As you pray -18 January 2009

My dear friends

One of the 2008 Domino Servite School Grade 12 (matric) pupils Caroline Husslig wrote to thank for the prayers for last year's examination. There is excitement because her whole class passed. Once again, we dare not take DSS's excellent record for a 100% Matric pass rate for granted.

DSS pupils are not selected on academic, so we have our share of extremely gifted, average and weak pupils. I believe that one of the greatest contributing factors to DSS's success is the sacrificial service of the staff. A lot of what we see admire at DSS is through the teachers' blood, sweat and tears.

DSS could by right charge 'impossible' fees like other private schools but in consideration of the financial bacground of the majority of the pupils fees have been kept very modest. That in turn results in DSS teachers' salaries being a far cry from those of other institutions.

As a parent of past and present DSS pupils I am acutely aware of the fact that I owe a debt I could never pay to DSS and KwaSizabantu for the education of my children. May the Lord be their reward.

Another reason why we cannot take the 2008 DSS results for granted is the fact that on the whole the pass rate across the country went down remarkably. Rural schools generally fared the worst.

There is valid explanation for the poor results. The 2008 Matrics were the first group to write under the new OBE curriculum, the National Curriculum Statement (NCS). There is a complaint that the Education Department did not train teachers adequately for them to cope with the new system.

In the light of the above-mentioned situation we are thankful for the joint project by CFT, DSS and CCE (Cedar College of Education). Up to date educational content in various disciplines is compiled and distributed mainly among rural schools. Kjell Olsen is coordinating the project. May the Lord bless the efforts of His children.

Two brothers Alpheus Mdlalose and Bongani Zondi came by and shared about a special function at KwaSizabantu yesterday. Onkel Erlo had invited the mission's neighbours for a feast, a time of sharing and handing out gifts to the elderly and some youth groups. The neighbours rejoiced, thanked and wished Onkel Erlo and KSB God's further blessing.

Greetings from Mario Rocha who is currently in Mozambique. He is helping to sort out outstanding issues to pave the way for the official opening of DFL's Zavora Clinic. He asks for prayer support.

Concerning Zavora Clinic, Johan Claassen has requested that we pray for tomorrow; officials from the Health Department will be doing an inspection of the clinic.

Another specific request is for doctors and nurses to work at the clinic which is due to start operating in February.

Our prayers accompany Onkel Friedel and Tante Rita who left on Thursday for services in Australia. Although the Australian brethren are so far away from us the tie that binds us in Christ is no weaker.

We shall be thinking of Dr Albu van Eeden as he flies to the USA on Tuesday. He has been invited by Prof Pat McCewen to the biggest pro-life conference in the USA that will include a Pro-life March in Washington.

A friend sent me the following story. Whether it is fact or fiction I cannot tell but there sure is a lot of thought behind it.

 

FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY

In Florida, an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover holy days.  He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days.  The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days.

 The case was brought before a judge.  After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case dismissed!"

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor,how can you possibly dismiss this case?  The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others.  The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays."

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant."

The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."

The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool.  Therefore, April 1st is his day.  Court is adjourned."

Have a blessed weekend.
 
Pressing on!
 
In His love
 
Fano Sibisi