Greetings in Christ from hot sunny Cape Town! I am certainly enjoying the summer weather after the icy snow of Michigan.
Economically, South Africa is experiencing the same global downturn like everyone else. The exchange rate has bettered the situation (currently, R9 to $1) which has helped tremendously. Bad news is that gasoline remains high, coming down a little, then rising again beyond the old levels. (There is no competition for petrol – the government sets the price once a month for every region.)
Unemployment remains high (at least 50%) as companies shed more and more workers, despite the incessant strikes by the massive trade unions. Complicating this is the tremendous influx of refugees, primarily from Zimbabwe, which has just suspended its currency because of hyperinflation (a billion Zim Dollar note was first printed a few months ago and is already worth very little). Refugees cannot live in the African townships because of xenophobic violence by the local tribes.
Now, here’s the good news!
CAPE BIBLE SEMINARY
After furlough (I returned in mid-December last year), the CBS classes once again resumed. Thompson Ntobie took up the slack and our new E-Team project (Evangelism Team) bore fruit, too – a few of the young men also preached and taught a few classes during my furlough. This is what the CBS is all about: training and equipping African Christians for practical Christian ministries.
In January, I barely had time to breathe when a new class was started at “Anathoth”, a Christian retreat center in Kuilsriver (approx 20 mins from where I live). The workers on the small farm had requested Cape Bible Seminary classes and these have now been going since that time. The first course is nearly finished (the Gospel of John) and the level of enthusiasm is high. Previously, a few of the workers merely attended church services as a habit – now, two of them have volunteered to serve in the church! In addition, because “Anathoth” rents rooms for retreats, conferences, etc, there have been various visitors who have attended the classes, too. So, I have had to adjust the teaching so that those who would not be able to return, would have something to take with them.
The Monday night classes are now in two different places. Ria and Koosie Berger host the first and third Mondays in their home in Durbanville; Andre and Regina Brandt host the second and fourth Mondays on their farm in the mountains to the east. One week, the Brandts drive to Durbanville and the next, we drive to their farm about 50 miles away. It makes for very late nights at times but again, visitors to the farm come to hear the teaching, too.
A surprise awaited me in January, too. Bro Aubrey, a man who requested Bibles for the youth in Paarl (20 miles east), contacted me. He’d heard about the CBS classes and wanted to hear the teaching. I didn’t know he was a radio producer for a community radio station located in Franschoek (25 miles away) – he invited me to speak on the radio during Sunday morning. About 15,000 people tune in for the 10am to noon slot and I was nervous, speaking on air. Usually, I can gauge the reactions of students in the classes and adjust my teaching style to make it easier for them. But on the radio, there is no feedback at all. I was originally slated to speak for 30 mins with a few breaks for music but Aubrey told me to use all of the time! Fortunately, I’d brought plenty of notes just in case.
The response was very good and I spoke again in February and March. Aubrey has asked me for April, too. Unfortunately, I cannot say anything about the Cape Bible Seminary unless it is an official sponsor of the program ($150 for two hours). However, the controller has offered to cut a CD for me each time I speak, which can then be copied for anyone who asks for it. I am looking into this very seriously because CDs can easily be copied in batches and sent anywhere in South Africa or Africa for that matter.
Another door opened very rapidly!
QUEENSTOWN
Thompson and I traveled there during the first quarter of 2009. The church in Linge (about 35 miles south along a long winding dirt road in appalling condition) has started to build their own church hall. It is about waist height and continuing every month as they have funds.
We conducted CBS classes from Friday to Sunday. Between the classes, even the times for tea and sandwiches, were opportunities for the African men to ask more questions about the Word, their situation and personal advice. By the time we left late Sunday afternoon, both Thompson and I were exhausted. (We arrived back very late, about 11pm.)
The churches and preaching stations are growing by leaps and bounds. Every time we visit, there are more and more young men and women who have accepted Christ as their Savior and were baptized in the cold rivers streaming down from the mountains. It is so encouraging to see this growth and I am hoping that other areas would emulate their commitment and learning.
One of the main elders of Queenstown, Bro Tsewu, is very ill. He has a growth on his face, which has distorted the shape of his mouth – he has difficulty eating and cannot sleep. Thompson and I are very concerned for him because half of his family have consulted sangomas (witchdoctors), who have provided muti (concocted from odd things) and his older sons, dedicated Christian men, want to bring him to Cape Town for expert medical consultations. Bro Tsewu is almost 80 and is very frail. We need your prayers for him and the family, which is totally divided.
BOOK STORAGE FACILITY
All the Trustees of “Anathoth” (including me) met for the first time in Stellenbosch last month. One Trustee is from Johannesburg, the rest from the Western Cape. They formally approved of the plans for the storage facility and the pursuit of these plans through the Municipality, which has been dragging its feet. One of the Trustees, Johan Marais, is a lawyer and will use his weight to make this happen quickly.
The professional draughtsman, Andrew Cousins, has done a tremendous job, altering and submitting new plans every time the Municipality has demanded different aspects of the proposed building. (The regulations have changed several times during the past year and each time, new plans have had to be revised.) Andrew is tearing his hair out and has charged a flat fee of $500 for everything.
