Lehigh Valley Baptist Church

Wilhite Updates

October 12, 2009

Two adult ladies in Dikgale asked for baptism. Ruth (65?) is Piet’s wife and was saved around a year ago. Joyce (35?) was saved about a year ago too. We look forward to baptizing them this next Sunday. Olga (17) also expressed a desire, but for some reason is waiting.

Piet has also been witnessing to a couple of other adults and is requesting Bibles for them.

Maria (19) was also a first time visitor and asked for an English Bible. Not until after we left did I suspect her to be a Zimbabwean for several Zim folks are living in and around. Roy (18) who was saved about two months ago was the one to bring her.

Samuel (23) came up to me after the service and said, “Moruti, is it alright if I teach the character lessons (correspondence courses) to others in my mother tongue?”

Prior to running out the door tonight for our study in town, we grabbed one of each of our correspondence studies to show and to offer to the folks to study over the next year in lieu of our upcoming furlough. In the group was Anna’s husband, a first time visitor from Zimbabwe. He asked for the studies and after perusing them said, “This is what we need to make available in Zimbabwe,” as he held up the three booklets on Character. It just so happens that he works for Scripture Union which is an effort to put Christian literature into the hands of school age children.

Friday we met with three men, one of whom has a salvation testimony. We met Jack back in 2002 and did some studies with him. He moved to Capetown shortly thereafter but has been back for a year or two. Getting an email from him out of the blue really took me by surprise ten days ago. In it he said, “Moruti, I am ready to continue the lessons we started back in 2002.” Can you believe it? Seven years later! What a blessing! We made an appointment and went to his village Friday a.m. to help chart a course for him in doing some studies during our absence.

While there a man came into the room where we were and said, “Those people across the street are interested in your bakkie (I am trying to sell it to cover expenses here while we are gone, so I have ‘for sale’ signs on it.).” After my study with Jack we went over, showed them our truck, and they made me an offer; an offer a tad bit lower than I would like, but higher than another offer I received this week. Interesting how the Lord directs steps, very interesting.

By the way, did I tell you our study at the University this last Tuesday was the best ever attended?

The attachment is Dyanna’s creation for a prayer card. Didn’t she do a super job for having had no formal graphic design instruction? I am blessed to have such a talented family. Also, this week Drew, Derek and Jeremiah have music exams through UNISA—pray for them. We also have the privilege of having two young men Jon’s age flying in for a visit. Andrew Castner and Nathan Heinz are due to arrive on my birthday this Thursday. I think I will be 41, but I’m getting old, so I’m not real sure J.

Isn’t God good? What open doors! What opportunities! What opposition!

Thanks for your continued prayers,

Brother Wilhite and Family,
South Africa

October 4, 2009

The village where we meet on Sunday mornings is atop a hill, so it is often windy and cold. Today was no exception and made for a chilly baptism. Samuel (23), Sarah (35), and Joel (10) each braved the icy waters and followed the Lord in believer's baptism after giving some stirring testimonies. Interestingly enough Sarah was saved 24 May 2008 and Samuel on 24 May 2009.

Sarah is Albert's older sister. This now makes four of the ten children of a witchdoctor who are saved, baptized and faithful in two IFB churches. We pray for their mom and the other siblings to yield to Christ.

Samuel told me that he plans to go to the local high school tomorrow and give his testimony in the English class. Can't you see this happening in an American public high school? Our Joel was saved nearly a year ago, and asked for baptism, so we immersed him as well.

After Albert's preaching, the testimonies, and the baptisms we had a delicious meal and tea, then headed home in time for a quick nap before our evening service in town.

IMG_7493.JPG--Today's family portrait. Note the look on Joshua's face.
IMG_7506.JPG--The old man and young lady. My how I must make her life easy!
IMG_7513.JPG--Albert preaching the gospel message from Romans 1:16.2
IMG_7546.JPG--Samuel being baptized in cold water!
IMG_7610.JPG--Group photo.
IMG_7609.JPG--Sarah is the one on the left holding her son, Johnny.

Thanks for your prayers!
Brother Wilhite

September 27, 2009

Thank you for your many prayers! All went well today. This evening we had a really good turnout with two visiting men with us in the Polokwane service. One man is named “Trouble”. He hails from Malawi, was on his way through to Jo-burg with his uncle when his uncle became sick a week ago, and has been sleeping on the street while his uncle is being cared for in the hospital. He is currently staying with us until we know more about his uncle and what his prognosis is.
As for the radio program, we were told that the listenership is 70,000, and that the program on which we were the guests is the most listened to show of the week. They allowed some folks to call in with questions, so we know that at least three were listening to us (smile). First Peter 3:15 is a good verse to apply to your life, “Be ready always with an answer…” because between the host and the listeners we had to address some pretty difficult questions, especially questions relating to the societal issues that abound.
The family did a good job singing around a couple of mics mixing some Sotho and English songs for about 12 minutes.
After the program I stopped at KFC for a bucket of chicken, and while there I encountered some ZCC devotees who were returning from their mecca to Zion City, the headquarters of the Zion Christian Church. One lady pushed past me crowding in front of me as I stood in line—real Christianity, right (smile)? I did take the opportunity to ask her if she indeed was a Christian, if she really knew Jesus Christ, and if He would have done that. After I ordered I stepped back to wait for the order to be fulfilled, and while doing so I got to talking to a group of four young men who were also ZCC so identified by the badges pinned to their lapels. I said, “So I’m walking across the road, a car hits me, and I’ve got five minutes to live. I want to go to heaven when I die, so what must I do?” Here were their replies…
“Where do you want to go?”
“You must pray.”
“Are you a church member?”
“Keep the 10 commandments.”
On through the fog of religion without a relationship! I have no idea how many ZCC folks I’ve talked to, but in eight years I still haven’t found one that can tell me the road to heaven.
Bro Wilhite
South Africa

September 27, 2009

We need your prayers especially today…

Morning--In Dikgale we plan to teach on Separation. This could affect those who want to be baptized next Sunday. This past Sunday when I was in Zimbabwe the service was adversely affected by an unusual set of funerals. One funeral was scheduled for Saturday, but two other people IN THE SAME FAMILY died, so they decided to bury all three of them Sunday a.m. The village where this happened is small, so there were few men to dig three 6-foot-deep holes. By the time the holes were dug and the bodies were buried, it was past church time. Sad, sad, sad.

Early evening--In Polokwane we plan to begin a new yet final series on Salvation, and we have invited many to come.

Late evening--In Mangweng we will be on the radio for one hour (2-3 EDT) telling about our correspondence Studies, The radio host has asked the entire family to come and sing. Africans love music, so we are slated to sing several Sotho and English songs.

Thanks ahead of time for your intercession. We cannot be here and cannot do what we do without your fervent prayers.

Bro Wilhite
South Africa