In The Time Of Trouble

Family News

Peter & Lenora Hammond

December 2005

“But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trusted in Him.” Psalm 37:39-40

Dear Friends

Our children have had to grow up faster this year, as they faced the very real possibility of losing both their parents. At the same time that Lenora came down with a debilitating and life threatening illness, I received a death threat Fatwa from a Muslim extremist.

From the beginning of our Biblical Worldview Summit (BWS) , Lenora was experiencing nausea and severe headaches. By the second day of our Reclaiming South Africa For Christ BWS , Lenora was vomiting and had a fever. But first she was misdiagnosed, and continued to deteriorate rapidly. By the time I drove Lenora to our local hospital, she was in a critical state. The doctor in Emergency, who diagnosed her as having Hepatitis A, informed us that for a couple of days her life was in the balance.

All in all, Lenora spent 5 weeks in hospital, and for a couple of weeks she was on an antibiotic IV (Intravenous Drip). With the initial misdiagnoses, Lenora was also suffering the complication of side effects to the medication and the severe inflammation of her liver. Lenora became dangerously thin and was frequently nauseous, experiencing severe itchiness. Her eyes and skin were very yellow. Even after 2 months of being incapacitated by the Hepatitis, the doctors described Lenora’s condition as “very serious.” They expressed concern that her condition could be chronic and lifelong.

Lenora’s hospitalization took place in the midst of our 3-week Great Commission Course (GCC) . Participants came from all over the world and the programme was intensive, starting with early morning P.T, two hours before sunrise, included lectures most mornings, practicals and outreaches in the afternoon, lots of services and frequent late night hikes.

Our older children have normally joined in on previous GCC’s. This time it was necessary for all four of the children to take part in most of it. With Mom in hospital, Andrea, Daniela, Christopher and Calvin joined in with Devotions, Bible drill, lectures and presentations, visits to museums and monuments, Soccer Evangelism in Khayelitsha, radio ministry and the late night hikes. This was the third time that 9-year old Christopher completed the Table Mountain hike. It was the first time for 6-year old Calvin. Everyone was most impressed with his enthusiasm and energy as Calvin strode up the mountain and completed the 8-hour mountain climb and descent before midnight.

Our children also took part in the literature distribution and personal evangelism outreaches on the streets and at railway stations. Our 14-year old daughter, Andrea, even joined in on one of the midnight endurance hikes in the dark, up stream, in a mountain river through the forest and through flowing water in a pitch dark drain pipe. It may not have been traditional home schooling, but our children all learnt a lot and were a lot fitter at the end.

With Lenora completely incapacitated, our children had to rise to the occasion and do all the domestic duties, including laundry, ironing, dishwashing, cleaning the house, etc. Andrea in particular, rose to the occasion, organising the boys, supervising much of their schoolwork, and trying to maintain a high standard of hygiene in the home.

When Lenora suffered a severe relapse, I had to drive her to Groote Schuur Hospital. This was on 11 August, our son, Christopher’s 10th birthday. While we were all very grieved that Lenora could not take part in Christopher’s birthday celebrations, we did recognise that there was much to celebrate. Christopher is our miracle boy. He is a daily reminder that the Lord answers prayer. When Christopher was born, in 1995, with total kidney failure, the doctors gave him no chance of survival. Prayer requests went out worldwide, and the Lord mercifully enabled Christopher to survive, and 4 weeks after birth, to leave the Intensive Care Unit. Although Christopher only has one kidney, and only partial function of that, he has still managed to maintain an energetic lifestyle and complete our mountain marathons. His birthday party involved rock climbing.

As I was scheduled for an overseas ministry tour, Lenora’s parents, Rev. Bill and Harriet Bathman, cut short their time in the US to return a month early to Cape Town, taking over domestic and home schooling responsibilities so that I could leave. It is such a tremendous blessing to have missionary parents-in-law who are so eager to be involved in the day-to-day activities in our home and mission. Especially as the extra curricular activities of our home schooled children are so varied and complex.

