^^3

moid u dlamf uMo nui ^uL and a

li/jkiudo nuf fialK." "JidinA lll-.IOS

SOUTH

aFRIC/SN

TORCH

Republic of

Port Shepstone

South Africa

Duane says, "Ryan's efforts to 'keep that

smile' during the family photo session for
passports and publicity pictures reminded
me of many painful photo sessions as I grew
up in a missionary family."

Transkei

tCape Town

lUmzumbe Bible instiiuie)

East London*

First Quarter 1986

Volume 37

Number 1

ANOTHER STANLEY, I PRESUME

generation which has watched

sweeping changes transform the face
of Africa, and where the winds of
change and unrest still blow in force. I

Stanleys, missions work, and Africa

have been associated ever since Sir

Henry Morton Stanley made his

famous trip in search of missionary
David Livingstone. Better known than
his name, is Stanley's famous, "Dr.
Livingstone, I Presume!" Of more
recent vintage is the trek of Lynn
Stanley and his sons to South Africa.
With departure set for June '86, the
Duane Stanley family becomes the
fourth set of Stanleys to work in
African leadership development in this
troubled country.
Duane will be returning to work for
six months in the country he left
twenty years ago when he returned to
the U.S. for his college work. Kathy,
Amber (10), Ryan (8) and Nathan (6)
are all excited about the trip. Grandpa
Stanley says Nathan is exactly like
Duane was 33 years ago when the first

trip to South Africa was made!

Randall's

"We

Would

maintain the same conclusion I drew

at that time: that the extent to which

indigenous leadership is equipped is

the extent to which the future strength
and stability of the African church will
be measured.

Duane, Kathy, Amher(lO), Ryan (8), and

Nathan (6) Stanley will be in South Africa
from July through December, 1986. Duane
will be working in leadership training and
teaching at UBI.

Do

It

Again" and being very impressed with

the work my father had come to do in
South Africa and the great responsi
bility that was his. Max had said,
"We came to South Africa to as

sume leadership ofa religious body

that was only Church of Christ in

design a model for leadership develop

ment for the future.
The

Testament norm as it was possible

to be" (p. 140).
A few years later Max would write in
his second book, as he evaluated the
progress made in South Africa, "The
Bible Training School was the key to
the future of our African labour." The
truth of his statement continues to be

borne out a

generation later -

With South Africa's future unclear,

the matter of leadership training is as
important as it has ever been. With
that thought in mind, we are preparing
for a busy six months of leadership
training and of working with
missionaries and African leaders to

name. Immorality, polygamy, dis

honesty, witchcraft, black magic,
superstition, unbelief, the worst
sort of denominational conglomer
ate, and every conceivable evil,
false doctrine and wickedness, we
found within the mission...And we
found it about as far from the New

I remember as a teenager reading

Max

by Duane Stanley

board

of

directors

of

the

Christian Student Fellowship (campus

ministry at the University of
Minnesota) where Duane has been
working since 1973 have granted a six
month sabbatical for the trip. They
have given their encouragement and
blessing and they recommend Duane
highly for the work. They urge you to
provide the prayer and financial
support to make this an effective six
months in the Lord's work.

DIFFERENT BUT FAMILIAR

by Kathy Stanley

It was seventeen years ago - before

so many stories that I really feel that I

Duane and I were married ~ that we

know the country and the work.

There are so many things I would
like to see; I would like to look out my

thing to look forward to but I have

heard the stories so many times I
would like to experience it myself!
When we reach the school I can finally

front window and see the Indian Ocean

meet and talk with Mrs. Jam Jam and

the way Mom and Dad Stanley do. I'd

like to ride with Dad over the rough
path called a road, that leads to the
Bible Training School (UBI). And
after a rain, able only to drive part way,

with Nic Qwemesha. I look forward to

seeing the 'rondavels,' the round huts

talked and planned of going into

mission work in South Africa. Various

things have happened during those

years that we understood as God
closing doors (for the time being) to our
following those original plans. Now,
after all these years, at least
temporarily, we will make the trip. I
am looking forward to going. I have
seen so many pictures and have heard

we would walk the remainder in the

mud.

That may seem to be a funny

made of mud and sticks and thatch. I

look forward to seeing Pietermaritzburg, the city filled with trees covered
with beautiful purple blossoms.
Family life will certainly be different

with

no

microwave

oven

and

no

television, no washing machine nor

dryer for the clothes. But hopefully
there will be time for handwork and

sewing and baking -- particularly

trying new recipes. The climate will be
very different, of course. With the

heard across the back yard.

(I'm
carrying some heavy-duty screening
in my suitcase.)
I do have concerns though too as we
plan the trip. Duane and I are older
and three children will be making the
trip with us. There is a home to leave

warm weather doors and windows are

behind. The news is filled with catas

left open (unlike in Minnesota's frosty

northland), and no screens are even

trophes ~ plane crashes, hi-jackings,

and terrorist bombings in internation
al terminals. We listen closely on the

needed.

But

we've

heard

how

accessible this makes you to

anything walking or flying by.
Debbie was visited by a scorpion one
night which bit her as she slept. Caryl
has

had

other

unwelcome

visitors

including snakes and an iguana that

liked her living room, not to mention
monkeys whose chattering can be

news for word of the South African

Amber, Ryan and Nathan search for Africa

unrest in the cities, and we hear from

"where Grandpa and Grandma live."

Excitement over their trip to South Africa

the folks of the local unrest as tribal

grows daily.

units fight over the chieftanship. All

cause us concern, and we seek your
prayers for safety and effectiveness in
our work.

Over seventeen years I have seen

many pictures and heard many stories

about the Stanleys in Africa. It will be
exciting to meet the people, see the
places, and experience the life myself.

WHERE DOES THE SCHOOL FIT IN?

