Wow, April
is upon us and all 9 Gospel Chariots are rolling and the Chariot teams are hard
at work. There have been over 300 baptisms with a number of congregations
planted. I cannot explain how amazing it is as one travels and works with the
different chariots and regions and then one cannot even get to all countries
and chariots due to the vastness of this outreach. God is working through the Chariot teams. It is amazing.
I
have just returned home after 2 months of working the Southern part, mainly South
Africa and Namibia. Bible Schools are in and Risograph Printers are starting to print. Two new mini chariots are busy being built for the Western
Cape and Namibia - both will be completed and up and running by mid year and,
Lord willing, we will also have the new Zambian chariot built by year end. Then Lord Willing Kenya and Nigeria.
Brethren,
have a look at some of the amazing work taking place on the African continent
and it’s all your fault, ha ha, yes, we have to commend all the amazing leaders we are working with
in Africa. Great leaders make great works, everything rises and falls on leadership
and I believe we are choosing the right men to do the right thing, on the right
continent for God. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all for working together. "teamwork is dreamwork"
GHANA
The
Ghana team reports that the Chariot worked with the churches in the Central region
for this first quarter of the year. They divided their time between almost twenty
congregations and worked together with these congregations to evangelize their
local areas. They have baptised 71 people and have enrolled 2,452 new students
to World Bible School and have also distributed 30 boxes of tracts and a number
of boxes of bibles. Below see them distributing some of the 30,000 bibles we
shipped in for them to distribute. Amen.
They
attribute some of their campaign success to the fact that they have been able to
distribute these Bibles and tracts (as seen above) and that they can offer enrolment
to the World Bible School lessons. Specifically, the Bibles and tracts are
stamped with the Church address and telephone numbers (below, top left) and
they have done this so that people are able to contact them directly if they have
any questions. Evans has already had some contact him as a result of this. They
also had gospel movies at night and went into the high schools. Wonderful as
they reach so many.
On
March 31 we received a message from Willie Gley in Ghana. He was excited to share
the two photos below. They had printed their first tracts on their Risograph
printer and had chosen to print "What must I do to be Saved" tracts
in French. The Riso printing ministry is growing with us now having 8 machines
in Africa where tracts will be printed in country for the different chariots.
We are working
hard on saving certain tracts here to our blog (see sidebar) so anyone one
who wants a tract can download it and then print it. Otherwise we will be
putting these machines in Africa, but what will we be printing? So, it's a mission,
but we are getting there. We have 12 tracts saved already and will be adding
WBS Intro lessons and so on, even French speaking tracts. This way we are
preserving tracts and helping us African missionaries with some administration work.
Below shows the team in Ghana being joined by Ron Pottberg from World Bible School Austin while they were in Ajumako, in the central region (four photos below). They were kept very busy with night preaching and teaching, one on one Bible studies and World Bible School student recruitment in the day, the distribution of thousands of tracts, as well as Bibles and other materials. Ron said "The Mission Printing tracts and booklets are a great attention getter as very few ministries give out free materials. So everyone goes away with something to read and think about and a majority will enrol for the WBS lessons." The team were kept busy preaching to the people in their local language and also managed to show some videos, including "The Life of Christ" in their own language which is great for the people to be able to better understand what they are being taught.
TOGO
In
February the Chariot team went to Yokele to help a newly planted church. The
team, consisting of the chariot workers, 18 students, 14 preachers and 11 members
from congregations in the Kpalime area hoped to help the church by introducing
them to the community through open air preaching, door knocking, tract
distribution and worship services. They were happy to report that this work resulted
in one new baptism and also fifteen new prospects for the Yokele church of
Christ.
Willie
reports that they have had so many requests from people in smaller villages to
help plant churches in their communities that the team now has "more than
we can handle. However, we thank God for using us as tools". What a great problem to have!
The
Chariot will be working in the following areas over the next three months:
April
27 to May 3 Lama Kara
June
15 to 19 Tabligbo; and then
June
22 to 28 Follow up in Lama Kara
BENIN
The
Gospel Chariot in Benin undertook its first big trip in January and was on the road,
visiting the Northern parts of the country, from January 16 to February 14.
