Wrapping Up and Heading Home

An interesting day to be traveling internationally …

I’ve been reflecting on a number of matters, especially the need to live our lives in light of eternity, honoring and obeying God in every aspect of our lives, and with all our decisions. What a privilege to have had the opportunity to represent God and His plan for lives, marriages, and families among several thousand people in this very special country of South Africa.

South Africa, and the entire continent for that matter, is one of the finest statements of God’s creative power and greatness. Over the past week, we’ve had the opportunity to visit the bush and see the incredible work of the Great Designer of planet Earth. The different tribes and people, the diversity of animals, magnificent trees, assorted birds – everything in creation makes it easy to believe there's a mighty Creator who wants to be known.

What a great God we serve. God IS at work here in South Africa, but much remains to be done. Seeing the spiritual and physical needs of the people, marriages and families, has caused Barbara and me to pause in prayer often, asking God to do a mighty work here in this country and continent. So many needs cry out for attention here, beginning with the need for the human heart to be changed and regenerated for Jesus Christ.

Quite honestly, I think it’s time for the Church to rally around this continent and send a fresh army of missionaries to this harvest field … It’s time.

This past week, we wrapped up our speaking and meetings here with two very strategic meetings. The first was to the National Directors of Campus Crusade for Christ and their wives, representing 18 Southeast African countries. I believe much will come from the time I spent with these leaders. I attempted to minister to them, their marriages, and their families. These are some of the greatest heroes of modern missions. These men and women are sharing the love of Christ under enormous challenges, not to mention the possibility of being killed for their faith.

Speaking to them was a privilege, but I left my time feeling like I was a “spiritual pygmy.”

On Saturday, we concluded our time of ministry with a Rekindling the Romance™ event at Moreleta Park Dutch Reformed Church. I’m told that, by South African standards, the size of the crowd for a conference of this nature was unprecedented, with more than 620 people. Brian Stocks and his wife, Edna, sponsored more than 140 people to the event. You may have read that Brian came to faith 25 years ago, almost to the day, at a conference where I spoke at Beacon Island, S.A., a couple hundred miles east of Cape Town.

A lot of ministry has occurred during the past 16 days, with many decisions for Christ. Loads of people signed up to join HomeBuilders groups, and several indicated they wanted to lead HomeBuilders. Two couples from the U.S. Embassy came and expressed an interest in, and great appreciation for, the ministry that was had in their lives on this day. Many young couples came ... the next generation of leaders for South Africa must be heavenly minded.

We will leave the results to God, but it was a powerful time of ministry from our perspective.

Barbara and I are about to head to the airport as I write these words. Thanks for participating with us in prayer. What a privilege to proclaim the love of Christ to such an important nation on the continent of Africa. We love you and appreciate your faithfulness.

One Home at a Time

Dennis and Barbara
Psalm 112: 1-2