From the Pen of Pastor Aaron
Sixteen of us flew from Ghana, whose coast is on the Atlantic, all the way down and across the continent of Africa to the city of Durban, South Africa, which is on the eastern side of Africa, on the Indian Ocean. Durban is the third largest city in South Africa, with a population of over two million. We went with but one thought in mind…to win souls. It was not the metropolis of Durban we were focused on. We were headed to districts that everyone avoids. We were in one such district last year, Bottlebrush, and we returned there on this trip to do as Paul did, “to see how they are,” to encourage them, and to expand God’s sphere of influence through them.
Bottlebrush Home
We started the mission off with a five-day crusade in the township of Chastsworth in the settlement of Bottlebrush. Remember Bottlebrush from last year? Homes made out of anything, raw sewage running down the roads, and only one standpipe for water out by the road. When we arrived to set up our tent, we saw someone else had come and occupied the area we had been promised. However, God always has a plan, and His plan was made fully known only after the crusade was over. About 300 feet from where we intended to hold the crusade, on the opposite side of the road, was a school whose parking lot was no longer used. We sought permission from the authorities of the school to allow us to use the parking space to pitch the tent. We were met with such favor and openness, that we were not only allowed to set up our tent, but the school also opened up their multi-purpose room for medical teams to be situated there, as well as for the other ministry activities that our host pastor, Pastor Dennis and his wife, Eunice do in this district! The school authorities did one more act of favor…but I’ll save that for later.
We happily set up our tent and prepared for the first night. We were expecting a full tent because of the work accomplished last year in Bottlebrush. However, very few people came. We soon found out the reason: crime, pride, and prejudice! The communities around us were afraid to join us in the evening because we were in such a notoriously bad area. Police helicopters frequently had shoot-outs with criminals—and there had been one such just the night before! In addition, the neighboring Zulu community thought they were better than the Zulu community we were in because, they had been able to build a few concrete homes (size 10’ x 15’). In addition, the Indian community refused to come, citing that it was too dangerous in the night to attend, even with the assurance of police security patrolling the area for us. But God…
God led me to begin that first night with an extended period of worship and then call for those individuals who were suffering from pain and sickness. Those present began to move forward. As one of our team members said, “I have never seen a church service where people were prayed for before the preaching.” God was faithful and healed all the sick! This news was telegraphed throughout the three districts. As news reached the people about what God was doing, crime, pride and prejudice melted away!. It no longer mattered what side of the “tracks” you were coming from, the people of Bottlebrush were filling up the tent. And so did the Presence of God fill the tent!
Each night, God’s word was delivered. Each night, people came forward for salvation. Each night, people were healed. Each night, people came forward to be delivered from alcohol and drugs. They came forward throwing marijuana joints, snuff and stuff on the ground. God worked His wonders.
 Jesus Saved! |
 Jesus Healed! |
 Jesus Delivered! |
The final night of the crusade God continued to display Himself awesomely. That night , it rained a torrential rain. The wind picked up ferociously, yet the tent was unmoved. Amazingly, the rain did not stop people from attending, as the entire tent was filled to its capacity. I preached on the scripture, “Stand Still and See the Salvation of the Lord.” (Exodus 14:13) As I was preaching, I had a huge sledge hammer, and I began to destroy the idols of the area that the people had been bringing in and throwing at the base of the platform. The people in the tent were all standing on their feet, their eyes glued to what I was doing. I put 4 cigarettes in my mouth (unlit of course), and then threw them down crushing them with the sledge hammer. Next I brought a one-liter bottle of Miller Beer that I threw down to the ground. The bottle was glass and the floor was concrete, but the bottle refused to break—imagine that! I took that big sledge hammer and with all my might thrust it down to the ground, instantly crushing that bottle. A great shouting rose up out into the tent! God was working. Idols were being torn down in the realm of the spirit. I opened the altar and the altar was flooded with people! After the people received prayer, God was not finished! God continued to move on our hearts, and travailing prayer for the community broke out as we began to do spiritual combat in the area.
 Thou shalt have no other gods |
 One of many idols thrown down at the altar by attendees |
 Tearing down the idols! |
 Our God, He is Lord! |
The people were actually demanding a weekly service! The tent was left up so that on Sunday afternoon, the people could meet with two Zulu leaders from Pastor Dennis’ ministry who would lead them that Sunday afternoon service. Twenty people came, and fifteen were new converts! Remember the favor of the school? It continued! They are now allowing one of their rooms to be used for a church! The following Sunday, inside the classroom, over forty showed up, including these fifteen new converts. They are being pastored by a man Pastor Dennis has been mentoring for four years. Not only had God done a mighty work in that area during the crusade nights, but a church was born in the process to nurture and care for the people spiritually.
