Africa is a continent of extremes. Some of these extremes are experienced by the swift changes in weather, some are found in the stark contrasts of landscapes. Others lie within the austere socioeconomic structures, while others are found through the vibrant ethnicities, tribes, and cultures that make up Africa. I will never fully experience these extremes during my time here; one couldn’t begin to do so in a lifetime, let alone a year. With that said, I would like to reflect upon one very overwhelming extreme, one that I encounter on a daily basis, and one that will forever be ingrained in my mind, the battle between angels and demons.
I’ve found my faith continuing to cultivate in ways I never imagined. Each day brings with it a new profound way of looking at God’s creation and how interconnected it is. From the rain and sunshine that stimulate the banana trees to bare fruit, fruit which in turn is picked and sold to sustain a living. Outreach projects helping to create systems to provide clean water and electricity to people living in rural areas. Children who find inspiration to grow and learn, to one day become leaders of this nation, to work towards building a truly equal society. These are not fairy tales of the village, these are the beautiful reminders I see, living realities that conjure up a sense of hope deep within my soul. These are the angels of this place.
Last week we had the honor of hosting a group of Americans from the Southwest Minnesota Synod. These partners in faith came to experience the angels of South Africa, to not only connect with their sister diocese (ELCSA-SED) but to connect with the Spirit moving through the people here. But by experiencing the angels one must also see the demons. It was interesting to sit in on a reflection gathering the first evening they stayed at the Umphumulo Church Centre. They spoke of how much they shifted internally since arriving a mere week and half earlier. Their heart strings had been pulled, plucked, and strummed in so many unforeseen ways. Many talked about their preconceptions of South Africa, many of it sounded so familiar, echoing my own list from five months ago. Time and again a story was told that reflected a moment when God revealed Himself to them in some way or another. Whether through the embrace of a host or the smile of a child, God’s light was shining as they walked through this land. It reignited something in me, as well as my fellow volunteers Kate and Heather, also visiting with us. We all spoke of this renewed energy and thanked them for sharing their own stories of transformation; it was a moment of Umbuntu. We are because they are…they are because we are. The group met with church leaders and spent valuable time rekindling each others’ spirit of partnership. Angels were with us during this time of reflection, growth, and renewal. A new sense of communal commitment sprouted and I believe it will bare a multitude of fruit in the future. Spending time with our partners from Minnesota and watching firsthand the embodiment of accompaniment is something that I will cherish. The body of Christ living in us all, even though thousands of miles separate us, we are ONE.
Indeed Africa is filled with angels, but it is also consumed by demons. Another part of our time was spent reflecting upon the many challenges South Africa faces, the daily demons it must battle. The demons of poverty, greed, racism, crime, corruption, hunger, disease, addiction, and inequality have long poisoned this land. Sadly I have witnessed these demons at work in my daily life; I have seen the face of the Devil lurking in the shadows, this is his playground as well. As I watch the little boy lay in his hospital bed, so malnourished he has no energy to shed even one tear, I see the demons. I watch as a man stumbles up the road, barely able to walk, drunk at 10 am on a Tuesday, the demons are casting their shadows. On my way to catch a taxi from Durban to Stanger, someone comes up behind me, places his hand on my hip and demands my phone. Startled I raise my hands as he reaches into my pocket, grabs it, and runs. As I turn, I see it’s a “child”, no more than 15 years old, I see in him the demons of despair. Africa is a land of extremes, it is a land of angels and demons, and it is a land of unimaginable hope and unbearable misery.
We know from scripture that good will triumph over evil, that God will deal the final blow to Satan and his army. And while this gives us all a foundation of hope for the future, we mustn’t sit on the sidelines; waiting for God to do all the work. He has equipped us to battle these forces, here and now! We are called by Him to seek justice, to put on the Armor of God, and to entrench ourselves in this war against evil… a mighty fortress is our God! This war can’t be quantified by our worldly view of war, it isn’t about guns and tanks, it is about love over hate, unity over divisiveness, and hope over despair. This is about understanding the demons that plague this earth and using God’s will, our faith, and His love to conquer them. This is finding the angels that surround us and using them to inspire and enrich us. This is a group of 30 Minnesotans boarding a plane to Africa to reach out to their brothers and sisters in Christ, and having those same brothers and sisters waiting to embrace them upon their arrival. This is about looking at the boy who robbed me as a victim of injustice, not condoning his act, but understanding the root of the injustice and helping to find a way to end the cycle. This is about God’s bountiful gifts given to us as a means by which to triumph over the brokenness of our world.
Bishop Buthelezi made a declaration during our time with our American partners. He said, “The only thing that connects us all is the gift of Grace.” Really think about that, through Grace we are connected no matter who we are or where we come from. Rich, poor, short, tall, fat, skinny, man, woman, black, white, gay, straight, young, old, American, South African…we are all connected by the gift of Grace. This means that we are all in this together interconnected by Grace, through Faith, to seek God’s will in each others lives. When our American friends came to Africa they saw angels, they witnessed demons, and they were connected by Grace.
