Charl van Wyk (June 2004)

Dear Friends

Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Africa Christian Action was issued a judgement by the Advertising Standards Authority in our final appeal against the Marie Stopes Abortion Clinic's advertising. They claim that their abortions are "safe and pain free". Our case was dismissed. It appears that an objective evaluation of the reality of the abortion procedure is of no significance.

We had argued in our appeal that "safe and pain free" are strong absolute concepts and that the public interprets the abortion advertising in this way. Jeanine McGill, our representative, submitted testimonies of doctors and two women who had abortions at clinics in South Africa, but these were dismissed. As a result of this case we have built up a large body of information that will be useful in future efforts. We are really thankful to all our contributors in making this case possible - in which we could take a stand for righteousness and truth.

On 14th of April 2004 I appeared on a national television show with regards to my book "Shooting Back - The Right and Duty of Self-Defence". The interviewees were given the questions, which were to be dealt with on the live show, before hand. A lawyer and I, taking the pro self-defence position, prepared for an intellectual debate. As my make-up was being put on (OK stop laughing), I was informed that a couple whose little boy had been killed by a friend playing with his father's firearm, would also be on
the show. The debate thus started as an emotional rather than an intellectual debate, but by God's grace we were able to put forth the Biblical argument for self-defence.

Yet another national television opportunity has come forth for Sunday 13 June 2004 on a programme "The Big Question?" The topic for this debate is 'Should guns be banned?'; I'd appreciate your prayers - please pray for the Lord's grace in standing for righteousness and truth.

Our latest edition of Firearm News, our ministry to firearm owners in South Africa, will Lord willing, be in the post soon.

Our Radio Tygerberg programmes are going extremely well. We have dealt lately with the curse of pornography, suffering from bitterness and also the SA government's granting of asylum to Aristide, the disgraced ex-president of Haiti.

My US speaking tour, of April and beginning of May, was a great blessing. I had a wonderful time of meeting new friends and supporters. Many opened their lovely homes to me. I was blessed with great fellowship with
believers all over the country. The hospitality was phenomenal.

I found the US Christians an encouraging people to be with. Their enthusiasm and commitment to the work of our Lord and their love for the African believers has been a great inspiration to me.

On my return to South Africa I received an urgent message to contact a National Executive Committee (NEC) member of a South African Christian political party. On behalf of the party's NEC, he requested that I chair a Provincial Disciplinary Panel in dealing with issues of a disciplinary nature. Please pray for me as I chair this panel, that I will have wisdom and understanding to be able to lead the panel to make decisions according to God's perfect Word.

Having just returned from a speaking tour in the United States of America, I was confronted, within a week of my return, by street people who attend our church, stabbing each other outside the church door. Another missionary friend of mine, who has spent the last 15 years reaching out to the people of Khayelitsha, was assaulted the same day outside the church, which she helped build. I found out that the N2 highway running into Cape Town has once again been noted to be the "hell run" due to bricks and rocks being
thrown at drivers from bridges as they travel on the national road.

The chaos that has been going on in South Africa is unbelievable. I read further in a newspaper article of a syndicate stealing leather jackets at the Cape Town International Airport. It is amazing that in the 16 flights I took from Cape Town, around the US and returning to Cape Town, I had my bag searched several times without me being present and not a single item went missing. The longest I ever waited for my baggage to be returned after a flight was flying back into Cape Town after my trip, where I waited about
half an hour for the baggage to come out. A businessman standing next to me promptly noted that we had better service from those managing our luggage when they were on strike, than when they were working.

The country appears to be in chaos as per usual and Cape Town has been noted lately as the most violent city in South Africa.

Sonya and our children are doing very well. On my return from my US speaking tour, Roberta, my 7-year old, mentioned that the American people speak in a strange way and asked if I also speak like that when I am there? Roberta's reading skills are coming on nicely and she is reading from the Bible to me in the evenings. John-Marc (1) is starting to speak a little more and finds it imperative to interrupt his older brother Jason (3) at every opportunity. Jason, sorry I meant Superman, is also doing well and keeping everybody on their toes at home as he flies through the passage to save his mother in her bedroom from any possible intruders.

Thank you very much for your prayers and support in the work of our ministry.

Charl Van Wyk

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.." 1 Peter 3:15

P.S. We are preparing for the Great Commission Camp and Course (25 June - 12 July 2004) in which we train Christian leaders to be more effective and innovative in cross cultural evangelism and discipleship. Should you like to sponsor African pastors, who would like to attend, but cannot afford to, please contact Debbie at ITMI 1-888-918-4100.

Frontline Fellowship
PO Box 74
Newlands
Cape Town
South Africa
Tel: 27-21-6894480
www.frontline.org.za