It seems it was quiet an eventful trip with the team (Honore top left and Michee top right) reporting that they were bumped by another vehicle, they were fined for having a burnt out headlight, they were not allowed to teach in some areas because the authorities wanted them to have "open air preaching permits" and some of the chiefs wanted them to have "preaching permits", one of the churches was not prepared for them, all four of the speakers took a turn to blow and then the clutch on the Chariot went! See it being repaired below...
Despite all of this happening Michee says: "It is important to underline that this is our first experience and we love it!" Joy in trials!
Even
though the team experienced all these trials, they still managed to visit with six
congregations across the North and encouraged them and worked with them. They
taught lessons on leadership and discipleship. They taught day and night. They
taught in open areas and they taught in homes. They held a two hour prayer
meeting. They did some door knocking. They had home Bible studies with three
families (and the local preachers promised to go back and visit with those
families).
And
the team, themselves, also learnt some valuable lessons which will stand them
in good stead when they plan their next trip.
Below
shows the entire team in Benin led by George Akpabli (far left).
GOD
BLESS BROTHER GEORGE AND THE TEAM IN BENIN. GOD IS WORKING.
LIBERIA
Isaac
reports that the team has had 24 baptisms in January and February. It's so good
to see children witnessing this baptism what an example!
Then in March they set out on a three week gospel campaign trip to North and Central Liberia where the team worked in four counties. They headed out to Ganta (baptism above), Gbanga, Totota and Weala. They were excited to report the planting of a new congregation in the Hope Community, Weala, Margibi County (pictured below). A total of 16 people were baptised as the first fruit of this congregation. Isaac reports that this three week campaign yielded a total of 46 baptisms.
There
has been an increased demand for tracts and the preachers from various areas
have been coming to collect them from Isaac to use at their local congregations.
To date they have distributed 75,000 tracts in Liberia. Remember Liberia is
recovering from the ebola epidemic. PLEASE PRAY FOR ISAAC
AND THE TEAM THERE. GOD IS WORKING...
MALAWI
The
mini chariot in Malawi has been working in Kadikechi, Nthungwa, Sonda Silos,
Phwechi, Kajiti, Katoto, Chibwaka and Geisha. We don't have many photos due to
Moster and the team having a computer problem. We are trying to get them sorted
out so they can report better. Below shows 2 uncompleted buildings in and
around Mzuzu that the team managed to help complete during their December
holidays. Every year we, as a GCM team, try help build one church building in
Malawi, which only costs $1,500.00, believe it or not.
Above
shows the 3 Malawian leaders, Moster, Lyman and Robert. Very good men and part
of our family. Malawi has received their Riso Printer and it will be stored and
working out of the Mzuzu Bible School where they have given us an office to
work out of. The team reported 11 baptisms, 6 restorations and 2,415 students
have been enrolled to World Bible School. Robert tells us that they have also
been helping with visiting schools, hospitals and prisons recruiting students
and that they have even been called to speak at weddings and funerals. In
January the chariot was called to help out at a funeral and after our team had
helped with the funeral service one of the people who attended the service
asked to be baptised.
Robert
and Lyman are now working Chariot 2 that is working its way through Namibia and
will soon be in Zambia.
ZIMBABWE
In
February the team in Zimbabwe, with the help of a preacher from Mushaviri, have
planted a new congregation in Gutu Township. The preacher from Mushaviri will
be travelling to them (14kms) to help them out until they are stronger and able
to stand on their own. On their way back home they stopped in Masvingo and had
a Bible study with Abigirl (below) who they then baptised right outside in the
water tank!
In
March the team went back to Arcturus to visit with and encourage the new congregation
they helped plant in January. Auswich reports that while they were there they
also met and studied with and baptised four new souls!
They
then also went on to plant a new congregation in Mayambara (on the outskirts of
Harare) and are grateful for the fact that fourteen people decided to obey the
gospel. For their first Sunday worship service they were visited and encouraged
by some Christians from Zengeza and Manyame who will help support this new
congregation.
Things
are happening in Zimbabwe. Some exciting news is that the Venda Gospel Chariot
team and the Zimbabwean team are working together with the Vendan team crossing
over from South Africa in the South and planting congregations South of
Masvingo. Three congregations have been planted so far with more doors opening
and more converts wanting to attend the short term bible school in Venda. I
personally, Lord willing, will be campaigning in Venda in early June and be
crossing over into Zimbabwe and working with the two teams. What is most
exciting is that we Africans are becoming the missionaries now. Exiting,
exciting developments and I am fully behind this concept.