~ Past, Present and Future

It seems that everywhere people are
making an evaluation of the situation
in South Africa, especially in regard to
the dismantling of apartheid. We who
are working closely with the African
need to look carefully at the situation
as well. What do we see happening in
connection with the Bible training
school? Is it fulfilling its intended
purpose, and is it making any progress
in this reform process? Is it preparing
people for the new situation?
The Church has probably been a
leader in reform for all of the time we
have been here. In the churches black

leaders have been able to express them

selves. In the early days we would
often have a man stand up in a meeting
to say, "1 want to second what has just
been said," and then spend 15 minutes
giving his version of what was meant.
It has been our thought that we
should work ourselves out of a job ~ in
other words our job was to prepare the
local leaders for the time when they
would be able to take over the leader

ship of the work. In the executive

meetings Africans had equal votes

Ten years ago we moved to get the

ministers involved in the operation of
the Bible training school.
First

come with varying abilities in

understanding and using it.
We

attempts

valuable to them in daily life, but most

religious helps are in English rather
than the vernacular. A great challenge
to the teachers has always been to get

were

not too

successful

because of all the issues involved, but

we have moved forward, and the men
on the school committee are men who

have been representing the churches

most of those years.
They have
continued

to

believe the school is

needed as a training center for

Christian leadership.
They have also made suggestions in
the courses to be taught, which
include extending some courses, and
adding some things. They would like
to have some practical courses that
would even help the men support
themselves.
The first such course,

typing, has been taught for a number

of years. Woodwork has often been
requested, but as a class we have never
been able to implement that one,
though many students have benefitted
through working with a missionary in
projects, such as the making of church
benches, making of communion trays,
and in the actual building and

with the missionaries and soon could

maintenance work done at school.

outvote the missionaries, if they

wished. In time, the office of Superin
tendent became an elected position,
and the first black superintendent,
Bro. Nic Qwemesha, was elected. He
has held that position for five years. He

Gardening has been learned in the

same way. A further example of this
was a short course in leatherwork,
taught by Ron Elrick while he was at
the school. One of the ministers picked
it up and has been supplementing his
income by making leather belts.
This year we are going to have a
course in English. English is taughtin
all the public schools, but students

serves as the liaison between the South

African government and the churches,

as well as between the churches. He is

a capable leader chosen by the people.

by Lynn Stanley

by Lynn Stanley

believe

it

will

become

even

more

the students to read. We would like to

see them read for their own
enrichment.

This year most of our teachers will be

Blacks, though we have a great need
for more qualified teachers, both black
and white.

One big difficulty is that of finances.

The ministers have lived on minimum

salaries, as have most of them in the

secular world. They have too long been
dependent on the white man in all
money matters. They need to accept
more responsibility for operational
costs in the school, both in raising
funds and overseeing the use of them.
This writer believes that we have

seen great progress in preparing our

leaders, and that we will continue to
see more progress, which should
escalate as they move into positions of
leadership. We urgently need natural
born

leaders

who

can

be

further

trained. Men are coming forward who

are not just waiting for things to
happen, but who are willing to help
make them happen. 1 am happy to be a
part of this on-going process. It is my

prayer that it will move forward as fast

as there are men able to handle the

responsibilities that go with

development of leadership.

the

A NEW YEAR BRINGS MANY CHANGES

by Alvin Nicholson
The end of 1985 has brought to a
close another year at Umzumbe Bible
Institute.

"The

school

committee

arrived early on the 22nd ofNovember

and members led in morning devotions

as well as the chapel service. They also

committee members were also able to

The

participate in the closing exercises

committee met to review the past year

and to plan for the coming one. By

which were held on Saturday

afternoon. The closing exercises were
attended by local church members and

spoke to some of the classes.

holding the meeting on Friday, the

Simon Mtshayisa of Barberton was the

speaker.
Five of our students will not be

returning. Johannes Fortuin of Port

Elizabeth has completed the three year
course at Umzumbe Bible Institute. He

has been corresponding with the

church at Beaufort West in the Cape
Province and is to visit them to see if

they would like him to work with them

in the Lord's work. He is also making
plans to be married but with the
African culture these things take time.
Ollfeet Mkhundlu has returned to his

home at Katlehong in the Johannes

burg area, where he will minister. The
church there has been supporting him
for the past two years and has
allowed his wife and family to live in
the minister's home as well as provided

Simon Mtshayisa, minister from Barberton

and member of the school committee, spoke

at the 1985 closing exercises at Umzumbe
Bible Institute.
His message was
interpreted by Wiseman Pepeta, minister in
the Transkei and part-time teacher at UBI.

support for them.

Abel Dube is planning to attend

An important feature of school as we

begin this new year will be the coming

of Elijah Gontsana as a teacher. Elijah
has completed the three year course
and has ministered for three years at
Knysna in the southern Cape. During
this time he has completed the work
needed for his Senior Certificate (high
school) and is planning to continue to
take studies by correspondence. His
goal is to get a degree from the

teachers' college with the hope that

someday he would return to Umzumbe
Bible Institute to teach.

Because of lack of money, one of the

first year girls will not be coming back,
but two former female students are

planning to return.

planning to marry Corina Hintsa, also

a former student. Patrick's family
has collected RlOOO.OO ($500.00)
which is half of the lobolo (bride price)
asked by her family. Corina's family
has asked for money rather than the
cattle which normally make up the
bride price, because the two families
live so far apart. This money is not
money with which to purchase the
bride, but it does have an important
part in the wedding arrangements.
Some of it will be used to purchase
things which the bride must provide
for her new home. Corina's family are
Pondos and they have asked for a mule
in addition to the amount paid, before
they will allow the couple to get
married.

The mule will cost at least

another R500,00 ($250.00).

The
balance of the bride price will be paid
later. They are both fine young people
and we are all anxious for them to get
married.

News note: Enoch Zobolo, minister of

the Gcilima church, was ordained on
the 15th of December.

university.
The first work to be done when

school opens is to get a new roof on the

building that had the grass roof burned
last year. The new roof will be made of
asbestos. It should soon be ready to be
used for living quarters.
Patrick Sithebe who completed his
second year of study last year is

At the end of each year a banquet is held for

the UBI students.

MELIKA NGCOBO

by Michael M. Stanley

met Melika

church at Chieveley with her young

Ngcobo was sometime in 1972. She

was already a widow and possibly in
her sixties. How long she had been a
Christian, I do not know. (By the way the name "Melika" is a corruption of
the word "America.") She came to the

daughter, Elizabeth, and walked with

the strength and speed of a woman

The first time that I

Alvin Nicholson presented the honor

student award for 1985 to BenSerathiatthe
banquet.

much younger.
At that first meeting there was
nothing really noteworthy about the
lady ~ she was just another woman in

the congregation who did not speak

English, but during the years that
followed Melika became conspicuous
by her presence. As I made return

Clip and Return

My Commitment

Name:

visits to the Estcourt area I noticed the

others in the congregation were absent

as often as they attended, but not
Melika and her daughter. Even
when special services were held

'

Address;

in other areas around Estcourt

she somehow managed to stretch

) City:

State - ZipL
V

to the Stanleys
in Africa
for Christ

in prayer
in finances
! 100 for $100
I I other amount:

Mail to:

one time gift

I I monthly ami

Duane Stanley,
3012 39th Ave, N.E.,

Minneapolis, MN 55421

Drawing by Angie. "Melika asked if

she could get a ride to the bus stop. I
agreed and watched as two men

helped her into the back of the pickup.

