Raymond and Rebekah Brown - South Africa |
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April 2008
Foolish Wisdom
“For the Word of the Cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” - 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
What a reminder to us that whilst we dwell in perishable bodies (that get sick, wear out feel tired… and eventually die) in a perishable world (affected by wars, global warming, murder, hatred…), God, in the Saving Message of the Cross of Christ is powerfully rescuing us for Eternity with HIM (free from pain, and sorrow…). Let us not lose sight of this Wise reality despite the world’s view of its folly. The Message of the Cross is what we hang on to!
To stay or go?
After our two months back in freezing England, with far too little time to see everyone or catch up with everything, we returned to a blistering hot Durban and a New Year of change.
South Africa is going through an unsettled time with many losing faith in the Government and those who can looking to leave. Load shedding (power cuts), increases in Interest rates, inflation, violent crime and the depreciating Rand are all contributing to many people’s desire to “pack for Perth”. Is this folly or wisdom?
It is in this context, after hours of admin and queuing at Home Affairs that it has been agreed to extend our Visas for a further five years. Thank you to all who continue to support us financially and through prayer. As foolish as it may seem, God continues to provide for us to stay and serve Him here. Praise God!
Build for-now or for-ever?
A big part of The Ministry at Christ Church Glenwood and The Bible Talks is Training. Grant and Ray who lead these Ministries are also involved in Teaching on the ENTRUST Training Course (ETC) in KZN which is itself modelled on the Cornhill Training Course (CTC) in London and offers local training in the ‘Message of The Cross’ to Apprentices and lay persons who are keen to equip themselves for teaching the bible to others. There are over 40 students on the course this year all desiring to build for eternity on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Praise God!
A focus on training means our staff team looks different each year as our past years’ Apprentices are exported to Bible College (George Whitfield in the Cape) and new Apprentices are recruited. This Year; Danielle, Thembeka, Pam, Arthur, and Makhosi have all joined us as Apprentices.
Please pray for them as they adjust to their roles, work as a team and devote themselves to being faithful stewards of the gospel.
A Syncretistic Gospel; African & Western
Bonny, who works for us, was called into school by one of the teachers who thought that her son had been killed on the way to school. When she arrived, the boy lying in the road was not her son, but her son's friend. He had been abducted by the local Sangoma (witch doctor) whilst waiting for the school to open and had his eyes and other body parts removed for Muti. Bonny cites other cases and events that can only be described as demonic. There are many churches active in her area but they do not preach The Message of the Cross. Theirs is a syncretistic gospel that accepts/condones Ancestoral worship and visits to the Sangoma .
Whilst we naturally abhor such practises, do we think that our western equivalents of gospel syncretism are any less abhorrent to God? In our wealth and pride do we not already have all that we want!
Surely the Message of the Cross is ALL that we can boast in.
Please pray that we would be Wise and boast only in The Cross of Christ and preach only the gospel lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Please also Pray:
1. That our Mission On Campus in April results in New people coming to Christ and a greater zeal for evangelism
2. That our Growth groups understand and apply the message of 1Corinthians this year
3. That our leadership will have wisdom as they teach train and look to plant more churches particularly in Township areas.
4. For continued safety and trust in God
5. That our Mid Year Conference in June for students will be well attended and encourage students to be rooted in the Message of The Cross
Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel
Ray, Rebekah, Naomi, Nathanael, Natalia and Noah Brown
Kids Quotes
Natalia “Mum, why do you look pretty & smell nice? Are you going out?
Noah: “Peas make my stomach vomit, chocolate makes my stomach better”
In answer to the question of why the disciples nets filled up with fish, Natalia said: “because the fish loved Jesus so much”
Nathanael: “Did you have nightmares last night Noah?”
Noah: “No, there were no nightbears in my bed last night”
Ray, Rebekah, Naomi, Nathanael, Natalia and Noah