Greetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus, from the Free State province of the Republic of South Africa.
Now, then Ruth was asked to do something that was disgraceful, but she was willing because she’d made her decision. What a type of the believer, what a perfect type. Naomi, the old church said, “Go down tonight; its barley season.” Oh, what a beautiful thought we could hang on right her. Naomi and Ruth come in just at barley season. Barley season was bread season, the season when fresh bread was being served. And the church in this last days, through two thousand years of pagan teaching and things, has come in at barley season: freshness of Life, new Bread, honey and heaven (Russell, talk about honey–crust bread.) This is It, Bread from heaven. “I’M the Bread of Life. Your fathers did eat manna and are dead. But I am the Bread of Life that comes from God out of heaven. If a man eats this Bread, he’ll never die.” And the church in this last days here. Is brought right now at barley season.
[Kinsman Redeemer 60-1002]
The Free State encompasses a town named Bethlehem on the eastern escarpments of the county. Additionally, this area of the state is branded the ‘the corn belt’ and ‘the bread basket’ of the Republic. These eastern highlands are laden rich with minerals and good loam soil to raise wheat and maize.
My hometown, Botshabelo, means “asylum.” Between 1979 and 1980 an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people were resettled on the farm ‘Onverwacht’ some 60 km from Bloemfontein and some 330 km from Qwaqwa (the Basotho Homeland), of which it was designated to become part. The farm had been acquired by the SA government for the purpose of ‘relocating’ people from white farms and from proclaimed townships of the Orange Free State. The terrain was consisted of rocky, barren veld on which plots were marked out by tin structures. Employment opportunities were few. Residents were forced to travel 10 km to Thaba Nchu or 60 km to Bloemfontein, if they were lucky enough to have a job. Schooling and health facilities remained inadequate.
Botshabelo became the largest single relocation area in the country. Most of its residence were Southern Sesotho speakers. They had been rejected by the Bophuthatswana authorities (hence the name Botshabelo). Children who were not Tswanas had been barred from attending schools in Bophuthatswana. A report from the South African Council of Churches (SACC) noted that Botshabelo amounted to no more than a rural slum from which three stakeholders stood to benefit. Qwaqwa stood to gain additional territory; the Bophuthatswana authorities were able to evict the thousands of non–Tswana squatters and the government was able to consolidate its policy of ethnically based homelands.
Apparently the bread basket was opened through the years 1983 to 1985 when the first ever Spoken Word books were positioned in the hands of otherwise inactive hearts and after the many years of pagan teachings. Ever since, the number of believers has multiplied to about 600.
Recently, when the Catch The Vision crew visited my far-flung, remote settlement, a number of believers from the adjoining areas descended upon our humble town eastward of Bloemfontein.
The visit was delightful as years of toiling and labouring had scarred and marred our fellowship and brotherhood. Believers had been yearning for an opportunity of fellowship around the Word. Isaiah well spoke of a rock in a weary land, a shelter from the storm. We now can come together and feast on the table spread and dine from the Master’s House. Believers had come to dip their hands in the Basket of Life, to feed their hungry souls. To me, they seemed like termites carrying stalks to their respective homes in anticipation for and in preparation for the winter season.
I’ve been daunted with calls of appreciation from thankful hearts for the encouragement and enlightenment the trip brought about. Some feeble hands that once hung down were raised and those souls are determined to serve the Lord again. The Voice Of God In The Last Days was precious to the soul and the bones were strengthened. This time the Voice could not be dimmed. It was clear, urgent and distinct like a trumpet.
As one turns northward, one comes upon the Goldfields. These areas are loaded in gold-bearing concentrates and some diamonds. Men and women come from far off countries of the world to mine these precious metals. The one Precious Pearl that mankind should mine at all cost is that Great Diamond that men should seek and add value to their barren lives, the Lord Jesus. “He that knew no sin was made sin for us to make sinners sons.”
Our hearts were warmed by the testimonies from the Voice of God representatives from Zambia, Cape Town and Durban as they expounded to us how God is opening new doors in unlikely areas of the world to call His Bride. We somewhat realized the responsibility that goes along with bringing a Message of this magnitude to the world. Once again the trip was informative and helpful and a blessing to us. You’re always in our prayers.
Then came that sad moment of separation, it was a sad sight to watch the Catch The Vision crew packing away the equipments into their black and gold trailer and the truck after three days of fellowship with ministers, sisters and brothers of like precious faith. We hope that Brother Joseph Branham and his staff will send back the Catch The Vision staff and will keep on sending those books and tapes to sustain our souls.
God bless you all.