BLESSINGS FOR CHRISTMAS

Christ is Born – HALLELUJAH and we are celebrating Christmas once again. It is our wish for you that you experience God’s greatest gift this Christmas of salvation in Jesus. God bless you as you celebrate with friends and family. Praying for God’s peace and grace in 2011.

MOZAMBIQUE IN 36 HOURS !!!!

Six o’clock Sunday night, Vernon, Andy [Theological students and partner missionaries with Macedonian Ministries] and myself packed the truck with 800 meals, medicine, two drums of drinking water, our personal belongings; and “hit the bed “ for as much sleep as we could get. I made the grave mistake of first putting my nose into “The life of John Newton; “a few pages won’t do any harm” …..I said to myself. Finally I put it down and turned off the light at 10:20 pm.

The light’s went on at 12:30 am….It was Vernon waking us up. Quick wash, dress, cup of tea and a rusk, join hands in prayer for God’s superintending grace over everything, into the truck with Vernon in the driving seat, and we were on our way to Mozambique. It was 12:55am, in the morning. There was very little traffic, and no rain, so we were able travel with ease.
I have the privilege of mentoring these two brothers in their theological studies by correspondence at the South African Theological Seminary. We used the time wisely, debating scripture and theology, and the church and its mission. A wonderful time of inspiration and fellowship we had together. The time passed quickly and by seven o’clock we were at Farazela, the border post into Mozambique. So good to be a little early…..there were only eight vehicles ahead of us in the queue.
One hour till the gates open. Breakfast from the tailgate [always tastes better on the border of Mozambique in the fresh sea air drifting off the Indian Ocean], arrangement of passports and customs documents……Yes, we’re ready to go.
Silent prayers, “Dear Lord, We commit ourselves and our mission to you. Please watch over us, keep us safe [especially from the mosquitoes], bless every attempt to exalt you in this country, and return us home safely in due course. Amen.”

We make it over the border with little hassle. Praise God.
Pastor Ernesto, from Ponta do Oura, is waiting for us, as planned. We leave for Padreira, 35miles to the north. It’s my turn to drive. Don’t ask how long to our destination….No roads, only sand tracks, going in all directions, take your choice and hope for the best. The tracks become ruts, the vehicle is laboring, but the good news is that we’re moving forward. It takes us about two hours. Our first stop is at Salamunga, where we buy ten bags of rice to supplement the meals we’ve brought from South Africa. These people are extremely poor and we wish for them to have sufficient food during Christmas.

Another ten miles and we are at Padreira. Its out “in the sticks”…..zero infrastructure. Pastor Fulano and his family are delighted to see us. They are ecstatic at the sight of ALL the food AND medicine. Great expressions of appreciation seem to go on forever. At last we can dispatch Vernon and Andy on a trip back to Salamunga. They must go and fetch a load of cement. Pastor is busy making cement blocks to build a new church. The congregation has been worshiping under a few sheets of asbestos with straw walls.

While they are gone Ernesto, Fulano and myself use the time for a pastoral fraternal meeting. Every thing to do with his congregation, family, mission and ministry is discussed. It’s a wonderful hour. We rejoice, lament, plan, encourage, dream, debate, inspire, even, enjoy a laugh or two. But, the passion to take the life transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ to lost people around Padreira occupies center stage.
We all agree on the pressing needs for the future. The Gospel must be preached freely, passionately, and to as many as we are able to reach. It is till bearing fruit…..soon five recent converts will follow the Lord through the “Waters of Believers Baptism”. They are stable Christians who have been discipled and instructed in Believers Baptism.
Simultaneously, the new church building must be erected. It will advance the Gospel among the whole community. But, this is where we are hard pressed……there is plenty of labor from the congregation to do the work……however there are no funds for a new building.

Vernon and Andy return, with fourteen bags of cement, a purchase in faith by Macedonian Ministries.
“Please pray with us for a GOD SIZE solution to this need……and if you ARE nudged by the Lord to act in a way that will advance this cause of the Gospel at PADREIRA, please “go for it”, so that God may be GLORIFIED THROUH YOU AND ALL THAT YOU ARE DOING FOR HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM.


The cement delivered, the fraternal meeting concluded, a drink of water for all of us, the gift of an apple for the pastors children [wonder when last, if ever they have had an apple!], all join hands in prayers of thanksgiving and petition, and we’re ready to “hit the road”…..correction…..sand tracks, ruts; choose our own path, whatever; but lets try and get to Ponta do Oura as soon as possible.

