In late June 2018, a team of five travelled to South Africa to serve for two weeks with UFM Associate Missionaries, Gavin and Elaine Charlton.
The main objective was to lead a 5-day Holiday Bible Club following the theme ‘Meet the King’ for primary aged Zulu children – first in a primary school situated in rural Entoyeni, then repeated the following week in a nearby township, Nseleni.
Meeting the King
The first week commenced with around 90 children aged from 3 years upwards with numbers increasing to 150+ daily. Zulu adults and teenagers, many of whom live and work at the children’s home, helped with registration and translation!
Every morning on arrival along the dirt track, we were greeted by many eager faces and started the day playing games – all you really need is a ball and to be willing to join in!
After registration, we sang Christian songs in English and Zulu followed by the Bible story which was led by a different team member each day. The children then split into age groups for a quiz based on the day’s story, games, memory verse and a relevant craft activity. We had transported craft items for 300 children from the UK!
Sharing the Gospel
Some afternoons we visited the children at the orphanage. As it was the school holidays, we played games, danced, listened to reading and singing and generally had fun! We also visited the beach, a game park and a traditional Zulu village and enjoyed the beautiful countryside, as well as worshipping at Baptist churches in Empangeni and Nseleni and a Zulu church.
It was a real privilege to be able to share the gospel message with these young people – for many it was the first time they had heard about Jesus. We were asked questions such as, ‘Why was Jesus white (!) not black?’ and, ‘Who made God?’ During the second week, three girls who attend the local Sunday School at the Nseleni church made professions of faith. Praise God!
We give thanks for the opportunity to serve and pray for ongoing fruit.
Rachel Lambert