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The Msindisi Monthly - April 2007
"For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be wise within yourselves, that hardness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the nations comes in; and so all Israel will be saved, even as it has been written, "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins." Indeed, as regards the gospel, enemies for you, but as regards the election, beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the free gifts and the calling of God are without repentance." (Romans 11: 25 - 29)
The Latest News
This month has been personally challenging and a long one for me personally. Also we have been without phones for a month due to the lines being stolen. This isn't uncommon in South Africa. It happened when I lived in KwaZulu Natal on more than one occasion. They came back on this weekend for which we are thankful. We also have had huge car trouble which one week gave me a weeks break for evangelism. The guy that I talked about in the last newsletter who prayed to accept Jesus and sells bags is called Bafana, meaning 'boys' and we have continued meeting with him and answering his questions. He enjoys our lunches and Mike knows a Christian in the area he lives so we hope that they will be able to get together. I think he is sincere about Jesus and we hope and we pray that God will have His hand on this guys life. With Dave and Morne being away there has been more time spent in the office but this has been good and it is brilliant to see the wisdom of God in His plan for Jews and Non Jews and that every promise to Israel in the Old Testament for Israel still stands today. Paul is very clever in showing the continuance between the Old Testament and the New. Especially as we approach Passover we appreciate the amazing orchestration of the scripture with all the stuff in the Old Testament prefiguring Jesus and the New Covenant.
Evangelism
As I think about my brother and my dad preaching the Gospel in Manchester, UK and the opposition they get, not from unbelievers but from Church going people, and the street wardens taking notes of which they are suspicious will be used when the Sexual Orientation Regulations come into effect, I can see the window of opportunity that we have in South Africa. When I go to the Tsakane township I can see an openness to discuss spiritual issues and the claims of Jesus. It is an especially great experience for me because I get to practice my Zulu as well as speak frankly with people and ask many questions. Mike has a great manner and is very approachable so he is able to speak with a lot of people. John, our pastor friend is very zealous. He has just borrowed Moriel's gospel tent and will be using it for 1, or possibly 2 weeks to hold gospel meetings. On Saturday after Hebrew class I went down to Tsakane with Mike and a fellow student called Tony to have the first meeting there. We took the car battery and the amplifier but there was no other power supply so as night drew on there was no light. A small handful people turned up and my friend Tony, shared his testimony. But as it was three people came forward for prayer and one lady who accepted Jesus said that she was an alcoholic and a smoker. There was a drunk person called Michael who showed great interest though he was out of his skull, but yet there was a desire that manifested itself in him to know more about Jesus. So we will see what will become of him and we trust that these people will get the support they need from this church in the town ship. John has a desire to build a tin shack for a church building in the Squatter camp next to which he lives. When he said this I was pleased because this has been the lack of historical African missions in imposing a western methodology in mission in the use of western clothing, huge projects and high maintenance buildings instead of concentrating on the Gospel message and the Truth and application of the Truth of scripture as absolute. Therefore there are African pastors, white and black, that believe that having a good building or doing big campaigns and having a choir and other things are essential to mission. But with John thinking of building a shack speaks of John identifying with his neighbours in their own situation. Just like Jesus became as the ordinary person of His day. But as it is at the moment he is just talking and praying about it.
We still go to Springs town centre and preach and share. I have even asked Mike to preach, which I don't think that he enjoyed doing it but he did it willingly. But we still get into conversations with people. One such person said that Jesus was definitely true and real and admitted that he was just playing games. Many, many people always bring up the Church question, 'which church do you go to?' I answer their question but I always stress that we haven't come with the intention of drawing everyone to our church. Jesus is the issue because even if they attended our church meetings without being born with a spiritual birth, they would still on their way to hell. But on the whole I think people are just wanting to make sure we are not Jehovah's witnesses and that is why they ask. We have visited the local college but now the students are holiday so last week we handed out gospel literature. It is interesting that just adding the word 'free' in 'would you like a leaflet about Jesus' encourages people to take. It says about the way South Africa thinks in that nothing is free. Everyone expects a couple of rand, washing windows, taking your shopping trolley back, helping carry groceries. South Africa is indeed a first world, third world combined and the distinctions are becoming more blurred. People live in town ships because they are poor areas and yet you will see fancy cars and houses that are small but nice. Near Tsakane there is another town ship called Langaville where a young boy lives who was convicted by the Gospel in springs. I have been picking him up for the gospel meetings in Tsakane so please pray for him.
Prayer Requests
- 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 those various illnesses come up frequently.
- For our relationship with John and future relationships to be grounded in the truth of scripture and the boldness to stand against error and falsehood both in our own ministry and in the ministries we encounter.
- For Bafana and Gugu.
Contact Details
PO BOX: 10807, Strubenvale 1570
Springs, Gauteng. South Africa
Wesbsite: www.estisi.4t.com
Email: msindisi@gmail.com
Phone: (+27)11 730 1719
Mobile number: (+27) 728311008
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