It was then that I realized how weak

Make checks to: S.A. Church of Christ Mission

Designate: "for Duane"

she actually was ... Asldroveawayl

wondered if I would ever see that lady
alive again."

South African TORCH

Published quarterly for the following
MISSIONARIES

her old age pension to include bus fares

for her and her daughter.
In 1980 before we returned to the

carried I was never sure that I located

the right huts, but now I would have

the opportunity to actually stay in

States on furlough a special service

was held at Ntabamhlophe to bid us
farewell. As usual Melika was present
for the service, but she was obviously

get to the other side of the river because

there was no bridge or ford near the

not well.

She took slow deliberate

church was only a mile or so away. I

P.O. Box 219

steps. When I got ready to leave,

drove about a half mile to the end of the

Port Shepstone
4240 Rep. of SOUTH AFRICA

someone came to me and said that

road and then we unloaded our things,

locked the pickup and started out on
foot. We had been walking for about a

and their

FORWARDING AGENTS

Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Nicholson and family

Forwarding Agent
Mrs. Richard Hanson
7108 Lower 170th Court W.

Rosemount, Minnesota 55068

Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Stanley and family

P.O. Box 219

Port Shepstone
4240 Rep. of SOUTH AFRICA
Forwarding Agent
Mrs. Sybil Evans
Box 181

St. Joseph, Illinois 61873

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Stanley and family

P.O. Box 13
Umzumbe

4225 Rep. of SOUTH AFRICA

Forwarding Agent
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Eckman
Route 2

Kimball, Minnesota 55353

The South African TORCH (501-820) is a

publication of the South African Church
of Christ Mission, and is published four
times each year in February, May, August,
and November by Mission Services Asso
ciation, 7525 Hodges Ferry Road, Knoxville, TN
37920-9731.
Second-class
postage paid at Knoxville, TN 37901-2427.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to South African TORCH, c/o Mission
Services Association, PO Box 2427,
Knoxville, TN 37901-2427.

First Quarter 1986

Volume 37

Number 1

Melika asked if she could get a ride to

the bus stop. I agreed and watched as
two men helped her into the back of the
pickup. It was then that I realized how
weak she actually was. When we
arrived at the bus stop I stopped to let
her out and I could not help but feel
sorry for her as I watched her struggle
to make the few steps to a place where
she could sit down and wait for the bus.

As I drove away I wondered if I would

ever see that lady alive again. Then
my conscience began to bother me for
not just taking her back to Chieveley in
my pickup. I would have had to drive
about 25 miles, much of which was
poor gravel roads, but surely that was
not too much, especially when it might
be the last thing I ever did for her. I
looked at my watch and decided that
the bus had probably already picked
her up, so I did not return, but several
times during our furlough, I wondered
what had happened to Melika Ngcobo.
When we returned to South Africa, I
again visited the Estcourt area and
who should be one of the first people to

greet me but Melika Ngcobo, looking

just as active and strong as ever.
Strength gained through years of
hardship had helped her to recover
from the illness and she could easily
survive another ten years or more.
When Elizabeth got married we were
invited to the wedding and
arrangements were made for us to stay
at her home.

Several times while

visiting Chieveley people had pointed

to the hills across the river and told me

that the Ngcobo family lived in the

group of huts at the foot of the hill near
a clump of thorn trees. Even with the
help of the binoculars that I sometimes

those huts. I drove about nine miles to

church. I was amazed to see that the

mile when we came to the crest of a

ridge and a group of huts was pointed

out. They still appeared to be a long
way away. We started walking again
and as I became more tired, the
children who carried my suitcase and
briefcase were getting more excited. It
was dark by the time we arrived and I
was glad to be able to take a rest.
The others were talking noisily as we
waited for the welcome feast to be

served and soon I was revived by the

wedding day excitement around me.
The meal was typically African with
plenty of samp (something like
hominy), bread and of course meat,
and it was made all the more tasty by a
good appetite which was the result of
the long walk.
The next day when the wedding was
over we walked the three or four miles

back to the car and I was glad to drive

back to "civilization" and a modern
comfortable home.
But whenever I
look at the weather and debate whether

to call off a trip to a rural church, or

even debate staying home from
church, I remember Melika Ngcobo, a
woman bent over with age, who walked
five miles each direction along rugged
paths to get to church on Sunday. It
made no difference whether the road

was hot and dusty or wet and muddy,

she was always at church. I wondered
how many times she had slipped on the
steppingstones as she crossed the
Blaaukranz River. Being an American
who normally rode to church in a car, I
had never thought to notice whether
her skirt was wet or dry when she
arrived at the service.

Form 3579 requested PO Box 2427, Knoxville, TN 37901-2427

Alvin Nicholson purchased a 1985 Isuzu

pickup. It can be used to haul the tent and
people to meetings at various places. It is
light yellow with a white canopy.

"^ktf woid Ua, lanf) luUe nuf ^ and a,

(itjk unie mijpaik."
Ill-.IOS

SOUTH

aFRicaN
Lynn Stanley welcomes Lydia Serati to
Umzumbe Bible Institute.

Her husband

TORCH

Republic of

Port Shepstone

South Africa

Transkei

was a student in 1985 and this year he

brought her with him. It is encouraging to

see couples come to train for service to the

Lord.

Volume 37

Cape Town

(Umzumbe Bible Inslitule)

East London!

Second Quarter 1986

Number 2

From

University of Minnesota

Michael LaHaye, a student

tn Electrical Engineering at
the University of Minneso
ta, looks forward to spend
ing 6 months in South
Africa teaching at Umzum
be Bible Institute, serving
as a counsellor at youth
camp and helping in any
other way that he is needed.

