Wilhite Updates
May 14, 2008
A missionary once told me, "It's good to have a few works going, so that you are encouraged by at least one of them." Good advice, and we were encouraged by the service in Dikgale Sunday a.m.
Over a week ago I gave Captain (19) the notes for the lesson I was going to teach, so he would have some idea of what to interpret. When he got in the van this Sunday to accompany me he said, "I studied these notes, so I can preach if you want." Rats! Africans taking over my job again! I may have to go on unemployment.
When we got to the meeting place, the 12'x12' room was full. I don't know how 8 eight other adults came and fit in. Not counting Captain, Derek, and me there were 42 others (22 adults, 20 children). We are praising the Lord to have six adult men in that count.
After the service, Maria (mid-teens?) approached me asking for baptism. She says that she accepted Christ around a month ago during one of the services. Since then she has been a "house afire" bringing friends and submitting at least a dozen requests for Bible studies for her friends.
Upon getting back to Mothiba, we had to have a church meeting and remove three names from our role, one (lady) due to inattendance and two (men) due to immorality...again. One of these men we dealt with in February, but he could not maintain the stipulations the church put upon him, and in fact, went deeper into sin. Sad.
The other man is a man I worked with for nearly two years in ministry training, and who accompanied me to Zimbabwe and Botswana on several occasions. He began to spiral down when he took a job that kept him out of church affecting his walk with the Lord. He has since impregnated a lost girl and covered his sin for six months. Again, his profession dates back almost six years. Sad, sad, sad. I hope he will repent.
Sickness depleted our ranks in town on Sunday evening, but we did have a new couple visit. I suspect they walked two miles to get to the service.
Delivered to our house this past week were 5000 DVDs entitled "What Standard?" This was produced by our home church, but we were able to have it replicated here in PAL format which includes our ministry details on the cardboard sleeve and on the trailer at the end of the presentation. We are slated to have a display table in one of the malls here the end of this month, and hope to have another table in another mall in June to distribute these DVDs free of charge. A banner and shirts are being printed with lettering which reads "Are You a Good Person? Take the Test." Your gifts and prayers make these efforts possible. BTW, the cost of producing these came to slightly over $1/DVD, money which we already have in hand, thanks to you!
Over two years ago we were celebrating Drew's birthday at McDonald's. After bowing our heads in prayer, a lady looked over and asked if we were Christians. Since then we have gotten to know this religious, but lost, couple.
This couple moved down from Bulawayo and the man, Jan (Yawn), owns a trucking firm. On a couple of occasions he has taken boxes of literature for me to Zimbabwe, but the last time I asked about it, he wasn't going to the Bulawayo side. Last night, though, I called him and enquired about where his trucks were going, IF they were even going.
He replied that they were going to Zim, that it was to the Bulawayo side, and that he would be happy to take some boxes up for me. Just now we returned from dropping the shipment at his house.
We did our job (getting the literature to Jan),
On Monday Jan will do his job (get the literature on the truck),
So that the driver can do his job (take the boxes to Bulawayo),
So that Never Mlilo can do his job (get the literature out in Zim),
So God can do His job (convict and convert),
So please do your job (pray that this shipment will indeed go through).
Thanks a bunch,
Bro Wilhite
May 7, 2008
Despite the bad news from north of the border, here's some good news. This unedited letter we received today in the post from a suburb of Bulawayo...
Your prayers and gifts make this possible.To Ambassador Baptist Ministries
I'm a girl aged 18. I learned many things in a book called Are you a good person.
And I received the Lord Christ as my personal savior.
I will be most grateful if you send me Question papers and a Bible study.
My name is Nomga Dhlamini
From Zimbabwe
May God bless for changing my life
In December I was asked to preach a funeral for a man I did not know.
Since January, Albert and I have been doing studies at the house with the man's widow (actually, I do not think they were married legally), and his nephew, Brian (24).
Both Brian and Joyce have listened attentively and have accompanied us to the studies in Dikgale for the past few months since they live right on the way to these Sunday morning studies. Brian comes from a 7th Day Adventist background, so he has seen himself as a successful law keeper and not in need of salvation.
Two-three weeks ago Joyce told my wife, though, that she wanted to be saved, but that she had a "boyfriend" (Brian) who needed to move out. Ten days ago, when we went for the studies, Brian had moved out. As we went through our study that night it seemed apparent that Joyce was ready to receive Christ...and she did.
