From the Superintendent's DESK

Upon leaving Angola, John Musgrave and I traveled to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and received a warm welcome when we arrived on Saturday December 2. We were accompanied by Onias Gumbo, Isaac Adigun, and Antonio Castilho, the district superintendents for Southern and Eastern Africa, Western and Central Africa, and Angola respectively. Our team was greeted at the airport by the Zimbabwe board, district leaders, and Evelyn Sibanda with some young sisters who presented us with beautiful flower leis. Also greeting us were Shabeeb and Zaigham Nadeem of Pakistan, who had arrived earlier.    

The next morning, we joined nearly 1500 for the opening day of the first combined Southern and Eastern Africa regional camp meeting. Following Sunday school, we met in the prayer room, which was filled to capacity with workers, ministers, and pastors, and heard the prayer requests read. We brought these before the Lord and asked His blessing on the upcoming services.

The morning devotional service began with an organ prelude of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” followed by the orchestra’s presentation of “Marching from Scipio” by Handel. They also played “Plea for Africa.” Brother Onias welcomed everyone to the first combined Southern and Eastern Africa camp meeting. Then the choir sang “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” and “Gentle Shepherd.” Following this, Caleb Fefe led the congregation in several songs, including “Onward Christian Soldier,” and Chris Nkhata, Malawi District Superintendent, led the opening prayer.

During the announcements, Brother Onias encouraged everyone to attend the daily morning prayer meetings from 5:00-6:00. He said these would continue online for all branch churches throughout the region until the Lord returns. Then he recognized guests in attendance, including our team. He also read greetings from congregations around the world praying for a successful camp meeting filled with God’s blessings. As the service continued, a ladies’ ensemble sang “Living on the Victory Side.” Then the Scripture reading was taken from Luke 18:9-14 and read by Mark Mfandarahwa, the Western Europe District Superintendent. For the last special, Sister Evelyn sang “Take My Hand and Guide Me.” 

Before the message, I brought greetings from Portland and also requested special prayer on behalf of our longtime pianist, Janice Calhoun, for her healing. Then, the morning text was taken from Luke 19:10. Likening the experience of a current tax preparer to that of Zacchaeus as a tax collector, it was noted that tax preparers like to give people the good news that they do not owe anything. On the other hand, Zacchaeus never gave good news. Instead, he became wealthy by extorting more tax than what was due. In closing, the congregation was reminded of the good news that Jesus came to save sinners. Just as God forgave Zacchaeus and changed his life completely, He will forgive all who turn to Him in humility and repentance. The service concluded with the congregational song “I Heard Thy Welcome Voice.” Then the closing prayer was given by Zimbabwe Board Member James Nkiwane. 

In the afternoon, a youth service began with a violin solo of “How Great Thou Art” and “To God Be the Glory.” Sister Natasha then sang a solo before the youth choir presented “He Was There All the Time.” For the message, the key reference was Psalm 119:9-11, which asks and answers, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” It was brought out that Christian youth who desire to do God’s will and be kept by Him will be able to stand. The account of Daniel and his three companions was given as an example. The service closed with the song “I Surrender All” and then Kabelo Bogashu gave the final prayer.

For the evening service prelude, the orchestra played “Just a Little Talk with Jesus.” Similarly, the congregational singing included “Tell It to Jesus.” Then Brother Castilho gave the opening prayer. The testimony service opened with the song “He Took My Sins Away” and included wonderful praises to God for sins forgiven. Before the message, Brother Lameck sang a heartfelt “Blessed Invitation.” Then Brother John took his text from John 12, the account of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem before His Crucifixion. He said there were three groups of people present that day. First, there was the crowd of mostly Jewish people who came hoping that Jesus would deliver them from Roman tyranny. Then there were the religious leaders who came to stop Jesus and wanted to kill Him. The third group were the Greeks—Gentiles who had converted. They came simply to see Jesus and were the only group that received what they came for. Brother John brought out that those who come to camp meeting to see Jesus will find Him and be blessed. The service concluded with the congregational song “Jesus Saves,” and then Edmond Makwiramiti, District Superintendent of Lesotho, led in prayer.

It was a wonderful start to the first combined Southern and Eastern Africa camp meeting; God’s blessing was on all the services and activities. Brother John and I are scheduled to remain in Bulawayo through Wednesday and expect many more blessings to come should the Lord tarry. Please pray for the remainder of the camp meeting, which runs through Sunday, December 17.