I ^

TtI

'X"
XXI0 vX l/Vl. L"
Umzumbe Bible
Institute

I call Green Bay, Wisconsin "home" for this is the place

where my folks are currently residing. As my father was in
the military we travelled a great deal while I was growing
up. I graduated from High School in 1976 and the
following month I was in Marine Corps boot camp in San
Diego, California. I served four years with the Marines
and it was during my last six months that I turned my life
over to Christ. I ran into deeply committed Christians who
were a part of the Navigator ministry on base and they
grabbed ahold of me and began teaching me in the ways of
the Christian life. Upon my discharge from the Marine
Corps I returned to Green Bay where I spent the next two
years attending a vocational school. During these two
years I became, for the first time, involved with the First
Christian Church in Green Bay. I decided an Associate of
Arts degree in Instrumentation was not sufficient so I
came to the University of Minnesota where for the past
four years I have been pursuing a Bachelor of Science
degree in Electrical Engineering.
During those four years I have been actively involved
with the University Church of Christ and with the campus
ministry, Christian Student Fellowship. This past year I
have served as President for CSF as well as serving on the
missions committee at church. I have always been very
interested in missions work and I hope to eventually
involve myself in a "tent-making ministry." I have been
active in a variety of missions-related activities including
the conference at Urbana, and teaching a missions class
continued on page 2

Anita Mann, a registered

nurse, plans to serve 6
months on the mission field.
She will help with teaching

at Umzumbe Bible Institute

andatcamps. V/ithherqual-

ifications she should also be

able to give instruction in
hygiene and sexuality from
a Christian perspective in
Black high schools.

Greetings from Minneapolis, Minnesota:

My name is Anita Mann. I'm a 26 year old RN presently

working on a cardiovascular unit in a local hospital, but
hoping to be a "missionary intern" for six months at
Umzumbe Bible Institute, South Africa.

I grew up in the small community of Fergus Falls, MN.

My home town church is Grace United Methodist. I
enjoyed a great number of activities as a youth: athletics,
music, dance, and crafts. I appreciated my close family
unit: father, mother and two younger brothers - as much
as siblings ever appreciate each other!
Following high school graduation I attended the
University of North Dakota, in Grand Forks, ND. I gradu
ated with a BS degree in nursing and a greater degree of
respect for God's infinite sovereignty, having created such
complex body systems for nurses to study. Since gradua
tion in 1981, I've been employed by Fairview Hospital in
Minneapolis. I've worked as a staff nurse on an orthopedic
unit, gynecology unit, and presently a cardiovascular-care
unit.

Since coming to Minneapolis I have become active in a

local congregation as well as in Christian Student Fellow
ship (a ministry to students and young adults) which I was
introduced to through my roommate. I've served as chair
for both the service and social committees. Use of other

free-time involves a number of volunteer activities, many

centering around the mentally or physically handicapped,
with youth, and occasionally nursing at summer camps.
continued on page 2

LaHAYE , continued from page 1

MANN , continued from page 1

for a quarter at church. The six months in South Africa

will give me much more exposure and training for

I've been interested in missions for a few years now and

have been investigating a number of options. My first
experience was a trip to Haiti as part of a twenty member

missions.

The many activities I enjoy include my responsibilities

at work and a variety of sports such as raquetball,
swimming, and running. My family is very important to
me and I have had the privilege of seeing God answer my
prayers for my family by increasing their faith and
service. They are very supportive of me in this missions
work and I look forward to sharing with them the many
things that I shall learn.

team. We were in Haiti only two short weeks but it was

long enough for me to learn a great deal and be inspired to
continue to search for further mission experiences. I'm

hoping my second experience will be at Umzumbe Bible

Institute as a missionary intern. I'm working on gaining
financial support now and God-willing I'll be in South
Africa in July!

Resurrection Services Three Days of Hard Work

by Lynn Stanley
there was also a 5 a.m. walk through
the village proclaiming to everyone
that Christ had risen from the dead.

On Good Friday they always hear

II I R f

again the 7 words of Jesus from the

cross.

Christians from all over Natal gathered at

Mtubatuba, Zululand for Resurrection
Services. That Sunday (29th March) was
also the occasion for the dedication of the
new church building in that area.

Two buses with possibly 150 people

in them drove through the night on
Thursday to be at Mtubatuba in
northern Natal for Good Friday and
Resurrection Day services. Besides the
buses there were numerous cars from

all over the province. Total attendance

possibly was 275. That was small
compared to the 2000 buses and
thousands of cars that brought a
million people to Pietersburg in the
Transvaal for the Zionist meeting.
Even so, the small congregation could
not provide nightly accommodation
for our people, and for many there were
no beds available until they got home
again Sunday night. No wonder they
can lie down on the ground and sleep. It
is the practice of our churches at such
gatherings to hold continuous services
through the night. Sunday morning

We know at school that those

messages took 4 hours.

An added joy at Mtubatuba was the
dedication of their church building on
Saturday. This meeting was to have
been held a year ago, but the sudden
death of their minister, Bro. Johnson
Gumede, cancelled it then.
Joy
abounded as the large group made the
traditional walk around the building
singing in the afternoon.
Lynn
presented the key to the leader of the
congregation, and everyone went
inside for the dedication service.

A special part of that service is also

the collecting of monies to be given to
the church for such help as is needed.
The front of the church is cleared, a
bare table set out - the better to hear

the slap of the coins. The people move

backward and forward dancing and
singing as they approach the table to
slap down the coins. Stewards quickly
gather the coins lest they get bounced
off the table. The love of this type of
giving is evidenced on every face.
Early Sunday morning Lynn was
also called to perform a marriage
ceremony. Unfortunately it took place
in another building at the same time as
the morning service. Exhaustion on

Lynn Stanley preached at the dedication of

the new building while Aluin Nicholson
recorded the proceedings on video tape.
Between 250 and 300 people attended three
days of special meetings which included the
dedication.

the part of everyone calls for an early

and a short service Sunday morning.
People are anxious to get on their way
home.

A meal was served before departure.

The maid of honour at the wedding still
dressed in her finery was busy setting
table and serving the tables set for
missionaries and ministers. We under

stand they had slaughtered two beef

animals and meat was plentiful. All
the food was cooked in huge iron pots
over open fires.
Our trip home took just under 4
hours, but for many it was 6 hours. We
always marvel at the love and
enjoyment of our people on such an
occasion when they have so many
physical discomforts.

With the Lynn Stanleys

Week meeting at Barberton, which is
about an hour's drive from the park.
We thoroughly enjoyed our leisurely
drives through the park watching for

February 7 brought us a new

grandson, Devon Lynton Neethling,
who is now at home with his sister,
Lauren, who welcomed him with great
joy, and his parents Debbie and
Lynton. They live on a sugar cane

animals in the natural state.

farm at Oribi Flats here in South

Africa.

