An army of young workers rises
“I will never set foot in an Adventist church or have anything to do with God,” Magattalena determined. Magattalena had been attending our camp meeting in Botswana when she received news that her father had a serious accident and was in the hospital. Shortly thereafter, yet another trial arose. Her faith was so severely tested that she vowed she would have nothing to do with God.
But her conscience wouldn’t leave her alone. One evening she came to us with many questions. After a long talk, she said, “I want to start attending a Seventh-day Adventist church.” We knelt with her, and she asked Jesus into her heart. By God’s grace, Magattalena and many others made recommitments to the Lord and left the camp meeting with a much deeper relationship with God.
In Botswana, there is much opposition to the preaching of the Three Angels’ Messages. Adventists do not often have the opportunity to hear their distinctive doctrines being taught. These circumstances led our brethren to sponsor a camp meeting to teach and train church members from Botswana and South Africa.
We joined with Hartland graduate Ray de Carlo, ’89, and Thomas Jackson (from M.E.E.T. Ministry in Tennessee) to present over 30 sermons with the theme, “Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready!” The people were riveted. “We only have one opportunity each year to hear this type of messages,” said Nkosi. They meticulously took notes as if they would never hear these things again.
Thomas Jackson contributed the health element, giving health lectures and natural remedy demonstrations. We witnessed first-hand the power of the health message working with the Three Angels’ Messages. As we ministered to the needs of the people, barriers were broken down and many doors were opened to pray and counsel with people.
As a result of the meetings, three people asked for rebaptism. Several young people asked for applications to Hartland College. One of the hardest things for us to cope with was seeing so many eager young people wanting to be educated for the ministry, yet held back because of lack of funds. But praise the Lord—two are already here, and possibly two more will soon be on their way. All four have the desire to go back and raise up a school in Botswana after their training at Hartland.
God is organizing a mighty army in Botswana. We praise God for the opportunity He gave us to share His Word and to help equip this squadron of His remnant.