This past Sunday in Dikgale Danny was fielding some prayer requests, and I thought about mentioning prayer for Joyce (whom I now call "Rejoice," since she has been "re-born," Amen?), but instead her hand shot up and she said something in Sotho (SUtu) which I could little understand. Later Danny told me that she said, "I was saved this last Tuesday night, and I'm asking prayer for you to pray for me to be strong in the Lord and faithful to church."
Now, if the story stopped there it would be good, but who likes just a "good" story? How about a "great" story? She has avidly read her Bible in the last week (1John, Gospel of John, Ephesians). She has hit it off with Albert's lost sister, Sarah, who also attends the studies in Dikgale, and has really opened up to her. Then today she came to our house, and here's some icing on the cake.
As I was telling her about our neighbor's lost domestic worker, Dora, I told Rejoice that Dora's mother tongue is Venda. Venda is a difficult language and the Venda people live over an hour north of us. Now, folks no one in these parts speaks Venda...except...well, except...you guessed it...Rejoice. We had given Dora a Venda Bible a couple of months back, and now God is putting a Venda speaking Christian right on Dora's doorstep.
Oh, and BTW, I have no idea where this might lead. You see, Joyce's home is on the west side of Pietersburg, an area where we have never,ever had a Bible study. Wouldn't it be great if her mother opened up her home for a study out on that side?
Pray for Rejoice...and if you are reading this and your name is Joyce, perhaps you would like to jot a quick note to our new sister in Christ and encourage her.
"Rejoicing" in the Lord
Brother Wilhite
South Africa
May 1, 2008
Please continue to pray for the believers north of our border. Earlier this morning I was able to speak with one of the brethren telephonically regarding our correspondence school up there. A few days ago we received a text message that their supplies were exhausted, and they had suggested convening at the border to transfer a small shipment of materials.
Today, that appears impossible. Now, according to this brother, armed officials are being dispatched throughout the country with road blocks everywhere in anticipation of the announcement regarding the election results. People are not only being threatened, but are actually being beaten in their area. One of the men up there used to be a corral head, and at one time years ago, his life hung in the balance. His life may still be in serious jeopardy. Understandably, there is great fear of being physically beaten.
I know we hear about these things on CNN, NBC, BBC, etc., but it hits a bit closer to home when our family in Christ face impending danger, now so more than ever.
Bro Wilhite
Suid Africa
April 21, 2008
The window on the passenger side of my bakkie ruptured last Thursday while we were driving down the road. We don't know the cause, and even though it is a type of safety glass we were glad that one of the younger kids wasn't sitting there. The crooks do have a hammer-like tool with a sharp point that causes the same result, but at 50 mph I didn't see any running beside me. I did discover that the chassis, engine, and gear box are coveted by taxi (van) drivers, so that my 1999 pick-up is indeed a coveted item.
Chris' mom came to the service, but he stayed home with friends. This past week he accepted a job three hours south in Pretoria and is leaving the end of the month. I think he got the point two weeks ago in our lesson on repentance that coming to Christ means a change of mind about some things, and I don't think he is ready for the changes. I'm amazed at this crazed world.
Yesterday morning was another "first" for me in my ministry...I think. Piet Matete (70) was baptized, and I don't think I have ever baptized a man of this age. He was a former witchdoctor, but accepted Jesus Christ several years ago, and his Bible shows signs of his devotion to the Lord. Three Mothiba men came with me to Dikgale, plus six others from Unit G giving us a total of 40 for the service there.
Last night there were five African men in the service in town. Three white ladies, an African gal, and a little girl along with our family gave us 20 in the service. Jabu saw our sign on Friday and spoke with Albert. He claims to be saved and yet wanting to know more about the Scriptures. He enrolled for our correspondence studies. Alice (25) was visiting her mother in town. At age 21 her parents divorced and she decided to run...to Russia. While there she went to a Baptist church, heard the gospel, and says she was saved. She then came back to South Africa settling in the Jo-burg area. Her mother is now moving out of town, but she does have an uncle here who is English. Perhaps there is an open door there.
As for OPPORTUNITIES...
You heard about the film showing last Saturday night up past Giyani, but here are a few more opportunities we had this past week...
