Antioch Church Of Christ
Located Ten Miles East of Tampa Florida at Interstate Four / Exit Fourteen
Southern Africa News - February 2010
OUR WORK FOR THE LORD IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
FEBRUARY 2010
Les Maydell - P O Box 2744 - Nylstroom 0510 - Republic of South Africa
NAMIBIA (Pictures are at the bottom)
As mentioned, we took Norman Saayman with us on our recent 3-week trip to Namibia. Our first meeting was with the Donkerhoek brethren on their regularly-scheduled Friday evening song practice. Norman and I were invited to teach them a few new songs, and we had a great time singing and praying together. (The brethren lead beautiful prayers.) Afterward they mentioned that for the next 3 weeks they had their own men scheduled to preach each Sunday, (whereas always in the past they had always invited us to preach). They said they would discuss among themselves and let us know about classes during the week.
On Saturday we went to visit Leon, who is preaching at the congregation at Okahandja Park ("the hill"). He gave me a letter recently written and distributed to all the churches in Namibia by a talented speaker and intellectual young man who, during the past few months, had a lot of influence on the Donkerhoek congregation, although he was no longer worshiping with them by the time we arrived. Unfortunately, his basic thesis was that the Church of Christ was a denomination because it had made a pattern where there is no pattern. He especially downgraded the "five acts of worship." The Donkerhoek congregation had thus decided to leave a collection plate on the table after worship for any who felt they wanted to give, but not to make a collection during worship time because they no longer considered giving "an act of worship."
Another issue was the "one cup" issue. They seemed to think we were trying to bind many cups, but we assured them that, although we did not think one cup was essential, we did not teach it was wrong to have one cup. They were still having the Lord's Supper each Sunday, but some at least were no longer sure it was necessary to do it every week or on Sundays only. This is not a new teaching in Namibia. I want to quote from a brother formerly associated with World Bible School in South Africa and Namibia. This quote is from a correspondence course he adapted from the One Nation Under God course, called Adventures in Eternal Life, and in the past it has been distributed to every congregation in Namibia. "There are no directions in the New Testament concerning how an assembly of disciples is to be conducted. Since there are no specific directions, God expects us to use our imagination in order to determine what to do. We are thus free to make decisions concerning what we want to do when we assemble."
On Sunday Norman attended at Donkerhoek, and Linda and I went to the Okahandja Park congregation where I was asked to speak. After worship, we went to pick up Norman and arrived just as the service closed. There seemed to be some hesitation, but they agreed to keep to the same schedule they had during our past visits: Bible studies Tuesday - Thursday evenings. On late Monday afternoon, when Linda had arranged to teach her daily children's class, I went with Linda and coincidentally was able to speak to one of the men. On his own, he began to bring up these troubling issues. This opened a door to further studies, leading to more men becoming involved as the week progressed. The men, to their credit, were very adamant that they were not going to be swayed by anything Norman or I said, but only by the word of God. Eventually we were asked to come an hour earlier each afternoon where a lot of discussion took place, each man taking part. The studies lasted 2-1/2 hours.
After the Tuesday Bible study, the brother whose turn it was to preach the following Sunday invited me to preach. I preached on "Is There a Pattern?" However, before I even got up to preach, one of the men stood up and made an announcement that the men had met the day before and had decided that they had made a mistake: the Lord wanted Christians to give each Sunday and thus it was an act of worship to Him. And so, much to our delighted surprise, they took up a collection. One of the men at the worship service, who had not come to the studies during the first week, was very upset because he thought Norman and I had pressured the men into doing this. He showed great courage and maturity by coming to the study the following Tuesday and questioning the other men in our presence as to what had happened. The men assured him that they had held a meeting on Saturday to make a decision, and that Norman and I did not even know about the meeting. After that he attended every study and seemed to be satisfied that Norman and I were not trying to destroy the congregation's autonomy, but were only presenting Scripture and encouraging them to study and decide based on what is written.
The more they studied, both with us and independently, the more the word of God drew them together in unity. After an initial shaky start, there seems to even be an even closer bond between us and them. Linda had four Bible classes plus several individual studies with the women, and they seemed to be greatly encouraged by these as well. Norman was invited to preach on our last Sunday there. Even though the congregation had this serious problem, we see much growth in character. The humble way they handled the truth when it was presented revealed great maturity. We were greatly impressed to see how much they care about each other and have rallied to help one another with various needs. It also seems that some of the brethren have overcome some serious sins that were hindering them in the past. Prayers are being answered, and we sincerely thank those of you who pray for us and for the brethren we work with.
Leon, who holds a secular job and who used to do most of the preaching at the Donkerhoek congregation, left there several months ago under unhappy circumstances and started to work with the congregation at the hill. The breach with the Donkerhoek brethren is in the process of being healed, and I believe it will be healed in time, but in the meantime Leon and his family have been a great help to those struggling brethren. Norman and I studied with various non-Christians at the hill each morning for 2 hours. Every single person that was taught has a major problem with habitual fornication, and none up to this point have been willing to change. One of the brothers had fallen away because he entered an adulterous relationship. Two women who were recently baptized when not in a relationship, made the decision to go back to fornication when the opportunity presented itself. We had an opportunity to speak to one of them, and tried to restore her, but she went to one of the men and complained about our teaching. She said she didn't understand why the "church of Christ" was so strict about marriage, she was going back to her old denomination where living with your boyfriend didn't matter. A few days later I had the opportunity to preach at the hill for the second time, and I preached on the purity of the church. I took a handful of dirt from the floor of the shack where they meet and dumped it into a glass of water and asked them who wanted to drink it. They understood, but they have a hard time doing what is right since they live in the "Corinth" of Windhoek.
Both we and the brethren feel that there should not be such a long time between visits as last time, and so we (including Norman, who was a great help) have scheduled a return visit for mid-May, Lord-willing. We are very grateful to the brethren who have sent money to help with the costs of this trip.
ZIMBABWE
Lord willing, we will be going up to Zimbabwe in about two weeks. We hear again that the rains have not been good in many areas, so we plan to bring back word about that, along with thank-you notes from the past 3-4 months. Your response to the appeal we made just before our trip to Namibia was truly phenomenal, enabling the maize meal to get to the brethren just a bit late. We are just overwhelmed by your goodness. The brethren are extremely grateful for your alleviation of their physical problems. We too, are so thankful for your help in sharing our emotional load. For the first time in some months, the money needed has arrived with time to spare. This eases our minds a lot, and we are sincerely thankful. Many have written to ask if there is still a need. Unfortunately we will have to say "yes" for the next several months.
DROUGHT RELIEF REPORT
We thank God for the way He is working through your prayers, emails, letters, and financial help to enable us to work for Him in Southern Africa.
Les Maydell - 2-20-2010
The congregation at Donkerhoek
The congregation at Okahanja Park.
Southern Africa News - January 2010
OUR WORK FOR THE LORD IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
January 2010
Les Maydell P O Box 2744 Nylstroom 0510 Republic of South Africa
We are using Gmail again, the other address is still usable, but caused us even more problems than Gmail.
Gmail address: LMAYDELL@gmail.com
Gmail address: LMAYDELL@gmail.com
In this newsletter:
Lectures to be held at Loding, a new development regarding Darlington, our planned trip to Namibia, and a lack of funds to feed our brethren this month.
Nearby
We generally spend two weeks per month on a teaching trip, and two weeks at home preparing for the teaching trip. When we are at home, I preach each Sunday morning at a congregation within 1-2 hours driving distance. A small congregation meets in our home each Sunday late afternoon. Because of Linda's trip to the States, I was able to spend more time visiting the 5 congregations nearby. December is, in any case, not a good time to make teaching trips to Zimbabwe because the brethren are busy working in their fields.
Our studies with Zebulon and his family and neighbours continue. At our last study Zebulon requested if members at the congregation at Loding (40 kms away) would come and worship at his house so his friends and family could see how beautiful and simple true worship is. This took place in December. Sunday before last Zebulun arranged to bring family and neighbours to worship at Loding, but this had to be cancelled due to the death of a family member which necessitated Zebulon being out of town.
The congregation at Loding decided last year that they wanted to have a series of lectures over the 2010 Easter weekend (when brethren have a long weekend and are able to travel). They have done a good work of organizing topics and speakers, and have asked us to help them with printing invitations and sending them out. We expect about 200 to attend. We hope this will be a great help to Zebulon and his family.
Eastern South Africa
Because we have worked with Darlington for many years, when I heard of his arrest I found it hard to believe he was guilty of the accusations against him (transporting armed robbers to and from their robbery sites). However, the first time I spoke to the investigating officer in charge of his case, he angrily assured me that Darlington would definitely not get bail and would spend 15 years in jail because when the police went to his apartment to arrest him, they found stolen goods that were linked to armed robberies. Later, when he told me that Darlington was arrested at a roadblock for transporting criminals and stolen goods, I began to doubt his honesty. However, on the other hand, I was not sure of Darlington's innocence because Darlington has a way of explaining things that I sometimes find hard to follow - and what I thought he said and what others thought he said did not always mesh either. But no matter how hard we and others tried to get Darlington to "come clean" (as we saw it), Darlington insisted that although he did give a lift to a man carrying a lot of items wrapped in a duvet, and he afterwards suspected he was a criminal, he did not know that at the time he gave him the lift.
During December I received a call from a long-time Zimbabwean friend of Darlington who informed me that he and others who were convinced of Darlington's innocence were getting together money for a lawyer so Darlington could get bail. I was concerned that these people (who are poor) were going to waste their money, so I phoned the lawyer they had contacted. I told the lawyer my concerns and then particularly stressed that I was not interested in encouraging bail for Darlington if he were guilty. The lawyer told me that he had already spoken to the very same investigating officer I had. He said that Darlington was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time, he would set bail, and Darlington could be out in two days. I found this strange so I phoned the investigating officer again myself. He said, "Darlington is a very good man." When I asked him about his previous conduct he said that his boss made him lock up Darlington because he was a key witness and he feared he would skip the country. He said that he would now release Darlington on bail and even give him back his passport because Darlington has nothing to fear so he has no reason to run away. He told me that at the next trial date in May he believes all charges against Darlington will be dropped. Although the police are often criticized in the media, I really had not expected this kind of behaviour from the investigating officer.
Darlington is out of jail and has made a public confession at Numbi (where he mainly works), stating his sorrow for the hurt and shame his arrest and foolish action brought to his brethren (he had been warned not to give lifts). Some brethren want him to continue preaching and others do not want him to preach publicly until the charges are officially dropped. Darlington is no longer receiving support so he is supporting himself by selling Bibles (as he has done in the past). He is, as he always has done, continuing to teach in the homes of brethren and the lost. The investigating officer has agreed to meet with Darlington and any brethren who question Darlington's innocence.
NAMIBIA
Lord willing, we are headed to Namibia next week for our bi-annual teaching trip of three weeks. We are very excited that Norman Saayman (a South African preacher whom I have known for 40 years) has shown an interest in this work and has agreed to accompany us. His knowledge of Afrikaans, the most common language in Nambia, will also be beneficial.
ZIMBABWE
Although here in South Africa we have had the wettest summer in years, the brethren in Zimbabwe are watching their crops get totally destroyed by relentless sun. At the moment it looks like the area near Bigboy will suffer total crop failure. We need to earnestly pray for rain to save the crops where it is not already too late. We sincerely thank those who continue to send drought relief. We should have wired the money for next month's drought relief Wednesday, but to date have only received between 1/3 and 1/2 of the $15,000 needed. We earnestly appeal to those who can help to please make out a check to me (Les Maydell) and send it to our daughter Mrs Melody Harbig, 9876 Morris Glen Way, Temple Terrace, FL 33637. We plan to visit Zimbabwe again 2 weeks after our return from Namibia. At that time we will be able to collect the thank-you receipts and post them to those of you who have contributed.
At the moment, Paddy and Sandi Kendall-Ball are staying with us, making the many necessary preparations to live and work in Zimbabwe for the next few years. We and many others are thankful to have them back and we pray God will bless them to do His work.
USA
Linda's 3-week trip to the USA went very well. Our children and seven grandchildren are doing well. I did not get sick or lose weight during Linda's absence. Lots of work made the time go by quickly, but we are so happy to be back together again.
The delay in this report is due to a multitude of email and computer problems, which are not sorted out yet. How did we ever live without them? Because Linda is the one with some limited computer knowledge, and she is spending so many hours trying to sort out the problems, she will not be able to send out her Scrapbook letter this time. Exporting our email addresses to another program turned out to be a mess, and we just hope not too many names went missing.
With much thanks from your fellow-servant,
Les Maydell
Southern Africa News - December 2009
OUR WORK FOR THE LORD IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
Les Maydell P.O.Box 2744 Nylstroom 0510 Rep. of South Africa Tel. 011 27 14 717 4100
Note: In my last two reports I asked you to please change our address to lmaydell@vodamail.co.za, however, once we added more ram to our computer, gmail started working again! So lmaydell@gmail.com also works. Please feel free to use either address.
Nearby: In the past month we have had two studies with Zebulun who wants to start a congregation in his village, about 75 miles from us. He was taught several years ago by Darlington and contacted him, fortunately just before Darlington was arrested. Darlington asked him to contact me. I contacted Isaac and Abel at Loding, about 30 miles from Zebulun, and they accompanied me to his home. At the last study, he had two visitors, plus his wife and his teen-age son (all non-Christians). This effort will be hampered by the fact that I am away a lot and Zebulun himself, a truck driver, is only home every second weekend. However, the brethren at Loding have indicated that they will continue the studies. Zebulun has offered to pay transportation costs for one of the Loding brethren to come there on some Sundays.
Eastern S.A.: The brethren where Darlington used to preach (about 250 miles away) asked us to come there and encourage them. On Saturday I had classes with four men and Linda had four women, one of whom was a visitor. On Sunday there were about 15 adults present for Bible study and worship. There is a core of people who seem to want to do what is right, but they are greatly discouraged by several who have fallen away, seemingly because of Darlington's arrest. My focus was to exalt Christ as King so that they would not lose heart when men let them down. On Monday Linda and I went to see Darlington in prison. He had written some tracts he wanted me to print and also asked for a Shona Bible and songbooks to teach some of the inmates. He maintains his innocence, and the police maintain that he is guilty of knowingly transporting armed robbers on more than one occasion. His case has been postponed again to December 9th, but I doubt his trial will take place for some months.
Camper: Because the prison is near the border of the world-famous Kruger National Park , Linda and I took a three-day break, enjoying the solitude and unspoilt nature. Then on Friday we had a 12-hour drive to the Orange Free State . By this time maybe you are wondering how we did it, considering all the problems with the camper. What seems to have really helped is that I bought and modified a new cowling for the fan, since the mechanic said that old one disintegrated when he removed it. Now the engine is running at normal running temperature under normal conditions. When the engine is under stress, I put the fan on and so far it has kept the temperature normal. However, we have not had the extreme hot weather nor climbed the very steep mountain pass that we experience on the Zimbabwe trip. I think I am going to get an extra core fitted to the radiator and then everything should be great. I am very happy at how well the engine takes the hills (much less down-shifting), and the fuel consumption has improved by about 15%.
Orange Free State: We spent the weekend with the congregation at Kroonstad (again classes on Saturday and Sunday), had an afternoon class on Monday with the congregation at Wesselsbron, and had a Monday evening class and then another full day of classes with the congregation at Brandfort. The congregation at Kroonstad has asked me to come and do a series of lessons for married couples in the new year. Because of the drought relief work and our extended trip to the USA last year, we had not seen these brethren for a year. The brethren spoke very highly of Ashley Goosen's visit, but they also let us know that they did not find yearly visits acceptable! The trip home was 13 hours, stopping to pick up some necessary things in Pretoria . Again the camper did very well. We feel our trip was a good "trial-run" before again taking the camper to Zimbabwe.
We were very remiss at taking pictures this trip, but here is a picture we took of the congregation at Brandfort next to the shack they worship in, which they erected themselves.
Future plans, if the Lord wills: Our eldest daughter Joy is due to have her second child mid-December. (We will then have 4 grandsons and 3 granddaughters!) Because of a promise I once made, Linda plans to fly over on the 16th to be with Joy for two weeks, and then spend a third week with her mother. I decided not to go because of work needing to be done, expense, and because the brother who faithfully looks after our house while we are away wants his vacation during the long school holiday break. This is the longest time that we have been apart in our 33 years of marriage - we have been blessed. We enjoyed our turkey dinner with trimmings today, and the left-overs (among others) are being frozen for me to eat while Linda is away. Just after Linda returns, we look forward to the Kendall-Balls arriving to spend their time working mainly in Zimbabwe . They will be a great help to that work. The end of January - mid-February the brethren have invited us to Namibia . One of our South African brethren, Norman Saayman, hopes to journey with us with a view to being introduced to the brethren and making some trips there on his own in the future.
Thanksgiving and drought: As another year draws to an end, I want to specially give thanks to you all for your continued support, financially and through encouragement and prayer. Above that, the way you have responded to the appeal for drought assistance has been awesome, not using that word lightly. Not one month was the drought relief delayed due to lack of funds. The rains have begun in Zimbabwe , but have NOT been good and we ask your fervent prayers for a good agricultural season.
May God richly bless us all to serve Him abundantly in the new year.
Les Maydell
Southern Africa News - November 2009
OUR WORK FOR THE LORD IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
Les Maydell P.O. Box 2744 Nylstroom 0510 Republic of South Africa
Some of you have not yet changed our email address to: lmaydell@vodamail.co.za
Transportation Troubles
As mentioned in my last report, I did a lot of research and decided to replace the 1800cc Mitsubishi engine in the camper with a 2000cc Toyota 3Y engine - a special import from Japan to third-world countries. (Due to strict pollution controls in Japan, engines have to be removed from cars when they have done 35,000 miles.) The 3Y engine parts are far more readily accessible all over southern Africa , and the 1800cc engine was underpowered, especially considering we also pull a heavily-loaded trailer. I was recommended to a mechanic in Pretoria with experience in doing this exact specialized modification. By the time I got the camper back, I was beginning to wonder if I couldn't have done a better job myself, and this was confirmed when the camper could not go over 50mph on the ride home - and the engine was running hot. I spent two days fixing all sorts of things that were wrong, but not solving the over-heating problem. Then I got two local mechanics to spend two days on it. Instead of leaving Monday afternoon as we had planned, we got up at 4:30 am on Tuesday morning, hoping to make it just in time for our first meeting. At first all went well as we had unusually cool temperatures (50's,F). However, as the day warmed, the engine ran hotter and hotter, eventually overheating on a mountain pass, where we had to stop for an hour to let it cool down. I bought and installed a radiator fan just before crossing into Zimbabwe , but we had to stop again, even though the road was flat. We eventually got to the meeting 5 hours late, but the brethren were waiting patiently. Linda and I discussed whether we should risk going further. We decided to travel from place to place at 5 am when the day was still cool and try to do the work we came to do. This worked very well, and the Lord blessed us with good meetings. However, I am still finding things wrong (today I found lumps of lead bigger than my thumbnail lodged in the thermostat), and I have still not got to the root of the problem.
