GKAfee 2014
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We where out in full force during the 20th Absa KKNK form 29 March to 5 April.
The team consisted of groups of people from Stellenbosch, George, Cape Town and Pretoria. The Oudtshoorn community was out and about were out and about again this year, to ensure an enjoyable, safe and clean festival. They regularly came around to the GKafee tent for a cup of coffee or cold water. Members of the 'Give-team' who had been part of GKafee for a few years, as well as the rookies, were welcomed back like good old friends. The week was full of interesting and unexpected challenges, like problems with water and power as well as serious mechanical issues with a vehicle. We received indispensable support from members of the community, KKNK management and businesses in town. God's providence was so clear in the big things, but also in the relationships. It was made clear yet again that God is on route with each one of us. |
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This article was written following GKafee 2014
Just three sugar
“Just three sugar” - This is the rule which every child has to adhere to when drinking coffee at the GKafee tent. If this rule wasn’t enforced, it would mean that the GKafee team would need an endless supply of sugar and would have to deal with extremely hyperactive children. For that reason the rule of “just three sugar” started.
Any older people, especially those who work the 19:00 to 07:00 night shift can take as many sugar as they want.
For the first few days, the kids are not particularly happy about this sugar-rule, because “at home I am allowed to have six sugar in my coffee…”
At the start of the week a challenge is laid out to the team working at Gkafee - to give unconditionally. The impression you are normally under, is that it is about the unconditional giving of coffee, but it soon becomes very clear that a mere cup of coffee cannot really make a difference in a person’s life. You realise that “just three sugar” and diluted milk is merely the excuse we use to immerse ourselves in a broken community with broken people, and try to give ourselves unconditionally for a week.
This is of course an extreme contradiction - unconditionally for one week - and not even getting started with the contradiction of unconditionally giving “just three sugar.” In a week of giving like GKafee you realise how many conditions lay hidden in your feeble attempt at being unconditional. These conditions are quickly revealed through your emotions, reactions, thoughts and behaviour. It is very easy to feel that your time, effort and genuine care for people are abused not to mention the abuse of free coffee.
This immediately makes me think about the unconditionality that we receive from God on so many different levels, and how lacking our attempts at giving really are. Even though our coffee shenanigans are just a small and warm excuse, a child living on the street because his mother is permanently drunk and his father is in jail, might just experience something of the essence Jesus when, with a soft smile, I let him get away with putting four sugar in his coffee.
“Just three sugar” - This is the rule which every child has to adhere to when drinking coffee at the GKafee tent. If this rule wasn’t enforced, it would mean that the GKafee team would need an endless supply of sugar and would have to deal with extremely hyperactive children. For that reason the rule of “just three sugar” started.
Any older people, especially those who work the 19:00 to 07:00 night shift can take as many sugar as they want.
For the first few days, the kids are not particularly happy about this sugar-rule, because “at home I am allowed to have six sugar in my coffee…”
At the start of the week a challenge is laid out to the team working at Gkafee - to give unconditionally. The impression you are normally under, is that it is about the unconditional giving of coffee, but it soon becomes very clear that a mere cup of coffee cannot really make a difference in a person’s life. You realise that “just three sugar” and diluted milk is merely the excuse we use to immerse ourselves in a broken community with broken people, and try to give ourselves unconditionally for a week.
This is of course an extreme contradiction - unconditionally for one week - and not even getting started with the contradiction of unconditionally giving “just three sugar.” In a week of giving like GKafee you realise how many conditions lay hidden in your feeble attempt at being unconditional. These conditions are quickly revealed through your emotions, reactions, thoughts and behaviour. It is very easy to feel that your time, effort and genuine care for people are abused not to mention the abuse of free coffee.
This immediately makes me think about the unconditionality that we receive from God on so many different levels, and how lacking our attempts at giving really are. Even though our coffee shenanigans are just a small and warm excuse, a child living on the street because his mother is permanently drunk and his father is in jail, might just experience something of the essence Jesus when, with a soft smile, I let him get away with putting four sugar in his coffee.