Nkosi's Haven

http://www.nkosishaven.org/

One of the first days in South Africa, we drove over to Joburg to visit Nkosi's Haven. We were fortunate to meet the founder of this incredible home for kids and their mothers who are infected with HIV. Gail is quite the woman- such an inspiring leader.

In the early 90s, Gail Johnson became foster parent to Nkosi, HIV positive and 3 years old. She fought to get him in a good school after much resistance, and through this effort led educational workshops re: AIDS for parents, children, and teachers. Her work led to the government passing a law prohibiting children from being banned from school because of having HIV. Soon after Gail took Nkosi in, his mother passed away. This troubled little Nkosi, who told Gail two things: 1) Does everyone with AIDS die? and 2) My mom never said goodbye. He also asked about other kids with AIDS.

This inspired Gail to begin the haven in 1999, for moms infected with the virus, and their children. In the beginning there were 9 mothers and 47 children. Now there are over 300 residents. In 2000, when Nkosi was 11 years old, he was asked to speak at the World AIDS conference. This garnered international attention for Gail & Nkosi's project, greater awareness of the virus worldwide, and finally when Nkosi went into a coma, the world was indeed watching.

Now, Gail's project is changing lives. The Haven is currently working to become self-sustainable through a chicken farm, vegetable farm, and a bakery. Here are some of the things Nkosi's Haven provides:

• a ballroom where the kids dance once a week
• baby daycare center
• parenting classes (as many of the moms are young teens)
• a library
• a Therapy center, staffed with psychologists, play therapists, and counselors who recognize and counter the damaging emotional trauma many children and moms have been through.
• a Sick Bay unit, for residents who need to get on ARVs, and who are very ill
• Sports field
• laundry 
• industrial kitchen
• 12 acre farm
• jobs for mothers, who are employed internally as well as childcare providers from outside the haven.

If you haven't already guessed, this visit was completely inspiring, helpfully informative, and truly incredible. Gail is very tight with her budget and gives her entire life to this project and to the conviction to care for those who have no hope. She is a beacon of light in South Africa. If you feel led please donate! While her ministry is not religiously-affiliated I know she welcomes our prayers and support. Until next time,
Anna

thank you to Nkosi's Haven website for the green pictures, and to Eduan Kitching for the group shot.

thoughts thus far...

Despite sparse access top internet, our time thus far in South Africa has been anything but dull.  I find it hard to separate event by event or day by day.  My reflection on our time thus far can best be categorized by redemption, challenges and discernment.  

Redemption: Out of the land of South Africa seeps redemption.  January 11^th we went to the Robbin Island.  On this island that was once the home to a leper colony and later home to a prison that house Nelson Mandela, sits a redeemed land.  The island now hosts boat loads of tourists daily and serves as the permanent home to a community which consists of ex prisoners and ex prison wardens living together.  It also boasts the best view of Cape Town and Table Mountain.  It takes great effort for me to understand the ease that has settled over Robbin Island.  I find myself struggling to understand the forgiveness and apologize that had to have happened between past enemies who have now built a new relationship—on the same land—as neighbors belonging to the a united community. 

Additionally, I find redemption out of acknowledgment.  In the United States we struggle to identify and discuss our past race relations.  Aside from a blanket nod towards events and identification of key events that cannot be ignored, very little is done in the way of genuine reconciliation.  I have appreciated the naming that has happened in South Africa.  I attribute this to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, from which people from opposing sides were able to discuss and question and be honest with one another.  Some say that the TRC was not taken far enough, but ultimately what it did was create an environment what encouraged discussion.  These discussions are not perfect, as I have found out, and talking can be awkward and uncomfortable, but none-the-less it is happening. 

