In Search of Love

After about three weeks at Life Place, I had a complete different perspective on life. I realized that I took for granted, even the minutest of blessings, in my life. I never knew it was such a joy to walk on some of Durban’s most dangerous streets till the early hours of the morning, telling lost souls about Jesus. I never seemed to grasp how many girls were out there, prostituting their bodies, as a means of survival, desperately in need of something as small as a hug. Giving these girls a gentle squeeze as a gesture of love made them feel, what could be the first time in their life, like a princess. Not knowing what true and genuine love means, they plunge themselves deeper into their destructive pit in search of the treasure they long to experience, but never find.
Through many sessions of counseling and prayer, we came to sense God’s spirit of healing moving through the people that we ministered to. God’s grace presented itself among them and convicted them of their sin. Their eyes welled up with tears as we shared with them the unmistakable promise of hope that will never fade even through generations to come.
With the firm stand of support from my colleagues, we were able, by the Lord’s help alone, to implant a small seed into their lives. I strongly believe that Jesus would’ve still died, even if it were for only one. We are now lifting up our prayers for the germination of the words we’ve sown.
With coloured lights flashing angrily at us from across every street, we surged forward like soldiers in a deadly battle. The sensation all around us was that of evil spirits and demons sneering with malice, trying by all might to overpower the great commission with which God had sent us. The heavy suppression of darkness seemed at times like a massive stumbling block. A cursed and nauseating stench like that of drugs and urine mixed together followed us around every corner.
And yet, at the end of every dark tunnel, there is new light, new conversations, new meetings and greetings, new hope. Relief dawned on people’s faces. It strikingly occurred to me that every single lost soul out there is a candidate for heaven. God came down with victory, loaded our armor and strengthened us, destroying every principality from hell. We walked to every sinner, being redeemed sinners ourselves, with boldness. We lost all fear, and covered ourselves with the fear of the Lord.
All in all, we bow down, in praise, unworthy of His gracious love that enfolded us at all times. I beg of every reader to earnestly pray for this ministry. Pray that God will bring the project to completion, as we are still in need of a rehabilitation centre. But I have no doubt, that as long as we live and have faith in Him, in fulfilling the Great Commission, He will continue to help us bring lost sheep back to the fold.
Our Great Saviour is calling us to a Harvest that is ripe; He is asking us to be co-workers in His almighty plan. It’s a privilege to be there on the streets in the midst of lost souls and witnessing Our Redeemer at work. I welcome you the in name of Jesus to come and just be the instrument God uses for His work to those who are heading for the pit of Hell.
Salomé du Toit

http://www.doctorsforlifeinternational.com/about/media/releases/news/2007/feb/3weeks_at_lp.cfm

THE OUTREACHES

The main emphasis of Life Place to reach out to the men and women that are lost in the world of prostitution. Many have come from an abusive background or found themselves in this situation due to untenable circumstances. The goal is to help them leave behind that life by giving them hope in the form of Jesus Christ and an alternative way to make a living.
Day and night members of the team at Life Place walk the streets of the Point area in Durban. The team goes into the bars and into the Escort agencies talking to the prostitutes, pimps and their customers. They speak to those that they meet about the love of Jesus and offer them help to leave behind the life that they have been living.
Life Place operates as a coffee shop, which enables all those that the team has met on the streets and any passers by to walk in. They can come in to receive free counseling or just to have a meal. The coffee shop also runs a free HIV counseling and testing clinic once a week on a Saturday.
The men, women and children ( yes children we have found girls as young as 9 working as prostitutes) that come to Life Place receive Godly counsel and if they are ready and willing they are sent to a residential place of help. Here they receive further intensive counseling and spiritual strengthening. At the end of this time they are enrolled in a skills training program of their choice or if they are children they return home to their families or another suitable place of safety. Those that are given skills training study a variety of subjects from Baking to Computing. After this many go on to become productive members of the society. Often they come back to assist in the ministry. Over 200 people that we are aware of have been helped through this ministry. There are many more that give their hearts to Christ on the street and go away to allow the Lord to work in their hearts without us ever knowing.
http://www.doctorsforlifeinternational.com/programs/lifeplace/outreaches.cfm