The young man gave us a short testimony of his life. We could only
praise God for His faithfulness and love. He grew up without his dad.
Since the age of 5 he was in a boarding school with a very strict
disciplinarian as a teacher. When at the age of 7 his mother could
no longer afford to keep him in school this same teacher took him in
as her own and he stayed with her until grade 9. Then he went back
home and did his grade ten from home. He then went on to university
and got his degree. What is so amazing is his conduct as future
husband. When you listen to him you would think that he had the most
wonderful father who taught him how to treat his future wife. Which of
course he did have since he was born again.
During the long weekend he went home to make sure that his extended
family understands that he will not partake in any ancestor worship or
allow it to happen at their traditional wedding. It caused quite an
uproar in the family but he gently stood his ground and said: "You all
know that I am born again and that Jesus is my and my future wife's
only mediator between us and our heavenly Father." (See 1 Tim. 2:5.)
He asked them gently to respect his as well as his wife's wishes. She
then had to go through the same with her extended family. We are so
proud of them and so blessed by the work God has done in their lives.
We do not always realize the cost for our black brothers and sisters
when they become born again and have to say no to a tradition that is
deeply rooted in their culture and an integral part of their religion.
It can be confusing to distinguish between honoring your parents and
being obedient to God, because the ancestors are seen as mediators
between the people who are still alive here on earth and God. They
have a deep respect for their ancestors and therefore are seen as
rebellious when they do not want to participate in ancestor worship.
Some are even cast out of the family and many times a curse is spoken
over them for abandoning traditional customs. When they say they are
born again, they truly are and acts accordingly.
Therefore, Dr Solomon's line diagram is such a powerful instrument to
illustrate what happens to us when we are born again. We praise God
and thank Him again and again for this ministry. Please pray for us as
we minister to these lovely young people.
Love in Christ
Hendrik and Nehlsie
Things are going so well with Johan Els's group. There are 140
people doing the course. On Sundays Johan or Dirk, the co-pastor,
brings a message related to the topic we have covered during the
sessions of the past week. Johan also develops a guideline for
discussion in the cell groups. In this way he makes sure that those
who do not attend the course are also exposed to the content of what
the rest of the church is learning at the Conference Training.
The pastors and their wives are living the Cross message and are
inspiring the congregation to do likewise. The past weekend I spent
time with Black Pastors' wives in Pretoria. It was a feast!!! I was
blessed to find that through Isaac and Rachel's influence these ladies
have come to the Cross, accepted their true identity in Christ, and
have moved on to be with Christ in the heavenlies above all power,
principalities, and names. I have hope for South Africa with young
women like that.
To say the truth I am thankful to be part of this plan of God. We will
be going to the North Province in April where Hannetjie Myburg has
started a satellite center for Exchanged Life Training. She has
trained 10 women, and we will be going to do the last section of
practical training. We rejoice that God is building His Church and
that we can be these tiny little wheels in His big network. Thank you
for guiding us and leading us and equipping us.
May God always surround everyone of us with His wall of favour.
Love in Christ,
Hendrik and Nehlsie
