Brakpan's Voice, Issue 6. Team Spirit and Cooperation.

Editor's Message

In the last couple of weeks, I have been part of several projects. Through it all, two things were highlighted. Team spirit and cooperation.

We can have all the numbers we want, but if we do not work together, then numbers are irrelevant. Numbers can split, it can divide and even be subtracted, and the project gets lost in hurt and confusion.

If we do not act like one loaf of bread, we cannot defeat the enemy. Remember Gideon and his 300 men? They acted as one loaf of bread that destroyed the Midianite camp.

When signing up for a project, many personalities come together. They carry the same vision and have the same passion, but when one does not agree with another’s viewpoint, things become tricky. Especially when each person thinks their view is the right one.

The question we should ask ourselves is: what is the aim of the project? That must be the focus. Why did we come together?

This will determine how sincere we are to the project and why we signed up.

We cannot be divided. Rather, sort it out there and then. In our fight against crime and pollution, we must stick together. Not one of us can do the enormous task ahead of us alone. We need each other to accomplish what has to be done.

Team spirit is defined as feelings of camaraderie among the members of a group, enabling them to cooperate and work well together. Two things stand out in this; feelings of camaraderie and work well together.

Our feelings must be sorted before we embark on a project or become involved. We must make sure our intentions for joining are correct. If we join for self-gratification, or fame, our feelings will be offended and the team spirit will be destroyed.

Especially with community projects, it is important that we must check our feelings. We must show camaraderie. How do we do that? We leave our own ideas at the door and join with humility. Only then can we work together well.

Brakpan needs us. Brakpan’s future depends on us!

Let us change our thinking, humble ourselves, then take hands. Get the team spirit back in our hearts and minds. Then, let us take hands and become the solution that Brakpan needs.

Grace and peace to you all.

Lynelle Clark

Chief Editor

Issue 6 • January 2024 by Lynelle Clark

Brakpan's Voice Issue 5. Unity brings opportunities.

 

New year's message.

Immediately is an apt word to describe the start of 2024.

The one moment I was still trying to get my head around the fact that 2023 is gone when 2024 announced: “Here I am.”

And it was a good announcement for the community.

Immediate action is Grace.

It is a profound statement that, when I heard it, my spirit jumped. Witnessing how a community comes together after one phone call is something that will stay with me for a long time.

Procrastination is the enemy of 2024.

Laziness, delay, excuses, complains, procrastination they are all excuses we use when we feel overwhelmed, uncertain, and unsure of the next step. But let us get up. Fix that roof, build that bridge, grow a seed, and invest in our town. Don’t play the blame game; there are no winners in this game.

Let 2024 be a perspective shift, an immediate action for all of us. Where, instead of complaining, we do. Instead of arguing, we try to understand another person’s perspective. Instead of breaking down, let us build a future for our children.

Let us celebrate the death of procrastination at the feet of the Cross and become a people of action. Rise up for your light has come…

Let us put our laziness aside and learn a new skill, take on a new challenge and become part of something greater right there where you live. Now, more than ever,

it is vital to stand together. This is an election year, a year where your voice can make a difference in the future of our country. Make it count. Your voice matters.

Let us express hope by walking in love with faith as our guidepost.

May 2024 be a year of renewed vigour.

Grace and peace to you.

Issue 5 • January 2024 by Lynelle Clark

Where we can... #WritingPrompts4Community

Where we can... Written by Leonita Coutts 

I grew up humble... very humble and I know of hardship. In today’s economic climate, it’s heartbreaking to see how many people struggle to survive. I can also add that the COVID pandemic has contributed to this. 

The feeling of hopelessness: What are we going to eat or how are we going to survive until the end of the month? I know very well. 

No one wants to experience that feeling, believe me. 

Yes, life is challenging. Everyone has their personal “devils” or challenges they have to face. It is therefore difficult to focus on others when you yourself are busy scratching cabbages from the fire. 

In my town, as in many other towns and cities, there are people who have nowhere to go. They live and sleep in front of shops, under bridges or in alleys. Grace carries them and I call them “grace-men.” We don’t always know their past or the reason they live on the streets. I don’t ask questions either. It is not my duty to judge, but to help where I can... 

It’s hot... The sun stands still above my town, and today he punishes those who venture outside. 

I’m on my way to an appointment. Our town is small. Small enough that you can walk where you want to be or else you can just hop in a taxi. Today I choose the taxi option. The heat makes me give up my love of walking. 

In the town centre, Sun is king and the reflecting light on windows makes me reach for my sunglasses. “I should have cancelled my appointment instead.” I thought, but I am here, no reason to waste time on it. 

As I searched under a tree, waiting for the time for my appointment to come, I spotted him. He half-sat against a blue, concrete trash can a few feet from Clicks across the road. In the heat, the blanket around his shoulders is noticeable. The plakkies on his feet have seen better days and I’m sure the heat beats through from the tar, burning his feet. 

