The Royal Agricultural Society 2015 Evangelism

Day 1, May 29

Brothers Lungisa, Marius and Gary proceeded to our usual evangelism spot opposite the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS)show grounds, at the pedestrian crossing where we conducted stoplight preaching, distributed Gospel tracts and engaged individuals with witnessing encounters.

We had prayed to our Father in Heaven for an open-door to labour for His Kingdom, and we were not approached by the security today, as at past shows.

While Lungisa open-air preached, Marius handed out Gospel tracts, Gary handed out tracts and got into a conversation with José – a self confessing homosexual. Many Scriptures were opened to José and he was understanding his predicament before his Holy Creator. He also said he understands for he sees it all written in the Bible. Please pray for José to not rest until he comes to true repentance toward God and his faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (see Acts 20:21). Three particular portion of Scriptures which were opened to José, were:-

1. God created man and woman – Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve – for a man and woman, a husband and wife are to be married and they can bring forth children. José agreed that a man and man cannot bring forth a child neither a woman and a woman in lesbianism:

23  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25  And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. ~ Genesis 2:23-25

2. That man is not to lay with man in homosexuality which is perverse sex and an abomination before a Holy God:

22  Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. ~ Leviticus 18:22

3. No homosexual will enter into the Kingdom of God:

9  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:9,10

Later, we did learn of a crippled African man in a wheelchair who was playing his acoustic guitar to the passing foot-traffic, attending and leaving the show, who was told by security to leave the area. Whilst he might have been inside the perimeter fencing of a walkway leading from the parking facilities being let from the Voortrekker High School by the RAS committee, it was a callous and heartless act telling this man to leave when they could have kindly asked him to come onto the public sidewalk. He certainly was not harming anyone. We are reminded many times by government to be entrepreneurs and self-sufficient. Well this man was using his God-given talent to glean a few coins here-and- there to make a living. Is there a crime in that? It reflects poorly on the RAS and Superior Security that they are seen as uncompassionate. This man certainly was not going to put them out of business with his one-man performance. Their actions are nothing short of defining them as heartless greedy scrooges! In previous years we have had the same security company under the “watch” of the Show director Mr Terry Strachan come and harass the preaching of God’s Word whilst we have been on public property, of which we pay taxes to the municipality for the upkeep thereof which therefore makes us a stakeholder to coin a much used government term! It is about time these people find out what they can and cannot do! They are infringing on other citizens’ Constitutional Bill of Rights which are acts of lawlessness! All for the love of the things of this world!

BE WARNED, there is a Judgment Day that is approaching where all will give an accounting of their lives here on this earth – whether in thought, or in word, or in deed – to the Most High God Almighty YHVH and the events of this particular day will certainly be on the Court’s Role on that great and terrible Day of the LORD. As it is said vengeance belongeth to God:

18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ~ Romans 12:18,19

We do pray for every person to come to salvation and repent of their sin against a Good and Gracious GOD; and their fellow man! God does not wish that any should perish.

In closing, here are some previous reports from the past Royal Shows where we have proclaimed our Lord Jesus Christ to the masses –

• 2012 – Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, and Days 9 & 10

• 2013 – Days 1 to 3, The Royal Agricultural Show, the Ukhozi FM Concert and the Comrades Marathon

• 2014 – Royal Agricultural Show 2014 Evangelism Report 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Mission Act 1:8 ~ Day 47

NAPIERVILLE / SIGNAL HILL

Tuesday May 26, 2015, Marius and Gary headed out to saturate the last road in Napierville and then Signal Hill with the Word of Truth. We had arrived on Roy Campbell Road, behind Piet Retief Primary School, and then realised when Marius asked whether I had fetched my grandson’s homework from school, as he is booked-off with the chicken pox, that we had about ten minutes to do so, so I thought! Well, after driving across town and fetching the homework, we returned to the same spot and by God’s providence we arrived back at the school’s lunch break! After asking a few children who were ‘hanging-out’ near the fence if they knew the Lord Jesus Christ – uJesu Kristus – this is what followed as they were calling out for tracts and hands were protruding through the fence . . .

A senior minder then approached as the bell had sounded for the end of the lunch break. We handed her a “What if?” card and then we proceeded door-to-door tracting!

After completing the Napierville suburb we proceeded up to Signal Hill to walk the suburb and sow the seed of God’s Word. Whilst there while tracting as many post-boxes in a huge complex, we shared briefly with yet another ancestor praying African man who was on site doing some repair work to a turnstile. His fresh animal hide bangles was a “dead” give-away! Graciously we shared Deuteronomy 18 once again warning about necromancy and consulting with familiar spirits which is an abomination in the sight of our Holy God – The Creator! He tried to use the “quick-fix” answer that whilst you are staying with your father you must obey his rules! Our response was: “If your dad tells you to jump into the fire will you jump?” He then countered and said: “Then your father will not be a loving man.” “Well, if your dad tells you to do something contrary to God’s Word, you will end up in the fire! God warns you to do that which is right!” He said he will read the Gospel tract he has received from us.

