12 Rundbrief Pretoria Innercity - FIFA WM

Hallo ihr Lieben,

mitten im WM- Rummel ist es schwierig sich für einen Rundbrief Zeit zu nehmen. Ich habe leider nur Zeit für ein paar Zeilen, doch es dauert ja nur noch einen Monat und ihr könnt alles persönlich von mir hören.

Die letzte Woche war ich in Pretoria, wieder in der Innenstadt. Dort habe ich in einem Ferienklub für Kinder mitgearbeitet. Jeden Tag wurde ein buntes Programm für Kinder angeboten: Hüpfburgen, Spielstationen, Basteleinheiten und so weiter.

Natürlich dreht sich hier alles um das Thema Fußball. Der Ferienklub war im so genannten "Burger Park" stationiert. Dort steht eine große Leinwand, auf der alle Spiele der Fußball-WM übertragen werden. Doch nach einer Woche ohrenbetäubenden Vuvuzela- Lärm gehen mir diese Tröten ziemlich auf die Nerven. Die Tatsache, dass Südafrika rausgeflogen ist, hat Stimmung und Lärmpegel nicht im Geringsten beeinflusst.

Die Arbeit im Ferienklub hat mir ganz gut gefallen. Für unser Team war es anfangs ziemlich schwer sich einzufinden. Uns wurde gesagt, dass wir ein eigenes Programm ausarbeiten sollten. Die Wahrheit war jedoch, dass das Programm schon komplett geplant war. (Wir reden hier von "afrikanischer Planung" )

Im Endeffekt, sah es so aus, dass wir nie genau wussten was passiert und oftmals sind die Leiter gar nicht erschienen. Somit mussten wir mehrmals spontan etwas auf die Beine stellen und 120 Kinder beschäftigt halten.

Hinzukam, dass die Organisatoren keine Christen waren und es somit schwierig war Evangelisation mit einzubringen. Trotz allem war es eine gute Zeit.

Die letzten beiden Tage war ich nun auf der Base um mich auf den nächsten Einsatz vorzubereiten. Ich werde für 17 Tage mit einem neuen Team in einer Gemeinde in Pretoria arbeiten. Wir wissen noch nicht welche Arbeit auf uns wartet.

Eine ziemliche Herausforderung ist die Kälte. Nachmittags ist das Wetter schön, aber abends und morgens sind hier Minusgrade. Die Kälte macht uns in den nicht isolierten Häusern ohne Heizung ziemlich zu schaffen.

Ich hoffe sehr, dass ich mich nach diesem Einsatz bald wieder bei Euch melden kann. Wir werden 3 Tage auf der Base sein und haben unseren offiziellen Abschluss von dem Jüngerschaftstraining. Anschließend werde ich noch für eine Woche in Durban sein.

Danke für all Eure Gebete und Unterstützung. Ich freue mich darauf Euch wieder zu sehen und mehr von meinen Erlebnissen mit Euch zu teilen.

Viele liebste Grüße und ganz viel Segen

Eure Pina

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