What do Aloe and Cello, Makano, Mackenzie, Minstrel and Mission, Daisy and Drummer have in common? They are street names where we have walked in the past month bearing the precious seed of the Gospel of Christ in the communities of Belhar, Delft, Hanover Park, Happy Valley, Sarepta, and Genadendal.
We usually spend Tuesdays and Thursdays going door-to-door with religious survey forms, tracts and Bible. Since we often leave home in the morning returning home in the late afternoon, we take a brief lunch break at the car to enjoy the sandwiches and cool drink that we carry in our small cooler bag. We have been amazed over the reception we have had and the access to so many people in this day of much violence and crime. Almost everyone answers their door and immediately reaches for their keys to unlock the safety gate to invite us inside even before we have introduced ourselves or explained why we are there. Most people insist that we come inside even though we tell them that we do not mind speaking to them at the door and that we do not have to come inside. Truly, the Lord is giving us favour in the eyes of these people to allow us the opportunity to clearly present the gospel of Jesus Christ at over 90% of the homes where we have found someone home. Depending on the area, there is between 30 to 40% unemployment in South Africa, which means we find many adults home with time to listen to us.
Tony has had 2 opportunities to speak of Christ to a Muslim madrasa teacher seen here in the photo with some of his learners.
We have met a number of elderly people who may truly be born-again but they lack assurance of their salvation. Wherever we go we present Christ as the only Saviour and our need to trust Him alone for salvation. We are praying for the Lord to give us the joy of reaping a harvest here in the days ahead.
Some evenings we are out following up contacts that the Lord has given us. One of the couples we had opportunity one evening to present Christ to lives in Hanover Park. Pray for the Lord to use our testimony to bring Benedict to Christ and to encourage Tina to grow. Tony continues to have opportunities to preach for national pastors in some of the indigenous works nearby. In April he had the joy of ministering the Word five times at 4 of the churches that we try to encourage.
