Theo and I left early Thursday morning (28 March) for our flights to Johannesburg and Beira and arrived safely at lunch time to be met by our brother Elias who himself had only just returned from a ministry tour to the Ivory Coast!

 

 

 

 

The long, slow road trip to Chimoio saw us arrive at the home of Elias and Yvette after dark.  We were glad to get to sleep after a snack supper and a warm "bucket shower".

 

 

 

Friday morning we had a look at the ongoing construction of their large meeting hall with it's newly acquired steel roof!  Much work still needs to be done - but the Lord has been gracious in providing.  When we shared the Word later we reminded the believers that God dwells not in temples made with hands but has provided for "living stones" to be built together an "habitation of God - in the spirit".  He wants to lay a sure foundation in our hearts and establish us on the seven "Principles of the Doctrine of Christ".

 

 

 

Saturday brother Theo was asked to travel to a town about 40 Km away and was blessed to share the Word with them for the whole day with a lunch and a supper break.  I remained at Chimoio and likewise taught the believers regarding the Gospel of the Lord Jesus being the power of God unto salvation to rescue us - not only from drowning - but also from the "sea of sin" in which we are drowning.  With many of them not able to swim, they grasped the need for a "Life Saver"!  The baptism into Christ was illustrated by the food being "immersed" into a spicy sauce and "soaked" - taking in the "flavour" - the nature - of Christ.  We progressed through Romans 6, 7 & 8 to no condemnation and walking in the Spirit, to nothing able to separate us from the love of God.  We are more than conquerors!

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday morning Theo was again asked to go to another village on the opposite side of Chimoio to break bread with them.  This being the first time for them, Theo gave some teaching and encouragement and they had a blessed breaking of bread in remembering the Lord Jesus and showing His death until He comes again.
Back in Chimoio we also gathered to break bread and I was very blessed by the "every member participation" as many gave thanks, sang and praised the Lord together and three brothers shared from the Word with me concluding with the "once for all sacrifice" of Jesus from the book of Hebrews.  We concluded the convention with an appeal from Romans 12 to the believers to "present themselves" - to serve the Body of Christ with their different gifts - building with gold, silver and precious stones.

 

Afterwards we met with the brothers from the different districts and were greatly blessed to hear from them of the outreach work, Bible Studies and churches being established and to also understand a little of the difficulties that they face.  What a blessing to hear of these brothers being raised up and taking seriously the encouragement to Timothy: "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee"! (1 Tim 4:12-14).

Very blessed and exhausted we dropped into our stretchers and slept well.  We were up early on Monday morning for the long trip back home - eventually landing in Cape Town after dark and arriving back home at about 10:00 PM!

 

Thank you to everyone for your support and prayers and it is an absolute blessing to let you know that the brothers there are actively seeking "To preach the gospel in the regions beyond..." (2 Cor 10:16)