GOOD MEETINGS
In all the meetings, brethren came from surrounding congregations as well, walking up to 30 kms. Linda took the women and I took the men for about 7 hours of classes during the day. In the evenings the local preachers and I took turns preaching. I did not count the baptisms, but I am sure there were at least 20. This shows that the local brethren are working hard. Our lessons were based on the book of Mark, but I also covered the kingdom in prophecy, and how the kingdom and the church are the same. Subjects that naturally arose as we studied were evil spirits and ancestor worship, marriage, authority, and baptism of the Holy Spirit. Everywhere we went there was a terrible shortage of Bibles, so we printed a copy of the book of Mark plus the first two chapters of Acts for each person.
The first 2-day meeting was arranged by Elias at Mulgaladivha, about 25 miles from Beit Bridge . About 25 men and 75 women attended. We then went for a day to a new congregation at Safari, about 40 miles from Beit Bridge where about 20 men and 40 women attended. Samson Musandiwa accompanied us to these two places since he speaks the local language ( Venda ). He is recovering from a second stroke, and can speak slowly and distinctly with much effort. The brethren are patient because they love his teaching and song-leading.
Lining up for food at
Mugaladivha.
The money for the food and our trip expenses come from four individuals who contribute towards this work regularly.
We are very grateful. Without their help we could not do this work.
The money for the food and our trip expenses come from four individuals who contribute towards this work regularly.
We are very grateful. Without their help we could not do this work.
The West Nicholson brethren managed to obtain a very nice hall for the weekend meeting. They all worked very hard to make it a success. There were about 40 women and a dozen men. They live in a small town and most earn a meager living by selling things at flea market stalls. Yet they collect enough on Sundays to rent a hall to worship in and help one another over and above the drought relief. Sadly, West Nicholson is much like Corinth - and so the church faces the same kinds of problems. However, there are some very good brethren who are trying hard to turn things around.
Bigboy arranged for us to spend three full days at Silalatshani in Filabusi. He also carried the food for the meetings for the whole week in his pick-up so that the extra weight would not cause our camper to overheat. About 25 men and 75 women attended. We thought that three long days might be too much to keep hearing the same teachers, but my translator said, "It depends. If we are just listening to sermons, it's too long. But we like being able to discuss things in a class setting." The third evening, when Linda and I were totally exhausted, the preacher's wife came to Linda and requested more teaching. If I was tired, she would understand - but then she would call all the women for Linda to teach! So I taught once again while Linda cooked supper and made our special vegetable juice. When we left at dawn the next morning, the women ran in front of our car, waving branches and singing. These people, especially the women were also extremely expressive in giving thanks for the seeds, the maize meal, and the teaching. Since they perceived that Linda has a bit of knowledge of Ndebele, they decided they could write letters of thanks to us, as well as making mats and baskets for Linda. "We love to lift up our hearts that burn with desire to thank you for the gifts of maize, seed, and the words given by you. We are thankful that the Lord has been with you."
We picked up Newart (who arranged the meetings in Mberengwe) and his wife (who translated for Linda), and proceeded down a terrible road to Chingezi, arriving at 9 am. The brethren were waiting for us. They had built a grass-topped roof to give shade to the teacher. The preacher said, "Good! You have arrived at the expected time. Let us begin right away without taking food." To be on time in Africa is amazing. To want to study before eating breakfast, after having walked such distances, is even more amazing! One of the men baptized that day had never before attended a meeting of the church of Christ . On this day he walked about 15 kms with his wife, a Christian of 25 years. It seems that her good life finally convinced him to obey the Lord. He was so excited, he was virtually jumping up and down. These brethren also expressed much thanksgiving for the seeds and maize meal. It was interesting to me that on this day, my 69th birthday, the brethren at Chingezi, who had never met me before, asked me if they could call me umdala - the old man. I told them that I am thankful that God has blessed me to be old, and I pray for even more years that I might continue to work with them.
United in Christ after 25 years
The men at Dolo.
Drought Relief
We sincerely thank every one of you who have contributed to the needs of the brethren. Again, the Lord working through His children supplied just enough money for each Christian to receive 10kg maize meal. They have all received their seeds and are praying for a good rainy season. Please pray for this as well. "The prayer of a righteous man avails much." Again, I want to stress how very grateful they and we are for the relief you are sending. We have received more slips and will send them out shortly. Unfortunately, the need is on-going, and we need to send money for maize meal by the 20th of November so it can reach the brethren by the first of December.
We are thankful to the Lord who gave us the opportunity to do this work and blessed us with a safe trip. We are thankful to our Zimbabwe brethren who gave us the opportunity to be with them and encouraged us by words and attendance. May the Lord also bless you with many opportunities to do good.
Your fellow-worker in Christ,
Les Maydell
Bigboy arranged for us to spend three full days at Silalatshani in Filabusi. He also carried the food for the meetings for the whole week in his pick-up so that the extra weight would not cause our camper to overheat. About 25 men and 75 women attended. We thought that three long days might be too much to keep hearing the same teachers, but my translator said, "It depends. If we are just listening to sermons, it's too long. But we like being able to discuss things in a class setting." The third evening, when Linda and I were totally exhausted, the preacher's wife came to Linda and requested more teaching. If I was tired, she would understand - but then she would call all the women for Linda to teach! So I taught once again while Linda cooked supper and made our special vegetable juice. When we left at dawn the next morning, the women ran in front of our car, waving branches and singing. These people, especially the women were also extremely expressive in giving thanks for the seeds, the maize meal, and the teaching. Since they perceived that Linda has a bit of knowledge of Ndebele, they decided they could write letters of thanks to us, as well as making mats and baskets for Linda. "We love to lift up our hearts that burn with desire to thank you for the gifts of maize, seed, and the words given by you. We are thankful that the Lord has been with you."
We picked up Newart (who arranged the meetings in Mberengwe) and his wife (who translated for Linda), and proceeded down a terrible road to Chingezi, arriving at 9 am. The brethren were waiting for us. They had built a grass-topped roof to give shade to the teacher. The preacher said, "Good! You have arrived at the expected time. Let us begin right away without taking food." To be on time in Africa is amazing. To want to study before eating breakfast, after having walked such distances, is even more amazing! One of the men baptized that day had never before attended a meeting of the church of Christ . On this day he walked about 15 kms with his wife, a Christian of 25 years. It seems that her good life finally convinced him to obey the Lord. He was so excited, he was virtually jumping up and down. These brethren also expressed much thanksgiving for the seeds and maize meal. It was interesting to me that on this day, my 69th birthday, the brethren at Chingezi, who had never met me before, asked me if they could call me umdala - the old man. I told them that I am thankful that God has blessed me to be old, and I pray for even more years that I might continue to work with them.
United in Christ after 25 years
The preacher and his wife at Chingezi
The roof the men made to shade the teachers is in the background, and the wife is holding the gift she made in appreciation for maize meal and seeds.
The heat experienced during the rest of our trip suddenly changed over night, and all rejoiced as the first steady rain of the season began. We were absolutely amazed at the large crowd that arrived at Dolo (Newart's village), especially as many walked well over 20 kms, and the weather was so bad. Over 200 women and about 50 men attended - far too many to fit into the church's building. Since the weather prevented us from meeting outside, we had no combined services at all for those two days. Linda taught the women at the building and I taught the men in a large round hut at Newart's mother's house. Although we don't think the rain was enough to enable the brethren to plough, we are hoping that it will improve the grazing so that the donkeys and oxen will have strength to plough when it rains properly. (Last year some brethren's donkeys dropped dead as they tried to plough.) The cool weather enabled us to travel the long way home without experiencing any difficulties.
The men at Dolo.
Drought Relief
We sincerely thank every one of you who have contributed to the needs of the brethren. Again, the Lord working through His children supplied just enough money for each Christian to receive 10kg maize meal. They have all received their seeds and are praying for a good rainy season. Please pray for this as well. "The prayer of a righteous man avails much." Again, I want to stress how very grateful they and we are for the relief you are sending. We have received more slips and will send them out shortly. Unfortunately, the need is on-going, and we need to send money for maize meal by the 20th of November so it can reach the brethren by the first of December.
We are thankful to the Lord who gave us the opportunity to do this work and blessed us with a safe trip. We are thankful to our Zimbabwe brethren who gave us the opportunity to be with them and encouraged us by words and attendance. May the Lord also bless you with many opportunities to do good.
Your fellow-worker in Christ,
Les Maydell
Southern Africa News - October 2009
Les Maydell P.O. Box 2744 Nylstroom 0510 Republic of South Africa
NEW EMAIL ADDRESS WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT: lmaydell@vodamail.co.za
Seed
First of all I really want to say thank you for the money you sent for the maize meal and the seed. The seed has been delivered (5kg each Christian), and I hope to get the letters of thanks when we next travel up there. Bigboy says that a lot of thanks was given verbally. There have been some light rains in Zimbabwe , and they are expecting the rainy season to begin any time. We are all praying it will be a better year than last year.
Food
We rejoiced greatly that we were just able to have enough for the brethren to receive their full 10kg allotment of maize meal. We know this is a great sacrifice for some you and we are just filled with praise and thanks to you and to God for meeting this need. It looks like again we are just going to make it - needing about $2500 before Monday.
Up-Coming Trip To Zimbabwe
We stayed at home longer than we normally do so that we could have more time to get materials ready and so that we could get a new engine fitted to the camper. It also gave me time to get some things done around the house that needed attention. We are having a lot of trouble with the camper. We are supposed to leave for Zimbabwe on Monday, but I am not sure if the camper will be ready in time. They have had the camper nearly 3 weeks, and it was supposed to take 7-10 days. Before we left Zimbabwe last time, we already had the dates set with the brethren for this up-coming trip. We are to focus on the book of Mark.
South Africa
We had a good opportunity to work with the local congregations during this past month. The Loding congregation is making good plans to have lectures at Easter. An old student of Darlington's has contacted me about helping him start a congregation in his community (about 50 km east of Loding). Abel and Isaac (from Loding) and I went to see him last Saturday. We arranged for him to invite friends and neighbours this coming Saturday. Unfortunately he phoned to say he has to attend a funeral, so we have made plans for when we come back from Zimbabwe .
NamibiaTerrell Bunting has just finished his visit to Namibia and has given the brethren a good shot in the arm - but there is still a lot of teaching and encouraging needing to be done. Three were baptized out on "the hill" (squatter camp), and one of the men from the Donkerhoek congregation expressed to me that they all feel stronger in the faith because of Terrell's visit. We have also worked on our plans for our trip to Namibia, Lord willing in January with Gale Towles.
Email Address
Please take a moment right now and change our email address to lmaydell@vodamail.co.za. For some unexplained reason, Gmail has decided to off-and-on stop allowing us to download our mail - this latest time for over a week. It seems Gmail sometimes also tells people that our email address is invalid.
We thank you again for your gift - not just for the gift itself, but because it is a gift of love,
With true gratitude in Christ, your brother,
Les Maydell
Southern Africa News - February 2009
Republic of South Africa
ZIMBABWE
Last week we returned from our trip to Zimbabwe, making a quick visit to several areas of the south-western part of the country. We visited Guyu (Gwanda South), Dadata (Gwanda North), Saphila (Filabusi) and Bikimani (Mberengwe), as well as the Hillside and Kensington congregations in and near Bulawayo. I taught on marriage and on having a passion to serve Christ (Ps.37:3-4). The ladies requested Linda to speak on how to remain faithful when suffering and how to help their children when they cannot go to school. (Most children have not been to school for several months.) Everywhere we went the brethren were so excited about and thankful for the seeds and maize meal. Some said they were so hungry before the maize meal arrived they just did not know what to do. Each Christian got 10 kgs. Ten kgs will only last a family of 4 about 2 weeks, but they do work hard to grow food and get food from other sources (those in city congregations also receive food parcels), and they are coping. In some areas the maize is taller than I am and forming cobs.
Leliya with the maize grown from the seeds given by brethren.
The brethren are also very grateful for the good quality of the seeds which they say they are producing well. However, in other areas like Gwanda South, the rains came late and the maize is less than waist high. As we traveled, we noticed that some people were only beginning to plant now, having just received seed from the government. It is highly unlikely they will harvest anything. (Those who contributed towards seeds will receive a separate detailed report.) Please continue to pray that the rains will be right so that the brethren will harvest. In some areas now they are actually getting too much rain - which can also ruin the crops.
November - March is really not a good time to visit the rural areas of Zimbabwe for two reasons: the brethren are busy farming and the rain can make roads impassable. However the brethren seemed very happy to see us and made a tremendous effort to support the meetings, leaving their farming and walking long distances for just a few hours of teaching. Others were prevented from attending by swollen rivers. Unfortunately, we missed the last three days of meetings due to a combination of heavy rains, impassable roads, and a stone puncturing the radiator. (A couple of tubes of Pratley's Putty I had stored in the camper saved the day, and enabled us to get back to civilization!)
Besides the spiritual upliftment that we trust we have given through our visit, we gained some important insights regarding drought relief. Providentially we were at the Kensington congregation (which meets near Gumbo's home) when the 30-ton delivery truck arrived to off-load 9.5 of the tons (the rest were offloaded at Bigboy's house).
30-ton delivery truck
Last week we returned from our trip to Zimbabwe, making a quick visit to several areas of the south-western part of the country. We visited Guyu (Gwanda South), Dadata (Gwanda North), Saphila (Filabusi) and Bikimani (Mberengwe), as well as the Hillside and Kensington congregations in and near Bulawayo. I taught on marriage and on having a passion to serve Christ (Ps.37:3-4). The ladies requested Linda to speak on how to remain faithful when suffering and how to help their children when they cannot go to school. (Most children have not been to school for several months.) Everywhere we went the brethren were so excited about and thankful for the seeds and maize meal. Some said they were so hungry before the maize meal arrived they just did not know what to do. Each Christian got 10 kgs. Ten kgs will only last a family of 4 about 2 weeks, but they do work hard to grow food and get food from other sources (those in city congregations also receive food parcels), and they are coping. In some areas the maize is taller than I am and forming cobs.
Gwanda, North Province
Leliya with the maize grown from the seeds given by brethren.
The brethren are also very grateful for the good quality of the seeds which they say they are producing well. However, in other areas like Gwanda South, the rains came late and the maize is less than waist high. As we traveled, we noticed that some people were only beginning to plant now, having just received seed from the government. It is highly unlikely they will harvest anything. (Those who contributed towards seeds will receive a separate detailed report.) Please continue to pray that the rains will be right so that the brethren will harvest. In some areas now they are actually getting too much rain - which can also ruin the crops.
November - March is really not a good time to visit the rural areas of Zimbabwe for two reasons: the brethren are busy farming and the rain can make roads impassable. However the brethren seemed very happy to see us and made a tremendous effort to support the meetings, leaving their farming and walking long distances for just a few hours of teaching. Others were prevented from attending by swollen rivers. Unfortunately, we missed the last three days of meetings due to a combination of heavy rains, impassable roads, and a stone puncturing the radiator. (A couple of tubes of Pratley's Putty I had stored in the camper saved the day, and enabled us to get back to civilization!)
Besides the spiritual upliftment that we trust we have given through our visit, we gained some important insights regarding drought relief. Providentially we were at the Kensington congregation (which meets near Gumbo's home) when the 30-ton delivery truck arrived to off-load 9.5 of the tons (the rest were offloaded at Bigboy's house).
30-ton delivery truck
It was good to get a better feel of the work involved and wonderful to see the eagerness of the brethren to do what they could to help with the mammoth task of off-loading.
We also felt what it was like to go at a snail's pace down corrugated, slippery and pot-holed roads (which are not maintained). I personally saw the damage done to Bigboy's and Gumpo's trucks, as well as suffering damage to our own camper, and I can assure you brethren that (as they request) they really do need financial help to repair their vehicles to enable them to do the drought relief work. These two men need to be commended for traveling hundreds of miles down nightmarish roads to deliver the maize meal, sometimes even traveling at night to avoid troublesome road blocks. I also spoke to many about the amount of assistance needed. All agree that 10kg is not really enough, but all understand how difficult it is for just two men to get the maize meal to them and they also appreciate that brethren all over the world are suffering financially and that some really sacrifice to give to them. They are really very grateful for what they have received as it has kept them from severe hunger.
Bigboy has just returned from delivering part of this mountain of "mielie meal" (maize meal).
Bigboy has just returned from delivering part of this mountain of "mielie meal" (maize meal).
The delivery of 30 tons of maize meal each month has been a graphic picture of our brethren's love and of God's love and power. We cannot give enough thanks to the messengers in Zimbabwe and to you brethren. (Those who contributed towards maize meal will receive a separate, detailed report.) We have received enough to supply 10kg each to approximately 2800 Christians in 78 congregations through March and for about half of April. I was also told that, although the brethren should be eating off the land soon, they really need assistance until the maize has been harvested and dried, since only then can it be ground into meal, their staple food. So it will only be May or June before the brethren can really assess what their needs will be.
Finally, churches are growing. (There were 7 or 8 baptisms during our visit.) I also heard of two new congregations that have been started. Some "conversions" MAY be due to drought assistance, but the growth of churches is pretty much in-line with what we have always experienced, even in times when there was no relief - and no one at the two new congregations is yet receiving drought aid. Some churches are actually shrinking due to people dying or leaving the country. It is difficult to leave the country since Zimbabwe's neighbours are trying to keep Zimbabweans out, but 1/3 of Zimbabwe's former population is estimated to be living (both legally and illegally) in South Africa alone.
NAMIBIA
We plan to leave for Windhoek, Namibia in about 10 days and be gone for about 3 weeks. As usual, we hope to encourage the two congregations there. Marvin and Becky Voyles of Madison, IN hope to meet us there and work with us. We look forward to that.
