Dear Pastors, Churches and Praying Friends,
The big news is that we have a house. After 2 other houses we thought were ours fell through, this one finally is a signed lease.
Our 2 houses that fell through were the only 2 available in Mokopane. So we had to look in other directions. The story in below…
How was Paul directed?
Acts 16:6-9 “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.”
Paul attempted directions, and the Lord clearly closed the door. Then he was directed to what could agruably be called his greatest open door of ministry.
Closed Doors…
Our journey began with the Botswana Immigration issues closing the door on that country for our living there.
So we knew we needed to move, and want to stay close enough to return and teach as much as possible.
So we began to look at the 3 countries close enough for that to happen. Through several searches we narrowed our looking down to South Africa.
As we looked at the 3 areas in South Africa close enough to the border to allow some travel back we saw many reasons to labor in the Mokopane area. An area of 800,000 population and only one Convention Baptist church in one of the villages, but no Independent Baptist Church.
The need is certainly great!
But as we searched for housing we had great difficulty. We found 2 houses that seemed we could make do with. We found them just as they were going on the rental market, but the owners backed out both times and withdrew their houses because they decided only to sell. This area is affected both in price and availability due to the mines in the area renting everything that comes on the market.
No other houses have been found in over a month of looking.
So we began to look at 3 towns to the south and found the lack of housing to be a real problem there as well.
Looking another Direction…
Which then brought us back to looking at the Louis Trichardt area further to the north. A needy area and one we had considered before.
But again we found talking to the housing agents that rentals are very scarce and nothing on the market at present. However as we traveled to the north and east we found almost 1 million Venda people without an Independent Baptist church.
The need is certainly great!
A Great Open Door…
That brought us back to Polokwane and the need to commute. This was something I was trying to avoid.
But the more we considered the matter we realized that located here we have access to BOTH fields of Mokopane and Louis Trichardt.
I must say this thought both excited me and scares me a bit.
By locating in Polokwane we will save access to two major sized mission fields and the ability to open a third as time passes.
We will be praying the Lord sends another missionary or two to take some of these fields once we get a good base established.
OR…even better…just pray for key men who will get saved, catch the vision and carry on the work without the physical oversight of white men!
Housing Options…
Polokwane also has houses to choose from. Rental prices are about the same as the Mokopane area. But much higher than Botswana.
So after looking we identified a few houses and then found one with adequate room for the groups we host and the owner willing to reduce the rent.
It is central to many of the closer villages with a commute of 30-45 minutes both to the south and to the north.
Our plan is to get moved in and settled. Then begin our work in the southern section toward Mokopane.
We have met many people in our travels and now have a few contacts of people interested in the gospel.
Many of those contacts are due to the labors of Jerry Wilhite. People he made contact with but was unable to work with on a regular basis due to distance and being stretched way too thin.
It seems many people here in Polokwane know that short white man and have heard the gospel from him.
Prayer Needs…
Would you pray for the finalizing of our move? There is much to do and little knowing who to hire for helping is difficult in a new area when security is always an issue.
The final pieces of our move from Botswana that will take place after we get moved in?
And pray we can sell both cars.
It is not legal for us to title them in South Africa, so we must sell them. Due to exchange rates and depreciation we expect to take a major beating financially, but must sell them.
Also please pray for the Missions Training Module that is planned for May. I have 2 openings at present. Contact me if you have an interest or question.
Thank you for your prayers and support! This has been a stretching time for us, but each step of the way the Lord has directed us. For that we are very happy and know that the work of God is dependent on His people praying. So thank you!
For the Souls of Men,
Douglas Hammett
South Africa, Botswana and Beyond
PS: Pray for me to have patience…when I travel, I think and begin to see far more than when I am busy with the work. Many opportunities are presenting themselves! I can hardly wait to jump in. So please pray for wisdom and patience. (But not troubles! smile)
