Mar - Apr 2003
Inde x:
WHO IS
SHEPHERDING YOUR CHILDREN?
A whirlwind is blowing through education in South Africa and the rubble is being called
"transformation".
To declare the rapidly changing education system "confusing" is hardly
exaggerating the awful situation in South African schools. Whether they are pupils,
parents, teachers or education department officials, everyone is asking the same question:
WHAT IS GOING ON?
The most powerful education body in South Africa is Umalusi or Shepherd ("Council for
Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training"). The name describes
what it is all about. It is the final authority to guide and control all education in
South Africa. Christian educators are very concerned at the almost blasphemous control
which Umalusi aims to have over every child and learner, from kindergarten level right
through to universities. The name, which is Zulu for Shepherd, implies that the government
is taking on the religious role of "pastoring" the children of the nation and
that only the state is capable of getting it right. In an article of the official
mouthpiece of the eduction department, `The Teacher', Umalusi is described as "the
`guardian' of standards for the general and further education sectors, which includes
schools, colleges and Adult Basic Education and Training programmes." The idea of the
state being the guardian is at the heart of secular humanist thinking.
Some of the demands of Umalusi seem to include:
- The school must be accredited with the Umalusi. This would imply that a school without
such accreditation would be disqualified.
- No education qualification in South Africa is valid without Umalusi.
CFT has highlighted the education crisis in previous issues (the most recent being
July/August 2002) and in various Christian News articles. Many of our members have hoped
that the education department is idealistic and will never practically implement their
plans. Unfortunately, it seems that they are pressing through with their ideas with
`Transformational Outcomes Based Education'. This means that their sex education and
interfaith religious values are now being enforced in schools. Parents are now witnessing
the results of these quasi-religious ideals and have been horrified at the effects upon
their children. In a recent case in Gauteng parents removed their grade one child from
their local government school because he came home with detailed sexual information. (Read
the article in the adjacent block showing how "Research shows that sex info damages
small kids.")
Many parents are looking at the various school options and CFT has had a number of
requests to give direction to parents. There are probably three options available:
- GOVERNMENT SCHOOL
For most concerned parents this is still the only option. They face practical problems
such as finance, both parents having jobs, and poor educational experience. To these
parents we say, make the best use of your local school by:
a) being involved with the school, if possible on the parental Governing Body
b) constantly checking your child's text books and homework
c) maintaining a close relationship with your child so that any problems are quickly
picked up
d) teach the ways of the Lord to your child in a practical way; let godliness in the home
be a way of life for the whole family.
- INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
Few parents can afford the enormous costs involved in private education. Some Christian
schools do their best to keep costs down but even these minimal expenses are way above the
means of most families in South Africa. Parents should be careful to check the Biblical
credentials of private schools. They should check whether the independent school is
explicitly Christian. The constitution and `code of conduct' should be available to check
through.
- HOME SCHOOLING
This is an option which is expanding rapidly in our country. From just a handful of
families doing home schooling in the 1990's the number of home-schooled children is
probably doubling every year. In the adjacent box CFT has listed a number of
home-schooling options.
Parents should make the matter of educating their children one of serious prayer and
seeking of the Lord's will. Ultimately, God will call the parents and not the state or
even Christian schools, to account for the way in which they raised their children.
