We have arrived in Pemba, Mozambique where it is hot and humid but the air is thick with expectancy and anticipation! Our time in South Africa was life changing in so many ways and I write this just as a small tribute to our beautiful country with it’s beautiful people. I confess that when I first heard the school was going to be divided into two parts with the first part to be held in Nelspruit, I did feel a bit short changed as I really did want to get to Pemba. The two and a half weeks in Nelspruit turned out to be such a blessing on so many levels and I am so grateful for that time.
The camping ground we stayed at was perfect for meeting new people and the hospitality shown by the South Africans catering was so welcoming and generous. We even had traditional Bobotie (with raisins!) and a tasty braai with our host Cecil modifying the braai on the fly by drilling larger ventilation holes - classic South African resourcefulness!
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| Lekker Braai and Mission Ventilation |
From the campground the students from over thirty nations were taken to the Riverside Mall and it was a surprise to hear how impressed the foreigners were with "our" mall - the variety, quality and generous food portions! Then of course it was safari time and the glee on the students' faces as the safari game viewing vehicles arrived and all the subsequent stories of lions and amazing sightings from the Kruger National Park. These all made me feel "Proudly South African" however it was my experience with the local people that touched my heart.
Just driving in a taxi to different churches and locations was an experience alone especially after having my own altercations with them on the roads. A term I heard here at Pemba was "isolation chambers" which describes cars and how they do insulate you from the culture. Then it was the actual visiting of the churches - some with incredibly loud music and some with just the voices but all were filled with such joyous and spontaneous worship.
The highlight of our time in South Africa was our two night outreach in Hlau Hlau. We arrived at dusk to attend a revival tent meeting where worshippers were singing and dancing up a storm and then at one stage the pastor asked us to introduce ourselves. As each student announced their name and where they were from their was a great applause. Then a young South African student said where she was from and the crowd clapped louder than ever and when it came to Andrea and my turn they also responded with such a warm welcome. Plenty has happened since 1994 and it was such a symbol of reconciliation for us. After a beautiful evening and while waiting under the stars, Andrea recognised the pastor as the man in the film "Finger of God" who was raised from the dead. He looked remarkably similar and after a while I just asked him and he said it was him - little did we know we would be staying two nights in his home.
We arrived at Pastor Shongwe's home later that night where his wife and family served us a delicious chicken dinner for at least fifty people. Their hospitality and way of honouring was so humbling and we had the privilege of being in their company for the next two days. After so many continued to ask Pastor Shongwe about his testimony of being raised from the dead he agreed to share it at his church the Saturday morning. We listened attentively as this humble man of God spoke about that day he was beaten to death in an area not too far away but his story was not about the details. He then described that suddenly he was in heaven and spoke of the throne room of God after which he was overcome with such a reverence that he started worshipping God. We all joined in and it was a moment to cherish as we had a tiny inkling of his heavenly experience.
After some fun with the kids in the church we went out into the community where we would walk and people would stop and ask us for prayer. Some asked for healing, some asked for prayer for lost family members and some just asked for a blessing. In one tiny hot shack a woman had asked for healing and during prayer somebody in our small group started worshipping - all I can say is the presence of God was in that tiny place and I saw a desperate woman overcome with the Love of God. Further on three large men - a father and his two sons were relaxing in the shade and the father asked for prayer for his knees and lower back. We asked him to sit down and we prayed for him asking him if he felt better - he stood up and started touching his toes! There was no way to "verify" he was healed but the smile on his face and his mobility was unforgettable.
That evening in church as we were worshipping our group leaders asked Andrea and I to preach! Good Lord I have never preached before and I started laughing but strangely for some time I have had "sermons" going through my mind. As this was called Harvest School what better place to learn - so in we jumped. My opening line was "who are we?!" with nobody realising it was more a question and declaration to myself asking what right do we have to be standing there! I spoke on the faithfulness of God and that "He will never ever give up". Our first sermon wasn't very long and Andrea ended by saying "we love you" - so few words but with such power when full of sincerity. Shortly afterwards an ex gangster from Cape Town preached revival but we were so grateful for the way God took us by the hand into new terrain.
Walking home from church that night I was chatting to a super bright twelve year old who wants to be a lawyer. Somehow we spoke about learning languages and how after a few months of attempting to study Sotho ( from a grammar book) I made no progress. He turned to me and said "father, as you said - Never ever give up"! The time in Hlau Hlau was so precious and travelling back in the taxi I realised what a priceless experience I just had - no safari, exotic getaway or even photographic trip could match this. It is all about the people and I was so grateful that God had connected me to fellow South Africans right here in my own backyard. The journey from seeing Black & White to seeing His full spectrum of rainbow colours has begun. God bless South Africa and all who dwell in this beautiful land.
Just driving in a taxi to different churches and locations was an experience alone especially after having my own altercations with them on the roads. A term I heard here at Pemba was "isolation chambers" which describes cars and how they do insulate you from the culture. Then it was the actual visiting of the churches - some with incredibly loud music and some with just the voices but all were filled with such joyous and spontaneous worship.
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| Riding in the back seat of a taxi |
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| Introductions of the Harvest School team in the tent meeting |
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| Pastor Francis Shongwe in front of his church |
After some fun with the kids in the church we went out into the community where we would walk and people would stop and ask us for prayer. Some asked for healing, some asked for prayer for lost family members and some just asked for a blessing. In one tiny hot shack a woman had asked for healing and during prayer somebody in our small group started worshipping - all I can say is the presence of God was in that tiny place and I saw a desperate woman overcome with the Love of God. Further on three large men - a father and his two sons were relaxing in the shade and the father asked for prayer for his knees and lower back. We asked him to sit down and we prayed for him asking him if he felt better - he stood up and started touching his toes! There was no way to "verify" he was healed but the smile on his face and his mobility was unforgettable.
That evening in church as we were worshipping our group leaders asked Andrea and I to preach! Good Lord I have never preached before and I started laughing but strangely for some time I have had "sermons" going through my mind. As this was called Harvest School what better place to learn - so in we jumped. My opening line was "who are we?!" with nobody realising it was more a question and declaration to myself asking what right do we have to be standing there! I spoke on the faithfulness of God and that "He will never ever give up". Our first sermon wasn't very long and Andrea ended by saying "we love you" - so few words but with such power when full of sincerity. Shortly afterwards an ex gangster from Cape Town preached revival but we were so grateful for the way God took us by the hand into new terrain.
Walking home from church that night I was chatting to a super bright twelve year old who wants to be a lawyer. Somehow we spoke about learning languages and how after a few months of attempting to study Sotho ( from a grammar book) I made no progress. He turned to me and said "father, as you said - Never ever give up"! The time in Hlau Hlau was so precious and travelling back in the taxi I realised what a priceless experience I just had - no safari, exotic getaway or even photographic trip could match this. It is all about the people and I was so grateful that God had connected me to fellow South Africans right here in my own backyard. The journey from seeing Black & White to seeing His full spectrum of rainbow colours has begun. God bless South Africa and all who dwell in this beautiful land.
Great one Mark, glad you started your preaching journey! (:
ReplyDeleteIt is so good to see God using us. Touching, healing, moving in the lives of others and to us at the same time. God bless you more, courageous people.
ReplyDelete