PLEASE
PRAY FOR ZIMBABWE.
VENDA
The
team in Venda have been recruiting students to WBS in the big city of Thohoyandou
and they also held some tent meetings in this first quarter. The short term
Bible School is in process and will continue for 6 months. There are 0ver 60
congregations in Venda and it's these brethren that are helping us cross over
into neighbouring countries and do mission work. They also oversee the Bible
School and Chariot. They are great partners in the gospel. God Bless Venda.
One
of the tent meetings they hosted was at Tshibvumo. They held classes for the community
from Thursday through Sunday and they also hosted an area wide congregational
meeting on the Saturday and Sunday. They report that 350 people from
congregations spread around Venda all gathered together to study and pray and
plan together and to encourage one another.
I will be in Venda early June and then onto Zimbabwe with the mini chariot. I have also just returned from Namibia with brother Malindi from Venda. He good friend and accompanied me as I encouraged the young congregations that we have planted in Namibia over the years. I am trying to link key South African leaders up to the young congregations in Namibia. Brother Malindi is a wonderful leader and has helped sort out many church problems over the years and has now invited many of the Namibian leaders to visit Venda and South Africa. This way helping Namibia be more connected to the South African churches.
I will be in Venda early June and then onto Zimbabwe with the mini chariot. I have also just returned from Namibia with brother Malindi from Venda. He good friend and accompanied me as I encouraged the young congregations that we have planted in Namibia over the years. I am trying to link key South African leaders up to the young congregations in Namibia. Brother Malindi is a wonderful leader and has helped sort out many church problems over the years and has now invited many of the Namibian leaders to visit Venda and South Africa. This way helping Namibia be more connected to the South African churches.
SOUTH
AFRICA
WESTERN CAPE - Plettenberg Bay
Below
shows the congregation in Plettenberg Bay having some fun and fellowship during
my visit home there for 2 months. We had a leadership seminar, but at the same
time started building the new mini chariots. We also had brother Tebogo Ramatsui
visit with us who is an elder in the Church of Christ in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. He is also a good friend and great leader in South Africa. It was wonderful and our main goal is to link new congregations up to the main
stream Churches of Christ that are mature. It was wonderful having him and
other leaders visit with us as we discussed missions in the area. Some good news
was that two influential men in the community where baptised. Both had been
attending other denominations and are excited about the truth and about serving
God in the Lords Church.
Below
shows the new mini chariot busy being built for the Western Cape. This chariot
will work between Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and the Garden Route,
where it will be based. There are many, many towns where there are no Churches of Christ.
We are also in the process of purchasing and building the same style mini
chariot for Namibia, that should be ready by midyear. Please pray
for these two new Gospel Chariots that will be working non-evangelised regions.
January
saw us repairing and polishing all the South African Gospel Chariots before
they left on their travels and believe me, there are repairs that need to be done
every year. We really and truly work hard on making sure we fix things before
the vehicles leave, otherwise you're going to have problems where you don't want
to have problems.
Below shows Willie Gley getting some training on the Riso Printers for Togo and Benin. You can also see Bongani doing some printing and me, with a young man called Zonge, who we are training up to help with heading up the Riso ministry regarding the compiling and collection of tracts. As we mentioned, we now have 8 printing machines in Africa. God is working through the written word. AMEN.
Below shows our leadership seminar in Plettenberg Bay. We had brethren from Port Elizabeth, Knysna and George. Ria also got to teach the ladies and brother Tebogo was amazing. Things are starting to happen in the Western Cape where there are hardly any Churches of Christ from PE to Cape Town.
Below
shows the newly planted Knysna Church of Christ that we planted late last year.
Brother Lazarus Munetsi, our GCM right hand man, has done an amazing job taking
over from me in the region. He and his wife, Busi, are amazing, Godly people.
Below
shows a few of the baptisms from the first quarter. First is Bongani baptizing
a young lady while the chariot was in Port Elizabeth (top left), second is a
baptism at the church in Plettenberg Bay (top right) and the two photos at the bottom
show Lazarus (bottom left) and Tebogo (bottom right) baptising two souls during
the leadership week in Plettenberg Bay.