We’re doing well, steady progress until the unthinkable happens…..an elephant in the road. Eighty yards away. Mozambique elephant. Young bull. Notorious for their aggression. Pulled some road workers from their truck a while ago. One man was killed.
Pastor Ernesto was most alarmed and urged me to stop the vehicle. I did as instructed. We observed the truck ahead us. It progressed slowly, but as soon as it got near to the elephant, it charged. The driver had just enough time to veer off the road and “flooring it” got away unharmed. Now the bull was enraged, and it was not alone. There were about twenty in the herd.
Patience was the wisest option. Slowly, the herd began to move away from the road. When they were about thirty yards off, we slowly moved forward. Apart from a mock charge, flapping of ears and a lot of trumpeting, we were okay. We even had a moment to take a few pictures.
The road seemed endless. Arrived at Ponta around 3pm. Fourteen hours since we left home. No wonder we felt like a “cuppa-tea” and something to eat.
Said good-bye to pastor Ernesto, who also needed to get home, and went off to our lodgings at the church. The cold shower, hot tea, and early diner of chicken, sausage, and vegetables all cooked on an open fire by Vernon and Andy; put new life into all of us.

After a 19hour day, bed and sleep was most welcome.

Dawn comes quickly in Mozambique, especially during high summer. 4:30am it’s light enough to read, and by 5:30am far too hot to be bed. So we started the day, which was in any case going to be very busy.

First, some time in the Word. In preparation, I was reading the last six chapters of 2Corinthians. “Dear Lord, please help me to articulate the information overload of the past 24hours and be convinced of your will for my ministry involvement in 2011.”
The answer was not long in coming. 2Cor 10:15-16………” we do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others, but our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence.”

THANK YOU JESUS……For months Macedonian Ministries has been wondering if we have further ministry in Mozambique. If so, what is it to be, and where? Our conviction has been that we need to concentrate our focus in area’s where the gospel has still not taken root and become an agent of change for righteousness. This means the “hard to get to regions”, where the infrastructure is non-existent, where life is tough and cruel, and the mosquitoes eat you alive. God, through His word has confirmed in my own hart that we need to be back. By His grace, I intent to lead our mission endeavors in the fulfillment of this directive from the HEAD OF THE CHURCH.

A quick breakfast of cereal, tea and a rusk, pack the truck, last meeting with the Miambo family [senior pastor and team leader for our ministry in Mozambique], hand over the remaining consignment of food and medicine, then join hands in prayer, committing our day and the future partnership to God.

It’s never easy, but we have to say goodbye. Pastor Ernesto asks me when I will come again, and expresses the hope that it will be soon. I wish the same; the people are so loving, and appreciative of anything which one does for them in Jesus name.

With a feeling of regret we start the truck, Pastor Ernesto and his son Snye are with us. We will catch up, en-route to South Africa, with Gersom Miambo his eldest son and associate pastor in the church at Ponta do Oura, who has gone on ahead to prepare for our visit to a proposed church site which they have been offered; and believe is strategically positioned for the planting of a new congregation on the northern extremities of the town. We were very impressed. New homes being built everywhere. Far enough away from the mother church. Some church members already living in the area. Near to a main road. Not to far from a national electricity service provider. Negatives…..no water supply nearby, and the site a little small. These, could be overcome, by seeking an extension on the site and drilling a community borehole on the church property.

WOW…..THIS IS IN KEEPING WITH GOD’S WORD TO ME IN MY DEVOTIONS JUST TWO HOURS EARLIER !!!!!!! We joined hands and prayed for God’s almighty superintendency in all of our lives, asking that His will be done through us for the extension of the Eternal Kingdom.

Back in the truck, 7:50am, just enough time to get to the border post as it opens for immigration at 8.00am. We are treated with respect…..most of the officials know our credentials and mission. They too, want to help the cause. “Thank you Jesus.”

By 8:20am we are on our way to Emangusi, a small town in South Africa, twenty miles from the border. Gersom’s young wife is here, in the State hospital, under gynecological observation at the end of her first pregnancy. We all wish to see her and minister to her, in the hope that we will be an encouragement. It’s a blessed visit. The prognosis from the doctor is encouraging. After reading the scriptures from 2Cor 4:16-18, we join hands and pray for God’s Sovereign care in Ida’s life and that of her unborn baby. We sense the Peace of God. And, then again it is time to say goodbye. It’s an emotional parting. We are family, and do not know when our dear Lord will ordain for our paths to cross again.

