Thursday early morning Pat and I drove to Colesburg in the Northern Cape where Chris Knoetze, his wife Magriet and Hazel, from Heritage of Faith - Witbank were already busy with an outreach. On arrival we immediately followed Chris to a township just outside Colesburg with the peculiar name ‘Riem Vasmaak’. The first RDP houses have recently been occupied and it is these people our host, Pastor Edward DeHahn wanted us to meet. After being introduced, Chris presented them with the Gospel. Many came forward, so we prayed for them and invited them all to attend the services at the church. Pastor De Hahn offered to fetch and return them for all the services. Chris used a Vito and Pastor De Hahn and I took turns using his GWM Hover.  Our service on Friday night was marked with more salvations and people being set free. The presence of God seemed to saturate every event as we all ministered life, love and the anointing which broke every yoke not of God.  Chris had packed the Vito to and a trailer to capacity with blankets and clothing. Pat also packed clothing, filling our back seat to capacity.

On Friday morning we visited the Squatter camp to invite them to our services. It was an unforgetable experience to  spend time with these folk. Pat lead an old lady to the Lord and we were surprised to see her in the service at night as it was very cold. We soon realised that the response we received was more than what we anticipated. The childrens ministry on Saturday morning was so well attended that we had to buy more supplies during the service. Pat and I bought sweets and chips in Joburg for this event and I thought we should cater for about 250 children. After seeing the enthusiasm on Friday we went to the Metro to buy some additional supplies. Chris suggested we buy bananas and oranges as well. Saturday morning  we realised we were still short, so Pat bought more. The church was packed to capacity with not enough seating. Madelaine and her team ministered to them and afterwards we blessed them with  a sweet, a packet of chips and a fruit. I ministered the Gospel to the parents that were waiting for their children and we saw more salvations. After that we handed out clothing. Even though we had a lot of clothing, we could have dstributed much more. 

Saturday afternoon Madelaine and her team ministered to the ladies. They had a hamper with an assortment of pampering products which they collected at Witbank assembly. The ladies were truly blessed. It was evident that God saw the desires of each individual as their testemonies were later shared.  Saturday night we went back to ‘Riem Vasmaak’  to show ‘The Passion of The Christ’. 

It was extremely cold and we noticed many were scantilly dressed, but they all braved the cold to sit through the film and afterwards there was a large response as Chris challenged them to accept Jesus as saviour. Again a large response and it was remarkable to see many teenagers commit their lives to Christ. Sunday morning service was again marked by the sweet presence of God. Tears  were seen on many faces as the Holy Spirit ministered life to them.

Pastor De Hahn and his wife (above right) truly have a heart for the people. As we worked with them we found them to be true labourers. As we packed to leave we felt as though we were saying goodbye to family. Travelling back we were thankfull for being able to serve this community that desperately needed to know the love of God. So much happened during these few days, that it would take too long to share. We would like to thank you for your prayers and support which we needed so much.

The House of God and the Gate of Heaven

Genesis 28:16-22 NKJV

16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it." 17 And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!"

18 Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. 19 And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, 21 so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. 22 And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You."