USA
Our daughter Gloria is due to give birth on February 13th. We pray that all goes well with her as she has had two difficult labors in the past. Our daughter Melody is due to give birth on May 22nd, and we hope to be there for that and to see Sam and Gloria's new baby at the same time. It is also Linda's mother's 85th birthday on June 6th. So we are trying to work our 2009 USA trip around those May and June events. This time we hope to also visit congregations who support us in the work and possibly also congregations who have been helping with the drought relief. We will not have time to see everyone, but we hope we will be able to see as many as possible. Please let us know if you would like for us to visit you. We hope to be in the TN/AL area during the first part of May, the FL area during the last part of May and the St Louis area during the first part of June. (For those of you who have just started receiving our newsletters, we have been very blessed to have brethren help us to see our children, grandchildren and Linda's mother once a year for the past 3 years.)
PERSONAL
Yesterday was my 6-monthly cancer check-up. I was absolutely amazed when the doctor told me that since it had been 6 years since I was diagnosed, and my blood is better than his, he did not need to see me again! Linda and I truly give thanks to God who has allowed us to remain healthy enough to work in His kingdom. We also are truly grateful for your support to us personally and to the brethren. We ask you to pray for an end to the present distress in Zimbabwe and that we may have wisdom to do the Lord's work in a good way.
Your fellow-servant in Christ,
Les Maydell
MORE ABOUT DROUGHT RELIEF
We receive many enquiries about drought relief in other parts of Zimbabwe. When I report on the drought relief and the needs of the brethren, please understand that I am only reporting on the 78 congregations where I am a messenger. There are scores of congregations in other parts of Zimbabwe that I know very little about. For congregations in the Harare and Mutare areas, I know that David Beckley is very active in trying to help with relief. At the moment he is in the USA and can be reached at grannysa48@aol.com. Mike Divis and the OH3 organization have been very active with helping in the areas north of Bulawayo and can be reached at MikyyyD@aol.com. Drought relief in the Binga/Vic Falls area has up to this point seems to have been very spasmodic and comes through various individuals. You can contact Mike Divis or Bob Buchanon: bobbuchanon@mindspring.com. If you want to enquire about food parcels, please contact Paddy Kendall-Ball: sandipaddy@yahoo.com. For clarity, I am listing below the names of all congregations where I am a messenger where each Christian has received 10kg of maize meal per month for the past two months (Gwanda South for the past two years). I know some of the brethren in the town congregations are getting food parcels, but if any congregations (where I am a messenger) are getting other forms of relief, I would appreciate knowing about it. My goal is not to designate who must give to whom, but simply to know what is happening so there can be equality - not for some to have excess and others to have too little.
Very important: Speaking from personal experience, and also having just received a letter highlighting that David Beckley has the same experience, I want to urge people to give (the need is great), but first investigate the person who is receiving funds, and then make SURE there is feedback from each congregation receiving the help - that they actually have received the help. Simple receipt books are readily available, even in Zimbabwe. In a country where people are so desperate, and have so little, even a little money is a great temptation. I have been sorely grieved that such well-intentioned generosity has at times led to such a sorry result as good brethren losing their souls and congregations suffering. If all of us messengers know that we are expected to give a thorough account of the money, it helps us to provide "honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men."
LIST OF CONGREGATIONS:
Filabusi Province: Bikibiki, Jenda, Mabuze, Makoshe, Mashoko, Mkhayeni, Ntunteni, Nyamime, Saphila, Silalatshani Swinge.
Mberengwe Province: Bikimani, Bobokile, Bvute, Cheshange, Chingesi, Chizungu, Dolo, Garare, Gomtutu, Gwabamtenga, Keara, Mabantu, Marinazhombe, Matabo, Mbembesi, Mtsime, Mukhai, Rupange, Zenda, Zwabagabi, Zwerenge
Towns and other areas: Gwanda, West Nicholson, Colleen Bawn, Bulawayo (Hillside Afternoon, Queen's Park, Magwegwe), Lupane (Mbembezi "David's place"), Plumtree (Matginge), Masvingo area (a congregation started by Professor)
Gwanda North/Matabeleland South Provinces: Dadata, Edwaleni, Findo, Kensington, Matsholomotshe, Nswazi, Ntumbani, Sinkukwe, Stanmore, Pangani, Tombo
Gweru area: Cinderella, Hogo, Mangwande, Mankunzane, Somabula, Sunrise.
Gwanda South Province: Causeway, Dendele, Dombolidentje, Gungwe, Guyu, Mapate, Mashaba, Matshutshuta, Mkhalipe, Mnyangane, Newline, Ngoma, Nhwali, Patana, Phelele, Sengezane, Siboza, Silonga, Whunga.
Money received:
I am sending a detailed report of all money received to those who contributed (whose email addresses I have). If you sent money to me, but do not receive a detailed report within the next day, please contact me.
PS - Please do not just hit "reply" to this email. Please first get rid of all the pictures as it is difficult for us to download lots of kbs! THANKS!
Finally, churches are growing. (There were 7 or 8 baptisms during our visit.) I also heard of two new congregations that have been started. Some "conversions" MAY be due to drought assistance, but the growth of churches is pretty much in-line with what we have always experienced, even in times when there was no relief - and no one at the two new congregations is yet receiving drought aid. Some churches are actually shrinking due to people dying or leaving the country. It is difficult to leave the country since Zimbabwe's neighbours are trying to keep Zimbabweans out, but 1/3 of Zimbabwe's former population is estimated to be living (both legally and illegally) in South Africa alone.
NAMIBIA
We plan to leave for Windhoek, Namibia in about 10 days and be gone for about 3 weeks. As usual, we hope to encourage the two congregations there. Marvin and Becky Voyles of Madison, IN hope to meet us there and work with us. We look forward to that.
USA
Our daughter Gloria is due to give birth on February 13th. We pray that all goes well with her as she has had two difficult labors in the past. Our daughter Melody is due to give birth on May 22nd, and we hope to be there for that and to see Sam and Gloria's new baby at the same time. It is also Linda's mother's 85th birthday on June 6th. So we are trying to work our 2009 USA trip around those May and June events. This time we hope to also visit congregations who support us in the work and possibly also congregations who have been helping with the drought relief. We will not have time to see everyone, but we hope we will be able to see as many as possible. Please let us know if you would like for us to visit you. We hope to be in the TN/AL area during the first part of May, the FL area during the last part of May and the St Louis area during the first part of June. (For those of you who have just started receiving our newsletters, we have been very blessed to have brethren help us to see our children, grandchildren and Linda's mother once a year for the past 3 years.)
PERSONAL
Yesterday was my 6-monthly cancer check-up. I was absolutely amazed when the doctor told me that since it had been 6 years since I was diagnosed, and my blood is better than his, he did not need to see me again! Linda and I truly give thanks to God who has allowed us to remain healthy enough to work in His kingdom. We also are truly grateful for your support to us personally and to the brethren. We ask you to pray for an end to the present distress in Zimbabwe and that we may have wisdom to do the Lord's work in a good way.
Your fellow-servant in Christ,
Les Maydell
MORE ABOUT DROUGHT RELIEF
We receive many enquiries about drought relief in other parts of Zimbabwe. When I report on the drought relief and the needs of the brethren, please understand that I am only reporting on the 78 congregations where I am a messenger. There are scores of congregations in other parts of Zimbabwe that I know very little about. For congregations in the Harare and Mutare areas, I know that David Beckley is very active in trying to help with relief. At the moment he is in the USA and can be reached at grannysa48@aol.com. Mike Divis and the OH3 organization have been very active with helping in the areas north of Bulawayo and can be reached at MikyyyD@aol.com. Drought relief in the Binga/Vic Falls area has up to this point seems to have been very spasmodic and comes through various individuals. You can contact Mike Divis or Bob Buchanon: bobbuchanon@mindspring.com. If you want to enquire about food parcels, please contact Paddy Kendall-Ball: sandipaddy@yahoo.com. For clarity, I am listing below the names of all congregations where I am a messenger where each Christian has received 10kg of maize meal per month for the past two months (Gwanda South for the past two years). I know some of the brethren in the town congregations are getting food parcels, but if any congregations (where I am a messenger) are getting other forms of relief, I would appreciate knowing about it. My goal is not to designate who must give to whom, but simply to know what is happening so there can be equality - not for some to have excess and others to have too little.
Very important: Speaking from personal experience, and also having just received a letter highlighting that David Beckley has the same experience, I want to urge people to give (the need is great), but first investigate the person who is receiving funds, and then make SURE there is feedback from each congregation receiving the help - that they actually have received the help. Simple receipt books are readily available, even in Zimbabwe. In a country where people are so desperate, and have so little, even a little money is a great temptation. I have been sorely grieved that such well-intentioned generosity has at times led to such a sorry result as good brethren losing their souls and congregations suffering. If all of us messengers know that we are expected to give a thorough account of the money, it helps us to provide "honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men."
LIST OF CONGREGATIONS:
Filabusi Province: Bikibiki, Jenda, Mabuze, Makoshe, Mashoko, Mkhayeni, Ntunteni, Nyamime, Saphila, Silalatshani Swinge.
Mberengwe Province: Bikimani, Bobokile, Bvute, Cheshange, Chingesi, Chizungu, Dolo, Garare, Gomtutu, Gwabamtenga, Keara, Mabantu, Marinazhombe, Matabo, Mbembesi, Mtsime, Mukhai, Rupange, Zenda, Zwabagabi, Zwerenge
Towns and other areas: Gwanda, West Nicholson, Colleen Bawn, Bulawayo (Hillside Afternoon, Queen's Park, Magwegwe), Lupane (Mbembezi "David's place"), Plumtree (Matginge), Masvingo area (a congregation started by Professor)
Gwanda North/Matabeleland South Provinces: Dadata, Edwaleni, Findo, Kensington, Matsholomotshe, Nswazi, Ntumbani, Sinkukwe, Stanmore, Pangani, Tombo
Gweru area: Cinderella, Hogo, Mangwande, Mankunzane, Somabula, Sunrise.
Gwanda South Province: Causeway, Dendele, Dombolidentje, Gungwe, Guyu, Mapate, Mashaba, Matshutshuta, Mkhalipe, Mnyangane, Newline, Ngoma, Nhwali, Patana, Phelele, Sengezane, Siboza, Silonga, Whunga.
Money received:
I am sending a detailed report of all money received to those who contributed (whose email addresses I have). If you sent money to me, but do not receive a detailed report within the next day, please contact me.
PS - Please do not just hit "reply" to this email. Please first get rid of all the pictures as it is difficult for us to download lots of kbs! THANKS!
Southern Africa News - December 2008
Les Maydell
Republic of South Africa
NYLSTROOM NEWS - GOOD NEWS!
Good news - the brethren have received maize meal. Even after we thought all was smooth sailing, one of the suppliers let us down and the other supplier's truck had an accident and spilled 25 tons of the 28-ton load down a hillside in South Africa, where bystanders got an unexpected Christmas gift! However, I must say that the supplier (V&M Grain) was very professional about it and made good the loss. In addition, they worked overtime and in their Christmas holiday time to reload another truck and do the delivery. The truck got from Johannesburg, through the border, and to Gwanda/Bulawayo in an amazing time of three days. The meal arrived on 22 December and all of it has already been delivered by Bigboy and Gumpo. David and Ellen Baize were visiting in Zimbabwe at the time the maize meal was delivered and they say the brethren are extremely thankful.
Good news - good rains. The seed germinated nicely and started to grow, but the plants were beginning to suffer. However, just in time, the needed rain fell and, with the exception of Gwanda South, we hear that the crops are doing well.
Good news - generous brethren. I do not have time now to send a detailed report of all funds received. (I need to prepare for my part in the funeral service of an 89-year-old brother who has gone for his reward.) However, from the bottom of our hearts, we want to praise God and thank you brethren for your goodness towards the needy. It seems as though we have all the money needed to supply the relief through March. We sincerely hope and pray that God will continue to bless the land with rain so that no relief will be needed in April, or at least much less relief than at the moment. As April approaches, we will let you all know if further help is needed, but we just want to let you know that the need has been met for the moment. Many have worked to achieve this, but may all glory be to God.
We pray for God's blessings on the up-coming deliveries - and especially that your gift will encourage the Zimbabwe brethren towards great spiritual growth.
We have a trip planned to Zimbabwe this month, and will be able to let you know more after that trip.
With great gratitude,
Les and Linda Maydell
Southern Africa News - November 2008
Les Maydell - South Africa
SEED
We cannot give enough praise and glory to our great God for your overwhelming response. Even to those who gave small amounts - it made a big difference to someone. For example, if God sends the rains, $25 will enable two farmers to feed their families for a year! After the first load was delivered to the brethren in Gwanda South and other areas south of Bulawayo, we were able to place a second order to help brethren far south at Beit Bridge ,north of Bulawayo and all the way to the Vic Falls area (Binga). This seed was delivered last weekend.
SEED
We cannot give enough praise and glory to our great God for your overwhelming response. Even to those who gave small amounts - it made a big difference to someone. For example, if God sends the rains, $25 will enable two farmers to feed their families for a year! After the first load was delivered to the brethren in Gwanda South and other areas south of Bulawayo, we were able to place a second order to help brethren far south at Beit Bridge ,north of Bulawayo and all the way to the Vic Falls area (Binga). This seed was delivered last weekend.
This is about 1-1/2 tons of the seed.
TRIP TO ZIMBABWE
During the week we spent in Zimbabwe they had rain just about every day, from the southern border, all the way to Bulawayo and west to the Botswana border. We hear the rain extended up to Binga. Many have plowed and planted their seeds already. We have had many sincere expressions of thanks from the brethren for the seed -- not only for the seed itself, but for the opportunity to do their work.
"We are some word above happy." "Our prayers have been answered." There was much difficulty in getting the seed paid for and delivered. We give grateful thanks to God, not only for you brethren, but also for those in the banking and business world who had a heart for the suffering of the people and went the second mile to make it possible.
We had not been to Zimbabwe for exactly one year. We were impressed that the preachers had been working hard to build up the brethren. We found the brethren as strong in the faith as before, if not stronger. About 100 people from 7 congregations gathered for a two-day meeting at Tongwe (Beit Bridge area). We were late getting started the first day because of car trouble (a mud-dauber had clogged the fuel filter) and a nightmare traffic jam at the border. So they made up for it a bit the second day by starting at 8 am!
Linda and I came prepared with some new lessons we had written on marriage - a subject they had requested. They really expressed appreciation for the lessons. One preacher told Linda that from past teaching she has done, he can see a big change in the lives of the women. Samson Musandiwa accompanied us. He had a stroke a few months ago and is slowly regaining his speech - but he can still lead singing very well! The brethren had heard of his illness, and were so excited to see him. We think the trip was encouraging to both him and them - as it was to us.
From the congregations in this area we received several letters of thanks for the clothing which Brewer delivered on his way back to Bulawayo after Sibonakele's operation. This is the clothing many of you shipped when the US Post Office still allowed surface mail. We did not see any signs of malnourishment among these brethren. Although they have received some sporadic drought relief, they are mainly coping because they are near to the SA border and able to purchase maize by giving money to their headmen.
From Tongwe we moved about 200 kms northwards for a single evening at West Nicholson. Bigboy also brought brethren from Gwanda and Colleen Bawn. The brethren were so very happy to see us. Two of the men had received very severe beatings during the election violence. Several residents were herded into a vacant corned beef factory and systematically tortured and beaten with cudgels and tyre rubber. One man showed us his hospital report. It states that his injuries are severe and likely to result in permanent disability: renal failure. Several months later, he still has trouble sitting and urinating. I had specially prepared a lesson on spiritual comfort, using Psalm 23: 4, Romans 15:4-6, and the OT examples of Hoshea (no comfort) and Hezekiah (comfort). I concluded with the beautiful prophecy of Isaiah 40. The man with the worst injuries is one of the most kind-hearted people we have met. He gives almost his whole salary to helping others.
On Sunday afternoon I preached the same lesson at Kensington, near Bulawayo, a large congregation with about 100 in attendance. In the morning I preached on Personal Discipline at Queenspark, Bulawayo - a congregation of about 50. Even though these brethren live in town, their extended family property is out of town, so they also received seed. Most of them are now either unemployed or earning so little they cannot survive and so they and their extended family are also dependent on subsistence farming. For example, a teacher earns Z$80,000 per month but a loaf of bread costs Z$500,000. Many schools have closed their doors. But many teachers elected to remain at school until the end of the school year out of love for their students.
One of the men who was beaten is thanking Bigboy
for bringing bread to the meeting at West Nicholson.
"We have not seen bread for months."
BENEVOLENCE
As you know, for the past 2 years, Bigboy and I have been messengers for the 19 congregations in the Gwanda South province; and Foy Short, Gumpo and Bigboy have been messengers for about 55 congregations in other provinces, mainly to the south and east of Bulawayo. As you also know, in September the congregations in Gwanda South experienced difficulty due to the fact that locally produced maize is no longer available to the general public, and virtually no maize is available in the rural areas. Therefore all maize has to be imported, and this costs over twice what we were paying. This same problem happened to the other 55 churches.
Another problem is that Foy is now well into his 80s, and is just no longer able to continue the excellent work he did for so many years. After much discussion with Foy, Bigboy and Gumpo, the most sensible and the most economical solution to these problems, at least in the short term, seems to be for me, together with Bigboy and Gumpo to become messengers for all 74 congregations and to ship maize meal from South Africa up to Gwanda and Bulawayo, where Bigboy and Gumpo are committed to working tirelessly to travel hundreds of miles down terrible dirt roads to deliver it all. (We are looking at about 28 tons per month - and they each have a one-ton pickup truck.)
After speaking with Bigboy and Gumpo, we determined that at this time everyone is in need, even in city congregations. (Previously we were only sending help to some of the Christians (the neediest) in each congregation in Gwanda South and none to brethren in cities.) The brethren who receive parcels are extremely grateful for them, and those who send to them need to keep doing so, but the brethren also need their staple food. Please understand - 10 kg per person per month is not supplying all their nutritional needs. Those in the cities need supplementary food parcels and those in the rural areas need to supplement with roots, insects, wild fruit, and small gardens near rivers.
We did not go into the rural areas, but Rob Buchanan and Bob Buchanon found some malnourished children of Christians just about everywhere they went, but particularly in the areas north of Bulawayo. They did not receive any specific names of people who had starved. However, it is a shame to us that any of God's children should even be malnourished. Please pray that those endeavoring to help our brethren have the ability to get the job done. Seriously, we need God's help in this matter as the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe worsens daily.
Finding out the government regulations and finding a reliable supplier of maize meal and transport company has been extremely stressful, difficult, and time-consuming. The first shipment, bought a month ago is still stuck at the border. However, once the wrinkles get ironed out, we should have a consistent availability at a consistent price.
A full report of exactly how much money was received and all costs involved is being sent in a separate email to all those who contributed in any way - seeds or drought relief or generally. It is also being sent to all congregations/individuals who contribute to my monthly support. If you contributed and do not receive the report, please contact us. If you are interested in contributing towards drought relief and would like more information, please let me know.
