Lord's Sunday @ Cape Town
Kee Poh Li :
Having heard of King of Kings Baptist Church that chose to not walk by 'the beggar laid at their gate' but stopped instead to minister Christ's love and bring hope to some of the darkest places in Cape Town, our hearts were filled with excitement to attend the Sunday service. We also had the privilege to visit the sister church established in the heart of Masiphumelele, a shantytown slum community embedded near the seaside town of Fish Heok. God's presence were evident at both places and our hearts were so blessed! As the message from Pastor John Thomas challenged us, may we not miss God's will and purpose in our lives and seek Him to use us, just as how He has directed us throughout this POR trip.
Foo Jieren :
After a very good night rest, we woke up to a bright wonderful morning at 5am thanks to the ladies. You can hear anyone walking through the creaking sound of the wooden floors in the Team House as everyone took turns to prepare for the morning. As soon as we washed up, we were greeted by the beautiful gradient blue sky, houses by the mountains and the sea. The blending of the beautiful nature that God has created along with the houses that man has built was similar to those picture perfect postcards. Just that we are now seeing it in real time!
I am overwhelmed by the beauty of nature and the warmth of the people here. As we journeyed to the King of Kings Baptist Church, the view of the British houses along the roads fit in just so nicely against the backdrop with the mountains and the blue sky. Upon arrival, we were ushered into the auditorium accompanied by the warm smiles and greetings from the church members. The worship was awesome. I am always very touched every time when I worshipped in an overseas church. It's really amazing, when I visited churches previously in Qatar, Australia, Shanghai and Hong Kong, to see everyone worshiping God in awe. I'm reminded of the song by Casting Crown, 'Until the Whole World Hears.' I was in tears today as I worshipped together with the congregation. I was so blessed that I could not contain the joy inside. Following that, we also proceed to Masiphumelele Baptist Church.
After visiting the two churches, we had a freshly fried portion of fish and chips at Sea Salt Eatery house. We ate till our hearts' content and recharged for more photo-taking and buying of gifts. As a typical Singaporean, we were all rushing to buy nice and memorable gifts for our friends during this trip. I only wished I can buy back the whole of Cape Town but I can only bring back the memories in my mind. Everything is just so beautiful. No matter how bad a photographer can be, the pictures you take here can never go wrong, trust me. The scenery is just so picture prefect, that you can't seem to take a lousy picture.
Anyway, we visited the penguins next. They were so close within reach to us. And there were plenty of them lazing around the seaside. They were so carefree and enjoying the whole afternoon, treating us humans as though we are part of the nature and totally ignoring us. It's really amazing how God created South Africa and every animals in the land and the sky. I can simply sit and admire in awe its beauty the whole day. Been telling the POR team that I would want to retire in SA right now. And I just don't feel like going back at all. I guess everyone in POR team shared the same thoughts too. I would definitely want to come back here again with my family in the future.
Alan Tay :
今天星期天一早起床，如往常一样要到教会去做礼拜。可是不一样的是我们一群人要去的是两间在南非的教会。我们去的第一间教堂是以大多数洋人为主，而第二间教堂且是以当地黑人为主。我对第二间教堂的印象比较深刻，因为它不但是黑人的教会，也是一间非常简朴的教堂。这教堂的名叫 Masiphumelele Baptist Church
教堂就座落在一个看起来相当贫穷的乡村。它只不过是新加坡两间普通住屋般大小，而教友也不超过五十人。虽然如此，我们却感受到那股温馨与热忱。在敬拜当天，他们打扮得都很亮丽与端庄。如此看来他们是那么的重视他们的礼拜。教会的敬拜方式与我们截然不同。他们以大量的歌曲与音乐来敬拜。他们也会在音乐伴凑下，编编起舞来敬拜神。在他们的摇摆中，我们也渐渐地被他们的喜悦给感染了。尽管如此，我们每一个人都觉得有一点不习惯。当我们站起来敬拜没多久，他们就让我们坐下。可是，我们坐下没多久，他们的音乐又响起。我们一群人又要站起来了。来来回回我们又坐又站，我想也不下十来次。不管怎样，大家都在敬拜同样的一个神，只不过我们以不一样的方式敬拜而已。
最后，我也感谢神让我有机会能体会这不一样的敬拜方式。
Calista Cher :
From Cape Town with love! Hello everyone back home, we are having a wonderful time in South Africa. A picture speaks a thousand words. With all these photos, it should be a million words by now!
Today we went to two churches, first, King of Kings Baptist church and then to Masiphumelele Baptist church. I had a great time in both churches as the presence of God is so evident in both places. Even though we could not understand a single lyrics at Madiphumelele church (African church), I cannot help but moved along with them, clapping and praising God. The Africans truly have music inclination and rhythm in them. They made singing and worshipping so easy. I cannot remember how many times I had to stand up n sit down during the service, done lots of exercise and would need food soon.
After our brief exercise, we were driven to this beautiful town, known as Simon's Town, where we tucked into yummy fish and chips. The winds were so strong there that I almost (yeah right) got blown away!
After getting fuel for our stomach, Clynton, manager of the team house, brought us to see penguins, African penguins to be exact. They were so cute, wished I could bring one home. After our close encounters with these cute animals, we were driven to Cape Of Good Hope. I cannot describe the majestic sight to you, you just have to see it for yourself - Totally awesome!
Today, we even managed to catch the sunset. Wow! Wish you were all here. Truly, Africa had been a great blessing to me, both in terms of this beautiful country as well as people I met along the way. God does not bring people into our lives for nothing, there will always be a purpose. It was my desire that I will also leave footprints in their hearts, just as they had left in mine.
Stay tuned for more exciting news from the POR team!
