The gift of outreach and care

It is a strange feeling to think that we have been living in this new norm of "seclusion" and lockdown for a year. We are accustomed to wearing a mask everywhere we go. This is already part of the drop-down list when you leave home - “keys, wallet, cellphone, mask.... ”. You turn around less in the parking lot to fetch the mask you forgot in the car. I suspect we have all turned around at a store's door because we forgot our masks.

We have been forced in the past year to find new ways to be together. Technology has largely been used for this. Worship services were now brought to members via technology. We were thrown into the deep-end with the livestreaming of funerals and our first attempt did not go well. We had to adapt very quickly in a technological world. We learned about programs and terminology that were never even heard of.

But technology has helped us to reach all of our members. We even reached new people who have a need for the Word of God. Our social media platforms have been expanded and are in full swing. We have learned how to use technology to our advantage at minimum cost. We should especially thank DorKk Studios for their time and help.

But if we put all the technological wonders and problems aside, our main goal and task remains to be Jesus' hands and feet on earth. And we still strive to do this every day. We love being involved in our community and if we can do that through food distribution or being part of community initiatives, then we are grateful for the privilege of being able to serve our community.

We would like to invite you to become part of this mission. We joined hands with the African Reclaimers Organization (ARO), which collects all recyclable plastic at various homes on a weekly basis, and they provided a large container to stand at our premises. Once the container is full we will have them empty it and refill it from scratch. In this way we help the earth, but also several families who earn their only income through this recycling initiative.

The Lord is also calling us in this time of Covid-19 to join hands and reach out in every conceivable way. We can help the earth through recycling, but we also help families in the process. After all, our ability to reach out is made possible by the Lord. We can and may not remain deaf to the pleas of our community.

My prayer is that the Lord will open our eyes and ears and hands to always be willing to reach out, whether through technology, recycling or any other way He pleases. May the Lord bless us with wisdom and faith in the practical fulfillment of our calling.