Creative Outreaches
The other day we came across her and she had a broken ankle. She had seen the doctor, but had decided that the plaster cast had to be removed, because she had to go back to 'business'. With an aching foot and a very tired body, she again met us on the street.
“I need some rest”, were her words to us and we managed to arrange for her to go somewhere in order to get some rest. But a place to rest was not the biggest problem. It took some trouble to get all her possessions together. She did her best to explain to us behind which rock we would find one of her bags. Then we had to go to a squatter's camp to find some more of her possessions under a bed in the smallest, most dilapidated, leaking little room.
So, what did she have to show for many years of prostitution? Bits of shoes here and pieces of clothing there and a piece of soul here, a piece of her heart there and a bit of a child here and pieces of nothing that were spread all over.
Prostitution destroys the lives of people. In high-risk areas, one out of every three children is being sexually abused. It is also said that a female born in South Africa is more likely to be raped than to learn to read. About 95% of women involved in prostitution have been sexually abused when they were in their childhood.
This is a sad downward spiral but even sadder is the fact that people have the potential to hurt others to such an extent. We detest this old sinner in ourselves that we cannot get rid of. When we walk on rocks, we grind tiny little shells beneath our feet. On the open road, we often drive over small birds. While we appreciate nature, we are inclined to flatten small flowers underfoot. Sometimes we realise or notice this, but sometimes not.
... shattered shells ... dead birds ... trampled flowers ...
(read more in the Spring 2008 Newsletter...)
The most special women I know...
When you pass them, you would possibly not look at them twice. Industriously and diligently, they clean up where we litter and make a mess. Every cigarette butt, every scrap of paper, every matchstick. They arrive early for work and arrive back home late at night, after a day’s honorable labour on the streets of Cape Town.
“I love JESUS SAVES! It puts my daily bread on my table.”
On Women’s Day, August 9, 2008, you would have looked at these women - dressed beautifully, some in their traditional clothes, others in their most feminine attire – suitable for Women’s Day. Even the men of Project OPRUIM / JESUS SAVES were amazed and one of them called: “Ladies you are beautiful!”
We started with cake and tea (what else, when a group of women gets together?) and thereafter we watched a DVD about PERSEVERANCE. The Lord blessed us with HIS special presence, peace and love. Even so, we wondered what would be a special message for these valuable women – not a political one, not one to arouse, but one that will find a space in their hearts where it will sit softly, to remain forever. We thought, that which is good for children, will also be good for grown-ups. The Valuable to Jesus Campaign has such a powerful message for souls who are shattered and hurt. With shining eyes and laughing mouths we all went through the proper motions –
- I am special
- God loves me
- I can dream
- Call for help
- I can choose
And what is Women’s Day without a photo shoot?
Click here to read more...
