PRETORIA, South Africa – Unashamed, she handed Bibles to passersby. As fans walked past Mariska de Jager, some took tracts, a Bible or a DVD testimony of Kaká, a well-known Brazilian soccer player. De Jager’s husband, Marius, ran across the street to help another group pass out more materials.

Several churches have partnered together to host a “Big Screen Outreach” at Central Baptist Church in downtown Pretoria, one of the host cities of the 2010 World Cup. Yesterday, the de Jagers and about 60 other volunteers gathered to distribute materials and host a showing of the Paraguay vs. Japan game.

For two days there are no World Cup matches, so visitors to South Africa have an opportunity to discover what an amazing country it is. From majestic mountains to rugged coastlines, from awe-inspiring deserts to mysterious game parks, from world class cities to impoverished informal settlements, South Africa is a land of great diversity.

South Africa is also a nation in great need of prayer. Racial tensions simmer just below the surface all too often, creating fear and suspicion when trust is desperately needed. Personal ambition prevents many leaders from making decisions that are best for their organizations or businesses. Frequently, parents are so busy trying to provide their family’s basic requirements that their children lack attention and proper supervision. Unemployment and hopelessness cause young people to turn to drugs, alcohol and gang activity. Human trafficking is on the rise.

Pray-ers, PRAY about the needs of South Africa. Volunteers, COME to join God in what He is doing to meet these needs. Body of Christ in South Africa, BE who God has called you to be—salt and light among people whom He loves and desires to bless.

Forest Hills Baptist Volunteers in Cape Town from Africa Stories on Vimeo.

Volunteers from Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, share experiences from their mission trip to Cape Town, South Africa.

Volunteers are an invaluable part of the outreach ministries going on during the World Cup. One volunteer shared what so many have experienced: “The World Cup has broadened my horizons and tested my faith and witness.”

Their prayer requests reveal their hearts. PRAY…
…for wisdom, strength, courage and focus in working with children.
…that the World Cup will impact and not distract people from hearing the Gospel.
…for the ability to learn the language so that people will fully understand the love of Christ.
…to know how to best relate to people.
…to know the best way to lead when in a leadership position.
…that God will be honored.
…for focus on the Lord and the task.

Praise God for these results from the outreaches in Cape Town!

Life Champs Day Camps: 3

Partners in Ministry: 40 seminary students from Cape Town, South Africa; members of New Crossroads Baptist Church in Cape Town; 24 members of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; nine IMB missionaries

Children Who Participated: 587

Children Who Are New Believers in Jesus: 287

Intercede for these children who are young in years and babies in Christ. Pray they will be welcomed into local churches who will train them to follow Jesus and His commandments.

DURBAN, South Africa — When most people think of a mistake, a bad decision or regrettable action comes to mind. Few people think of a child as a mistake.

During a Holiday Bible Club at Pinetown Baptist Church in Durban, youth pastor Tyronne Eilenburg found some of the children have never been told the words “I love you” by their parents. Some were even told they were a mistake from birth.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — She was raped at 8 years old by a man she still sees walking the streets of Nyanga township, the murder capital of South Africa.

Thandeka Siyobi knows the pain of sexual abuse all too well. In this township in Cape Town, children are murdered, raped and pulled into a world of drugs, alcohol and gangs every day.

“There is a lot of violence around here,” Siyobi said. “As young as the age of 12 years old they start getting into drugs and violence.”

Siyobi, a member of the local Baptist church, does not allow the pain of the past to keep her from helping young girls today deal with what she has endured herself. She shares her testimony with girls in the church and community, many of whom have experienced the same pain as Siyobi.

The Brazilian World Cup team has several outspoken evangelical Christian players. At times, they face persecution for their faith, particularly the high-profile Kaká. Pray for these godly men, who desire to be ambassadors for Christ even as they use their skills to represent their nation on the soccer pitch.

Kaká has produced a multi-language 45-minute DVD of his life and testimony and has donated tens of thousands of these for Christian groups to distribute during the World Cup. Pray that many people who receive this gift at the Brazil-Chile match tonight will have a desire to watch the DVD. Pray they will be drawn to Christ through what they see and hear.

Ghana’s victory over the United States in Saturday’s second round match has been a huge boost to the spirits of South Africans, who were terribly disappointed when Bafana Bafana failed to go through at the end of the group matches. Africans around the continent are pinning their hopes on The Black Stars of Ghana, and the Ghanaians have massive support from every corner of Africa.

Intercede for Christian athletes on the Ghanaian team to handle well the pressure that comes with high expectations. Pray they will have many opportunities to share that being faithful to Jesus is far more important than winning the World Cup.

DURBAN, South Africa — Their laughter can be heard rolling over the hills and through the houses of Newlands East, a Coloured* neighborhood. Children, barefoot and dressed in worn clothes, scramble for a turn in the bounce house at an outreach event prior to the showing of the highly-anticipated Brazil vs. Portugal match.

The outreach, which was coordinated by several churches working together through an organization called The Ultimate Goal, is designed to use soccer as a platform to reach the Coloured people of Durban.

*Coloured refers to a defined people group unique to southern Africa.