11th Newsletter - Pretoria Innercity

I am back from a 2 weeks outreach in the city of Pretoria. During this outreach, we participated in so many different projects that I do not really know where to start.

The main work took place in a cafe (Afrikaans: Koffie Houise). The "Koffie Houise" is in the middle of Pretoria and was opened specifically for the homeless and street children. Every evening a hot meal and tea is offered. This time is used to get into conversation with people to help them get away from the street and find a job.

Other projects were: street evangelism, working with street children and homeless people, visits to prostitutes, working in a children's home for former street children and assignments in the "party quarters" of Pretoria.

With all these projects we have tried to invite people to the cafe to give them long-term assistance. The place is not enough to describe all projects. Therefore I write about two, which meant the most to me.

Very moving for me was to work among prostitutes. We went to the streets at night and tried to talk with them. For this, we distributed Bible verses, hot chocolate and roses.

The little gifts were a great conversation starter. I was quite shocked to see the suffering of the young women and girls. Some of them were only 12 years old. Their souls are completely broken and injured.

Some nights it was extremely difficult to reach the girls. They are placed under immense pressure from their pimps. Often their identity cards have been taken and so they cannot start a normal life.

With some girls we had really good discussions and we were able to pray with them. A young woman has come to a "Koffie Houise" and got away from the street. We asked ourselves why it is such a problem to rid the world of prostitution. The director of the cafe told us, "as long as there is demand, supply will be sustained."

I also found the consequences of prostitution very sad: The rate of abortions is very high. In the city abortions are even advertised.

The other project which really impressed me was the street evangelism.

We had previously planned to perform a short drama, give a testimony and then talk to the people. But our plan has thrown quite to the ground. We arrived at the marketplace and found a huge crowd gathered around a man, who was an atheist. He talked radically against the Bible and drew the entire crowd with him. At first, we were shocked and did not know how to start our program. We then decided to divide ourselves up in the crowd and talk to people individually.

I went to two girls and began a casual conversation. When she heard that I wanted to tell about Jesus they pushed me in the middle of the circle, face to face with this man and said only: "Come on, tell that to him."

Well ... here I was, 200 pairs of eyes on me (my team members were also slightly confused to suddenly find me in focus). The only solution was prayer and a lot of trust in God. J

I started to tell the story of the Cross with a sheet of paper. It is a trick in which one makes a cross with a crack and thus tells the message briefly and clearly. Astrid Reschke has shown us this trick sometimes in our youth group ... and now it bears fruit in Africa.

It was just great! We could bring the Good News to 200 people. Many came to us afterwards to ask questions, we had great conversations. I was so moved by how God has used me. Without Him I think I would not be able to say a word. J

For some days we've also got to know life on the street. One night we slept with the homeless on the street. Despite sleeping bag I was freezing badly. We had no pillows or mattresses, but have built our bed just with what one can find on the street.

On another day we got 10 Rand (1 €) and had to buy lunch with this. The astonishing thing is what you can get for it here in South Africa. The typical meal of street children is called "Sphatlo. That is half a hollow body of toast. It is filled with minced meat, salad, fries and fruit. Not really delicious, but it really fills you up and costs only one euro.

Despite the outreach I had an unforgettable birthday. In the morning I was awakened with cake. And who else has the privilege to run on your birthday with a ladybug costume through the streets of Pretoria to evangelize?

What next? "The ultimate goal is" near. The days until the World Cup are already counted. This will open doors for evangelism. On Monday we leave the base for the last five-week outreach. Many have asked me where I'll be and what exactly I will do. Unfortunately, we don’t know yet, but I will send a message via newsletter when I have the information.

Until then, yours with love

Pina