Isolde Swanepoel's Perspective

Quintus and I just praise and give our Lord and Saviour all the honour – our prayers of many months are being answered daily as Dennis has been presenting his excellent messages at breakfasts, dinners, and this “Marriage Week” of multiple family themes at Moreleta Park Dutch Reformed Church here in Pretoria.

The series started Sunday with about 5,000 people – the majority being teenagers and youths – with Dennis’ talk on “The Power of a Family.” What a message – we feel it was exactly what is needed at such a time as this in South Africa! Our hearts were warmed along with 2,000 others during Monday night’s message on “Growing a Spiritually Strong Family.” Dennis warned about the “perfect storm” that is threatening to engulf the family in our country!

Another 2,300 people attended the final night of the marriage week on “Leaving a Legacy That Will Outlive You.” This quote from Dennis has particularly touched me this week:

“If a fire for Christ is ignited – in your heart, your home, and your community – then God will restore our families.”

Prayer Request: That many more registrations would come in for the 'Rekindling the Romance' event in Pretoria on September 9.

More People Stories:
Among the many great stories we’ve heard this week was a phone call from Retha, a member of Moreleta Park Church who leads the Afrikaans equivalent of a Boy Scouts group. Retha took 9 of the 13 boys (16 year olds) in her group to Dennis' talk in which he spoke about the role of a father in raising spiritually strong families. Only one of the boys comes from a 'normal' family, and the others are all from broken homes. Dennis' talk was emotionally very challenging to these boys, who have dysfunctional relationships with their dads. All of them expressed their desire to have the kind of relationship Dennis described. They pledged to take the initiative to restore, as far as they are able, their relationships with their dads.

One youngster, who couldn't stop sobbing during the speech, sent Retha a text message this morning thanking her for taking him to the service and saying that he realized he will never experience what Dennis described with his dad … but he stood up to pledge that with God's help he will be that kind of husband and father one day!

"Aunt Retha,” he wrote, “I realised tonight that it is a BIG responsibility to be a husband and father. I now pray that God will help me to be a good role model for the family I will one day be the head of. From deep in my heart I thank you for tonight."

Praise God! -- Isolde Swanepoel

An e-mail of Appreciation:
I have been privileged to attend Dr. Rainey’s sessions at Moreleta. Would you kindly express my sincere appreciation for his simple but very powerful messages that I could listen to over three nights. I enjoyed his seriousness and his humour, his insights and authority as a man of God. Thank you so much for what you have done for me, and I am sure for many other couples. I cannot imagine a loving God who will not be satisfied with all your efforts. May He bless you all.
Warmly, - Frans van Heerden