CONTACTS – HOME SCHOOLING
HOME SCHOOLING RESOURCES IN SOUTH AFRICA:
See http://www.grobler.co.za/hs/
ASSOCIATIONS
- Association of Christian Schools International http://www.acsi.org/acsi/
South Africa: +27- 82 876 5668
Jill Battle (Executive Assistant) jill_battle@acsi.org
Allan Sutherland (Regional Director) allan_sutherland@acsi.org
Samson Makhado (Associate Director) samson_makhado@acsi.org
- Theocentric Christian Education
http://www.homeschool-tce.co.za
South Africa: Tel: 021 - 557 2612; Fax: 021 - 556 1277
PO Box 11190, Bloubergstrand, 7443
tce@homeschool-TCE.org.za or tcecc@mweb.co.za
Contact: Graham Shortridge
England: TCE England: Morris and Lee Hulley
E-mail: morris.hulley@virgin.net
Tel: +44 01379 674 336
- Pestalozzi Trust - Legal defence fund for home education
Tel: +27 12 330 1337; Fax: +27 12 331 1018
PO Box 12332 Queenswood, 0121, South Africa
E-mail: defensor@pestalozzi.org
- National Coalition of Home Schoolers
Secretary: Pierre Basson
E-mail: kngmedia@iafrica.com or Leendert
van Oostrum : curamus1@lantic.co.za ; Tel 083
460 5958
P.O.Box 813, Gillitts, 3603
- KwaZulu Natal Home Schooling Association
Enquiries: Tel: 088 125 2799; PO Box 53130, Yellowwood Park, 4011
kznhsa@webmail.co.za
HOME SCHOOLING CURRICULUM PROVIDERS
- Adrio Verspreiders
Verskaffers van Lespakkette vir die vak Afrikaans vir Graad 6 tot 12
Kontak: Adri Vermeulen: Telefaks: 0444-932-172,
- Breinlyn / Brainline
Kontak: Neels Velloen (082 451 3212) of Amanda Velloen (082 922 3788)
216 Jan Bandjiesstraat, Montana, Pretoria; Privaat sak x 505, Sinoville, 0129; Tel 012 567
1111; Fax 012 567 1112 / 0069
E-mail to Amanda Velloen; Web: www.brainline.com
- Le-Amen Onderwyssentrum
Contact Vincent & Louise Willems: Tel : 011 674-3705
P.O. Box 2196, Florida Hills 1716
- Oikos
Greg & Sonja Wood: Tel : 033 502-9050/1; Fax : 033 502-9052
P. O. Box 1118, Howick, 3290; E-mail: oikos@iafrica.com
- Moria Tuisskoolmateriaal
Hannes en Helena de Villiers: Tel / Fax 018 294-6504
Posbus 5594 Kockspark POTCHEFSTROOM, 2523
- Clonard Publishing
HOME SCHOOLING and EARLY LEARNING Curricula for Pre-School to Grade 7; ENGLISH LITERACY;
Second language learning for all ages
Contact : Mike and Virginia Tyrrell
Tel: 031-7646480 Fax: 031-7647586
P.O.Box 393, KLOOF,3640, South Africa
E-mail to clonard@csurf.co.za
Home-Page : http://www.clonard.co.za/index.htm
- Hout Bay Church International
Bob Jones system
Sharon Maliepaard: Tel 021-790-5802
- School of Tomorrow - Accelerated Christian Education
Contact : South African Office Tel: 031 835483/4 Fax: 031 832488 PO Box 22072, Glen
Ashley, Durban 4022, South Africa
- KenWeb Oplossings
Kontak: André van den Berg Tel: 053 2070045 Faks: 053 2070045 Posbus 109, Orania, 8752,
Suid-Afrika
E-pos: vsorania@mailme.co.za Tuisblad : www.kenweb.co.za
- Homeschooling Resources for the Early Years
The Exclusive South African Distributors of Five In A Row Literature Based Unit Studies
for children ages 2 - 8.
http://www.geocities.com/homeschooling_sa
or phone us for a catalogue! Tel/Fax (043) 740 1041 ~ Cell 082 975 1721
PO Box 905 Gonubie 5256
e-mail:Adèle Breedt adele@louhenel.co.za
- ONE STOP HELP CENTRE for EDUCATION
Visit our site at: http://www.grobler.co.za/dynamis
CELL: 082 57 414 33; FAX: 082 131 57 414 33
E-MAIL: Martie du Plessis martcham@mweb.co.za
For International Home Schooling Resources see http://www.grobler.co.za/hs/int.htm
(to index)
SEX EDUCATION
INFLUENCE
Children need value systems not "neutral" sex education.
Sexuality Education assumes that equipping the child with knowledge of explicit sexual
details should be an important part of a child's general education. This approach assumes
that the child will sift through the information in a logical way, evaluate the short term
and long term benefits and consequences of sexual activity in their childhood and then
make responsible decisions.
Unfortunately some of the material supplied is of a very sensitive nature and can very
easily be abused if applied in the wrong way and have a devastating effect on the child
with regard to his/her respect of other people, his/her own sexuality and a good
relationship with a future spouse.
The educator is warned not to impose his/her own value system upon the child and to give
the facts in a "morally neutral" way. Thus allowing the child to come to a
personal conclusion of what is normal, right or acceptable.
Medical evidence shows that the nervous system does not mature as early as the gonads. So
although a child is physically able to be sexually active he/she is not mentally mature.
According to their cognitive development a child functions as a concrete operator at a
young age and not as an abstract operator until the mid-teens.
