Tuesday, May 14, 2013

WE CELEBRATE OUR 20TH YEAR OF MISSION WORK

 
We cannot believe that it is almost mid-year already, and not only that, our ministry is 20 years old. WOW! time does fly when you are having fun, working for the Lord, or should one say, as you get older. God is so Good and has blessed us as we planned the work and then worked the plan. Goals have been the backbone of this ministry and as we celebrate 20 years, PLEASE PRAY FOR US AS WE ASK GOD FOR WISDOM AND PLAN AND PLOT THE NEXT 20 YEARS OF GOALS FOR JESUS.
 
On the work front it has been busy, busy. For some reason this year seems a lot more busier. The team and I have had our work cut out, problems and all. Below are just a few of the happenings that God is doing through us. Many souls have come to Lord and we give HIM THE GLORY. AMEN.
 




NEW GHANA GOSPEL CHARIOT


Above shows the New Gospel Chariot that was built for Ghana. This
is it, filling up with diesel, on its way to the Durban harbour, where it was
loaded onto a vessel for Accra, Ghana. It has now arrived
in Ghana. It will soon start having Gospel meetings in Ghana. This was
once upon a time a goal we had for Jesus. Today, a dream come true.
WE GIVE GOD THE GLORY. MAY MANY, MANY SOULS COME
TO HIM THROUGH IT.

NAMIBIA

Above shows Chariot 2 in Namibia where we just finished a campaign
and lectureship. IT WAS FANTASTIC. Brethren from Fredericksburg
and Benton came over to help. This has been a difficult mission field
where we have done most of the planting of congregations. 3 years back
we started a lectureship, where we got all the newly planted churches together.
This year it was hosted by the Wanaheda Church of Christ in Windhoek.
There were 9 congregations that attended or should we say, the leaders of
9 congregations. 2 Churches in the USA have worked with me over the years
to make this happen. Fredericksburg and Benton. It has been tough and now we
are seeing the most amazing growth. AMEN AND AMEN
There were over 250 in attendance on the Sunday when we left. We had a
week of Bible studies and lectures. Above shows brother Terry Phillips
from Fredericksburg, who has stuck with me on this mission of Namibia.
Big THANK YOU, Brother. I almost walked away some years ago. It
was tough. You helped me persevere and encourage even more Churches.
GOD IS GOOD.
Above shows the teaching during the week.
 
We also had one on one studies going on. Every year we visit different
areas where we have planted congregations and help grow the church,
but also look for opportunities where we can plant new churches. A
great door has now opened in Oshikati. I hope to go  there and visit
later this year. Above is sister Marty teaching one on one. Sister Marty
taught the ladies how to teach Sunday school as well. AMEN
Above shows sister Peggy teaching one on one and brother Laurence
interpreting for her.
More bible studies. We also had 6 men doing bible studies.
There were 21 souls baptized during the week.
Above shows me having a little fun as they brought the mattresses in.
We housed and fed the brethren. The local church also contributed
towards the food. I am so happy with the growth in Namibia. It went
through 5 years of conflict as a false teacher continued to visit and teach
error and create division....
Brother Joel Lewis baptizing one of the 21 souls
Brother James and brother Michael from Fredericksburg baptizing a soul.
It was wonderful. The Chariot was parked outside the Church building
on a busy road and every time they wanted to baptize they would do it
in full view of all the people and traffic.

PLETTENBERG BAY

Above shows the Hillview Church of Christ in Plett. After the campaign
in Namibia Mike Knappier and Joel Lewis stayed a week with me in Plett
and helped do a marriage seminar on the Saturday as well as preach on
Sunday. They also met with the leaders Sunday night encouraging them.
Above shows the marriage seminar on the Saturday.
Mike and Joel preached on Sunday and then the congregation fed us.
Above shows the children standing in line waiting for their food.

Mike, Joel, Ria and I having a meal. It was chicken, mealie meal and
chakalaka mixed with vegetables. It was awesome. Mike and Joel have
been such good friends of mine. Mike is based in Benton and helps GCM
in more ways than one. Thanks guys for your love and friendship. I am a
better person because of you.

