May - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland
May - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland
May - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland
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Our Gospel Work in Africa and Israel 155<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> recent visit <strong>of</strong> Miss Margaret Macaskill and Miss Petra Beukers to <strong>the</strong><br />
Home for six weeks to give fur<strong>the</strong>r training to <strong>the</strong> housemo<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />
Kenya. From Sengera, Rev Keith Watkins reports that <strong>the</strong> work continues<br />
despite <strong>the</strong> difficulties caused in <strong>the</strong> area by <strong>the</strong> activities <strong>of</strong> a new Church<br />
led by sodomites from North America. The improprieties, some <strong>of</strong> a pagan<br />
nature, occurring at funerals, and against which our Church <strong>the</strong>re has witnessed<br />
for years, have increased. This has necessitated our Church withdrawing<br />
from a situation in which God-honouring worship cannot be conducted. Our<br />
people would wish it to be o<strong>the</strong>rwise and alternatives are being explored, but<br />
it is almost impossible to prevent <strong>the</strong>ir extended families imposing <strong>the</strong>ir wills<br />
on <strong>the</strong> proceedings.<br />
However, work among <strong>the</strong> youth is more encouraging. Ano<strong>the</strong>r wellattended<br />
Youth Conference was successfully held at Sengera in December.<br />
The Mission has also begun a new scheme, <strong>of</strong> giving help on Saturdays with<br />
school homework for secondary and upper primary pupils, which is being<br />
used by some 30 pupils. Although <strong>the</strong>y need more than education, it is hoped<br />
that <strong>the</strong>y will do better in <strong>the</strong>ir examinations as a result and that, by <strong>the</strong><br />
Lord’s blessing, <strong>the</strong>y will be made a blessing to <strong>the</strong> Church.<br />
Israel. Although Rev John Goldby has withdrawn from Israel, he is still involved<br />
in <strong>the</strong> publication <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new Westminster Confession <strong>of</strong> Faith in Hebrew<br />
and <strong>the</strong> revision <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hebrew New Testament (<strong>of</strong> which <strong>the</strong> Gospel <strong>of</strong> John<br />
has been finished) but it has been decided that, “with <strong>the</strong> completion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
present translation projects, <strong>the</strong> [Jewish and Foreign Missions] Committee<br />
expect our work in Israel to cease meantime”. Mr Goldby hopes that <strong>the</strong> Gospel<br />
<strong>of</strong> John will be published soon, and we pray that <strong>the</strong> distribution <strong>of</strong> it and<br />
<strong>the</strong> Westminster Confession will bear much spiritual fruit. After Mr Goldby<br />
returned to Britain, <strong>church</strong> services continued in Jerusalem under Mr Al<br />
Hembd (a communicant in our Texas congregation and employee <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> TBS,<br />
who is studying at <strong>the</strong> Hebrew University) but, as <strong>the</strong>re is no longer a core<br />
<strong>of</strong> people attending regularly, <strong>the</strong>se have been discontinued for <strong>the</strong> present.<br />
In conclusion, it is encouraging to those who are engaged in mission<br />
work that “<strong>the</strong> Word <strong>of</strong> God is not bound” (2 Tim 2:9). Their labour is is not<br />
in vain in <strong>the</strong> Lord, whe<strong>the</strong>r sowing <strong>the</strong> good seed <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gospel or maintaining<br />
<strong>the</strong> institutions which are handmaids to it. God says about His Word: “It<br />
shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and<br />
it shall prosper in <strong>the</strong> thing whereto I sent it” (Is 55:11) – surely a great motive<br />
for plying <strong>the</strong> throne <strong>of</strong> grace to plead for His blessing on its proclamation.<br />
Strive above all things to obtain full assurance <strong>of</strong> future bliss. To this end take heed<br />
<strong>of</strong> neglecting your communion with God in holy duties. Take heed <strong>of</strong> bitterness,<br />
wrath, anger; by all <strong>the</strong>se <strong>the</strong> Spirit is grieved.<br />
Thomas Case