From this information we can suggest the following:
- Adolescents are often overwhelmed by the pleasure of an action and do not look at the
long-term consequences.
- Logical decision-making is not always sufficiently developed in early teenage years to
make rational decisions. As a result when given a broad range of sexual lifestyles to
choose from they could choose one on an irrational basis, such as "If it feels good,
do it."
- They often consider themselves unique, living by different rules and facing different
problems and consequences compared to other age groups. They believe that they are
unlikely to suffer the negative consequences of their actions and hence take risks that
others would not. Peer pressure encourages the weakest to do the worst.
- Teenage girls may engage in emotional reasoning; they apply affective logic. For them,
what they feel to be right is true. Without understanding the instability of feelings and
emotions, the decisions they make are unreliable. They are looking for "love".
- The adolescent acts as if he/she is invulnerable and believes that the laws of
probability "do not apply to me".
- As a teenager responds to the information he/she is supplied with, judgements and
decisions relating to their sexuality may have destructive personal and social results.
They may think they are being equipped with enough information to explore and experiment
whereas in reality they are limited in their understanding and confined to the limitations
of their cognitive development.
- Teenagers need to be equipped to take responsibility for unexpected outcomes from sexual
activities participated in. There is a poor understanding of cause and effect. A child is
unable to conceptualise the possibility of pregnancy and parenthood as a consequence of
the decision to become sexually active if contraception is offered.
The above determines a need for value systems in the education system. Children cannot
accommodate sexually explicit information regardless of the manner in which it is taught.
The "facts of life" are misrepresented and the children need to understand their
stage of development and the valuable role they can contribute to life at their age and
stage without the constraints of concepts they cannot handle.
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TRUE LOVE
WAITS: TWO WHEELBARROWS
During the December 2002 Youth Conference, True Love Waits presented a short skit. It
portrayed the lives (as wheelbarrows) of two young men on the road of life. The path of
both led past opportunities of involvement with pornography, prostitutes, drugs etc.,
which could either be rejected or loaded into the wheelbarrow. The Christian young man
overcame one temptation after the other. Then when he came across worldly music, he loaded
a CD into his wheelbarrow. But he was soon conscience-stricken over his compromise and
knelt at the cross where the CD was removed. The worldly young man flirted with the girls,
watched porn, smoked, and partied. He eventually had to face the judgement throne with a
wheelbarrow filled with filth - 'pleasures' of the world, which he tried in vain to
suddenly get rid of. The Christian, on the contrary, with a clean wheelbarrow, could enter
heaven with great joy.
A visiting Bishop from Sudan also described the state of immorality and the result of
disobedience in his country.
Many of the young conference-goers signed the pledge card. One young man asked with
concern whether it was still possible to sign after you had made a mistake - by God's
grace there is always still hope at the cross for a repentant sinner. As True Love Waiters
we thank the Lord for His working and pray for His help and guidance in the outreaches of
2003.
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CFT 2003
Reaching forward – pressing toward the goal
If anyone had reason to boast it was Paul. Besides his illustrious family history he
had also been a law-abiding man in the most meticulous way. What had made the difference
in his life that he could now boldly say that all his past achievements were just
"dung"? The answer lies not in a new discovery of how to be a better man but a
relationship with God Himself. His life had become one of knowing Jesus Christ in a real
way. The comparison between a dead striving to be perfect and knowing the One who is
perfect and has given His own life to rescue sinful man, is so overwhelming that Paul has
difficulty finding words eloquent enough to express the difference.
It is this life-imbued Paul who continues to say that his relationship with Christ is so
wonderful that he is inspired to "reach forward" for more, for the prize.
A life which has been gotten hold of by Jesus is one which stretches itself forward
because of love and hope through the Saviour.
It is only this living faith which will win the day. Christians for Truth need to know
this "power from on high" to energize them and make them reach forward because
of the excellence of their calling. Anything less than this is phony and must, by law of
nature, run out of steam and fizzle out into nothing of worth.
So let us start this New Year on the right footing and be absolutely certain of our
standing with God. When Jesus becomes real to us we immediately place ourselves at His
disposal and can be used as "honourable vessels" in His mighty hands.
Are there failures and shameful things which hold you back from knowing Him? In humble
repentance bring those sins to Him, confessing them and turning away from them in your
heart. Turn around and turn towards the Saviour that's repentance. Then, with Paul,
"forgetting the things which are behind" reach forward to the things which God
has in store for you.