This last year, Andrea has been a Patrol Leader in Girl Guides, helped lead the junior youth and the worship team for Sunday school at church, and has done tennis, piano, self defence classes and Irish dancing. Daniela has been heavily involved in ice-skating and intensive training on the synchro team. Daniela has also been doing piano, Irish dancing and began an advance course in horse riding, including jumping. This year, Daniela won Gold medals in ice-skating and Irish dancing. Christopher juggled fencing, piano, guitar and self-defence classes. Calvin has had swimming lessons, gym classes, playball, self defence classes and shooting practise. Juggling all of that involved Lenora, and over the last 5 months while she has been sick, her parents and I in what we refer to as “taxi driving”.

Our bookstore manager, Chariclia, also rose to the occasion and organised mission ladies and friends to help with regular healthy meals. A friend, Averil, came in to tutor our children in science and maths twice a week. It has been remarkable how many adults have been needed to fill the gap and do what Lenora normally handles on her own!

At the same time that Lenora was being incapacitated by this debilitating illness, I received a death threat Fatwa by fax. This letter stated that because of my Frontline Fellowship News article “ The End of Islam ”, and the “ Slavery, Terrorism and Islam ” book on which it was based, I “should be eliminated from the face of this earth…you are worthy of death, not by stoning, but to be cut up piece by piece and your remains given to dogs and hyenas…” The letter included vile insults, crude swear words, threatened “retribution” for having insulted the “two billion adherents to this mighty and great religion, the perfect and final religion of the Almighty” and of the “the holy prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him)”. The letter threatened that the “Fatwa will definitely came for you,” and concluded with these words: “Go burn in hell. Long live Islam, Amandla Islam.” A Fatwa is a binding legal degree of Islamic Jihad requiring all Muslims to do their outmost to kill the subject of a Fatwa.

Of course this was not the first death threat I have received from Muslim extremists. The official government of Sudan website had posted an article which bluntly stated that Peter Hammond should “ expect to be bombed”, I should “expect to be shot on sight.” They even gave the reason: “because his writings make him an enemy of the state!”

(We have also had Muslims at the gate of our mission headquarters in Cape Town complaining about my Muslim Evangelism Workshop Manual.) Shortly after this, one of our co-workers, Timothy, who had been invited to set up our missions display at the University of Pretoria Missions Week, was mobbed by a group of Muslim students who surrounded the Frontline mission display, shouting and swearing at Tim. Some tore or burned Frontline literature. In response, the university Missions Committee requested Timothy to close down our mission’s display and leave. “We were scared for his life”; “We did not want to have trouble…”; “We can’t provide 24 hour security…”; “We can’t have a riot on campus…” ; “ Your exhibitor was in danger…” ; “ He was threatened…” the Chairperson of the Missions Committee explained to me why they insisted that our missionary leave. So instead of dealing with the disruptive students they expelled the victim.

On that same day, our mission in Cape Town received a number of hostile phone calls from Muslims. They cursed and threatened me for having “insulted the prophet Mohammed.” These abusive phone calls, coming along with the death threat Fatwa and a Muslim mob intimidating a Mission Committee to expel a mission to Muslims from a university Missions Week, led us to report these threats to the police.

As a result, a senior member of a radical Muslim organisation with international links, was arrested. On his lap top computer, which the police confiscated, was found the death threat Fatwa letter to myself, and other serious incriminating material. The detective inspector investigating the case called me into the police station on a number of occasions to update me on the situation. The inspector informed me that they believed these threats were real and warned me that I needed to take the death threats from the Muslim militants “extremely seriously.”

There is nothing quite like the possibility of sudden death to straighten out one’s priorities. As we went on to a heightened state of alert, I noticed Muslims parked outside our Mission House, and Muslim men in bulky jackets with back-packs loitering outside our gates. Tim and I walked outside and asked if there was any problem and if they needed help. They awkwardly mentioned that they were waiting for a ride. The driver mumbled that he thought he had run out of petrol. We then noticed that some of the Armed Response security signs on the outside of our missions property had been ripped down. We made sure that they were replaced by the next day.

Recently, I noticed some expensive four-wheel drive vehicles apparently broken down, with the hood raised, stragically parked just outside our Mission House gates. Muslim men on cell phones were leaning over the engines and clearly noticing my movements. Sometimes, while traveling between home and mission, I noticed parked cars with Muslim men on cell phones observing my movements.