We have not done to badly…..it’s just gone 9:10am. Our next stop is Shugela, ninety miles away. Vernon and I led a Sunday worship service there about seventeen months ago. The service with this newly planted congregation took place under a shady tree. It was hot. About, 39 degrees C. God’s wonderful provision, has enabled us to build these dear people a church with an adjoining pastor’s apartment. We must visit for a site inspection. The journey will mean an extra seventy miles overall, but it will be worth every cent in terms of fellowship and encouragement to the building contractor and others.

Our hearts are warmed by what we find. Building almost finished. Quality of workmanship is most gratifying. A few pictures for the donors and we are on way. After another four hours in the truck we arrive safely at home, thanking Jesus for another inexpressible joyful mission trip to Mozambique. It seems like we have been away for a week, but it was only yesterday that we stood together in the car park of my home and asked for God’s protection and blessing on our efforts in Mozambique.

WITH HEARTS OVERFLOWING WITH JOY IN THE LORD WE EXCHANGE GREETINGS, ANOTHER GOODBYE, TILL HOPFULLY WE SOON HEAD OUT ON ANOTHER MISSION TRIP TOGETHER.

A WORD TO OUR SENDERS – “Those who make all this possible though prayer and generous giving.”

-Thank you for sending us.
-Thank you for trusting us with your financial support for all aspects of Christian Mission
-Thank you for praying for us.
-Thank you Jesus for counting us worthy of taking your wonderful gospel to places where, as yet, it still has not found acceptance among the community.

Trevor Eayrs.
December 2010.

KENTANI REGIONAL REPORT

During November, Vernon Schmidt [Our recently appointed Student Missionary] and myself spent a week ministering in and around Kentani. This southern coastal area of South Africa is home to the Xhosa people.

While the Gospel has been preached here for many decades, it has not penetrated society to the extent where it is the transforming force which God intended it to be. The churches, though numerous, are generally small and struggle to be self-sustaining. There is still a tremendous need for Christian Mission of every description.

We were there to partner with other likeminded Christians, in an effort to take some urgent mission visions to a new level.

KENTANI EVANGELICAL MISSION
This partnership, of which Macedonian Ministries is a member, is currently custodian of the old [derelict] buildings of a Bible School and the land [about 20,000 sq. meters] on which these are located. The campus is on the outskirts of Kentani , a small town and very busy commercial center for the region. The S.A. government is currently busy with the erection of 3000 low cost houses, most of which are been built around the perimeter fence of the Bible School. At the beginning of 2011 needy Xhosa families will begin moving into the homes, which are already completed.
THE KENTANI EVANGELICAL MISSION, RECOGNISES THE URGENT NEEED FOR A CHURCH TO BE PLANTED AT THE BIBLE SCHOOL WHICH IS STRATEGICALLY SITUATED TO REACH OUT TO THIS GROWING COMMUNITY.

OUR VISION
- Restore the Bible school lecturing hall and use it as a place of worship.
- Restore one of the staff homes and use it to accommodate a church planter/evangelist.
- By God’s grace plant a church and through it present a holistic Christian Ministry to the surrounding population…..about, 30,000 persons.

Although there is no money in the bank for this project, we are convinced of the need to move ahead IN FAITH and so are currently searching for a church planter to head up this ministry.
Please pray with us for God’s intervention and providence of all that is needed to fulfill His wishes at Kentani.
Your prayers, thoughts and support in this regard are needed and will be appreciated.

TAFLOFEFE HOSPITAL EVANGELISTIC SERVICE
Heavy consistent rain throughout the night and day begged the question…….” Should we, or should we not attempt to reach the hospital. The gravel roads will be a nightmare. “BUT, we have 4x4 drive in the vehicle …..so let’s go!”
And, just as well we did, for this was one of the most blessed services we have ever had at the hospital.
All the patients and on duty staff were invited to attend. Thirty three; a record congregation, joined for worship. Some were very sick. Ten were men……Praise God. However the most wonderful feature of the service was the convincing sense of the presence of God. The message was from Rom 1:16 “I’m not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation.” Patients, spiritual eyes were opened as “Gospel”, “Salvation” and “His power to save” were exergeted and preached as the only hope of eternal life for any who believe.

A considerable number of patients and some staff indicated a desire to seek Christ in salvation. These were counseled and led in a prayer of confession, repentance and the acceptance of the gift of eternal life. THANK YOU JESUS.

Everyone received a Gospel of John in Xhosa, which included a Bible study on “The Way of Salvation.”

