Dear Prayer Friends
We honour the Lord for a wonderfully blessed first quarter of 2023. We stand in awe at the way in which the Lord opens doors in every district, and how He uses each of His servants to reach people with the Gospel. Thank you for your continued prayers for the workers as well as for souls for His kingdom!
It is a great privilege to depend on God who works through our frailty, faithful and diligent in service, never allowing our trust to degenerate into indolence but ever pressing forward in the work for the Master. We find no slothfulness or negligence in Gideon, or his three hundred; though they were weak and few, they were wholly true, and everything in them ready for God to use to the very last. “Faint yet pursuing” was their watchword, as they followed and finished resulting in their glorious victory, not resting until the last of their enemies were destroyed. Even their false friends were punished for their treachery and unfaithfulness!
God still calls the weakest instruments, but when He chooses and enables them, they are no longer weak, but “mighty through God,”. Teach me, my blessed Master, to trust and obey! Frans & Erica Gericke
Tribute
Pieter Ernst Scholtz
01/07/1926 – 22/03/2023
Mr Pieter Scholtz, beloved by the A.E.B. and countless others, was born on the 1st July 1926. Psalm 80:17 is an apt summary of his life, “Let Thy Hand be upon the man of Thy right Hand, upon the son whom thou makest strong for Thyself.” All who knew him were conscious of the Hand of God upon his life and that his greatest desire was the glory of God. He was saved during the Revival of 1940 in the Vryburg district, when two lady pilgrims ministered there. Shortly after his salvation, God called him to the Bible College to train for the work of the A.E.B.
Right from the start, his passionate zeal for souls and the evident blessing upon his ministry, was apparent to all who had to do with him. The fires of Revival that had set his soul ablaze, never abated until the day of his death. He was recognized as a man of God, in conversations, during lectures and while listening to his fervent messages.
During the decades of spiritual decline, which gained momentum after the 1960’s, he was an ardent emblem, a blazing lighthouse that beamed across the troubled waters of a floundering world. His unswerving faith in God and love for the Word, reignited hope, stability, and faith in the hearts of those who visited him in his frailty in 2023. Only eternity will reveal the countless souls that found God as a means of his ministry across a span of 80 years.
God called this faithful servant home on the 22nd of March at a time when his evident longing to be with the Lord and his dear wife Annemarie, who had gone to glory shortly before, on the 16th of October 2022 was understood by all. It was evident the finishing touches had been done and the soul was ready to be gathered up to join those others who had finished their earthly race. Ametis House, where he spent his last days, are faithfully continuing the Bible Study he started and expanded as a field of ministry. What a heritage has been left us, so many testifying that they had found God, returned to God from a backslidden state or been given fresh courage and zeal to run as never before, because their lives had crossed his path! – Mr. Hercu Wentzel
Prayer Requests
May
24 April – 5 May – Kimberley visitation
17 April – 9 May – Coast Outreach – Namibia
2 May – Hankey – Eastern Cape
3,10,17,31 May – Pta-East Retirement – T Ridgard
5 May – Youth meeting – Port Elizabeth
6 & 20 May – Youth game night – Glenvar
8 & 29 May – MVA Bricks – T Ridgard
8 & 29 May – Tuisbly Academy Tuine – T Ridgard
6 – 14 May – Queenstown – Eastern Cape
7 May – Kuilsrivier meeting, Western Cape
7 May – Kimberley meeting – Rev. Clarence le Roux
8-12 May – Welkom outreach
9 – 12 May – Outreach to farms – Postmasburg
14 & 28 May – EG Church Ventersdorp – Glenvar
14 May – EG Hartbeespoort Service – T Ridgard
14 May – Strand monthly meeting
14 – 26 May – Tsumeb & Grootfontein Outreach
15 May – Nigel school opening
16 May – Senekal youth evening
17 May – Reitz youth evening
18 May – EG Pta.-Tuine Meeting – T Ridgard
18 -27 May – Aberdeen & Graaff Reinet
22-26 May – Welkom outreach
23 – 26 May – Hopetown visitation
24 May – EG Church Pta.-Oos “Silwer Jeug”
27 May – Hopetown Men’s Breakfast – Rev. Johan Bothma
June
1 – 14 June – AEB CD recordings
4 June – EG Church Ventersdorp
7 June – Pta-East Retirement Village – T Ridgard
5 – 8 June – BKO Youth & VBS Orania
12 – 16 June – North Woods Conference, Michigan – Roy & Jenny Daniel
13-14 June – Council meetings
14 – 18 June – Prayer Convention – Hebron
Vacation Bible School
26 – 30 June
-Kimberley (Northern Cape)
-Uitenhage (Eastern Cape)
-Upington (Orange River)
3 – 7 July
-Orania (Northern Cape)
-Boksburg (Southern-Gauteng)
-Odendaalsrus (Free State)
-Kakamas (Orange River)
10 – 15 July
-Welkom (Free State)
-Hartbeespoort (Southern-Gauteng)
-Middelburg (Northern-Gauteng)
-Potchefstroom (North West)
July
5-8 July – Namibia Youth camp Emmanuel
11 – 27 July – Upington outreach
24 July – 2 August Reitz outreach
19-21 July – Verootmoediging dienste – Glenvar
30 July – 3 Aug. – Kimberley outreach
4 – 6 Aug. – L/s Dalview Gr 4-7 Camp
9 – 20 Aug. – Girls Camp Wisconsin – JR Daniel
21 – 26 Aug. – Boys Camp Wisconsin – Roy Daniel
Streetwork outreaches in Stellenbosch – Western Cape
News from the Field
Northern Cape
DBKO Youth week, Orania: Students attend the Northern Cape Training Centre from all over South Africa. The Lord opened a door for us to be part of the Orientation Week and we thus had the joy to share the Gospel during this crucial time. So many of the young people are hurt and broken. What a privilege to share with them that Jesus can ‘heal the broken hearted’. One young girl confessed her sins and sought God to forgive her for all the sins she had partaken in. A young man showed an evident seeking after God.
