Day 5 - Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So!

As I sit and write this, it is 5 PM on our last evening at Niewe Sion - we have just returned from a full day of experiences, beginning with a 6:30 AM departure….. But my purpose in saying this is just to mention the sheer beauty of this place. The late afternoon sun cascades across the lawn and pool area causing the reddish purple Bougainvillea to shimmer in the late afternoon son, and the mountains outlined against a deep blue sky, with laundry-white tufted clouds brushed with yellow and pinkish highlights behind the mountain peaks,as if placed there by a landscape designer. The afternoon is so reminiscent of my late afternoons in Santa Barbara, and the San Fernando Valley, it transports me back to those days of high school when I was about the same age as the teenagers we saw this morning. The music track at the farm is softly playing “ I will sing of the Mercies of God ”, and as I pause a minute and reflect on that worship song, I realize how grateful I am to be here right now, and to witness all of this days events.

Back to our morning……..

The 6:30 AM gray clouds of the morning before sunrise stretch out across the horizon as we drive past the townships…. Alexis’s worship music track Softly plays the Getty’s “Speak oh Lord” ….. The tall, light poles and oceans of electric poles and lines throughout the township, slowly turn off their lights as the daylight advances. On the road, we follow behind a long line of cars with their red tail lights glowing in the last bit of darkness, as headlights, bright white, approach on the other side of the road. We see an occasional pedestrian or cyclist, and then even a group of runners from the township out early getting a morning jog in. The road turns right along the coast, and we find ourselves driving through beautiful white sand dunes, with Sea gulls sitting randomly on the crests of the low hills, observing us as we pass. The worship track is playing. “Great are you Lord”.

As the mountains approach, we know that we will soon be cruising along the ribbon of highway dividing homes and businesses in the towns of Fishhoek, St. James, and Muzeingberg, which stretch out on either side of the highway at the base of the hills, much like the 7 mile long city of Malibu stretches, like a snake along the Pacific coast highway in Southern California.. As the sun begins breaking through the clouds, the worship track come to the song “The battle belongs to you”. Our group is softly, stirring, some sleeping, but others looking out the window, praying for what is to come this morning. For each of us, it is the first of many holy moments this day. The final two worship songs as we drive into camp is the Hillsong worship team singing “Jesus, what a powerful name”, and “ Pour your Spirit out” …. They could not be more appropriate songs for this day.

Arrival at camp seems a bit anticlimactic. There is a soft vale of rain scattering its drops on the ground in the windshield of our van. As we get out, we hear members of the work crew singing worship songs as they set up the tables for the morning breakfast. We walk amidst the tables praying for the kids who will be down shortly. Their arrival is punctuated by laughter, conversation, and jostling , as others find their way to each of the 15 or so, round tables, seating 8 to 10 each. A prayer is offered, and the meal service begins. Encouraged by Kathy Virtue.‘s immediately jumping into action, others in our group begin serving first milk for the cereal, and then later plates full of bread, scrambled eggs, and toast. Belle & Kathy exemplify Martin Luther King‘s comment: “anyone can be great, because everyone can serve.”

While still seated, our group is called by the leadership team to move up to the gymnasium to form a line along with the leaders to greet the kids when they come into the final meeting time. As is unique to Africa, there is chanting, rhythmic clapping, and singing as the kids arrive. Lutando gets the crowd, moving, and Cleo‘s daughter engages in a South African version of Dean Smith‘s four corners offense - dividing the assembly of 150 or so kids into four groups, and then having them move across the wooden gym floor from corner to corner and side to side, all simultaneously, all shouting and making gestures unique to their team as they shift to and fro.

Singing is followed by a final message by Cleo where she reviews the gospel message once again, and has individuals from the crowd, come up and offer their response and explanation of what that means. It is especially touching. At the end, Cleo issues the invitation that is part and parcel of Young life Camp strategy last sessions, taking place in camps all over the world throughout the year…… the “Say So”. So what exactly does that mean?

The origin of that phrase is found in the King James version of Psalm 107:2 -

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy”.

The context of that Psalm makes it even more powerful:

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

6 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

At Cleo’s invitation, one by one, kids stand up who have had a personal encounter with the King of the universe this weekend. And for many of us, who have walked with Jesus for decades, this still never gets old. It is indelibly woven into the doctrinal foundation and the essential DNA of Young Life - “an incarnational youth ministry”. The mic is passed around, and one by one kids share about their decision to follow Jesus. Realizing that so many of us here, as well as the leaders from Cape Town have been praying for this moment for many months and some…. for years, it is a holy time.

Think about it. The family of God just increased by over 100 new members, and we are told that the angels in heaven rejoice. It is hard for me to write this without tearing up. Satan’s grip on this earth has just been loosened a little more, and demons shudder……

Following this holy moment, there are some additional words offered, and then thank yous. Our team is brought up front, and we are giving some gracious gifts to remember this day, and then Kathy Virtue is singled out and offered a moment to speak. With tears in her eyes, she expresses her gratitude to everyone and reminds these young believers, that some 50 years ago she to stood up at a similar Say So at a Young Life camp in America. Another holy moment.

Following some final additional comments, everyone breaks to finish packing and getting their rooms clean before an overall camp picture is taken at one of the several outdoor meeting locations in between the gym and the lunch area. Another holy moment occurs, when the general manager of the camp expresses his deep gratitude to the volunteer leaders, to the program team, and to Stha for doing an excellent job and making his job easy. Discussions take place afterwards, and it is clear that the Scripture Union folks are 100% in sync with having Young Life come back, and come back often. Another prayer answered in a morning of many answered prayers.

Following our many conversations and saying goodbye to Cleo, Lutando, Raymond, and others, we board our van, and head out. With our crew hungry, we stop briefly in Muzienberg and grab lunch at the New York Pizza in town, and enjoy some good American food sitting at a swing bar [- No, it is not what you think. :-); just look at the pictures.].

The afternoon is spent in Stellenbosch, shopping and having the opportunity to see another answer to prayer, Chad and Renee Edwards’s new home in South Africa. Located in a special community at the foothills of the local mountains situated along the “First River“ which runs through Stellenbosch, one could write an entire blog about how perfect they place the Lord has provided for the head of Young Life international division, and his partner, Renee. I will avoid that now, but it is a very special story nonetheless. Renee?

Arrival at Nieuwe Sion In the late afternoon, brings me full circle to my observations upfront.

As we prepare to go to a last dinner hosted by our gracious new friends, Nicola and Wilhelm, we enjoy some quiet conversations and begin the goodbye process with not only our hosts, but with one of our team members, Zein who is flying home at 7 AM in the morning to Malawi back to his family and work. He has been a huge part of the team. The fact that he stands at 6‘4“, makes my previous comment slightly more humorous :-).

Another wonderful dinner, this time at a special private restaurant at Babylonstoren, and then off to a well-deserved sleep.

“The steadfast, love of the lord, never ceases. His mercies never come to an end ….”

Respectfully,

Babu.