Maryna Koegelenberg, one of the 'soul sisters' (a multi racial group formed after a Peace Circles workshop held earlier this year), and her husband Frik recently led a three day church conference inspiring outreach into the community of Tshing, a former black township in Ventersdorp, and the beginning of an important ministry for children.

Portia Mosia, Cleo Mohlaodi and Jackie Euvrard were invited to facilitate discussion groups, held 20-22 October, on the theme 'Parenting the next generation.....you are the next generation.'

Johan and Marina Labuschagne from Georgia (bordering Russia), were special guests during these days. They run a children's ministry in Georgia as they believe in the crucial role children have in God's plan to change lives. They had just returned from a conference in Singapore where it was reiterated that the 'window of opportunity' for those who give their lives to God is between the ages of 4 -14.

Children from local schools in Tshing were invited to participate in a daily programme after school. On the first day we saw over 150 children stream into the Church. The following days it was encouraging to see the same children returning. The mornings and evenings were largely aimed at adults.

Portia Mosia had this to say about the days together: 'I was so grateful for the opportunity to be part of the conference. It brought back the significance of children in my life, how much I value them and realise they need to be heard. We saw a video clip depicting how God's presence can reach children and how they can have a role in healing the sick through prayer. I realise I mustn't underestimate how God can use children.

'When everyone was asked to write down prayer requests, what one girl wrote left a mark in my heart. She wrote, "I pray that God will help me with my problems and help my mother get a job". The innocence and trust in her voice really moved me. I always felt children didn’t have to worry about problems because they are young, but they can actually have more faith than adults.

Don't see colour
'In my church I am quite involved and hadn’t noticed that I was so busy with activities that it had limited my fellowship with God. At the conference I had a chance to renew aspects of my spiritual journey. I was able to connect with God and allow Him to speak through me about Ventersdorp. The thoughts I shared there were: I strongly believe God has begun a new spiritual revolution in Ventersdorp. We have to praise and worship Him, and the best way we can do that is when we lose our pride. I felt God prompting me to say...."I (God) don't see colour but I see us as one, united".'

Cleo Mohlaodi writes: 'The theme of the conference is what captured my curiosity. I felt "Yes", that’s the kind of new generation we need, to be creative, putting communication and learning as a priority for their development. It was a great joy to talk, play, sing and dance with both pupils and adults.

'One of the focuses was to equip the children on how to pray and to discover the power of prayer.'

A practical example of prayer was demonstrated by putting one's hands together in the praying position. It was then explained that the thumb is praying for people closest to you (the position of the thumb being closest to you). The index fingers are for prayer for people who give you direction, e.g. teachers, spiritual directors. The middle fingers – the longest, are for prayer for leadership in the country, church, community. The ring finger represents prayer for the weak and sick and the smallest finger represents prayer for yourself.

Cleo continues, 'It was really moving to see how much the children already entrusted to the Lord. They are often side lined due to adult's stereotype view that they are young and don’t understand. We were shown how prayer not only changes a person but changes the nation’s well being, values, security, relationships and economy through committed prayer. Prayer can move a heart with a hard shell to a soft heart that God can use.

'I was moved when talking to a young member of the church music team who said, "I and most of the youth fall short of serving and fully following God because when He speaks to us we doubt that we can really achieve the mission that He has assigned us, hence we end up feeling unworthy and make choices that are not pleasing to God".'

Cleo asked the 9-12 year olds the following questions:

1) With God's help, how would you help others? The answers were: 'pray for the sick; give clothes to street children.'

2) What hurts you most in life? The answers were: 'being beaten for no reason; being scorned and called names.'

'These days,' recalls Cleo, 'allowed me to give thanks for the passion and drive to work with children and youth and also for the unity forming amongst the churches and church leaders in Tshing.'

The Koegelenbergs will continue with the children, helping to strengthen their trust and walk with God.

Jackie Euvrard reflects: 'I found myself pondering about a few areas of my faith journey after the days in Ventersdorp. A guest speaker asked the adults and parents, "As Christians what seeds are we planting in the younger generation?" This struck me because not having had children I haven't always seen young children as my responsibility. I realise I needed to think differently, be more aware and accept the challenge when it arose.

'A young man spoke passionately on "Building a generation that walks with God". He challenged not only the young people in the room but all of us not to compromise with the world. It gave me food for thought and made me think of temptations and pressures we face daily.

'Recently I read that when we compromise our values or spirituality for whatever reason....we are often avoiding what God expects of us. The question I asked myself was "have there been times when I haven't put God first which has led to compromises?" I had to admit there have been times like that, e.g. wanting to please people; cutting corners when I'm frustrated, etc.

Whether someone is watching or not
'It reminded me of an occasion when I was walking with a friend on a deserted beach. As we walked along I observed the small waves breaking onto the shore. I noticed they were perfectly shaped and with all its energy they peaked and then fell, washing up onto the shore. The beach stretched for miles, no one else in sight, yet these waves kept on coming, giving of themselves 100% whether anyone was watching or not. It is so easy to lose sight of what is important! It was refreshing to renew my commitment to putting God first every time and giving 100% whether anyone is watching or not!'