We ask that prayers be offered for all the persons we encounter along the way, as they are spiritually blinded by the devil. This is all idolatry and generational curses that are prevailing, as we read in the Second Commandment:

4  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 
5  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 
6  And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. ~ Exodus 20:4-6

The day’s route was:

* Napierville: Roy Campbell

* Signal Hill: Pineview Terrace – Nienaber – Frans Hugo – Nienaber.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Mission Act 1:8 ~ Day 46

NAPIERVILLE

Monday May 25, 2015, Marius and Gary continued sowing the seed of the Living Word, the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in the Napierville area.

We started off the day having an hour and twenty minutes discussion sharing the Gospel with Johanna as we were later joined by her husband Arthur after he had returned from buying stock for their Tuck Shop which they run from their home. Johanna said they attend the CRC near Makro, Camps Drift, which I am afraid preaches “another gospel.” All I am willing to say at this time concerning this church is that an “ex-friend” of my son committed suicide and the pastor had a perfect opportunity to preach the Gospel of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, warning of Judgment Day and the realities of Hell for unrepentant sinners, and all that was offered in a watered down fashion was “God loves all of you.” Sadly he was not preaching the GOD (YHVH) of the Holy Bible, but a god of man’s choosing in idolatry! This was an opportunity missed. An appropriate Scripture for many in attendance at the funeral would be:

9  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:9,10

Johanna had said that she was not sure whether she would go to Heaven if she had to die, so we examined her condition by conducting the “Good Person Test” and shared that the Holy Spirit will confirm with your spirit whether you belong to God and that each person is to examine themselves to see if they are in the faith. These two Scripture portions should be read together:

5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? ~ 2 Corinthians 13:5

15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. ~ Romans 8:15-17

Later, we had some interesting conversations with people over their property fences and some on the streets. Charmaine, a lady on Napier Road, heard the Gospel and she became tearful as she mentioned that she had been drinking alcohol the morning and was wondering about things, when we happened to come by “as if God had sent us.” She said she was baptised in the Baptist Church, but sadly she has backslidden, was divorced and now living in adultery and fornication with her boyfriend. We told her that she needs to repent to God. Through prayer she should ask assistance from her children and family and get out of her current relationship. We did pray with her that our Divine God and Father would work upon her heart and conscience and bring her to true repentance and true faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

Whilst this conversation was taking place, before Marius joined Gary, Marius also had a discussion with some ancestral worshipping heathens, also on Napier Road, who refused any Gospel literature that he offered them. Once Marius had also joined Gary speaking to Charmaine, her boyfriend’s son and wife (?) came out from next door to report that her dog was going to be attacked by their dog “Kaptein” if he came snooping around there. Gospel literature was also offered to them which offer they sadly declined together with another man, who resides with them, who passed by saying he is a drunkard! We advised him that through repentance and seeking God he can be delivered from being a slave to alcohol as we can testify to God’s goodness of delivering us.

There are many people that are hurting in the suburbs, but sadly the majority of them are wilfully holding to their wicked and evil sins rather than seeking God’s redemptive salvation! God can justify them and begin a work in them should they humble themselves. We are told by our Lord Jesus:

27  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 
30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ~ Matthew 11:27-30 

Please keep all in your prayers who have received by oral or written testimony the goodness of God and the testimony of His blessed Son Jesus. We are reminded that God is not willing that any should perish, as we read:

9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. ~ 2 Peter 3:9

In closing, we have since passed the 10,000 properties tracted in complete time of 4 Days 16 Hours 30 Minutes (112Hrs 30Mins = 10,072). This is broken down as follows (approximately due to possible human error):

* 2013 : 3 Days 15 Hours 15 Minutes (87Hrs 15Mins) = 8,200

* 2015 : 1 Day 1 Hour 15 Minutes (25Hrs 15Mins) = 1,872

The day’s route was: Sherwood – Devonshire – Lancashire – Devonshire – Wiltshire – Napier – Devonshire – Seaforth – Sherwood – Poppy – Devonshire – Eugene Marais (Upper and Lower Roads).

Soli Deo Gloria!

Mission Act 1:8 ~ Day 45

NAPIERVILLE

Saturday May 23, 2015 (at sunset in the Hebrew calendar Sivan 6, 5775, which is Shavuot (Feast of Weeks): Pentecost), Marius and Gary ventured out in the Napierville suburb to scatter the seed of God’s eternal Word.

Some conversations were had and one’s voice was raised uplifting the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ – preaching that salvation is in no other name but Jesus.

12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. ~ Act 4:12 

Stood outside a gate on Langenhoven Road and shared the Gospel in a loud tone as three men stood / sat a distance from the gate, but it also had the effect that the neighbours could hear, too. On Aalwyn Road a person who knew Marius stopped his LDV and Marius was able to give him Gospel literature and share briefly with this coloured man encouraging him to read and examine his life.

We also shared along the way at small ‘spaza-shops’ operating out of some peoples’ yards. This is one way how the community make a living where employment is scarce. A convenience store is provided to one’s neighbours when the shops are a distance from where they reside. We also spoke to people in cars who saw the cross and wanted Gospel literature to read. One couple even enquired to make sure we are NOT Jehovah Witnesses. These queries are welcomed as they allow us to preach the True Jesus Christ and warn of the false gospels that are ‘shared’ by those cults!

