By Ngwanamogale Bopape, a 3rd year Journalism student at the University of the Free State
Every day, the team met with eager students. Be it twenty of them or just four, there was always an eagerness to worship together and dive into the Word. As mentioned, the outreach was an opportunity for the theology students to share their testimonies and encourage students to consider theology as a course, but that was not all that happened. When everyone got divided into circles, it was not only the university students who shared their stories, but the children also opened up a bit, sharing their stories of how they came to Christ, their hardships, and just small anecdotes about the way in which they serve their community. The children were willing to not only listen but also open up to a bunch of strangers they might never meet again.
The team shared how strangers on the road often surprised them with their kindness. From random cars that stopped when they saw the team packing up for the day, asking if they needed a helping hand, to people who gave them drinks and snacks for the road. It was wonderful to see the kindness of strangers who had heard about this travelling team and wanted to help them along the way. A memory that stayed with the team was when they were stuck in sand on their way to Bultfontein and how they walked to a nearby farm, where they immediately received help. This highlighted the kindness of strangers and God using people along the way to support the team. The kindness was not confined to the individuals they met along the journey. It reached back home to friends, family and supporters who had pledged to donate for every kilometer ridden. Their collective effort raised thousands for the Bible Society which turned the journey into a ride of purpose and impact.
The leaders of the churches they visited were some of the kindest people, offering the team a roof over their heads, warm food and a warm shower after a long day in the sun. Everyone made sure the team was comfortable. They also shared dinner and breakfast with the team, which showed a sense of community. It was nice to know that the people also wanted to take care of the team, that they wanted to sit and share a meal and have conversations with them. The impact strangers have on one’s life is always amazing to experience, and to have these dinners and breakfasts, really touched the team.
On the last day, as the team headed back to Bloemfontein, the bus was a bit quieter than it had been on the first day when all you could hear was laughter and games. Everyone was tired from the long week of travel, ministry and shared memories on the road. One of the students, Cara-Ann, held up a phone to stream the Springboks game that was playing that day. As everyone reflected on the journey internally, the only sound that filled the bus was the voice of the commentator. It was a calm ending to a busy, but fulfilling trip, a reminder that beyond the kilometers covered and towns visited, the real impact was found in the people they met and the kindness they experienced along the way.
[1] Waypoint is die NG Kerk in Bloemfontein se gesamentlike studentebediening waarvan Pellissier, SINK by Langenhovenpark, COF by Geloofsentrum Universitas en Kopanong-bediening deel vorm. Waypoint is the communal student ministry of the DRC in Bloemfontein, comprising Pellissier, SINK at Langenhovenpark, COF at Geloofsentrum Universitas and Kopanong ministry
| Provided by deur: Rev. Wouter van Velden and Ngwanamogale Bopape.
