Floyd & Sally McClung

We live near a township called Masiphumele, which means “we will succeed.”  I love that!  The confidence, courage, statement of faith that the name reflects is wonderful.  The name is on a stone sign at the entrance to the neighborhood - proclaiming the desire and hope of success.

As we meet people from “Masi” and as we work there, you can see that some people believe the statement and others seem apathetic or defeated.  I’d love to drop a ray of hope and faith into all their hearts.  We’re trusting God will give us the ability to help improve their lives and help them succeed.

Knowing what their name means…….and how the first people there chose it as their statement, has challenged me personally.  I’ve asked myself if I believe we will succeed in what God has called us to do here.  At times the needs seem so overwhelming, so impossible, so……..just too much!!  I wonder if the little we are able to do can even make a dent in the big picture.  It seems like every day I learn of more needs.  Down the road from Masi is Ocean View, another community, a larger one with similar immense needs.

It’s been a good opportunity for me to keep my focus on God.  If I focus on the needs, I do get overwhelmed.  It’s too big.  But if I focus on God, I’m encouraged and strengthened.  I guess that’s true for all of us wherever we live, and whatever the needs around us may be.

I was praying about this recently and was reminded of the loaves and fishes.  Wow - 5 loaves, 2 fish…….and 5000 men plus women and children (I’m sure there were lots!) were fed.  With seconds and left-overs!  You can’t beat that.

I remember one Christmas in Amsterdam when we were feeding the homeless.  We had cooked for days - worked to have a wonderful meal.  Then Christmas eve. there was a problem, and all the food spoiled!!  All the stores were closed, people had been invited…..and no food.  We quickly gathered what food we could from our staff households and started cooking again.  When the day was over, we had fed everyone who came - hundreds of them……..and we had food left over to send home with our staff.  We had our own miracle!

So, yes - with my eyes on God, my hope in Him, strengthened by my knowledge of who He is - I know we will succeed.  That’s my hope, my prayer, and that’s why we’re here.

“We have only 5 loaves and 2 fish.  And he said, “Bring them here to me.”  And they all ate and were satisfied.”  Matthew 14:17, 18, 20