Summer Interns at Grace are a very special groupNot only to they contribute mightily during their summer here, but they go on to do amazing things.  Of the 110 interns since 2001, More than 1/3 are in vocational ministry…the rest are still college students, are in graduate school, are staff here at Grace, are overseas missionaries, or are committed volunteers working in the world.   All of them are part of our legacy here at Grace.

Welcome to our four Interns who recently started with us this summer.

Amber, Kendra, Trey & Janelle

Here is a story that comes from a former Summer Intern, Joe Reed. Joe and his family are serving in South Africa and recently participated in a conversation called Amahoro.  (It is interesting to note that Nairobi Chapel, one of our three strategic partners, sent two representatives to participate in this conversation.  And Remember, South Africa is where our strategic partner Loving South Africa is focusing their efforts).

Here is an excerpt from a recent blog post of Joe’s.  What an amazing story of reconciliation!  We are so proud of Joe and all our interns! Enjoy:

This past week, we attended a continent wide conference called “Amahoro”.  It’s a word that holds the same meaning as “Shalom”.  In parts of Africa, you would greet someone with this word repeatedly until you feel the connection with them.  It’s quite a beautiful thing to read, but to experience amahoro… I may begin using this word in my speech more often.  I’ve been quite overtaken by the significance of it.

Once upon a time, a man named Adriaan Vlok (pronounced Flok) was the minister of the police in South Africa.  In his brigade was a fiery young officer named Sean.  Mr. Flok instituted a great number of raids against black people.  There were bombs set off in buildings, raids on people’s homes, people hunted down by the police (of which the young Sean was part of).  At the end of Apartheid, Sean found himself dealing with serious post-traumatic stress disorder.  The counselors told him he needed to stop carrying the weight of what happened solely on his shoulders and find someone to place that blame on.  He blamed Mr. Vlok.

“Whenever I would swear, I would never use a swear word, Mr. Vlok.  I would use your name.”

Three years ago, Mr. Vlok met Jesus.  Things changed.

I believe that Jesus changed the heart of this once cold heartless man because he sought reconciliation. He went to find people he had hurt and not only asked for forgiveness for what he had done, but asked if they would be willing to let him wash their feet (literally).  He has made a life of reconciling his past.  Confessing his sins to those whom he sinned against.  Many would say that’s not necessary if Jesus forgave him of his sins.  I think the way of Mr. Vlok’s journey is a much deeper experience of salvation though.  He is bringing healing to countless others in his experience of the resurrection power of Jesus.

“I’m so sorry that I caused you this pain.  I think this pain you’ve been experiencing for the last 15 years needs to end now.  Sean, first, can you forgive me?  Second, can I please please wash your feet?”

With tears in his eyes, Sean responded.  The sins of the generation were broken… right in front of my eyes.  Countless Afrikaaners in the room were in tears as they were given words for pain they had been feeling as well.  Hope was extended for a wholistic reconciliation of South Africa.  It wasn’t just racial reconciliation.  It’s generational reconciliation, gender reconciliation, economic reconciliation… it’s the reconciliation of all things that MUST happen in South Africa.  It’s the wholistic reconciliation that I believe is precisely what God has in mind for ALL of his creation… Americans, Congolise, Kenyans, British, etc…