FISHLANI EVANGELISTIC SERVICE
We are trying to plant a church in this area. It was raining and cold, but a small group of younger people arrived. The service progressed reasonably well. However in the middle of the service, there was the sound of raucous singing. It seemed to be coming closer. To our dismay it marched right into the church …..a group of very, “under the influence of mind bending substances”, young men. What made the situation so much more fearful was the fact that each one was carrying a wooden club, battle axe [small axe head on a three foot wooden handle] or machete. They immediately took charge of the meeting….jesting, shouting, making demands, and generally showing total disdain for the House of the Lord and those who had gathered for worship. WE WHERE VERY AFRAID OF THE SITUATION GETTING OUT OF HAND AND DECIDED TO CLOSE WITH PRAYER IN THE HOPE THAT ALL WOULD LEAVE AND BE PERMITTED TO RETURN HOME UNHARMED.
Our wishes were granted …..”God’s Almighty authority seemed to rule in favor of order and tranquility. Thank you Jesus. Our god is Jehovah, our protector in all situations.

Please pray for us as we plan to return. The Gospel is the only hope for this community.

CEBE EVANGELISTIC SERVICES
A more stable situation with a church which has been in existence for a number of years. We were privileged to have two services there. Both well attended. Had the joy of expounding the Word from 1John 4….”Overcoming sin”, and Rev 21…..”Christ’s return at the end of the age”. God honored His Word, the Holy Spirit spoke to hearts with convicting power, and some folk openly responded to the opportunity given for them to pray and be counseled. Thank you Jesus.

HOW YOU CAN PARTNER WITH US
-PRAISE GOD for His faithful honoring of Mission.
-Thank Him too, for his providence and protection at all times.
-Plead with Him to transform the Fishlani region.
-Join us in discovering the Lord’s perfect plan for Kentani.
-Pray with us for the HUGE RESOURCES NEEDED TO REACH OUT TO
KENTANI.
-CONSIDER becoming a partner in this vision.

I was blessed, and may you be blessed, by this verse from my daily readings …….1Cor9:8 “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need ,you will abound to every good work.” HALLELUJAH.


Trevor Eayrs.
November 2010.

CONGRATULATIONS

TRENT & AMBER

A short but very special note to Praise and thank the Lord for all He is doing in our lives. On the 17th September 2010 our Vice President of Macedonian Ministries - Rev. Trent Eayrs announced his engagement to Ms. Amber Lunn.

Together two families will be joined across the world because of this marriage union

Rev. Trevor and Marilyn Eayrs and Mr Arnold and Marie Lunn - God is so good!

We want to assure them of our prayers and special support as they start this precious journey in building a marriage strongly set on our Lord Jesus Christ.

Congratulations and God's special Blessing on you both!!

Port St Johns 2010

PORT ST JOHNS

MISSION TRIP REPORT 2010

On the 21st Oct. 2010 , Mally’s birthday ; loaded with approximately 7500 Gospels of John, mostly in Xhosa ….some English , a box of Xhosa Bibles and a few large bags of very nice clothing; we commenced our journey down to Port St Johns. It’s at least five hours of nerve wracking driving. We prayed as we left Pietermaritzburg and as on previous occasions God gave us a safe and very enjoyable trip. Thank you Lord.

Our mission…..firstly, to visit and encourage the local pastors and their churches. This is a very difficult region in which to minister. Secondly, to “kick start” a one year widespread evangelistic initiative among the Amapodo, the predominant ethnicity in and around Port St Johns.

Our method……a grassroots literature drive. We wanted to place a Gospel of John in the hands of as many school children as possible.

En-route we visited with Pastor Xoko who was busy putting final arrangements together for the week’s ministry. He was as excited as we were. "The people are waiting for you ……it’s been a long time", he said repeatedly.

The day was spent by the time we had unpacked and settled into our accommodation in a thatched bamboo shack on stilts [floods are common in this area] on the banks of the Umzimvubu [home of the hippo] River.

Next day after breakfast, with a box of three hundred Gospels, I went into the town and began to distribute these to passers by. I wanted to “ test the mood of the people”, and of course put the Living Word in the Hands of those who needed to read about Jesus the only Savior of Mankind. A Muslim Propagation Center has been operative in the town for a year or two……AND our Jehovah Witness friends have been on a huge literature drive in the region for some time……would this have implications for the distribution of God’s Word ?

The answer is yes! Almost all who were offered Gospels received these with warm and grateful appreciation, but some of them ONLY received their Gospel after clarifying that these were in fact THE VERY WORD OF GOD or THE HOLY BIBLE. You can draw your own conclusions.

