A few times the past three weeks I've had the thought: “I would rather be here, than anywhere else in the world…”
These few words get new meaning when you are standing amongst the ruins of 72 burnt down shacks! The Red Hill fire-disaster in the Cape Peninsula caught a whole community by surprise, but I was certainly not prepared for what lied ahead of me as I drove along the road leading to the disaster stricken community for the first time.
We were met buy the most saddening seens of destruction, hopelessness and need. It looked like something out of a Hollywood movie, as nothing was left… all that remained was a few smoking logs and here and there you could see the remains of what was once a kitchen or living area… Peoples lives were shattered, they 
lost everything and there was nothing they could do about it! Some residents came home from work on the evening of 8 February, only to see a pile of rubble and ashes where they left there homes earlier that morning! One common factor stared all the residents in the face. For none of them there was an insurance policy, a savings account or a rich uncle who
could help them get back what they had lost in the fire… Still, the day after the fire some of them were already back on there “sites” to try and salvage any item they could re-use! Woman were looking for useable pots and some men were already straitening out burnt nails that they found. They were starting to rebuild! How could they not, they had no other choice, they had to start with what they had, because there was nothing else!
Some of us tried to encourage or talk to some of the residents, but my words were few. How could I ask: “ How are you…?” when the answer was so obvious. I just stood there not knowing what to say, so I also started picking up the nails and removing some of the remains. r
Three weeks later and we still visit Red Hill on a daily basis! The once doubtful minded are now the ones greeting us with faces of joy and thankfulness. Through the many prayers, support and funding received through friends, family and strangers we are partakers in rebuilding Red Hill! Most importantly I believe God is using this fire and the rebuilding that is taking place as a doorway into this community and the hearts and lives of its people! One such family that God is touching is Maggie and her two children. Maggie’s husband was attacked and stabbed to death two years ago and since then Maggie was diagnosed diabetes. She is now not able to work and relies on a disability pension which she receives from government!
God has put it on my heart to help them rebuild their home… and grateful to those of you who contributed to this project we are able to build her a 6 x 5m house with three rooms, a wooden floor and hopefully if we have enough wood, also a porch! This will be the first house Maggie has ever lived in with a proper floor. It will also be the only house in this community with a floor that will give its residents protection against the rain and cold during the winter months. I believe what is currently happening in Red Hill is again just proof that Gods Word is absolutely true! I think of Romans 8 where God promises that “all things work to the good of those who love
Him…” Even after this
terrible fire things will be better for those who meet God in the fire… much better, than before!
Please continue to pray with us for this project as we have fully committed ourselves towards it for the next two months! Pray with us that we will clearly see Gods plan and do His will as we labour and minister shoulder to shoulder with the locals!
And PS: I would rather be here now, than anywhere else in the world!
Blessings
Till later
Stefan
Note: For more articles on the Red Hill Disaster click here!!
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