Rev Hendrik du Plessis
Bere outreach: 25 to 28 August 2022
Bere
Bere is an example of exposure to the Word of the Lord. For years the only word heard was a twisted version of some bishop or whatever titles they asigned to themselves, those who took the opportunity at a funeral or gathering to preach his false and twisted form of the Bible. It usually comes in the format of: “The Lord told me this or that . . .”, and everyone who have limited knowledge of the Word of the Lord devour it, because after all, who are you to argue with the “holy ones”, especially if you don’t even have a Bible yourself.
Recently I read, one of the biggest reasons for false religions throughout the ages are the words: “The Lord told me”, especially in Africa. Many people are hungry to hear a voice or an unnatural message and with that they put it on par with the Bible and others have to except that as the truth, because after all, who are you to question those experiences. In fact, this is one of the biggest attacks against the church today. Another phenomenon in Africa is the trend that more and more sangomas call themselves “pastor”, in Tswana “baruti”, because then they are welcomed everywhere.
I once offered one of these so called “baruti’s” a ride from Gantsi to D’kar. On our way I asked him how they heal people, he replied that it depends on whether the person is a believer or not. If he chooses to be healed from the Bible, the “baruti” will place his finger next to the relevant sacrifice that the Bible requires. There are certain passages of Scripture in the Old Testament that speak of sacrifices and then he will blindly put his finger on the verse or next to the verse. The verse will then determine which animal is in question that the person must bring to him as a sacrifice. If the person wants to be cured in the traditional way, the “bishop” will throw his sacrafictional bones. The offerings are then not burned or placed on a fire, no, they are earmarked and are then the property of the relevant samgoma. Many sangomas have become rich in this way. They arrive without cattle, but the day when they leave, they are wealthy with a herd of cattle and goats. Everyone addresses them as “moruti” which means pastor (or bishop) and the people are convinced that he is a servant of the Lord.
It was gratifying to me when the two chiefs of Bere mentioned the change they had noticed in Bere since we started distributing the audio Bibles among the people. Even two shibiens (bars) closed down. I said that the Lord’s Spirit always works through his Word, and where people are exposed to the Word, there the Spirit of the Lord works and his Word will never return undone. It is a double-edged sword that cuts straight or away.
On our last visit to Bere, there was a sense of hunger amongt the people. People from all over asked for an audio Bible. They sometimes walk for miles to come and ask for a Bible. My arrangement with them was that Sunday after the service they can receive one because they must first hear the Word of the Lord.
This audio Bible is somewhat smaller than the previous ones with the difference that it has an internal memory instead of a memory card. So no one can tamper with the Bible in search of a memory card. There are different languages together with the complete Tswana Bible installed.
One of the chiefs knows everyone in Bere and knows exactly to whom we handed out Bibles the last time. Some wanted an audio Bible for their loved ones who live far away, but we
could not allow this, because there was hardly enough for the people present there. After the service they came forward to receive their audio Bibles and you realize that 95% of these people cannot read and for the few who can read it is so tiring that they soon put the Bible down again. I am speaking about the older people. For the younger people who can read, we distributed printed Bibles so that more Audio Bibles can be available for the older people.
We are especially grateful for the chairs that an anonymous donor donated. Without that, most people would have had to stand. Who were especially grateful were the children who now no longer have to stand on Sundays. As I allready mentioned we have a very faithful and humble Sunday school teacher. We are very blessed to have her.
It is her passion to teach the children Bible verses. For example, she will ask what is written in John 3:16. Then the children will start in a chorus and recite the entire verse off by heart: “For God so loved the world, . . .” Another of the many verses they recited is Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I am still amazed how easily they recited the most difficult verses without any effort. One thing is certain, those children will one day know the Bible. The class lasted about half an hour where they recited one Bible verse after another by heart. I gave her a box of Sunday school materials that she can use with the children. She was very grateful for that.
This time we decided to distribute the clothes we received as a donation from South Africa in Bere. Our Sunday school teacher there will distribute it over time as she perceives a need among the children. The clothes are a great gift and she is the right person there to distribute them wisely. She stands in front on the left, and behind her stands our chief. On the right is Abdul who is always with me on our outreaches.
Bible study to our leaders
Last time we agreed with our two chiefs to coach them to give Bible study to others. My agreement with them was that I and my colleague reverend Gaobolelwe in D’kar will record Bible studies in advance. I bought a solar radio for each one of our chiefs and a memory stick for each radio. Beforehand, my colleague and I record our Bible studies in D’kar, which we then make available to them by means of the memory sticks. Every time I will go to Bere I will bring them a new Bible study lesson which I then download onto their memory sticks. I encouraged them to start Bible study groups that could also listen to these recordings.
I told them about the well-known example of a French pastor who was once invited to a church here in central Africa. When he arrived they invited him to a big church. The church was packed. There he would hear that the church had its origin thanks to his broadcasts from France. At first it was one person who listened to his services on Sundays. Later, someone else joined him. Then it was three and four until they later started to establish a church and built a church building. On Sundays they placed the radio on the pulpit to listen to the service. Never in his wildest dreams did the French minister realize what his broadcasts to Africa meant.
We started with the book of Genesis. We read through the book of Genesis, and verses that require a closer explanation are explained there and then in more detail. Before we move on to the next Bible books, I want them to be experts on the book of Genesis. You cannot truly understand the New Testament if you do not understand Genesis.
On the photo, the chief can be seen with the radio in his hand. The next day we were able to go through the same Bible study with the other chief. My prayer is that this small beginning from Bere will spread. Not only are certain passages of Scripture explained, but the Book of Genesis is being read through and explained as a whole.
Our Bible study’s focus this time was Genesis 1:1, referring to the Creator of heaven and earth and passages in the New Testament that refer to the Lord Jesus as the One through whom all things came into being as it is explained in John 1, Colossians 1 and Hebrews 1. My colleague is very excited about this initiative. I also bought him a radio and a memory stick to use on his outreaches. The more people, the more radios we want to make available to them.
To conclude
I would like to once again thank all our churches, in New Zealand and in South Africa and the individuals who enable us to make these outreaches possible from the bottom of my heart. Without you it would not have been possible. For brother Danie du Plessis who is not well, but provides us with these audio Bibles through his contacts, thank you so much Danie. For brother Tiddo Voogt who is at the head of all these initiatives, his effort and love for the expansion of God’s kingdom, it does not go unnoticed. Above all this all the honor, glory and worship goes to the Triune God who use us as worthless people in the service of his kingdom, and our prayer is every day, let your kingdom come.
Greetings in Christ,
Hendrik du Plessis.