Matiwane Bible Baptist Church
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Matiwane Bible Baptist Church came into realization shortly after the Mingo family arrived in South Africa in June 1986. As I drove throughout the country, God led us to two young Zulu men, Cyrial and Mandla, who were conducting Bible studies in their home in this village of 15,000 people 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) outside of Ladysmith. Cyrial and Mandla came to know Christ through a series of evangelistic meetings held in a tent during a one month Gospel campaign. One year after the meeting ended, Mandla and Cyrial climbed the foothills of the mountain behind their home, and began asking God for guidance. In particular, their prayer asked God to send them someone to guide them in their Christian faith.
After the two of them shared this story with us, no doubt remained in our minds as to the place God called us to minister. Kathy and I, with our then three small sons, moved to Ladysmith. We began Bible studies at a small school in the village.
School where Bible studies began
During that time, we met our now long-time friend Simon Dube. He began teaching me Zulu. We visited his home constantly in Ezakheni. As our friendship grew Simon labored along side of us throughout the entire history of this church.
Within six months, one of the families in the area, Kubheka, offered us a piece of land. We prayed about funds to begin building the much needed church structure.
Prayer Letters went out to our supporting churches in the States. One particular morning, around 3:00 am, the phone rang. Kathy answered it. Upon my awaking three hours later, Kathy said, "Sweetheart, some pastor called from Kansas saying they are willing to fund the construction of our church building, but I can't remember who the pastor or church is. I was so tired I barely remember answering the phone." With that, our minds began thinking. We called several churches in Kansas we knew might be interested in such a venture. Finally we reached the Temple Baptist Church in El Dorado, Kansas. A women in the church dying of cancer wished to donate the bulk of the money for construction of the Matiwane Bible Baptist Church.
In November 1987 the building was completed. Two hundred people visited for dedication day. The church averaged around 60 people per Sunday until 1997.
Since then we've seen all our men leave Matiwane moving to the big cities for work. This is the pattern of the small rural village. There is no telling the impact this men are making for the Kingdom in the areas they are living at present.
Please pray for:
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Donnie, Dennie, Dannie Mingo; August 1986 |