving alongside the Powerhouse!  I cannot even begin to describe how much we have been inspired in the last month by our brothers and sisters in Christ here and to witness the conviction of Vincent as he leads his church.  Yesterday, after a week of fasting and prayer, we joined the Powerhouse in serving a few families in the community.  Armed with cleaning supplies, a washing machine and ample bundles of food, we visited the elderly, the troubled and the bedridden to bring hope and encouragement in the name of Christ.  It was a humbling experience for we that are so spiritually underexercised to pray for those who have critical needs or who are continually haunted by darkness.  Also, the turnout yesterday from the youth of the church was awesome!  I've never seen so many young people choosing to spend their Saturday morning in that manner-- wow.  For a glimpse of the Powerhouse's commitment to loving and serving its community, I encourage you to listen to Vincent's recent sermon and the response from the church: www.mamelodistories.org/2008/08/26/boast-in-this/.  Also, for me, it's been really great to meet the individuals from Nate's photos: the orphan children, Selina, Granny... 

Projects We're Working On

Africa Revolution takes seriously its role in coming alongside the local church, seeking to support efforts, not dictating orders.  Our first week in Mamelodi, we met with the leadership of the Powerhouse to gain a better understanding of their vision for the church and to brainstorm how we could be of use in the coming year.  Out of the meeting came many ideas!  For more on that, visit www.mamelodistories.org/2008/08/14/getting-going-at-the-powerhouse/.  There is much to be done, but in this first month, the following is what we've begun working on:

Re-Invigorated Feeding Scheme/Stocking The Church's Food Pantry

One of the most immediate projects we're working on is helping grow the scale of the Powerhouse's feeding scheme, aimed at providing food and hope to the poorest of the poor throughout Mamelodi.  In the past, the church's feeding scheme has depended on donations from local grocery stores (for a little history, see the intro to www.mamelodistories.org/2008/08/26/boast-in-this/).  These donations, however, have only come in when stores have had excess items or when food has reached/exceeded its expiry date; thus, the nature of the feeding scheme has been at random and unpredictable times.  While the Powerhouse has much appreciated these donations, going forward, the church hopes to make the feeding scheme more routine and sustainable so as to maximize the degree to which this ministry blesses the community.  That's where we come in.  We will be busy this coming week outreaching to all the grocery stores in our area, seeking donations to stock the food pantry we'll be starting on-site at the church.  Thanks to our recent visitor Dave Clark Sr. and his church in Michigan, the Powerhouse has been blessed with a full-size, brand new deep freezer.  Join us in praying that God will touch the hearts of the managers of the stores we approach, and that soon, the freezer and the shelves we'll erect will be fully stocked!

Web Design Class
On August 30, the Powerhouse graduated another class of computer school graduates, bringing the grand total of graduates to date to nearly 700!  Nate is two weeks into teaching an advanced computer class on web design offered to any graduates of the computer program.  The course, which he's developing from scratch, will run 10 weeks, then repeat thereafter.  What's cool is that besides teaching students, Nate is also teaching the teachers, so that the course will be sustainable long after our time here.   It's been exciting for Nate to see the eagerness of his students to want to learn web design.  Nate is hoping that this course can be coupled with a basic small business course, too, hopefully once our teammate Will arrives.  Beginning this next week, Nate and Allan are going to help leaders at the Powerhouse finish off a larger room at the church that will become the new computer room.  The room needs tiling and electrical outlets installed.  Nate hopes to develop an additional course on Photography and we'll be sending info soon for anyone wanting to donate a used digital camera or funds to support that class.

Women's Ministry

One Sunday, I was approached by some women in the church about helping start up a women's ministry.  Annie and I have since had two great meetings with the women's leadership in the church and are excited about this as there has been a great response from the women that they simply want an opportunity to get together, socialize, enjoy fellowship and have some fun.  The plan is to kick off this ministry on September 24, Heritage Day, with a big festival brunch at the church with everyone coming attired in traditional dress.  Vincent's wife Gloria encouraged everyone to come ready with ideas for topics to cover in the coming months.  For me and Annie, coming from another culture, we are very sensitive to wanting to help facilitate this ministry, but not to lead it; but the women of the church sure seem to be excited we're here to help bring levity to their lives-- for all we know, we may very well have taught a jazzercise class by this time next month!

