Another busy week for all of you, I am sure. Mr. Meredith has been buried this week in writing to meet editorial demands. Mr. Ames and his staff are working on the edits of a new booklet Mr. Meredith has just completed (to be announced by Mr. Meredith).
We are working hard to finalize the feast assignments for the ministry. I had hoped to have this done before this Sabbath, but I presently have doubts of success.
Just had to take a break for about thirty minutes—my wife called from the kitchen that the dishwasher smelled like smoke. We do not allow smoking in the office, so I eased out to the kitchen. She was right, but it was not only smoking—it was burning! Flames were coming out from under the door! Therefore, I gave it a few shots of flame retardant from the fire extinguisher. It still smoldered, so I gave it some more. Tom Turner threw the circuit breaker and called the fire department. After about ten minutes the firemen came and pulled the unit out and pronounced it dead and out. Good!
INTERNATIONAL:
- Caribbean
Mr. Jonathan McNair just completed a visit to Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad and Jamaica. He reported a very good trip. The following is his preliminary report:
Greetings,
All's going well on our trip. We had a good visit in Trinidad. Were able to visit a number of members. Also, a PM who began to listen to Mr. HWA in 1968! There were 69 in attendance on the Sabbath in Trinidad. Now have 6 people counseling for baptism.
Things are fine in Guyana. Had 23 in attendance at the Bible Study Sunday night. Here in Barbados, we had a Bible Study last night and baptized Mrs. Sylvia Owen today - she'd counseled for baptism last time I was here.
Will fly to Kingston tomorrow.A postscript to his message above—in Kingston I understand that there were about 40 in attendance, so he was very pleased. Mr. Hugh Wilson and the brethren there are doing very well and growing.
- Philippines:
Mr. Rod McNair's report on Mindanao:
I want to update you on the situation in Lanao del Norte. Government troops have been successful in pushing back Muslim MILF rebels out of Kauswagon where the fighting took place a couple weeks ago. The insurgents are now backed up about 20 kilometers away from the main road, holed up in positions in the mountains. Life is back to normal in Iligan, with normal business going on. Fighting continues, but it is away from the city, and negotiations are on going.
INTERVENTION FOR CHURCH FAMILY
Our Pastor reported to me the (miraculous) deliverance of the family of one of our members when the fighting began. As you may recall, the member's home was located in the center of the heaviest fighting.
Apparently, only one day before the shooting broke out, a friend told the member's daughter of the planned offensive. She then relayed it to her parents, who at first didn't believe it, because everything seemed peaceful. However, when Muslim families began to evacuate, they took it seriously, and evacuated as well. Apparently, the very next day, as planned, the fighting broke out. Many houses were burned and residents killed. There are bullet holes in the members' house - that's how close the fighting was. Is it coincidence that this young person just happened to tell her friend what would happen the next day, or did God put it in her mind to give a warning to His people? We all are grateful to God for His protection and marvelous intervention for the member family.
- South Africa:
Mr. Hull reports that there are severe problems in Africa. I have taken the liberty to edit his report, but you will understand.
Herewith a disturbing report on what is now going on in Zimbabwe. Over 1,000 white farms have been summarily taken over by the instigation or tacit approval of certain government leaders. This process is still going on and where it will end no one knows. There are just over 4,000 white farmers in Zimbabwe. These are the people who have been feeding the entire population through agricultural production. A country that was an exporter of food and agricultural products is now suffering starvation. Its once flourishing economy is now literally on it's knees!
Now for another disturbing bit of news. The caption of this article is:"Religious Freedom Threatened." Quote: "The so-called Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, not only involves a monstrous intrusion into private life and conduct generally, it constitutes a denial of the right of churches to apply their own principles when deciding, for example, matters of membership and leadership.
Churches now may have no choice but to appoint sexually disoriented applicants to positions of authority or influence or face court action on the charge of discrimination. Pastors may be forced to conduct "same sex" marriages when requested to do so, or, again, face prosecution.
Hitherto, non-racial churches may be forced to appoint personnel within the gambit of race classification, on a quota system imposed by the State.
These examples illustrate a basic departure from the principle underlying the separation of Church and State, namely, that the State shall not assume to direct the functions of the Church, or stipulate how it shall conduct it's religious affairs, provided such are not in conflict with the common law.
The chairman of the committee responsible for the Act, stated on January 25, 2000, that the Act does not exempt anyone "whether you are a part of one or another religion." He also stated that those religious interpretations that are in conflict with the Act will be tested in court.
Following so closely on the Truth Commission's recommendations, in it's final report, that the contents of religious magazines should be vetted by a body established by the State, before circulation is permitted, it raises the question: just where are we heading?"
Signed by: (Rev) A H Jeffree James, executive secretary, The Protestant Association of SA, Cape Town. (Sunday Times News article dated 2nd April 2000) This national news paper is soliciting letters regarding this article. We will make no comment about it.
The fact is that as far as I can see, the writing is on the wall.
We pray that God Almighty will give us enough peace and quiet to finish His Work! He has already intervened for us on a previous occasion. If what happened then happened today, we would face serious trouble. On that occasion, one of the two racist individuals went overseas, while the other died very quickly of a virulent cancer. We have the absolute faith that God will clearly show us when His work is finished in this country. We know that a wise man foresees the evil and hides himself. However in the mean time we must hurry and do this work with all our might! Now for some positive news:
One of our members who has his heart in God's Work posted full-page ads in various Afrikaans national newspapers. The responses are still coming in! Our booklet, "The Beast of Revelation," is setting new records. What a booklet! This campaign will continue during May.
Two families have come back to the Living Church off God after following their father to the Restored church (about six months ago.) Their mother has also come back. A total of thirteen out of nineteen who left have come back. These folk have made their own decisions about their salvation!
Again, I took the liberty to edit the above reports, so my apology if there is any misleading statement attributable to my edits. Well, I must close for this dull week.
This is longer than usual, but I think you will appreciate hearing from the men on the firing line in the International areas.
Have a GREAT Sabbath!
CEMcNair