Well, continually being reminded by the police to “watch your back”, I continually had to discern between the coincidental and the potentially dangerous. For five months I have been operating on condition orange and red, in a hightened state of tension and alertness, sometimes exceeding what I had previously experienced in war zones. Many a time my prayer has been: “Lord, make me fast and accurate.”

When I was ministering on the border of South West Africa and inside Angola and Mozambique, there were times of great tension and some sharp moments of conflict, but much of the time, particularly in the military bases, one could relax and focus on ministry.

Cape Town has over 350,000 Muslims, many of them quite radical. The fact that a team of terrorists could attack anywhere, at anytime, and concern for my family, has made these months of threats as stressful as anything I had previously experienced far behind enemy lines in Zambezi and Tete in the killing fields of Mozambique during the 1980’s. However, the bombings in Sudan, and prison in Mozambique, which were extremely intense times, were matters of hours, days and weeks. This threat of assassination has over shadowed our lives and ministry for five months and will continue to be a real threat in the months and years to come.

“Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their hearts; they continually gather together for war . ” Psalm 140:1-2

As we sought professional anti-terrorist advice on what could be practically done to respond to these threats, we also put our office staff through anti-terrorist training, and I had to practically prepared my children for procedures that they needed to follow in the event of terrorist attacks, including bombing or ambush.

With Lenora literally wasting away before our eyes and with the somber warnings of the doctors, in the light of repeated warnings from the police and anti-terrorist specialists, our children faced the very real possibility of losing both their parents, a mother to disease, and a father to assassination.

All of this required seriously and prayerfully re-evaluating my priorities and responsibilities to our children and the mission, revisions needed to my will, and procedures for succession in the mission. Daily I tried to put things more in order, tidying out my study at home and office at the mission, in case I was killed the next day.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

The police discussed the need for me to go into their Witness Protection Program. Because this would involve curtailing my public ministry, that could not be considered. The police began patrols driving past both home and mission every half hour, 24 hours a day.

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” Psalm 118: 8-9

Having faced death a few times before, I tend to value life as precious, and try to make the most of every opportunity. I don’t take too much for granted. However, looking at the possibility of losing Lenora, and my children losing both of us, gave me an even greater sense of urgency to appreciate God’s blessings, to fulfill my missionary calling and to live life to the fullest. It has led me to re-evaluate my relationship to the Lord, my ministry, my fatherhood and church responsibilities with a greater intensity than ever before. Inspiration for new books that I had to write, and projects I needed to complete, flooded in. Never before have I known such intense and sustained inspiration from the Lord. Sermons, articles, projects and book chapters have flowed. We have launched a Reformation Society, hosted a Reformation Celebration, a pray for Zimbabwe Rally, completed some major outreaches, and much more, during this time of danger and disease.

My missionary mentor, Mr. Francis Grim of Hospital Christian Fellowship, under whom I was discipled, passed away and as I wrote the Tribute in Appreciation of this great man of God, I had to again reflect on the brevity of life and what really counts - in the light of eternity.

As I worked through the Memoirs of Bishop Stephen Bradley, I was again convicted of the low standards of spiritual life that we so often tolerate today. The intense evangelistic zeal and missionary vision of pioneer church planters like Bishop Bradley stand as a rebuke to us, and an inspiration.

This has been an extremely packed and productive year with some tremendously inspiring challenges. I have ministered in 11 countries, completing 7 ministry trips. This included the incredible privilege of visiting Wittenberg and seeing the Schlosskirche where German Reformer Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses, beginning the great Protestant Reformation. I also had the privilege of ministering in Switzerland, visiting Grossmunster where Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli began the first expository preaching on 1 January 1519. And I had the privilege of praying in St. Peters, Reformer John Calvin’s church, and walking along the Reformation Wall in Geneva. In Oxford, I saw the Martyr’s Memorial where Bishops Latimer and Ridley were burned at the stake. I spoke at a Congress in Wales, where they were celebrating the 100 th anniversary of the great Welsh revival of 1905. I was also immensely inspired by the dynamic congregation of Dr. Ian Paisley in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with their door-to-door evangelism, street preaching, late night prayer vigils and missionary vision.

