 |
I came to Mauritius with a hunger for the Lord. I could feel that there was something more that needed to happen in my Christian life. Not that there was a particular sin, but that the Lord was asking me to walk on a deeper road with Him, and I had to do something about it.
I am a product of CTMI's TBN broadcasts in South Africa. This is how I came into contact with the Apostolic ministry of Brother Miki Hardy. My wife and I were alone discussing the Gospel, and we said we must be true to what the Lord is telling us, and just 'go for it'. After hearing the broadcasts, I thought to myself: ' If I could meet this man, who is speaking the Word directly to my heart, all my spiritual needs would be met! ' So I wrote Miki a letter in August; he replied, asking to meet me at Johannesburg Airport on his way to Malawi.
We met at the airport, and I told him about my life. He said that if I had time in November, he would like me to spend some time with the church in Mauritius. We had only one hour together at the airport, but it marked a turning point for me. A few weeks later, Miki wrote to me with news that he had been invited to be the main speaker at a series of Pastors' conferences in Heidelberg, and also in Tsakane Township. I was overjoyed and told him that he would be coming to my home town!
We met for the second time during the wonderful conference in Tsakane. Both my wife and I have been carrying a great hunger for the Lord, but we lacked direction. There, things became clear, and I could see that we were not alone in what we were experiencing. A great challenge had been laid before us. So, the process of change in my life began right from there. The Apostolic ministry and the Gospel of Christ challenged my life as a pastor. Up to this point, I wanted, and tried, to do things in my own strength, and I was very tired. Now I could see that I had to let the Lord change ME first; only after that would I have something to preach to others.
As for my stay in Mauritius - Now I have seen the life in action! From those whom I have been living with, and from the brethren in the church, I have experienced something that is totally different from what I have seen before. I spent lots of time with the pastors, in fellowship, on visits, and at evangelisation meetings. Their lives have challenged me more than I could ever have imagined. I stayed with Lindsay and Marlene Lajeunesse. The way they live out the Gospel would be impossible to maintain in their own strength. In all situations and despite any circumstances, they remain constant and unmoved. In them, I have met people here who truly carry the life and the heart of Christ.
When I get back home, my wife is really going to get it. The first thing she will get is my life. Then the congregation will see the change in me. The next step for me is to extend the love of God to others. I want people to see and feel the change that is happening in my life.
I also want to go directly to the other Pastors who attended the CTMI conference in Tsakane to see who has been affected by the Gospel like I have. I need to stay in touch with CTMI in Mauritius, who is my spiritual family, and to arrange follow-up meetings in my hometown, so that the true Gospel of the Cross can take root in the churches, and we can be built together. We are a part of the family of God now - fully, not part-time. And, I am a son in the house!
|
