This has been a very refreshing and relaxing Easter Break for the Garnie family. Jennifer and two of her friends spent the weekend with us here in Okahandja. Jenny decided that she would make a Poitjie (pronounced Poikey).. She did an excellent job of it and we all ate to our hearts content.
The disciples saw Jesus arrested, they watched from a distance as he was tried and beaten and then nailed to a cross.. As they watched him die it must have seemed as though their world had come to an end.. This man with whom they had spent the past three years was now dead and their future probably seemed bleak.. In the depths of their sadness, discouragement and despair along comes a woman, early in the morning to tell them news that was so seemingly crazy and outrageous.. Jesus, whom they had seen die was alive ! Yeah Right !
Despite the doubts and the questions and the uncertainties, it was true: He (Jesus) is Risen !
Still today there are many who respond to Jesus in cynicism, skepticism and doubt, and yet Jesus is ALIVE and HE is still in the Resurrection business - I was a speaker at a men's camp two weeks ago and witnessed a man turn from despair and doubt as the glorious message of Christ penetrated the outer veneer he had created to keep others at a distance. The resurrection of hope is an amazing event to see.. Could it be that as you read this short post you have become aware of something in you- a dream, hope, a relationship etc has seemingly died and you are feeling discouraged and despondent.. Well the Good News is that Nothing is dead until Jesus says it is.. Others around may see it differently BUT what you and I really need to is to ask God to open our eyes to see what HE sees.. Jesus Said- I am the way the truth and the LIFE.. If Jesus (Who is life) is in any given situation how can there be anything in that situation BUT life..
The church we attend is going through some very exciting times as it continues to grow. We are on the threshold of adopting a new name which we believe is indicative of the type of church we are becoming.. Exciting because we are introducing house churches within the next two weeks.. Exciting because we are seeing lives change !!
During the past three months I have started playing tennis at the local courts in town. It has been good to get some much needed extra exercise and to play a game that I thoroughly enjoy . The most enjoyable blessing has been that the tennis court has been the place where we have met some Zimbabweans who are living here in Okahandja - Denver and his wife Progress, Jabulani, Herbert, Nixon and Mattheus.. We have enjoyed making new friends (from home), hearing news from home through the stories they tell and really to simply extend our network of friends and countrymen/women.
Along with others I lift my voice to pray for Resurrection to come to Zimbabwe... Won't that be a glorious day ?