Lynn had his 68th birthday this

month without fanfare. He spent the
day as usual teaching at the Bible
training school.
We enjoyed a three-day break in
Kruger National Park early this month
before attending the annual Ministers'

The

giraffe is still a favorite, but the lions

and elephants were most exciting.
There are supposed to be 122 different
species of mammals in the park. There
are also amphibians, reptiles and 450
species of birds.
Lauren welcomes her new little brother.

Devon Lynton Neethling is Debbie and

Lynton's second child and Lynn and Lucille

Stanley's eleventh grandchild.

For the fourth time since their

departure, Michael and Caryl's house

has been broken into.

With dismay

continued on page 4

It's All Coming Together

SHARING THE WORK:

various countries around the world.

Something new has been added to

the plans as we prepare for heading to

This is a great beginning! Not only will

they accomplish much in the time we

South Africa June 10th:

two of our

young adults from Christian Student

Fellowship are planning to serve with
us for five months. They will fly out
with Michael and Caryl in early July.
It is with great excitement that I
introduce to you these two; Michael
LaHaye and Anita Mann.
Their
articles tell you a little about them
selves, but only I can tell you of the
confidence that I have in each. Both

have served in leadership roles at CSF

and I have worked closely with each
during four years of discipling, leading
Bible studies, service to others, and
even working on staff at youth camp.
They are capable, committed and
enthusiastic; ready for six months of
hard work at Umzumbe. Keep them in
your prayers! This is really not "Plan
B" at all. From the beginning of our
planning for the trip we have been
challenging and encouraging them to
come with us. This is part ofthe fruit of
a real emphasis in "life as ministry/
mission" that we have been placing at
CSF over the last few years. In years to
come I hope to see our CSF-er's in

are in South Africa but their own lives

discipling. The six months will fly by

even faster than the last six have since

we started to plan for the trip.

PLANNING THE WORK:

Plans are coming together in Africa.

Dad has been working hard to get the
schedule lined up. We'll be working in
at least two weeks of camp; a weeklong seminar series for the local church
at Graaf Reniet and for a number of the
ministers of the area; a similar week of
seminars for the church at Barberton;
week-long conferences of our churches

in Zimbabwe in August and of our

churches in South Africa in September.
For the month of October I will work

directly with the two new younger

instructors at UBI (Wiseman Pepeta
and Elijah Gotsana). Then for the
month of November we are encourag
ing as many of the ministers who can
to return

to

UBI for an intensive

leadership school.
Meanwhile our
interns will be teaching on Christian
character development (studying Bible
Personalities) at UBI, helping with
English conversation classes as well
as the typing and sewing classes.

On Sunday, February 4, 1986, we

presented our plans for our trip to
South Africa to our home congrega
tion, University Church of Christ. I
asked if anyone had a video camera I

both close fnends and total strangers

to make the trip possible. As of the

middle of April we still need 16 more
members of our "100 for $100."

Will

you be one? Three quarters of our

family's need is in or pledged, but the
addition of Michael and Anita to our

team increases costs by $9,000. (Travel

of $2,000 and living costs of $500
monthly for each.) Your generous help
will bear sweet harvest in days to come.
We are again enclosing a return
envelope for your convenience. Just
mark your check for Duane or "the
team." We're counting on you.

by Kathy-Stanley
at God and said, "Thank you!" Now I

Him and the people at U.C.C.

Through the ministry of Christian
Stewardship International I now have
purchased an RCA ProWonder
camcorder. I am also taking classes at
Hennepin County Vo-Tech in video to
learn how to script, produce and edit
programs. The course lasts for eight

make missions seem more real to the

I wanted to generate
I

As the plans for teaching and

training come together so does the
financial picture. Your help is still very
much needed though. Gifts have come
in from Maine to Texas to Washington
state ~ gifts from a five dollar bill to a
thousand dollar check. We give thanks
to you and to the Lord as he has used

believe God wants me to do this for

could borrow to take videos of our work

believe

video tapes can help do that. At the end

of the service, Mrs. Lela Cachiaras said
she would give me a gift of $1000.00 to
purchase a camera.
From the beginning I had asked
Duane if we could buy a camera. He
said "No, there just isn't enough
money." Then jokingly added that if
someone gave me money, at least
$1000.00, and said, "This is for a video
camera," we could get one. I thought,
"Wow, how will that ever happen????"
So when Lela came to me and gave me

FINANCING THE WORK:

a check I couldn't believe it!!!!! I looked

and make reports to U.C.C. I wanted to

enthusiasm for missions!

tutoring, helping with the clinic, with

construction and maintenance, and
most important of all, one-to-one

will never be the same again.

Have Camera Will Travel

congregation.

by Duane Stanley

weeks and involves one three hour

session per week.

Before Christmas I hope to have a
number of tapes showing the work of
Umzumbe Bible Institute, youth
camps, the annual conference as well
as other activities ofthe missionaries. I

Kathy Stanley plans to record various

aspects of their trip to South Africa on video
tape. Plan now to use these tapes to promote
missions in your congregation.

also plan to record the culture of the

South African peoples on tape.
PLAN TO USE THEM FOR YOUR
MISSIONS GROUPS!

Large Enrollment for Umzumbe Bible Institute

by Alvin Nicholson
Student registration at Umzumbe
Bible Institute reached a high of
twenty-one students this year. We
wish that we could say that they are all
present now, but for various reasons
four have gone home. Sarah Tshabalala had completed one year and her

sister could no longer help her so she

has gone to seek work so that she may
come back next year. The other three
all say that they will be back and we
especially hope that Alton Manzini
will return for he is a very good student.

family needs. We are especially happy

that Ben Serati of Kimberley has his
wife, Lydia, in school with him.
The larger enrollment has placed
pressure on our sleeping quarters. We
are now roofing the rondawel that had

He is an older man who left because of

continued on page 4

Umzumbe Bible Institute

South African TORCH

continued from page 3

its roof burned off last year. The

kitchen and dining room are unable to
cope adequately with this number so
our plans are to build a new building
that will be for a kitchen and dining
room. We will put the old building to
use as a dormitory for girls. They are
now sleeping in a rondawel connected
to the present kitchen.

Published quarterly for the following

MISSIONARIES
and their

FORWARDING AGENTS

Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Nicholson and family

P.O. Box 219

Six of the seven second year students are

shown here with one of their teachers, Lynn

Port Shepstone

4240 Rep. of SOUTH AFRICA

Stanley. Pray with us for these young

people as they prepare to reach out to their
own people.