On the last stretch of Aalwyn Road that lead to a dead-end we were almost attacked by some dogs, which is par for the course and one of the hindrances that we can face when out on the streets. Normally the dogs are behind high fences, but sometimes you have areas like today that gates are left open or fencing are in poor condition allowing the dogs to roam / enter the roads at will. Only by the grace of God were we kept safe! On the same road proceeding back down the hill, as we walked Gary raised his voice and trumpeted the call to repentance!

Later on Arum Road we spoke to five youngsters that attend the Piet Retief Primary School. They, L to R: Lindani, Mvola (obscured white shirt), Snenhlanhla (on bike), Khelhelo, and Anelo,  were on their way home from playing school rugby. We shared the Gospel with them even though they said they were on their way to heaven, mostly because they attend church and pray. We did the “Good Person Test” on them just to make sure of their condition before God. It was evident that they were violating many of the God’s commandments. But they are now aware of the perfect standard God requires of each one of us!

Please pray for each and every person who received the Word of God by oral and written witness today.

The day’s route: Langenhoven – Aalwyn – Arum – Roos – Tritonia – Langenhoven – Hortensia – Angeliers – Hortensia – Langenhoven.

 Soli Deo Gloria!

Mission Act 1:8 ~ Day 44

SCOTTSVILLE

Wednesday 20, 2015 – Jono, Marius and Gary continued in the Scottsville area, between the UKZN campus and Alan Paton Avenue. It is also the neighbourhood where Jono resides.

Whilst we handed Gospel tracts to approximately 166 persons – a vast majority being UKZN students followed by municipal workers – only very brief conversations were had. The day was a trying day, it just did not seem to want to “click-into-gear”, so to speak! The devils were clearly hindering the Gospel work. It was very evident in Pepworth Road when Gary approached an elderly European lady who was waiting at her gate. When offered some Gospel literature she said very abruptly: “What is it? Is it religious?” When an answer was given to her that it is Gospel material concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, she retorted: “I have my religion!” On asking her what religion it was, in a harsh tone she came back at Gary and said it was none of his business to which he calmly responded, “I was only asking nothing else.” This lady almost spat out “I am Roman Catholic!” to which was the response, “If Roman Catholics speak to people like this, I would consider leaving that church.” While Gary crossed the road to speak to an African lady, the European lady had departed in a car and so Marius retraced his steps and placed some Gospel literature in her post-box. Pray that this Roman Catholic lady will be humbled by the Gospel material placed in her post-box.

The day’s routes were:

Stage 1:- Roseveare – Chapman – Pepworth – Ridge – Alan Paton – Dorset – Chapman – Lymbrook – Carbis – Chapman – Carbis – Ridge – Roseveare.

Stage 2:- Hutchinson – Epworth – Shores – Carbis (between Faculty of Agriculture and Lymbrook).

Soli Deo Gloria!

Cars in the Park 2015 at Ashburton, KZN

The Cars in the Park event that is normally held in Alexandra Park in Pietermaritzburg was this year held at the Ashburton Training Centre for racehorses about 15kms outside the city on Sunday May 17, 2015. As over the years, we have gone to the annual event to reach lost souls with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7  Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. ~ Psalm 20:7

This year Gary was accompanied by Marius. It was also the 40th anniversary of this event that started in 1975. We had been down with the influenza during the week and whilst we rested and prayed for healing our Great God was gracious in His love by healing and giving us strength to go and share the Gospel of His blessed Son Jesus Christ to the hordes of humanity that flocked from all over South Africa to come to this event, which is an event run by the freemasons, as was the case last year, too. Their motto as can be seen stitched on the back of their caps,  read: “Making Good Men, Better Men!!” We know this to be vanity and deceptive for our Lord Jesus Christ even corrected the young rich ruler’s understanding on who is good when he said:

17  And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. ~ Mark 10:17,18

Before entering the facility, we wrestled with the fact that our admission payment would be going to this devilish organization, who now so blatantly come out into the open and masquerade as a “holistic” benevolent organization. Our Lord provided an open-door as we entered the facility and was able to hand out our Gospel literature, engage in witnessing and open-air preaching without any hindrance from the ever present marshals passing by us. There was even a security camera drone that hovered overhead!

We had two very engaging conversations and our Lord also sent encouragements from Christians our way. The first conversation was with two young teenagers visiting from Westville, near Durban, named Andre and Chris. Andre said he is a believer and Chris said he was hearing the Gospel for the first time. They both looked as if they were under conviction. We pray for our Father to bring them to a sound knowledge of the Saviour of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The second conversation was started by Marius with a Jehovah  Witness named Donald (?). We dealt with the usual objections that JWs always bring, but when he spoke about people being destroyed in the grave and will not experience pain and suffering in hell after death, the one Scripture that really got him thinking was when we asked him to check his NWT (JW bible) on his smart-phone and read Revelation 20:10 where it also reads “tormented day and night for ever and ever.” The King James Bible reads:

10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. ~ Revelation 20:10

The conversation went back and forth as always, but he was hearing the Truth from Scripture. Please pray for all JWs who are deceived by the false teachings of The Watchtower Society situate in Brooklyn.

