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.

DURBAN, South Africa — Thick mud clings to the shoes of Pastor Xolani (Ko-lan-ee) Klaas and his church members as they walk through an informal settlement in Newlands East.

The mud makes walking difficult, forcing the team to slip as they walk up and down the hills past tiny shacks constructed of scrap metal, tarps and cloth. Each houses an entire family, inadequately providing shelter from the cool, wet weather. Yet amid the struggle of everyday life, the smiling faces of residents conversing with one another reveal there is still joy and happiness in their community.

The evangelism in the informal settlements can be closely compared to how Jesus did ministry, because the needs of the people are so immediate. Klaas explains, “People, if they are hungry, will not listen because their primary needs have not been met.”

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.

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.

Durban is home to large Muslim and Hindu communities. Intercede for Christians who want to find effective ways to share their faith with followers of other religions. Pray that their lives will reflect the love, grace and mercy of Jesus to everyone they encounter.