SORT YOURSELF OUT WITH GOD and you'll automatically be a Christian for Truth.
NOW FOR SOME GOALS as you stretch forward in this year of 2003.
- Make a decision to be more devoted and regular in reading God's Word. If His Word is
worth more than "silver purified seven times" (Ps 12:8) then you should do some
serious mining! This will enrich you and give you enough to share with others. After all,
CFT is all about truth and it is the Bible that all truth is found. Remember that your
love for the Bible is not Bibliotry (idolizing the Bible) but a love-affair with the One
who is Himself the Word.
- Seek out those who are similarly minded. Besides your regular church fellowship try and
make contact with those who are members of CFT. Losing contact with each other is very
easy it takes nothing. If you do nothing about maintaining fellowship with others you'll
be the loser. You may need to refresh your list of addresses, phone numbers and email
addresses. Why not get together on a regular basis. Some CFT committees find that meeting
once every two weeks or once a month is sufficient to keep contact and ensure that some
actions are followed through.
- Check out the CFT calendar for the year. Certain dates are kept nationally by CFT and
similar organisations. Other dates might be more provincial or important for your local
area.
- The prostitution debate is set to hotten up this year. Since last year's court ruling,
which effectively confirmed the illegality of prostitution a number of anti-Christian
organisations are pushing to change the law by means of a parliamentary bill. The
"decriminalisation" lobby (as they like to call themselves) are not as strong as
they used to be since huge amounts of evidence have exposed that women and children are
abused and even enslaved by international prostitution rackets. Feminist groups who used
to show concern for their "sister's" rights to choose their careers are fast
changing their opinions as they realise that decriminalisation may result in more women
losing their liberty.
- Letters to the editor of local newspapers (and national ones like Citizen and Sunday
Times) is still very effective in guiding public opinion. Take a look at CFT's website
(www.cft.org.za) and remind yourself about effective letter writing.
- Target prostitution adverts in the newspapers. Adult Amusement ads (and similar
euphemisms for promiscuous entertainment on sale) should be illegal. Remind the editor
that the newspaper or gazette should be for family reading. Point out that the newspaper
is promoting the abuse of women and children by advertising prostitution, and that it's
illegal.
- Keep the abortion debate alive. This year is the 30th year of "Roe vs Wade"
which has resulted in the deaths of 50 million children in the USA. Christians in America
have certainly not given up and, in fact, have got the pro-abortion lobby in a panic that
the 1973 Supreme Court decision might be overturned. Let us continue to make it clear to
everyone in our country that abortion is a crime against God and humanity.
- Education continues to be an important theme and the ever-changing laws must be closely
followed while options for Christian education need to be available for parents and
children. The March/April newsletter will have a number of recommendations and suggestions
in this regard.
- Keep communicating. Do your best to stay in touch with local CFT members in your area.
CFT head-office will also appreciate as much contact as possible. Reports on actions and
suggestions for articles in newsletters, etc, will help CFT to go forward.
In Christ
Fano Sibisi and Kjell Olsen
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GAY ADVOCATES PRESS DEMANDS
AFTER PARLOUR MASSACRE
There has been a frenzy of homosexual lobbying after the massacre of 9 men at Sea Point
(Cape Town) Sizzlers massage parlour on the morning of 20 January 2003. Evidence seems to
indicate homosexual criminals were involved. Police are looking for "four white men
driving a white Gauteng-registered BMW who were reportedly cruising around Sea Point on
Saturday in search of two "rent boys" known as `Stephen' and `Maroewaan' (The
Star, 24 January).
The priest who conducted the funeral of one of the victims, Father Christopher Clohessy,
said people should be judged "not by what they do but who they are". He compared
the death of the 8 sex workers to the death of Christ.
He added: "There is a vast difference between who we are inside as people and the
things we often do." (News24, 23 January)
On 24 January the state-run radio SAFM discussed the issue with 3 gay advocates on the
programme `Women today'. There was agreement about the `normality` of homosexuality and
the need for decriminalisation of prostitution. One of the panelists declared that gays
"couldn't have long lasting relationships because of laws and antagonism towards
them." The hour-long programme also reiterated the common myths about homosexuality:
genes cause homosexuality; gays make up 10% of the nations; those who dare to question the
gay lifestyle are homophobes or `heterosexist'; gays can raise children just as well as
straights; parents must accept their children who come out of the closet and declare their
gay status.
