| My dear friends The KwaSizabantu Youth Conference officially ended last night but for
those whose transport has not yet come there are more services. As the young people return
home let us accompany them in prayer. Undoubtedly, there is a fierce battle in the
heavenlies for the minds and souls of these young people. One cannot but notice the
growing gulf between the path of salvation and holiness and the increasing depravity out
there.
We thank God that John Powys seems to be recovering after
the accident at Malelane last month. This weekend, he will be preaching in North West at
Tom Fouche's farm. Tom's birthday falls on 16 December, a special day for many Afrikaners.
It used to be known as the Day of the Covenant. Today it is called the Day of
Reconciliation. Tom has invited many relatives and friends for his birthday party, with a
deep desire that they will take to heart the ultimate Good News. John requests that we
pray that the Lord will work amongst the farmers and workers.
Bruno Hlongwane asks that we pray for CFT-KwaZulu-Natal's
Christmas action in Durban on Thursday, 21 December. The aim is to proclaim the glad
tidings of the Saviour coming into this world to save us.
We are also thinking of Martin and Lize van der Merwe who
flew to Europe earlier this week. Apart from attending Martin's brother's wedding they
will be visiting the brethren in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. Their first
stop was the Cederborg.
Heather Leach will also appreciate your prayers. On Monday
she flew over to England to visit her mother.
We were glad to have Didier Schott visiting us with some
young people from Paris. They left for France on Wednesday with many greetings and prayers
from us.
It was also a treat to have Tante Hilde, Kathrin Schlenker's
mother visiting for three weeks. As she flies back tomorrow we wish her God's blessing.
Jan de Bruin, Frans Gunnink and the Dutch CFT brethren are
thankful for the successful 'Walk of Life' last Saturday. Ds Bert Dorenbos of 'Cry for
Life' played a leading in this action. Pro-lifers are thankful for the good media coverage
the event received.
Thank you for your prayers for the Eurochor's Christmas
Concerts over the last two weekends. It warms the heart to hear how is using the singing
of our people to glorify Himself. Let us accompany them in prayer as round off in France
this weekend - tomorrow in Belfort and Sunday in Epinal.
This evening, part of the Eurochor will sing at the
Christmas supper that the Laederachs have arranged for their workers. It is Juerg's prayer
that it will be a blessed time to many a heart.
Klaus Alius requests that we pray for their Christmas
celebration to which they expect many guests, friends and relatives. The theme will be
'Krippe, Kreuz und Krone' (Crib, Cross and Crown)
What a joy it was to hear from Lidia in Romania. This Cedar
College of Education student is using her vacation to assist at the mission back home. She
is also getting wonderful opportunities to share about God's working. On Sunday, she has
been asked to address a children's meeting. Remember her and the ministry in Romania.
On Wednesday, I was a little amused as a food specialist
advised Radio Khwezi listeners on ways to make the Christmas menu special. She reminded us
that in the past curry and rice was the main dish to grace the occasion because of its
scarcity but lately many families can enjoy that on a regular basis. Hence, new ways must
be found to enhance what has become common to have a fresh appeal.
On a more serious note, it is tragic that the Christmas
story can become so common that we parrot it without experiencing the expectancy of the
wise men, the joyous celebration of the heavenly host and the awe and excitement of the
shepherds.
The good news is that we do not need to rely on
sophisticated theatrics to enhance the Christmas story. When we read God's Word
prayerfully, His Spirit breathes life into it that makes the 'old, old story' ever new.
'They asked each other, "Were not our
hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to
us?" ' (Luke 24:32)
Have a blessed weekend.
Pressing on!
In His love
Fano Sibisi |
