Corruption

A mine shaft in the background

There are may problems that face the vast majority of people living in South Africa.  I felt compelled to share one that really bothers me.  Corruption.  It continues to amaze me at how wide spread it actually is, and how high up it actually goes.  I was out at Freedom Park yesterday talking with a man named Orbits, who was probably in his 40's.  As with most people in this area, the main thing they want prayer for is to find a job.  So he began telling me about how he has been looking for a full time job since 2000, thats right 8 years!!  He has worked peace jobs, or temporary job for the last 8 years.  He has gone to the mines many times trying to get work, however when he gets there they tell him, many people are applying for work and if you want a job you will have to pay me 1000 rand.  1000 rand is about 125 dollars.  The average job in south africa for the uneducated person pays about 60-70 rand a day, or 8 or 9 dollars, there is no hourly work here.  So as you can see 1000 rand is a TON of money.  Many of these people don't have that money, thus will never be able to get a job.  It's hard to show hope to these people who have a defeated attitude about life and how it works.  The corruption isn't just with the mine workers either, the police are just as bad, if not worse.  Anyone can get out of anything if they just offer a bribe to the police.  The police really exploit the illegals here as well.  They make them pay them or else threaten to deport or arrest them.  It's sad that it seems everyone just accepts that bribery is just a way of life here.  The proverbs have a lot to say about both the man who asks for a bribe and the one who pays it.   I struggle with saying to people that it is wrong to pay the bribe, when there really seems to be no other option for them.  Pray for the leaders of this land, that they might know Christ and become Godly leaders who will work to fix the corruption problem that faces this land.  And pray for the people that they might see Christ, and know He is the one to offer them hope in what seems to be a hopeless land.  It is good to know God is not finished in South Africa, and that no problem is to big for Him to handle!!