Just on 1pm when the parachutists were about to perform our Lord Jesus Christ gave opportunity to proclaim Him to the gathering crowds looking skywards! Here are three audio clips:

* The analogy of a skydiver needing a parachute and so does a person who dies . . . who needs a Saviour – Click >>>

* While preaching and warning about idolatry, the preaching was been shouted down by a group of young Hindu girls who are idolaters – Click >>>

* Expounded upon The Great Supper in Luke 14:15-24 – Click >>>  

Here are a collection of the photos of the events of the day:

The past evangelism outreaches can be viewed here:

2009 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014

Soli Deo Gloria!

Mission Act 1:8 ~ Day 43

SCOTTSVILLE

Wednesday 13, 2015 Marius and Gary continued in the Scottsville area, starting near The Mall @ Scottsville. We met up with two young female Municipal street cleaners named Angel and Gloria on King Edward Drive. Their plight which has become all too customary amongst the African folk, is a question of: “Why are my prayers not answered when I pray to God?” We had to get to the bottom of the problem, and it mostly comes down to the “age old” problem – or should we say the traditional problem – of mixing the Holy with the profane. Shembe followers and African traditionalists are being deceived thinking that they can pray to Unkulunkulu (God) and hold to their ancestral prayers, too!

This is an abomination when God warns that nobody is to consult with the dead, which is necromancy (see Deut. 18:10-13). People continually say that we – Christians – have no right to judge another person’s traditions! However, they are judged already by God by their foolish actions when God warns against their very practices. We Christians, as disciples of the Son of God our Lord Jesus Christ are merely warning the transgressors of their situation before a Holy, Just and Perfect God who they must face on Judgment Day. Sincerely, this is the greatest love we can extend to deceived persons, warning them of the inevitable destruction of their souls in Hell should they not repent of their abominable actions this side of eternity. Angel saw her sin in mixing the Holy with the profane and she said she wants to be born again. We shared the Law of God with them compelling them to turn back to God through repentance and faith in the finished work of the Saviour our Lord Jesus Christ. We prayed with them that God will open their understanding and cause them to truly repent. Often the easiest way for a traditionalist is for them to continue in their folly out of fear of being ostracised by their family, than make a stand for God by seeking after His righteousness. The Devil uses demonic fear to keep souls in bondage to their sin! Christ, and Christ alone, can redeem souls back to God!

A while later, Marius handed a third year UKZN LLB (Latin Legum Baccalaureus) law student named Sabelo some Gospel literature. He had initially received the material and had walked on, but then after starting to read the same, turned and came back to ask us some questions! It was through our discussions that we learned that Sabelo who is studying to be an attorney has set his goals on being rich, in fact he wants to accumulate great wealth! He follows the “teachings” of Donald Trump and other wealthy moguls. It was while sharing the Ten Commandments of God that we dealt with covetousness, the lust for riches, and we went to the Scripture that reads:

10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. ~ 1 Timothy 6:10

Sabelo said that Donald Trump is a “Christian” that does a lot of “good work” for “God.” Gary had to remind Sabelo that Trump, a Presbyterian (source: Wikipedia), might have a different god to the One in the Holy Bible, for Trump has much dealings with casinos that encourage people to gamble, and Trump even makes money off the desperate and poor who will use their last food money to covet after riches and wealth! We advised Sabelo that money in and of itself is not bad as we do have need of money, but it is how you use it – is the love of money so great that you lust after more and more wealth for your own selfish gain and ambition? Or are you using your wealth for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom according to God’s will? For it is “the love of money” which “is the root of all evil”. We then referred Sabelo to the following Scripture:

16  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 
20  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 
21  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. ~ Luke 12:16-21 

We discussed many issues relating to wealth and being a good steward of “wealth” for God! Sabelo also made reference to the professional football association FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi who also has much wealth. He also made reference to Messi being helpful by his “charitable work.” The thing is that whilst Sabelo might think that Lionel Messi’s work-righteous Roman Catholic faith benefits people, it is detrimental to the benefactors for they might receive benevolence from the man, but not the Truth. It is the same as an unrepentant poor man begging for food and he receives physical food / care but is not told how to receive the spiritual food of forgiveness of his sins through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, the unrepentant poor man will still go to Hell cared for and well fed with food that wastes away. Spiritually his soul will be lost for all eternity! As our Lord Jesus Christ said:

34  And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
36  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
37  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
38  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. ~ Mark 8:34-38 [Gary’s emphasis added]

Pray for God the Father to deal with the hearts of those who came to hear the Word this day. We pray “. . . that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” (see Acts 26:20). The day’s route was: King Edward – Oribi (to Scottsville Clinic) – King Edward – Hardy – St Patricks – Coronation.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Mission Act 1:8 ~ Day 42

SCOTTSVILLE

Tuesday May 12, 2015, we had planned to do an extended area of Scottsville along Oribi Road, then King Edward Avenue, then . . .  only for our LORD God to have the final say in ordering our steps. Marius and Gary had set out this morning and soon realised that GOD answers prayers, but HE accomplishes ALL according to HIS good will and pleasure as HE deems fit. We are reminded:

9  A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. ~ Proverb 16:9

We had parked opposite the Scottsville Clinic in a vacant parking lot and whilst walking along Oribi Road – our intention was to turn about at the traffic light at the intersection of Jesmond Road and retrace our steps in the direction we had come on the opposite of the road. We neared the intended ‘round-about turn’ when we saw some workers alongside the road. There was a truck parked on the grass area next to the road when Marius motioned to Gary to go and tract the driver sitting in the lorry. On approaching him, Gary saw he was reading the Qu’ran in Arabic. This African man, we quickly learned from our introduction, was a Malawian Muslim named Osten. He asked what we where doing and so the conversation commenced.

