A Day at Sweet Home Farms, July 24

Children running the streets of Sweet Home Farm

Kay sharing a kiss with Siya's new baby boy.

The sun setting on Cape Town

Today after  our daily convening at Gersh's house, we visited a childhood friend of Gershwin, John Scheepers who has known our grumpy Gershwin for around 25 years. John lives in a community in Cape Town called Woodstock. Like most of Cape Town, Woodstock is a community with massive amounts of wealth contrasted with the harsh reality of poverty. At the top of a hill in Woodstock sits some of the most educated, young business people in all of South Africa, less than a block away is an impoverished community with run down and abandoned buildings all around  John has intentionally moved to Woodstock to start a church community. Not just any church though, he is focusing on the unity of people and the mixing of the diverse cultures in Woodstock. He hopes that lines of class, race, and origin are blurred and in his home. At his house, John talked to us about Matthew 5. He used the imagery of the city on the hill and the light of the world to help us see his vision of the community. John's ministry is just starting out and in many ways only conceptual, however John has a clear passion for the people there and helping create a diverse yet united group of Christians in the are. Furthermore, John is told us of how he intentionally is focusing on small groups. He doesn't want to start with the large sanctuary, worship team, and pastors. John believes that the church should not be just an activity on Sunday or a small group during the week, it should be a way of life. Not just a way of life but living with a group of people and living intentionally with God centered community. After our little lesson and discussion John took us on a walk through the streets. We encountered many friendly people who told said good morning and asked how we were. I couldn't tell if it was the chilly morning or the stark contrast of poverty and wealth there that tightened my chest, but I know something is moving in my heart.

The victorious Superstars Soccer Team

After we left John we headed back to the Warehouse. KayMo rejoined us there after being absent that morning, unsurprisingly teaching a Bible study at a local church. There we met up with our friend Barry, a British architect who has moved to South Africa to serve the people in the township of Sweet Home Farms. Gershwin enjoyed harassing Barry over the South African cricket team "walloping" the English team in their recent game and soon after we left to go visit Sweet Home Farms. We arrived and went to lunch at a place in the township owned by a woman named Christina. She is a truly amazing woman. Christina found out that she was HIV positive and fell almost into a state of shock. She didn't really understand what that meant in her life, however she wasn't alone. The Warehouse helped her get on her feet and taught her about her condition. With there help she started her little restaurant and a support group for the HIV carriers in the community. Our meal was fantastic and delectable. So good that Eric not only ate his meal, but four others' left overs. My hypothesis is that Eric is turning into a mermaid, he is always the one who wants to see the ocean and go swimming and also eats like a black hole. We took a short walk around Sweet Home Farms and saw the church area/daycare for the children. As soon as we were spotted, children from all over the township came to see us. They ran with arms open wide at us and eager to be loved. Like the kids in Fikelela they wanted attention and love, both of which we have in excess. We played around with the kids and had fun in the street. Pearce and I cut some orange slices for the boys soccer game that we attended, Barry and the Warehouse have a team named the Sweet Home Farms Superstars. After many tears and heartfelt goodbyes, we left with the team for the game. The younger boys won three nil and the older boys almost made a two nil come back but had a final of two to one. A good time was had by all and after a beautiful sunset we said farewell to Barry. Something in my heart felt like that was not the last time I would work with him in my life and I'm excited to see what God has in store for me.

Love Max