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.
Coloureds have a blend of Indonesian, European, Indian and African features that are as complex as their origins. The majority practice either ancestor worship or a mix of religions, such as Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. While they believe in God, they do not realize they can have a personal relationship with Him because of the sacrifice Jesus made.
In the park where the outreach is held, the rich tones of the verdant trees and grass starkly contrast the dirt roads and cement houses cluttered throughout Newlands East. Smiling children run around with decorated faces of blue, yellow, green, and red. Almost the entire neighborhood is gathered to enjoy food, face painting, games, poetry and a message from a speaker. During the outreach, the evangelist presents the crowd with a challenge to abstain from temptations such as drinking and drug abuse, then he encourages the church to take a stronger role in the communities.
When asked about the major struggles in the neighborhood, Pastor Xolani Klaas says, “People are hungry.” He then emphasizes the point that people will not listen to a spiritual message if their physical needs have not been met. He points out that many children in the neighborhood, even those as young as 2 to 4 years old, are not sure where or when their next meal will be. Klaas’s eyes hold genuine concern, and he has a penetrating gaze that compels those listening to action.
The poverty of the area, with no apparent hope for help, compels Klaas and his church to step in and help ease the pain and hunger of the township by hosting food and blanket drives.
Pray that as the people of Newlands East receive physical aid from churches, they’ll be open to their words about the only One who can meet all their needs – Jesus Christ.
*Coloured refers to a defined people group unique to southern Africa.
By Evelyn Adamson