With deep thanks to God, my brethren, and my far-above-rubies wife,
Les Maydell
During the week we spent in Zimbabwe they had rain just about every day, from the southern border, all the way to Bulawayo and west to the Botswana border. We hear the rain extended up to Binga. Many have plowed and planted their seeds already. We have had many sincere expressions of thanks from the brethren for the seed -- not only for the seed itself, but for the opportunity to do their work.
"We are some word above happy." "Our prayers have been answered." There was much difficulty in getting the seed paid for and delivered. We give grateful thanks to God, not only for you brethren, but also for those in the banking and business world who had a heart for the suffering of the people and went the second mile to make it possible.
We had not been to Zimbabwe for exactly one year. We were impressed that the preachers had been working hard to build up the brethren. We found the brethren as strong in the faith as before, if not stronger. About 100 people from 7 congregations gathered for a two-day meeting at Tongwe (Beit Bridge area). We were late getting started the first day because of car trouble (a mud-dauber had clogged the fuel filter) and a nightmare traffic jam at the border. So they made up for it a bit the second day by starting at 8 am!
Linda and I came prepared with some new lessons we had written on marriage - a subject they had requested. They really expressed appreciation for the lessons. One preacher told Linda that from past teaching she has done, he can see a big change in the lives of the women. Samson Musandiwa accompanied us. He had a stroke a few months ago and is slowly regaining his speech - but he can still lead singing very well! The brethren had heard of his illness, and were so excited to see him. We think the trip was encouraging to both him and them - as it was to us.
From the congregations in this area we received several letters of thanks for the clothing which Brewer delivered on his way back to Bulawayo after Sibonakele's operation. This is the clothing many of you shipped when the US Post Office still allowed surface mail. We did not see any signs of malnourishment among these brethren. Although they have received some sporadic drought relief, they are mainly coping because they are near to the SA border and able to purchase maize by giving money to their headmen.
From Tongwe we moved about 200 kms northwards for a single evening at West Nicholson. Bigboy also brought brethren from Gwanda and Colleen Bawn. The brethren were so very happy to see us. Two of the men had received very severe beatings during the election violence. Several residents were herded into a vacant corned beef factory and systematically tortured and beaten with cudgels and tyre rubber. One man showed us his hospital report. It states that his injuries are severe and likely to result in permanent disability: renal failure. Several months later, he still has trouble sitting and urinating. I had specially prepared a lesson on spiritual comfort, using Psalm 23: 4, Romans 15:4-6, and the OT examples of Hoshea (no comfort) and Hezekiah (comfort). I concluded with the beautiful prophecy of Isaiah 40. The man with the worst injuries is one of the most kind-hearted people we have met. He gives almost his whole salary to helping others.
On Sunday afternoon I preached the same lesson at Kensington, near Bulawayo, a large congregation with about 100 in attendance. In the morning I preached on Personal Discipline at Queenspark, Bulawayo - a congregation of about 50. Even though these brethren live in town, their extended family property is out of town, so they also received seed. Most of them are now either unemployed or earning so little they cannot survive and so they and their extended family are also dependent on subsistence farming. For example, a teacher earns Z$80,000 per month but a loaf of bread costs Z$500,000. Many schools have closed their doors. But many teachers elected to remain at school until the end of the school year out of love for their students.
One of the men who was beaten is thanking Bigboy
for bringing bread to the meeting at West Nicholson.
"We have not seen bread for months."
BENEVOLENCE
As you know, for the past 2 years, Bigboy and I have been messengers for the 19 congregations in the Gwanda South province; and Foy Short, Gumpo and Bigboy have been messengers for about 55 congregations in other provinces, mainly to the south and east of Bulawayo. As you also know, in September the congregations in Gwanda South experienced difficulty due to the fact that locally produced maize is no longer available to the general public, and virtually no maize is available in the rural areas. Therefore all maize has to be imported, and this costs over twice what we were paying. This same problem happened to the other 55 churches.
Another problem is that Foy is now well into his 80s, and is just no longer able to continue the excellent work he did for so many years. After much discussion with Foy, Bigboy and Gumpo, the most sensible and the most economical solution to these problems, at least in the short term, seems to be for me, together with Bigboy and Gumpo to become messengers for all 74 congregations and to ship maize meal from South Africa up to Gwanda and Bulawayo, where Bigboy and Gumpo are committed to working tirelessly to travel hundreds of miles down terrible dirt roads to deliver it all. (We are looking at about 28 tons per month - and they each have a one-ton pickup truck.)
After speaking with Bigboy and Gumpo, we determined that at this time everyone is in need, even in city congregations. (Previously we were only sending help to some of the Christians (the neediest) in each congregation in Gwanda South and none to brethren in cities.) The brethren who receive parcels are extremely grateful for them, and those who send to them need to keep doing so, but the brethren also need their staple food. Please understand - 10 kg per person per month is not supplying all their nutritional needs. Those in the cities need supplementary food parcels and those in the rural areas need to supplement with roots, insects, wild fruit, and small gardens near rivers.
We did not go into the rural areas, but Rob Buchanan and Bob Buchanon found some malnourished children of Christians just about everywhere they went, but particularly in the areas north of Bulawayo. They did not receive any specific names of people who had starved. However, it is a shame to us that any of God's children should even be malnourished. Please pray that those endeavoring to help our brethren have the ability to get the job done. Seriously, we need God's help in this matter as the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe worsens daily.
Finding out the government regulations and finding a reliable supplier of maize meal and transport company has been extremely stressful, difficult, and time-consuming. The first shipment, bought a month ago is still stuck at the border. However, once the wrinkles get ironed out, we should have a consistent availability at a consistent price.
A full report of exactly how much money was received and all costs involved is being sent in a separate email to all those who contributed in any way - seeds or drought relief or generally. It is also being sent to all congregations/individuals who contribute to my monthly support. If you contributed and do not receive the report, please contact us. If you are interested in contributing towards drought relief and would like more information, please let me know.
With deep thanks to God, my brethren, and my far-above-rubies wife,
Les Maydell
Zimbabwe Seed Report - November 8th
Dear brethren,
We have so much to rejoice about because the seed was delivered today, just as the rains are beginning! Bigboy and Gumpo are so happy and will get the seed out to the brethren within the next couple of days, Lord willing. Getting the seed was a huge battle, even after it was paid for, and would not have been possible without the help of many people going beyond the second mile, and above all, your prayers. To God be the glory, "He has shown mercy to His people."
Please do not stop praying. Another shipment of seed needs to go out as well as maize meal. We thank all of you for giving over and beyond the need so that brethren in other parts of Zimbabwe north of Bulawayo can also receive seed. I have placed the order, but told Seed Co I would not pay until the first order was delivered. Hopefully the payment for the second order will go a lot more smoothly and the seed will go out in a few days.
The money left over from seed, we will use for maize meal. The brethren are now critically in need, there is virtually no maize meal available in Zimbabwe, and we are trying our best to get a truckload (32 tons) of maize meal shipped up to over 3000 Christians but it is just as big a struggle as the seed was. I paid for 5.25 tons of maize meal 2 weeks ago and it has yet to leave the shop, despite repeated promises it will go out tomorrow. That is typical business behavior in Africa , but it does not help the hungry. That's why we need your prayers. A permit is required to ship 32 tons, and hopefully the shipping firm will have that organized by the time we return from Zimbabwe .
The 3000 Christians are from (1) Gwanda South, where I am a messenger for 19 churches; (2) several other provinces south of Bulawayo, where Foy Short was a messenger, but has asked someone to take over that task since he is now in his 80s; and (3) 20 churches north of Bulawayo where Mountbatten Brewer is a messenger, but has asked me to use funds he has been given to buy maize in SA since he cannot get it in Zimbabwe. To do all this effectively and scripturally is a huge task, needing much wisdom, and we humbly ask God's help and your prayers.
We sincerely, thank all of you who responded to the need so quickly. Almost all the checks have arrived! Since we are leaving for Zimbabwe , Lord willing, on Monday, there is no time for a financial report, but we will make it a priority for when we get back (the 17th).
May God bless you all,
Les Maydell
We have so much to rejoice about because the seed was delivered today, just as the rains are beginning! Bigboy and Gumpo are so happy and will get the seed out to the brethren within the next couple of days, Lord willing. Getting the seed was a huge battle, even after it was paid for, and would not have been possible without the help of many people going beyond the second mile, and above all, your prayers. To God be the glory, "He has shown mercy to His people."
Please do not stop praying. Another shipment of seed needs to go out as well as maize meal. We thank all of you for giving over and beyond the need so that brethren in other parts of Zimbabwe north of Bulawayo can also receive seed. I have placed the order, but told Seed Co I would not pay until the first order was delivered. Hopefully the payment for the second order will go a lot more smoothly and the seed will go out in a few days.
The money left over from seed, we will use for maize meal. The brethren are now critically in need, there is virtually no maize meal available in Zimbabwe, and we are trying our best to get a truckload (32 tons) of maize meal shipped up to over 3000 Christians but it is just as big a struggle as the seed was. I paid for 5.25 tons of maize meal 2 weeks ago and it has yet to leave the shop, despite repeated promises it will go out tomorrow. That is typical business behavior in Africa , but it does not help the hungry. That's why we need your prayers. A permit is required to ship 32 tons, and hopefully the shipping firm will have that organized by the time we return from Zimbabwe .
The 3000 Christians are from (1) Gwanda South, where I am a messenger for 19 churches; (2) several other provinces south of Bulawayo, where Foy Short was a messenger, but has asked someone to take over that task since he is now in his 80s; and (3) 20 churches north of Bulawayo where Mountbatten Brewer is a messenger, but has asked me to use funds he has been given to buy maize in SA since he cannot get it in Zimbabwe. To do all this effectively and scripturally is a huge task, needing much wisdom, and we humbly ask God's help and your prayers.
We sincerely, thank all of you who responded to the need so quickly. Almost all the checks have arrived! Since we are leaving for Zimbabwe , Lord willing, on Monday, there is no time for a financial report, but we will make it a priority for when we get back (the 17th).
May God bless you all,
Les Maydell
Southern Africa News - October 2008
Les Maydell Republic of South Africa
Our trip to the USA
We had a wonderful trip. It was so good to spend most of our time with our children, grandchildren, and Linda's mother, but it was also good to get home and find all well. I just want to thank those who helped us financially so we could make the trip. We came back feeling very well physically. My broken wrist has just about recovered, though I still have to work at increasing mobility. I am again able to drive, and we hope to start on our travels within the next two weeks, although we are not yet sure where we will be going! Things are still uncertain in Zimbabwe. Some areas of Zimbabwe are fine, but since there is still concern among the brethren in the area where Bigboy and I are messengers concerning benevolence, we may go to Namibia or to another area of Zimbabwe, Lord willing.
Benevolence for the saints in Zimbabwe
The suffering of the people of Zimbabwe is escalating rapidly as the political crisis remains unresolved. Mugabe has not honored the agreement he signed in September, so there is no government of national unity and therefore almost no food in the shops, no medicines in the hospitals, no seed for planting, etc. Many American brethren have come up with various ways of getting benevolence to our brethren in Zimbabwe, and for all those efforts we gratefully praise God. All concerned are doing their best to neither duplicate benevolence nor leave anyone out. The food situation is extremely critical.
For the past 18 months, drought relief has been getting to the 19 congregations in SW Zimbabwe where Bigboy and I are messengers without a hitch. The brethren are extremely grateful for what they have received, especially since your benevolence has kept them from the severe hunger that so many in Zimbabwe are experiencing. However, the political impasse has caused Zimbabwean currency to devalue to the point that foreign currency is now becoming the medium of exchange in the major towns and cities. Because people have no choice but to pay what is asked, there is high inflation, even in foreign currency terms. Up to now, Bigboy has done an incredible job of sourcing and delivering maize meal to each congregation, although a few times he has had to deliver money instead. However, this last month two problems have arisen. First of all, it seems there is no maize meal whatsoever available in Gwanda or Bulawayo, so Bigboy gave the brethren cash (Zimbabwean currency because these people are in rural areas) to buy whatever they could. What the brethren normally did in the past was pay to put their names on a list so that when government maize is delivered to hospitals and prisons, they are able to purchase what is left. Most have done this again, but no one has much hope that any maize will actually arrive. Alternatively, if they hang on to their money and try to find food elsewhere, it becomes worthless in just a few days. (Zim dollar inflation is over a billion %.) It's a no-win situation. The second problem is that maize meal has tripled in price in US$ terms in the last month, so even if the brethren are able to get maize, their money will not buy sufficient for them. This is what I learned from Bigboy within the first two days of arriving home last week.
A New Plan
This all troubled us greatly the entire weekend, and we spent a lot of time praying about it. Finally Monday morning, when businesses opened, I was able to start searching for another plan. The good news is that, by God's grace, I found a way to buy maize in South Africa and have it delivered to Gwanda for about double what we were paying (instead of triple). Here is a proposed plan to pay for it: Almost every congregation and individual who sent benevolence, sent a lump sum to cover 10 months. The money from six of those months has been spent. So I hope these brethren will not mind if I take the money from the four remaining months and buy maize meal for two more months. This means that, before the end of December, we will need to start over from scratch with raising money for drought relief. It is impossible to say what things will cost at that time, but hopefully prices and transport costs in South Africa will remain stable. However, inflation in S.Africa is at 13% and analysts expect the dollar to weaken against the rand, so that needs to be taken into account. I realize that many in the US are going through a difficult time economically, and I hate to ask for so much money, but I can only say, "He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given." (Prov.19:17)
Seed
Yesterday and today the first rains of the season have begun here in Nylstroom. The rains are due in Zimbabwe at any moment. However, virtually NO ONE has seed to plant. No seed was gathered from last year since there was almost total crop failure. The foreign aid agencies whose work was stopped by Mugabe have been allowed to resume operations, but it will take them months to get into full swing again and distribute the seed, fertilizer, etc. that they normally do. By that time it likely will be too late to plant. So, my next project is to try to get seed to the brethren, for without seed there will definitely be no harvest! I have not been able to find the right seed here yet, but Bigboy's friend told him of some in Botswana and he will go fetch it, Lord willing. We have enough spare money in the work fund / teaching trip fund to pay for one ton, which is all that will fit in Bigboy's truck. It is not enough seed, but it's a good start.
Thank you very much
Much prayer and effort is needed to relieve the situation with our brethren in Zimbabwe, and we ask you to join with us in this (and/or with others who are also helping).
Your fellow-servant of the Lord,
Les Maydell
More information about drought relief:
(If anyone has any questions, please feel free to email me.)
THANKS FOR DROUGHT RELIEF
We are overwhelmingly thankful for your wonderful response to our request for help for the brethren in Gwanda South. That need has been met, with many others also volunteering to help. It is so awesome to see the love of God in the hearts of our brethren.
As mentioned last week, I have found a way to ship maize meal directly to Gwanda from South Africa. I had to nag and prod the supplier, but the first shipment of 5,25 tons should go out early next week. We are praying that all will go well with it crossing the border and getting to its destination. Government regulations change in the blink of an eye! If it works, that will be a big load off our shoulders. Maize meal is currently selling in Bulawayo for US$750/ton. This shipment, including delivery to Gwanda was US$452/ton.
NEED FOR SEED
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I planned to see about our brethren�s possible need for seed. Without seed, there will be no harvest, and no food for another year. This turned out to be a much greater job than we anticipated, needing much prayer, patience, and time. It was only this afternoon that the last piece of the puzzle fell into place and I was able to write this letter. Linda and I are not asking for this lightly. We prayed much about this. We spoke to others about whether or not it was a wise thing to do. We have spoken to or corresponded with brethren in Zimbabwe, American preachers who work in Zimbabwe, seed companies all over South Africa and Zimbabwe, several different UN officials, and various NGO (non-governmental-organization) officers, as well as doing a lot of research on-line. We wanted to be sure that 1) we do this in a wise, Scriptural way. 2) there is really a need, and no one else is going to duplicate this need. 3) we get the right variety of seed. 4) we get the seed for a reasonable price from a reputable source. Time is not on our side. According to FAO, (Food and Agricultural branch of the UN), seed must be out to the farmers by November 15th, especially because meteorologists predict average to above-average rainfall for the first part of the growing season and below-average rainfall for the second part of the growing season. We want to say that, to a person, the UN and NGO officials were efficient, knowledgeable, helpful, and encouraging.
It is only due to their help that we were able to find seed at a reasonable price. (Seed is expensive.) They admitted that, due to governmental upheaval in Zimbabwe, they were unable to do their normal work of getting seed out to the farmers in time, and whatever we could do, even in a small way, was most important. According to newspaper reports, only 20-30% of farmers have seed at this time, compared to 80-90% who normally have seed by this time. There is only one place in Zimbabwe where seed is available, in Harare, but they are willing (for a fee) to deliver to Bulawayo and Gwanda. However, you have to pay in foreign currency, and that is why NO seed whatsoever is available in shops. There is no seed in South Africa of any variety used in Zimbabwe - plus stringent export/import fees and paperwork. There is seed in Botswana, but an import permit is difficult to get and the seed costs twice what it does in Harare. How tragic it would be to be hungry and watch the life-giving rains come, but have no seed to plant, no way to "labor, working with your hands what is good," no hope for harvest. Thinking of this, our hearts really went out to our brethren, and so we are motivated to put this need to you and ask for your help. We are asking for help for the 649 brethren in Gwanda South plus the 2040 brethren in the other provinces south of Bulawayo. (These are the congregations for whom Foy Short has been a messenger, but Linda and I have also worked extensively with these brethren in the past.) We reckon there are about 1600 homesteads among the brethren and so we are asking for 5kg of seed for each homestead. That is half of what the NGOs normally supply, but it is all I can personally manage to "rob Peter to pay Paul" by Monday, and it gives each family at least enough to plant one - two acres, something they can do by hand if they have had to sell their animals to get food.
If the brethren are going to get seed by November 15th, I will have to pay for the seed on Monday in order for it to be delivered to Bulawayo and Gwanda by the end of next week. That gives Bigboy and Gumpo one week to get the seed out to all the rural areas south of Bulawayo.
Brethren, it is extremely extremely difficult me to ask for this much money. I have been assured by a UN official that the seed source is reliable, and that if I transfer the money to their account, they do have stock and will deliver. I also realize that it may not rain! However, if you still want to help, we know the brethren will be so very grateful. If you wish to help, please let me know how much you intend to send so that I will know if I will be able to afford to buy that much seed on Monday. Even though I know I won't be able to have your money in our account by Monday, just knowing it is coming will enable me to go ahead and use other money, knowing it will be replaced.
