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Recently Basil O’Connell-Jones from Durban, travelled up to Gaborone to spend a few days with Harvest Christian Church, the local Partner Church. Some of those accompanying him sent us this report of the visit.
A 12-hour journey from Durban interspersed with fellowship and much laughter took the CTMI team, headed up by Pastors Basil O’ Connell-Jones and Peter McKenzie, into a very cold and dry Gaborone on Wednesday night. We were all welcomed by Brian and Martine Watts and sent on to our host families. All the way Marietjie and a newly acquired GPS helped us to find our way around! Other than Peter who was well looked after by Dave, we were all warmly hosted by Jason, Karen, Hayden and Gareth.
On Thursday evening, we made our way to Harvest Christian Church excited in our hearts for what the Lord would bring. Basil began sharing how, increasingly, we will see people miraculously saved, and that we cannot remain the same when the Spirit of God is in us. Referring to Acts 3, the lame beggar who asked Peter and John for money, Peter and John saw that what the man really needed was salvation in Christ. Basil spoke of the changed lives of the young people in the church – it was Jesus that they needed, and now, they have a testimony; something to give others. What do we have we to give… silver and gold… or the riches of a changed life through Jesus Christ. He stated that religion and law cannot change anyone's life. God gave him grace to change through the gospel of the Cross. Many people were challenged by his message and wanted to hear more from the Lord.
On Friday evening, Basil continued with the story of the lame man, who saw how God had healed him. He stayed with Peter and John because he knew they carried what he needed for his life to be changed. This would be the greatest miracle of all! Basil explained that we are in the days of restoration; as this gospel of the cross and grace are restored to the Church, men and women chosen by the Lord, ready to be worked by God, will grow in maturity, and be effective for the Kingdom. This is truly the miracle of God. This gospel, though simple, demands our lives. Our Lord has entrusted us with so much freedom. We have the choice whether to take up our cross or not! He continued speaking powerfully on law and grace, bringing the heart of God to His people. When we serve the Lord from our hearts, this gospel of grace shows us who we truly are, and changes us! In this freedom we desire to give more our lives. The question came to us: are we under law or are we living in the freedom for which Christ died? We all left feeling challenged, encouraged as we see the Lord bringing what we, God’s people, need to live a life of the Spirit!!
We made our way to the church hall on Saturday evening with expectant hearts. After Peter shared, Basil continued from Galatians 1, about those that were once free but had since given up their freedom. There is one true gospel that Paul and the other Apostles lived and preached: the gospel of the grace of Christ Jesus, and the freedom of His cross. When we get away from this gospel we quickly turn away from Him who called us. Sometimes we want to draw back as we see the suffering and death that awaits our flesh, and yet that is what this gospel is. Are we prepared to follow the Lord in this way? If not, we will look for substitute knowledge, which has no power to change the heart… a form of godliness, where you are simply speaking a Christian language. God calls us to be honest. When Christ reigns supreme the flesh will be dealt with. Basil goes on reading from 2 Corinthians 4 v7, 12 “there will be an aroma of life as the death of Christ is in us…” when we bring our lives that are being worked by the Lord. We will be living epistles evident to all. He goes on to say how we need grace for those who refuse to take the cross. People walk away because they don't feel the heart of the Lord; they don't want to feel like second class Christians. As Basil closes, he calls Rudi forward, who gives his life to the Lord. What joy fills our hearts! We go off to supper together and Rudi thanks the Lord for his wonderful new family! What a privilege to serve our Lord.
On Sunday morning we were up early to get to Church. Our young brother Richard shared and we were all touched by his heart and can see that this young man has been changed by the power of the gospel. Basil shared on what our Lord Jesus did on the cross for us… that when our Lord asks us to take the cross, we will not always understand everything. We often question: What do I do? How do I do it? The problem is our minds! “Amen!” says the congregation. Basil went on to say there is no technique, no formula to it, it happens when our lives are conforming to the image of Jesus. He has access in our lives through the cross, no other way. Our lives must be a door, as it is not what we say, but what we do, that will bring life. As we lose our lives we find life in the Spirit… “Let go of life in the flesh, that of control and manipulation. LET GO!” encourages Basil. We want to know how to do so, but the Lord will show us the road and give us the grace to face what we must.
