On Friday our friend from church organized some people to go down to Durban to minister at a soup kitchen that provides food for the homeless. We couldn't go due to the time and kids and all but I wanted to share two stories from that night. Firstly, some of our Isaiah House team joined in and went down to be a part of the ministry team. They are getting used to going out to minister and to pray for people, but only in areas much like where they come from and only to other (black) African people. The homeless population in town is different as it includes people of all races. Living in Molweni; our volunteers do not have any exposure to people of other races living in poverty and it is easy to believe that only blacks struggle economically. When the team arrived they were shocked at seeing white, indian and mixed race (colored is the SA term) people who were in need, but even more than that people who were homeless. By the worlds standards; and perhaps even by their own, our volunteers are "poor" They live in crowded dwellings and do not have the luxuries that the middle to upper classes hold. However they were shocked and broken hearted at seeing people who did not have a place to call home. People with no shelter to sleep in and no place to leave their things. Old people, men and women, children, whites, blacks, indians, and coloreds were all there, needing assisstance, but even more than that needing a touch of Hope from the giver of life Himself. One young woman on our team was particularly moved to tears. She has had a very difficult life, she grew up as an orphan, battled violence and abuse, struggles financially etc. But when she saw these people who had no home she couldn't believe it and her heart broke for them. She went home with a heavy heart, but also an appreciation for what she has; although it may seem like little. Our volunteers are started to become empowered!!! They are realizing that Christ in them crosses race barriers, economic barriers, educational barriers and so forth and that with the power of the Holy Spirit they are no longer "poor" and they do have something to offer. Praise Jesus, they are being transformed!

The second story I want to share is in no way my own, but it is so beautifulI want to share it. There were 4 men at the soup kitchen, I believe two of them were white, and two were indian. (For those of you outside of SA, The reason I mention race is that it is still a huge issue in this country, and the fact that the men are of different races add to the impact of he story) These men have decided that they are a family. The way the shelters work here is that you have to pay a small fee every night to get in. so the men have made a pact that if they do not all get in every night then no one will sleep in and they will sleep together on the street somewhere. So if two or three of the men get a bed in the shelter but the other doesn't then they will all give up their bed (and hot meal) to sleep on the street as a family unit. Guys this challenged me! Many of us would not even do that for our blood relatives, let alone our spiritual brothers and sisters or just some friends we've made a pact with. What a beautiful picture of love, unity, and loyalty!!