Premarital Counseling

This weekend we had a Conference with a black pre-marital couple who
brought along another couple who wants to know more.

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