All praise be to the One and Only True and Living God Jesus Christ. As is customary with Muslims when trying to have a dialogue they like to “but-in” and change the way the conversation is going to suite themselves, and this was no different with Osten. It is a spiritual war that takes place against the Truth! So Gary firmly stated that he knew Osten’s intentions and that this is nothing new from the conversations we have had in the past with Muslims. So Gary firmly stated that Osten needs to listen and listen well and we were going to show him what the Qu’ran that he was reading teaches and says about Allah. The Holy Spirit was moving this conversation and Gary found himself taking out his Blackberry and under his “MemoPad” he opened the same to some notes he had copied some time ago, titled: “Allah – The Greatest Deceiver of them All” and started reading the notes. Osten tried to “but-in”, but Gary firmly asked him to listen what the Qu’ran says about his Allah. The Arabic words were pronounced for Osten to hear, like Makr which is “Deceiver”, so he was getting it firsthand in the language he was reading when our LORD YHVH had Gary approach Osten. This is what was read to him:

Sam Shamoun

The Quran describes Allah as the best deceiver there is, a liar who is not above using the same evil and wicked schemes of his opponents.

For example, the Quran calls Allah a makr, in fact the best makr there is:

But they (the Jews) were deceptive, and Allah was deceptive, for Allah is the best of deceivers (Wamakaroo wamakara Allahu waAllahu khayru al-makireena)! S. 3:54; cf. 8:30

Other texts that identify Allah as a makr include:

Are they then secure from Allah’s deception (makra Allahi)? None deemeth himself secure from Allah’s deception (makra Allahi) save folk that perish. S. 7:99

So they schemed a scheme: and We schemed a scheme (Wamakaroo makran wamakarna makran), while they perceived not. S. 27:50

The word for deception/deceiver/scheme is makr. The lexical sources define the term as:

Miim-Kaf-Ra = To practice deceit or guile or circumvention, practice evasion or elusion, to plot, to exercise art or craft or cunning, act with policy, practice stratagem.

makara vb. (1)

perf. act. 3:54, 3:54, 7:123, 13:42, 14:46, 16:26, 16:45, 27:50, 40:45, 71:22 impf. act. 6:123, 6:123, 6:124, 8:30, 8:30, 8:30, 10:21, 12:102, 16:127, 27:70, 35:10 n.vb. 7:99, 7:99, 7:123, 10:21, 10:21, 12:31, 13:33, 13:42, 14:46, 14:46, 14:46, 27:50, 27:50, 27:51, 34:33, 35:10, 35:43, 35:43, 71:22 pcple. act. 3:54, 8:30

LL, V7, p: 256 (Source)

And:

He practised DECEIT, GUILE, or CIRCUMVENTION, desiring to do another a foul, an abominable, or an evil action, clandestinely or without his knowing whence it proceeded. (Lane’s Arabic-English Lexicon; source)

Lest Muslims accuse these lexicons of bias or distortion notice what Muslim scholar Dr. Mahmoud M. Ayoub says when he asks,

"how the word makr (scheming or plotting), which implies deceitfulness or dishonesty, could be attributed to God." (The Quran and Its Interpreters – The House of Imran [State University of New York Press [SUNY], Albany 1992], Volume II, p. 165; italic emphasis ours)

After listing several Muslim sources he quotes a renowned Muslim expositor named ar-Razi who wrote that,

"scheming (makr) is actually an act of deception aiming at causing evil. It is not possible to attribute deception to God. Thus the word is one of the muttashabihat [multivalent words of the Quran]." (Ibid., p. 166; italic emphasis ours)

Unfortunately for ar-Razi, the Quran attributes deception to Allah since it identifies him as the best makr there is.

Ayoub also sources one Muslim who actually boasted of Allah being the best conniver/deceiver/schemer etc.,

"Qurtubi observes that some scholars have considered the words ‘best of schemers’ to be one of God’s beautiful names. Thus one would pray, ‘O Best of Schemers, scheme for me!’ Qurtubi also reports that the Prophet used to pray, ‘O God, scheme for me, and do not scheme against me!’ (Qurtubi, IV, pp. 98-99; cf. Zamakhshari, I, p. 366)." (Ibid., p. 166)

And here, also, is how one of the earliest sources on the life of Muhammad interpreted Q. 8:30:

Then he reminds the apostle of His favour towards him when the people plotted against him ‘to kill him, or to wound him, or to drive him out; and they plotted and God plotted, and is the best of plotters.’ i.e. I DECEIVED them with My firm GUILE so that I delivered you from them. (The Life of Muhammad: A Translation of Ibn Ishaq’s Sirat Rasul Allah, with introduction and notes by Alfred Guillaume [Oxford University Press, Karachi, Tenth impression 1995], p. 323; capital emphasis ours)

