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After the final message on the last day of Camp, some brothers and sisters gave brief testimonies of what the Lord had done in their lives during the last few days.
Emmanuel B. Mauritius
“It is a miracle that I am here!” he starts with his characteristic broad smile. “It's such a privilege to see what the Lord is doing in the church. I am now aware of just how spoiled we are in Mauritius. I have seen the power of the gospel; the church is growing... The guys here are on fire! I have had to pray, 'Lord, forgive me for taking so much for granted.” He then declares in a heartfelt manner, “I want to do everything I can to support this gospel. I see now how we must defend the gospel...” and continues, “I want to thank you, Mac and Steve, for all your kindness.” Then turning to the people, he adds, “They have a heart, and carry something precious...” He ends by thanking all present for their support.
Jean Bernard A. – Mauritius
“This morning, as I look around,” he says, “I see one face - the face of Jesus Christ... and one heart; and I have been touched by that heart,” he continues, speaking of the Church. “I have always had a desire to be real, to be myself... life is too short to live far from reality. This family shines with the love of God. No one can manufacture that... I don't need someone to convince me - I can see the fruits for myself!” Pausing reflectively a moment, he adds, “I thank the Lord for my beautiful wife and precious kids. We often do not realise what a blessing it is to be able to raise children, and love our wives...” He then expresses his gratitude to everyone for their given lives, and says how blessed he feels to be a part of this family. “We all want to become real disciples by giving our lives, and not stop at just being believers... I am excited to see what God is going to do in our lives as a family, and as a body,” he exclaims, before ending with, “I want to submit 200%! I want to be a clean sheet of paper for the Lord to do as He wants ... I love you!”
Vel M. – Mauritius
Vel begins by confessing that at the beginning of the camp he got very frustrated, as he was moved from a particularly nice cottage to a rather average villa a long way from the meeting hall and dining room! But he shares how he realised that it was his flesh reacting. Now he can see clearly that it was the Lord, and that He had a good purpose in doing it. Because of the move, he met and spent time with a precious brother called Terence, with whom he has much in common. He declares how grateful he is to the Lord!
Theuns S. – South Africa
Holding back tears, he says, “I would like to say thank you to Miki, for preaching on how we need to lay down our lives for our wives in the same way that the Lord laid down His life for the Church. It’s easy to lay down our lives for other people around us, but to lay down my life for my wife has not been easy. I have put boundaries around her. I have judged her for what she has been saying and doing. I want to repent for what I have done....” he finishes, his breaking voice with emotion. Everyone is moved by his humility and honesty. Then on another note, he adds, “I have often asked her if she would work for me, because we could make such a good team if we worked together!”
Stuart B. – South Africa
“My heart is overflowing...” he begins. “A health condition brought me back to South Africa... and it was perfect timing. I was in time for the Leaders Conference and the Family Camp. Personally, I feel like I have been hearing a new gospel... It is not new, but I have been able to absorb it as never before," he states with intensity. “We will continue to experience greater and greater things from God, if we are willing to accept what He wants to do in our lives,” he continues, and then reads from 1 John 2:4, “He who says, 'I know Him', and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” “We need to obey His commands,” says Stu, “It is how we know that we are in Him. We must walk as Jesus did. He is our example. In everything I want to transmit the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ,” he adds. “We need to know Him. We are introduced to Jesus when we are born again, but we get to know Him on the road of the cross. There is no other option... God deals with all of us on an individual basis, but unites us in the same spirit. I spent 14 months in Mauritius, but never realised the love of the people there. When it became known that I had a tumour, I discovered the love of the people of God for me.” The hall has gone quiet... Tears rolling down his cheeks, he continues, “I did not feel worthy of the love that Christ demonstrated to me through His family. Cancer is not the issue; God is doing something within me, transforming me completely. To be delivered, enlightened and to discover the truth was something so unbelievable for me... We cannot comprehend His grace. I think we should strop trying to understand God, and let Him do what He wants...” he ends his moving testimony, with this challenge to all present.
Virginie M. - Mauritius
Virginie wants to tell of what the Lord has been doing in her during her time here in Durban. “Since I got here, I have been so confronted at seeing the fire the young guys here have in their hearts. I know it is the plan of the Lord, for me to be serving the kids,” she says, referring to Amaury and Emmanuelle, “but I can see that I have not carried this same fire. It is exposing so many things in my life. I want to build spiritual relationships. I have tried to hold onto so many things, but I know the Lord wants to free me to rely on Him. I am so grateful that I am going back with something new in my life, a true work! I do not want to take serving the Lord lightly. I am so grateful.”
Berengere A. - France
The sister shares briefly that we hear more about couples and young people, and not much about grannies in the preaching. But, as a granny, she wants to be an example and to serve us her brothers and sisters as well; and this, despite all her weaknesses of which she is much aware.
Gabriella F. - Mauritius
This young sister wants to share about what the Lord has been doing in her family during this time. “The Lord used everything to show us our state. We got lost on the highway, and we saw our attitudes clearly. The Lord has been faithful to talk to us as a family… to my parents, my sisters, and to me. It feels so good to be going back to Mauritius as a real family,” she declares gratefully.
Eric C. - Mauritius
“The Lord has started a work in my life, to break me... I know that the gospel is calling for my life. When I look at the elders, I want to be found worthy of the life of those men, and Miki. I was reminded a few months ago that my life is no longer a model of the gospel he carries. I have been unaware of what Miki is carrying,” says Eric, holding back the tears, “I live at Miki’s... I am living at the feet of this apostle, seeing his life and yet I am not broken or bearing any fruit. There is a call on my life. Every word that has been said during this weekend has given me the desire to be broken and moulded in whatever way necessary. I have been encouraged by the men of God, they have broken hearts, and this is what breaks my heart,” he finishes, clearly moved.
Shez B. - Zimbabwe
She begins with: “I often hide behind my husband Michael. I have been in the church for a long time. I have done some good things, but I realise there is more for my life.” To which, she adds, “I fought my husband for many years. I held onto so many things of the past. I am so sorry that my heart has been for myself... I have been sitting down for so many years, but now I am ready to do what the Lord wants. I have been a support in the natural, but it is the time for me to give my own life and become one in the spirit. I don’t want to sleep anymore.”
Coula K. - Mauritius
Moving from behind the camera, where she works so tirelessly, Coula declares: “I spend a lot of time in a small studio with no windows, and with six guys. We are there all day, and sometimes, nights. But I have been so encouraged during this time to see and hear of the fruits of our broadcasts on TBN. People are thirsty... It has encouraged me to give myself more!”
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