Please make checks out to J.L. Maydell and post to our daughter:
Mrs Melody Harbig, 9876 Morris Glen Way, Temple Terrace FL 33637.
Due to the fact that we have been unable to go to Zimbabwe for nearly a year now, we have had difficulty getting communication going between congregations receiving help and congregations / individuals giving help. (The main batch of thank-you letters was lost in the mail.) We hope and pray this will not be the case in this instance. The brethren at Tongwe, near Beit Bridge, have invited us to come up there for a meeting as soon as it can be arranged. By the time we finish the meeting, Bigboy and Gumpo should be finished delivering the seed. Then we hope to personally collect from them letters from each congregation, signed by at least two men, expressing their thanks, giving their address in case you would like to contact them, and stating exactly how much seed was received. Things in Africa do not always go as we hope, but we are sincerely making every effort to do this properly.
If anyone has any concerns or further questions, please feel free to contact us.
*NOTE: In my August newsletter I reported on the operation of Sibonakele Sibanda. I am happy to say that the operation has, up to this point in time, been completely successful! Sibonakele has made a remarkable recovery. She is now able to talk and is learning to walk. Another blessing is that an NGO in Zimbabwe donated towards some of the hospital costs. Not only that, but the assisting surgeon (cardiologist) and the anesthetist also decided not to charge! Some money was set aside for follow-up visits and on-going medication. But even after that, money was left-over, and is now able to be used for seeds.
Thank you brethren for working together with us in fellowship and prayer. We thank the Lord for helping us to this point, and we pray His blessings so that the brethren can have their needs met. May God bless us to do good, not only physically, but especially spiritually.
Les Maydell
He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper; either this or that, or whether both alike will be good. Ecc.11:4-6.
Letter of Thanksgiving
Our hearts have been greatly humbled by your response and we give praise to our loving God. The need has been met; indeed more than met, and the order for 8 tons of seed was placed this morning – 4 tons of an early-maturing open-pollinating seed (which means it will reproduce itself), and 4 tons of a special drought-resistant and even earlier-maturing hybrid for extra dry areas such as Gwanda South.
When we went to bed last night, the need was nearly met. When we woke up this morning, there was an abundance! It reminded us of how God cared for the Israelites, sending them manna while they slept!
To those of you who met the need, on behalf of ourselves and especially the brethren, we give humble thanks. By the grace of God, we hope to visit these rural areas in a few months and send back pictures of growing maize! We want to get this letter out as soon as possible, before you all wake up this morning, so we will send a report to you later, listing the exact amounts received.
To those of you who contacted us about sending money in excess of the need, we also give humble thanks. Many of you, anticipating the need would be met, asked about other areas of benevolence. We will correspond with each of you individually regarding that. Unfortunately, with Zimbabwe in the state that it is in, there are always needs arising. The UN has officially stated that it expects half the population of Zimbabwe to be “hungry” and in need of assistance by January.
If you have sent money to us and do not receive a report or email from us within the next couple of days, please contact us. We want to make sure that all money received is accounted for.
We now sincerely ask for your prayers that nothing will go wrong in the wiring of the money and the delivery of the seed. We also need to entreat God to bless the land with the proper rainfall, according to His will.
In the past two days we have repeatedly stopped and offered prayers of thanksgiving to God for you brethren, also praying that we will be faithful stewards of what has been entrusted to us. We also give thanks for the two brothers with small pickup trucks who freely sacrifice to get the seed from a central delivery point out to the rural areas.
May God bless us all to be His faithful servants, and to Him be the glory,
Les and Linda Maydell
The poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him ... - Psalm 34:6.
Southern Africa News - August 2008
Les Maydell - South Africa
Follow-up
After we left Namibia in June, the brethren were really motivated to use the correspondence course we left for them and start teaching others. This has resulted in several studies which are ongoing and three baptisms.
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, when we were in the Orange Free State last May, some of the brethren and I studied with a young couple who had three small children. The brethren continued the studies after I left and they have also obeyed the gospel.
Darlington has just returned from a week in Mozambique . Two years ago when we traveled there together, an older man, a preacher for a Swiss denomination, left that human institution to become part of the Lord's body. On a follow-up visit, a woman was baptized, but she moved away. With very little outside encouragement, this older man has continued to worship faithfully at his house for the past two years and has baptized two more people. We are thankful Darlington was able to travel to this rather remote place and encourage these brethren.
At Home
The name of our camper is "Eagles Wings" (Isaiah 40), but my wings have been clipped! Although Linda drives me to the various congregations within 1-2 hours of us each Sunday in our car, she does not feel safe driving the camper on long trips because she has problems with her eyesight (no depth perception). The cast was due to come off last week, and so we planned to make a trip here in South Africa towards the middle of this month. However we had to cancel it because unfortunately the doctor has found that my bones are not knitting as well as they need to. I am confined to my cast for at least an extra two weeks, and probably some kind of brace for awhile after that. The doctor said that the slower healing is likely due to all the chemo and radiation I received. So I have been busy at home pushing.... my pen. The Know Your Bible correspondence course that I mentioned before has been an excellent help in teaching people the gospel, but we find that many people we teach are hindered in their ability to live the Christian life because of the many problems they have in their homes. So Linda and I together have been writing another course to deal with some of these issues. This time at home has also enabled us to work on some other important things that had been put on the back burner such as sorting out insurance policies and computer issues.
After we left Namibia in June, the brethren were really motivated to use the correspondence course we left for them and start teaching others. This has resulted in several studies which are ongoing and three baptisms.
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, when we were in the Orange Free State last May, some of the brethren and I studied with a young couple who had three small children. The brethren continued the studies after I left and they have also obeyed the gospel.
Darlington has just returned from a week in Mozambique . Two years ago when we traveled there together, an older man, a preacher for a Swiss denomination, left that human institution to become part of the Lord's body. On a follow-up visit, a woman was baptized, but she moved away. With very little outside encouragement, this older man has continued to worship faithfully at his house for the past two years and has baptized two more people. We are thankful Darlington was able to travel to this rather remote place and encourage these brethren.
At Home
The name of our camper is "Eagles Wings" (Isaiah 40), but my wings have been clipped! Although Linda drives me to the various congregations within 1-2 hours of us each Sunday in our car, she does not feel safe driving the camper on long trips because she has problems with her eyesight (no depth perception). The cast was due to come off last week, and so we planned to make a trip here in South Africa towards the middle of this month. However we had to cancel it because unfortunately the doctor has found that my bones are not knitting as well as they need to. I am confined to my cast for at least an extra two weeks, and probably some kind of brace for awhile after that. The doctor said that the slower healing is likely due to all the chemo and radiation I received. So I have been busy at home pushing.... my pen. The Know Your Bible correspondence course that I mentioned before has been an excellent help in teaching people the gospel, but we find that many people we teach are hindered in their ability to live the Christian life because of the many problems they have in their homes. So Linda and I together have been writing another course to deal with some of these issues. This time at home has also enabled us to work on some other important things that had been put on the back burner such as sorting out insurance policies and computer issues.
Les recovering from his fall
Zimbabwe
By the grace of God, the brethren have been able to receive drought relief and buy grain, even though the work of all NGOs (Save the Children, World Vision, etc.) has been stopped by the government, and has not been allowed to continue even after the June election. What evidence this is of both the providence and the wisdom of God. May He be praised! Those who deliver the relief have expressed over and over to me how thankful the brethren are. They say they cannot imagine where they would be without it.
There are serious talks going on between the government and the opposition, and there is a lot of international pressure for a solution to be found. There is also tremendous economic pressure on the government as inflation is now somewhere in the millions percent. This week 10 zeros was dropped off the price of everything, but economists reckon 3 zeros will be back on by the end of August. Please pray that for the sake of His children, God will spare the country.
I happened to read an interesting verse this morning in Isaiah 65:23 - a kingdom prophecy where God says, "Before they call, I will answer." This has happened many times in our lives, and now yet again. Three families sent checks to be used for benevolence. The drought relief was already taken care of and they did not want the checks returned. Meanwhile, up in Zimbabwe , Mountbatten Brewer, a hard-working gospel preacher, has taken into his family his 14-year-old orphaned niece, Sibonakele. She has had at least three operations for hydrocephalus in the past two years - all failures. Her only hope for survival is a different kind of operation, only available in South Africa . One of the blessings of being at home is that we were able to liaise between Brewer and a doctor here for this operation to be done. The doctor has agreed to do the operation for free and the hospital has agreed to give Sibonakele a reduced rate. The money we have received is enough to cover a minimum hospital stay (the full amount must be paid in advance) and the anaesthetist. The operation is scheduled for next Tuesday, August 12th. Please pray that the operation is a success. If more money is needed, I will let you know.
Family
We are sincerely grateful to our spiritual family for all their love, prayers and support for the Lord's work over the years. Yet we are also grateful to our physical family, for without their willingness to sacrifice we would also not have been able to do the work we have done. We are especially thankful for two families in the USA , who want to help us maintain our family closeness and have supplied us with a "go-see-grandbabies" fund. And so, this is what we hope to do during the month of September and the first part of October. Since I reported on the work during our last visit, this time we would like to concentrate on family - spending a week with each of our children (who are now scattered around the S.Eastern USA), and a week with Linda's mother in St.Louis. Anyone who wants to contact us during our stay can email us or phone our daughter, Melody Harbig.
We look forward to seeing many of you soon, if opportunity affords.
Your fellow-laborer,
Les Maydell
By the grace of God, the brethren have been able to receive drought relief and buy grain, even though the work of all NGOs (Save the Children, World Vision, etc.) has been stopped by the government, and has not been allowed to continue even after the June election. What evidence this is of both the providence and the wisdom of God. May He be praised! Those who deliver the relief have expressed over and over to me how thankful the brethren are. They say they cannot imagine where they would be without it.
There are serious talks going on between the government and the opposition, and there is a lot of international pressure for a solution to be found. There is also tremendous economic pressure on the government as inflation is now somewhere in the millions percent. This week 10 zeros was dropped off the price of everything, but economists reckon 3 zeros will be back on by the end of August. Please pray that for the sake of His children, God will spare the country.
I happened to read an interesting verse this morning in Isaiah 65:23 - a kingdom prophecy where God says, "Before they call, I will answer." This has happened many times in our lives, and now yet again. Three families sent checks to be used for benevolence. The drought relief was already taken care of and they did not want the checks returned. Meanwhile, up in Zimbabwe , Mountbatten Brewer, a hard-working gospel preacher, has taken into his family his 14-year-old orphaned niece, Sibonakele. She has had at least three operations for hydrocephalus in the past two years - all failures. Her only hope for survival is a different kind of operation, only available in South Africa . One of the blessings of being at home is that we were able to liaise between Brewer and a doctor here for this operation to be done. The doctor has agreed to do the operation for free and the hospital has agreed to give Sibonakele a reduced rate. The money we have received is enough to cover a minimum hospital stay (the full amount must be paid in advance) and the anaesthetist. The operation is scheduled for next Tuesday, August 12th. Please pray that the operation is a success. If more money is needed, I will let you know.
Family
We are sincerely grateful to our spiritual family for all their love, prayers and support for the Lord's work over the years. Yet we are also grateful to our physical family, for without their willingness to sacrifice we would also not have been able to do the work we have done. We are especially thankful for two families in the USA , who want to help us maintain our family closeness and have supplied us with a "go-see-grandbabies" fund. And so, this is what we hope to do during the month of September and the first part of October. Since I reported on the work during our last visit, this time we would like to concentrate on family - spending a week with each of our children (who are now scattered around the S.Eastern USA), and a week with Linda's mother in St.Louis. Anyone who wants to contact us during our stay can email us or phone our daughter, Melody Harbig.
We look forward to seeing many of you soon, if opportunity affords.
Your fellow-laborer,
Les Maydell
Southern Africa News - June 2008
Les Maydell - PO Box 2744 - Nylstroom 0510 - South Africa
Orange Free State
During May we spent two days at Brandfort, teaching separate classes for men and women in the mornings and afternoons.There were a number of older teen visitors, and one of the visiting women brought her husband the second day. Therefore I spent quite a bit of time on first principles.
Then we went to Kroonstad for 1 day. Brother Joseph Mokoena wanted me to meet Deon, an Afrikaans brother of an institutional background that he had bumped into one day. Deon has evidently been traveling around SA on a bicycle, trying to interest people in the gospel, depending on good hearted strangers to provide his daily needs. Deon was out of town, but I did meet with a middle-aged Afrikaans man and his wife who had recently been converted by Deon. Deon came into their fast-food shop and got to talking to the wife about baptism. These people have taken Deon into their home and have set aside a room above their shop for worship. They are the only white Christians in Kroonstad. I have since had several email conversations and one phone conversation with Deon.
While at Kroonstad, on the Sunday morning, I preached and taught a Bible study on marriage. In the afternoon we had a study with a young couple (non-Christians) who have 3 small children. I also had a very interesting study with a medical doctor who believes God talks directly to him. Joseph calls him "the sick doctor." Although he was very antagonistic at first, he calmed down when he saw I was using God's written word only. I do not think he really realized before how authoritative God's Word is. A Seventh Day Adventist preacher who attended the morning service came for a study in the evening. He was pleasantly surprised that I had used the Old Testament during my lessons as he had heard that the church of Christ does not believe in the Old Testament. He agreed with many errors of Seventh-Day Adventist that I point out, but still has a problem with the Sabbath. I hope the brethren at Kroonstad will be able to further study with these people and that their hearts will be open to the truth.
Namibia
The Donkerhoek brethren were just getting ready to begin worshiping in a school when we were last with them, so I thought it would be good to return fairly soon to encourage them in personal work to take advantage of this new opportunity. Linda spent some days retyping the six-lesson Know Your Bible course by Gene Tope, changing the Scripture quotations from KJV to NKJV, and adding a few graphics. We have found this course to be the most effective of those we have tried here in Africa . We took 500 English and 100 Afrikaans copies for them to distribute to friends and people who live in the neighborhood near the school. Leon phoned this week to tell me that they already have studies with two families, using the correspondence course.
During our three-week trip, I taught in the mornings at the hill. A new man, Andreas, a relative of Pius, attended most days. He has a fair grasp of English and an ability to understand what he reads from the Bible. By the end I felt he had a good grasp of what Christianity is about but he is just living with a woman. To his credit, he has had a long-term relationship with her, despite the fact that their eldest son is mentally retarded. So perhaps there is a good heart there that will be willing to repent.
A few afternoons Linda or I had studies with different brethren. Most evenings Linda and I had classes with the Donkerhoek brethren. I started off with three lessons on leadership for the men, and then a few lessons on Matthew 24. The subject was new to them and they really enjoyed it and appreciated their new understanding. The first Sunday we were there, a spokesman from the Wahaneda Park congregation (associated with WBS) came and pleaded with the Donkerhoek brethren for unity. So the brethren and I spent a few nights studying how to achieve unity, and I helped the brethren draw up a letter that we hope will promote a better understanding as to the things that are dividing them, both doctrinally and morally.
The last Sunday we were there, brother Sheya made some comments before the Lord's Supper that I found very interesting. In their culture (Owambo), if a man dies intestate, his brother comes and takes everything, including the children, and the wife goes back empty-handed to her parents. The children are then treated as slaves and forced to herd cattle instead of receiving an education. This illustrates the importance of a testament!
Physically speaking, this trip was quite stressful. The owners of the campground where we stayed moved out a few days after we arrived, and the new renters made us feel unwelcome (although they got half the money that we paid). Over the months we had built up quite a good relationship with the owners, so much so that they lent us one of their cars, free of charge, when I had an accident - a taxi driver hit me. Fortunately there were no injuries, but our car was not drive-able. Our insurance was extremely helpful however, and authorized for us to get the car fixed well enough to drive home where the rest of the repairs can be sorted out. During that same week, I was struggling with a stomach bug that I picked up on the hill, and Linda was struggling with flu. We are just thankful for the way God provided our needs so that His work could continue, pretty much unhindered. Even when we got home, our problems were not at an end. I had a bad fall when the ladder I was on collapsed, and I broke my left wrist. We pray that it will heal completely. I will have to keep the cast on at least 6 weeks.
Zimbabwe
Things are going from bad to worse politically and economically. One encouraging thing is that the brethren we work with were able to get their drought assistance. This is especially fortunate because Mugabe has halted the work of most NGOs. One-third of the population is fed by NGOs. One-tenth of the population is AIDS orphans under the age of 5. Mugabe says he will go to war if he is not elected president on June 27th, but it seems he has already gone to war to frighten the population into voting for him. Please pray that God will spare Zimbabwe for the sake of His children.
Your fellow-worker in Christ,
Les Maydell
During May we spent two days at Brandfort, teaching separate classes for men and women in the mornings and afternoons.There were a number of older teen visitors, and one of the visiting women brought her husband the second day. Therefore I spent quite a bit of time on first principles.
Then we went to Kroonstad for 1 day. Brother Joseph Mokoena wanted me to meet Deon, an Afrikaans brother of an institutional background that he had bumped into one day. Deon has evidently been traveling around SA on a bicycle, trying to interest people in the gospel, depending on good hearted strangers to provide his daily needs. Deon was out of town, but I did meet with a middle-aged Afrikaans man and his wife who had recently been converted by Deon. Deon came into their fast-food shop and got to talking to the wife about baptism. These people have taken Deon into their home and have set aside a room above their shop for worship. They are the only white Christians in Kroonstad. I have since had several email conversations and one phone conversation with Deon.
While at Kroonstad, on the Sunday morning, I preached and taught a Bible study on marriage. In the afternoon we had a study with a young couple (non-Christians) who have 3 small children. I also had a very interesting study with a medical doctor who believes God talks directly to him. Joseph calls him "the sick doctor." Although he was very antagonistic at first, he calmed down when he saw I was using God's written word only. I do not think he really realized before how authoritative God's Word is. A Seventh Day Adventist preacher who attended the morning service came for a study in the evening. He was pleasantly surprised that I had used the Old Testament during my lessons as he had heard that the church of Christ does not believe in the Old Testament. He agreed with many errors of Seventh-Day Adventist that I point out, but still has a problem with the Sabbath. I hope the brethren at Kroonstad will be able to further study with these people and that their hearts will be open to the truth.