CHARIOT ONE
In this first quarter Chariot One visited Port Elizabeth, Bothsabelo, ThabNchu, Mafikeng and Zeerust. The team reports 79 baptisms. They were able to work with and encourage two newly planted churches. They also visited an Aged Care Facility and studied with and baptised two men, aged 70 and 82, (below, top right) as well as four members of staff (below, top left). They prayed with the elderly and even got to visit with and pray for a lovely lady who was 105 years old! They shared the Word with learners at a Special Educational Needs school and prayed with the teachers and principal (below, bottom left).
In this first quarter Chariot One visited Port Elizabeth, Bothsabelo, ThabNchu, Mafikeng and Zeerust. The team reports 79 baptisms. They were able to work with and encourage two newly planted churches. They also visited an Aged Care Facility and studied with and baptised two men, aged 70 and 82, (below, top right) as well as four members of staff (below, top left). They prayed with the elderly and even got to visit with and pray for a lovely lady who was 105 years old! They shared the Word with learners at a Special Educational Needs school and prayed with the teachers and principal (below, bottom left).
Chariot
one also worked at Thaba Nchu and Bongani was excited to report that graduates
from the short term school in Pretoria who live in the area joined up with him
to help him preach and teach and baptise. (Pictured below)
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DURBAN
The Durban office received their Riso printer and they are so grateful to be able to be printing their own lessons again. They also hosted an all night prayer meeting which was attended by members from six congregations. They met to pray together and plan together and to encourage each other.
REIGER PARK
In March I taught at a Leadership Seminar hosted by the Reiger Park church (pictured below). They are currently worshipping in a tent, but they are in the process of erecting a building. Top right is Phillip Hermanus, the preacher and evangelist in Reiger Park. Reiger Park is in the suburb of Boksburg and that is where I was baptised in 1984. It was wonderful to return and encourage our brethren.
In March I taught at a Leadership Seminar hosted by the Reiger Park church (pictured below). They are currently worshipping in a tent, but they are in the process of erecting a building. Top right is Phillip Hermanus, the preacher and evangelist in Reiger Park. Reiger Park is in the suburb of Boksburg and that is where I was baptised in 1984. It was wonderful to return and encourage our brethren.
PRETORIA
The team working out of our office in Pretoria reports three baptisms this week! They are two students from our Short Term Bible School and a World Bible School student who came to the office for a personal Bible study and decided he needed to be baptised.
The team working out of our office in Pretoria reports three baptisms this week! They are two students from our Short Term Bible School and a World Bible School student who came to the office for a personal Bible study and decided he needed to be baptised.
LECTURESHIP - MIDDELBURG
The chariot was also recently used at the Lectureship in Middelburg. Dimpo reports that the lectureship was well attended by about 2,000 people. Gospel Chariot Missions was represented by Dimpo, Lazarus and Bongani who were all involved in preaching and teaching at the lectureship. The Chariot was used for a variety of classes and meetings and was also the serving point for supper every night. Dimpo shared about the work Gospel Chariot Missions does and he reports that he had a lot of people coming to the chariot afterwards to find out more about it and to ask questions.
The chariot was also recently used at the Lectureship in Middelburg. Dimpo reports that the lectureship was well attended by about 2,000 people. Gospel Chariot Missions was represented by Dimpo, Lazarus and Bongani who were all involved in preaching and teaching at the lectureship. The Chariot was used for a variety of classes and meetings and was also the serving point for supper every night. Dimpo shared about the work Gospel Chariot Missions does and he reports that he had a lot of people coming to the chariot afterwards to find out more about it and to ask questions.
NAMIBIA
As
I mentioned in our last report, I just got back from Namibia and am so excited about
the future. It has been years of pioneering and we are now starting to see the
light. Congregations are growing and we are in the process of building a mini chariot
for this amazing country. Chariot 2, which I was working on earlier this month
in Namibia, is now in Rundu and the team reports they are having meetings at
night which are being well attended by approximately 200 people.
WOW! AS YOU CAN SEE BRETHREN.......GOD IS WORKING
AND IT'S ONLY GETTING BETTER.
THANK YOU FATHER GOD
AND THANK YOU TO ALL WHO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN
