News
Charl's Mission News
The 1st of February marked the 13th commemoration of the legalisation of abortion on demand in South Africa. Since 1 February 1997, approximately 900 000 babies have been killed - by abortion - legally.
On Sanctity Life Sunday, 31 January, churches observed a solemn and serious time of repentance and prayer for the national sin of abortion; some collected baby goods for mothers going through crisis pregnancies.
Monday 1 February was our 14th funeral procession through the streets of Cape Town to the prayer vigil at the gates of Parliament. It was the first time the authorities would not issue a permit for the event to take place – a senior police official told me that he had warned the local police that we might take part in an “illegal demonstration” – so that we could be arrested.
Even with the political obstruction, we continued with the outreach – 130 Christians joined the procession and prayer meeting. Local City Police arrived at the last minute to escort our procession through the streets of Cape Town – still with no written authority. Wonderful that the ‘lower magistrate’ got involved.
Quite funny that the provincial police officer thought that threatening us with incarceration would scare us into cancelling our prayer vigil.
I’m sure news headlines like “Christians arrested when praying outside South Africa’s Parliament” wouldn’t help encourage the international community with the World Cup Soccer taking place here soon.
Firearms Court Case
Gun Owners of South Africa (GOSA), of which I am an executive member, started the ball rolling and found plaintiffs for a landmark South African court case:
Following an application by the Justice Alliance of SA (JASA) and the False Bay Gun Club, the Western Cape High Court gave Police Minister Mthethwa 90 days to draw up guidelines for compensation to firearm owners’ who surrendered their guns to the State, under the Firearms Control Act (disarmament programme).
After the State published 'guidelines', JASA declared: "After consultation with Senior and Junior Counsel JASA will take the Minister of Police back to the Cape High Court…alleging that the Guidelines issued by him do not comply with the order of the Court made on August 31, and do not comply with S.137 (5) of the Firearms Control Act."
John Smyth, JASA Executive Member, also pointed out on television that this compensation case goes to the root of the rule of law and if the Executive defies Parliament and the courts, we are on the road to another Zimbabwe.
This case is of interest to all South Africans. It is all about the rule of law, the States adhering to the Constitution, the right to own property and the dishonouring of the pledge that Ministers swear to uphold the South African Constitution.
Workers have lost their jobs and entrepreneurs their businesses because of this law. The elderly have been treated with disrespect when attempting to claim compensation. Others have lost their lives when found defenceless after handing in their weapons due to police threats of arrest if they did not comply with this immoral law.
Threat
The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) political party (the ex-military wing was the Azanian Peoples’ Liberation Army – the group responsible for the attack on our church in 1993) have hit the news again.
Reports state that messages urging the killing of whites were posted on a Facebook site of one of its officials.
The messages also claimed an army of about 3 000 people was standing by, ready to kill white people within 24 hours if requested to do so. The messages were apparently posted above a YouTube video clip showing Nelson Mandela with a group of people allegedly singing songs about "killing white people".
There are certainly no lack of ministry opportunities here in Africa.
Family
Roberta celebrated her 13th birthday on 16 February. Now we have 3 adults at home. Our gift is ‘an introduction to photography’ course – so we might have some better photographs for newsletters soon.
A ‘cowgirl’ party took place with Roberta’s friends; American missionary friends taught ‘line dancing’. I was relegated to the fire and braaing meat patties for hamburgers.
Sonja was involved in a minor ‘hit and run’ motor car accident; at least that is what the Third Party thought it was going to be, until Sonja raced after the man, who was caught at a traffic light. She hooted at him and motioned him to pull over, then got all his information from him. That’s my wife.
Roberta, Jason (9) and John-Marc (7) are enjoying swimming and trampoline gymnastics. Jason will be playing soccer this winter.
Anya still torments the cats by loving them so much one wonders if the cats can breath!
We appreciate your prayers and support.
Charl
This year started off with a bang. Our Biblical Worldview Summit (BWS) began on 1 January at a tented camping area on a farm near Cape Town. Attendees flew in from around the world to take part in this challenging course.
The week of the Summit forms part of the 3 week Great Commission Course (GCC).