The Donkerhoek brethren were just getting ready to begin worshiping in a school when we were last with them, so I thought it would be good to return fairly soon to encourage them in personal work to take advantage of this new opportunity. Linda spent some days retyping the six-lesson Know Your Bible course by Gene Tope, changing the Scripture quotations from KJV to NKJV, and adding a few graphics. We have found this course to be the most effective of those we have tried here in Africa . We took 500 English and 100 Afrikaans copies for them to distribute to friends and people who live in the neighborhood near the school. Leon phoned this week to tell me that they already have studies with two families, using the correspondence course.
During our three-week trip, I taught in the mornings at the hill. A new man, Andreas, a relative of Pius, attended most days. He has a fair grasp of English and an ability to understand what he reads from the Bible. By the end I felt he had a good grasp of what Christianity is about but he is just living with a woman. To his credit, he has had a long-term relationship with her, despite the fact that their eldest son is mentally retarded. So perhaps there is a good heart there that will be willing to repent.
A few afternoons Linda or I had studies with different brethren. Most evenings Linda and I had classes with the Donkerhoek brethren. I started off with three lessons on leadership for the men, and then a few lessons on Matthew 24. The subject was new to them and they really enjoyed it and appreciated their new understanding. The first Sunday we were there, a spokesman from the Wahaneda Park congregation (associated with WBS) came and pleaded with the Donkerhoek brethren for unity. So the brethren and I spent a few nights studying how to achieve unity, and I helped the brethren draw up a letter that we hope will promote a better understanding as to the things that are dividing them, both doctrinally and morally.
The last Sunday we were there, brother Sheya made some comments before the Lord's Supper that I found very interesting. In their culture (Owambo), if a man dies intestate, his brother comes and takes everything, including the children, and the wife goes back empty-handed to her parents. The children are then treated as slaves and forced to herd cattle instead of receiving an education. This illustrates the importance of a testament!
Physically speaking, this trip was quite stressful. The owners of the campground where we stayed moved out a few days after we arrived, and the new renters made us feel unwelcome (although they got half the money that we paid). Over the months we had built up quite a good relationship with the owners, so much so that they lent us one of their cars, free of charge, when I had an accident - a taxi driver hit me. Fortunately there were no injuries, but our car was not drive-able. Our insurance was extremely helpful however, and authorized for us to get the car fixed well enough to drive home where the rest of the repairs can be sorted out. During that same week, I was struggling with a stomach bug that I picked up on the hill, and Linda was struggling with flu. We are just thankful for the way God provided our needs so that His work could continue, pretty much unhindered. Even when we got home, our problems were not at an end. I had a bad fall when the ladder I was on collapsed, and I broke my left wrist. We pray that it will heal completely. I will have to keep the cast on at least 6 weeks.
Zimbabwe
Things are going from bad to worse politically and economically. One encouraging thing is that the brethren we work with were able to get their drought assistance. This is especially fortunate because Mugabe has halted the work of most NGOs. One-third of the population is fed by NGOs. One-tenth of the population is AIDS orphans under the age of 5. Mugabe says he will go to war if he is not elected president on June 27th, but it seems he has already gone to war to frighten the population into voting for him. Please pray that God will spare Zimbabwe for the sake of His children.
Your fellow-worker in Christ,
Les Maydell
Southern Africa News - May 2008
Les Maydell - P.O. Box 2744 - Nylstroom 0510 - South Africa
It is so wonderful to be able to write this letter to you. Our hearts have been warmed by the way God's people have responded to the needs of our brethren. The brother taking relief to them had already conveyed to me that the Zimbabwean brethren are truly thankful that we were endeavoring to raise the money. When I told him that the need had been met, he was overjoyed. Again, I am very sorry that I was not able to visit the congregations personally to give you a first-hand account of the need, but I will do my best to do this as soon as the situation makes it possible. I did hear the head of the Zimbabwean Farmer's Union on the radio this week state that Zimbabwe has had its worst farming season in at least six years, and perhaps ever.
Below is a list of the brethren who have committed to helping the congregations. We give heartfelt thanks to them and to the many other brethren who were willing to help. Sadly, we hear of the situation in Zimbabwe worsening each day (some newspaper reports are below). We continue to ask you brethren to earnestly pray for peace to return, hopefully also with a government that will change the economic plight of the people for the better. Brethren we are deeply concerned for our Zimbabwe brethren, and for all in the country. As you will see by the articles below, some aid organizations have had to stop their relief efforts due to government pressure, and it may soon not be possible to buy petrol to transport the drought relief. Please pray that the Lord will continue to keep the door open for this assistance to reach our brethren.
I am especially grieved to let you know that at least one of our brothers has been severely beaten. Fortunately he was able to be treated in the hospital (many victims are unable to receive medical care), and after a few days, he was able to be discharged. This brother is one of the pillars of the congregation where he is, a compassionate man who has been of practical help to many - also a sacrificial giver who, along with others, has enabled the congregation to take care of its own needy, and even hold meetings to reach out to the lost. Please pray that he will fully recover, for the safety of all our brethren, and for the violence to soon abate.
"For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God." - 2 Cor.9:12.
Finally we are grateful for all who remember us and our brethren to the Father.
Yours with a thankful heart,
Les Maydell
___________________________________________________________________________________
Southern Africa News - April 2008
Les Maydell - P O Box 2744 - Nylstroom 0510 South Africa
NAMIBIA
Accommodation is very expensive in Namibia , but just before we left Windhoek last time we managed to find a small caravan to rent at a campground near Okahandja Park ("the hill"). The caravan is a lot cheaper than car rental, so we left our camper at home and traveled to Namibia in our new Avanza. It is very economical on fuel and it made the long drive so much easier. We have just arrived home after a month in Namibia and are recollecting some thoughts and actions of the past month. Spending time with Darlington was a great encouragement to us. His hard work and help with the driving was extremely valuable.
Darlington Ndlovu, our fellow-worker from South Africa.
As always, there were morning studies at "the hill," taught either by myself or by Darlington . The average attendance on Sundays is about 15 adults, but for the past 2 years there have been only 6 Christians: Pius, his wife and two teen daughters, and two men who were converted elsewhere and moved to the area. Many different people have attended the morning Bible studies during our visits, but none have been willing to give up their immoral life-style of drinking and fornicating. However, Samuel, who has been attending services regularly for about 2 years, and who seems to have left those things, finally obeyed the Lord in baptism during our visit. The one daughter of Pius, age 16, who already has a child out of wedlock, made a public confession of sin and repentance during our visit as well. Darlington and I had to do a lot of teaching about this before she took this step.
The brethren at Donkerhoek truly gave us a warm welcome, making us feel so loved and appreciated. We had planned to have some rest days, but they were very few and Darlington did not have any. Our goal for this trip was to further strengthen these brethren, especially in the area of loving and encouraging one another. Because they are young in age and in the faith, they sometimes have trouble dealing with different personalities and sinning brethren. This leads to some getting discouraged and falling away. While we were there, two brothers who had quit attending and were engaging in worldly sins confessed wrong and returned to the Lord.
The two married men (Sheya, left and Leon, right) in the Donkerhoek congregation.
We are at Namibia's Parliament Gardens.
A number of brethren at Donkerhoek invited non-Christian visitors to home Bible studies, and several were taught the gospel. The brethren have just acquired a reasonably-priced room they can rent that is more centrally located than Leon 's house, and this will also facilitate attendance of visitors. Hopefully, it also will alleviate some problems that have arisen among weaker brethren who felt the church was too much "Leon's church" because they met at his house. We really feel the congregation is on the brink of real growth, but it is going to take more commitment on the part of the brethren than what they are consistently displaying at present. For this reason, we would like to return to Namibia within the next 2-3 months with the goal of encouraging them in the area of commitment.
One of Linda's goals was to get the women equipped to teach children's classes. The women have expressed that they feel equipped, but again, lack of commitment is a potential problem. We all joke about "African time," but the enthusiasm of the children can be so easily quenched by teachers who arrive either late or unprepared.
ZIMBABWE
As you've probably been hearing on the news, Zimbabwe is going through a very sad, troubled time. So far as we know, none of the brethren have yet been directly affected by the violence. The brethren in Zimbabwe for the most part believe it is wrong to be involved in politics and perhaps in their situation it is! As a result of the violence, it is not safe for visitors, especially in the rural areas; and the brethren are not allowed to hold special meetings outside of the usual Sunday worship meeting. For this reason it will be impossible for me to visit the 19 congregations that Bigboy and I have been messengers for regarding drought relief. I would have preferred to report first-hand about the drought situation, but since I cannot do that, I am passing on to you the letters that brethren have written (below). We need congregations or individuals to commit to funds for these brethren that will last through March 2009 (the next harvest time). If anyone can help, please write to me.
We sincerely plead with you to pray for Zimbabwe that peace will return to the country, that people will be able to provide for their daily needs, and, most importantly, that the gospel will be able to be freely preached.We continue to thank you for your prayers on our behalf as we labor and travel in the work of Christ's kingdom.
Your brother in Christ,
Les Maydell
DROUGHT RELIEF
Below is a list of the congregations who need relief for the next ten months. It would save many headaches if individuals or congregations would either give a one-time amount that would cover at least one congregation's needs for the entire 10 months, OR commit to monthly contributions for one or more congregation's needs for the next ten months. I need to have the first month's money by mid-May.
The amount needed is enough to buy 22 lbs of maize or maize meal per adult needy member per month. This is their staple food. They are able to supplement this by growing a small amount of vegetables next to dams or rivers or by pumping water from wells. Some may have a few chickens or goats. If you would like more details, please email or phone.
Congregation Those In Need / Total Members
1. Nhwali 46/63
2. Patana 36/55
3. Siboza 29/32
4. Munyangane 17/21
5. M'halipe 30/52
6. Newline 14/19
7. Ngoma 42/61
8. Dendele 32/53
9. Whunga 28/52
10. Dombolidentje 16/21
11. Matshutshuta 20/32
12. Mashaba 25/30
13. Mapate 30/36
14. Gungwe 15/20
15. Selonga 40/62
16. Guyu 35/?
17. Phelele 15/?
18. Causeway 25/?
19. Sengezane 30/?
Below are the letters. Because not everyone speaks English and because of the expense of postage, at times one person wrote on behalf of more than one congregation (those congregations are in walking distance of each other). These letters below were posted directly to me. Other letters are still with Bigboy.
Dear brother,
I am very pleased to have this chance to drop my letter into your hands. How are you brethren? Here we are all well. But the sad story is that my beloved daughter passed away on the 17th January, 2008 and buried her on the 29th. She left 2 children. One is 7 years and the other 3 years. She was only sick for one week.
Brother, on behalf of the following churches:
Nhwali, Patana, Siboza, Newline, Mhalipe and Munyangane,
We thank you very much in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for the great help you gave us since last year. Please pass our thanks to our beloved brethren, may God's grace and peace be with them.
As we entered into the new rain season, we were very pleased to receive some good rains. The rain came, everyone was happy, the rivers and dams were full and the land was green. As time went since January to February we have not received any rain. The crops are dying in the fields because of the sun. So because of this again it drives us to ask for a help (drought relief) for this year 2008.
We hope our request will meet your attention brethren.
Yours in Christ,
N. Sithali
Dear brethren,
Thank you very much for the help of the drought since last year until now. We have combined our letter as the following churches:
Ngoma, Dendele, Whunga, Dombolidenje, Matshuthutha, Mapate and Mashaba.
We are thanking you very much. May your love continue. We are writing to let you know that there is a big drought again this year. We have had worked hard in our fields but there was too much rains in November which affected our crops. We replanted again and there was no rains and our crops were squashed by the sun. Brethren, we are praying for your help to continue.
Thank you on behalf of the churches above.
T. Nyathi
To the brethren,
We are greeting you in the name of Jesus Christ. We are writing to thank the help you are giving us. This help is really helping us. Brethren you may continue to help us because this year we have worked very hard in our fields but the problem there was too much rainfall so there was a lot of water logging, so we replanted but we are facing another problem of sun. The rain ended in January. The whole month of February it didn't rain so now we are facing another drought. Brethren you may continue helping us. May God bless you.
N. Khoza, S. Ndlovu, A Ndlovu - Selonga Church of Christ
One of Linda's goals was to get the women equipped to teach children's classes. The women have expressed that they feel equipped, but again, lack of commitment is a potential problem. We all joke about "African time," but the enthusiasm of the children can be so easily quenched by teachers who arrive either late or unprepared.
ZIMBABWE
As you've probably been hearing on the news, Zimbabwe is going through a very sad, troubled time. So far as we know, none of the brethren have yet been directly affected by the violence. The brethren in Zimbabwe for the most part believe it is wrong to be involved in politics and perhaps in their situation it is! As a result of the violence, it is not safe for visitors, especially in the rural areas; and the brethren are not allowed to hold special meetings outside of the usual Sunday worship meeting. For this reason it will be impossible for me to visit the 19 congregations that Bigboy and I have been messengers for regarding drought relief. I would have preferred to report first-hand about the drought situation, but since I cannot do that, I am passing on to you the letters that brethren have written (below). We need congregations or individuals to commit to funds for these brethren that will last through March 2009 (the next harvest time). If anyone can help, please write to me.
We sincerely plead with you to pray for Zimbabwe that peace will return to the country, that people will be able to provide for their daily needs, and, most importantly, that the gospel will be able to be freely preached.We continue to thank you for your prayers on our behalf as we labor and travel in the work of Christ's kingdom.
Your brother in Christ,
Les Maydell
DROUGHT RELIEF
Below is a list of the congregations who need relief for the next ten months. It would save many headaches if individuals or congregations would either give a one-time amount that would cover at least one congregation's needs for the entire 10 months, OR commit to monthly contributions for one or more congregation's needs for the next ten months. I need to have the first month's money by mid-May.
The amount needed is enough to buy 22 lbs of maize or maize meal per adult needy member per month. This is their staple food. They are able to supplement this by growing a small amount of vegetables next to dams or rivers or by pumping water from wells. Some may have a few chickens or goats. If you would like more details, please email or phone.
Congregation Those In Need / Total Members
1. Nhwali 46/63
2. Patana 36/55
3. Siboza 29/32
4. Munyangane 17/21
5. M'halipe 30/52
6. Newline 14/19
7. Ngoma 42/61
8. Dendele 32/53
9. Whunga 28/52
10. Dombolidentje 16/21
11. Matshutshuta 20/32
12. Mashaba 25/30
13. Mapate 30/36
14. Gungwe 15/20
15. Selonga 40/62
16. Guyu 35/?
17. Phelele 15/?
18. Causeway 25/?
19. Sengezane 30/?
Below are the letters. Because not everyone speaks English and because of the expense of postage, at times one person wrote on behalf of more than one congregation (those congregations are in walking distance of each other). These letters below were posted directly to me. Other letters are still with Bigboy.
Dear brother,
I am very pleased to have this chance to drop my letter into your hands. How are you brethren? Here we are all well. But the sad story is that my beloved daughter passed away on the 17th January, 2008 and buried her on the 29th. She left 2 children. One is 7 years and the other 3 years. She was only sick for one week.
Brother, on behalf of the following churches:
Nhwali, Patana, Siboza, Newline, Mhalipe and Munyangane,
We thank you very much in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for the great help you gave us since last year. Please pass our thanks to our beloved brethren, may God's grace and peace be with them.
As we entered into the new rain season, we were very pleased to receive some good rains. The rain came, everyone was happy, the rivers and dams were full and the land was green. As time went since January to February we have not received any rain. The crops are dying in the fields because of the sun. So because of this again it drives us to ask for a help (drought relief) for this year 2008.
We hope our request will meet your attention brethren.
Yours in Christ,
N. Sithali
Dear brethren,
Thank you very much for the help of the drought since last year until now. We have combined our letter as the following churches:
Ngoma, Dendele, Whunga, Dombolidenje, Matshuthutha, Mapate and Mashaba.
We are thanking you very much. May your love continue. We are writing to let you know that there is a big drought again this year. We have had worked hard in our fields but there was too much rains in November which affected our crops. We replanted again and there was no rains and our crops were squashed by the sun. Brethren, we are praying for your help to continue.
Thank you on behalf of the churches above.
T. Nyathi
To the brethren,
We are greeting you in the name of Jesus Christ. We are writing to thank the help you are giving us. This help is really helping us. Brethren you may continue to help us because this year we have worked very hard in our fields but the problem there was too much rainfall so there was a lot of water logging, so we replanted but we are facing another problem of sun. The rain ended in January. The whole month of February it didn't rain so now we are facing another drought. Brethren you may continue helping us. May God bless you.
N. Khoza, S. Ndlovu, A Ndlovu - Selonga Church of Christ
Southern Africa News - March 30th, 2008
Les Maydell Box 2744 Nylstroom 0510 Republic of South Africa
At Home
Because of my shingles, I was unable to make my usual Sunday morning trips for three weeks, although we were able to have our regular Sunday evening service at our home. My right leg and under my right foot was the worst affected so that I could scarcely stand or walk. Fortunately, if I didn't move around, the pain was not too severe and so I was able to spend quite a bit of time working on lessons for the meeting in the Orange Free State .
Orange Free State
The brethren in the congregation at Kroonstad organized a three-day meeting over the Easter holidays. They had never done anything like this before, but they did a magnificent job of organizing a venue, making sleeping arrangements in their own homes, and cooking meals. They invited neighboring congregations; and, with just two-weeks notice, about 200 brethren attended. Most of these brethren are the ones who had left World Bible School and are trying to walk fully in the truth. From the feedback we got, it seems that everyone who attended felt they had gained a lot. One lady said, "I have been a member of the church of Christ for many years, but this is the first time I have ever attended a properly scriptural worship." (She attends a congregation which has some doctrinal problems.)
Some brethren I had never met before attended. The man who preaches for them is living in adultery and is not accepted by any of the other faithful congregations, (although he is accepted by WBS). Because of this, Darlington and I made sure to include adultery in our lessons, and the brethren from there asked many questions afterwards. We hope these brethren will be encouraged to correct that situation. Thankfully, also at short notice, Alan Fox , Steve Buys and David Ngonyama also agreed to present lessons. Linda taught women's classes and children's classes, and Wendy Buys taught a class for the young women. At the Kroonstad congregation's request, most of the lessons had to do with marriage and the organization and work of the church.
Namibia
Two days after the Kroonstad meeting, Darlington, Linda and I left for Namibia . We received a warm welcome from the brethren at Donkerhoek on Friday night at their regularly scheduled singing service. The following day Darlington left for Leon 's home village to do some evangelizing there. I preached this morning at Donkerhoek, but asked the brethren not to schedule classes until Wednesday to give me a bit of time to recover from the 1000 mile trip - I do not want to get overtired like last time. Then on Wednesday the brethren will discuss a schedule for teaching. Linda and I also plan to start teaching in the mornings at the congregation in the squatter camp on Wednesday morning.