Thus, the Quran unashamedly calls Muhammad’s god the best liar and deceiver of them all! It even dares to say that ALL deception belongs completely to Allah:

And verily, those before them did deceive/scheme (makara), but all deception/scheming is Allah’s (falillahi al-makru). He knows what every person earns, and the disbelievers will know who gets the good end. S. 13:42

[The document continues, but this is where Gary ended his reading . . . ]

Whilst this was taking place, a Sotho worker drew-near and had asked for a booklet in his mother tongue, but we had no Sesotho tracts on us today. From the manner of this worker speaking to his “supervisor” in the name of Molimo (God in Sesotho) it was as if he was berating the Muslim man as the tone of their conversation was getting heated and louder. Then Osten came back to the conversation with Gary. We then concluded the conversation  with Gary exalting our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by saying in part [for the list has been expanded upon for this report]:

– Jesus Christ healed the blind (Matthew 11:5; 12:22; 15:30; 21:14; Luke 7:22). Mohammed made men blind;

– Jesus Christ healed the deaf (Matthew 11:5; Mark 7:32,37; 9:25; Luke 7:22). Mohammed made men deaf;

– Jesus Christ healed the lame (Matthew 11:5; 15:30,31; 21:14; Luke 7:22). Mohammed made men lame;

– Jesus Christ raised dead men to life (Matthew 11:5; Luke 7:22), like calling out to Lazarus who was four days dead, “Lazarus come forth!” (John 11:43). Mohammed killed living men and made them dead. This practice is still continued to this day by Mohammedeans who follow his jihad teachings;

– Jesus Christ walked on water (Matthew 14:26,27). Mohammed could not;

– Jesus Christ performed many miracles (John 11:47; 12:37; 21:25). Mohammed performed none;

– Jesus Christ NEVER sinned or performed fornication. Mohammed did and he had a harem of women and even had sex with a nine year old – do you have children? Would you let a grown man have sex with your nine year old daughter? And Mohammed encouraged paedophilia!!

– Jesus Christ is sinless perfection (2 Corinthians 5:21). Mohammed was sinful and reprobate.

– Jesus Christ is the Son of God and God manifest in human form (John 1:1,14, 49; 6:69; 8:58; 10:36; 20:28,29; Philippians 2:10,11; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:8,9; 1 John 5:7). Mohammed was a false prophet.

– Jesus Christ died and took up His life again and lives for ever (Matthew 28:6,7; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6; John 10:17; 19:30; 21:14). Mohammed died and has rotted in the grave and hell.

– Jesus Christ will return in great glory (Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27; Act 1:11). Mohammed will not.

– Jesus Christ will sit on His Throne and judge every nation, tribe and tongue (Philippians 2:10,11; Revelation 20:12). Mohammed will kneel before Jesus Christ and acknowledge Him as King of kings and Lord of lords and YHVH GOD above all gods.

Near closure of our conversation Osten then started asking us in broken English whether we have only one Bible. We were understanding him to be making reference to many translations so we told him that Islam also has the Qu’ran, the Hadith, and many other “scholarly” writings. He tried to explain this away, but referred again whether we only had “one” Bible! We then said yes, we agree that the King James Bible is the Word of God, and then we realised he was trying to ascertain whether we had “other” Bibles on us. At first Gary said “no”, but then was reminded by the Spirit of God of a teaching KJB New Testament in his rug-sack. On taking it out, Gary queried: “Do you promise if I give this to you you will read it?” He agreed and was happy to receive it, opening up at the Book of Matthew he said: “Yes this is what I want!” He was so happy to pose for a photo that he happily “embraced” the cross. He thanked us, and even Osten’s Sotho colleague who was now sitting in the passenger seat in the truck’s cab was all smiles! Please pray for Osten that God will speak to him through His Word – The Holy Bible!. We know:

17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ~ Romans 10:17

Please pray for Osten’s salvation and that he will grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Returning back down Oribi Road, whilst placing Gospel tracts in the post boxes on the opposite side of the road, we beckoned an old Zulu man named Michael Radebe who was cleaning the garden to come receive some Good News literature. We gave him an isiZulu tract when he asked us where the envelope is for money. We told him that we are giving the material away for free – for mahala! Michael insisted on asking for the envelope, then he said we must wait and he went indoors. He returned later and gave us a “widow’s mite” – a R2 coin. We sincerely said to him that he needs the money more than we do and we are not doing this for money. He then said it is for God’s work – shumela – and not wanting to cause offense for him being a cheerful giver we humbly received his blessing! Let me tell you – Michael certainly gave more out of his poverty for the work of our LORD than many rich Christians give out of their wealth in the Church for the true work of evangelising the lost!!! [Not the prosperity gospel!!!]

