Christian Testimony: A cold winter day in Sutherland

I would like to open my article by greeting our readers from all walks of life situated in the different places the Lord has placed you. As for me, my season at present has taken me to Sutherland, located in the Northern Cape, South Africa, in a town known for its star gazing experience. Outside stargazing, Sutherland is home to a small farming community living off the rearing of its sheep in addition to the windmills that generate electricity for the neighboring industrial hubs located in the Western Cape and surrounding areas. Taking everything else aside, the local people here are very warm hearted and welcoming. They are humble although to a greater extent limited in terms of generosity as a result of having a meagre financial base.

So looking in retrospect, it's been almost a week and a half since I have been here at the unknown part of the world. On Sunday I was blessed to have seen the stars through the lens of a sophisticated telescope after watching a detailed and informative presentation of a section of the solar system and the galaxy viewed from the southern hemisphere. It was a large tree and accompanied by a church building that often stole our attention from time to time, as the presenter aimed his laser beam towards that direction to illustrate his point.

Anyway, the weekend prior to that event had been in my view fruitful. I had gone into the township with a group of friends and shared the gospel with the community that was there. It was during the weekend so most people were at home, most of whom had taken time to drink some liquor and indulge themselves in the best of the vanities of this world could offer. This is where evangelism becomes interesting because you often find yourself ministering to those who normally don't fit in with the conventional church system. It is the that you need to be led by the Holy Spirit.

During the week, I had been sharing the gospel with the community around me and went as far as a small shop owned by a Pakistan family. During that time, I managed to go as far as talking about the book of John verse 3. Then my mother called me on my cellphone. She was deeply concerned about my father’s illness and said that he was experiencing a downward trajectory in as far as his health was concerned and that recovery at this point would be difficult. I concluded the conversation that I had paused earlier on and decided to go home and pray.

I decided that I would seek God and while I am in His rest, read the Word and hear what He had to say. So it was in those moments in meditation that I got a revelation. I was exactly where I needed to be and that trials of this world I was currently undergoing, where an essential part of my growth process. In the right season I would bear fruit. Yes, I would be able to continuously bear fruit in the due season. All I had to do was grow where my roots were placed firmly on the ground.

I realised that when I carried the red wooden cross on my shoulder despite being exhausted and hungry for in that the Lord gave me strength to soldier on. In all these situations, I realised that God was really in my midst walking with me. Even in my moments of weakness, when my guard was low and all seemed lost, I was reminded of the time when Jesus was in the wilderness and the temptor approached him on three occasions in which he prevailed. Yes, I recall that in that unseen world, in the invisible shadows, beyond the sight of peering eyes, there is a prayer being made on your behalf by someone to see you go past that trial so that when you overcome you will strengthen your brothers.

I have since discovered my spiritual family that adopted me as their own. Sent by God to help me in this pilgrims journey. I have also discovered that my other spiritual family members are here in Sutherland as well. I recall, talking to one spiritual brother, Louis, who stays here in Sutherland and we shared time in fellowship together discussing spiritual matters while he prepared a meal in his three legged iron pot, about the Kingdom of Heaven and how we as the brethren should live out the assignment God has called us for. Indeed our statements may be contrary to what is expected to be said yet if we cannot speak truth then the souls lost at the expense of our disobedience will be required of us on the day of judgement. That is why it would be wise to do what God said one must do regardless of how many people will unfollow you on your social media platform. This is radical in its very core yet the laborers who do what the Lord of the harvest has instructed are so few in number. That in my opinion was a fruitful conversation and I believe that I enjoyed the time we had in fellowship to discuss these issues.

Anyway, the winter has had its toll on some us and we have had to count our blessings for the provision the Lord has given to us. We have the comfort of a warm bed and a plate of food to eat throughout the day. Not far away from us, is a people battling to make ends meet. This is where we thank God for sending the brethren in these communities to share the little that they have so that someone has some form of food and clothing.

That is the world that we living in ladies and gentlemen, where even in its brokenness, we make attempts to uphold the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven by ur efforts to feed the hungry, pray for the sick and cast out demons. I am by no means claiming to be a saint but if there is one thing that I have learnt in this journey, it is that, God is In control and He is seeking obedience rather than sacrifice.

I conclude by greetings to all the brethren who will be blessed in reading today's Christian testimony. Allow God to use you and remember to serve in the best way you can. I pray for you in as much as you keep me in your prayers.

I would also like to hear from you so that our community can grow as we share the love of God. Psalms 1 is my reading for today. Be blessed.