LETS FINISH 2008 WITH A BANG
Our goal through year end has to be one of staying focused and committed regardless of the interruptions. The devil is never happy when one has a burning desire to reach souls for Jesus. He will always put stumbling blocks in one's way. Chariot 2 has returned from central Africa a little bent and buckled and needs some urgent body work to be done. It is also in need of tyres and shocks all round. Chariot 1 just received a set of tyres, but had a mechanical breakdown on the way to Kwazulu Natal. The propshaft broke loose and had to be repaired. We have also had endless problems with the sound system. It is discouraging at times, but think of the souls being reached. This year alone there has been over 800 souls converted and thousands of miles traveled. 2008 is turning out to be a year to be remembered. In our next month's report we will be publishing our 2009 planner. All Chariot travels, Short Term School semesters, WBS seminars and the likes will be published. They say if you fail to plan then you plan to fail. In other words you plan the work and then work the plan. We are excited about 2009. Please pray for our continued efforts. In Him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28.
Swaziland
Above shows some of the gospel meetings in Swaziland. Chariot 1 travels to Swaziland every year. There were 13 souls baptized into Christ during the month. Lazarus Munetsi and Bheki Mamba have worked hard over the years to make this happen. We are still having some problems at the border regarding documentation - not that its unusual. This Chariot is now in Empangani KwaZulu Natal.
Above shows some of the 13 souls baptized in Swaziland. God is Good. Swaziland is a small country within South Africa. They have a population of 1.1 million people. This is were the swazi people are from. Christianity in Swaziland is sometimes mixed with traditional beliefs and practices. Most Swazis ascribe a special spiritual role to the monarch.The country's official languages are SiSwati (an Nguni language related to Zulu) and English. Government and commercial business is conducted mainly in English.PRETORIA
Pretoria is on the up with all taking on more responsibility. Some exciting developments are taking place. We have Dimpo, Lazarus, Mamcy and Joshua working out of the office. Then we have Bongani, Shanga, Ommie and Lydia reporting to the office, but working on the Eastrand. Above shows Dimpo and Lazarus with the short term Bible students. These men are stepping up to the plate and slowly taking on more responsibility. Above shows them with the short term Bible students . These students will be graduating in November. This office has an apartment in the adjacent building where the students sleep and eat.
Above also shows the two ladies that do so much. These two ladies Mamcy and Lydia have also stepped up to the plate and taken on more work. Both these ladies work with Vicki Funk regarding correspondence lessons. This is a full time job. We have names coming in from the evangelists, newspaper ads and the WBS box. Thousands of names are handled every month by these woman. Our main data base for all students will eventually be kept in Perth Australia where Quinton and Vicki will be living. Our first shipment of Bibles has just arrived in Australia. We plan on getting Vicki to not only do all our WBS admin from Australia, but start recruiting and teaching students in Australia. We wish Quinton well and want to THANK him for giving us ten years of his life. Quinton's dream has always been on being self supported. He will always be a part of the work, but as a volunteer. Mom and Dad are proud of you son.
DIMPO MOTIMELA
Above shows Dimpo Motimela. Dimpo was a WBS convert who started working with us straight out of high school. He is a great leader in training. He teaches at our Bible School and does most of our coordinating. I like to say he is my right hand man and Lazarus my left hand man. These are the men I am trying to develop, empower and equip. Anybody can see people as they are, but we need to see what they can become. We at GCM have a dream and what we need to do now is share it. The only way we can do this is to surround ourselves with good people. Team work is dream work. Will Dimpo rise to the challenge that lies ahead? I believe so. He will turn around and empower others. He is a team player and that's what we want.LAZARUS MUNETSI
Above shows Lazarus Munetsi. Lazarus was also a World Bible School convert. It was quite funny how it came about. He was not a student, but attended a WBS seminar with a friend. The friend did not obey the gospel, but Lazarus did and he has never looked back. He is very evangelistic and has so much potential. Above shows Laz with his Masters Degree in Religious studies. He is an example to all. He teaches at our short term school as well. You have two kinds of leaders in this word: a lifter of people and a limiter of people - Laz is a lifter. MEN ON A MISSION
Above shows Dimpo, Lazarus and O'brien Malindi. Brother Malindi is from the Tshidimbini Church of Christ in Venda. It is at his congregation that we are building the new Bible School. This is going to be a wonderful project. Bigger and better than we ever imagined. The Venda brethren are the most mature brethren in South Africa. I really believe that. You might say then why go there and establish a Bible School. It is simple: we at GCM need help. We baptize too many souls every year. Not only that, we need help crossing into Zimbabwe. We need help pushing down into the Nelspruit area. We need help training new converts. We have our hands full. WHO IS GOING TO HELP US...............I believe the Venda brethren. I met with brother Malindi and the elders more than 8 years ago to discuss this dream. It is all finally coming together. We have the dream, but who is going to help with the team??? Next month we will show photos of the roof going up.RUNDU NAMIBIA
Above show the shack Church building we upgraded after our campaign in August. We also managed to get a Church of Christ sign made. There were 30 souls baptized in August with the brethren of Fredericksburg helping us. There are now 3 congregations in Rundu. Jonas Maseka who works with us full time preaches at this one. He is one of our driver/evangelists and when not on the Chariot he is preaching in Rundu. He is a fine young man. Also a convert of World Bible School. I spoke to Jonas this week and he said there were 47 members and 10 visitors in Church last Sunday. He also reported 6 baptisms in the village where we have another two congregations. Eddie and Joseph preach there. When we campaigned there, Eddie's mother who is the chief of the village was also baptized. Then two of his sisters. It was fantastic. The Fredericksburg Church of Christ will try build a small church building in years to come. Rundu is on the main road from Windhoek, Namibia to Zambia, but it is also on the border of Angola. Only a river separating them. God is working in the region.....Amen
DURBAN
Above shows Paulos in action visiting with brother Joseph Marimuthu in Umkamaas. He also uses World Bible School. You can also see Paulos preaching at an open air. Paulos works with Leslie and Colin in the Durban GCM office. Above also shows Paulos and Colin baptizing souls in Durban. Many studies and evangelistic efforts take place with these fine young men.ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF THE YEAR
COME TO ME YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND BURDENED.
GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL
AND WHO DO WE HAVE HERE?
Above shows Mike Knappier outside the smallest Church building in South Africa. This building is found between Johannesburg and Durban. There are only two pews inside. Mike was hoping on teaching a lesson on church growth...........Only joking. It is a roadside tourist site. I pray we at Gospel Chariot Missions will think and dream bigger than this building . The Bible says we can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. Mike is one of the ministers at our sponsoring congregation. He is a good man and has helped GCM campaign for 8 years now. He helps us by visiting congregations in the USA. Lord willing, Mike will work full time with us one day. Please pray for us as we serve the Lord. 