I returned upbeat and most blessed to have had the privilege of putting the Living Word within reach of about three hundred people. One lady in great need of God’s intervention sheared her heart and asked me to pray for her. A precious moment that will never be forgotten…..”Thank you Jesus …Please be there for her as she reaches out to you “

Sunday morning, The DAY OF THE LORD .After time in the Word, I’m in Jeremiah [O.T.] and Luke [N.T.] at present, and a hasty breakfast, we left for our first service. Pastor Solomon Bamm’s [external student, B.T.C.] newly planted international youth church in Port St Johns.

Mally and I were blown away by evidences of God’s gracious blessing on this young man’s ministry:-
-about sixty people had gathered for worship….many more men than women…..WOW.
-instead of a home they were now meeting in a renovated hall…..built years ago by the Free Masons, to be their lodge.
-the whole service was conducted in English.
-originally a youth church, adults were now attending.
-biblical contemporary conservative worship with instruments led us into the presence of God.

There was great liberty in preaching, and oh what a privilege. The congregation soaked up the Word. Many took notes. We left having sensed the presence of God. Thank you Lord.

Now it was off to one of Pastor Zingiseli Xhoko’s rural churches at Loqukweni, near Lusikisiki. It was pouring with rain. Gravel roads. We nearly didn’t make it. This congregation had their building destroyed by a storm some few years ago. They have not managed to rebuild. We met in the recently completed manse. A group of ladies and three children…..it’s not possible for people in this area to move around in this kind of weather.

The message from 2Tim 2: 1-5 Characteristics of Christian Leadership , was a blessing. The service concluded with customary Sunday dinner of Xhosa chicken and vegetables, followed by tea and biscuits. A wonderful day of fellowship in the Lord ended at three o’clock. Thankfully the storm was over. We had an easy run back to Port St Johns.

Monday morning , six o’clock, THE DAY HAS DAWNED…”Dear Lord , please prosper our efforts to share your Word with others , today”.

But, first some time in the Word. Jer.36…..Jehoiakim burns Jeremiah’s scroll . And then this solemn warning in verses 30-31. “Therefore thus says the Lord….condemnation…..death….I will punish him and his offspring and his servants for their sin.” “ Dear Lord , Unlike Jehoiakim open the hearts of those we are visiting today, to gladly receive the gift of the Word of God”.

Quick breakfast , then to the fuel station ,it was just about seven o’clock. While the truck was being refueled I offered Gospels of John to passengers in taxi’s . They were so eager to receive these gifts. Driving along the road we saw some municiple workers clearing the bush and road area and we stopped to give them a Gospel each and they too were eager to recieve. Just like Saturday. Praise God our prayers are being answered.

Twenty five kilometers to the Intafufu river turn-off. Met Pastor Zindisili. Our plan , to head down this gravel road , successfully visit each of the four schools located en-route and end up at Nqgobeni Baptist Church [Planted about fifty years ago by Rev. Aubrey Phipson ] , where we hoped to have an inspirational service and tea with those of the local congregation who were able to meet.

Joy unspeakable followed. The following schools , Ntafufu J S S / Ntafufu S S S / Nobuhla / Zitobile S P S , not only welcomed us with open arms , but some rearranged their programs to ensure that the Gospels were given to every learner. Staff also wanted Gospels , choosing English copies as opposed to Xhosa . Before distribution began at Zitubile , the principal insisted that the whole school gather in the hall/largest classroom so that we may first preach the Word and then distribute the literature. How wonderful is that. Thank you Jesus.

We were now at the end of the road…..any further and we would end up in the Umzimvubu River. Nqgobeni church is there, and the available congregation was waiting for us. I had not visited here for some time. Oh, what a joy to renew fellowship, and chat about all that God had been doing in our respective ministries .We also enjoyed cold drinks and freshly sliced plain brown bread. God is always so good.

The trip back to Port St Johns was in haste. We wanted to catch the learners at
St Bebes Christian School before they left for home. Made it in the nick of time and as expected they too were very pleased to receive Gospels in their mother tongue. The staff choosing theirs in English.

It was three o’clock when Mally served us lunch . With our stomachs satisfied and our hearts more than satisfied with the rich blessings of the day, we greeted , Pastor Xoko left for home , and preparation for Tuesday’s ministry commenced.

We were woken at five in the morning by the plaintiff cries of the forest hornbills . They sound like newborns announcing that it’s time for the fist drink of the day. Not moment to early. This is going to be another busy day…..and of course we wanted to those supplying the “sincere milk of the WORD “.