Our next stop after tracting Oribi Road was the Scottsville Clinic. After consulting with security and asking who the head of the clinic was, Gary was shown to Matron Cheryl Sayago. We spoke about the reason why we were there and wanted to know if we could preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the patients in the general waiting room. GOD opened a door and permission was granted. Gary also found out that Cheryl was a Roman Catholic that also attends at the NCF (New Covenant Fellowship) church. She says she holds to her roots and attends other churches. It was made known to her of certain heresies that the RCC teach, and whilst she was listening and saying she still holds to her RCC upbringing one of her colleagues, an African Nursing Sister named Asanda Mfubu was in agreement with what was being said and was showing a boldness to disagree with her “superior’s” view points. This could well be one of the reasons GOD brought us into the clinic. However, the preaching of the Gospel went forth in the Scottsville Clinic’s waiting-room. The three part videos  (in total +30 minutes) can be viewed hereunder.

Christian Brethren, please do keep every soul in your prayers. Saved, unsaved and them thinking they are saved!

The day’s route was: Oribi Road from Scottsville Clinic to Jesmond Road and back to Scottsville Clinic.

Part 1: 

Part 2:

Part 3:

We are truly thankful for God’s Divine leading:

14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! ~ Romans 10:14,15

Soli Deo Gloria!

Mission Act 1:8 ~ Day 41

SCOTTSVILLE

Today, Monday May 11, 2015, Marius and Gary continued to the northern parts of the Scottsville area towards The Wanderers Club and the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Riverside Campus (the old defunct Gert Maritz School). We came into contact with in excess of 78 people on the roads and at DUT Marius must have tracted about +50-75 students alone outside the main gates and the spaza-shop across the road.

Prior to arriving at DUT, Gary had an engaging Gospel sharing time at the fork on Riverton Road and Woodhouse Road with two DUT students on their way home to Pelham. Steve and Sam attend at the City Presbyterian Church (referred to by them as City Pres.) which is situate in the suburb of Napierville. However, they said they are not ‘born again’. It appeared from our discussion that they are “church attendees”, but they realised that this does not save them or make them right before a Holy and Just God. In fact, Steve’s family engage in the African ancestral traditions while Sam does not believe and does not follow the same. Hopefully these two friends will dialog concerning this particular issue and more importantly go before God in repentance calling on God to truly save them! At the same time, Marius also had engaged two African men named Sipho and Nicholas heading up Woodhouse Road. We pray for our Father in Heaven to draw these young men to Himself!

On Aberfeldy Road Marius had a witnessing encounter with a garden services’ man behind some hedges. Our Lord Jesus Christ did say when he spoke in a parable about His supper:

23  And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. ~ Luke 14:23

So we were only doing what our LORD commanded! The conversation briefly touched on evolution and about Genesis and God’s creation. This man had said someone told him all animals has names except the “dog” as “dog” in reverse is “god.” Marius told him it is a lie as Adam named the animals and that God’s true name is YHVH. Marius also said to this man that the devil Satan is a liar and changes everything around. We are so thankful for our great GOD YHVH who sends us into His harvest fields and gives us opportunity to speak to deceived people and to share the Light from His Word.

Afterwards we entered in at The Wanderers Club and handed out some Gospel literature to a few older patrons sitting on the veranda drinking alcohol while a few middle-aged men were stoking the fires to have a braai (barbeque). They too received tracts. This is the very same club where Gary played soccer for Shamrocks FC back in the day! It is always good to go back to old “haunting grounds” where one was once a depraved reprobate and now you can go there as a new creation to sow the seed of Truth!! O God, YOU are so merciful and gracious – Amen!

Later, just up the road at the DUT Riverside Campus, Marius and Gary continued to make Gospel tract distribution. There seemed at first an air of reluctance from various students to take literature, but many more received the material containing the Word of God. At the turnstile gates to the campus, Gary seized the opportunity of raising the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ presenting the Law and Grace from the two ways of life, as we read:

13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. ~ Matthew 7:13,14 

Many more students came over to receive Gospel material from Marius once the preaching had commenced. Some also stood around near their vehicles listening, some joking, but we are sure there were ears to hear and that the security at the gates heard the way of salvation. We praise GOD for these opportunities.

The short audio clip can be listened to at the link >>> by clicking on the logo an audio player will open in a new window.

Our prayer is for that “one” who will repent and turn back to God, as we read:

3  And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 
4  What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 
5  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 
6  And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 
7  I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 
8  Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 
9  And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 
10  Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. ~ Luke 15:3-10

Today’s route was: Woodhouse – Surrey – Oban – Surrey – Riverton – Aberfeldy – Woodhouse.

  Soli Deo Gloria!

Mission Act 1:8 ~ Day 40

SCOTTSVILLE

Friday May 8, 2015 Marius and Gary continued distributing Gospel literature in the Scottsville suburb in an area between the Scottsville Race Course (North) and the Scottsville Mall (South) and between the Woodburn Rugby Stadium (West) and the Scottsville Primary School (East). This particular area has many residences for students who attend at the nearby University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). However, most of the converted flats for student digs’ do not have post boxes so we hoped to meet much more foot traffic along our routes.

God was faithful for there were a real mixture of people groups encountered today and from all walks of life. Some of the people who we met, were:

* A Christian man named Jonathan walking on New England Road. He told Gary that he attends the nearby  Hosanna Church and he also testified that he was in a car accident where the right-side of his head was split open and his brains had fallen out! He jokingly said he now has a ‘clean brain’ as they had to wash it before putting it back into his head during surgery. This can only be a Divine miracle – Praise be to our Living God!