It's not easy to take the cross. There is no easy way out. The church today looks for ways out, and waters down the gospel and lives don't change. When people see the miracle of a changed life they say, ‘I want that’. With so many young people ready to take the cross finding the grace of God; “The day of redemption is near,” says Basil. When the gospel takes hold of our hearts, things leave us, we don't need to do anything. He mentions the young people and how from living lives that no man could change, they were transformed by the gospel, and such unity came amongst them. Our Lord will restore our lives onto the right foundation with the gospel of the Cross and by His grace!!
So many people responded to the call for prayer. Many, who were once full of fear of the law, responded to the freedom that the gospel of Grace brings. Hurt couples received healing in their hearts, it was wonderful! We enjoyed a time of fellowship around a lunch and could feel the excitement in people's hearts for what the Lord was showing them in the Spirit.
On Monday morning we had a ladies meeting at the home of Anli and Riaan. Lyn, Peter and Basil took turns to share, the ladies were touched and so open to express what the Lord was revealing to their hearts, it was a special time! Tuesday evening, we had another meeting for the young people but it ended up open to anyone, since so many wanted to hear from the Lord. Basil spoke about the importance of being linked to the Apostolic Fivefold ministry. We spent time praying together with our brothers and sisters of Botswana. Our Lord met His people with exactly what they needed, and we left with faith in our hearts for them all. Thank you to all our hosts and to our Brian and Martine who give their lives for the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in Gaborone.
TESTIMONIES
“I don't really know how to put my experience in words. The weekend has been amazing. I recognised that my experience of 4 years of wilderness was ordained by God to humble me and show me that I can do nothing in my own strength, and that He is drawing me close to Him to have relationship with HIM and not with doctrines! Coming from a strong charismatic background, I really feel terribly insecure, as my whole foundation is being shaken. God confirmed through the Durban team, that I have been entangled in law and religion. I realised that God Himself is going to reveal His love to me – I have never in my life been sure of His love. Just like the Pharisees, I have always searched the scriptures but I didn't find Jesus. I see it clearly. I am so thrilled that He is busy with my life and that He will put real faith in my heart - even if my feelings are throwing tremendous tantrums! Thank you for your hearts.” – Anli Smit
“When the guys came, the Lord touched my life in more ways than one. I don't even know where to begin. I was sitting and listening to Basil speaking on Tuesday night and my mind drifted off to this time last year, when I wanted nothing to do with the Lord. I thought how fortunate I am that He kept me and I'm sitting under this gospel.
I was walking another road and trusting Him for a lot of things, but when they didn't work out I became bitter and, in my self righteousness, felt that I had wasted my youth serving the Lord; all for nothing. And I went the other way. In a sense, I'd wasted my time because I was really living under law, living up to people's expectations, and under a lot of pressure to change myself. But how much this gospel of grace has lifted such a weight off my shoulders... I used to walk in a lot of guilt and condemnation, but now I feel hope when God touches certain issues of my heart. I don't just have hope for my life but I find I have grace for others as well, including my family and I have faith that the Lord will touch their lives.” - Tshego Mosweu
“I honestly believe that God brought you guys to Botswana just for me. I was at the end of my road. I was weary in heart and extremely downcast. For years, I have tried everything to become a better Christian… fasting, training myself to read 10 chapters of the Bible a day, never missing any church meetings. However I was not changing. The more effort I put into it the worse it became. I did not understand why. Many times the Lord tried to show me, but I just thought it was the devil trying to slow me down so I kept on. A week before Basil and the team came, I just broke down and told God I was willing to do anything to get back to the experience of when I was first born again.
For the first time in so many years I had real joy and a solid hope for my family. Out of nothing, joy came and grace came, and I knew what I heard was the truth.
When Lyn shared her testimony with me, I SUDDENLY believed that I could change. I SUDDENLY believed God for the restoration of my family. I could believe that there was enough grace and enough love for me from the Lord to change and move from a carnal state to a spiritual state. When Basil opened his heart and shared how God changed his marriage, I SUDDENLY knew that God would want to change me. This experience has helped me to see that the Lord REALLY does love me and does love my family.
Apart from hope and faith, I was delivered from the impossible expectations that I had set for myself and others around me. I no longer feel the pressure to pretend to be ‘good’ anymore. I feel free to be me and free to allow the Gospel to effect the necessary changes within me and others. I no longer feel any pressure to get anyone, or for me, to act in a certain way.
Basil and the team - from my heart - Thank You! Thank you for obeying God by coming here. Thank you for allowing God to work in your own lives so that you could impart Life into my own.” – Chish Gunda
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