News Archive

Update of Lorena Cardenas
(A Missionary in South Africa)
September 8, 2009

Dear Friends,

I had been residing in South Africa since 2006 but it is only this year that I could say that I am getting the feel of life in South Africa . Let me tell you a story of a week life in a town called BRANDFORDT.

My team (5 boys and I am the princess) went for an outreach to this small town in response to an invitation of a Dutch Reformed Church. Brandfordt is 3 hours drive from Bethlehem and this town boasts of being the birthplace of the first airplane built in Africa (sometime 1800). At one sight, a thousand sheep or cattle occupied the open fields and we just wowed at how much land space South Africa has. To be a "farmer" in this country is a sign of wealth. Those who work for the farmers (or farm owners) are called "laborers."

Our host church organized for us lots of opportunities to do evangelism- in the schools, crèches, black townships, squatter camp, prison, police & farms. Our week was full of pre-arranged appointments. We virtually met hundreds of people of all ages: children, youth and adults. To those who are number-oriented, around 200 responded to the gospel and triple that number to those who signified re-commitment, re-dedication or deeper relationship in response to the challenges we posed on them. [top]

To give you an idea of the changed lives behind the numbers:

1.      The principal of a high school (14-19 years old) is one of the members of our host church. He arranged for us to speak before the 500 students in a morning assembly together with the teachers/workers. Each member of my team shared a short message of hope. And then, we had one-on-one counseling with 30 students (that was how much we could handle for the morning). In the crowd, what I saw was a bunch of beaming young people who loved to sing and dance to the tune of any song. But in private talks, most of them are struggling with complicated issues. A 10-minute encounter was a golden opportunity to challenge wrong thinking patterns like the 17-year old girl who wanted to commit suicide because she is not happy in her home life.

 2.      We also visited a community designated for HIV/AIDS orphans that has 20 houses with around 150 children. I took care of the girls in a small group discussion. Some of them have been diagnosed positive of the virus but they are living normal lives at the moment. Almost everybody wants to know more about God and their questions are all about how to have a closer walk with Him. One girl (she was also one of our translators) said that she wants to serve God in the ministry like we are doing.

3.      For 3 nights, the black townships were assembled at the community hall for the Jesus Film and a HIV/AIDS educational film, "No More Tears."  500 came to the evening meetings in spite of the cold. What is so encouraging was that the chief inspector of police (a born-again guy) and his men secured the place and they were in-charge of the film showing while the lady police officers brought food for the crowd at the final night. My team did the crusade and counseling. Earlier, we were also at the Police Station for their morning devotions where my team shared some spiritual insights on "Transformational Leadership." [top]

4.      In one section of the town is a squatter camp where their houses look like boxes of patched-up aluminum sheets and between 5-20 people live inside. We went for prayer walk in this community and made door-to-door calls. From what we gathered, we presented the need to our host church. The Ladies decided that they will distribute old clothes to the needy children, serve soup and open a regular ministry there.

5.      We were also invited to minister to the prisoners. 75 inmates have no Bibles at all and wanted to have their own copies. The longest-serving inmate (23 years sentence) became a believer inside and he is emerging as the spiritual leader in the group. I was in a small group of the younger boys (aged 17-32) serving 6 months to 7 years. And they are interested on how to live their new lives and witness to their families after release.  

On the fun side of the ministry trip-

1.      We had a trip to the capital city of Free State (the province) called Bloemfontein . It was just an afternoon off for a treat of coffee/tea by a generous patron. And because it was very cold, one lovely lady was moved to buy us warm jackets.

2.      We camped in a farm house which is about 15 km drive to town. This was a real haven for us to retire at nights after a long day of work. One evening, we had South African braii (as in barbecue) in the yard. And at least for one week in our lives, milk has been like water.

3.      On a Saturday, a drive to the "salt farm" to do children ministry was indeed a "Great Commission" tour. During the 2 hour drive on the rough roads, we were literally like going to "the ends of the earth." Ahead of us was just like an endless path and we were the only vehicle on sight. [top]

Please continue to pray for me and my team.

- We are preparing for the 3-month outreach to Sierra Leone . Pray for our visas, plane tickets and living expenses.

- Please pray that we will be diligent in our Strategic Planning. We want our outreach to be a partnership with the locals and that everything that we start will be carried on by them.

- Pray for health. We are going to a place where malaria and other diseases are prevalent.

- As for me: I am designing my teaching curriculum in a way that it is relevant.

Thank you and God bless!

Your missionary in South Africa,

Lorena Cardenas