Bradley’s Notes – Celebrating a year on the road

Just last week I was looking through a collection of photos whose timestamp was dated back to a year ago. I couldn’t believe that I had been on a mission trip for a full year! How time flies when you are on a journey to the promised land. Walking down memory lane I discovered that some of my most memorable moments I have spent with my newfound family in Christ. I would like to pick up from where I left off and would like to share what the Lord has been doing for me lately. 

East London

After spending some time on the South Coast, we all gathered at Pastor Danny’s church called Lighthouse Ministries in the heart of the Wesbank neighbourhood. It was there that I would meet Stefan and his family together with Tjaart and the Du Preez not forgetting the De beers and the Cronje’s with whom I travelled with on our way to East London. Marc was also one of the people who joined us on the East London reunion as well as Juan and his wife Marisa who later joined us for a brief period.

It was at that time that the Book of Acts came alive. We fellowshiped and ate together sharing our lives as we communed together. Our journey took us to Frere Hospital where I met an old friend whom I had last seen in my early childhood days. Ironically, I prayed for his mother and a week later I heard that his mother had fully recovered.

I must admit that a lot did happen during our stay in East London. The most significant being the two Boerie days where we served the community with some hotdog rolls while we shared the gospel with them. The power of unity was for me a valuable lesson learnt as I watched how the different ligaments of one body coordinated in unison. Amazing.

Jeffrey’s bay

Well after a month spent in East London, Jeffreys Bay became our next destination. It was hard to say goodbye to my family in Christ yet there was a feeling that we had really bonded as a family and that against all odds, we had grown spiritually.

Jeffrey’s Bay led us to meet our other family members in Christ, Uncle Jan and Auntie Ruth as well as Uncle Jaku and Auntie Judika. Our time invested in fellowship helped us to share our experiences as well as learn from each other. 

I managed to take a walk with the cross during my time there and found my way into the townships where I must admit that I had a real taste of persecution which almost cost me my life. As though that wasn’t enough I had come across a group of children who almost single-handedly hijacked my cross while my focus was on sharing the gospel with this one gentleman who was working away with his wood and making shelves as I spoke. It was fortunate enough that it looked more like a prank rather than theft as I ran a distance after the three little children who just smiled as I approached them to recover my cross. Anyway, that is a day in the life of a disciple fishing for men. Most of the stuff you witness in a day is not even on the script and will blow your imagination away.

I have to say that I enjoyed fishing with Tian and Ruhan. It was awesome that we caught some fish for supper on one good day. I almost found myself walking a thin line when I almost lost my life while attempting to swim in the ocean. Luckily for me, God saved me and I was able to come out alive. 

It was also good to catch up with Linderie who is sister to Tian. I happened to go to the Mighty Men within that week of her visit. Indeed, my stay in Jeffreys Bay was quite a roller-coaster ride yet in it I learnt a lot of lessons.

George

Soon after spending time in the small surfing town of Jeffrey’s Bay which was just a stone’s away from the Indian Ocean, we moved on to George where we took part in a Kickstart event. I spent the greater part of my birthday on the road and eventually arrived at the Du Preez home where we would spend three weeks. 

During the Kickstart event, Yaluza got born again. It’s amazing the freedom that he experienced at the time of his conversion. That week, I met Kevin, Quintin and Juan also joined the team to host the Kickstart event. It was amazing how we moved together as one-inch Christ that weekend regardless of the low turnout at the venue.

Henri, Yolandi and I got an opportunity to share and speak on Eden FM radio. It was quite a great opportunity to share our testimonies and what God has done in our lives. Ironically we had met one of the presenters of the Sunday show while walking with the cross one day in George.

Life at Carmel

After our stay at the Du Preez, we found our way to a caravan park stationed in Victoria Bay called Carmel. It was a great feeling to hear be at a place where we could live in community with fellow brethren that have been serving the Lord in different parts of the world  

I recall in one instance, sharing my testimony to a church group that had been visiting Carmel. It was such an interesting encounter because I had woken up that morning intending to Take a walk and find one or two books to read when I bumped into a group of ladies who had been sitting in one of the lounges. Before long, God arranged an opportunity for me to speak and share my testimony.

While I was pondering on what I would say, the Lord put it in my heart not to prepare anything but to rather speak what I have been sent to say. So I arrived a few minutes late which was unlike me but Shared my lengthy story of what God had done through me. I believe that the Holy Spirit guided me that day. It was so amazing that you can meet people in a short space of time and relate to them. 

After a day or two went by I received news that the bus that the church group had been travelling in was involved in a tragic accident, causing several fatalities as well as injuries. I was hurt inside that such a thing could happen to people I had been fellowshipping with, all of whom I had met only briefly. It was within that moment that God reminded me of His eternal purpose and Promise. Nothing can separate us from the love of the Father. Romans 8 verse 38. No angel, no person, no principality, nor even powers, not things both in the past or in the present, no not even life or death. Nothing! So I want to take this opportunity to pay my respects to those who were involved in that tragic accident.

It was also during my stay at Carmel that I met several more missionaries as well as ordinary people who had just crossed my radar as a result of my being nearby. The Sunday soup gatherings were a highlight for the week as the Carmel community would reflect on the events of the week and look forward to the coming week.

A fellow brother by the name of Quinten visited us at Carmel. His journey with his white Nissan Champ bakkie was a true testament to Mathew 28 in which Jesus instructs us to go and make disciples of all the nations. 

It was also painful to see the Du Preez leave for Namibia during our stay at Carmel. I enjoyed my stay with them while they were staying in George and their reunion with the Cronjes is something worth looking forward to. All the same, I wish them all the best of luck in their travels.

I often say that I wish I could fit everyone into my short story and share all the events that took place in more detail, but I am limited in my human capacity. I enjoyed my year of walking with Christ in the mission field. An ordinary man like myself walking with Christ in the Kingdom with my fellow brethren. Special mention to all the families I have been with. 

I would also like to make a special mention to all the communities I have been to since day one when I left Johannesburg. I share my love for all of you as Apostle Paul would often write. To the Carmel community, I am glad I was able to meet you. I enjoyed playing some songs on your piano. To those who provided us with love, words of encouragement and prayers we are all humbled and grateful for being in your midst.

One last word of encouragement is that of unity and being God wants you to be. But never look back when you get hold of that plough. Until next time it’s good tidings. Thank you