Many farms in South Africa are in fact small communities, where farm workers often live in houses provided by the farmer. In some cases these communities have their own shops and schools within the farm and the people may not be able to have much contact with the outside.
Under apartheid, these communities were effectively isolated by law and although that time is past, the isolation largely continues. Relations between the members of these communities and the white farmers are often very fraught.
These farm worker communities have missed out on many of the developments in modern-day South Africa. They have missed out on the amazing growth of the church in the townships, which is transforming the townships.
This project aims to plant churches in these farming communities, which can then become the centre or worship, or self-awareness, and of social improvement.
Hope for Africa Missions see churches as the centre from which to bring all manner of help – education, medical care, AIDS-prevention education and in many other vital areas – to the community.
Fully-trained evangelists will spend up to three months in a locality, evangelising and discipling new believers. They will also be on the lookout for practical needs in the community which can then be dealt with by Hope for Africa Missions' other programmes.
A part of this project is working closely with the white farming families, who own the land and employ the workers. Improving relations across this long-established racial divide is essential. The project will encourage mutual understanding and mutual help – perhaps the biggest challenge in South Africa.
Part-funding has already been received for this project. Current need is for £3800 to fund a coordinator for the project for one year, and £11,000 to provide the coordinator with a suitable vehicle.