Forwarding Agent
Mrs. Richard Hanson
7108 Lower 170th Court W.

Rosemount, Minnesota 55068

News of the South African Brethren

by Alvin Nicholson
Imvutshini Day Care Center
In 1979 the Imvutshini church began
a day care center in a mud building
with a grass roof (a building which was
originally built as an eating place for
an annual conference). They started at
that time with eleven children; today
they are caring for forty-three. The
grass roof has been leaking badly so
the building has now been torn down.
Before the end of the month we are

planning to pour the foundations for a

replacement building. We have about
R2000,00 that is immediately
available, but we will need about
R6000,00 to complete the building. In
US dollars this is cheap for it repre
sents only about $3000.00 at the
present exchange rate.

Ministers' Week was held this year

Barberton in the Transvaal. A very
good number of ministers were able to
be present. With Vernita and myself
there were seven in our pickup. We
pulled a small trailer to help with
luggage.
On Sunday morning the remodelled
church building at Barberton was
dedicated. They had greatly increased
the size of their building by moving
both side walls out, but even now they
have almost outgrown the building. It
is full most every Sunday.
We left Barberton on Sunday just
before noon. Mtshajdsa called this

With The Lynn Stanleys

continued from page 2

Lynn viewed two large plate glass

windows that had been broken,
missing mattresses and box springs
(they couldn't get the headboard and
frame down the hall). Missing also
was a set of dishes and a wooden chest

Michael had made in high school. It

appears that they started fires in a
number of places just for some light,
but it ruined the novilon kitchen floor.

We just thanked the Lord that there

had been no deliberate vandalism.

P.O. Box 219

Port Shepstone
4240 Rep. of SOUTH AFRICA

week to say that they had trouble there

the very next day. We thank God for
caring for us during the meetings. We
had a very good time of fellowship.
Youth Camp
Four camps are scheduled for the
winter months this year. The one in

Forwarding Agent
Mrs. Sybil Evans
Box 181

St. Joseph, Illinois 61873

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Stanley and family

P.O. Box 13

our area is scheduled for the third week

in June. The camps in Pondoland and

the Eastern Cape will meet the last
week of June and the Transkei camp
will be held the first week of July.

Umzumbe

4225 Rep. of SOUTH AFRICA

Forwarding Agent
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Eckman
Route 2

Annual Conference 1986

The 1986 conference has again been

set for Sada near Queenstown, but an
alternate place has also been set up in
case there is unrest in that area again
this year.

Annual Ministers' Week

from the 12th to the 16th of March at

Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Stanley and family

Nicholsons' Future Plans

People have been inquiring as to

what our exact plans are for the future.
We shall be continuing with the work
that we are doing at Umzumbe Bible
Institute throughout this year. With
Duane Stanley and the others coming
to be with us, we expect the last half of
this year to be an exciting one. Then
early in December we shall be coming
back to America for furlough. We will
be staying in the States until sometime
in June 1987 because we want to be

present for the graduation of our two

oldest grandchildren. We will then

Kimball, Minnesota 55353

The South African TORCH (501-820) is a

publication of the South African Church

of Christ Mission, and is published four
times each year in February, May, August,
and November by Mission Services Asso
ciation, 7525 Hodges Ferry Road, Knoxville, TN
37920-9731.
Second-class
postage paid at Knoxville, TN 37901-2427.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to South African TORCH, c/o Mission
Services Association, PO Box 2427,
Knoxville, TN 37901-2427.

Second Quarter 1986

Volume 37

Number 2

It is true that we are now drawing

Social Security. A portion of the money
we were drawing for salary has been
added to our working fund to make it

return to South Africa for another

possible to do more work here on the

period of work here.

field.

Form 3579 requested FO Box 2427, Knoxville, TN 37901-2427

mm

m m

"Vhtj woid a a. lamj) unto wfjfAmia,

^^ g g M LM

lujkunto nif fxitk" --7uilmi ll'i.lOS

aFRicaN

TORCH

Republic of

Port Shepstone

South Africa

Transkei

iUmzumbo Bibio /')s/'iu(e;

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Serati from Kimberley and

presently students at UBI. They are proud of

their

new

room-the

renovated

rondavel

(Cape Town

East London*

which was burned last year.

Number 3

Third Quarter 1986

Volume 37

THE YEAR OF THE LEADER

Beginning An Era of Servant Leadership

July 1986July 1987

by Duane Stanley
Looking back on his first term of service
and of the state of church leadership when
he arrived in South Africa, Max Randall
wrote in his We Would Do It Again,
"Immorality, polygamy, dishonesty,

"Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants

to become great among you must be your
servant, and whoever wants to be first
must be slave of all."

During the coming weeks we will set in

motion a new thrust in leadership

witchcraft, black magic, superstition,

unbelief, the worst sort of denominational
conglomerate, and every conceivable evil,
false doctrine and wickedness, we found

emphasis during the same time that our

churches throughout the U.S. emphasize

within the mission. . . we found it about

as far from the New Testament norm as it

go into two avenues: the providing of

training opportunities for those who

was possible to be."

cannot take the time for two or even one

In response to that situation the work of

the Umzumbe Bible Institute (formerly the
ministerial training school) was
established and has been functioning for
thirty-five years. The leadership of today

the "Year of the Leader." Our efforts will

year for schooling in Christian leadership

through UBI.
Through week-long
leadership courses at Graaff Reniet and
Barberton we will provide training for the
brethren at the same time that we evaluate

stands in sharp contrast with the bitter

jealousies and infighting Max described
during the first ten years of the work. But

this method of regularly reaching out in

the task is not over.

year of Bible training, and the elders are

The urgency of equipping leadership

ought not to surprise us because of Christ's
own emphasis on the importance of the

often men with only four or five years of

formal schooling and almost none of
whom have had any training as Christian
leaders. During November a month long
leadership emphasis with two two-week
units will be offered at UBI. Our goal is to
reach as many of the current ministers as
possible with training and encouragement.
The second avenue we approach is the

task. All around us the model of our culture

(as well as Jesus' first century culture) is

one that equates leadership and power (to
lord it over). The political unrest in South
Africa centers on that exact issue!