My children, Roberta (12), Jason (9), John-Marc (7) and Anya (3) joined me at the farm and took part in the children’s programme.
Many attendees were surprised to find that when we said, in our Summit brochures, that we would start our days with physical training before quiet times, we actually meant it. Gents and ladies had separate PT instruction. The men, ranging in age from 6-65 years old, ran to a dam and swam early in the morning, held relay races and competed in teams through an obstacle course which left many bruises, grazes and aching muscles – even the leaders took part and we proudly finished second – no there weren’t only 2 teams.
Our Frontline Fellowship director, Dr Peter Hammond, developed the BWS to help Christian young people defend their faith at educational institutions where we have nothing less than a war of worldviews taking place in South Africa. In fact, the Dutch government has clandestinely made an ‘investment’ in our nation of R160 million (US$ 21 million) over four years to teach our children evolution because they believe our children are being inadequately taught”.
The biggest complaint from attendees was that the weeklong course was too short.
Great Commission Course
The GCC takes further the BWS training and prepares Christians for cross-cultural missions – discipling the nations. If Christians don’t understand the worldviews and cultures of those they seek to reach with the Gospel, their outreaches can lead to frustration and strained relationships.
Physical challenges included night hikes up the mountain, PT every morning and on the last night, we hiked up the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain to the McClear Beacon (the highest point) and down Plattekloof Gorge - an 8-hour ordeal ending just before mid-night.
Some of my lectures included: ‘Egalitarianism and Respecting Elders’, ‘Money Matters’, ‘Are We Living In the Last Days?’, ‘Africa and the 10 Commandments’, ‘Self-defence’ and ‘Cultural Chaos’.
Spiritual disciplines were taught, practical workshops on safety and security and vehicle maintenance took place and academic tests were written.
Many outreaches formed part of the curriculum. Attendees led many to the Lord and prayed for and witnessed to people in the city streets late at night outside nightclubs and prostitute dens.
One young attendee prayed with a man who was HIV positive: “He asked me not to close my eyes when I pray for him because the other street people will know he is HIV positive if they saw me praying for him, and he’ll be rejected by the community.”
Some comments by attendees in the Response form included: “Well organised, inspiring, uplifting and fun”; “Very high standard”; “Very insightful presentations, excellent subjects”; “Absolutely necessary for entrenching Scripture – which is God’s Word - in the hearts and minds of Christians”; “Excellent planning, excellent presentations, I was strengthened in my faith and duty”.
We had preaching invitations for course members at many different churches in townships. One very special occasion was when the group visited a prison with our friends of the Andrew Murray Centre in Wellington. Many ‘awaiting trial’ prisoners were lead to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
An abortion clinic prayer vigil and outreach took place with one lone pro-deather showing up. The KwaSizabantu Mission work party of practical help to our friends and neighbours was a means at blessing those ministering to people struggling in our society.
Those who completed the course, wrote that they are prepared to do some work: “Teach the Biblical Worldview to families, churches and governments”; “Pray and Evangelise”; “1. Overcome denial. 2. Repent. 3. Accept responsibility. 4. Walk the true talk.”; “Thorough evangelisation of Africa”; “Christians must be awakened from slumber for more of this information to be carried to churches”; “Proclaim the Word of God directly to heads of government.”
Overall we only had to send two attendees home because of bad attitude, breaking rules and arrogance that precluded them from taking part in all activities.
More Outreaches
Gun Owners of South Africa is involved in a public ‘war of words’ with the Minister of Police due to the department not paying compensation to those who have and are handing in their firearms. One wonders what people are thinking when they hand over their guns to a bunch of ex-terrorists who are now government officials.
The 1st of February will mark the 13th commemoration of the legalisation of abortion on demand in South Africa. Since 1 February 1997 approximately 900 000 babies have been killed - by abortion - legally. On 31 January all churches are encouraged to observe a solemn and serious time of repentance and prayer for the national sin of abortion.
Our Funeral Procession through the streets of Cape Town to the Prayer Vigil at the gates of Parliament takes place on Monday 1 February.
We appreciate your prayers and support as we seek to apply the Lordship of Jesus Christ to all areas of life.
Yours in His service
Charl
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