Prayer and Praise Update (April 2017)

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By God’s Grace, Abrie and I have returned safely after completing Missions to Lesotho, Swaziland and throughout South Africa. Driving over 10 260km, altogether we gave 66 presentations, Bible Studies, sermons or devotions.

 

In South Africa, we gave a Traffick Proof presentation at three schools, a Fight the New Drug presentation at two schools, a Bible College and two mid-week meetings, gave Reformation Challenges and Mission Reports at 4 churches and a school, ministered at an Old Age Home, a Drug Rehab in a prison, and at an Evangelists’ meeting. Abrie preached at 2 Sunday Services in South Africa.

DSCN2161Religious Freedom in Schools
We praise God for the freedom and resources to preach the Gospel in schools in Lesotho, Swaziland, and in South Africa. Considering that religious freedom in South Africa is under serious threat (see articles in our latest
Christian Action magazine), we should take advantage of these open doors whilst we still have them. Our friends in America and Europe do not enjoy this same religious freedom in schools. Government-run Christian Afrikaans schools are particularly being targeted by militant atheists. Please pray for religious freedom to prevail in the OGOD vs Laerskool Randhart & Others (6 schools) case to be heard from 15-17 May in the Johannesburg High Court. Pray for FORSA as they testify as a Friend of the Court.

We gave presentations at four schools in Mseleni (Northern KwaZulu Natal) and distributed World Missionary Press Gospel booklets to each learner. At one school, I gave a Fight the New Drug presentation to a class, gathered outside, under a tree.

At a school in Pretoria, I gave the Traffick Proof presentation to each grade in a row, sharing the Gospel each time. The teacher who had invited us, thanked us and said we are welcome to come back the next time we are in the area.

Enthusiastic Evangelists
Evangelists from Africa Youth Evangelism have been preaching the Gospel in schools for more than 50 years. We encouraged these Evangelists at their weekly prayer meeting and donated Bibles and books to them. One of their founders – Joseph Chauke, has been preaching the Gospel in schools since 1966 and despite being in his 80s, is still going strong!

DSCN2177Practical Theology
It was also wonderful to do ministry with our friend, Harm van der Kamp in the Pretoria area. We made contact with Harm through a friend of ours who is also studying theology at Mukhnayo Bible College. Harm also attended our Great Commission Camp in January. Harm is one of the most enthusiastic evangelists I have ever met. He invited Abrie to minister at a weekly Bible Study, which he started, and teaches at in the Drug Rehab in Zonderwater Prison. Harm told us that the many interesting questions he gets from inmates each week, fuels his desire to pay attention in lectures and to study the Bible for answers. Every Bible College student should be involved in weekly evangelistic ministry to turn their cerebral knowledge into rubber-meets-the-road theology! We have sent up dozens of boxes of tracts, Bibles and books to Harm which he has enthusiastically distributed in prisons and on cross-border missions. Harm ensures that every inmate leaving the Drug Rehab receives a Bible.

Harm has initiated his own Missions to Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique, preaching in prisons and using his mechanical training to fix operating theatre lights and install generators for much-dilapidated hospitals. Harm also organised for us to share evangelism testimonies and give the Fight the New Drug presentation at a gathering of 20 friends and family at his home, and at a young adults Bible Study.

DSCN1966Missionary Doctors Make a Difference
We were invited by a Christian Action supporter and wife of a Missionary doctor to give a presentation on Operation Nehemiah at a Sunday Service in rural NorthernKwaZulu Natal.Dr Kobus Viljoen and SIM missionaries, Dr Victor and Rachel Fredlund’s hard work and dedication enabled Mseleni hospital to win an award for the best run government hospital in the country! More importantly, they have refused to perform abortions at their hospital but this has not been without spiritual warfare. Dr Victor Fredlund has faced court battles for alleged mis-management! Please pray that God would strengthen and encourage them during these on-going court cases.

Generous Farmers
Despite negotiating the difficult daily challenges of drought, labour issues, crime, and the very real danger of being murdered (officially, since 1991, there have been 2 393 murders of farmers and 14 589 farm attacks), a farming family (family friends of ours) give generously towards Missions. In 2015, on the night of their son’s wedding, their entire house was looted, whilst their house sitter was tied up and his life was threatened. Please pray that God would continue to protect and bless this family.

The Hardest Mission Field – Your Own Family
Towards the end of our Mission, we enjoyed attending Abrie’s sister’s wedding. At a breakfast, the morning after the wedding, Abrie boldly stood up and preached a short Gospel message to those who were present (which included some of our unsaved family members). I remember feeling very awkward at the time, and I am sure they felt awkward too, but it is better to offend men, then to offend God! Thankfully, we did not receive any negative comments afterwards.

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My Words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:26

Reformation 500
As we approach the 500th anniversary of Professor Martin Luther's launching of the Reformation (31 October), we are seeking to educate and evangelise, equip and empower families, congregations, communities and countries to return to the Bible, applying the Lordship of Christ to all areas of life.

Upcoming Events
Dr Peter Hammond has received invitations to conduct Reformation Conferences in America, Nigeria, Namibia, Holland, Belgium and Germany. Abrie and Joseph will be running a book table and distributing free literature at the Karoo Mighty Men’s Conference, outside Middelburg, 28-30 April. They are also available for ministry in Middelburg or Oudsthoorn from 1-6 May.

"Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?"Psalm 85:6

Christian Action Magazine Back from the Printers
Our latest Christian Action magazine is back from the printers. Reply with your post address to receive a once-off complimentary copy, or subscribe for only R60 to receive all four quarterly editions. You can also read it online here.

Taryn Lourens
Africa Christian Action
PO Box 23632
Claremont 7735
Cape Town South Africa
Tel: 021-689 4481 
E-mail:
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Web: www.christianaction.org.za
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