We hope to begin work by the end of April or first weeks of May. Already, I have lined up workers (mainly Congolese Christians) and the molds for the cement block machines. Finally, I think we are seeing the light!
I understand that Bob and Roberta Snyder have another Land/Sea Container ready for shipment once the facility has been built. Already, we are almost out of Bibles and computers. The Bibles and New Testaments have been sent as far as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Namibia as well as many areas within Cape Town and surrounds. The requests for God’s Word keep rolling in every single week and I am trying to eke out what is left so that everybody will get something.
My thanks to Dave McLaughlin, the Neuenschwanders, Snyders, Tom Dumez and others for their advice on construction and completion of the facility.
BCC
Marty Wallace, a retired man from Colorado, has been helping at Bavumeleni Childrens Center since last year. He has really taken a huge load from my shoulders, as well as Reinaldo Rutter and the trustees. He teaches English there and helps kids with their homework from school. He fetches and carries food, bread and anything else that is needed. He is always available to anyone at BCC to a ride. The kids love him and really have responded to his open heart.
Primrose’s daughter, Euphonia, married a young Christian man, Godfrey, after having met and corresponded online. (The new way to do things!) Godfrey moved down from Pretoria (1100 miles north) and has started a church for the youth at BCC. We have met several times and he has started he needs a mentor so that he can effectively lead the young men and women in the area. I have provided him with one of the computers so this can be used to train the youth, too. There is a tremendous response for IT training in the townships.
REFUGEES
With the ongoing crisis in Zimbabwe and the fresh outbreak of rebellion in the Congo, the refugees in Cape Town are too afraid to return to their homelands. I have been teaching and ministering in various areas. Many are Christians of some type or another and all are turning to the Word for comfort and help.
They need everything. Clothes, books, Bibles, shoes, blankets and even the basic kitchen utensils. I found a few boxes of tools and kitchenware in the Container (thanks, Bob!) which I have passed along, too. In addition, I have badgered my friends and neighbors to clean out their closets of unwanted clothes, coats, etc and the response has been tremendous. A friend, Kevin, who is married to a Russian woman, packed so many boxes that I have had to make three trips to collect everything. His wife, who knows about poverty, is the main force behind his generosity!
Many refugees have accepted Christ and have been baptized. A large number have already considered themselves to be Christians but had never been immersed to wash away their sins. Through the CBS classes, they have heard the example of Christ and had no hesitation to follow their Lord into the water, even though many a fearful of being pushed under. Our Father has provided and they have responded.
PERSONAL
My eldest son, Kent, was married on Hilton Head Island, to Jen Bullock on December 5th 2008. Our whole family was there and it was a time of joy and happiness. A few weeks ago, I was informed that Jen is expecting a baby in September 2009!
Brice and Louise have good news, too. Louise gave birth to my first grandson, Paxton Reed Zimmerman, on March 15th this year. With the instant technology available, I was able to see the first pictures within hours. May I say he is beautiful? And great looking? What a blessing of life!
Another piece of good news: I am finally on Skype, a fairly free internet phone system. After many failures and at the urging of Mark Vernik and my sister, Sara, I was able to hook it up. Walt Mielke has also provided good advice about computers, the internet, VOIP and other things mysterious.
Pat filed for divorce earlier this year. Sadly, she has left the Lord and wants to continue her own life in her own way. I have not contested it since there are mitigating factors. My main concern and prayer is that she will return to the Lord and not continue to wander away.
I apologize for this Field Report’s length. I feel like the Oscar ceremonies, which seem to plod longer and longer without end. There is so much to report so much that has been done in the Lord’s vineyard. During the past few years, He has raised His servants into the harvest.
I am tremendously encouraged by the responses of so many people. Tom Dumez wanted to lead another Work Team to Cape Town later this year but perhaps these plans must be put on hold. An elder from the Chancey Rd church e-mailed to arrange a visit in August. My sister, Sara, and a cousin in New Mexico will come out in December if all goes well. Both have become more and more interested in SACM.
And how can I thank all of you for your help, prayers and support?
So many have helped with the furlough arrangements – Mark Vernik, the coordinator; Tom Dumez, the chief of transport (he loaned me his personal vehicle for the entire furlough); the Neuenschwanders for their hospitality and kindness; Dave and Mattie for their generosity and help; Walt and Bea Mielke for accommodation and assistance for everything in Florida; and the Hamiltons for their arrangements and help at Stroh.
In addition, there were so many churches and groups which hosted me and took care of all the local arrangements. From New Mexico to Florida, Michigan to Kentucky, everything ran smoothly and without many hiccups. I cannot possibly remember all the names and I apologize if I have omitted anyone.
The South African Christian Mission has done so much with limited resources. Every year, more and more of the local Christians are volunteering for service, which is the entire aim of the Mission. I am striving daily to ensure that all the resources and tools are in place so that after my service ends, Christ will still be proclaimed and many more will come to know Him fully.
My personal thanks to each and everyone for your kindness, prayers, support and advice, particularly during this trying time for me. Your encouragement and strength has provided me with wisdom and assistance when I needed it most.
May God continue to bless and guide each one of you in His Service.
Steve Zimmerman
S.A. Christian Mission, Cape Town
