Above shows bible studies taking place a plenty. Thanks to our brethren from Fredericksburg who have assisted us for years now with campaigning in Namibia. Below is a report with photos done by Bob Mathews. Always good to hear from another person. In June we will have Mike Knappier and 12 others working with us in Venda......Amen.
On April 16 our team of 5 from Fredericksburg TX, plus a former member now worshiping in Buda TX, left for Southern Africa. This was the fourth "official" campaign to Namibia by the Fredericksburg congregation, but the first ever to Walvis Bay.
After spending around 21 hours on 3 different airplanes to get there, we were all excited about the possibilities of this campaign. After arriving on Sunday the 18th, we began teaching the next day.
The team got a late start Monday, because the workers had to set up the Gospel Chariot tent. This was not due to lack of preparation, but because of city rules. The city permit that lets us set up in a vacant lot allows us only three days. After three days, we could move to a new location, but it’s three days each place. Had they set up on Sunday, that would have counted as a day. So, starting at Noon on Monday, we still were able to conduct nine studies, resulting in one baptism.
There is a wonderful team of Christian brothers from Malawi staffing Chariot 2 this year on its tour through several African countries. Erick and Foster are so, so dedicated to the Lord it is very encouraging to see their zeal. Laurence, a brother from Rundu, is in Walvis Bay now, and working to help the Church strengthen and grow here. Eddie was also there from Rundu, but only temporarily; he went home on the 26th.
By late morning Tuesday, we hadn’t had a single study. The Chariot had been set up next to a well-traveled path where many people go to and from work on the docks. We passed out many fliers for World Bible School, but no one had time to study “now”. We decided to move to a new location, something we weren’t scheduled to do until Thursday morning.
The new location worked out great — in a residential area, much more traffic, and more attention by people who live nearby. One of the men Jon studied with on Tuesday — Nicholas — was actually a Christian from Rundu who was baptized by Jonas in 2008. Nicholas needed a little follow-up study, and was anxious to find some brethren in Walvis Bay. Lawrence was glad to find Nicholas too, because he had heard he was here to work, and was glad to let him know where the church meets.
Paul studied with Betty, and at the point in the study when he asked her to make a commitment, she said she wanted to, but Betty has some issues in her life she isn’t proud of, and knew she needed to change. She knew and understood the truth. Paul and George encouraged her and assured her that the only difference between saved sinners and unsaved sinners is that saved sinners have accepted Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf, and are working to change their lives by His power. We rejoiced Tuesday afternoon as Paul baptized Betty. She was at the evening service the next three nights, as well as Sunday morning, and brought her daughter Imagine.
Wednesday was actually our first full day to conduct studies, and we discovered the old adage about the 3 most important things in business (location, location, and location) is also true for setting up a visible location for Bible studies. We had a total of 12 studies and 1 baptism for our first 2 days — and that included half a day at the new location. Wednesday alone, we had 21 studies and 7 baptisms, and that was before lunch! After lunch we had another 14 studies and 1 baptism, bringing our total to 35 studies and 8 baptisms for the day.
Five of Peggy’s students were baptized Wednesday. This photo shows Ayesha, as Erick is taking her confession just before her baptism. She nearly didn’t go through with it; it had nothing to do with her desire to obey, but with the water temperature! It had been getting down to the low 50’s at night — perhaps even into the upper 40’s (~8-9°C) — and the baptistery, being part of the Chariot, sits outside continually. I can only imagine how glad these new Christians feel to be baptized outdoors in Africa instead of in Alaska!
Let me tell you about Jeremiah. This man came to the Chariot on Monday (location 1, remember), and studied with Jerry. He was very sincere, but wasn’t ready to commit yet. He said he wanted to come back, but couldn’t come on Tuesday. He would see us on Wednesday, he said. At that time, we expected to be at that location through Wednesday, and move to location 2 on Thursday morning. When we moved on Tuesday, we were concerned about those who would be returning to study, but we felt it best to move anyway. Jeremiah noticed we weren’t there, so he phoned one of the brothers who had given Jeremiah his phone number. He came Wednesday afternoon, and had a follow-up study with George. They wrapped up the study, but Jeremiah had more questions, so Paul studied with him some more. Jeremiah was also at our service Wednesday night, but by the end of the week still hadn't been baptized. Please pray for Jeremiah, as well as the others who have been taught but haven’t yet decided to commit their lives to Christ.
Laurence, who I mentioned earlier, had come to Walvis Bay from Rundu to get a job and help start a congregation. The church had been meeting in his shed-house. George and Terry tried with Laurence to get his landlord to give them additional room to allow the church to meet, but being an unbeliever, she was unwilling. We had been praying that we would be able to help them find a better place, and on Thursday they finalized a 1-year lease on a larger place. This will be much better, and will give them an address to tell people where the church meets. This gives the church more credibility in the minds of a Bible study student, and is a definite answer to prayer.
When the campaign was over, we had studies with 77 and baptized 15. Please pray that the church will continue to grow, and that the follow-up with the students will produce an even greater harvest.
On Saturday we went by Laurence’s shack, where the church had been meeting. Sometimes homeowners allow others to build shacks on their property, in return for rent. This is where Laurence, his brother Eric, and their families had been living. After taking some photos, we then went to the new place, where they will be living, and where the church will meet. George will arrange for a sign that will be mounted outside the house, so people can see this is where the church meets.
That afternoon, Laurence’s other brother Funky was off work and was able to meet with us. Also present were the Chariot drivers Erick & Foster, Eddie from Rundu, Philip, and a neighbor who is also a member of the church — Jeffrey. George demonstrated the use of the flipcharts that we had used on the campaign. They are excited about being able to use these in their own evangelistic efforts. We left two flipcharts with the church, and one with the Chariot drivers.
Beginning this summer, Harrison will be visiting the Walvis Bay congregation every other month. Harrison works with George in South Africa, and also worked with us in Rundu during the 2008 campaign. His regular presence will be a great encouragement to this baby church, and should be the boost they need to keep the high spirits and encouragement flowing.
Before we left them Saturday, we sang some songs in English and some in Rutjazi. Each of the American men had some words of encouragement for the Namibians. Two of them prayed in their native tongue, and two of our men offered prayers in English.
At 8:30 Sunday morning, we met with the Walvis Bay brethren at their new location. If you click on the link, you come to a Google Map. This doesn’t show much, but as you zoom out (the controls are on the upper left-hand side of the map), you see how populous the area is. This is the Seapointe neighborhood, and many many people work in the factories and docks. There is great potential for evangelism here!
Present Sunday morning were 30 souls, and when you subtract the 6 from Texas, 2 from South Africa, and 3 from Rundu, that still leaves 19 locals. This is very encouraging! The church in Walvis Bay, although young, is strong and has been entrusted to faithful brethren who will work to help it grow.
We sang several songs, partook of the Lord’s Supper, and each of the 7 men from Texas and South Africa spoke words of encouragement. We sang a couple more songs in English, two in Rutjazi, and closed with a prayer. The Lord has already blessed this work in Walvis Bay, and it will be fun and encouraging to watch Him work in the coming months.
