Day 5 - Tuesday, 30 July

Apologies for date mix up. Uploading in a hurry! C <><

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Quick update.

Hi everyone this is a quick update of the last couple of days here in Cape Town. Yesterday morning went to the Warehouse for their 8:30 am prayer meeting, and although there were a lot of bleary eyes we soon found that we were ready for the day ahead. Listening to God is a vital part of the Warehouse's daily routine, and we spent the time introducing ourselves, worshipping (with a variety of songs in different languages), studying Psalm 37 and praying in small groups with members of the Warehouse. After a quick rest break, we were back in the circle to prepare for going into Sweet Home Farm (a township the Warehouse works in). This time was really engaging as we spent it looking at the story of the good Samaritan, and relating it to the needs of people in Cape Town. The Warehouse feel that to make a difference we need to understand the problem, its effects and the causes of it. However one cause can lead to another, and it is this complicated web that is trapping people in poverty. 

We then went to Sweet Home Farm where we had lunch at Christina's restaurant (a burger of mixed meat in deep fried bread). 

This the remains of "our" church. It was well used for 3 years. A third had to be demolished to bring through containers for a preschool now on the site

After this we went for a walk around the township with Siya (the community leader of Sweet Home Farm), looking particularly at the site where the 2009 trip built a church. Part of this story was about how a NGO (non-governmental organisation) planted a building here whose usage they tried to restrict or the community. Siya spoke up for the community against this building and it was eventually removed, as it did not reflect the needs and wants of the community. This was very encouraging for us on our journey as it reaffirmed how if we had simply sent money to Cape Town it would have likely ended up with an NGO and so not be used properly or wasted.

We then returned to the hostel for our evening meal and journey group times. Everyone is really enjoying the trip so far. Cape Town is an amazing city full of amazing people, and whilst there are many problems still to be dealt with you get the sense that God is moving in powerful ways and change will come about, however big or small.

We are so grateful for your continued prayer and support!

Micah x

Another update...

Hi everyone!

Today we got up early to make sandwiches for lunch, and left at 8:15 for prayer at the Warehouse. Like yesterday, we joined them for their early morning prayer session which included a few songs, looking at Psalm 139, and a prayer and craft activity. Through working in small groups we considered how we had been 'fearfully and wonderfully made' and this really set us up for the day ahead. We then took the coach with some of the St. Philips members to a local primary school where we had a look around and met some of the teachers and children. 

We then had a session of games and activities with 6^th Grade children and then went to put the lessons they'd learnt about helping others into practice by visiting the night shelter down the road and making sandwiches for the users of this. 

We really got to know the children and had lovely time with them, despite our short time together. After this, we had an unplanned but brilliant trip to another primary school where we had to put together a spontaneous session of games and songs for them, which was really good fun and very uplifting. The head teacher was a really inspirational man and we got a strong sense of his perseverance to give the children a good education despite their difficult home lives. He showed us around the surrounding neighbourhood where many of the children live, and we discovered just how hard these children's lives really are.

We returned 'home' after this for our evening meal and then got to pray as a whole group and share our experiences of the day. It has been an emotional day and I think we all feel closer to God and have definitely been stirred by the things we have seen and done today!

Caroline xxx