Soldiers as Servants

Soldiers as Servants

During the months of June and July here in Cape Town, South Africa the winter season makes an appearance and all the schools in the Western Cape Province close to take a three week vacation. The rainy season has many people choosing to stay at home giving the Paardeberg Mountain Retreat a perfect opportunity to run a Christian camp for children and teenagers alike.

The camps were organized and directed this year by Pastor Malcolm McRobert, Filip Le Roux and Deon. The men decided to teach the children and teenagers who attended, how to be Soldiers for Christ. (2 Timothy 2:2-4) There were many adventurous type games planned, skits, a hike to "prayer rock" and excellent food prepared by Pastor Cal Lewis. Two hundred and twenty children attended camp this year with many of them having heard the gospel and learning from God's Word how they can be servants for the Lord. Seventeen children accepted Christ as their Savior and many more including counselors were encouraged to strengthen their walk with the Lord.

Deon came back from having worked at camp this year with many encouraging stories which uplifted both our hearts. We were most encouraged by those saved and the growth seen in the lives of the kids that came last year and were at camp again this year. We would like to thank all of our readers for praying for the directors, counselors and the children that attended camp this year. "To God be the Glory Great things He has done!"

written by: Michelle Rensburg

Comments

Deon's Testimony

I was born in Boksburg, South Africa, and lived in Benoni and Roodepoort during my childhood and teenage years. I grew up hearing the gospel from my Dad. At the age of twelve, I realized I was a sinner and asked Jesus to forgive me of my sin believing that He died for me and rose again so that I might have eternal life through Him. (John 3:16;Romans 10:9-10) Four years later in obedience to God's Word, I was baptized. During my high school years, I observed and assisted my dad and other men from our church in providing support at a local informal settlement in Johannesburg. Through this opportunity and upon meeting my wife and seeing her desire to serve the Lord I began to consider studying for the ministry. Shortly after Michelle and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary we moved to Cape Town so that I could study through the Church Ministries Institute. The Lord taught me so much during those years of studies and as I worked towards and completed a Theology degree. After completing an internship with Paarl Valley Baptist Church we attended the mission agency, Biblical Ministries Worldwide's candidate class. We have served with them for twelve years in Cape Town, South Africa. We have recently completed our church-planting efforts in Cape Town and have sought the Lord's Will for our future. We believe He is leading us to Australia. We covet your prayers as we make these new and exciting changes to our ministry.

Michelle's Testimony

I was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, and grew up in Durban and Cape Town, South Africa. I grew up as a missionary kid, witnessing my parents' dedication to serving the Lord and hearing them share the gospel with many people. Through their testimony and a Sunday school lesson from John 3:16-17 I realized that I needed to accept Christ as my Savior. At the age of nine, I prayed and asked the Lord to forgive me of my sin, and a year later in obedience to God's Word, I was baptized. My parents included my brothers and me in their church planting efforts. They allowed me at the age of twelve to teach Sunday school and since that year my desire has been to serve the Lord with my life. After high school, I attended the Church Ministries Institute. Upon completing my degree, I worked as a short-term missionary, assisting church planters and teaching at a Christian school in Cape Town. The Lord brought Deon into my life and has blessed us with three children. During the past twelve years, our family has been blessed to serve the Lord among various people groups in South Africa. We are now starting a new journey and look forward to joining teammates in Australia to continue our ministry.