Christian Testimony: The summary of my first week in Lambert's bay

Greetings once more to the readers of this blog. I pray that this article and Christian testimony finds you in good health. Just a week ago, I made my way to Lambert's bay and immediately settled in to a life by the seaside. This part of the world reminds of a place called Galilee in the Bible. Ironically, I met some sailors while I was visiting the habour with the De beer family. It was there that I met Brian and Bright who had met Tian the last time he had been on this side of the world two years ago. But like every story I must start from the beginning.

The early part of this week, I resolved to seek the Lord by spending some time in prayer and reading the Bible. It was during this time that I read through several Scriptures and one that profoundly stood out for me, was the one which I read in Revelation chapter 3. When I got to verse 14, a chill ran down my spine as I realized the danger of following a counterfeit gospel that is tailor made to stroke the conscience of a lukewarm church. That for me, this message served as a warning that while Christ says He stands at the door and knocks in verse 20 and ongoing, he waits for someone to open the door so that He may enter and fellowship with Him. The question seems to be how many of us have heard that knock and have decided to ignore it. But it gets better in verse 21, because there is a promise for those who able to overcome.

On Wednesday, it was Women's Day, so the De beers and I went to one restaurant to have breakfast there. It was apparently a coffee shop owned by one of Elmi's friend and was the venue for a fellowship meeting where the ladies group was hosted every time that week. After breakfast, we made a stop at the habour where Tian would introduce me to Brian who had a boat by the habour. One of his crew members was Bright with whom I shared a testimony about what the Lord was doing in my life. Talking to him about the gospel opened him up to a new perspective about the need for having a relationship rather than a religious belief. We agreed that I would visit him in the coming days of my stay in Lambert's bay.

Later, that day we had an interesting conversation with a man from Bangladesh who seemed to own a tuck shop in a neighboring town. Well, I for one found it hard to share my faith with this Muslim man, but with the help of Tian and Elmi a seed was sown. The next day, I decided to take a walk to town and it wasn't long before I got to the park which looked empty except for the two seats where two men where having their lunch. So I approached these two men and shared the gospel with them telling them about how the time of judgement was near as Jesus had predicted and that we should be prepared like the five wise virgins, mentioned in the Bible, who prepared oil for their lamps. I reminded them of a man named Noah who was ridiculed by many for building the ark and yet in the saved his family because of obedience.

My walk that day would later take me to a nearby supermarket where one boy sat outside staring at the pavement. I was concerned about his absence from school and so it made me wonder where his parents were. It suddenly dawned to me why our society had turned out into the state that it is in. The absence of father figures to disciple their children is evident and had become the new normal in our society. While talking to Brian during the course of the week, he mentioned how rare men's fellowship groups had become within the Lambert's bay community. It makes us wonder where is the church?

Well, my final stop was at the barbershop, where I got into an interesting discussion about Jesus being God. One barber was Christian whilst the other was a Muslim. This was an opportune time to tell them about Jesus through a parable. I guess if you stick around the barbershop long enough you will get the gospel of salvation and a haircut. Looking back, the week was great so far. As part of my bible study, I recall reading Acts 24 and 25, and realizing how persecution was awaiting those who follow Christ even when no crime was committed. I read through the events that took place during Paul's incarcerations' and how the judges realized that even in your innocence, you will be persecuted for righteousness sake.

I give thanks for what the Lord has done this week. It is worth mentioning that fellowship with the brethren in Johannesburg over a video call was quite a blessing. My prayer goes out to a young man by the name of Trevor who has been missing from home for close to a week. He is from the Lambert's bay community and I came to know of him when Tian told me his story from the last time he was here. I pray that wherever he is, he is safe and that the Lord is looking over him.

Until next time. Blessings for the coming week.