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The Msindisi Monthly - May 2007
The Latest News
Well this month like last month has been still challenging and had its fair share of car trouble. In fact quite a few other people at the church have had a challenging time too, including the death of one ladies father. Last week a few of us were subject to the experience of an armed hijacking. A car was stolen, as well as cell phones and my wallet and handbags with items such as purses and make up. Thankfully no one was hurt except that I was hit on the head by one of them with his gun. The lump went down by the next day. Surprisingly, as some might say, we were calm and were only stressed out by the vehement racism of one couple who saw this as reflective against all black people. The bitter roots of apartheid still linger on over 10 years since the ANC have come to power. There is an element of truth in that most violent crime is committed by people from various black tribes but one would partly expect this as the majority of South African residents or immigrants are non white. And it is unjustified to adopt a racist attitude when I have black friends who are God fearing and whose hearts' desire to see their family and other people from the community saved. It is something that I feel needs to be stressed when racism is still prevalent among many older generation white, South Africans. Saying this, it is also naïve to act like the danger is not real or that one mustn't be careful without being victim to fear mongering.
I have had to wave farewell to my friends Caleb and Sophie Massey who have left South Africa to move to the US of A. Caleb and Sophie were the couple that I stayed and worked with for almost 2 and a half years in KwaZulu Natal as missionaries to the Zulu people. I am grateful for my time with them and it was a period of growth for all of us. I wish them all the best and have some great memories of my time with them. They leave behind our Zulu friends, Phumulani, Celani and the other members of the local church, 'iBandla Lendlela Eyodwa' (Congregation of the only way) who must be examples and witnesses to their community on their own relying on God's help. They were heart sore to see me leave and now they are heart sore yet again with the departure of their friends. I plan to visit them annually or even bi annually just to encourage them and I hope that Caleb will visit them annually or as often as he can. Please pray for them that God will do something massive through them.
Another major bit of news for me personally is that I am due to visit the UK in August. This will partly be to see my family and my fast growing niece, who will be 3 in December. But, God willing I will also be speaking in Churches and Bible study groups. My itinerary will be available nearer the time for anybody who is interested in visiting those meetings.
Evangelism
Our activity has been reduced a little with the problems we have had with vehicles. But still we have managed to get out, handing out tracts, street preaching, open air witnessing in Tsakane and visiting the local college to chat with the students there. In fact when we visited the college, there was a young lad with parentage that came from India. He was closed to speaking about the gospel but he still chatted with us and we found out that he was visited by Jehovah's Witnesses the day before who were a little heavy with him. In a situation like that all we could do is to encourage him, despite the volume of religions and people claiming to have the truth, not to give up on the pursuit of truth. At the beginning of the month our friend John finished his outreach in Tsakane, the report of which is on the Moriel Missions newsletter on the Moriel website. John and his congregants are looking to hold their church meetings within the squatter camp area where there are many people recently moved there from another area because of problems with the mining land being deemed unsafe to live on. There are hundreds and hundreds of people in make shift shacks that have just moved on. John's church are just praying that God will provide a simple make shift structure to hold their meetings in. We are continuing to do outreaches in Tsakane on Saturday afternoons after Mike and I have our Hebrew lesson. One week we were joined by our friends Gerdus and Craig from nearer Pretoria way who were really blessed by the experience. It is not usual for white people to enter townships and get to know some of the people. Such practise arouses suspicions from people as to how safe it is. But on this Saturday we met a mixture of people from children to women to drunks, to people that didn't speak English. One gentleman had questions about the bible, which were quite simple and when answers were given the guy refused to listen to any answer. In such a case we just have to tell him the truth, that really he isn't interested, he is a sinner and unless he acknowledges that, the bible will always be a closed book to him. In makes you wonder why someone who hates the Bible and Biblical answers would want to ask questions about the Bible. But positively, someone that Mike prayed with to accept salvation called Dennis, has recently hooked up with John but we just trust that a relationship will grow between them so that Dennis will grow and learn.
In Springs we still meet up with Bafana and try to have lunch with him. He asks questions about the Bible and is trying to live his life in a ways that pleases Jesus. He is refreshing because of the sincerity and concern he has to do what is right. He was mugged a couple of weeks back but he is chipper about things.
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 Caleb and Sophie in their move and for Phumulani, Celani and the church in KwaZulu to be a strong and vibrant witness.
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 |
