These two weeks were stunning. I thank God that I could have been a part of it and enjoyed it.
Personal Impressions
Willem du Toit
These two weeks were stunning. I thank God that I could have been a part
of it and enjoyed it.
The trip was a combination of
entertainment and work. We went hunting, rode motorbike and so on. But
we also spread the gospel by visiting schools, radio stations, speaking
on TV, etc. Here I learned again that fun and games should not distract
us from the goal of spreading the gospel.
The way God planned our meetings with different people. Some of the
people that we met did not even know about us and we could make good
friends with them. One night we were camping at the Fish River Canyon
and we sang softly. Then our neighbours heard and come over. We could
talk with them and they consequently came to visit the mission.
Wherever we stayed, we were received with open arms. All our hosts went
out of their way to receive us and we always felt at home.
Jan Pienaar
During the planning stages of the trip it already became clear that the whole
trip would be a venture in faith. Since the college could only contribute R1000
and the cost would amount to about R10 000, the funds had to be found elsewhere.
The Lord supplied abundantly, and a week before the planned departure the last
contribution to reach the estimated goal, was received.
The passports also posed a problem since two of the students had to get
temporary passports and the countrywide strike that was going on affected the
public servants’ work severely. After many prayers and a few attempts the
passports were obtained just before we were to depart.
Since the journey would be severe and with a full load, the college’s vehicle,
which is not new anymore, would have been severely stressed by it. Another
vehicle would have been a great help. A few days before departure, we received
the news that a friend of he college has arranged that we could use a brand new
courtesy vehicle which we could borrow from Mercedes Benz. Even the trailer
which was needed for the baggage could be borrowed from a friend in Durban.
Our first sleep over stop was at the van Rensburgs in Brits. We were informed
just before the time that the students had to present their play and sing. It
was for a meeting of the Gideons’ at the van Rensburg’s farm that coincided with
our visit there. We learned right from the beginning to be RFA (ready for
anything).
The next trip was the long stretch to Ghanzi in Botswana. We sang a lot, had
many jokes with the three photographers in the vehicle and ate like kings. It
was Willie du Toits birthday and at lunch we had three types of meat on the
table next to the road.
On arriving at Ghanzi all we could do that evening was to realize that the
people were really glad to have us, and then to find a bed as soon as possible.
The Bassons really went out of their way the keep us busy. They arranged
meetings at their local school, and with the Dutch Reformed Church’s ladies and
youth groups. Once again the beauty of the gospel was seen when our young people
testified about their own lives and how to keep the mind pure and holy unto the
Lord. For some the message was quite hard, but in the end it turned out well
when the truth prevailed. Hennie and Engela Basson are experienced and in a way
prepared to stand for the truth.
Hennie also took the young men on a hunt, and the students shot two kudu and
some guinea fowls. A great introduction to the trip and to the hospitality of
the people we were going to visit.
The next stop was Gobabis. There Dr Francois Louw and his family again
overwhelmed us with their kindness. After a hunting trip to uncle PZ’s farm
where they shot six springbok, the real meetings followed. It was in Windhoek
and it was a full program. Four hours on air on the radio, a presentation on TV
news, and visits to churches and ministers of the gospel. Again it was the
testimony of the students which touched the people. They are not used to that
quality of young people, they said.
The way the Lord went before us was encouraging and a great blessing to us. We
were always on time, we kept all our appointments, and met people that we didn’t
plan to meet but we could see that God had planned it. Like the family Mohar
that we met at Ai-Ais. They heard our singing during an evening devotion and
after talking to us went straight to KSB mission to see for them selves. They
were here before we were, but reports from people showing them around told us
that they were really blessed and received new strength for their walk with the
Lord.
At “Bok se puts” we met a young missionary and his family that were living by
faith. They received us with open hands and gave us many opportunities to
minister and speak to people in need. We were blessed by our visit there and the
way God could use us. We didn’t even notice that the facilities were primitive
and the stay not always comfortable.
To conclude I want to say. Before the trip started, we realised that it will not
be strenuous on the vehicle alone, but also on the people. Camping in the cold
desert like winter climate of Botswana and Namibia and travelling 6000 km
together with a small group of people that did not really knew each other before
the time, can be very stressful. In retrospect I must say, it was all worth the
while. The fact that we experienced God’s presence all the time, saw how He
worked and how blessed the people were by our visit, made the trip worth its
while and something to be very thankful for.
Jakobus de Wet
The tour left a deep impression in my soul. The scenery was
unforgettable and there were may first-time experiences. Nevertheless a question
asked by one of our hosts pressed deeper than anything else else...
While we were visiting in Gobabis, our host, Dr Louw said the following during evening devotions(in essence): "We appreciate the fact that young people would come on such an outreach, but will we still see the same happening when the older people are no longer there?" It made me evaluate my own life to see what my personal motives were for going on the tour. Was it simply another 4th year outreach, or is there really a desire in me to bring the gospel to other young people?
Daniel Becker
Coming soon...
Ilsa Vermaak
Coming soon...
Daphne Solomons
Coming soon...
Nthabiseng Mabokwane
Coming soon...