DURBAN, South Africa — Partially-clothed children of all ages dart between people and cars, playing in the streets and alleys. The children are a mixture of European, Indian, African and Indonesian descent, and their eyes are striking, ranging from bold blue to jaded green to the deepest black. Playing outside all day trails dirt and mud across their faces, hands and legs, leaving decorative swirls on their bodies.

Coming from broken homes and distracted parents, the children are often left to roam the streets, learning how to live on their own. The “broken homes” in South Africa are often unlike the traditional American definition in which parents have split up; here, “broken homes” mean broken circumstances. Crime, drugs, alcohol and prostitution are only a few of the coping mechanisms many of these young people employ when trying to deal with physical and emotional abuse, rape, grief and parents who are drug dealers.

JOHANNESBURG — Desperate areas. These are the focus of Impact Africa, a mission organization operating under the belief that people in desperate situations are searching for something that leads to hope and a better life.

The organization, which launched in 2003, ministers among the poorest of the poor, who live in settlements called squatter camps surrounding South Africa’s large cities. Impact Africa has a vision to be an agent of change through Christian outreach events, children’s education, teaching, discipleship and facilitation of short-term mission teams.

During the World Cup, a seven-member team representing Impact Africa are sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in Diepsloot, a community in northern Johannesburg.

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.

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.

SOSHANGUVE, South Africa – The bus is brought to an abrupt halt in the middle of a narrow street, and the North American ladies are hurried from the vehicle. The people on the street immediately surround the women.

Normal neighborhood noises are overpowered by the sounds of drums pounding, vuvuzelas blowing, hands clapping, feet stomping and voices cheering. The parade of dancers, musicians and soccer enthusiasts eagerly escort the North Americans through the dusty streets.

JOHANNESBURG — “I will never be the same,” said João Batista. “I will go back [to Brazil] a different person. This has changed my life.”

A Brazilian volunteer mission group, 200-strong, has come to South Africa to minister during the World Cup. Representing 25 denominations, they come under the coordination of the Brazilian Baptist International Mission Board. They are here to share the Gospel through soccer and health clinics; puppets and plays; and arts, crafts and sewing classes.

ROOIGROND, South Africa — As they step out of vans, a cold wind greets the student volunteers from the University of Louisville and Clemson University in the United States and Northwest University in Mafikeng, South Africa. Dust, kicked up by the wind, coats their teeth and settles onto their clothes and skin.

Charged with the task of breaking barriers and sharing Christ with the Setswana people, the 16 American and nine South African students begin unloading their soccer equipment for the day’s events.

The yellow bus pulls to the side of the road, opening the door for students to climb on board. Some students rub sleep out of their eyes and trudge to the back, while others bounce up the steps screeching, “Good morning.”

Impatience is the boundary line between education and reality — literally and figuratively.

The pink, five-leaf flower called, “Impatiens,” forms a hedge separating the yellow and salmon colored Christian school from an amorphous body of water.

If anything, these children are impatient to learn. It’s the inquisitive nature so commonly associated with a child-like spirit that fuels their impatience to leave no rock uncovered.

A classroom chock full of children in blue uniforms greet me with an exuberant, “Hello. Welcome Auntie!”

I’m instant family. This feeling is great and speaks volumes because family is important to me.

As I look into the Indian children’s shining eyes and smiling faces, I realize I’m immediately being looked up to and respected. I am family, and the incredible part is that they don’t even know my name.