Batubamodimo

Batubamodimo means God’s people in Sutu. If there is one thing that God has shown me this past month in Durban, it is His people and the purpose to which He has called them. Upon arriving in Durban, Amanda, Ryan, and I walked out of the airport with no place to live, no way to get around, and very little money in our pockets. Gary Price, the campus director and only staff member on the Kwazulu-Natal campus picked us up from the airport and drove us to a nearby Guest House which he paid for our stay for three nights. Blessed by his hospitality and warm welcome, we still had no idea where we would be staying for the rest of the month. On Sunday morning, we went to Gary’s church who were already informed about our situation. Immediately after the service we were surrounded by people in the church body who were offering us accommodations in their home, offering us their cars, willing to carpool with their spouse just so they could give up a car for the three of us to get around. People we had never met laid hands on us to pray on our behalf, couples who already had very little to offer, offered all they had, and families invited us to their homes for dinner, coffee, and prayer. As I was reading Paul’s account in Scripture, he says that the community of believers “met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together each day…and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people” (Acts 2:44-47). I have never seen a church body that reflected the community in Acts so well. This was a picture of God’s people, not because we were standing on church grounds, but because the way the church lived out their faith brought God so much glory. 

Working on the Kwazulu-Natal Westville campus in Durban, the community of Christ looks not much different. Though these students may not have homes, cars, money or food to offer, they have a burning passion for the Lord and a compelling love that overflows in their language, attitude, and lifestyle. One night, a student involved in the Campus Crusade ministry invited us to his residence hall for a “weekly service” that he and his friends organized out of an eagerness to see change in the hearts of students. Under no organization or ministry name, no club or student group affiliation, these students who faithfully gather in the TV Lounge of their dorm every Thursday night, come and hold a service for anyone who wants to hear the Gospel, praise the Lord, study the Word, receive prayer, or just worship in community. As I walked into the room, I immediately felt like I was in the house of the Lord. Zulu worship filled the room as I could hear the souls of these men and women crying out through their voices as they sang. After worshipping in song, the students allowed time for anyone to stand up and share God’s work in their lives. You could share about the things He is teaching you, His Word that spoke to you, ways He has shown Himself faithful to you, things you need prayer for, a song to worship Him in, or anything else. As each student stood up, the first thing they would say is “My name is ______, and I am a child of God,” and then they would share whatever was on their heart. Some would stand up and sing, some read Scripture, some prayed out loud, or shared a story of God’s work in their life. As each student stood up and shared, I could feel a crowd of angels over us, rejoicing in the worship we offered the Lord. It was so beautiful the way each student stood up, no matter what the condition their heart was in, and celebrated the fact that they were children of God. Some cried out to the Lord in frustration, some sang with uncontrollable smiles, some prayed with such authority and expectancy, but they all were were filled with the joy of their salvation. 1 John 3:1 says, “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!” These are students who understand the depths of that truth. They are students who are unashamed to proclaim it loudly and live by it boldly. This was a picture of God’s People…who knew what it meant to love God in community, and to share it publicly with those around them.

Zethu and Sli are the two girls pictured above who are currently involved in the Campus Crusade ministry on campus. The first bible study we had, I asked the girls what they wanted to see happen on their campus. Without a pause to (Gary, his wife Cheryl, Ryan, Me, Amanda) think about it, Zethu spoke with faith and conviction. “I’ve prayed about how God can use me…I want one third of this campus to have heard about Christ by the end of the year.” Encouraging her to trust God with this vision, we told her to faithfully follow what He’s called her to do and to wait expectantly for God to move. Sli and Zethu are committed to following hard after God. They are committed to loving each other, living in community, studying the Word, and sharing their faith…all for the Glory of God and His Kingdom. When I look at these two girls, it is without question that they are God’s people. They love Him with all of their hearts and it shows with every part of who they are. 

I have seen God’s people in the church, God’s people on campus, in the community, and amongst my team. Spread throughout different contexts, they all have one thing in common: Christ’s love compels them. My hope is to see more of God’s people coming together in Durban and all of South Africa…more people identifying themselves as “a child of God” and joyfully living in that truth...I want to see God’s Kingdom furthered, His glory magnified, and His people sent.