Hopetown Men’s Breakfast: We were a group of 20 men together. One man sent a WhatsApp message afterwards, testifying that he had met with the Lord. We praise God and trust Him for a deep work in the hearts of all these men. Easter Day Convention: About 35 men, women and children gathered for the Easter Day Convention that we held on a farm between Williston and Calvinia. What a joy it was to share Christ crucified to these farmers and their families and we trust God for further blessings upon their lives. We look to God to do ‘abundantly above what we can ask or think’ in the days ahead!
Glenvar Bybel Kollege
We had precious times of prayer while Mr. and Mrs. Bartsch ministered the Word. It was precious to see each student seeking the Lord. With the term just started, we are going full steam ahead with classes and outreaches. An outstanding opportunity was that which we had last week at the Hebron Centre for those who had lost their work. After the outreach there were a whole group who sought the Lord and responded to the Word. The students testify of many a soul surrendering to God.
We also had opportunities for ministry at the Pick and Pay where they stretched the time allotted from 5 minutes to 20 minutes. The one lady testified that the messages built her up in her faith. At the old age home, one of the residents said that she would not miss the meetings for the world!
Weekly outreaches – Glenvar
Wednesdays – Pick ‘n Pay
Thursdays-High School Volkies, Hebron house
Fridays – Chapel service and streetwork
Sundays- Retirement Home meeting
Northern Gauteng
Women’s Convention: Annelize had a desire and burden for a Women’s Convention for a long while, and she eventually took the leap of faith in organizing it. The Word of God was shared with about 40 ladies. The messages reached the hearts of each one there and many testified of God’s dealings in their lives. To God be all the glory.
Youth Camp: We had a wonderful time with the Youth, and we honour the Lord for the manner in which He worked in hearts and was so patently with us. Many souls responded for salvation, spiritual needs and one for calling. We praise God for the beautiful group of 35 who were there. I had the privilege to hold two Bible Studies. I was privileged to help Albert and Joreth Bartsch with an outreach in Piet Retief during the 11- 19th February. I was inspired by their zeal and fervor to serve the Lord and in all that they are doing for Him. The 4 Youth Evenings in the School Hall were attended by 75 children. I preached at one of these and Albert at the other three. We both had two openings at the beautiful Wittenberg Schule, and we took part in a play on the 3rd morning. I also had opportunities to preach at the Piet Retief Junior School, Immergroen Retirement Home, Pentecost Church Congregation. May God bless and keep doors of ministry open.
Easter Weekend: God came, and our hearts were tenderly spoken to. There was a burden for prayer and without prompting, many went aside for prayer between the meetings. We praise God for the faithful messages by Dr. Jannie van der Hoven and the other speakers.
Dorette Müller was in Groblersdal from the 11th – 22nd April. She holds a Sunday School class in her congregation (E.G. Rietfontein); is involved with street work on Fridays in Hatfield whenever possible, is part of her church’s hospital visitation at Steve Biko Hospital and is constantly busy with visitation in Pretoria. Remember to uphold her in prayers!
Southern Gauteng
A highlight was the testimonies of the young people after the Samekoms Youth Camp. One young man testified with tears that God had saved his soul. Another young man from the Freestate testified with great joy that God had called him into fulltime service. So much hurt was brought to the foot of the Cross! We praise God that we could have been part of it. Please pray for the precious seed sown in hearts, that it will grow and bring forth fruit.
Western Cape
The Lord greatly encouraged us during the Easter Convention at Amana. We were daunted in the beginning to be without pilgrims, someone to handle the meals and the fact that Cobie had to preach as well. The nearer we came to the convention; the more God sustained and strengthened us. The most significant part of the convention was a spirit of brokenness amongst all there. God came in worked in the softened hearts. Many who faced individual challenges were invigorated by God to press forward with great courage. All glory to God for a weekend of great blessing where we were all uplifted. The crucifixion and resurrection became a living reality to all there.
Natal
We are busy every Friday evening with the Youth Meeting at the church aiding with Scripture Memorization, games and the messages. I give a message up to twice every month at an Old Age Home in Scottburgh. Once a month a prayer meeting is held in Hillcrest in Durban.