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WE ARE ALL HERE
Thoughts on Suicide Tourism from CFT President, Rev Fano Sibisi
Even though I was too young to remember the rest of the details, there was an
`inganekwane' (fairy tale) that I loved acting out. The part I loved most was where the
boy in the story asked an old man, "We khehla, we khehla, uyakuthanda ukufa?"
(Hey old man, hey old man would you like to die?).
The old man responded, "Hhawu, mntanomntanami ngabe ungisizile!" (Oh, my
grandchild that would be a big favour!)
The funny thing for us as children was who on earth would think anybody was doing them a
favour by killing them.
How could I have imagined then that one day I would be part of the pro- life forces that
are trying to fight the culture of death that is eating into the very soul of our society!
Do you know what prompted me to share these few thoughts with you?
A few minutes ago, the last item of news on the BBC World News hour introduced a
discussion on - listen to it - "suicide tourism."
It is said that there are agents who are paid high prices by people who want to go into
countries like Switzerland to be assisted by doctors to commit suicide. Poor Heidiland!
What a reputation such people are giving to a country from which I have some of the most
pleasant memories.
Switzerland is almost too good to be true. Sometimes as we traveled through this country I
would feel like "rubbing my eyes" (as we would say in Zulu - ukucikika amehlo)
to make sure that I was not dreaming. That's how I felt one day as I took a train in
Geneva and journeyed along the Geneva-Lausanne Lake, on through the rest of the
French-speaking part; moved on to Zurich, then along the Zurich Lake into the mountains
around Kaltbrunn. It was a fine, clear day, and I just drank in the beauty of this
country.
I am on record as having said publicly what a terrible thing it would be to die in
Switzerland and wake up in hell!
The issue however is not that this evil is taking place in Switzerland, but that the devil
has deceived people to a point that they are prepared to go anywhere in the world where
they can find a legal loophole to end their lives.
How do we get to such people?
How I wish that they could have a similar experience to that of the jailer of Paul and
Silas that we hear about in Acts 16. He thought he had sufficient reason to end his life
and was just about to do it when,
"Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm for we are all here."
(verse 28)
Oh that we would hear more of that heart-rending cry,
"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (verse 30)
and give the blessed answer, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved, and thy house." (verse 31)
Maybe there is something to that "we are all here." Are we, as disciples of
Christ, there for such people? Right where we are, do people get a new sense of what life
is about, and hope for the future when they see us?
God have mercy on us!
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SANCTITY
LIFE SUNDAY – 2 February 2003
1 February 2003 marks the sixth anniversary of the legalisation of abortion-on- demand
in South Africa. Apart from encouraging ministers to address this issue in their sermons
on 2 February (Sanctity Life Sunday), a number of pro-life organisations have arranged
various other actions on these days in remembrance of the children killed through abortion
in South Africa. When this letter reaches you, these events would have taken place: In
Cape Town there is to be a funeral procession to Parliament, where wreaths will be laid
and a prayer vigil held. In Pretoria a life-chain type demonstration is planned, Nelspruit
will have a funeral procession. There will be a prayer vigil held outside the
Constitutional Court in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. In Scottburgh an information table
will be set up at the Scottburgh Shopping Centre. A prayer chain and placard demonstration
against abortion will be held outside the National Hospital in Bloemfontein. People will
be gathering outside the Municipal Buildings in Upington for a demo with white crosses.
To mourn the death of so many children, CFT has sent the following obituary notice to
various newspapers for publication:
1 February 2003
Baby Jane
Tragically killed by abortion in January 2003. Christians for Truth mourns the 265 398
lives lost in the six-year holocaust of legal abortions on demand since 1 February 1997.
"They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters..." Psalm
106:38. May God have mercy on South Africa. For further information contact: 032 481 5512
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THE AIDS DILEMMA
Can the AIDS ministry distract the Church from its primary calling?
AIDS is a massive issue facing the Church today and Christians must be at the forefront
of caring in a compassionate way for those suffering from the effects of HIV/AIDS. In my
work in a rural African village we cannot ignore AIDS. We have about three AIDS funerals a
week. The government clinics are overstretched trying to care for the sick and dying. The
social services are not coping with the increasing number of orphans and have asked the
Church to help with the situation.
