Mapulana. Sepulana. Who are they? Where do they live? Why are we going to visit? These are some of the questions I and a few others had before the trip, but before diving into such detail, first a little about who I am.

My name is Darren Staines. I am the missions director for House of the Lord (HoTL) Benoni South Africa. I have been involved in missions for more than 30 years, working mainly in Africa taking teams on short term mission trips. Just recently I was challenged to start work in South Africa, my home country. After meeting with Alan Webster from Wycliffe South Africa I was introduced to the Sepulana language group. This is a people group living in South Africa, a mere four and a half hours from Benoni where I live, who still did not have the Bible in their own language. Wycliffe was, however, working with the community on translating the Bible into the Sepulana language. It was at that point that I knew the Lord was calling me to get involved.

In November 2022 there was a dedication celebration held for the completion of the first phase of the Bible translation into Sepulana. I, along with a small delegate from HoTL, had the privilege of being a part of this history in the making. What an honour to hear God's Word being read out in Sepulana for the first time ever. An event I will never forget.

So the foundation to a very special relationship was cast. It was now time to build on it. So a small team of eight (two from Wycliffe SA and six from HoTL) set out to Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga for what was, I believe, the start to a long relationship between HoTL and the Mapulana people.

The aim of the trip was to learn more about these wonderful people, and to solidify friendships established in heaven. Over the next two days we learnt about the rich history, we were privy to sit in a translation session, we went to a battle field in Moholoholo mountain and spent a morning with a Sepulana historian and that was all before lunch on Saturday. The afternoon was filled with ministry, where our team was able to spend time with some of the local churches and their congregation. The love of Jesus is so evident in the Mapulana people that we met.

Sunday morning with the team well rested and tummies full, all catered for by the translation team of pastors and their churches, we set out to yet another church where the team were again able to minister to the youth Sunday school and congregation. It felt like we were family and true to family we were blessed with a Sunday banquet lunch before setting out on the long road home.

This trip was truly a special trip touching deep into the hearts of the team that went. If you were to ask me what the highlight of the trip was, I would say Friday to Sunday and everything in between. But to select an event that touched me most I would say the time spent with the pastors and hearing their heart and passion for the work they do in such trying circumstances was the most touching.

All in all, I believe this was a short trip with a long term effect, in the hearts of all that were involved and all the glory can only go to our Father and King. Amen.

By Darren Staines