Orange River
I went on tour and visited the following places: Aggeneys, Springbok, Port Nolloth and Koingnaas. We shared the Word of the Lord at various places and have arranged for a series of meetings in Springbok later. As we bring the Gospel message, some reject it, while others are deeply impacted. We pray that the seed planted in hearts will continue to grow.
Convention Speaker
It is just a month before I leave for the annual visits and opportunities in the USA. Involuntarily, I looked back over the past weeks. Firstly, grateful that God continues to take me forward, step by step, while I marveled at the workings of God in lives. People have testified to new resolutions, strength, and courage each in their unique situations some facing huge challenges. I have been further encouraged, hearing that messages were passed on and shared. All this has been due to fervent prayer. As never before, prayer is our greatest need. While people pray, God works!
I was delighted to lecture and share at the Glenvar Bible College in Potchefstroom. There will be further lectures on the 5th, 19th and 26th, hopefully in person for the last two, but otherwise via Skype. On the other side of the Atlantic, Roy is continually busy with counselling visitation and meetings. The Florida Tent Meetings (12 – 19 March) and Rhinelander Bible Conference (23 – 26 March) were times of deep blessing!
Namibia
We have been ministering for a long time at Berg-Op School and we had the privilege to conduct their Grade 8 Camp. Many of the scholars are well-known to us and we enjoyed spending the weekend with them.
Windhoek: This was a blessed time with the children and we could deal more personally with the children at this outreach. We were given longer times at some of the schools and gave Bible Studies during extended break times. W.H.S., W.A.P., Delta Junior School, Academia, Windhoek Gymnasium, Dagbreek and H.T.S. were school where we had the privilege to minister at. There was a wonderful response at the schools, and we were especially grateful to gain entrance to Delta and Academia as we had not been able to get in there before. We had a very meaningful time at the W.A.P. hostel with the students there. It made a huge difference that we were consistently in contact with them. We had a very blessed weekend convention, where the people attended to seek the Lord and we give all glory to Him for all He has done!
Eastern Cape
Haarlem: At the clinic we were able to have a service for all the patients and staff, and the hall was full. The one nurse asked us to visit her and requested that we also go to the school. She told us that the young people so desperately need God. A few days after we had left Uniondale, we had a message from a young man who had been on the farm with his family. He confessed that he was full of sin and that God had deeply spoken to his heart. Our joy in the Lord had made a deep impression on him. He simply asked for prayer stating that he was full of sin!
Youth Camp: Two young girls gave us a lot of uphill at the camp but eventually one sought the Lord for salvation and the other testified that God who had been so far off had come near!
Easter Convention: It was a time of Holy Remembrance. God worked in our hearts and lives. Words cannot express what God did, holy moments, anointed messages, wonderful testimonies of salvation and sweet fellowship as we sang together in the evenings.
Karatara: We were able to do street work, hand out tracts, have conversations with people over their relationship with the Lord, as well as doing house visitation. We thank God for this wide open door!
Free State
Bothaville Convention: There were approximately 15 people in every service. A few people testified that the messages had meant a lot to them. We honour and bless God for that. We long, however, that more souls will hunger to hear God’s Word. We are grateful for the Dorothea Work amongst the farm workers, visiting the women and children in the homes. The work we did in Wesselsbron was hugely challenging and the enemy opposed us on every side! Despite this we know that seed of eternal value was sown in hearts, and we can trust God to continue to work. The only child that spoke to us after the opportunity at the school said that the sermon was a picture of her whole life and that she was full of sin, but not willing to repent and trust God to save her. Please pray for her.
The Dorothea workers teamed up with us in holding services for the farm workers. There was a definite working of God amongst them, and one worker sought out a Dorothea worker for spiritual help. I will be handing this man a Bible Study Course.
Youth Camp: Initially, there was resistance amongst the young people, and we prayed earnestly that God would break through. Wednesday, we spoke about divorce and a whole group of the young people responded. One young man brought all the hurt of eighteen years in a broken home to the Lord in tears laying it down at the Cross. I do believe God is busy healing his heart. At the last service 14 children came out and dedicated their lives to the Lord. It was a blessing to see how children who have attended camps down the years have grown in the Lord.
Easter Convention: After the first message on Saturday, 8 people responded to a powerful salvation message. At the 11 am service, 30 people dedicated their lives fully to God some for the first time and some for rededication. They gave over their time, possessions, money, hands, mouth, and whole being to be utterly available to God. May He use each one in His perfect way. It was wonderful to hear people testify at the Mispa Convention that they had found God as Saviour as well as others who felt called into fulltime service. We praise God for all He has done over 50 years and pray that He will continue to work there!
Odendaalsrus: Odensia Primary School: A whole group of children responded, some for salvation and others for issues and needs in their lives. I stayed until midday at the school, praying and counselling the children. One of the little girls showed me a wordless book she had made and wept as she spoke of her spiritual needs. I had the privilege to pray with her right there.