Tuesday--another outdoor film showing in Turfloop, Unit G. It was cold so we didn't have as good of an attendance as when we showed one there three weeks ago. Brian and Joyce still need to repent and receive the Lord.
Wednesday--a final Bible study with Ditiro and Khutso. They need to likewise believe on Christ.
Thursday--a good study and attendance in Mothiba.
Friday--about 50 folks attended an outdoor film showing. After many, many film showings I have to admit that this was the best behaved crowd we have ever had.
Today--we put out several packets of info here in town targeting an Indian section and another section where black Africans predominately live. Probably the prank phone call I got later was from one of these areas.
As for OPPOSITION...
1. Yesterday the Lord answered a prayer regarding Country Z to the north. The arms from China (multiple 40' containers full of AK47's, mortar launchers, etc) are still at sea the last I heard. The labor unions at the docks in Durban refused to touch them. If you never thanked the Lord for a labor union, this will give you a reason to do so (smile). It is my belief that these arms were headed for Z against the people there, especially the opposition, the center of which is in the area where we have many friends. PRAY THOSE WEAPONS STAY OUT OF Z.
2. Our landlords who live right next to us with no fence separating our house and theirs was broken into last night about 10 o'clock. We heard our dog, Peanut, barking, so Jon went out to investigate. He circled their house, but didn't notice that the burglar bars on the front windows were damaged. He did find the back garage door open, therefore, he closed it. The burglars had taken a wrench from the garage and pried the burglar bars off and were probably in the house at the time. The thieves made off with all of our landlords clothes, some valuables and his laptop with all of his financial info on it. Hopefully, they will find the thieves, but probably they won't. I are trying to help where we can. PRAY THIS WILL BE USED OF THE LORD TO BRING THEM TO HIM.
Bro Wilhite
South Africa
March 8, 2008
After the third correspondence booklet (Foundations) which we send out, the student is asked to compete a brief personal spiritual survey. Here are some of the unedited responses of Mrs. Idah Zibani (45+) who lives in the neighboring country of Botswana...
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What does "salvation" mean? Means to wholey open once heart for Jesus to take control of your life.
How is a person saved? When he repents and faithfully accepts Jesus. And truely knows that Jesus died for her/his sins.
Are you saved? Yes
If you are saved, please use the back of this page to tell us when and how you were saved. 15-03-08 22:31 (Mar 15, 2008; 10:31 p.m.) I have just been saved the Bible way. I confessed with my mouth to the Lord Jesus and believed in my heart that God hath raised him from the dead, and I know I am saved. I have truely repented and I wish I could life rightfully Gods way and never look back. I pray God to protect me from all evil ways. In Jesus name Amen.
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We have never had a response like this. She pinpointed the very minute she asked Christ to save her. This is also special in that she is many years past the average life span for a woman in Botswana. The Lord kept her alive long enough to save her. Perhaps you are reading this, and God in His mercy has kept you around long enough to turn to humbly turn to His Son, Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior. You too can be saved in a minute's time and know it.
Your prayers and gifts put this star in your crown,
Ten months ago the Davies family made a trek this direction to marry off one of their fine sons to one of my fine daughters.
While here Brother Davies and his family utilized our van and went into Kruger Park through the Orpen Gate. Ronald Nkuna was/is a guard at that gate who took notice of the magnetic signs on our van offering a correspondence Bible study.
He called and enrolled, but of course we had no idea how he heard about our school.
Since then, he has done exceptionally well, so we decided it was time to meet him. Earlier this week I called, but had no idea it was his month off from his security position. We scheduled to go tonight and meet him taking with us our film equipment just in case we could get together a crowd. Well, I don't know how many folks showed up, but out of 500 books that we took with us we came home with around 100. I assume several got lost in the darkness and shuffle, but it would be safe to say that we had 200 folks come out, watch the film, hear a brief message, and had 25 register for the Bible course.
This location is approximately 120 miles NE of us; a bit far, but who knows what the Lord might do. I gave Ronald several lessons to complete, and some material to read. Should he desire, we would like to make a plan to further work with this fine fellow. Wisdom is needed.
On a side note, gasoline prices have jumped again here. Diesel is now running $5-6/gallon and petrol isn't far behind with another scheduled increase at the end of this month.
Bro Wilhite
South Africa