A Tribute from Africa – Chairman Dave McLaughlin Remembered

“Hamba Gahle, Mbazalwane!” said Thompson Ntobie. (Ham-bah Gath-leh, Mbah-zal-wah-neh) This is isiXhosa for “A Good Journey for you, My Brother!” This saying has two meanings:  first, as you leave us, we wish blessings for your journey;  and second, your journey to this point has already been blessed!

Thompson is a translator for the Cape Bible Seminary in Cape Town, South Africa. He speaks six languages fluently and has been a teacher in the school for many years, first working alongside my father, Al Zimmerman, then with Dave McLaughlin and myself. He is also nearing the end of his life’s journey (he was 85 last week) and knows that soon, he will see Dave and Al.

So many African Christians were touched by Dave and Mattie and remember Dave with affection and respect. He and Mattie have personally helped a number of them with their generosity of spirit and physical gifts. They are all praying right at this moment for you, Dave’s loved ones.

Dave was a special man. For thirty years, he has been the Chairman of the South African Christian Mission in the United States, serving selflessly and with great passion for the Lord’s ministries in Africa. He was always ready to help, always ready to listen, always ready with ideas and suggestions to improve the effectiveness of the gospel of Christ. While he could talk a lot, Dave was also a doer, not just a man of words, but of action, too. Because of his hard work and assistance, so many Africans have come to know Jesus and are now serving Christ in their own communities.

For me personally, God promoted Dave to a better job in Heaven way too soon. I shall miss his long telephone conversations. I shall miss his humor and intenseness. I shall miss his love, care and kindness.

During my furlough last year, Dave and I stopped at the Creative Museum in Cincinnati. It was a lovely autumn day and he was keen to take me around the museum to share God’s creation together. As soon as we paid and entered, he became unwell. I waited thirty minutes while Dave went to the restroom. When he came out, he was very pale and obviously couldn’t continue. As I drove him back to Indianapolis, he said we’d return to the museum later and enjoy it together at another time. I shall miss that opportunity but in another way, I feel that Dave is enjoying the full creation story in Heaven!

I shall miss my friend, one of my spiritual fathers, my co-worker in Christ, my companion and helper. But I know he is waiting for me and will be at the Gates of Heaven to greet me when the Lord calls me.

Steve Zimmerman

South African Christian Mission, Cape Town