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Prayer
& Praise Update
April
2004
RWANDA
AND RHODESIA
Solemn
Commemoration
This month marks the tenth commemoration of the horrendous
holocaust in Rwanda. I remember my mission to Rwanda as
one of the most traumatic and disturbing and when I was
the sickest. I can still remember the blood curdling screams
at night, the piles of skulls and wading knee deep in corpses
inside shattered churches. My book, Holocaust In Rwanda,
has since been translated into French, and has been re-printed
due to ongoing demand.
Ian
Smith of Rhodesia
I recently had the privilege of having lunch with Mr Ian
Smith, the man who for 15 years was the Prime Minister of
Rhodesia. Since 1986 I've had the privilege of meeting with
Mr Smith fairly regularly. His daughter lives in Cape Town
and he visits at least once a year. Although Mr Smith is
in his eighties, and quite frail, his mind is still as sharp
as ever and his wit and insights make him a delight to enjoy
fellowship with.
I
still remember as a young boy of 14 first seeing the Prime
Minister outside the Bulawayo Club in Rhodesia. I had heard
that the Prime Minister was coming. Expecting some impressive
entourage, I was standing by the entrance with my cat, Tim.
I can still remember my surprise as I saw a rather humble
Peugeot 404 park in front of the Bulawayo Club and out stepped
Mr Ian Smith. The Prime Minister was completely alone. There
was no driver or adjutant, no bodyguards or policeman visible
anywhere. The Prime Minister had driven himself alone to
the club. He stroked my cat who was sitting on the wall,
smiled at me and walked into the club!
Almost
ten years later I was in Harare on Samora Machel Avenue,
when Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe came past. The contrast
with Mr Smith's arrival couldn't have been more acute. First
came eight motorbike outriders, then some police cars, two
armoured luxury Mercedes Benz's with tinted windows (so
you wouldn't know which one Mugabe was in) followed by another
police car and by a truckload of soldiers with heavy weaponry.
Sirens blowing. All vehicles on both sides of the road had
to come to a complete stop at the side. And this, I was
informed, was how Mugabe travelled every day.
When
I mentioned this to Mr Smith, he laughed and commented that
he was a lifelong Presbyterian, believed in the sovereignty
of God, and as he had survived the Second World War did
not see what he had to be afraid of. In fact, even during
the war years, as Prime Minister, he would frequently travel
alone, without a convoy, down to his farm at Gwelo. He would
also often give all the staff at Government House the weekend
off so that there would be not so much as a cook in the
kitchen or a policeman at the gate. He and his wife would
be alone at Government House and that was the way that they
wanted it.
Mr
Ian Smith is a remarkable statesman. He is one of the very
few politicians that I have ever met who I can say is a
man of integrity. He says what he means and means what he
says. He is an example of an honourable man of his word.
During
the Second World War, Ian Smith was a fighter pilot, first
flying Hurricanes and later Spitfires. He was shot down
twice, once in the North African desert and once over Italy.
In Italy he managed to evade capture and fight behind enemy
lines for five months before being able to re-join his own
forces. He has written his memoirs: The Great Betrayal,
which is a fascinating read.
Mr
Smith continues to exemplify courage and principle as he
remains in Zimbabwe working painstakingly for the rights
and freedoms of its people amidst the horrific oppression
and national suicide of Mugabe's ZANU - PF regime.
The
Cross Still Triumphs Over The Switchblade
When David Wilkerson (of Cross and the Switchblade fame)
visited South Africa recently, I had the joy of attending
one of his Pastors Seminars. His message was dynamic. He
urged all of us who are in the ministry not to allow Satan
to discourage us; nor prevent us from continuing in the
ministry - despite attacks from fellow believers. David
Wilkerson gave a strong call not to allow anyone or anything
to interfere with our seeking the face of God, and to protect
our devotional life against all distractions. To not allow
works to crowd out our worship. To wait upon God, to listen
to God, and to seek the presence of God. It was a strong
call to holiness, and to expect attacks - even from our
own brothers.
The
Elections and The Passion
As we head into National Elections here in South Africa
next week, our country is being impacted by Mel Gibson's
The Passion of the Christ. In the newspapers, on radio,
in the streets and shops, we have an unprecedented opportunity
to discuss with neighbours and strangers the meaning of
the sufferings of Christ. The film presents a powerful antidote
to the easy believism and cheap grace message which all
too often dominates. The interest of Muslims in this film,
The Passion, is also remarkable. Having heard the film is
"anti-Semitic" Muslims are pouring in to see this
film - even in the Middle East! All of this is providing
unprecedented opportunities to discuss the atonement of
Christ Jesus with people who would not normally be so open.
We
have had numerous letters to the editor published and radio
programmes over these issues. Our staff have also been on
the streets distributing tens of thousands of Biblical Issues
Voters Guides at train stations, bus stations, taxi ranks
and at shopping centres. Our www.savotersguide.com website
has received many visits and have led to numerous media
interviews. In response to just one radio interview on The
Passion we received over 50 phone calls from listeners requesting
the Gospel booklet we offered.
Please
pray for South Africa as we approach Easter weekend and
the elections. Pray that God may have mercy on our country
and that there may be a revival of repentance.
"When
the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked
rule, the people groan."
Proverbs 29: 2
Yours
for the fulfilment of the Great Commission
Peter
Hammond
P O Box 74
Newlands, 7725
Cape Town
South Africa
E-mail: admin@frontline.co.za
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