James 2:15-16

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them,  “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

You guys might remember Xolani from a post we did back in April.  It is an amazing story, where Xolani and Thembinkosi gave their lives to Christ.  Since then 4 of us have continued to disciple them, read scripture with them, meet them on the streets and challenge them to greater things.  There have been many, many, up’s and down’s, but that is true with all of us.  Drugs can magnify those up’s and down’s even more.  They have begged all of us numerous time to get them into a rehab program, help them get off the streets, and love them for who they are.

Often times I think we, as believers, are more reserved at helping those in need when we know their sin choices are so obvious and damaging to their lives.  Aren’t we glad Christ isn’t like that with us?  Do we think our sin issues are less damaging to ourselves – maybe they don’t damage our minds and bodies like drugs, but none the less God looks at all sin on the same level.

As we have been discipling these young men, the 4 of us are constantly trying to figure out the best why to help them, walk-alongside of them and show them an abundant life with Christ.  One of my greatest weaknesses, in this case, is when I don’t know the whole story or can’t fit all of the pieces together I convince myself to do nothing.  I tell myself, I don’t want to be a bad steward of God’s money.

God had a different plan.

After church on Sunday we had to drive into Johannesberg to pick up a few things.  On our way back to the farm, we saw Xolani laying on the side of the road, with very little clothes on.  So what do you do?   We know his heroin addiction is overwhelming, and we have no idea how to help with withdraw.  Do we find a place for him to sleep, or take him home with us?  We often give him food but know that is temporary.

That night Jeanie and I weren’t able to get him out of our minds.  We felt like the priest and the Levite in the familiar story of the good samaritan.  We didn’t cross over the street and completely ignore him, but our attempt to help were far from the efforts of the good samaritan.  The next morning I was very excited to continue organizing the workshop at J-life that we have waited a year and a half for but I was unable to get Xolani out of my mind.  Often times when Jeanie and I are discussing hard matters, and deciding when and how to help Jeanie will say, “This is someone’s son….if this was one of our son’s what would you do?”

I called Nathi, and after chatting for just a few minutes, we both knew today was the day we needed to find Xolani.  After tracking him down to an abandon house that he was currently living in, we took him to lunch, got him a haircut, and some supplies that he would need.  8 hours later Xolani was checked-in at a local christian rehab program.  We won’t have any contact with him for his first 4 weeks, but the excitement (and a bit of fear) in his eyes gave Nathi, Thabiso and I both the reassurance that he is right where God wants him.

Please keep Xolani in your prayers these next 4 weeks.  Also, please prayerfully consider if you would like to help us.  We had the resources to pay for Xolani’s first month in rehab, as well as his clothes and supplies.  We are hoping to allow him to stay there for 3-6 months.  Each month is approximately $500.  We are also looking to get Thembinkosi in as well.  Currently we are working with the agency to get Thembinkosi in as a government sponsor, but these sponsorships are few and far between and the waiting lists are endless.  None of this is too big for God, so we wait and see how the Lord will lead.