The Website of Miah and Michelle Collins

Today, we did interviews with two South Africans for the one year program next year. I have gotten to interview 7 people so far, and I really enjoy this aspect of our ministry. It is so exciting to meet young people from all over Africa and ask them really personal questions about their lives their ministries, their motivation, their passion, their theology, etc. But my favorite question that I asked today was, “ if you could change one thing about Africa, what would it be?”.  I love this question because it is very open, and you get to see this little window into their lives and into their identity as an African. This deep ingrained identity is something that I will never be able to fully grasp no matter how long I live here and how much my identity molds to this culture. The people we have interviewed have a profound connection to this continent. And today, my one interview amazed me with his response.

Sifiso is his name, and he is 18 years old from a township in South Africa called Duduza. The exciting thing about Sifiso is that he is being discipled by a young man on our J-Life team that we have doing ministry in that township. So, not only is he an incredible example of leadership in a community that needs it, but he is also a result of what intentional discipleship can create.  After the first few questions in this interview, I am already inspired by Sifiso’s passion and commitment to Jesus and making His name known wherever he is. If you hear Sifiso talking, with his eyes lit up and his face smiling the biggest smile, about the transformational power of a relationship with Jesus, you would want to get saved all over again!  I could see that this 18 year old African is very influential.

Now, when I asked Sifiso what he would change about Africa if he could, his answer was not the typical “make Jesus known” response. Sifiso first said that he would change two things: 1.) the way other people view Africa and 2.) how Africans view themselves. He then proceeds to tell us about the seriousness of the lack of desire in Africans to do something about their situations. After that, he talked about changing the way other people view Africans saying, “ there is a joke that says, if you want to hide something from an African, put it in a book.” That joke struck me very hard as I am extremely passionate about education, yet I know how hard it is to teach someone who does not have the desire to learn. And Sifiso put a light onto the harsh reality of what other people’s opinions can do to someone’s identity. It’s the classic idea:  if someone tells you you are not good enough all the time, eventually, you believe them and stop trying.  Amazingly enough, in our other interview, the answer was the same, “ I would change the way people view Africa”. 

This is just a tiny glimpse into the struggles that plague us everyday in Africa. And struggles these young men and women face as they try to make a difference.  But is there any light at the end of the tunnel? What can we do to start creating paradigm shifts in people’s thinking? Where do you even begin?

I would like to suggest that Sifiso is the answer to all of those questions. To change an entire culture’s attitude, you start with one influential life that has been transformed by Jesus Christ. And you disciple him, and give him the tools he needs to disciple others. Just like any challenge, you take every victory you get and you build on it. He is a shining example of the future of Africa. And that gives me more purpose and gets me more excited than anything else this world has to offer.

Another great thing about these interviews is the direction these two young people already have from the Lord on what they want to do with their lives after the year of training. Sam, a girl who just finished studying, is applying to medical school and wants more than anything to be a missional doctor here in Africa. And Sifiso has a deep passion to go into politics and affect change in the South African government.
So, I want to challenge you. In your life, are you using your words or actions to categorize someone or put them down instead of trying to get to know them? How are you inspiring and empowering people around you to be leaders?