MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Jacobus van Zyl of Hartenbos is a missionary in Lebanon, which is a neighbour of Syria.
Because of the 13-year war in Syria, it could be described as a bombed-out wasteland, so there are many Syrians in refugee camps across the border in Lebanon.
In Lebanon there are only four hours of electricity a day.
Jacobus went to Lebanon in April last year on a 10-day trip.
He says: "I was asked to go by a church so I could record their trip on video."
Jacobus says he had never planned to return to Lebanon, but he was so affected by what he saw there, that he decided to return to the country to try to make a positive difference. He went back in October last year. He then came back to South Africa in January and flew back to Lebanon yesterday, Friday 22 March. He arrived there safely this morning.
Nexus Centre
He is in Lebanon under the covering of the missionary organisation, dia-LOGOS, and he is volunteering at the Nexus Centre in the town of Qub Elias, near Zahle.
The Nexus Centre lies between two refugee camps, where hundreds of people live.
Jacobus says he was moved when he met families in the refugee camps and heard their stories. He had compassion on the children who were not in school and did not have hope for a positive future.
"I heard about the Nexus Centre, which provides this hope. I wanted to get involved and help give the children an education."
There are 120 to 150 children at the Nexus Centre. Jacobus says the number changes depending on the harvest season.
Work on farms
There are more girls than boys at the school because the boys work on farms in the area. The largest crops are potatoes and zucchinis.
All the children at the Nexus Centre are Syrians and all the staff are Lebanese.
Jacobus gives basic computer lessons and sometimes English lessons at the centre.
When he is on furlong, he visits his parents on a farm in the Hartenbos area.
He says: "I was born in Somerset West. My parents were missionaries in Kenya and Mozambique until I was five. Then I went to Hartenbos Primary School and Point High."
Degree
Jacobus has a BA degree in psychology and sociology from Stellenbosch. He finished his university studies in 2022. He has done short-term mission trips in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana and Egypt. He worked as a freelance videographer and photographer to fund some of the trips.
He has always been interested in photography and videography and built up his knowledge in these fields. "I am not qualified in computers," he says. But he is able to teach basic computer classes because the children at the Nexus Centre did not even know how to switch on a computer, he says.
The Nexus Centre needs missionaries. Jacobus says: "When I left in January, I asked what help they need."
Staff at the Nexus Centre, responded: "We need more young people with a servant heart to help the community."
Jacobus says: "They love South Africans."
Own keep
He is responsible for his own keep as a volunteer. He said volunteers would have to raise their own funds or be supported by a church.
He would love it if he had a friend there, who he could chat to in English or Afrikaans. Because he does not have transport, he is reliant on getting lifts to and from the Nexus Centre. He would like to be able to buy a motorcycle, so he can be less dependent on other people for lifts.
Call Jacobus (062 975 2950) for more information or if you are able to assist him. For more information on the Nexus Centre, see www.nexusmission.org, or on Dia-LOGOS, see www.dialogos.co.za. You can also call Stefan van der Berg (082 952 9800) of Dia-LOGOS. Stefan is based in Mossel Bay.
Dia-LOGOS is planning a youth mission trip to Lebanon in September. If you would like to join and want more information, see http://dialogos.co.za/mission-to-lebanon.
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