Reflection, New Tactical Assessment

I've been back in the states for a few days now. I must say, it's different. I'm different. 9 months away really changes one's perspective, mine anyway. Especially i guess, having been in such a drastically different culture... However, even within South Africa there are drastic cultural differences. Most of my time was spent in rural areas, next door to people who believe in ancestors and practice animal sacrifices to insure their own safety and health. I was next door to desperate people, whose days were not spent in traffic and air conditioned offices but on dirt pathways, unsure whether they'd have food to eat that day. As Americans we may think they are half a world away from an alternative lifestyle, but, as Americans we may not realize just how close an alternate lifestyle is. One American pastor, visiting South Africa, was shocked at the quality of their infra-structure. Comparing close to our own. I observed my own emotions as one week i was in a rural setting, doing ministry to people whose hunger pains were dependant on the quality of crops the weather allowed them to raise. The next week i was in an exquisite shopping mall perusing the cd's in the Virgin Atlantic store, having driven there in a 2005 BMW with a 100,000 full warranty. "Out there" the concerns were clothes, of any style, that would keep the body warm. "In there" the concern was for clothes, of only the latest style.
How is it that such wealth and poverty can co-exist? I am not going to attempt to answer this age-old question, but i would like to challenge the Christian to consider his and her part in the solution. Particularly by sharing what my part is.
In proverbs we are told if we "give a man a fish we've fed him for a day; teach a man to fish and we've fed him for a lifetime". This opens our eyes to varying degrees of need and aid. If you simply "teach a man to fish" first he may not listen because what he wants is food, right now. Second, depending on the need for food he may faint or even die before he's learned the lesson! Therefore i am an advocate for immediate aid, that is, nurses who are willing to come in and comfort the sick, people giving much needed clothes out, food banks, etc. People with fish and who are willing to share. God bless them. At the same time, long-term solutions need to be implemented. A mother and father may do a good job feeding and sheltering their own children, so why should the children ever move away? Because developing independence is the goal. Independant people are those who can potentially benefit others. Like a full-grown tree which provides shade. Therefore, by educating the next generation they can potentially benefit others rather than being a drain on resources. This is the direction the logic of the situation has attracted me.
By partnering with a ministry called CYB, Christian Youth and Beyond, i will be able to do just that as we take a Campus Crusade curriculum into the village schools which teaches the youth character and good decision making skills. Also through educating them on AIDS and how it is prevented and spread. Currently this curriculum is being used in 50 countries in 16 different languages having influenced over 1 million students on 5 continents. In other parts of KwaZulu-Natal (the province i'm working in), the curriculum is already being used in schools.
Teaching this curriculum in high schools will naturally sift the serious kids to the forefront and lead to discipleship programs.
Likewise, i am still looking into developing a children's home in a rural village. In this village i've been able to work with the Health Care Workers pinpointing the extent of the need, as well as varying degrees of need: children which would be considered "high need"-- those children living without adult supervision, susceptible to rape, hunger, and cold. The total need is in the hundreds, the "high needs" are in the 20's. This is doable.
The new problem.
Corruption in the governments of African countries is horrendous. I, like any American, has his issues with our own government, but i must say, there has been nothing like being away for 9 months to make me appreciate just how adept our government is! These millions and billions of dollars we hear of, being sent to Africa in lieu of the AIDS crisis, sadly is not getting to the ones in need due to corruption in the African governments. Bono, bless his heart, for all of the attention he's bringing, is really just a voice in the wind. The real need is for individuals like you, to give money to individuals whom you know to be making progress in the fight. I know of a gal who was a ER nurse in the states, but has sold everything to come to Africa and do her part. She is wonderful as she makes her rounds caring for women and children suffering unnecessarily, some in the late stages of AIDS. She spends her own money, while envisioning how she can develop a much needed ARV clinic. Now if Bono would support a gal like that it would do alot more tangibly toward solving the crisis. Or consider the CYB ministry who develops youth to go into schools and evangelise, teach classes, and lead discipleship groups in multiple schools.
I urge you to prayerfully consider my work. Whether i am a safe direction to send the money you set aside for investing in Kingdom work.
I've spent this past year investing in children's lives at the Agathos cottages in Loskop. I miss them and they miss me. I was able to distrubute almost 200 bibles, primarily through the contributions of friends reading my blog. I preached in multiple churches and repeatedly at a nearby high school. Through a generous donation i was able to purchase a computer for Pastor Moses to further his church ministry. I got a good start on the Zulu language as well as learning alot about their culture. I received many confirmations that i had indeed found God's will for my life and 9 months proved to be an adequate test for whether i'd be able to spend my life in the area. I spent much of my own money, and lost my laptop to theives, but was undettered.
I have strong backing in the area and my personal vision is growing more and more.
I want to thank-you all for faithfully following my 9 month trip, for praying, for responding, for welcoming me home... it has been good. By God's grace its only the beginning of a big work which He has begun. When i return to South Africa in January i'll be starting a new blog and sending it out only to those who respond with a wish to be added to my mailing list. In it i intend to give readers a first-hand look at South Africa from my perspective, as well as enlightening you throughout the development of my own ministry.
You can reach me at richardharleman@gmail.com.
God bless,
-Richard Harleman