Challenges: While at the conference in Pretoria, Reggie Blount, from Garrett Seminary, discussed the idea of identity.  One of the questions that he posed was whose voices are we—or more importantly, youth—listening to in order to identify ourselves.  These voices come from pop culture, school, friends, family, etc…  But Reggie then challenged if these voices that define us have actually earned the right to be heard.  I am challenged to determine whose voice has earned the right to be heard in my life?  Additionally who is my voice influences?  Have I earned the right to be heard?  How can I make my voice be heard in the midst of other voices that are loud but misleading? 

Yesterday we heard Peter Story talk about his role in Apartheid.  This was by far the highlight of my time in South Africa.  If I had only come to hear him talk it would have been worth the trip.  Due to sheer exhaustion I will let you Google him to find out more of the details of who he is. But in short, Peter Story is a Methodist minister who served as a prophetic voice of resistance to Apartheid.  He served at one of the only integrated churches during Apartheid, served as chaplain to Nelson Mandela, challenged cultural standards, and served as a general nuisance to the Apartheid regime.  I felt challenged as to what my purpose in ministry is.  What does it mean to stand up for what you feel God is calling you to?  When should we not back down?  What cause am I willing to risk my career—and life—for? I find words lacking to describe the awe that I felt hearing his wisdom.

Discernment: Lastly I find myself trying to discern why all of this information and experiences have been laid in my lap.  I feel challenged by the hope and heartbreak that fills this land.  South Africa still has a far way to go, but has made strides to reconcile itself with its past.  As I stood on a cliff yesterday overlooking the ocean and the small beach communities that dot the coast line, I was reminded of the “hugeness” of God.  The God that meets me in my life in the States, is also tangible here in South Africa.  I am prayerfully pleading for peace and understanding for this country, while simultaneously seeking out understanding and guidance as I a process and use my experiences from this trip.  

I look forward to further reflection on this trip and cannot wait to share more of my stories and experiences. 

--Kate

Some fantastic photos from a fantastic new friend

by Emma

We spent some time this trip at two organizations working to fight against the AIDS epidemic in South Africa. More parts of those stories will make it on to the blog later, but to see some really beautiful images of a really beautiful story, check out these great photos from our friend Eduan Kitching. Eduan has loyally driven us around South Africa and has been joining in on our adventures. Lucky for us, he is a BRILLIANT photographer who has captured some truly amazing moments.

For pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/eduankitching/sets/72157625682550979/with/5349628686/

Also, to learn more about Sparrow Village and Nkosi's Haven and how you can support these programs check out:

http://www.sparrowvillage.co.za/  AND  http://www.nkosishaven.org/

January 11th -- The Power of Stories...and Storey

by Whitney

Our first full day in Cape Town began with a tour of Robben Island. Robben Island is a place of complex beauty. It was named Robben Island after the Dutch name for penguin. It has also been used as a graveyard for lepers in the 1800s and was the site of a prison during Apartheid, where former president, Nelson Mandela, was imprisoned for 18 years.  The visit to the island included a brief bus tour, followed by a walking tour of a unit, and ending with Mandela’s cell. Many of the tour guides are former inmates of the prison. For many of the class, our trip to Robben Island raised many questions:

How can people want to get married on an island where so much oppression has occurred? (The church on the island boasts a number of weddings every year)

AND

Why would former prisoners and prison guards choose to live together after Apartheid?  (A village has been built on the island where guards and guarded become neighbors)

The island has a history of brokenness and suffering, yet is surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation. The visit left the class with lingering questions as well as awe at the power of God.

After Robben Island, we ate a traditional South African meal of snook and chips. One student response was: “that was so good it can be my last meal!” The afternoon a scenic drive through Hout Bay to the Cape of Good Hope, the most southwestern point in South Africa.