Jeremiah and Luke were food for thought and encouragement for the day. “Dear Lord, once again go ahead of us and grant us success in our feeble attempts to make you known among the nations [ethnicities]”.

Today was planned to be very much like yesterday, only a different road , with different schools .We visited Mtambalala , Nodusweni , Njwkasi and Noxegwame schools. We were again overawed by the warm response and enthusiastic desire to receive the Gospels. Joy filled our hearts as we left these schools and noticed numerous groups of learners in the playgrounds reading their Gospels together. At Mtambalala we had to preach and then distribute , AND then we were taken by the principal to the staff room ……”We, the staff are working with poor service delivery [understandable, when you are at the “end of the road’ in Africa .] , please minister to us from the Word” .

From my morning devotions in Luke’s Gospel , where Jesus quoted Isa 61:1-2 , “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovering of site to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor “,……. I tried to point the staff along the road of opportunity that exists for them to be raising, NOT only another generation of thinkers, BUT a generation who has also been exposed to a Biblical World View. One from which The Savior could raise up significant Godly men and women to point our peoples along the “straight and narrow pathway which leads to life everlasting“. There was a hushed silence. In thanking us for our ministry the principal appreciated the message to the staff and emphatically stated that they would “never give up trying”.

We made it back to Port St Johns in time to visit the towns only senior school. This was in my opinion going to be the ultimate test of our wish to distribute Gospels among school learners. Once again the unexpected happened…..we were welcomed with open arms and genuine appreciation for our mission. Our visit ended with this plea , “This must not be your only/last visit. We would like you to come for a whole week and teach the whole school as much as possible from the Bible.”

We had received this request from other schools. God was confirming His wish for the Gospel to be proclaimed among the youth in Pondoland.

Wednesday , we are running low on Gospels. After prayer we head for Nstimbini to visit the school and the local Baptist Church. Once the school has taken about five hundred Gospels and Pastor Mongezi and Penelope Ngeto have taken a stock for their current evangelistic outreach in the area we only have one box of Gospels left which has been promised to Pastor Xoko for a school at Loquqeni.

With grateful hearts and a sense of fulfillment , we end this first phase of the evangelistic program.

This most amazing grassroots outreach has convinced us of the need to cement our tentative plans for further ministry in 2011. THE HARVEST FIELDS ARE WHITE UNTO HARVEST, BUT THE LABORERS ARE FEW……. JESUS. Nothing has changed. “My constant question before God is……Why should this nation [ethnos]wait till next year for further ministry. Why can’t front line missionaries RESPOND NOW to this open door of opportunity?”

Thank you :-
To those who covered us in prayer.
To Wakefield Baptist [N.C.] for funding this mission.
To Pastor Xoko for hosting us and his leadership.
To THE GREAT HEAD OF THE CHURCH , who calls us and sends us out as partners with Himself in the wonderful MISSION of making HIS NAME known among every tribe and tongue and nation [ethnicity] ; to the ends of the earth.



Trevor Eayrs.
October 2010

Mahagu 2010

MISSION REPORT

MAHAGU 2010

Over the weekend of the 1st of October a team from Scottsville Baptist Church visited the Mahagu Baptist Church, fifty kilometers north of Matatiele in former Transkei. This is a very remote, most inaccessible rural region in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg.

The area is sparsely populated, mostly by Xhosa people. The average family is poor. Many do not have a father figure. The majority of men are working as migrant laborers in the cities of South Africa. Generally the families are led by senior women who struggle to care for the many children……in most cases with little or no regular income.

MINISTRY

The men with engineering skills spent Saturday making improvements to a water-harvesting scheme which gravitates mountain stream water into a storage tank.

From there it is piped onto the church’s income generating vegetable garden. These self-help schemes can be very beneficial to local communities.

The ladies used the morning to renew fellowship with the Mahagu women, and in the afternoon led a children’s outreach.

At four o’clock, with all the tasks and ministry completed, the local congregation met for Biblical Instruction [Discipleship] in the Whattle and Daub church built about fifty years ago by Rev. Aubrey Phipson , a Baptist Missionary of the then South African Baptist Missionary Society. He had a most effective ministry among the Xhosa people of former Transkei……its fruitfulness is still evident today.
Praise God for His faithfulness building and sustaining “His Church”, against anything which the Devil is permitted to do to it.

From the Scriptures the following doctrines were taught:
The nature of the Church …….Ephesians 2-3
Church Membership……Ephesians 4
Tithing …….Malachi 3
Prayer……Mathew 7

The day’s ministry ended with just enough daylight remaining to give the congregation sufficient time to walk home before it grew dark. Now, it was time for the team members to relax, wash and prepare for a hot dinner of chicken on rice with vegetables and salad; followed by fruit salad, tea/coffee and rusks.

