Uitenhage Outreach.

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A team of approximately 30 people from KSB set out for Uitenhage on the 21’st of January. The team consisted of co-workers, volunteers, and also a few young people. The KSB branches from Smithfield and Malmesbury also sent some representatives. We were joined by other members of the mission on the Sunday night and finally amounted to almost 50 when Rev Erlo Stegen and the rest of the co-workers arrived. Our hosts for the week were the Dutch Reformed Church of Uitenhage East, who is led by Rev. Maans van Lill along with two ministers. On arrival, Friday afternoon, the Reverend and some of his church members met us. The first two nights, different members of the congregation accommodated us. Their hospitality throughout the week was top class. The Saturday morning we went to meet the ministers in the township. We informed them of our mission and what we were equipped to do.

On Sunday, we held several services in the township. These were primarily churches that local pastors asked us to address. The way the people received us was phenomenal, around every corner the doors were opened. Sunday evening Rev Bruno Hlongwane and some other members from KSB joined us.

On Monday we started visiting schools (crèche, primary and high school) and clinics. Here we also found the doors wide open. We addressed about thirty schools and spoke to approximately 10000 learners. Often we had booked the assembly at certain schools and when we arrived they asked us to also address some classes, which is what we prefer, since we can talk to students face to face. One principal said, "It won’t be effective if you just address the assembly, please speak to all the classes." Once we had to address 34 classes at a certain school. The team had to divide into smaller teams of three, sometimes two. Often we simply presented the gospel to the children, but we also spoke to them about drug abuse, AIDS, abortion, and True Love Waits. At one school where the abortion video was shown, several girls ran out of the hall. Later it was found that some of the girls had been involved in sexual activity and the boyfriends had threatened that should they get pregnant, they would have to go for an abortion. One girl returned with a teacher and sat at the back. Having seen the video, she expressed that she would never consider an abortion.

While on the outreach, we also saw the hand of God in providing our basic needs. During the week a local farmer phoned and said that he heard that a team from KSB was in the area, and that he would send a pick-up full of vegetables.

Among all the activities, we also enjoyed some fun. One day we went swimming and ended up playing a mix of waterpolo and rugby in the pool. Even the older men joined in the game. We played volleyball, and others went for walks, sometimes early in the morning.

On Friday Rev Erlo Stegen arrived and at 19:00 hours he held the first service in the Uitenhage Indoor Sports Centrum. He held services for four consecutive evenings on the theme of, ‘Streams of Living Water…’ according to John 7:38. He has often preached on this topic but it’s new every time you hear it.

The Saturday Morning we had a breakfast at one of the Dutch Reformed churches and the way forward after the visit from KSB was discussed. Sunday morning, at least eight services were held in some of the local churches.

Then the time to return dawned on us, and a part of the team returned on the Monday with the rest following a day later. Those that returned on Tuesday had a flat tyre and only returned around 12 o’ clock at night.

It was a wonderful trip, and many of us learned new things and grew in the grace of our Lord. We praise Him for guiding and protecting us on this outreach.

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