the mccrum family

We have a great variety of people at FBC. Education is diverse; there are doctors who attend alongside of those who have never finished high school. Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Pedi, English, Afrikaans, Colored, and Indian… these are present most Sunday mornings.

More recently we have seen another variation. While we have a few millionaires in the church (it’s easier in our ZA Rands!), we are currently ministering to a homeless man. Tshepang (name changed) has been attending for five weeks, and was led to the Lord by Sthembiso on October 23. He has no place to sleep, no work, and is not able to dress well. How would you react to this type of person walking into your church and sitting next to you?

James 2: 1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Often I find that we invite people to church when we think, “He would make a good Christian.” Or, we like the individual and they have a nice personality. This is wrong.

Tshepang is faithfully attending church. We have provided more comfortable clothing, and have found very little work. Please pray for us to have wisdom in engaging and ministering to such a diverse people.

After paying off their church building last year, our South African church has been saving for a newer 10-seat church van. With half of the needed R256,000 ($39,300) saved, we started shopping. Within three months, our people raised the second half.  They paid cash!

We are using the vehicle for services, and are preparing for regular youth meetings again.

David leaving for lobola negotiations for Archie Nchabeleng and Khethiwe Similane.  He was accompanied by two church members, Sthembiso Mahlangu and Richard Ncongwane.

In African culture the groom’s family is not allowed to be involved when negotiating the bride price.  Each of these three men were requested to represent the Archie Nchabeleng family.  This was a whole day affair, consisting of three hours drive (both ways), three hours of negotiations, and a lovely African meal prepared for us.  And a reasonable price was settled upon!

Find out more about lobola here.

Recently, David had the joy of marrying one of our church’s most faithful young men. Archie and Khethiwe were married in our church on June 28, 2011. We have been so excited to watch them put the Lord first in their relationship, in spite of the various pressures of life and culture. The Lord has also answered prayers on their behalf as they have been seeking to obtain official paperwork from the government (a very difficult process at times).

Khethiwe is an orphan, and last week we were finally able to locate several of her relatives!