The Msindisi Monthly - January 2007

"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. "     (Philippians 3: 8 - 11)

The Latest News

It is amazing to think that we are entering into another year. In one sense the year seems to have gone so quickly but in another sense it seems that so much has happened, not just to myself but to other people that I know. There have been so many changes. It was only two years ago that I left KwaZulu to go back to the UK but it seems much longer than that and in a couple of days time I will be visiting them again. There are only a small handful of Christian believers there but they have a strong reputation in their rural community. While I was there we set up a kids club on a saturday. Since I left a lady in the church called Celani (the C is a click sound that sounds like a 'tut') has been running it and she has seen more children attend and has seen two of the girls commit themselves to follow Jesus and get baptised. One of them was her daughter. But due to such lack of water they had to have water poured over them from a jug. But I was told that they made sure that the girls were soaked. I was told also that Celani had a lady visit her who was the wife of a Zionist pastor. (Nothing to do with the Jewish people - this group mix occult things with biblical things). She told Celani that she really wants to go to her church but if she does her husband says he will chuck her out because she will find out that Zionism is not biblical. Phumulani (pronounced poo - moo - lah - knee) is a pastoral figure in the local church and I am told he has just finished a Zulu commentary on Matthew. I look forward to getting a copy of it.

This month we have seen the goodbye of our new Australian friends Flavius, Alis, Andrea, Cristina and Geta (Jeta). We had a great time and they made a great impression on the kids at Ebyown. It was fun to have them staying on the property and great to have extra people to do some evangelism with. It was also great to have people to do sunday school and to know that Sunday School is sorted out for the kids.

This sunday I visited a local Baptist church that Dave and I have both preached at and the preacher brought a good message about not leaving your first love for Jesus so that our activity for Him does not become meaningless and rigmarole. It is an important message to remember because the Bible shows that Love, as God defines it, is the major priority and everything we do must be motivated by a true Faith in God as He has revealed Himself and His will. Or else God does not accept any of our works. God even calls it sin. And this is Love, not that we loved Him but that He loved us and gave His only son for us, a fact of history that most people acknowledge, or at least sing about at this time of the year all round the world.   

Evangelism

Things have been going easier nearer the end of this month but Mike and I have been accompanied by Mike's brother going out with Gospel literature as usual. I have been doing the usual preach but a few weeks ago I did three mornings in a row and consequently damaged my vocal folds. A few years ago I did voice training and I can see my lack of application of what I learned! But I am taking it easier since. But it is amazing some of the conversations with people. The logic of the gospel comes through clearly but people do not will to commit to Jesus, though they agree with many things that the bible says. When I speak with people I like to ask the person questions. It is something that my friend, Dave Lister in America, really promoted to me. But I ask because I want to know what people understand, I want to know what they think and why they believe what they believe. I have developed a curiosity about people's responses and have experienced parrot like repetition from some people. This is not real belief but there are areas that are impossible to touch. That is why I find conversion to be a real miracle because it is only God who knows the dark recesses of a person's soul and where they are in relation to Him.

I have also been joined with a Swazi believer called Zakhele Malaza, who I have used to translate one of our tracts into Zulu. I did an initial translation but I have used him to correct my mistakes and to translate things more accurately where I have been a bit more vague. But Zak has encouraged me to do some street witnessing in a township called KwaThema. This is a place that people say is very nice in the daytime but very dangerous at night time. It is a little like Soweto. But this was something that I had prayed about a few months ago with our home church. So next year we are planning to go there too, God willing we will start it in January. Zakhele has been living in KwaThema but has been told that he has to move out of his place. He is planning on living in the KwaZenzele settlement next to Ebyown but has been struggling to make contact with the owner of the house that he wants to move into. But if he moves there he would like to start some evangelism on there and I would like to join him. But please pray for Him if you can, that his needs will be met, as he says they have been up till now.

This month we have been visited by Yorke Hind, a South African guy who lives in Australia and who is part of Living Waters in Australia. He is married to a Chinese lady and does street evangelism in Sydney. He has designed some gospel literature, which he has left us some of. He is also going to visit Vryheid (where I will be staying in KwaZulu) in early January because his Grandmother lives there. Small world eh? So hopefully we should be meeting up there too.  

I am grateful to get to the end of the year and there is so much to continue doing, continual repenting and much more to learn. As the scipture says, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

• For the people of KwaZulu that I will be visiting. For Caleb and Sophie, Phumulani, Celani and other Christians
• For Zakhele's home situation to be sorted out for next year
• For the possibility of more witnessing opportunities and the sensitivity, guidance and courage to proclaim God's gospel. Please pray for the individuals that we speak with, which ever names God lays on your heart.
• For our own devotion to Jesus. For that reality to be apparent in our own lives as we attempt to practice what the scripture tells us in love and humility.
• For guidance for direction now and future.
• For the Royle family and kids at Ebyown as they face the new year.

Contact Details

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Springs, Gauteng. South Africa

Wesbsite: www.estisi.4t.com  
Email: msindisi@gmail.com
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