“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
1 Corinthians 16:13
National Day of Repentance
1 February marked our National Day of Repentance in South Africa. It was on this day, 15 years ago, that abortion was legalized. The death toll for the unborn has since exceeded 1 million.
Christian Action organized the annual funeral procession to Parliament in Cape Town, followed by a prayer vigil of repentance at the front gates. The funeral procession, complete with a hearse and Christian ‘mourners’ carrying coffins and posters, moved through the city streets displaying God’s heart on this matter.
This was also a great outreach opportunity for Gospel tract distribution.
Missions Orientation Weekend
I spoke at a Missions Orientation Weekend run by my colleague John, which included time on the shooting range with participants. 2am the following morning course attendees had to do a mock Bible smuggling exercise through rough terrain and wade through a dam to reach the ‘target’ people group.
Men’s Bible study group
Since my friends Ron and Dave, of the US based Men’s Praise Movement, visited in December, we’ve been challenged to start a men’s Bible study group.
Our group of Christian men wants to follow Jesus Christ in every area of their lives, including their personal lives, family life, church life and in society.
Our group intends facing the awe-inspiring challenges presented to men in God’s Word.
One of our goals is to prepare to reach out with the Gospel to unsaved men by exhibiting a strength and humility available only by living a life obedient to Christ Jesus.
One member has just presented the Gospel to an inmate in an Afghanistan prison, by phone.
We intend this Bible study group to be about the adventure of following Jesus Christ wholeheartedly; it is about risking our very lives for His Kingdom.
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12
We hope to be men who will not settle for the safety and fleeting contentment of second best, but who long to live on the edge; men who crave victory and will not compromise our faith.
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”1 Corinthians 15:57
‘We will not hide’
Download this excellent book for men: “We will not hide” for only $1.99.
The author, my friend Ron Kronz, has a passion to see lives transformed by the Gospel. And his book is helping men do just that.
Just some advice to my male friends: Be sure to read this book before your wife does…
All proceeds of this book are supporting the Linda church plant in Zambia.
Family
I don’t often give very detailed descriptions of our family needs, but seeing that this newsletter is for our prayer and ministry partners, here goes…
Sonja has hosted about 9 homeschooling families at our home. She has also been very involved in getting John-Marc (9) to various medical professionals for tests on his areas of communication and processing – sight, speech and hearing.
While in the US, John-Marc was diagnosed with extreme dyslexia. We have been so blessed by friends who have helped financially to get excellent help for him, particularly through a Christian group ‘Dyslexic Education Association of R’s’ based in Tulsa, OK.
After 18 weeks of rigid eye exercises, John-Marc is now reading, to the absolute amazement of Sonja and I.
We still have a long way to go with more eye training by a developmental optometrist and, when finances allow, audiology examinations.
We’d appreciate your prayers for John-Marc.
Many also prayed for Roberta (15) on 26 November 2008 when at age 11 she underwent an operation on her right leg and foot by a Christian Orthopedic Surgeon. Her condition is known as Hemihypertrophy.
Roberta’s case of Hemihypertrophy was characterized by an unequal (asymmetric) growth of the right leg.
The procedure she had is known as Epiphysiodesis – an operation that prematurely ceases the growth of the one leg to equalize leg length.
We thank the Lord that all has gone well and hope that surgery to remove all the nuts and bolts can take place in about 6 months.
Jason (11) has joined scouts and enjoying the experience; Anya (4) loves her art and dancing classes. I’m just dreading the day they want fathers to take part in art or dancing exhibitions.
Thank you for your prayers and partnership in His ministry.
