Day 7

Today we worked with the grade 11 and 12 students of the Mampoi school in Qwa Qwa. They recently lost their headmaster unexpectedly to a heart attack. This man was a mentor, father, leader, encourager, disciplinarian, and math and physical science teacher to around 450 students. His unexpected death has left these students in shock and denial over the loss of this man. He has helped them to excel and to become the second best school in South Africa and working towards the first.

Two Grief and Loss presentations were given today by Dr. Reese, one for the students and the other for the teachers. There were over 300 students in attendance and after the first presentation the students were broken into groups of around 20-23 and each team member worked with the students using the SICM model to help debrief them. After the groups, there was some individual counseling as time allowed. The stories team members returned with after working with these groups were profound and moving. The students were able to see and understand that what they were feeling and experiencing was normal for them and they were able to find ways to help them work through their grief together.

God used an interruption in our schedule to touch many lives today, and the team returned to the campus tired yet excited about how He used each one of us. Our day ended with snow during dinner and a Thrive Africa church service on the campus. I think we are all awed at what God has done not only today but through this whole week as we have worked with each group. The stories continue to come in about what God is doing in each group and how He is moving through this community. We look forward to our last week here as we do some more training and also friendship evangelism in the villages.