Orphan Church Home: Obtaining Land

Orphan care is a major area of focus for Africa Revolution.  Moving away from traditional, institutional model of an orphanage, Africa Revolution is partnering with the Powerhouse to construct an orphan church home in Mamelodi that offers a family atmosphere based on love and compassion that can only come from God.  For more info, visit: www.africarevolution.org/orphans_and_widows.htm.   In the coming weeks, Allan and Vincent will be tackling the necessary paperwork to apply for/secure a piece of land in Mamelodi for the orphan church home.  Pray that God would go before them in various meetings.  Also, we're excited that recently, at a meeting with another pastor in Mamelodi, we had the opportunity to meet an official from the mayor's office.  This lady  must have really appreciated the approach of Africa Revolution that she invited us to meet with "other politicians" in the future and confided that the mayor's office's major focus is on children in the township.  This is exciting news!

Gardening Project (a.k.a. The Eden Project)

With Dave Sr.'s help, we've begun a test garden at our house as a trial run for growing vegetables in the township to help supplement people's diets.  Hopefully, in time, we'll be able to develop a gardening kit of sorts, replicable in the township.

In general, while this first month of getting going at the Powerhouse has been rich, we find ourselves overwhelmed by the need in the township and by how much work there is to do.  Allan wrote a great blog entry on that, expressing how we feel many days when we see how great the need is in Mamelodi: africarevolution.blogspot.com/2008/09/overwhelmed.html

Excursion to The Kruger

In honor of visitors Dave Clark Sr. and Dave Jr., we traveled North to The Kruger two weeks ago for a little get-away.  We spotted almost all of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) except the elusive leopard.  The coolest thing we saw was a lion kill just feet from the road!  The lionesses must have just killed the kudu because they were still panting heavily from the chase.  Coming across a lake full of hippos was a treat, too.  For a sample of Nate's photos: www.mamelodistories.org/image-gallery/.

Life at The AR House

Life with Allan and Annie has been great!  We're still trying to figure out a routine, when to shop and clean house, how to handle house expenses and allowances, etc., but overall, given the amount of time per day we spend together, we're thankful we get along so well.  Perhaps that's because we've shared a ton of laughs enjoying Season 1 of "30 Rock" :)  

Will Arrives September 19th!

We are very much looking forward to the arrival of our fifth teammate!  Though it was a test of faith, the Lord proved faithful by providing renters for his house in Atlanta.  Also, our prayers were answered that his employers would receive the news of his resignation well.  Please pray for our brother that God would help him wrap up loose ends, receive the various send-offs from friends and family and prepare his heart for the transition he's about to experience.  Pray, too, for his physical well-being as we received word the other day from Will re: a past back injury that is flaring up again.  We're so excited for our team to be complete!

Finally, Prayer Requests

The following are some things you can be thinking about if you feel led to pray for us:

• Pray for patience.  We're willing and eager, but so much about serving in another culture requires humility and deference.   
• Pray for the Powerhouse re: the last week of September.  We will be helping plan a "crusade" to bring in all the sick, blind, crippled, hungry people we can possibly accommodate to care for them lavishly.  Pray re: all the planning required.
• Pray for the white South African church, that God will use us somehow this year in connecting the two worlds of white and black South Africa.  
• Pray for Allan & Annie and for Africa Revolution.  The vision God has given them is extensive, and only God can do it.  Pray He uses them powerfully!
• Pray for me as I return to the U.S. on Saturday for a week for a wedding of a dear friend.  I'm looking forward to seeing family and friends, but also, mentally, the thought of going home is messing with me right now as I know it's going to be hard to not be with my husband and teammates.  

We love and miss everyone, and are so appreciative of your support and prayers.  Thanks for reading, especially such a lengthy first update!  As always, for more frequent updates, stay tuned on the blog: www.mamelodistories.org.

Let us know how you're doing; we'd love to know!

Rebecca & Nathan

Rebecca Clendenin

reb...@clendenin.name

www.mamelodistories.org