After dinner, team devotions, from 1John 1: 5-10 focused on the possibilities and probabilities which sin may exercise in our lives. In the prayer time that followed we asked our Dear Lord to “forgive us, and cleanse us from all sin…..and to enable us to walk in the light as He is in the light…..SO THAT we would enjoy fellowship one with the other. The Lord answered these prayers…..”Thank you Jesus!”

Team fellowship with the local pastor, Tryphena Makhende, who enlightened us on how we may be better equipped for effective cross cultural ministry continued, until we were suddenly interrupted by a dangerous grass fire which seemed to be moving in a circle around our location at the church. It was being fanned by a strong Northerly wind. We spent some time assessing the situation and when it became apparent that we were not in any danger, we all agreed that it was time for bed and some much needed sleep.
An interesting experience was enjoyed by all, as some chose a bucket bath while the others showered from bags of warm water suspended from an old Cedar tree in the church garden. After a very hot day [in the upper thirties], the night air was cool and very comfortable for good sleeping.

We woke, well rested by the Good Lord Jesus, and reminded ourselves that it was the Lord’s Day. We sensed the need to be in the Spirit on His day. After “time in the Word”, we were called to the breakfast table……fried eggs and bacon ,with fried onion and tomato, bread and jam, with tea/coffee to follow…..ON A MISSION TRIP ….some could not believe their eyes, but savored the moment.

Then it was off to Sunday School , followed by the morning worship service , at which I had the privilege of preaching from 1 John 2:1-6 on the subject of “Assurance of Salvation…..The signs which help us to be assured of our Salvation by Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ”. A rich sense of the presence of the Lord was evident…..Praise God.

Our final event arrived; maybe we should call it a ‘process’……Sunday dinner AL LA XHOSA style. Pietermaritzburg Chicken and /or Mahagu Goat [freshly slaughtered], served with samp and beans [Xhosa traditional meal], butternut, rice, cabbage, potato, salad and plenty of gravy. Oh so good! Chocolate biscuit pudding and finally tea or cappuccino coffee. We were spoilt, beyond deserving.

What pleased our hearts, more than anything else, was the fact that the whole congregation had been invited for lunch. Adults and children were all served, from oldest to youngest…..in this order.

All good things come to an end. We packed our bags in the trailer. Stood in a line, and started the painful process of saying good-bye. The silence that followed, as we drove our of the church grounds, after prayer, was interpreted by myself as follows, “We are sad to leave you, we will miss you and we hope it won’t be to long before our paths cross again.”

SPECIAL THANKS
To those who sacrificially gave, so that we could minister to those in inaccessible places.
To those who prayed…..your prayers were heard and answered.
To those who went ….”How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the Good News of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ”
To those who hosted us at Mahagu…..”We knew that we were with the family of God”
To our God and Savior who made all this possible……”In Him we live and move and have our being.”

MAY GOD HELP US TO BE FAITHFUL TILL HIS KINGDOM COMES
Trevor Eayrs September 2010

Bergville Report 2010

MISSIONS REPORT

BERGVILLE SEPT 2010

For eight days in September, Florida, Amamzimtoti, Scottsville, The Summit [N.C. U.S.A.] Baptist Churches in partnership with Macedonian Ministries ministered together with Rookdale, Zwelisha and Winterton Baptist Churches in the Northern region of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Fifteen short term missionaries were involved in the following ministries:





Home visitation, where the Gospel was presented in testimony and inspiration from scripture and prayer was offered on behalf of these families. Gospels of John were presented to each home together with other Christian literature. Where possible specific needs were attended to.

Home based HIV/AIDS care and ministry was offered to Aids sufferers and their families. Gifts of clothing, literature, Gospels of John and food hampers were distributed to the needy.




Children’s outreach under the theme, “The ultimate GOAL “[In keeping with the soccer world cup] were held in Rookdale and Zwelisha. About 380 children attended respectively. Many were assisted in seeking the Lord as their Savior.















Each evening, the participating congregations, gave one and a half hours for worship and instruction in Biblical Theology/ Exegetical Exposition on the theme of Church Health. Many testified to the immense value and blessedness of these services.







The five schools in the area, attended by approximately 3500 learners, were visited on a number of occasions; by teams who presented the Gospel. God’s Blessing was evident. Each learner was given a copy of John’s Gospel. They were also invited to the youth rally on Friday night. Many attended.

