We have been interested and praying for South Africa for 10 years. We have continually sponsored World Vision children from South Africa, God seemingly awoke us to Nelson Mandella's inauguration (we fell asleep with the TV on) at 3 am, and my favorite movie, "The Power of One" takes place there.
Recently we saw Oprah's South African Christmas show and Tonya and I both bawled (even though many white people do cry watching Oprah, we normally don't!).
Think of the contrast between the residue of years of unbelievable oppression with the music and the beautiful natural landscape of the country. To me, South African music is the most beautiful in the world and the country has to be one of the most beautiful places in all the world. Our hearts are struck by the poverty and the continual, devastating effects of apartheid. A pastor from our church just went there and talked about how their are no street lights in some of the townships, because they are tore down and sold for scrap metal. Amazing.
I've been reading about DATA, Bono's organization to help fight AIDS and other devastating situations (debt, literacy) in the country. I was encouraged to see they have part of their part of their web site dedicated to helping the American Church figure out how we can help. There are sample sermons, Sunday school curriculum, etc.
We Christians must get engaged with this issue. Tonya and I will be involved with our church in some way. We hope to go there sometime in the future.
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