Wow, again, it’s been a while since our last update, and we have so much to report on. I tried to give a detailed account of everything in chronological order since much of what happened in Sutherland was particularly striking regarding God’s timing, but after many attempts, I felt the story drowned in the details, and I decided to summarise everything instead. I’d like to add that I feel very much like a reporter, in the sense that I cannot take credit for anything that happened. It’s all God’s doing.
Evangelism Opportunities
We walked with the cross a lot, often building a whole entourage of little children, each wanting a turn to carry the cross. We shared the Gospel with them and gave them Gospel cards to recap afterwards. We organised a Discovery Bible Study that continued throughout our stay there. We visited people in the rural area preaching the Gospel to their families.
We handed out Bibles and were invited to take part in a Christmas tree for the little children where Elmi shared the Gospel, and Nanke danced and sang a song.
Three things that particularly stood out for me was:
- Elmi prayed for a lady with a crutch, and her hip was healed. I laughed as I noticed her dancing down the road without her crutch.
- Another lady approached us for prayer a couple of days later. She had heard about the one with the healed hip. Whilst praying, she fell to the ground as her back convulsed and a demon left on the street.
- One day as we walked with the cross, we were approached by a man asking why I was carrying that thing. It was a Muslim who had never heard about the cross, and we had the opportunity to share the Gospel with him.
Nomad Lifestyle
The caravan park in Sutherland is relatively primitive, and the owner is not used to anyone staying for the length of time we did since most people only pass through on their way to the west coast. Although we paid a hefty price to be there, in the end, we felt that we’d overstayed our welcome.
Ruhan had his first run-in with a Red roman Spider jumping onto a chair to get away from it. Jusia found a dead one in the swimming pool and carried it around like a pet.
On the morning of the 14th of December, for Nanke’s birthday, we spectated the most breathtaking meteor shower, counting roughly 80 shooting starts in 80 minutes.
Making Friends
Probably the most significant part of our visit to Sutherland. We made family, not friends. Oom Koos, Tannie Elsa, Johaar and Tannie Marge welcomed us into their homes, fellowship, and their very lives.
Tamim ministries had a conference in Sutherland while we were there. We were blessed with the opportunity to listen to Ankia (a missionary to Indonesia) as she testified of God’s miraculous work there. Reminding us of our calling to the unreached.
God Provides
Sutherland is generally a dry, almost desert-like place, and besides the frequent snow in winter to replenish the groundwater, rain is a very scarce commodity. They’ve been in drought for seven to nine years, depending on who you ask. Water restrictions limited water use from 8 – 10 AM and 5 – 8 PM. In the short while we were there, the heavens opened several times, pouring down so hard once the whole town was knee-deep in water.
We also received a few donations that enabled us to donate a couple of Bibles and assist a small church in advancing their building project.
Revelation
I’m slightly embarrassed to say, but God revealed that I had a big fear of sharing the Gospel with a Muslim. Maybe even a fear of Muslims in general, but He’s working on it.
Sutherland had nearly no Christmas decorations, which completely negated the festive rush and the temptation to indulge. This revealed how we’ve been accustomed to the worldly festive rush and how peaceful life is without it.
Final thoughts
Our time in Sutherland was a busy one, filled with blessings, with God revealing His hand around every corner. We’re excited to go back in the future, but in the interim, we remain with them in Spirit and prayer.
DisciplesOfJesus 