“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ...”
-2 Corinthians 5:17
UKZN Students and ULCC Made New:
In the last two months, we’ve had the privilege of seeing the Lord bring together the movement at UKZN and the efforts of Ukukhanya Life Care Center (ULCC)! Our prayers from the beginning were to see the two ministries come together to serve the Kingdom...and God answered. The Center is still in its development stage, and unfortunately they’ve come across several setbacks in the last year and half, making it nearly impossible for them to open. Recognizing these obstacles, UKZN students clearly expressed their desire to serve, but were unsure how they could help. As we brainstormed different ways to be involved, we considered the Center’s greatest need, and found that it was something we could provide. To complete renovations and open this year, ULCC needed hands and willing hearts to help. It seemed to be a perfect fit; they had a need and we could meet it. The committee decided the best way to serve ULCC was to organize a workday for students at UKZN to help rebuild the center.
We set a date and started announcing our plans, hopeful that students would come. We showed up on Saturday expecting five or so students to join us. We were shocked to have fifteen students show up for our first workday! God clearly had bigger plans. ULCC needed hands, and the Lord provided. With so many students we were extremely productive. That day, we painted seven rooms, the sanctuary, and replaced several windows! As we assigned jobs, each student joyfully accepted their task. It was a full day, but the students never tired. I was humbled by how joyfully they served. Smiling and without hesitation they completed their jobs. For many of them, it was their first time serving in this capacity. As I walked around center I was overwhelmed with joy as I listened to these men and women sing worship songs as they labored for the Kingdom. It reminded me that this workday was about working for something eternal, and that our efforts that day would produce fruit that would last!
While the workday itself was a great pleasure to be a part of, my favorite part of the experience was hearing the students tell everyone about their time at ULCC in the days to follow. At Bible study, girls shared their excitement for the work they completed and eagerly expressed their desire to go back! It wasn’t long before the committee was planning another workday.
Two weeks later, twenty-five students joined us for our second Saturday! Students at UKZN who have never been involved with CCC showed up to serve. Once again, God certainly had bigger plans! Again, students eagerly accepted the jobs assigned to them. Our challenge that day was to relocate a donated tunnel garden. Before excavating the old location, we needed to clear a concrete slab that was covered in rubble. For hours the students moved cinderblocks, bricks, and trash to clean and clear the area. As we worked we literally saw transformation happening, not only on the center but in the hearts of our students! In the process of making this Life Care Center new, God was also changing the hearts of the students who were serving. They were experiencing, some for the first time, a taste of Christ reconciling the world back to Himself, in every way.
The day was packed and although countless tasks were completed, there was still a great deal of work to be done before the Center could open. The students wouldn’t leave without organizing another day to finish the job they started. A week later we were back at ULCC, this time over thirty students joined us! It was our last opportunity to complete the work the Lord had sent us to do. In only five hours we painted four rooms, demolished and painted the kitchen, replaced all the windows, painted the new bathroom, painted security gates and windows, and began moving furniture into the finished rooms. We had the privilege of seeing the Center drastically change in only three days! The best part is, the change that happened in those three days goes far beyond the physical. Each student was changed as a result of participating in this partnership. I joyfully watched students discuss their relationships with the Lord together, sing worship songs, and express to everyone at ULCC their hearts to selflessly serve for the Kingdom’s sake. ‘The old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor 5:17) The physical changes to the Center are important, but not nearly as important as the change the Center will stand for in the months to come. ULCC will be a great blessing to Ntuzuma!
Originally, we planned one workday at ULCC with five to ten students attending. Three Saturdays and over thirty students later, ULCC is ready to open its doors. The Lord clearly had bigger plans! It was humbling to see students so eager to serve. God took their willing hearts and gave them all the tools they needed to participate in the Lord’s action to make all things new, including themselves!
