AFRICA REPORT
DEC 2000 & JAN 2001

By Harold Hildebrandt

I left for Africa on Dec 18th and returned Jan 16th. Three countries were visited on this
trip - SOUTH AFRICA, ZAMBIA, and MALAWI.

Our 1st stop was South Africa. Here we ministered at a convention in Ranfontien - not far from Johannasburg which was hosted by Bro. Joseph Daniels. It was the 25th Anniversary for this assembly and people had gathered from many parts of the country to feed on the Present Truth. After the convention five people were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The 2nd country we visited was Zambia, in Choma where Bro. Levison Zulu was the pastor. Just two days before I was to leave for Africa, we received news that Bro. Zulu had suffered a heart attack and had gone to be with the Lord. The local elders made a decision to continue with the convention as planned, and the Lord really blessed the meetings. At the conclusion of the convention, 14 people were baptized in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sister Zulu was present in all of the meetings. She has 6 young children to raise - please remember her in your prayers.

From Choma we flew to Ndola. Bro. Shem Kapangula had planned a convention in Mufaliera. There were quite a number of churches and pastors represented at the convention.
The meetings were from Tuesday thru Sunday. I spoke the first 5 services which included a Young People's Meeting and a Ministers Meeting. Bro. Joseph Daniels from South Africa and Bro. Franklin from Malawi continued with the convention until Sunday night.

I had to leave to go to Lusaka for the weekend with Bro. Ron Kapisha, the pastor of the Church in Lusaka. This was not a convention - it was mostly the local church which was approximately 400 people. The Lord really blessed the services everywhere in Zambia. It was a blessing to me to see how the churches in Zambia have grown both spiritually and in numbers.

From Zambia we flew to Malawi. We had a mid-week service with Bro. Dixon Kandoji in Blantyre. Bro. Dixon's assembly has become a centre where the Word of God goes forth. They are involved in translating the Message into the Chechewa language. They are also very much involved in spreading the Message in Mozambique. We had services Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night, and God gave us a tremendous time with the Saints in Blantyre.

From Blantyre we flew to Lilongwe which is the capital of Malawi. Bro. Johner Mbewe had planned a convention and many of the ministers and churches in that area co-operated in the meetings. Bro. Paddington (the unsung hero of Malawi) interpreted for me.
We had four services in Lilongwe. It was the first time I have ever been able to be in Lilongwe over a weekend so many had gathered in for these meetings. God really blessed His people with His presence and anchored them in the Word of the Hour.

I preached 26 times during my trip to Africa - I came back very tired, but rejoicing in the Lord to see His goodness and blessing on His people and thankful to God that He has made us a part of His end time plan.

May God bless you,
Your Brother in His Service
HAROLD HILDEBRANDT