* Lunthuo (?), a poor begging mother at the traffic lights at the New England Road / Alan Paton Avenue / Leinster Road junction. Gary spoke with her and handed her an isiZulu Gospel Tract titled: “Ngabe ucabanga ukuthi ungumuntu olungileyo na?” [Translation: “Do you think you are a good person?”]. He then conversed with her in English and using some isiZulu terminology to feed her soul with the Gospel of uJesu before blessing her with provision to buy natural food. We are reminded by our Lord Jesus Christ that we should “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” (John 6:27) This verse in context is read as follows:

23  (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
24  When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
25  And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
26  Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
28  Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. ~ John 6:23-29

We are also further warned in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, as it is written:

36  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
37  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? ~ Mark 8:36,37

* We also met with another Christian student named Phuma on  Conway Road and encouraged her in sharing the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with her fellow students on campus. She said she does. We emphasised the necessity to preach the full counsel of Law and Grace to bring the hearers to a clear understanding of Judgment Day = Heaven? or Hell?

* While walking Gallway Road we came across an ambulance first-responder despatch centre where the paramedics were sitting around on the property outside in the sunshine awaiting callouts. Gary seized the opportunity of approaching them and after asking if he could share something with them, he started in the natural speaking about the work they are involved in seeing many accidents that entail carnage and trauma at accidents and that their job is one of life and death. From there the preaching swung to the spiritual as we started examining their lives in light of eternity as they are also not guaranteed ‘a tomorrow’ as they too could be involved in an accident responding to a callout at high speed. It was a Divinely appointed time as they listened intentlyand we were even joined by their office cleaning lady. An African paramedic was ‘called out’ (as Gary noticed his animal hide bangle) and warned that his ancestors cannot help him and his open response was to thank us. Gospel literature was handed to all and Gary even made enquiry about whether he could join “them” for a day, but was told we would have to consult with management. Anyway, they agreed to a “team” photograph holding our “Are You Ready” Cross.

It has become a practice that whenever we see an ambulance responding to a red-light callout, we pray for their safety and for our God to use the paramedics to save those lives that are in danger of death and for someone to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to them! We also made known to this ambulance unit [not verbatim]: “Wouldn’t it be wonderful that when you responded to a callout you too would be able to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with your patients; sharing the Only One Who is the giver of life, the Redeemer Jesus Christ!” We know they have much to think about!

* Of the 45 people we interacted with today, one of them was a pastor’s son who we met on Gallway Road, who was discouraged and was losing faith. He has lost a friend who has died and he cannot come to terms with his death. We encouraged him that he who perseveres to the end shall be saved and that he must look to our Lord Jesus Christ keeping his eyes and hope upon Him – during the good times and the bad times. This young man – a student – was truly encouraged and said he needs to get back into Church! As long as we minister to hurting people, God uses those encounters to remind us of His love for us and that we are to act upon the advice we give out. In all this, God ministers to us and strengthens us too! To think, if we had stayed home to do “our own thing”, we would have missed this opportunity to encourage a hurting brother/son, not through sympathy, but by empathy!

* As we were completing the last stretch of Alan Paton Avenue opposite the Scottsville Mall, we gave Gospel tracts to three Africans outside a hairdressing salon. They saw the Cross and said that they were ready! However, whilst sharing the reality of Judgment Day, Gary started to say who would not see the Kingdom of God, referring to 1 Corinthians 6:9,10 which reads as follows:

9  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 
10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:9,10

On hearing the male’s effeminate voice – for there were two females and a male present – Gary had made reference to homosexuals not seeing the Kingdom of God, this male said that he was then not ready, but would end up in Hell. One of his female friends then said that God loves everyone and the gay man wouldn’t go to Hell! We reminded her that she is making a god to suit their sin, for God says homosexuals will not inherit His Kingdom. She intimated that God is then not a loving God, but we brought correction that He is both just and loving and that they should not blame God for their sins, but should repent of their wicked sins as it is a lifestyle choice they are embracing and not that God made homosexuals as by her inference. We also read:

22  Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. ~ Leviticus 18:22

We also brought it to their understanding that the Creator God of the Bible made man and woman and that they would multiply by bringing children forth through an act of true love that would reflect the Godhead and the Church! Two men sodomising each other cannot bring forth a child in an ‘act of love’ for each other, but their sodomy is an act of perversion, a lust not true love! The same applies with two lesbians they cannot naturally bring forth a child in an ‘act of love’ through sexual intercourse, but their sexual act too is an act of perversion, a lust not true love! We are warned in Romans 1 how God will hand over perverts, as it is written:

22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. ~ Romans 1:22-27

In true godly love for our neighbours we were calling these sinners to repentance! We do pray the sodomite will have “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). We concluded the street walking in King Edward Avenue where we parked our vehicle just as the pupils were coming out from Scottsville Primary School.

Please continue to pray on for every person that heard / received the Gospel of God’s salvation.

Today’s route was: Rutland – St Patricks – New England – Alan Paton – Caithness – Connaught – Conway – St Patricks – Alan Paton – Gallway – St Patricks – Alan Paton – King Edward.

 Soli Deo Gloria!