Highway in the Desert

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Cape Town sure has changed in 330 years!

In 1680 Matthias Greeff arrived in Cape Town from Germany via the Dutch East Indies. Now his descendants, Étienne and Caris, see it for the first time, too. In the background of the sea photo is False Bay and Muizenberg/Fish Hoek, where David and I studied and met at George Whitefield College, and later married and lived.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

'Free' Prisoners' Thoughts

Discussion on Judges 2:11-23 among the male prisoners:

Point - the cycle of sin, judgement (distress), prayer, salvation, peace, disobedience that repeats itself in Judges.

Comment by a prisoner:

This is just what we are doing in Namibia!

In the time of the colony (under South African rule) we were crying out to God for liberation.

Then we got liberation.

Then we got peace.

Now, what have we done in response?

We have forgotten God!

Question: Why does the cycle repeat?

Answer: Because the people only wanted what God could give them - rather than simply a relationship with God himself.

Question: Have you seen these cycles before?

Answer: Yes - in our own lives.

We are now in the ‘judgment’ section - here in prison.

And we are crying out to God for salvation.

Question: So are you crying out to God to get you out of prison, and take away all your difficulties - or do you want a relationship with God himself?

Answer: Silence .....

Discussion: What you are saying is true, pastor - it has really touched me. That is exactly what I am doing - praying for an end to my problems.

But now I recall what Moses said to God - "If you will not go with us, then do not send us from this place" (Ex 33.15).

This means what we need is God himself - not an end to our problems!

In fact - what I need to pray is this: God if you will not go with me from the prison - then do not let me go, God. I do not want to leave this prison without you!

Another responds:

Yes - and if someone hears you praying like that they will think you are crazy.

Raucous laughter. All agree!

Discussion on “Building your Christian leadership among ladies (inmates) based on NETS’ book Chapter 15 – “a good leader cares for others” (Nehemiah 5:5)

David explains the suffering of people in Jerusalem – especially the selling of children as slaves.

Irene responds: “Yes, YOU (white people) did that to US”.

The room echoes with laughter – including David's.

He agrees: Yes, we did that to you.

Then he allows the diversion and speaks about slavery to America and about John Newton who converted and wrote ‘Amazing Grace’.

We wrote the words down of the first 2 verses and explained the meaning of the words. Especially of ‘wretch’.

We sang it. It was very moving for everyone.

Then we spoke about William Wilberforce who fought for 20 years to prohibit the slave trade in UK.

The ladies all beg Alisan to bring a copy of the words of ‘Amazing Grace’ next week!