Never a dull moment…. We were surprised by Danie and Ester who paid us a most unexpected visit, and are we glad they did! Also good to see Jaco Redelinghuis all the way from Pta.
First we had a report back form JJ and Aldi, who are back from their 2 week scouting trip to India. A cool 36° at night and 45° during the day, aircon when there is power…. They and their 2 daughters went to greet Swarmiji in Varanasi first, telling us the Ganges is so low that people are planting on the sandbanks in the river bed. They then went back to Delhi and from there set off to Chandigar. They met with Stephan and Irene, who were missionaries 4 four years until their church dropped them and then decided to remain in India. Stephan is now employed, attends to church life after hours and weekends and is not connected to modality in South Africa. JJ also met with Gotam, who is in the same vein as Swarmiji, experiencing conflict with a Westernised, institutionalised ‘Jesus’ and contextualizing ‘Christianity’ to the Indian worldview. Chandigar is an academic town where a lot of the students have westernized, however their families back home are still (mainly) culturally Hindu. (Toxic faith will lead to syncretism – as seen clearly in places like Mumbay). The 2 camps of Christianity are clearly visible, unfortunately, the cracks are already showing… JJ and Aldi indicated that they would like to go back.
After supper, Danie was relating the last 5 months in Witrivier, where he is studying at Africa School of Missions, so that their family can go to the Amara people group between Peru and Bolivia, after he qualifies in 3 years time. (They did Perspectives 3 years ago). He placed great emphasis on preparation, training, mentorship and understanding your calling specifically before even thinking of going anywhere, because you think you know a lot (front end effectiveness lessens considerably with the wrong/lack of tools). He and Ester considered going solo at one time and realised the error of that thinking. He emphasised that the right way to start missions, is to join an organisation with proper structure, opposed to shooting from the hip lone-ranger style. The focus is the issue of The Kingdom - the Holy Spirit is for your employment.
It was a real eye-opener to see sodality for real through Danie & Esther’s lives. We promised to go and visit them (next year) in Witrivier, G-w!
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