Preaching, Celebrating, Teaching, Sharing

" . . . preaching and teaching the word of the Lord . . . Acts 15:35"

We often are able to share Christ with relatives and friends when someone dies. On March 12, we attended Sister Sina's funeral. Pastor Kevin preached the funeral which was held at the nursing home where Sina and her daughter, Chantel, had been living. We had first met Sina when we began outreach in her street in Eersterivier in 2003. We are thankful that she made a profession of faith and Pastor Kevin had the joy of baptizing her several years ago.

At the graveside, Tony prayed that God would give life to some who were there who were yet without Christ. We are grateful that we never say goodbye to a believer, but rather "Tot siens!" ("Until we see!")

It is a joy for us to see how God is growing and using Kevin, Tony's "Timothy," a son in the faith!

Sina's only child, 21 year old Chantel, gave testimony that she knows her mother is in heaven. Pray for her adjustments to the nursing home where she will remain, now without her mother.

Eindhoven Baptiste Kerk celebrated its second anniversary on March 13. Some of our youth helped with preparing the tea which we enjoyed after the message.

That same day the new church banner was hung for the first time outside the classroom where we meet for services.

We were thankful for the visitors that came. The past month we have seen first time visitors each week. It has been encouraging to see a few return for a second and third service.

Some of our children enjoyed their "tea" outside. "Tea" means some "eats" and a beverage, not necessarily tea; but if it is tea, it will be hot tea!

That evening, Tony preached at the combined fellowship service in Eersteriver on "Idols of the Heart" from Exodus 20 and I John 5:21. After the message, we had "tea" again! :-)

The Oostenberg Bybel Institute class on Revelation began on February 3 and continues through March 31. Tony has been preparing the lecture materials in both English and Afrikaans, so the work load has been great. The students represent 4 churches.

These men will prepare several projects to submit for their final grade for the course. Pray for the Lord to enable them to do their best and to learn much from the course where they are learning that God does all things, even the execution of judgment, to glorify Himself.

Yesterday, I had a lovely surprise when Lizette and Rhoda arrived for a visit, along with Liz's mom, Charlotte (on left below), whom I had not had the joy of seeing for a very long time! We were able to share several hours together. How I praise the Lord for the joy of the Lord which is Charlotte's strength. Liz and Rhoda need the Lord's grace for their jobs in social work. Pray that they will know God's blessing in their lives.