As I was studying and researching for the Reformation Celebration,and my next book “The Greatest Century of Reformation”, I was further convicted and inspired by the magnificent example of the Reformers whom God used to provide us with the Bible in our own languages, the religious freedoms that we so often take for granted today and our rich Christian heritage.

“I delight to do your will O my God, and Your Law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8

The safest place in this world is in the centre of Gods will. God’s servant is God’s responsibility. The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.

“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them.” Psalm 34:7

Through all of the disease and danger, troubles and tribulations, have come much encouragement and testimonies of Gods faithfulness:

The lawyer of the Muslim leader arrested for the death threat actually threatened the police inspector and the state prosecutor that their lives would be in danger unless they dropped the case against his man! For our own safety, the prosecutor recommended that I drop the case. But we were convinced that to give in to bullies would only encourage further violence. So the case continued.

Then we heard that the police inspector who had so diligently pursued this case and showed such concern for my safety and that of our family, was diagnosed with a very severe form of cancer.

So my parents-in-law, Rev. Bill and Harriet Bathman, and I went to the local police station to pray with Inspector Kotze. She said to us: “ Before we begin, I want to say, that through this case I have come to God! In reading Dr. Hammond’s books as part of my back ground research for this case, I started studying the Bible, praying, reading Bible stories to my children, and I have grown spiritually as a result of this case.”

I had been discussing with my family just a few days before, that what man may mean for evil God could use for good (Genesis 50:20). I expressed the conviction that perhaps God had allowed this entire death threat case to develop in order to bless the family of the police inspector with healing and salvation.

The very next Sunday, after preaching at a mission near Cape Town, I was told of a pastor who had been saved through my Discipleship Handbook. This pastor had been in the ministry for something like 20 years, and when he started reading the Discipleship Handbook, he realized that he did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and was converted.

Just today, I was going over some correspondence in response to our book ministry. A Muslim from Pakistan wrote: “I have read the Discipleship Handbook and made comparison with Islamic theology. I finally reached the conclusion that what Jesus said is right and the Bible is true. I need some more books to read. Can you please send me more.” Other correspondence from Nepal praised God for our Putting Feet to Your Faith book and said that this is exactly the message needed in Nepal.

“Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all people.” Psalm 96:3

Just this week other encouragements have come from friends from the early days of Frontline Fellowship and the Bible study I ran in the army 25 years ago. To see these brothers again now involved in church planting and missionary activity so many years later was a tremendous encouragement.

On Saturday our 6 year old, Calvin, had his first “preaching engagement”. A Carols by Candlelight outreach invited Calvin to give the Gospel presentation. Each of our children have memorized the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Apostles Creed, the Evangelism Explosion Gospel presentation and a variety of Bible verses, but Calvin has shown extra-ordinary eagerness for Bible memorisation and for challenging people with the Gospel. Calvin was the only speaker for the event which was outdoors.

I wondered if speaking through a public address system to a couple of hundred people outdoors would intimidate him, but Calvin rose to the occasion and as clear as a bell he recited the Scripture verses and Dr. James Kennedy’s EE outline of the Gospel with enthusiasm and emphasis. Everyone sat in absolute silence as this 6 year old challenged them to give their lives to Christ. Then he led them in the sinners prayer. Even amidst the candlelight one could see quite a number of people were deeply touched by this young child so boldly presenting the Gospel of Christ.

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word. With my whole heart I have sought You…Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:9-11

God works all things together for good, for those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Times of trouble are used to refine us and to prepare us to be more effective in His service. It is the deepest desire of our hearts that through all our adventure of discipleship our children will grow to love, honour, worship, obey and serve our Lord Jesus more effectively than we have done.

“Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, yet your commandments are my delight.” Psalm 119:143

Thank you so very much for your love and prayers and support during this difficult time. May the Lord Jesus bless and reward you for your thoughtfulness and generosity.

May the Lord be your joy and strength.

Peter and Lenora Hammond

Lenora's Letter

Hammond News December 2004 - Mountain Marathon Ministry

Hammond News December 2003 - Serving God Wholeheartedly

Hammond News December 2002 - Praise God from Whom all blessings flow