By far, the crowning glory was the evening spent with pastor, Peter Storey. He is a retired Methodist pastor whose ministry has included being a chaplain at Robben Island, president of the General Alliance of Churches, pastor of Central Methodist Church in District 6, bishop of the S.African UMC Church, and visiting professor at Duke Divinity School. He was also one of the strongest voices against the Apartheid regime, working alongside men, like Desmond Tutu, who were continually putting their lives on the line for justice in South Africa. Storey gave us a well-rounded, deeply theological overview of the church’s role in Apartheid and it’s aftermath. Storey spoke about 4 essential ingredients in the church's witness:

1.)   Naming the Truth

2.)   Binding up the broken

3.)   Living the alternative

4.)   Creating and participating in strategies aligned with Christ

Storey inspired and challenged us by his words and thoughts on what it means to be the body of Christ both in our American context and globally. I, personally, could have soaked up his wisdom for hours. 

It's the Circle of Life, or something like that.

by Emma

On Sunday afternoon, we left the IASYM conference in Pretoria and made our way north to the Pilanesburg Game Reserve. Faced with a good hour of heavy rainfall as we left the city, the prospect of a solid game drive seemed dismal. As we drew nearer to our destination, however, we could see clear, blue skies waiting for us in the distance. Unlike the city skyline or the well-kept terrain of the lodge at the conference we’d seen previously, this drive took us through very rural parts of South Africa, complete with cows and goats walking freely along the side of the road and sometimes across the road, and people living in scattered shacks made out of long metal pieces. I have been continually surprised not only at how quickly the topography of the country changes, but also the lives of the people that live across South Africa. We drove past some of the wealthiest parts of Pretoria and Johannesburg, and with in moments we could see squatters camps packed together on the outskirts of the city. For me, it serves as a continual reminder that although South Africa has made many miraculous strides in the post-Apartheid years, there is still much more work to be done.

We arrived at the game park in the late afternoon, and almost immediately we were whisked off, along with our guide Themba, in an open vehicle into the game reserve. We watched carefully for animals to cross our path, hoping desperately to cross a few of the “Big 5” off our lists. The Big 5 refers to water buffalo, elephants, lions, cheetahs, and rhinos, which are a “must see” for any game drives in South Africa. Our group came across countess impala, dozens of zebra and wildebeests, a pair of rhinos (check 1), a hard-working dung beetle, two lionesses, one that passed by rather close to our vehicle (check 2), South Africa’s national animal (and the namesake of the rugby team), the springbok, two elephants (check 3), and some far off giraffes. We then stopped somewhere in the middle of the reserve to have a traditional South African braai, which is like a barbecue. We sat around the table, enjoying great food, great conversation, and great surroundings. Reggie Nel, a South African pastor, led us in a discussion around a campfire as the sun set to discuss issues facing youth ministry in his country and the work he is doing in his context.

Our drive back to our rooms included some of the most amazing stars that any of us have ever, ever seen. I am a serious sucker for the outdoors and star-gazing, but the South African night sky puts anything I have ever seen to shame. I sat back in my seat, staring into the sky peppered with millions of tiny lights, imaging what it really means to be a beloved part of God’s creation in a universe so vast. It’s in moments like that, when I feel the most small and insignificant, that I appreciate God’s active and redemptive love for us most. When it seems impossible that we could be more than a blip on the radar, that God continues to work in our lives in love. Amazing.

My love for the outdoors and my ability to feel God in creation was further fed when we went on our 5:00am game drive. Watching the sun come up over the mountains, coloring the sky pink and orange, while hippos dozed in the lake and zebras were grazing with their babies, gave me a sense of wholeness. We are apart of this massive creation, full of beauty and mystery and life. Africa has taught me so many things over the course of this trip, but one thing I will certainly carry with me is our interconnectedness with all things, particularly between all people across racial lines. God has created us, whether we are black or white or mixed, just like that sunrise, those stars, the dung beetle, the mountains, and the animals we encountered. It’s like the ubuntu theology here in South Africa – I in you and you in me. I look forward to what the rest of our journey holds for us, and what Africa can continue to teach us. I laughed when a dear friend, a well-seasoned traveler, told me that I would kiss the ground when I landed in Africa because it is “God’s country.” And you know what, I think he is right.