I like playing squash. Back home, I played once a week with a great group of guys. We weren’t great squash players, and we knew we weren’t great, but we had a lot of fun getting some exercise and especially just hanging out. Though I knew we were far from pros, I honestly thought we weren’t that bad. Some of our shots weren’t pretty, but we made most of them.

A few weeks ago, a new friend here in South Africa, a pastor at a local church, invited me out one evening to play squash. I guessed he was a better player than I, but I thought I’d be able to at least be respectable on the court. I was wrong. And I got educated. My opponent was gracious, respectful, and helpful. But I was seriously outclassed. He’s not a pro, but he’s clearly in a different league than me. The best part about it, though, is he gave me some incredible tips that will make a huge impact on my game.

Just being here is a supreme education. We’re in God’s classroom. Every day is a challenge from the standpoint not only of everything being unfamiliar, but of what we’re learning in our ministry roles. Here’s a brief taste:

• EVERYTHING is spiritual. Back home, we don’t like to admit it, but we have such a divided worldview, where these things are spiritual, and these things aren’t. It’s a lie. Everything is spiritual. Every decision, every conversation, where we buy our clothes, what we spend money on, what we choose NOT to think about – it’s all spiritual. Being here is teaching us that. I’ve never prayed more than I am now.
• In terms of cultural differences, by definition, we don’t know what we don’t know. This reality brings home the absolute necessity of functioning in total humility. It’s just a matter of time before a serious gaff is made (we’ve probably made a bunch already), and it’s only a humble attitude that’s going to give us any credibility in ministry in spite of the mistakes. I think scripture has something to say about functioning in humility as well…
• The nature and causes of poverty are complex. And any strategy that doesn’t address the spiritual issues of a community is doomed to fail. What’s needed are indigenous, discipled leaders who are committed to making a Kingdom difference in their community.

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Although we’re here to develop indigenous leaders, it’s clear our primary function in this early phase is to learn. Pray for us. Pray we will be open, attentive and faithful students in God’s classroom.

DW