December in South Africa is the time when Spring ends and Summer begins. Unlike other parts of South Africa that are experiencing a severe drought, here in Durban we were very blessed with a cool, wet month. The end of November launched the Christmas celebrations in our area and we started off with a fun filled day in the Indian area of Chatsworth. Rod spoke in the morning service followed by an incredible breakfast and social time with the Pastor’s family. In the afternoon I shared at their ladies Christmas party and it reminded me to think about how many times we celebrate Christmas without bringing Christ into the celebration! During this event, the worship team was front and center with voices lifted high as we sang praises to our God. As is always the case, the ladies outdid themselves with a wide range of delicious food to top off the spiritual food we had already received.
Every month we are blessed to be able to drop food packets off to those in our community who need it most and December is no exception. While delivering to some of the Congolese groups down in Durban city center we made a stop at one of the local children’s ministries, called Crèches in South Africa, and left some of the food packs. The pastor who runs it was out of town but that did not stop the children from putting on a little show for me. They were so happy to sing for me, pray and share the scripture verses they had learned that day. I could have sat down and listened all day.
Matthew 25:34-40 NASB says,
“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; [36] naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ [37] Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? [38] And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? [39] When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ [40] The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
We have been truly blessed by those who give to others through us!