Langa

I went to a township called Langa (I'm pretty sure that's how its spelled) today. I went with the volunteer overseer from Jubilee,Darlene. She has formed friendships with women over the last few years, and just goes to visit them. There was a sober excitement in me to go--I had read,seen, and written about townships over the years, so I was ready to actually see one. At the same time, there was hesitation as I knew it would be really hard. I know enough to know that hearing about something is entirely different than actually seeing it for yourself.

For those who aren't aware of what townships are, they are very very poor housing areas in South Africa, remnants of apartheid. Rape, violence, and murder are a everyday occurence there. Homes are shacks made of various scrap metal and plastic; some townships have running water and electricity, many don't. There's an incredible need for housing in this country, and that is never more evident than in the townships.

When we got there, I immediately was aware of the foul smell. We stepped through and over this little stream of water with trash and waste and starting walking in the dusty, sandy ground with glass shards all over. I kept looking at the barefoot children running around. It was really loud, with traffic and music blaring. We walked to the 'home' of Rose. It was a tiny shack, very very hot inside. She had a desk with some hair products on it. She had started a business in her home, being a hairdresser. Darlene asked her questions about her business; she said it was just up and down. Her scissors and whatnot kept getting stolen while she slept. She had 2 little beautiful boys who were sticking around close. Rose had had TB and had been very ill, near death, but was now making a good recovery. She didn't know how she would be getting food for her children right now though. When Darlene asked what we could pray for, she asked that people would need to get their hair cut and also a way for her to finish high school. She had failed grade 12 in 2005 (at this point I realized this mother wasn't much older than me). As we prayed for her, I was amazed at her bravery, courage, and trust in God despite such an awful livlihood.

We then went to visit Bilongwe. Darlene mentioned her name, and I was a little confused, because I had met her at Jubilee the day before; she worked in the clinic. Surely she didn't live in a township? But she did; we walked into a small room with a bed she shared with her two sons. We talked about her struggle with buying uniforms and paying school fees for her boys (all schools have uniforms here). Her one cord that stretched for miles that gave her power hadn't been working either. We prayed for her, and later on Darlene had told me that after Bilongwe had come to the Lord, she took one day a week for training, and after her training was completed, starting working at Jubilee in the clinic. Jubilee provided a taxi to pick her up. It was just unbelievable to me that a women I met yesterday at the building, whom I thought just came from a normal home, actually went back to a very loud, very violent place.

On our way home, the reality of what I had just seen started hitting me. It's impossible to explain, because anything I'd say would not convey the extreme depths of poverty and injustice I saw. Darlene knew the effect of seeing a township for the first time, and prayed for me when we got back to the building. As I walked back to my flat, I just cried the whole way. The depths of my selfishness and how I worry about superficial things when these people have nothing was hugely evident to me. Also I struggled with the injustice I saw. I went for a run when I got back, wrestling with God-knowing that He is their provider, but struggling to see it. Rose is a child of God just like I am, yet how come I have so much? What truly was amazing to me though, was their resilience and bravery and trust in God despite how things appear. I actually have much to learn from them. I am so glad I have seen a township now, despite the heartwrenching ordeal that is was. I'm still sorting through my emotions and feelings over the whole experience.