Come unto me…  

Often, we as Americans are driven towards labour and activity and accomplishment in the natural realm. And even in ministry we can be very task oriented and performance based; but how often we neglect and do not understand the concept of really coming to our Lord Jesus Christ to hear from him, abide in him, fellowship with him and his holy saints, and continue in the word of his grace to fulfill his good pleasure on this earth. “Come unto me, all ye that labour…” The call is still there today. Often we look at that call as only for “the lost”: those who have not yet repented and come to faith in Christ. But the truth is, the call to come to Christ and put his yoke on and learn of HIM can in a sense be for all. How often believers and pastors and evangelists practically stray from abiding in Christ and walking in HIS Spirit and get caught up in carnal endeavors in a carnal manner…!  May we cease from striving in the flesh against flesh (that difficult person in your life is not the real enemy), and may we come back to Christ! Let us cast every other yoke off our neck (that is not of him or is hindering us from his yoke) and let us receive his yoke so that we might become meek and lowly in heart like him. “Come unto me!” Who else should we run to? Let us run to Christ!

Continuing Forward…

The LORD hath given us great mercy to continue forward in the open doors he has set before us to preach the gospel in these homeless shelters, and in various fellowships and gatherings of believers (Bible studies, prayer gatherings, etc…). It is rare that a day goes by in our lives when we are not gathering with saints in some fashion or another, continuing in prayer and the word with fellow believers and/or preaching the gospel to the lost. We can only give thanks for God’s mercy and grace to give us such a life here in Port Elizabeth. By his grace, the pace is not hurried and flustered, but well-tempered and seemingly blessed. I believe it is vital to live at such a pace which is quickening to the inner man and nourishing to the soul so that we are not oft fretted and stressed and fearful, but rather, walking in humble patient obedience to the Spirit of God which leadeth us perfectly in all conversation and godliness.

Tight times…

The LORD has been very merciful to us. We have never lacked food or raiment or shelter or a vehicle, and so we can truly give thanks. At this point our financial situation is very tight, and our home church is struggling a bit. Please pray for us that it will be possible for us to continue serving the LORD here in PE until our course here is finished. From a missions standpoint, we will most likely need more support to stay on the field. And yet, I don’t want to assume that, because I know that God can provide other means and open up other doors. But we greatly appreciate your prayers and all those who have helped carry us thus far (Grace and Truth Church especially and our dear brother Raymond Nagel)… It is only the LORD’s grace that we have come this far, and certainly it will be only his grace that carries us further along. At times it has been exceedingly hard and uncomfortable to be diminished in such a way, and yet, honestly, the more we are diminished the more peace and happiness I seem to have and the more evident the LORD’s peace is working in our family. I feel like I am becoming more free in Christ and actually coming nigh to that place of truly being free indeed. This is my prayer and heart’s desire for some time now. I know the LORD will lead us to complete victory in HIM. Please pray for many other brothers and sisters in Christ here in Africa that are also facing serious financial hardships; some of which are: Jonathan, Shevy, Craig, Lanah, James, & Andrew. Please pray for the LORD’s grace, direction, purification, strengthening, and provision in their lives.

Visitors/Help from afar…

A brother named Stephen Asquith and his wife Samantha came from the States to come and spend about 3 weeks with us here and just be a help and partake in the ministries.  They were both a blessing and a strength to our family and the work over here. The LORD definitely used Stephen to really bring forth some needed clarity on the true condemnation of God towards everyone outside of Christ and the justification of God that can only come through the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Stephen brought forth some of these truths to the different shelters and in some other venues, I could see the grace of God working to open men’s eyes clearly to these holy truths of God. Light was definitely brought forth in some men’s hearts. Please pray that the LORD would continue to water these truths. Samantha was also a help and a blessing to Hannah with all the duties of keeping the home and watching all the little ones. We’re truly thankful for their time with us and we pray and trust that they were blessed as well (I know they enjoyed seeing some African animals in more of their natural habitat!). If anyone else would ever like to come for a visit and partake in all the LORD is doing over here, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be happy to help coordinate and host.

Homeless Shelters…

At this point, the LORD is really doing a work in men’s hearts and souls. It is not a quick work, (yet certainly it is quickening), but rather it is a patient continuous work of removing all the layers of filth and doubt and unbelief and taking away all the hindrances to a sincere faith and walk with Christ. There are definitely many men and women who now profess Christ in these shelters. However, I would say that there is a small remnant of those who appear to be really desirous to know and continue in the word of God so that they might be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (not just in a form of godliness, but in all aspects of life). For this we give thanks. Our prayer is that more will come to the end of themselves and be converted from darkness to light. I am cautious to try to build up a big American machine to prop these men up artificially, lest when they are apart from the machine everything falls apart. So the ministry remains very simple. I do not conduct closed services (where they are just attendees that must submit to my form of service), but rather, I go into these shelters to meet with these men where they are at. By God’s grace I get to know them a bit and ask them of their condition and needs. We pray together (and I allow liberty for them to pray as well) in earnestness for God to work; we often sing songs together (I bring some hymnals along with and allow them to choose songs as well); we read the scriptures together (taking turns, reading through good sized portions of the word); I exhort. I allow men to ask questions or to add any of their own comments or thoughts; we then search the scriptures together to prove all things. (I’m not just trying to create a feel good atmosphere to gain human favor from these men, far be it; but rather, I believe in open meetings where any man can speak and/or ask questions; however, we do not just accept what anybody says (including myself) but rather confirm or correct all things according to the scriptures so that way the truth of God can be made manifest to all present. We desire all men’s faith to stand in the word and power of God.) We confess faults one to another and pray one for another and depart in peace. The LORD’s grace truly is upon us in these shelters. Please pray for the LORD’s continued blessing and impartation of his wisdom and virtue and favor to all we do for his name’s sake. If any of you would like a more detailed report of my ministry in the shelters or might be interested in supporting our work, or might be interested in planning a trip to South Africa, please feel free to email me. May we all continue in the word of God to be humble, submitted, obedient, holy, faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t assume that because something appears to be Biblical that it is the truth of God… but seek to know and please HIM. Blessings!!!