The team was invited to conduct the worship services on the two consecutive Sundays in each of the three churches. These were wonderful occasions of rich fellowship and blessing.

Pastor Trevor Eayrs and Mr. Arnold Lunn [N.C.] were invited together with Pastor Joseph Dladla to minister at the Bergville prison. About thirty inmates attended the service. Arnold’s testimony of salvation was well received, and Trevor preached on Acts 16:31 “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” The Holy Spirit brought conviction of sin and the need of salvation. The invitation to receive Christ as Savior was sincerely given and seven men requested spiritual counsel on “The Way of Salvation”.

Each morning after breakfast the team spent about an hour “In the Word’. Pastor Trevor led them through a study from the life of Abraham, from Genesis 12 – 22,
His willingness to follow the call of God out of Ur of the Chaldeans into the land of Promise….with all of it’s challenges; culminating in his life of consecration to the will of God , stretched us to consider a new level of commitment to Christ and the ministry to which He has called us.

PERSONAL TESTIMONY
“I had the privilege of preaching/teaching on two very important Biblical Issues of the Christian Faith.
The first, the assurance of Salvation from 1John 2: 1-6. The consideration of how we may assess our lives in the light of Biblical Truth in an effort to determine the true nature of our walk with GOD or other, was very stirring, and called for renewed seeking after righteousness on the part of most of us.
The second was an examination of how Paul dealt with the whole matter of Idolatry in Athens…..Acts 17, “His marvelous sermon on Mars Hill.” Here we were challenged to cast aside all forms of idolatry in favor of following and worshipping THE Almighty God , some of whose attributes are declared by Paul in this passage:-
HE is…. Creator (vs24)
Transcendent (vs24)
Self sufficient (vs25)
God of providence (vs25)
Sovereign (vs26)
Imminent (vs27)
Paul’s strong appeal at the close of this sermon ,for sinners to repent and seek Salvation before the judgment , was a challenge to all and one sensed that God was present and engaging those whom He was calling to faith in Himself.

I was again made conscious of the tremendous privilege we preachers have of expounding the “Very Word of God”, and of how necessary it is for us to do so under the inspiration and enabling of our Savior who alone is able to make us worthy of this great responsibility.”

[T.H. Eayrs]

SUSTAINABLE MINIISTRY
It is a great comfort to be able to return home after a short term mission trip, knowing that there is a local pastor who will nurture one’s ministry and where needed take it to the next level.
This is the case in above mentioned churches.
On the Saturday prior to us leaving; at four o’clock in the afternoon, Pastor Thomas Hlongwane spent one and a half hours with twenty four local people who had publically sought the Lord for the gift of Salvation.

THANK YOU
To all who were a part of this mission trip……’how beautiful are the feet of those…..’
To all who gave so that we were able to go and minister…’God loves a cheerful giver.’
To all who prayed…..’Call unto me and I will give you the heathen for your inheritance’
To those who hosted us……You were a rich blessing in our lives, THANK YOU.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR ALL THAT WAS ACHIEVED FOR THE EXHALTATION OF HIS GREAT NAME AND THE EXTENSION OF HIS KINGDOM.

Trevor Eayrs
September 2010.

May 2010

MAY / JUNE 2010

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ - we are praising the Lord for His goodness in our on going ministry across South Africa.


SHOGELA BAPTIST CHURCH UPDATE


We have laid foundations and the walls are up to above window height. The local congregation has been busy making bricks and involved in getting the building project well underway.










INNER CITY MINISTRY IN PIETERMARITZBURG


The Central Baptist Church facilities are being well utilized by various ministry groups.












1. English Baptist Church is led by Garland Naidoo (BTC Student Pastor). A new group that meet weekly for worship and the preaching of God's word.











2. French Baptist Church is led by Pastor and Mrs Maisha. This congregation enjoy rich fellowship amongst cultural group.










3. House of Jubilee is led by Pastor Rathebe.

This congregation have several other assisting pastors:

• Two Assistant Pastors


• Hospitality Pastor


• Family Pastor


• Music Pastor

Their ministry include a Board Elders, Secretariat and Finance Committee with many of their members actively serving theLord. They meet weekly with a busy programme, vibrant worship and big crowd filling the sanctuary.












4. Scripture Union's Head quarters continue to fulfill a meaningful ministry throughout the city. Their vision for skills development through computer training is meeting a need among many in the city.




We praise the Lord AGAIN for how He has opened doors for this facility to continue to reach and disciple souls in the inner city.