As we continue running the race
As I reflect on the events during our stay in Hazyview, I begin to see why we need to fully commit ourselves to what Jesus commissioned us to do. The De Beer family and I were blessed to teach the children and the youth of Bongolweni about the gospel through a church ministry located there. A trip to Sabie (a town near Hazyview) produced some divine appointments as I managed to share the gospel with the community. At the time of writing, we have found our way to Drakensville after attending a Kickstart in Newcastle.
The final leg of our stay in Hazyview
One day while in Hazyview town, I was distributing gospel reading material when I decided to stop to the sound of some local gospel music. I found myself in front of a beauty salon, and as I walked towards it, I noticed everyone except one man was busy carrying out their daily tasks. I approached the man who was standing outside and told him about the gospel. After a fruitful conversation with this man, I was invited back the following day, where my audience grew. I had an opportunity to leave a Bible and receive an invitation to present the gospel to a local church.
Finding our way to the church was challenging, but eventually, we arrived at our destination thanks to one of the congregants who volunteered to wait for us along the main road and point us in the right direction.
The three of us (Tian, Nanke and myself) found ourselves speaking in front of a church before presenting them with some Bibles. The following weeks resulted in us presenting the gospel to a Sunday school class in that same church and playing a game with the youth group to allow them to self-reflect on their walk with Christ.
In retrospect, I believe this was part of a learning process that allowed me to see deeper into why and what we, as disciples, were called to do.
A trip to Sabie
My story would be incomplete if I didn’t mention my short trip to Sabie. Sabie is a small town whose most distinguished landmark is a beautiful waterfall under a bridge connecting the central business district to the residential area.
After engaging in one or two conversations with the locals, I discovered that this was a community where everyone knew each other. I met two men running a fruit business from their pickup truck there. For a reason known only to themselves, they believed those preaching the gospel were only there for financial gain. I suppose those sentiments were also shared by other members of the community who also felt that the church was ripping them off of their hard-earned savings and that those who had been entrusted to preach the gospel were only content in sitting in the church and had no desire to take the gospel beyond the church building.
With that being said, I became concerned about the message that we, as disciples of Christ, are preaching. Is this what we have been commissioned to do? There, I began to see the broader picture of why Jesus became angry upon entering the temple courts in Matthew 21:12.
As the day progressed, I found myself walking toward a sports bar, where I managed to share the gospel with several people standing outside. I thank God for the Holy Spirit because there is always a time when you feel words becoming insufficient to express yourself. To know that God is with you at all times has helped me to stay composed even when I am faced with contradictory opinions from others.
A final goodbye to Hazyview
After making friends in such a small space of time, it was time to move on. My thanks go out to those who God has prepared along our journey to assist us in our work for the Kingdom of God.
Until we hear from each other.
Be blessed
DisciplesOfJesus 