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"The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God"
 
 
In the Media
 
 

“Bibles Multiply”

The following is an excerpt from “Postcard News”. It is a written record of the miracles that birthed our mission.

“A definite highlight of the trip was the military concerts. These concerts were an unprecedented success with more than 95% of soldiers and their families receiving Christ at each of the four performances. The witness of this was the very emotional time for Rev Jason Greive and other team members. This was particularly true when later we were told that many of the soldiers who responded would probably die within two years due to the overwhelming problem with the HIV virus (AIDS). As many as 10 soldiers will die in one day because of this ravaging disease.

“It was during these concerts that we witnessed one of the greatest miracles of all. After last year's fund-raising effort for the distribution of bibles at the military concerts, we managed to purchase 3,900 bibles. Though this was a significant contribution it wasn’t enough to sustain the anticipated numbers. However God had a greater plan.

Much to everyone’s surprise the bibles began to supernaturally increase. After only collecting 3,900 bibles from the Zimbabwean Bible society, we discovered that they had grown to 4,400 in transit to our accommodation. On one particular night we only took with us 1,300 bibles and yet managed to distribute 1,400 bibles with more than 300 bibles left over!

At the conclusion of the final concert we had distributed 6,000 – 6,500 bibles after only purchasing 3,900 bibles!”

What do you call that?

We call it a miracle! Praise God.

National News - Times of Swaziland

Tuesday, October 31, 2000

BETHANY - A Christian organisation from Australia yesterday presented 4000 Bibles to the Umbuto Swaziland Defence Force (USDF).

Army commander Sobantu Dlamini received the Bibles on behalf of the army.

USDF spokesman, Lieutenant Khanya Dlamini said the army would use the Bibles during a combat operation. He said the Bibles were camouflaged and appropriate for the army.

"We can take these Bibles when we are going to war. The cover is well protected in such a way that it cannot be destroyed easily," said Dlamini.

He said the army pastor Lieutenant Maseko was the one who successfully negotiated that the Bibles be delivered to the USDF.

He said Maseko met with the Australian delegation leader, Jason Greive, at a Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) conference in Malawi where they agreed that the USDF would also be presented with Bibles.

Dlamini said the Bibles would be enough for the army "because we are about 3000".

He said the Bibles would also be used during the weekly prayer sessions held by each army camp.

Speaking at the same occasion, Army Commander Dlamini said His Majesty has said it time and again that a soldier should hold a Bible in one hand and a rifle in the other. "This idea may seem to be contradictory to some people, yet it is not," he said but did not elaborate.

BETHANY - Army commander Sobantu Dlamini receives a bible from Rev. Greive of Australia. This was during a prayer service where 4,000 bibles were presented to the Army. (Pic: Mduduzi Mngomezulu)

Soldiers entertained

... and they dance in front of their superiors
(above story continued...)

by Innocent Maphalala

BETHANY - Fresh from controlling protests by students, teachers and workers, soldiers from the country's 10 camps sang and danced in front of their commander Sobantu Dlamini yesterday during the presentation of Bibles.

The soldiers had come to receive the Bibles from an Australian Christian team but ended up entertaining their superiors.

The soldiers started by singing together with David Evans and his team and later joined in dancing.

Intricate dancing skills were displayed when the leader of the group put up a compact disc (CD) as a prize for the soldier who would dance the best.

At least four soldiers were pointed out and asked to dance before their commander and the other people who attended the event.

They displayed outstanding break-dancing skills, making it difficult for the team leader to pick the winner.

At the end one of them, whoever received the thumbs up from the commander, went away with the CD.

The team, which provided exhilarating music that made everyone dance, also initiated an impromptu competition where soldiers were supposed to go under a low bar held by two members of the group. The soldiers were expected to go under the bar with both their feet on the ground.

A number of them were eliminated as the rung was lowered to about a metre in height.

Slim, short and burly soldiers tried their luck until one of them remained and was declared the winner.

Throughout all this, the commander watched in obvious approval at the confidence and skills of his charges.

 

Soldiers do the limbo

A soldier breakdances to try and win the CD prize

BETHANY - Demonstrating skills ... After a weekend of hard work, preventing associations from holding meetings, yesterday was a different day for members of the army, as they sang Christian songs, played games and danced in front of their army commander. This was during the presentation of 4,000 Bibles to the army by an Australian Christian team.

OA Music Team