Zimbabwe
Up until a month ago, there was hope that there would be some crops, but generally speaking, the lack of rain has ended those hopes. Because the original request for aid was to last until March only, we used money given to us by individuals to supply the April/May needs of the 19 congregations for which Bigboy and I have been messengers. These 19 congregations have requested that we visit them to see their needs first-hand, which we hope to do mid-May if the Lord wills. At the moment it looks as though we will need to be requesting relief for these brethren for yet another year, but we will do that only after we have been there (if the political situation permits). Yesterday was the general election in Zimbabwe and it is not yet clear who has won the election or if any violence will result. By this time some results should have been made known and the BBC news about tensions in the country does not sound good. We are praying that all will be peaceful so that the Lord's work can continue without hindrance. We also pray for an outcome that will provide a better life for the suffering population.
It has come to my attention that in an email to encourage brethren to contribute to the needs of Zimbabwean brethren, I have been quoted as saying that "the brethren go an average of three days without meals" and "mothers place dirt in the stomachs of their children to stop them crying from hunger." Although I sincerely appreciate the good intentions of those who are trying to help our suffering brethren, I have to say that, to my knowledge, no family among our brethren is suffering to this extent. I have tried to find out where the original statement came from, but have been unsuccessful.
We are deeply thankful for the way the brethren enable us to do the Lord's work in this area through their support and prayers. We ask you to continue to pray for our safety, good health and wisdom to deal with the issues troubling the brethren, and to especially remember Zimbabwe at this time.
Your fellow-laborer in Christ,
Les Maydell
PS: Because it is a bit more difficult to send emails in Namibia due to congestion on the network, I am not including any pictures in this report.
Southern Africa News - February 2008
Les Maydell
PO Box 2744 Nylstroom 0510 Republic of South Africa
Namibia
We had scheduled a trip to Namibia from January 9-31, but Darlington Ndlovu, who was supposed to accompany us, was delayed in Zimbabwe with family matters relating to the death of his sister. It was good that we waited for him because, as usual, he was a very big help to the work and to us personally, especially with the driving. We left for Namibia on 23 January and returned home on 14 February.
After 3 long days of travel, we arrived just a few minutes late for the ordinary Friday evening service of the Donkerhoek (Dark Corner) congregation which meets at Leon 's house. We were heartily welcomed and I was asked to teach. Arrangements were made for separate classes on Saturday. On Saturday, Leon was scheduled to teach. Afterwards there was a long question-and-answer session over issues pertaining to the work and organization of the church, mainly handled by Darlington since he was once involved in the same unscriptural practices that they are trying to come out of.. They also decided that they would meet with us each evening during the week, and some of the men, depending on work schedules, would come to studies during the day. So for the next two weeks, Linda and I went each morning to the congregation in the huge squatter camp at Okahandja Park (nicknamed "the hill"), and Darlington "hung out" at Leon's house, waiting for men to show up for studies. Then Linda and I would return for afternoon/ evening studies. Leon is the oldest member of the congregation (about age 30), and the one who does most of the teaching/preaching. For the first few days, he was still at home recovering from a horrific car accident he had been involved in a month previously. This accident really helped Leon to refocus on what is important in this life; and, because he is such a leader, it seems to have recharged the whole congregation with renewed zeal and determination to do right.
The congregation at the hill is made up of an older man (Pius), his wife, two teen daughters, another younger man (Max), an average of 5-10 adult visitors, and children. The men work all night as security guards and would come straight from work to the studies. (I taught men and Linda taught women.) It is hard to judge the hearts of these people. We just did our best to plant the seed and to leave the increase in God's hands. The main problem is that it seems that 99.9% of the people of Okahandja Park live in fornication. Sadly, we found that Pius's baptized daughter, age 15, had committed fornication and had given birth to a son.
The congregation at Donkerhoek is made up of 2 young married couples and about 15 young singles, some of whom had children out of wedlock before becoming Christians. They are generally well-educated and some have good jobs. All of them have been Christians for about five years or less. Because they are young in the faith and young in years, and because they have lacked good fundamental teaching, they have made some mistakes and have some serious challenges to overcome. However they have already made many things right. They also have a wonderful youthful enthusiasm and were constantly bringing visitors to classes and worship services. Unlike many young people, they were not arrogant, but open to correction. This group has a wonderful potential to be a great light in a Dark Corner if they remain open to the Word and continue to work on growing in the Lord. We feel the next few months are critical. For this reason, Darlington and I have determined that, God willing, we will spend the entire month of April with them. We rejoice that brother Terrell Bunting is making plans to visit them in May/June.
Orange Free State , South Africa
On our way home, we took a detour to Wesselsbron and Kroonstad, specifically so that Darlington could encourage brethren he had introduced us to two years previously and at that time had helped teach the way of the Lord more perfectly. We found them holding to the truth and thankful for our visit. The brethren at Kroonstad were expressing disappointment that they would not be able to travel so far to Musina for lectures being held there over Easter weekend, so we suggested they have their own meeting. They got very excited about this and are making plans.
Venda, South Africa
We cut our visit to the Free State short so we could travel 200 miles in the opposite direction to the funeral of a beloved Venda sister, Glory Dongola, who died of a brain tumor. She was only in her mid-40s. We wanted to show our appreciation for her husband and family who have faithfully served the Lord for many years and extend our sympathy to them. Despite not feeling too well, especially in my right leg, I drove up Friday afternoon, attended a "wake" service that evening, attended the 4 - hour funeral service the next morning (including a lot of standing and climbing a mountain to the cemetery), and drove home. On Sunday I felt worse and it seemed I had been bitten by something two places on my leg. On Tuesday, when more "bites" appeared, Linda finally "clicked" that I had shingles! The doctor says I must take things easy for the next few weeks, and for this reason it looks like I will have to cancel a planned trip to the Eastern Cape .
Zimbabwe
At this moment, the crops in most places in Zimbabwe are looking better than they have for years. However, they do need one last rain or they will lose just about the whole crop. Please pray fervently for rain as the general economic future of Zimbabwe looks very bleak at the moment. Inflation is officially 26,000%, but in reality is twice that. People in towns with jobs are really suffering as it is impossible for salaries to keep pace and impossible for shopkeepers to buy stock. People all over Zimbabwe are being kept alive by relatives from outside the country sending, not just money, but food through the mail or by courier from S.Africa. The brethren in rural areas have been receiving drought relief, but if you would like to send a food parcel to brethren in town who have not been receiving help, please contact Paddy and Sandi Kendall-Ball who are organizing this. Their email address is sandipaddy@yahoo.com.
It now looks as though general elections are going to be held on March 29. Although the vast majority are praying for political change, severe intimidation will likely prevent that from happening. Whatever happens, we pray it will be peaceful and that we will again be able to return and work for the Lord in that country. We are missing the brethren there very much.
We are thankful for your many prayers, continued support and encouragement which helps to make our work both possible and enjoyable. It is very important to us to specifically mention how much we appreciate those who make the work we do possible by their support. Several have made anonymous deposits into our account. We do not know who you are, but your help has enabled us to replace about half of our savings that we lost when I had the accident. We are saving because we know the time is coming when we will have to replace our 20-year-old camper. Several others have sent money to finance the teaching trips that we make as well as drought relief, Bibles, song books and other benevolence. To them we are sending a detailed financial statement.
May God bless you all and bless us to use these generous gifts wisely.
Your fellow-laborer in Christ,
Les Maydell
We had scheduled a trip to Namibia from January 9-31, but Darlington Ndlovu, who was supposed to accompany us, was delayed in Zimbabwe with family matters relating to the death of his sister. It was good that we waited for him because, as usual, he was a very big help to the work and to us personally, especially with the driving. We left for Namibia on 23 January and returned home on 14 February.
After 3 long days of travel, we arrived just a few minutes late for the ordinary Friday evening service of the Donkerhoek (Dark Corner) congregation which meets at Leon 's house. We were heartily welcomed and I was asked to teach. Arrangements were made for separate classes on Saturday. On Saturday, Leon was scheduled to teach. Afterwards there was a long question-and-answer session over issues pertaining to the work and organization of the church, mainly handled by Darlington since he was once involved in the same unscriptural practices that they are trying to come out of.. They also decided that they would meet with us each evening during the week, and some of the men, depending on work schedules, would come to studies during the day. So for the next two weeks, Linda and I went each morning to the congregation in the huge squatter camp at Okahandja Park (nicknamed "the hill"), and Darlington "hung out" at Leon's house, waiting for men to show up for studies. Then Linda and I would return for afternoon/ evening studies. Leon is the oldest member of the congregation (about age 30), and the one who does most of the teaching/preaching. For the first few days, he was still at home recovering from a horrific car accident he had been involved in a month previously. This accident really helped Leon to refocus on what is important in this life; and, because he is such a leader, it seems to have recharged the whole congregation with renewed zeal and determination to do right.
The congregation at the hill is made up of an older man (Pius), his wife, two teen daughters, another younger man (Max), an average of 5-10 adult visitors, and children. The men work all night as security guards and would come straight from work to the studies. (I taught men and Linda taught women.) It is hard to judge the hearts of these people. We just did our best to plant the seed and to leave the increase in God's hands. The main problem is that it seems that 99.9% of the people of Okahandja Park live in fornication. Sadly, we found that Pius's baptized daughter, age 15, had committed fornication and had given birth to a son.
Below: The men's class on "the hill." Max is to my right and Pius to his right.
The meeting place is in the background.
The meeting place is in the background.
The congregation at Donkerhoek is made up of 2 young married couples and about 15 young singles, some of whom had children out of wedlock before becoming Christians. They are generally well-educated and some have good jobs. All of them have been Christians for about five years or less. Because they are young in the faith and young in years, and because they have lacked good fundamental teaching, they have made some mistakes and have some serious challenges to overcome. However they have already made many things right. They also have a wonderful youthful enthusiasm and were constantly bringing visitors to classes and worship services. Unlike many young people, they were not arrogant, but open to correction. This group has a wonderful potential to be a great light in a Dark Corner if they remain open to the Word and continue to work on growing in the Lord. We feel the next few months are critical. For this reason, Darlington and I have determined that, God willing, we will spend the entire month of April with them. We rejoice that brother Terrell Bunting is making plans to visit them in May/June.
Below: The congregation at Donkerhoek, meeting in what they call "the mansion."
Note that the walls are an old Pepsi billboard.
Note that the walls are an old Pepsi billboard.
Orange Free State , South Africa
On our way home, we took a detour to Wesselsbron and Kroonstad, specifically so that Darlington could encourage brethren he had introduced us to two years previously and at that time had helped teach the way of the Lord more perfectly. We found them holding to the truth and thankful for our visit. The brethren at Kroonstad were expressing disappointment that they would not be able to travel so far to Musina for lectures being held there over Easter weekend, so we suggested they have their own meeting. They got very excited about this and are making plans.
Venda, South Africa
We cut our visit to the Free State short so we could travel 200 miles in the opposite direction to the funeral of a beloved Venda sister, Glory Dongola, who died of a brain tumor. She was only in her mid-40s. We wanted to show our appreciation for her husband and family who have faithfully served the Lord for many years and extend our sympathy to them. Despite not feeling too well, especially in my right leg, I drove up Friday afternoon, attended a "wake" service that evening, attended the 4 - hour funeral service the next morning (including a lot of standing and climbing a mountain to the cemetery), and drove home. On Sunday I felt worse and it seemed I had been bitten by something two places on my leg. On Tuesday, when more "bites" appeared, Linda finally "clicked" that I had shingles! The doctor says I must take things easy for the next few weeks, and for this reason it looks like I will have to cancel a planned trip to the Eastern Cape .
Zimbabwe
At this moment, the crops in most places in Zimbabwe are looking better than they have for years. However, they do need one last rain or they will lose just about the whole crop. Please pray fervently for rain as the general economic future of Zimbabwe looks very bleak at the moment. Inflation is officially 26,000%, but in reality is twice that. People in towns with jobs are really suffering as it is impossible for salaries to keep pace and impossible for shopkeepers to buy stock. People all over Zimbabwe are being kept alive by relatives from outside the country sending, not just money, but food through the mail or by courier from S.Africa. The brethren in rural areas have been receiving drought relief, but if you would like to send a food parcel to brethren in town who have not been receiving help, please contact Paddy and Sandi Kendall-Ball who are organizing this. Their email address is sandipaddy@yahoo.com.
It now looks as though general elections are going to be held on March 29. Although the vast majority are praying for political change, severe intimidation will likely prevent that from happening. Whatever happens, we pray it will be peaceful and that we will again be able to return and work for the Lord in that country. We are missing the brethren there very much.
We are thankful for your many prayers, continued support and encouragement which helps to make our work both possible and enjoyable. It is very important to us to specifically mention how much we appreciate those who make the work we do possible by their support. Several have made anonymous deposits into our account. We do not know who you are, but your help has enabled us to replace about half of our savings that we lost when I had the accident. We are saving because we know the time is coming when we will have to replace our 20-year-old camper. Several others have sent money to finance the teaching trips that we make as well as drought relief, Bibles, song books and other benevolence. To them we are sending a detailed financial statement.
May God bless you all and bless us to use these generous gifts wisely.
Your fellow-laborer in Christ,
Les Maydell
Nylstroom News - December 2007
Nylstroom
News – December 2007
Les
Maydell
For a map of Zimbabwe, click here
A few weeks ago, Elias from the Tongwe,
Elias
(white shirt) and Edson with his new bicycle.
The deputy headmaster of the school where we held the meeting, Nyama, had been
converted about 1 ½ years ago. Until his conversion he had a sideline of
practicing witchcraft mixed with traditional herbs to heal people. Nyangas
(witchdoctors that heal) typically throw bones which fall in certain patterns.
This is supposedly the way the ancestors communicate the diagnosis and
treatment of the disease. When Nyama had made the good confession, just before
his baptism, he had publicly announced that he would no longer use witchcraft
at all. Afterwards he went to the government and registered as a licensed
herbal doctor, agreeing to give the government the results of his research in
the effectiveness of certain herbs to help certain diseases. He showed us the
document. Some brethren had a problem with this, but I think we were able to
sort it out.
Another problem had to do with money. Although I am not a messenger for these
churches, they complained to me about brethren who only attend worship when
someone comes from
The women at Jopembe, Village Three
The cardboard boxes contain clothes that brethren in the
The
men at Village Three. (Samson is in the front with the striped shirt, teaching
singing.)
25 Nov 07
Dear brothers
and sisters,
We wish to
thank you brothers and sisters for the gifts you send us. May God really bless
you each day. We are even so thankful for the prayers you are doing for us. Our
country is really very poor and in need of food and clothes.
Greetings to
the brothers and sisters who really do love and care for us. May God really
bless you. Remember us in all your prayers.
Yours in
Christ,
churches of Christ at Jopembe (Village 3), Penemene, Mugaladivha,
Gongwe, Tongwe, Lupanini, Mazunga, Zwibwale, Matshiloni.
Rain
While we were in
About six weeks ago the brethren at Mahalapye, Botwana invited us to come there,
and we made a date for this past weekend – Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Steve
Buys used to go there once a month to teach these brethren, especially
grounding them in how to establish authority and other related issues (they
were using the building for a day-care center, which they stopped). However,
the extreme heat in
The
road to
For some months (since our ancient photocopier broke down and no more parts
were available to replace it), we’ve been looking into a replacement. After
quite a bit of research we finally settled on a Bizhub. The I.T. man has
not yet been able to iron out all the problems to enable us to print directly
from the computer, but the collating and double-sided printing is working
nicely – and that is going to save us a LOT of time. We sincerely thank the
brethren of the
A few weeks ago we also had our sedan car break down. We have a second car, a
minivan, which we use when we need to transport a lot of brethren, but we used
the sedan when driving alone because robbers are so fond of hijacking minivans
and reselling them for the booming African Taxi business. When I used the
minivan to tow the sedan to the repairman, the man in the sedan lost control
and caused us both to crash into some trees. We thank God no one was injured.
Both cars, although not that badly damaged, were written off by the insurance
because they are 12 years old. I learned that last year
We thank you brethren for your prayers on our behalf and for your continued
support which adequately supplies all our needs.
Brotherly,
Les Maydell
Nylstroom News - October 2007
Les Maydell, PO Box 2744, Nylstroom 0510, Rep. of S.Africa
Email: LMAYDELL@gmail.com
Email: LMAYDELL@gmail.com
Telephone: +27 14 717 4100 Cell: +27 83 287 3982
RETURN FROM USA
We had a wonderful trip to the USA! It was a blessing to spend time with each of our children and many brethren. We were glad to get home after a long journey and find all well. The country was in the grip of a severe water shortage, but after a week it began to rain. We have already received more rain in the last 2 weeks than in the whole of the last rainy season. Southern Zimbabwe has received good rain, but the central areas have not had any rain yet. They need our urgent prayers as they are terribly short, even of water to drink.
The oncologist postponed my appointment and it was only yesterday that I was able to get all the blood, x-ray and sonar results. We praise God for His abundant mercy, granting me a clean bill of health for the past four years.
LOSS OF A MOTHER IN ISRAEL
I was scheduled to speak at Maboloka on 30 September, but one of the men phoned and asked me to postpone my visit since an emergency situation arose at his work. Sadly, during the next week our beloved sister Martha, one of the strong pillars of that congregation, passed away unexpectedly due to cancer. Her cancer had returned after two years of remission. Knowing nothing further could be done, she hid her pain and carried on as normal until one day she could not stand the pain any longer. She collapsed and died the next day - an amazingly strong woman with immense spiritual reserves - a terrible loss to the congregation and to her family, especially to her husband and teen children. Linda and I traveled to Maboloka three times to help with the funeral and to try to comfort the family and congregation.
ZIMBABWE
When we heard that the government had lifted its restriction, and was allowing foreigners to again bring US$300 each worth of food into the country, we determined to visit our brethren in towns who do not receive drought relief and who are unable to find food in the shops. Samson Musandiwa went across the border with us, just to get his food allotment through customs, and then took a taxi back home. This enabled us to take up $900's worth (about a ton) of maize meal, rice and dried beans - all we could carry. This we were able to do because we had received some money from individuals to be used at our discretion. We took food to five congregations in the Bulawayo area, plus the congregations at Colleen Bawn and West Nicholson . All were extremely appreciative. Although each person only received enough for a few days, it was a very big psychological boost to know that brethren truly love and care for them. It gave them courage to hold on to God's promise that He will provide.
