July 13, 2018
Dear Friends:
“Thus far has the Lord helped us” – 1 Samuel 7:12.
Today – my 83rdbirthday – finds me with TR in Nelspruit, South Africa. It has been an interesting week. When something unusual or exciting takes place it is easy to exaggerate at the time (like saying “that’s the best meal I ever ate” when you will probably say it again!). So I will be cautious.
TR and I spent the first three days of this week in Pemba, Mozambique with Rolland and Heidi Baker and some of their team. Some of you may recall that I was in Mozambique two years ago, but was disappointed that I did not go to the bush – where the miracles seem to happen. However, I was invited back. The way was paid for. But I mainly wanted to go to the bush – as did TR. After the visas were granted and our round trip booked, we were told that it would not be possible to go to the bush. Not only that; many of the Iris team were being sent away, visitors to Iris were not being allowed – and the only choice was to go to Nelspruit, South Africa. It was there I would be able to speak to some 240 students who had hoped to be in Pemba. We were of course very disappointed, but decided do go to Pemba anyway – even if we were not allowed in (the tickets were paid for). We decided to make the most of it, assuming we would be spending all the time in Nelspruit. There are too many details to cover in this letter. But in a word: (1) it was a miracle that we were allowed into Pemba; (2) to our utter surprise we were allowed to go to the bush. It was sort of an island to which there were no roads. The only access was by a one- hour boat ride with a dozen others which then had to moor several hundred yards off shore. We then waded in mud and water and walked for over a mile to find a village that the Bakers did not know existed until recently. The village was behind the mangroves and out of sight from Pemba or the sea. We waded through the mud and found the village. It had a population of 920, so the chief of the tribe told me. We had visits with different groups of the locals. All of them live in grass huts. I was allowed to go inside one of them. It was dark inside. I could barely see the beds. There is no electricity. No toilet facilities. No water; one walks six hours to get water. Our second visit was with the tribal chief of the village. To everyone’s amazement, he listened to the Gospel as I was being translated; another 30 or 40 people gathered around and listened. When I asked him if he would like to receive Jesus Christ he said Yes. Keep in mind he has been a person of another faith all his life as are the overwhelming majority of the people of Mozambique. I gave him a prayer to pray aloud in front of the others. He did so. Other who stood around and listened also prayed the prayer.
Heidi had visited the village four times in the recent past. Her request to build a church building was rejected by the same chief four times. He finally allowed permission for them to build a multi purpose building that would provide a tank to collect water for the whole village too. This no doubt softened him. Whatever, she was thrilled when the chief prayed aloud to receive Christ. I must tell you I emphasized Jesus’ death on the cross and shedding of His blood. This is contrary to the belief of the people on this island.
But there is more. The reason we went to the island was to dedicate the church building. We therefore went into the building for which this permission had been granted. There are no seats yet, but room for possibly 100 people. The people stood, dozens and dozens of children sat on the floor. I prayed then that this church would be dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ, praying for the sprinkling of His blood upon all the people and the premises.
However, I should mention something that happened before we prayed. I was asked to pray for a man with elephantitis. I felt so sorry for him. It was the first time I met anybody with this disease. I prayed twice, but God did not seem to answer my prayer. I was disappointed. However, two feet away from me Heidi began praying for a mother who was a deaf mute. The mother was holding her baby. She had never heard anything in her life nor had she ever been able to speak a word. When Heidi prayed for her she asked the lady to say “Jesus”. The reply was loud and clear: “Jesus!” She then began to make sounds which no one around had heard her make before. I saw and heard this with my own eyes.
There were many other important things that happened while in the area – e.g., my speaking to two hundred Mozambiquan men through a translator who were there to learn the Bible. I presented the Gospel. I would estimate that well over a hundred prayed the prayer aloud, then stood to show they were unashamed of what they had just prayed.
You might also like to know that Rolland and I bonded theologically during this time. He and I have a lot in common except this self-effacing husband of the adored Heidi has a lot more humility than I have. The fruit of our friendship may become evident down the road.
I write an open letter like this twice a year, but I did not think I would be writing as I have in this letter. I will now write about other things.
It has not only been an interesting week but also an interesting year so far. Since writing on my birthday twelve months ago today God has continued to open doors in different parts of the world. I am amazed that I still have the strength to travel as I do. I do watch my weight and exercise (including 20 or more push-ups daily). Most of all I am thankful that there are those out there who still invite me to preach. I am honored and very humbled. I give God ALL of the honor, glory and praise.
My book Popular in Heaven, Famous in Hell is out next month. I have begun my next book – An Audience of One. Based upon my life verse – John 5:44 (“How can you believe, if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?”), this book can be summed up in the words of Sam Hailes, editor of the UK magazine Christianity.Referring to Billy Graham he wrote: “He may have preached to millions but Billy Graham lived for an audience of one” (Christianity April 2018). I would deeply appreciate your prayers as I continue to write this book.
We return to Nashville August 1st. We have a very heavy autumn – including Qatar and Shanghai. We have been invited to Korea and Beijing for 2019.
Your prayers for each of us mean more than I could ever say. I hope a number of you would put us on your daily prayer list. I know that’s asking a lot! But I’m asking!
God bless each of you who read this.
Warmest appreciation and thanks.
RT and Louise, TR, Annette, Toby, Timothy and Tyndale, Melissa and Rex.
A Tastes of Mozambique
