For a brief setting of the video - we really wanted to spend some quality hang out time with the boys so we planned an entire day and night with them. The deal was we would take them to the beach (little did they know what we had planned :), take them to a narcotics anonymous meeting, then spend the night with them watching movies and eating food all night! So check out the video to meet some of the boys!
I believe 2012 marks a special year for these boys. I believe God has a great future for these boys, but one I am sure of is it won't happen without prayer. The reality of these boys living conditions is truly sad. Just this week I came back to hear stories of a knife fight between two life long friends, lots of drug abuse, and one who was beaten by the Bambanani for stealing a phone and selling it for 30 Rand - less than 4 dollars. Bambanani is a Xhosa word for stand together, and is a community group that enforces laws in the community beyond what the police can... He was beaten with sticks, shocked with prods, and struck with closed fists to place fear in him to not to steal ever again. After hearing these things I was left with such a heavy heart, but God, as always is faithful giving us little signs of hope.
A narcotics anonymous meeting is starting to develop in Masi! This way the boys can walk on their own each week. An amazing partnership has started with the surf shop. They want to offer free wetsuits and surfboards to these guys each week! If they show up to the narcotics meetings, we will take them surfing! Lastly one of the more influential boys has decided to join night class to finish high school, which enables him a much greater chance at getting a job. So even amidst the tough situations right now, God's favor is still evident amongst these boys.
The passage I am continuing to stand upon with these boys is
Isaiah 62:6-7
I have set watchmen upon your walls, O Jerusalem, who will never hold their peace day or night; you who [are His servants and by your prayers] put the Lord in remembrance [of His promises], keep not silence, And give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her a praise in the earth.
God desires and longs for His Church to return to Him, and I personally I fall short in asking often. We are to give God no rest! We are to plead with God, petition God, and stand upon his promises until Jerusalem is established and praised on this earth. As a personal challenge, I encourage you to pray without ceasing for the things that anguish your heart. If you are touched by these boys in Masi, I invite you to intercede for them with me. If you know any of your friends without the hope you have, PRAY. It's time as followers of Christ we stop losing out on miracles because they weren't prayed.
Job 22:28 Decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways.
