2009 Mission trip
South Africa Report
24th September saw 9 Australians embark on a mission trip of a lifetime. Our trip would see us arrive in Johannesburg South Africa for the Salvation Army roots conference then onto Umlazi Durban where we would be spending most of our time.
None of the 9 had ever been to South Africa so no one knew what to expect. This was great for the team as we were all on an even playing field.
While at the roots conference we made many friends and was a great chance for us to start getting used to doing ministry in another country. It was also great being able to volunteer in a great conference and experience African worship which is totally different to what we had ever seen.
It was sad to leave Johannesburg but was exciting to be heading to Durban for our time in Umlazi. Umlazi is a second large township in South Africa with one of the highest crime record and death toll in the world... The wider Umlazi area has population of 750,000.
21% of women visiting clinics in the township are reported to be HIV positive. With a minimum of whites visiting the township seeing 9 white people travel around in this twin cab utility was not only weird for them but a bit confronting for us at the looks we received.
The weeks spent at Umlazi were full of great experiences and confronting at some times. They are also times we will never forget.
I guess for the team coming from Australia and only hearing about Aids and not seeing the effects is a bit nieve of us but i guess if it's not an issue here we don't care as much.
The first week we got to see the effects of Aids on 2 different people. One lady was 54 and could walk but was very frail. The other a young lady only 25 who couldn't walk, get out of bed or even lift her head, we were all quite scared she wouldn't even make it through the rest of the day. For us to see this was confronting and we could see the real, not fake effects of what it does to families, friends and people who know them. We were able to pray for these 2 women and it was encouraging to hear before we left the 2 ladies were still alive. That's the amazing power of prayer.
We visited other families connected to Umlazi corps and to be asked the question 'are you're parents still alive?' we thought was weird but for them its rare. The smiles on the kids faces when we gave them an Australian flag sticker was priceless.
We were also able to hang out with the kids from the creche to kids club ages which was great to do and a lot of fun. The kids have the same needs as in Australia they want to be hugged, noticed, accepted they want attention. We were able to give them hugs, sit with them and give them some attention. It was a great feeling knowing you made a difference that day in a kids life you only met. It was sad leaving them as they grew close to your heart.
With all the kids we were able to meet and hang out with we saw a better understanding of respect as they didn't know us yet listened and obeyed what we said. They were also content and didn't complain if they had nothing. They thought having their photo taken and seeing it on the screen was awesome. They taught us so much about appreciating the small things in life.
Being in South Africa was a great experience that none of us will forget. It has changed us for the better and you really do start appreciating things a lot more.
Team members
- Joel Maxwell from Centenary Corps, Brisbane
- Kelly Emerton from Taree Corps
- Ashleigh Newton from Wollongong Corps
- Jacqui Maunder from Waverly Temple Corps, Glen Waverly VIC
- Wendy Ravenscroft from Pine Rivers Corps, Brisbane
- Linda Gurry from Street Level Mission, Sydney
- Anita Moyes from Westlakes Corps, Newcastle
- Neil and Sharon Clanfield, HUrstville Corp
About South Africa
It’s no wonder that South Africa draws more visitors than anywhere else in sub-Saharan Africa. World-class wildlife-watching, cosmopolitan cities, stunning natural panoramas and vibrant cultures make the country appealing to almost every taste and budget. Geographically, its extremes include the arid semi desert of the Karoo, the snowcapped peaks of the Drakensberg Range, the lush subtropical coast of KwaZulu-Natal and the fertile temperate valleys of Western Cape. Within the space of a day, you can journey from vineyard-clad hillsides in the Western Cape to the vast open spaces of the Kalahari; from Cape Town’s waterfront chic to isolated Zulu villages; from elephant-spotting in Kruger National Park to the sublime seascapes of the coast.
While it’s easy to focus on the glitz and developed infrastructure, you’ll only get below the surface by seeking out the country’s other face – most visible in the sprawling townships where far too many people live stalked by the shadows of hunger, poverty and one of the highest HIV/AIDS infection rates in the world. Behind its incredible natural beauty, South Africa is the stage for the daily drama of one of the world’s greatest experiments in racial harmony. The intensity of this drama surrounds you wherever you go, and is likely to be one of the most fascinating and challenging aspects of your travels.
