Like a Child

Saturday, we put on a big ol’ Brown Family-sized party for over 100 kids connected to the Powerhouse Church. It began several months ago with my 2 nephews and 2 nieces asking how they can help the kids of Mamelodi. Then a friend, Pastor Lamar Holley also wanted to help through his ministry called KidStuff. We went back and forth, and at first decided to sponsor the annual Powerhouse Christmas Party that in the past was being supported by a local church. Because of our trip to Swaziland, it made the planning difficult, so we rescheduled to a Back-to-School Party, which happened this Saturday. What I discovered is that the rescheduling must have been providential. In December in the township, money saved throughout the year and bonuses are often spent on gifts/parties for their families (sometimes their only opportunity throughout the year for these things), which leaves them with little to nothing for January. This creates an embarrassing situation for many kids that then have no school supplies to start their new school year (School begins January and ends in December).
Enough of that…let me tell you about the party. A school-yard was reserved for us to allow them to play soccer, set up a “jumping castle”, and then a waterslide. The first thing that struck me about the kids was their eagerness for the party, yet patience. Of course, we were a couple hours late on getting everything set up, but their playful hearts stayed content, kicking around a soccer ball, talking, and enjoying themselves. NOT ONE kid ever came to me whining about “when is the party going to start?”. The second thing was their resilience and contentment with whatever situation. For instance, the soccer field was like a hay-field, long overdue for bailing. When I first saw the field, I only expressed irritation, but the older boys made no hesitation in starting up a soccer game in the middle of it, and were joking with each other by hiding in the grass while playing. Third, I was struck by the utter joy they expressed from start to end, no matter if they were 4 years old or 16. The pictures cannot lie.
We fed them boerevos (like brats), grilled chicken, chips, & ice cream, and then in the end gave them bags full of school supplies. The funds for the food were provided by the Browns, Delays, Pillows, & Gatlins and all of the jumping castles, soccer balls & school supplies were funded by KidStuff via Pastor Lamar Holley. This is such a great example of a successful partnership in the body of Christ.

Have you ever been a magical event that you only wish you could rewind, put on slow-motion, and experience again? This was one of those days for me. Spending much of my time organizing and making sure everything was running smoothly, I felt like I missed many opportunities to be one of the kids. Nonetheless, in the end I got down to my shorts and a t-shirt and went crazy in the jumping castle and on the waterslide. I think I belong in those places more than adult world.

“And they were bringing children to them so that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, ‘Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all’. And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” Mark 10:13-16

Below is Caleb, Garrett, Morgan, & Lydia (my nephews & nieces), who helped make this event possible by donating their own money and motivating me to do something for the kids of Mamelodi.