Above shows some of the other brothers eating. Sunday morning service
was maxed out. No seats left. This is a growing congregation. Remember
some years back Ria and I started a congregation in a shack then bought a
shack and now today there is a Church building and Bible School. Brothers
Zonge and Gladman are the young preachers working with the church now.
Above shows tons of bible literature being off loaded that will be used
in the area and on the Chariots.
Above shows brother Lyman baptizing one of the short term
Bible students in Plett.
Another short term Bible student being brought to the Lord

CHARIOT ONE IN THE EASTERN CAPE

Above shows some of the brethren who attended the gospel meeting
in Port Elizabeth.

It is so good to see the brethren get together and use the Chariot and
evangelize the community in a combined way like this.
Above shows Bongani baptizing one of the many souls baptized in the
Eastern Cape.

Never too late to say I do. AMEN.
And what do you say. I say I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God.

VENDA

Above shows brother Stanley from the Downtown Church of Christ
in Pretoria teaching on leadership. Stanley and Dimpo are the preachers
of the Downtown Church in Pretoria. Above shows 15 bible students
at the short term bible school. Brother O'Brien Malindi is the director
of the school and brother De Villiers the full time teacher. This semester
we have Dimpo and Lazarus commuting as they help teach.

Above shows the leaders from the big Tshidimbini Church of Christ
meeting with the new intake of students.

Above shows some of the students studying at the Bible School.

Above shows 2 big brothers helping load books shipped in from the US.
These are commentaries and books for the Vhemba Bible School Library.
The little guy is our volunteer who is always working for the Lord.
He is Morena. Dimpo's son. He is a cutie.
AMEN Dimpo baptizing a soul in Pretoria.

Gospel Chariot Missions does WBS Follow up and many of
these souls are students studying with a teacher in the USA.
Lazarus also baptizing a soul in Pretoria. We have such a precious GCM
TEAM. That's what makes this work so great. Great people who take what
they  are great at and use it to benefit others. THANKS TO THE TEAM.




GEORGE IN THE JUNGLE DOES IRONMAN

On the 14th April I managed to complete the Ironman in Port Elizabeth.
This has always been one of my goals, but why I left it until age 58 I really
don't know. Whatever, it was GREAT. You have to swim 3.8km in he sea.
Then jump on a racing bike and cycle 180km and then get off that bike and
Run a marathon 42km. They give you 17 hours to do it. Above shows me
after completing the event. My face says it all. TAKE ME HOME
Above shows me finishing my swim of 3.8km in 1hr 17min
Much easier than what I thought. I never was much of a
swimmer. Lesson. You can do anything you set you mind to.
 
Above shows me at the transition getting my bike and heading
for the 180km ride. It was great. I cycle a lot and it went well.
30ks an hour. It took me 6 hours.


 
After cycling we had to run a marathon. 42km, 26miles.
Well, just look at my face, it says it all. HA HA.
Reality setting in and questions like. What are you
doing? No not that bad. It was just the last 20ks that
kind of hurt, but they say everyone hurts on the last bit.

Above show me hitting the red carpet after 12hrs51.
What a feeling. I still had 4 hrs and 9min to spare.
I MADE IT.
ABOVE SHOWS YOU ONE HAPPY CHAPPIE....... I LOVE EXERCISING.
IT HELPS ME SET GOALS AND HELPS ME STAY FOCUSED AND
DISCIPLINED. MANY AND IF NOT ALL GOSPEL CHARIOTS MISSIONS
GOALS HAVE BEEN PRAYED AND THOUGHT OF ON THE ROAD
EXERCISING. IS ONE OF MY TIMES WITH GOD.
PSALMS 139:23-24 SEARCH ME GOD AND KNOW MY HEART
TEST ME AND KNOW MY ANXIOUS THOUGHTS. SEE IF THERE IS ANY
OFFENSIVE WAY IN ME AND LEAD ME IN THE WAY EVERLASTING.