Greetings to all from Africa! Thursday, March 04, 2004
It's been quite a week! Russell sold the "bokkie" (pickup) that he and Lynn drove to get here. In the span of two days he had several people simply show up at the house wanting to buy it, and had telephone calls as well - all with no advertising. It was in very bad shape, so we are looking forward to what the Lord has for us that doesn't let the rain in and doesn't shut the headlights off when you use the turn signals.
My optometrist friend Hans, who leads a small group at the Methodist church (attached picture), has put all the devotionals to date on his web site (www.goodthingsfree.com), so everyone can see what I've been writing. Yesterday some people came from another town in South Africa to visit with pastors involved in Rustenburg's "Forty Days of Purpose" project, and they will probably use the devotionals as well. The Presbyterian Church Session decided to use my "Fresh Bread" course as the follow-up to the Forty Days project, and last night it was announced at the Methodist church as well. Everyone in Hans' group is planning to attend, and later we'll see how many from other groups. The Methodist Church (which is rather large) also has asked me to give the inner healing seminar on a Saturday in April, and then preach the evening service the following day (also on healing).
I met a pastor named Fred Lambert at the Presbytery meeting two weeks ago who has FIVE congregations spread out in a remote area. Fred also has only one leg and can only get to some of his congregations to preach every other month. We are all going out to visit him and one of his churches at some point, but he said the details needed to be discussed by the elders of all the congregations at their meeting on the 27th (a visitor from America is considered a big deal, so the decision on which congregation to visit must be done carefully lest the others feel slighted). Once we get good transport we will likely start going out there from time to time to fill in where Fred isn't.
We had a small gathering at the house on Monday that was very nice, especially in terms of the movement toward unity in the churches here. There were folks from the Presbyterian, Methodist, Nazarene and Pentecostal churches all together in our living room, all with the same Spirit, all carrying the same Bible and all giving glory to the same Jesus. Praise the Lord!
Love from Africa,
Lary