Unfortunately our brethren in rural areas are also not faring well. Over two months ago, a brother got permission from the Grain Marketing Board to buy ten tons of maize for the 19 Zimbabwe congregations where he and I act as messengers. We paid for that grain, but to this day, the GMB has not received any grain from the government as promised. Now the government has promised to deliver maize directly to the rural areas. The grain will go first to schools and hospitals - and then to those whose names are on a waiting list. However, to get on the list, you have to pay. So this month's drought relief has gone in money form directly to brethren so they can put their names on that list. The Zimbabwe brethren are taking great pains to be honest and transparent to the supporting churches. Please pray that, one way or another, the brethren will receive food. Many of our brethren, in both towns and rural areas, are losing weight and are never able to eat until they are full. Some are ill due to lack of proper nutrition.
At a number of places where we dropped food, the brethren told us that they were making plans to walk scores of miles to a planned gospel meeting at Saphila, Bigboy's rural home. We were so encouraged by this incredible effort to do something positive in these difficult times. We cannot give enough praise to everyone helping to make the meeting possible. With just a few days to go before the meeting began, the brethren still did not know where they would get the food. Everyone just promised to bring bits and pieces of what he could spare. I kept back 80 pounds of the maize meal we took up to Zimbabwe and gave it to Bigboy so that everyone could eat at least one time. I managed to get through to Bigboy now on the phone and he told me that a record crowd of nearly 400 people attended. There was enough food and seven were baptized. What a wonderful effort!
While in Zimbabwe (the weekend of the 7th), I preached three times for two different congregations in Bulawayo . We would have liked to have stayed longer, but we are listening to our African brethren who are advising us to stay out of rural areas during this time of intense political campaigning, building up to elections early next year. Thus we are planning to make some trips to congregations in South Africa , Botswana and Namibia in the months ahead.
We praise God for the part we have in this work and for the many ways in which you help us.
Your fellow-servant in Christ,
Les Maydell
The whole family, taken two months ago.
They are such a blessing, physically and spiritually.
They are such a blessing, physically and spiritually.
Center, back: Jared, Joy and Nathan (21 months) Murrell
Jared is a mechanical engineer in Tampa, FL.
Joy is a stay-at-home mom.
Right Center: Jeremy, Melody and Indi (1 week) Harbig
Jeremy writes computer programs for Moffat Cancer Research in Tampa, FL.
Melody is a stay-at-home mom.
Left Center: Samuel, Gloria, Titus (18 months) and Levi (4 months) White
Sam is a preacher in the Birmingham, AL area.
Gloria is a stay-at-home mom.
Center: Joseph Maydell
He has a co-op job at Tampa Electric this semester.
Then he plans to start his senior year at USF to be a mechanical engineer.
Front Center: Linda and Les Maydell
Nylstroom News - July 2007
NYLSTROOM NEWS - Les Maydell
PO Box 2247
Nylstroom 0510 Rep. of S. Africa
Tel. 011 27 14 717 4100
The main purpose of this past 2-week trip to Zimbabwe was to be with the brethren in the Binga Province (near Victoria Falls ) who had invited us to teach there. I can only go during the winter because I am not allowed to take malaria prophylactics due to my past cancer. PO Box 2247
Nylstroom 0510 Rep. of S. Africa
Tel. 011 27 14 717 4100
Swinge, (near Gwanda).
On our way up to Binga, we stopped at Swinge where a good group of brethren had come together from various congregations. At each place, Brady and I took turns teaching about 4 hours in the mornings, 3 hours in the afternoons, and 2 hours at night. These brethren at Swinge are already receiving drought relief. Bigboy requested that I teach on that subject, which I did.
For years we have been struggling to get brethren to teach the Bible to their children – at home and in classes. Two years ago, Linda gave one young woman from Mkayeni a couple of plain notebooks. Now these notebooks are filled from cover to cover with all the Bible class lessons (questions and answers) she has taught. The positive influence the lessons had on the lives of the children encouraged one set of non-Christian parents to begin attending worship services. They were further taught and were baptized at this meeting along with two others (picture below).
Sadly, the other seven congregations present had all failed in this matter. In my lesson on sexual purity I stressed that these congregations should have had elders long ago, but lack of knowledge and lack of faithful children, particularly regarding fornication, had hindered them. I strongly encouraged them to have general classes with the children and also classes with the young men and women on sexual purity. There are so many children, and virtually no effort was being made to teach them. Linda has made Bible class booklets, even drawing pictures to help the mothers teach themselves and their children, and Bigboy’s wife has translated them to Ndebele.
Siadindi, Binga.
Before our trip, Peter Mudenda, who works with many congregations in the area, had asked me to speak about marriage, authority, and drought relief. The brethren at Siadindi had adequate crops, so I focused more on marriage. In many places women are treated like servants. I tell the men that I am teaching them the same thing that Linda is teaching their wives: each must serve the other person. At this meeting there were as many non-Christians as Christians, and my lessons at night on salvation issues were followed by many good questions. One of the visitors from the neighbourhood turned out to be the father of a Christian man from another village who had walked several miles to attend. The Christian, born illegitimately, had not seen his father since infancy, and had no idea where he lived or what he looked like. They only discovered their relationship when they were introduced. Truly, when Christians get busy doing God’s work, marvelous events occur! This man sat down with his father for several hours, taught him, and baptized him.
Below: Father and son reunited in the flesh and united in Christ.
Simwenge, Binga.
Here the brethren had reaped some crops, but some did not have enough to last until the next harvest. I taught about drought relief and many questions were raised. There was a lot of discussion regarding “equality” (2Cor.814). It was difficult for them to understand that not everyone is to receive aid equally, but that everyone’s needs must be equally (fairly) taken care of. They also wanted to know if they could give, for example, corn and clothing on the Lord’s Day instead of money, especially since their currency is devaluing at about 100% per week. About 50 men from 19 different congregations were at the meeting (picture below). I asked them to take the copies of the lesson home with them, and then see what could be done expediently among themselves to alleviate need (eg. Those with extra corn bringing it for the needy). If some were still in need, then they could inform other congregations in a clear way how many of them are needy and what their needs are. However, within just a few hours, three men brought letters to me stating that each person in each of their congregations was in need. There was only one signature on each letter. It is obvious that this teaching is new to them and will have to reinforced again and again, but I am certain Peter Mudenda and others will continue the necessary teaching. Peter is extremely dedicated and hard-working. Congregations in the area are growing because they are sending men out. They do not have money to support men, but they can help plow their fields and give them food to take to eat when they go teach at neighbouring villages. May God richly bless these men who are sacrificing for the cause of Christ.
Simwenge, Binga
Here the brethren had reaped some crops, but some did not have enough to last until the next harvest. I taught about drought relief and many questions were raised. There was a lot of discussion regarding “equality” (2Cor.814). It was difficult for them to understand that not everyone is to receive aid equally, but that everyone’s needs must be equally (fairly) taken care of. They also wanted to know if they could give, for example, corn and clothing on the Lord’s Day instead of money, especially since their currency is devaluing at about 100% per week. About 50 men from 19 different congregations were at the meeting (picture below). I asked them to take the copies of the lesson home with them, and then see what could be done expediently among themselves to alleviate need (eg. Those with extra corn bringing it for the needy). If some were still in need, then they could inform other congregations in a clear way how many of them are needy and what their needs are. However, within just a few hours, three men brought letters to me stating that each person in each of their congregations was in need. There was only one signature on each letter. It is obvious that this teaching is new to them and will have to reinforced again and again, but I am certain Peter Mudenda and others will continue the necessary teaching. Peter is extremely dedicated and hard-working. Congregations in the area are growing because they are sending men out. They do not have money to support men, but they can help plow their fields and give them food to take to eat when they go teach at neighbouring villages. May God richly bless these men who are sacrificing for the cause of Christ.
Simwenge, Binga
USA.
Lord willing, in just a few days we will leave for another 2-week trip to Zimbabwe . After that we have just a few days to prepare to travel to the USA for the birth of Melody’s daughter. Therefore, this will likely be my last written report before our USA visit. I will make a special effort to visit the congregations who support us whom I could not visit last time, but will wait until after the baby is born to contact them and make definite plans. We plan to be in the USA from 3 August - 19 September. Our telephone number in the US will be 813 451 6685. Our email address will remain the same. Please continue to pray for us and especially for our Zimbabwean brethren. All are struggling, and some are really suffering.
Your fellow-worker in Christ,
Les Maydell
lmaydell@gmail.com
Lord willing, in just a few days we will leave for another 2-week trip to Zimbabwe . After that we have just a few days to prepare to travel to the USA for the birth of Melody’s daughter. Therefore, this will likely be my last written report before our USA visit. I will make a special effort to visit the congregations who support us whom I could not visit last time, but will wait until after the baby is born to contact them and make definite plans. We plan to be in the USA from 3 August - 19 September. Our telephone number in the US will be 813 451 6685. Our email address will remain the same. Please continue to pray for us and especially for our Zimbabwean brethren. All are struggling, and some are really suffering.
Your fellow-worker in Christ,
Les Maydell
lmaydell@gmail.com
Nylstroom News - June 2007
NYLSTROOM NEWS - June 2007 - Les Maydell
PO Box 2744 Nylstroom 0510 Rep. of S. Africa Tel. 011 27 14 717 4100
For some weeks now we have been corresponding with a young college student and part-time preacher from Texas, Brady Cook. We picked him up from the airport on Saturday May 7th. I took pity on his jet lag and preached Sunday morning, but Brady preached Sunday night, and Monday morning we were off to Zimbabwe for two weeks. On Tuesday we started our normal teaching schedule of 9-12, 2-5, and an evening service. Brady was a bit daunted when he heard the schedule, but soon got into it and did a great job. We took turns teaching and preaching at five villages. Due mainly to the efforts of previous teaching by the local brethren, five obeyed the gospel. At each congregation I spoke about drought relief and the need for truthfulness and the need for members to be faithful. I also spoke about the destructiveness of deceit, using the story of Namaan and Gehazi.
We have had several young men, and even a few young women, come to work with us for short periods over the years. Some are already experienced in teaching and preaching and some or not. For most, it will be the only opportunity they have to experience this kind of work, especially if they do not become full-time preachers. However, for each of them, we believe it is a valuable life-changing experience that strengthens them spiritually, helps them to be more aware of the needs of others, and gives them a much better understanding of foreign work. Even those who do not preach, will hopefully one day be the future teachers and elders of the Lord’s church. We want to thank the parents, congregations and supporters of these young people for encouraging them and helping them to be here. We have really enjoyed Brady’s visit and look forward to having Jared Akins (a young man from TX) and Ramona Freeman (an old friend of Linda’s) with us next month.
Below are Brady, Enoch, and I. Enoch is a 77-year-old knowledgeable, energetic preacher at Ghokho.
Zimbabwe is peaceful (if you are not involved in politics), but the lives of most of its citizens are pitiful. Inflation is running about 4000%. We bought petrol for Z$42 000 per litre (US$6.32/gallon) one day and three days later it was Z$60 000. The currency had also devalued, but of course our currency had been exchanged a few days previously at the old rate, so the petrol cost us US$9.40/gallon! You can imagine how people are struggling to live since local salaries cannot keep pace with inflation. In most congregations, the money that is collected on the first day of the week is counted and then immediately distributed to buy grape juice or to the poor among them. To keep it even for one week would be a waste.
There are several good things to report about the drought relief. One is that an economically viable way has been found for Zimbabwe brethren to get money from the USA. Thus the relief that is sent via men like Foy Short can go much further. Another good thing to report is that we personally were able to collect some letters or be in personal communication with men from 19 congregations in the area southwest of Gwanda and convey their needs to churches in the USA who have committed themselves to help these brethren. There are 520 needy among those churches, and we were able to supply them each with 10 kg (22 pounds) per month of maize meal for June and July. The amount of money needed to buy the maize meal coincides with the amount that the South African Exchange Control allows Linda and I to carry in to Zimbabwe. We actually have had more brethren commit themselves to helping needy saints than we have ability to use, so we will be writing to these brethren individually to let them know about this. However, if any individual still wishes to help, please email Foy Short at hshort0925@bellsouth.net
Below: Sunday morning worship at Nwhali, one of the congregations where 2/3 of the members receive drought relief.
We got back from Zimbabwe on Sunday afternoon, and about 30 minutes before our evening service was to begin, one of our new neighbours came to see me about something. I casually invited him and his wife to services. It is very rare for a person, especially an Afrikaans person, to actually agree to come, and even more rare when they actually follow through! Brady’s lesson was just right for first-time visitors. So we were very excited to see them and pray their hearts will be open to the Lord.
During the past few months different individuals have sent more than enough money for these trips to Zimbabwe and food for the meetings as well as money to make portable baptisteries and money for simple over-the-counter medications, Bibles and songbooks for needy brethren. Since January, over $2000 has been deposited anonymously into our account. This month our photocopier, which I bought second-hand about ten years ago, finally broke down for the last time - there are no more parts to fix it. So we used the $2000 to replace it. For those we know of, we are sending a financial report. For those we don’t know of, we just want you to know that we appreciate your help very much.
In about a week we (and Brady) are due to go to Zimbabwe again, this time to the northwestern province of Binga and will be working with Peter Mudenda. We are really looking forward to that trip, especially as we have so much enjoyed our work together with Peter in the past. Brethren please pray for us to have a good and safe work.
Your fellow servant in Christ,
Les Maydell
Nylstroom News - March - May 2007
Les Maydell
PO Box 2744, Nylstroom 0510, Rep.of S.Africa
Tel.011 27 14 717 4100 Email: LMAYDELL@gmail.com
Tel.011 27 14 717 4100 Email: LMAYDELL@gmail.com
Doing the Lord's Work in Zimbabwe
The last two weeks of February we travelled to Zimbabwe to meet with the brethren near Beit Bridge at Joko as previously scheduled. I taught the men on Bible Study Skills and repentance. Linda taught the women on Bible Study Skills and raising children. A Venda brother, Samson Musandiwa, now regularly accompanies us on the first part of our Zimbabwe trips to this Venda-speaking area. He is a great encouragement to the brethren, being an older man, a good teacher, and a good song leader. This was the first time we had been to Joko, a relatively new congregation. There were a number of men who had recently obeyed the gospel and had good English skills. Hopefully, in the years ahead, they will become good leaders in the Lord's church - if they have not already been infected with HIV. One of the first converts in this area, a man responsible for the conversion of scores of people, is sadly now exhibiting signs of full-blown AIDS. These brethren are all suffering due to the drought, but are receiving mielie meal from American brethren via brother John Scholtz. Lord willing, we will be in this area again for a meeting in about 2 weeks.
On our way to the next scheduled meeting at Silalatshani, about 150 miles further north, we were stopped by a brother who had been standing next to the road all day. He diverted us to Ntunteni, a brand-new congregation which had started as a result of two Christian women from Silalatshani talking about the Bible as they worked together in the fields. A woman from Ntunteni overheard them and asked questions. After her conversion, she began walking 8 miles (one way) to services each Sunday. The Silalatshani brethren, seeing her commitment, decided to try to start a new work in her village by holding a gospel meeting there. This woman then went to every house in her village and invited them to the meeting. About 15-20 were baptized. We arrived a few weeks later. It was a wonderful experience to teach so many babes and prospects. It was also wonderful to see how brethren walked many miles from other congregations to support this effort. We rejoiced to see three obey the gospel. If we remember correctly, thirteen obeyed the gospel during our 2-week visit.
The drought in Zimbabwe
Our next appointment was at a place called Nhwali, about 70 miles west of Ntunteni. I am always amazed that our vehicle doesn't fall apart: there were about 30 miles of such terrible corrugations that I had to drive at a snail's pace or lose control of the vehicle. However, I must not complain. Some brethren came like this:
Travel In South Africa
We were
expecting to meet brethren from six congregations who had previously asked for
assistance because they had reaped no crops in 2006 (and it was obvious by that
time they would reap nothing in 2007 as well). I had asked them to assess their
needs and told them that I would present a lesson on how relief should be
sought and scripturally carried out. This I did, emphasizing their
responsibility to the Lord to be honest and to not use the Lord’s money for
unfaithful and immoral brethren. After the lesson, one of the older brothers,
with tears in his eyes, got up and confessed that they had done wrong and that
they would revise the lists of those needing help. An American family had given
money which we left with Bigboy to buy a 3-month supply of mielie meal for the
140 people for whom the congregations had requested aid. While walking to the
village pump to baptize a woman who had responded to the gospel, Linda took
some pictures of the drought-stricken fields. These were typical of the whole
south-west portion of
Drought In South Africa
Drought has been an on-going problem in Zimbabwe for decades. The previous government stored grain from good years and more fertile areas to use for relief in times of drought. However, the present government has stripped productive commercial farms from their owners and given them to war veterans and government ministers who know nothing about farming. Thus there is not enough maize to feed the population, even in good years, much less in times of drought.
During our recent trip to the USA, I reported to congregations who support us about this problem. To put it as simply as I can, I am limited by the South African Exchange Control as to the amount of money I can take into Zimbabwe. Churches and individuals that I spoke to have already generously committed themselves to giving me the amount I am allowed each month to use for the benevolence of needy saints. Lord willing, on our return to Zimbabwe in two weeks, I will be receiving letters from congregations outlining their needs which I will be forwarding to these churches. Then I will be happy to serve as a messenger for specific congregations in the USA who wish to aid specific congregations in Zimbabwe. After our return from Zimbabwe I will be better able to report if there are still Christians needing aid and if there are other ways and means of getting aid to them.
Trips to the USA
Even though our entire family is now living in the USA, Linda and I are very happy to remain in Africa and continue doing the Lords work as long as we are able. This is especially so because some loving and understanding brethren have given us the finances necessary to make trips to the USA both in 2006 and 2007. We deliberately did not visit the USA in 2006 because we knew we would be needing to go twice in 2007 - once for the birth of Sam and Gloria's second child, and once for the birth of Jeremy and Melody's first child. On this past trip we stayed six weeks and visited about half the congregations who support us in our work for the Lord. On our next trip, August/September, Lord-willing, we plan to stay 7 weeks and report to the remaining congregations. We thank God that on 04.04.07, Gloria gave birth to a healthy 10-pound, 3-ounce (4,6 kg) boy named Levi. Sam gave me the honor of cutting Levi's umbilical cord. It was a wonderful experience I will never forget.
Les and Linda Maydell, with Sam and Gloria White holding Titus & Levi
Les and Linda Maydell holding Nathan William Murrell
Les and Linda Maydell holding Nathan William Murrell
The Lord's work here is not without challenges, but it is truly a privilege. We thank God for our health and ability to do this work and also for your fellowship with us.
Your fellow-servant in Christ,
Les Maydell
Your fellow-servant in Christ,
Les Maydell
