Lelo did not have much, only a small concrete rented room with a bed and few belongings. During the Covid-19 lockdown, Lelo was not able to work, so she could not pay her rent. Pastor Mzo from Sound Doctrine Fellowship (Crossroads’ sister church) reached out to Lelo to make sure she was fine. Lelo started crying and admitted that she did not have any food, so money from the Durban Benevolence Fund was used to buy a good supply of food for her. She enjoyed the visit from the church leadership. They prayed for her and encouraged her in her faith. One day Lelo returned to her room, but she was locked out. The landlord had bolted the door and she could not get back in.
On the same property there was another structure being rented out by a lady named Nhlanhla and her children. When Pastor Mzo and Pastor Darin came with more food for Lelo, they were confused. Nhlanhla (an unbeliever) explained that Lelo did not stay in that room anymore. She stayed with her because she needed a mother’s love. She told Lelo that she didn’t have anything to offer her except love. Nhlanhla invited the pastors into her room. Pastor Mzo noticed a plastic bag with strings hanging down from the middle of the ceiling. It is a sign to the ancestors asking them for protection. The pastors shared the truth of the gospel with Nhlanhla and her daughter Themba and then left them to think about it.
They called a few days later and scheduled a follow-up visit. When the SDF leadership and their wives arrived, Pastor Mzo noticed two things. First of all, the bag and strings were no longer on the ceiling. Secondly, there were three new faces in the room. Nhlanhla invited three neighbors to hear the gospel! Pastor Mzo and his wife talked with Nhlanhla, Pastor Congolo and his wife took Themba to chat, and Pastor Dennis spoke with the three guests. When the group came back together, Pastor Mzo and Pastor Congolo both looked at each other and said, “She got saved!”
After the first visit, the Holy Spirit had worked in Nhlanhla and Themba’s hearts. They confessed their sin to God and trusted in Christ alone for salvation. Somehow, they just knew that they did not need the bag and strings any longer. They were safe in the arms of their Savior.
Lelo seemed so happy to be staying with Nhlanhla and her children. Pastor Mzo smiled at them and said to the mama, “What do you call this new family of yours?” Nhlanhla thought for a while and then replied, “We are the family of hope.”
More families are in need of hope. Your gift to the Durban Benevolence Fund gives them an opportunity to receive it. Share hope. Give to the Durban Benevolence Fund.
article written by Kathy Ishler