I see him muttering every time someone walks past him, but everyone is deaf and blind. For a moment, I try to put myself in his position... How much courage it must take to ask total strangers for something to eat or drink? Then they ignore you because you are “invisible”. 

On the spur of the moment, I walked across the road to him. “Wait here,” I said. His eyes met mine and for a second gratitude and disbelief flashed in them. 

I walked briskly towards Ackerman and entered it. I buy a pair of plakkies, estimate that a number 9 will fit. After that, I slipped into Checkers and bought a bun and a soda and a donut as well. 

On the way back to Clicks, I see he is no longer at his spot. Might he have been startled, because I recognized his existence, I wonder? However, when I looked across the road, I saw him standing under the tree. So he spotted me earlier, in the shadows. I stepped closer and handed the bags to him and as I turned to walk, I heard a hoarse “thank you”. 

The sun had been setting for a long time, but the heat remained captive between the four walls of my house. I sit on my porch and listen to the crickets chatting with each other. I think about him and wonder where he sleeps tonight and if the stickers at least fit. I helped, because I could, I wanted to, and because I felt sorry for him. 

Deep down, there must surely be a sense of satisfaction, because today I did something for someone, just on the spur of the moment. However, the feeling here inside me is an inexplicable feeling of unfulfilment, because I wish I could do more. I know and realize that one cannot help everyone, but we can certainly try to help wherever we can. Try to make a difference in someone’s life for just one day. 

I feel a little better...  

A shooting prayer finds its way towards heaven: “Keep and watch over him tonight, Lord. Please have mercy on him.”

Copyright Leonita Coutts 2024 

Cleanup initiative and prayer circle unite.

As in Heaven, so in South Africa.

Written by Lynelle Clark

Part of finding an open space also involves cleaning of said space. Both can be equally challenging.  

In South Africa, especially here in Brakpan, open spaces are synonymous with crime, litter, and homelessness. It has become a very tender topic that raises the ire of many of its citizens.

Some is of the belief that they pay their rates, therefore, expect service from the municipality. This has brought division into the very fabric of our society. However, a new norm has been born; rather complain about the lack of service, a group of people said, lets do something about it.

This small band is fueled by one goal; to clean Brakpan.

When I met up with them on 3 January 2024, I was truly astonished.

With a burning desire to change the culture within this town and limited resources, I didn’t know where to begin, who to ask, or who to connect with. But… there is always a but when it comes to God’s business. I know a friend. I think everybody must have a friend on speed dial who knows someone. This is exactly what happened.

When I contacted Loraine du Plessis about petrol lawnmowers, she referred me to Riaan van Zyl, which I did. This man’s value is equal to a 100 men. I left a voice message and about ten to fifteen minutes later he called, and we met up at the park. Riaan, and Lisa and Tinus Jordaan agreed to clean up the area I had in mind in Ebertson Park, Brenthurst, the following morning. For those that don’t know, the park with the burned down tennis courts opposite Spar.

Lisa and Tinus are a dynamic couple in the community. Their passion makes them highly valued.

Before I continue, I must interrupt myself by including Leon Kruger, part of the Lester Neighbourhood watch who immediately agreed to handle the security. An added value factor for those who are concerned about their safety. His team pitched up during the day and were on their post during the prayer circle.

We all pitched up at 8 am on 4 January, the day of the prayer circle with some extra hands to boot. Within hours, an area of the park transformed from an ugly eyesore to an attractive landmark. Already donations have come in and the next phase of the cleanup will continue on 6 January 2024, at 8am. Do support this dedicated team. Even a thank you or wave to acknowledge their efforts means a lot.

The very heart of the #Time2Rise initiative, an inter-denominational movement, is to connect the communities, to pray for a righteous government and to become a problem solver. The aim is for each ward in the country to have a prayer circle, which will bring unity into a divided community.

End of last year, the Lord gave me a word about mandates, and that we should take hands to do the work. No one can do it alone. No one-man-band-shows will work. Unity is the key, and in two days I have seen it happen when #CleanBrakpan #CPFBrakpan #VFParty #SafeCitiesForum #LesterBuurtwag and #SAPrayerCircles #T2R came together.

Invitation to join in prayer at Ebertson Park, Brenthurst, Brakpan.

In front of the tennis court, cnr. Lester and Heyns road.

Every Thursday evening.

Time: 5:30 - 6:30 pm

#Time2RiseSA #Time2Rise #PrayerCircle #prayers #prayforourcity #Brakpan

The only question that remains is: are you part of the solution?

Important contact information

To become part of the prayer circle join the WhatsApp group for more information. 

To become involved with the cleanup initiative, contact Tinus and Lisa Jordaan at 073 335 3947 and like their page. Funding and donations are welcome. 

To become part of the Lester Neighbourhood watch, contact Leon Kruger at 072 022 2500

To know more about Time 2 Rise SA, visit the website or join the Facebook group.

To know more about the Safe Cities Forum and how you can help with funding, visit the website or contact Lynelle Clark 072 188 9124.

To connect with Loraine Du Plessis: Worthy Ministry Brakpan contact 072 180 0478.