In

Afrikaans it is called "baasskap""the

right to be the boss. And Christ's message
to the church has not changed in the two

training. The need is great. Many of the

ministers themselves have had only one

from

cultural

changes

to

curriculum

offerings at UBI. How shall we approach

equipping leadership for the church when
a young man, however well schooled, is not
accepted simply because he is young; and
when

the

older

men

with

family

responsibilities cannot leave for formal

schooling? How shall we recruit men to the
ministry when the existing ministers feel
threatened by the new young men with
better educations? How shall we challenge
to Christian ministry when the salaries
offered Christian leaders are only a small
proportion of what workers can find in
other occupations?
There are many
questions to be answered!
The "Year of the Leader" is just the
beginning because the call of Christ-and
the model of Christ-for His Kingdom, is a
life-time of servant leadership.
The
challenge to Africans to lead their own

people comes with a parallel challenge for

Christian leaders in the U.S. willing to
come work in South Africa giving training

and encouragement to these new leaders.

Would you consider giving a minimum of
three years to this ministry of equipping
leadership?
Urgently needed are an
administrator

for

Umzumbe

Bible

Institute and instructors ready to take

evaluation of the total leadership training

responsibility while our veterans come

program of our churches in South Africa.

toward

thousand years since he told his apostles We will work on evaluating everything

the

end

ministering years,

of their

more

active

Furlough Is Over
by Michael & Caryl Stanley

in

y.

?' '

"'V-

f
;5-

!' i'

After the crate was nailed shut we had to have steel bands put on
to help hold it together on its long journey. It will take 4 to 8 weeks
to get to us.

The trucking company lifted the crate from the pickup to the
warehouse with log chains and a crane. It travelled by truck to
New York and then by ship to Durban, South Africa.

Lynn Stanley's News

Eddie and Florence Ho Chung and Anna Songo. Edward attended

the training school over 30 years ago while we were still in

The front of the Kimberley Road Church of Christ on the day of

dedication.

Kimberley.

cruel

death

known

as the

"necklace

Several months ago the congregation

that is known as the Kimberley Road
Church of Christ in Johannesburg stepped
out on faith to complete the construction of

death," because they refused to join in a

rioting group? Usually the victims are

their building. For a number of years they

had been meeting in the church hall under
very crowded conditions.
The Lord

There have been hundreds of this kind of

graciously blessed the program all the way

and two months later, May 25, they were
able to dedicate their beautifully finished

is used on those who are considered to be

collaborators with whites.

building.

We, with Bro. Nic Qwemesha

drove up on Friday to share with them on

this very special occasion.
Alvin
Nicholson and Barnabas and Anna Songo
from the Invutshini church also went up to
be there.

Two black ministers of our

churches in the Johannesburg area were

present also.

Charles Delaney from

Zimbabwe was the guest speaker. We

praise the Lord for this step forward in the
life of this congregation.
Would it shock you to hear that 17 black
Christians in Lamontville died in a very

beaten and mutilated before the tire is

placed around their neck and set alight.

deaths in recent months, and most often it

Umzumbe Bible Institute closed for the

winter break onthe10th ofJune,anditwill

resume on the 8th of July. All but one

^
^

student went home. Because of the cost

involved one young man stayed here and

will be assisting in the youth camps. This
should be a valuable learning experience

b
m
B

for him.

One of the second year men

announced his intention of getting

married later this month, and did not know

if he would be back. Patrick Sithebe and

Lynn and minister, Ollfeet Mkundlu, from

th Johannesburg area. He was a student
the

Corina Hintsa, two other students, had

hoped to be married also, but they have
had some lobolo problems.

at Umzumbe in 1984 and 85, and was

at
present for the dedication.
pi

The Time For Our Departure Is At Hand

by Duane Stanley
complete. The "reins" of campus ministry

Before this is printed we should be in

South Africa about the labors that we

have been handed over to Rich and Connie

asked you both to pray for and to provide

Teske as they take our place. The last task

before we leave is to pack up the necessities
(How do you decide what meets that
criterion?) into the allowable weight and

funds for.

You have done the latter we

know, as there is just $1000 still needed to

reach our goal for our family and the
interns. We believe that you are also doing
the praying as everything falls into place

size suitcases, and make it to the airport on

time.

Our family leaves Minneapolis June

10th, arriving in South Africa one week
later after a quick stop-over in Amsterdam

for the trip.

Our visas came through in mid-May,

which was the last "hurdle" to the trip. We
are cleared for the full seven months we
will be in the country. Kathy has finished
her course in video, and is even taking a

and London.

The first

work on the

schedule is youth camps before classes

tape of devotionals from Christians at

University and New Brighton churches for

Duanc

use with the African churches. Most of the

household repairs and boxing away are

Amber. Ryan & Nathan, stand amidst

their luggage on the day of departure.

&

Kalhy

Stanley's

children.

start at UBI July 8th. Michael LaHaye

and Anita Mann will fly into the country
July 13th along with the Michael and
Caryl Stanley family. Do continue to lift us
before the Lord.

South African TORCH

Published quarterly for the following

CAMPTIME

by Alvin Nicholson

MISSIONARIES
and their

A.

FORWARDING AGENTS

Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Nicholson and family

P.O. Box 219

Port Shepstone
4240 Rep. of SOUTH AFRICA
Forwarding Agent
Mrs. Richard Hanson
7108 Lower 170th Court W.

Rosemount, Minnesota 55068

Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Stanley and family

Children travel to camp in many different ways. Some come on a bus while others
come by car, truck, train, or even on foot.

P.O. Box 219

Port Shepstone

4240 Rep. of SOUTH AFRICA

Forwarding Agent
Mrs. Sybil Evans
Box 181

St. Joseph, Illinois 61873

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Stanley and family
P.O. Box 13
Umzumbe

4225 Rep. of SOUTH AFRICA

Forwarding Agent

School has ended for the first half of this

not be back with us for the second half of

for classes when they have their meetings.

this year. But one former student has said

Camp in Pondoland will meet this

coming week. If I go down it will only be for
a day or overnight. We are supposed to
help with the Transkei that meets at
Idutywa this year. They have need of the
large tent so we will be taking that down to
them and helping with the teaching.

she will return and we are certain of two

men coming. We have also had other

applications.
Our camp for this area has just finished
and the attendance has risen again as we

had eighty people present counting the

workers. One young man even hiked about
250 miles to be with us for a few days. We

Route 2

had a larger number of older students

present which very much helps in the
teaching problem. A part of this comes
because so many more of the young people
are going on to graduate from high school
so they are not away from home at work so

TheSouthAfricanTORCH(50I-820)isa

publication of the South African Church

of Christ Mission, and is published four
times each year in February, May, August,
and November by Mission Services Asso
ciation, 7525 Hodges Ferry Road, Knoxville, TN 37920. Second-class postage
paid at Knoxville, TN 37901-2427. POST
MASTER: Send address changes to
South African TORCH, c/o Mission
Services Association, PO Box 2427,
Knoxville, TN 37901-2427.

