And summer arrives early! Yes, the sun gets up earlier and hotter. The flowers are in bloom and the sunsets are stunning. Greetings from Cape Town!
AIDS CENTER
A few months ago, I was introduced to Pastor Queun Raaf by Samuel Jacobs (I have a regular Sunday morning CBS classes every 2nd and 4th Sunday at his Elsies River congregation). Another local church has taken it upon themselves to fund and operate a small AIDS clinic in their area. Q (I call him that after the special effects guy in the James Bond movies) heads up this program. I was impressed with the way that the Christians have fitted and provided for the clinic without any government assistance. Q felt that AIDS was such a problem in their area and no one helped or assisted those who suffered so much. They were desperately short of Bibles, Sunday School materials and other teaching aids for the church and the clinic – yes, they teach those who come because some of them do not have long to live!
I’ve visited the clinic regularly and donated several boxes of the Celebration 2000 New Testaments which are in a simpler English – the clinic has twenty six beds for people who are extremely ill – and they have placed a brand new New Testament next to each one. Not only do the patients read it but also they ask visitors to read it to them. The impact of the gospel to those without hope is tremendous.
Q is leaving very shortly for the United States to visit his contacts there. I’ve e-mail Alan White at First Christian Church in Chicago to see if there was a speaking opening for Q. Al has responded in a tremendous way, opening doors for the AIDS clinic programs with organizations who could help. Also, Q will travel to Northview Christian Church in Coldwater to speak, too. Our heartfelt thanks goes to Alan White and Jeff Bream (Northview) for providing opportunities.
BAVUMELENI
The Colorado team has arrived safely. Fourteen emerged from the terminal after twenty hours of flying! Pat and I greeted each woman with a giant King Protea to put in their rooms for the two week stay. Primrose and her kids, Doreen, Reinaldo and his wife, Lorna, were all there to welcome the team, too. Although we’d never met anyone other than Wayne and Barbara Ferguson, it was a joyous occasion! The fellowship and camaraderie were immediate.
The team has begun their work and all the changes are such a blessing to Primrose and her helpers. The simple home has no hot water, no shower or bathtub, concrete floors, etc. The inside of the raw asbestos roof sheets were coated and painted several times (yes, in South Africa, asbestos roof sheets are still manufactured and sold as a cheap building material). Plumbing was piped for hot water into the small bathroom where a shower will be installed. Amy, the Ferguson’s granddaughter is an artist and designed, sketched and painted the new sign for the Children’s Center. The floor in the living room was carpet-tiled. New furniture was bought to replace the old sagging sofa and chairs. The work continues…!
All these alterations and materials have been purchased by the team members themselves. They arrived with sleeves rolled up to work, men and women. A few more members arrived a few days later and joined the efforts.
On the last Saturday of the month, Ntobie and I accompanied the team to Paarl (about 30 miles outside of Cape Town) to share a special day of fellowship with a combined group of churches, led by Pastor Happy. I don’t know his last name but happy sure described his eagerness and enthusiasm for the Lord. Ntobie and I were both given an opportunity to speak as well as selected members of the team. It was such a blessed experience and many were moved by the personal testimonies of the team and the teaching of the Word.
The Colorado Christians will be leaving early November. Already they have served so well and Children’s Center has been blessed so much with their efforts and sacrifice.
PERSONAL
Kelley, our youngest son, asked his girlfriend of four years, Louise Jones, to marry him! It was a truly special occasion, done in a true romantic style. Kelley made special posters with board, gold and silver foil with his proposal – very fancy Burma Shave signs. Pat helped him tie them to a series of telephone poles and at the appointed time, I fetched Louise and drove her up the street. Kelley waited for her in the parking lot with sixty yellow roses surrounded by two red ones. He was dressed to the hilt, got down on one knee and asked her to marry him – she was so overcome that she couldn’t accept for a few minutes. He gave her a ring – a Brazilian kunzite (pink) set in white gold, personally handmade by a goldsmith friend of ours. Kelly and Louise left for a work assignment outside of Boca Raton (FL) on a six month contract.
Bad news: gas has gone up again and probably more increases are in the pipeline. Please pray for this – if anyone wishes to help, kindly mark your donations for the Gas Fund.
We are also in prayer, like many of you, for the forthcoming Presidential elections. America needs a strong Christian leader. Please continue to pray.
We thank everyone who has written and encouraged us. The Lord’s work continues and more are being saved every month. May God bless you all.
Steve and Pat Zimmerman
S.A. Christian Mission , Cape Town
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments