Sunday - Pretoria

A beautiful South African spring day welcomed us … temps in the 40’s at night and 60’s in the day. What a welcome break from the last days of summer back in the States.

Jake and Rebecca (our fourth daughter and her husband) arrived to join us. We had fun taking them to a private reception held in our honor with about 40 people. We also surprised the Swanepoels with a silver tray celebrating their 10th anniversary of leading FamilyLife in South Africa.

At the reception, we met with Bekele Shanko, the Director of Affairs of Campus Crusade for Christ (CCCI) for 22 countries – almost half the 55-nation continent of Africa. About a week from now, I’ll be speaking with 22 CCCI National Directors from countries all over the southern half of the continent. This is a providential meeting that “just happened” to be occurring in Pretoria while I am here. Please pray for this Sept. 4 meeting … this could be VERY important for families and future generations all over Africa.

On Sunday evening, I spoke at one of THE most impressive churches I’ve seen in a long time. With seating capacity for 7,200, Moreleta Park Dutch Reformed church is the largest congregation in their denomination in the world. About 5,000 (1,500 under the age of 20!) came to hear about “The Power of the Family.” It was a VERY powerful time.

I must tell you that they gasped when I showed them the video of our son Samuel’s first kiss on his wedding day. They applauded at the end. Youths, as well as adults, long for someone to shoot straight with them about the moral issues in life.

It’s now Monday, and Barbara and Rebecca just went to speak with the CCCI staff women who serve here as full-time missionaries. I have been in a number of meetings to prepare for all the meetings remaining here.

If you see this before noon (Central), please pray for me. I’ll be speaking at that time at Moreleta Park Dutch Reformed Church on “Growing a Spiritually Strong Family.”

Thanks for your prayers.

Dennis and Barbara
This photo shows Barbara and me with our hosts, Brian and Edna Stocks.