I was invited to take a workshop on Disciplemaking at the Global Network of Christian Indian Leaders (GONCIL) at Durban, South Africa. The conference began on 17th August morning, with several Indian delegates arriving from different countries in the world. The host church was the Christian Revival centre, at Chatsworth, Durban. All the Indian delegates were sent to different Christian homes for board and lodge. I was chosen by Calvin & Rajani George family, alongwith other two pastors from India. I was with this family of two sons and one daughter til I left SA on 5th Sept.The love and hospitality this family offered was excellent and they took care of all our needs and made our stay in SA an unforgettable experience. Hallelujah!
The Global Conf. started with various cultural shows and singing by Anil Kant of Mumbai and JV Peters of Kerala. Dr. Sunny Philip, the Executive Chairman, based in New York, gave the inaugural message. The main plenary sessions were taken by Dr. H.B London ad Len Weston in the mornings. After lunch, there were workshops on missions, etc. My workshop was on second day from 3.15-4.15pm on the Art of making disciples. By God's grace I had made some slides with Power Point and borrowed a laptop there and used the CD to show the slides. Many attended and were challenged to go and make disciples. Some pastors desired the presentation in CDs and also the book. Some planned to organize for their churches, etc. Praise the Lord.
Everyday evenings, open air meetings were held at the cricket oval in Chatsworth. Due to cold weather many people could not come for these meetings.
The conference ended on 21st August evening with a banquet for all.
During the conference, I met and made friendship with several local leaders/pastors. They began to invite me to speak in their churches. The Lord enabled me to speak almost daily at some church or house group meeting. I was taken to far off places like Tongaat, Phoenix and Durban city, etc. The Lord spoke powerfully at various churches and people committed themselves to live transformed lives when the challenge was given after the messages. I also spoke on family life which was a blessing to many families.
I had the privilege to speak to the students of Teamwork Bible college one evening. The Dean was so impressed that he wanted to use my book in their curriculum and so asked me to give permission for the same. And they proposed that they would invite me to teach for a few weeks in the Bible college on disciplemaking. Praise God, the multiplication process has begun in SA.

I also took time to visit some Christian and non-christian families to minister the Word and to encourage them. In one family, the muslim husband made a commitment to follow the Lord, after I shared the gospel with him.(his wife and others are believers already)
At another place, a nominal Christian lady, was confronted with the truth of salvation and she yielded herself to the Lordship of Christ. Hallelujah!
Another highlight of my tour to SA is my talks with 12th class students of a secondary school, on how to be a successful student. the students were blessed and were challenged to become toppers in their class.

In Chatsworth, Durban and other places, though there are so many churches with buildings, the spiritual condition of people is not so satisfactory. There is a lot of worldliness and immaturity in regard to the spiritul things. There is a lot of need for sound and solid biblical teaching and mentoring.
Though most of those residing in Chatsworth and other places are Indians, they have forgotten their Indian languages and are living in Western style. and so the problems of the west, like the teenage pregnancies, broken marriages, materialistic mind and lack of love for God and His people and loss of interest in spiritual things are widespread.

As for the shopping, all things are very expensive compared to Indian rates. We get a lot cheaper in India, esp. computers and clothing. Hence, i could not bring many things, except some sweets, "made in SA" for friends and church people here.

As I took flight back to India, I was praising God for this wonderful opportunity to meet so many people and make a difference by my life and teaching. The result of my visit to South Africa has been in terms of developing new relationships for partnership in the ministry as well as finding doors opened for ministry Globally.
I am filled with gratitude to God for His wonderful provision through His people's prayers and sacrificial giving, and thankful to each of you for making my trip to South Africa a blessing to one and all. Amen.

Have a look at the photographs at http://ctouch.org/SAfotos.htm

A.Othniel
13.9.2005.