Although we are only a small congregation of about thirty people we see it as our
responsibility as Christians to try to provide comfort and care for the sick and dying,
visiting them after they have been sent home by the hospitals to die. We have started a
number of small businesses to generate income for the congregation so that they can care
for increasing numbers of orphaned children from their extended families. Some of the
profits from the businesses go towards the running costs of a pre-school/day-care centre
for orphans to give some respite to grandmothers who are increasingly bearing the burden
of caring for their orphaned grandchildren.
As we have become involved in these projects the secular world has become very interested
in what we are doing. Charitable organizations are offering us money. The government has
been to look at our work and has commended our efforts. We have opportunity to give a
practical demonstration of the love of Christ to the world and we give praise to the Lord
for the occasions that have arisen for us to share our faith with non-Christians.
But I have an uneasy feeling that something is wrong.
We no longer have the time or the energy to "go and make disciples of all
nations." Our outreach has declined. Our vision has become AIDS orientated rather
than Gospel of Christ orientated. The immediate needs of the AIDS situation is setting our
agenda rather than the eternal needs of the tens of thousands in our area alone that do
not know Christ.
This seems to be a dilemma facing many Christian churches and organizations: how do we
balance the need to reach out to the lost with the Gospel and the overwhelming demands of
the AIDS epidemic?
Are we being deceived into thinking that addressing the AIDS situation is fulfilling the
whole will of God? Satan would love us to stop preaching the Gospel as we continue in our
good works. Are we revelling in the adulation of the world as they commend us for our
noble efforts in caring for orphans? At last we have become acceptable to the world. Is
that what we want?
The only long-term solution to the AIDS issue is to change the values of society through
the Gospel. Only when the culture of sexual promiscuity is changed as a significant
proportion of society turns to Christ in repentance will an end to the AIDS epidemic come
into sight.
We need the Lord's wisdom. The Lord will guide us into the right paths. Let us make sure
that we are obedient to him, walking in step with him as we seek to preach the Gospel and
care for the needs of a fallen world.
As Christians our primary calling is to Christ and the proclamation of Christ to the
world. We are the light of the world. We need to ensure that our true calling and vision
never become clouded or dimmed no matter how pressing and how deserving other needs may
seem to be.
(by John Walters, a missionary in Botswana)
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FROM THE
CFT-PRESIDENT
"For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see the light."
Part 1
My dear friends
One day as I was walking around the beautiful campus of Potchefstroom University my eyes
were attracted by the words under this institution's emblem, "IN U LIG" Only
later did I find out that the motto is taken from Psalm 36:9. "For with thee is the
fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light."
Let me share with you a few thoughts on this precious word.
THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE.
I remember reading about people who believed that somewhere in Africa there was a secret
fountain from which one could drink and live forever. Even now, some might still be
searching. Do you think it is for nought that some health products are called, `Forever
living?'
What people haven't done in pursuit of that dream!
Should we not get excited and shout "EUREKA" when we come across such words,
"For with thee is the fountain of life..."
The Samaritan caught on when Jesus spoke about these things to her. "Whosoever
drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall
give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John
4:14)
When she understood that before her was the very fountain of life she ran home to proclaim
the good news. People came to Jesus from her town and later openly confessed their faith
in Him.
In one of the most difficult moments in Jesus' ministry when many of his disciples had
forsaken Him because His message did not suit them, He turned to the twelve disciples and
asked them if they also did not want to go.
"Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of
eternal life." (John 6:68) Peter had found the fountain of life!
Just this evening I listened again to Franz Schubert's "Wohin soll ich mich
wenden?" (Where should I turn to?) It's the same theme we find in one of the revival
songs, "Uth' angithini? Uthi angibhekephi uma ngishiya lel' iVangeli" (What
should I say? Where would I go if I left this Gospel?)
Those who have found the fountain of life see no alternative to Christ. From my high
school days I remember how our quartet sang, "Othi esaphila wakholwa yiNkos' uJesu
akaseyikufa usedlulile usengenile ekuphileni okungunaphakade ngoba ekholwa yiNkos'
uJesu." - taken from John 11:26 "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall
never die. Believest thou this?"
It must have been April 1999 when I preached at Lindach, Germany from this text. My heart
was warmed by the deep truth and the certainty with which our Lord pronounced it. Somehow
I was very exercised by the last part of the verse, "Do you believe this?"
From singing about it, to preaching about it, as I face the reality of death more than
ever before, the question comes back to me, "Do you believe this?" With tears of
joy I confess, "Lord I believe, help my unbelief!"
Continued in the next newsletter
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