Third Quarter 1986

Volume 37

Numbers

This has meant the

canceling of the Eastern Cape Youth

Camp because they need the school rooms

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Eckman

Kimball, Minnesota 55353

the month of June.

year. The students have returned to their

homes. We expect that three students will

soon.

Oribi Bible Camps gives an ideal

meeting place as it has all the facilities and
is away from any of the places that will
lead children to roam about. Two of the
students from Umzumbe Bible Institute

have been attending the camps so they can

see the work and take part in it and thus
have an experience that they have not had
before.

The State of Emergency has made

almost no difference in our area. Church

meetings can be held especially as they are

held in the church buildings. The only
problems that I have heard about have
been those meeting in school buildings in
some places. The school buildings in some
towns are not to be used by anyone during

I have here at the house fifty-four roofing

sheets fifteen feet long and nine pieces of

ridging. I will get the screws for puttingon

this roofing and hope to take it to
Pondoland this coming week. I shall have
to get the two doors for the front, and the
back door as well as the glass and putty for
the windows. I will take that when I go to
visit the camp. This building should soon
be completed and ready for use.
The Enyanisweni church building
suffered some damage when we had a very
strong wind. It blew out the brick work
between the windows. I believe now they
have that part repaired and the walls are
almost completed. Our one problem is that
because of the high cost of roofing, the
Building and Evangelism fund does not
have at this time enough money to
complete this work.
We are also waiting for the builder to
start work on the new Day Care Center at
the Invutshini Church grounds. It would
have been very good if this building had
been ready when school opens again in
July.

Form 3579 requested PO Box 2427, Knoxville, TN 37901-2427

Rachel Farnham
Mrs. Jamjam, school cook, and her helpers
dishing the plates offood for the student body
and guests Lynn and Lucille and Alvin and
Vernita on a recent Sunday. The menu was
fried chicken, rice, boiled potatoes, potato
salad, sweet potatoes, boiled cabbage,

cabbage salad, gravy.

custard, and ice cream.

Dessert was jello.

7525 Hodges
Knoxville

37,^0
P

001

3
M M

M M

'"^tuf
wovi au a,a. ilanf> ante mif ^ ojuL a
jhij woid
lujk Mie nuf fxUk." --"JiohnA ll<i:IQS

aFRicaN
V/ith money from various Christian groups
in the U.S.A. we were able to purchase a
1984 VW Microbus in August. During their
stay in South Africa, Duane and Kathy
Stanley are using it. For groups of up to ten
people, it is far more comfortable than the
pickups that we have been using.
Volume 37

TORCH

Republic of

Port Sfiepstone

South Africa

Transkei

Cape Town

tUmzumbe Bible insiiUite)

East London*

Fourth Quarter

Number 4

CONFERENCE,
1986
by Alvin Nicholson
The

1985 Annual Meeting of the

Churches of Christ in South Africa was

canceled because of the unrest in the

-ii

country at that time. Even at the middle

of this year, things were still very
uncertain. By August it was much more
Duane Stanley was able to meet with the
men for teaching sessions during the
annual conference at Sada. His interpreter

is Conrad Sauls, a second year student at

Urmumbe Bible Institute from Graaff
Reinet.

LI

peaceful in most of the African areas

throughout the country. The brethren
from Sada near Queenstown indicated
that they wanted to have a Conference, so
word was sent out that the meetings

would be held as planned and the place

the same as planned for 1985.
Usually we begin some of our work on
Tuesday but this was left over until
Wednesday.
When we arrived on
Wednesday morning there was already a

Cooking for over 300 people who registered

for the conference was a mammoth task.
Large pots over open fires are still the most
effective means of meeting the challenge.

large number of people present, and they

continued to come through the meetings.
Brother Malafu, minister at Sada, had

said that perhaps the Welcoming Service

should be held on Thursday afternoon to
make it easier for the missionaries to be

present. Then it was changed back to

Wednesday night and we were present
until 11:30 p.m. All was quiet.
The theme for this year's meeting was
based on First Corinthians 13 and built

around love. Duane Stanley brought the

opening message on Wednesday night

and was able to meet twice in teaching
sessions with the men. We rejoice that
the Elders of the churches are asking for
as much teaching as they can get. I

taught them on one day on the tools that

would help them in doing the Lord's work
On Sunday morning, Michael LaHaye
brought the closing message, "Fully
Knowing, Fully Known." I Corinthians
13:12. Wiseman Pepeta, Umzumbe Bible
Institute teacher, interpreted into Xhosa
and John Labatala from Umtata
interpreted into Afrikaans.

and how to study the Scriptures.

A very big task at such meetings is the

feeding of the people and this proved true

again this year. They had two long lines

Men and women from the local

congregation served plates of food to the
people seated at the tables in the church
building.
The cold temperatures are
evidenced by this lady who wore a skirt and
blanket over her uniform.

of tables but to feed the group, clear the

tables and reset again meant that the

feeding was taking well over an

hour.

One of the men has suggested that they

not worry about setting the people at

tables but put the plates of food out where
they can get it and give them a knife, fork
and spoon and let them sit where they
want to.

I am sure that this would cut

feeding time in half.

-A

Conference was invited for 1987 to

Dobsonville, just outside of

Soweto.

Ingwavuma has been given as a stand-by

place if we cannot go to Dobsonville. The
meeting has been set for the last full week
of September. No invitation has yet been
received for Minister's Week which comes
in March.

This was the first time for many of the

people to see the church building at Sada.

It is the largest building that we have in
South Africa and will easily hold 500

It did not rain hard but enough so that

people. They also have two rooms at the

everyone was miserable and cold for no

one had brought with them clothing for

back of the building which can be used for

In spite of the fact that many of the people
had left to return home, approximately 150
people were served communion on Sunday
morning. The glasses had to be refilled and
a teapot served the purpose very well.

Before each meal, tables were brought into

the church building. They were set and
served, then cleaned and reset several times
for each meal. This was done surprisingly
quickly and efficiently. After each meal the
tables were removed to make room for
people at the meetings.

teaching rooms.
The missionaries stayed at the caravan

park in Queenstown. There were three

caravans, three tents. One tent was used
for storage and we slept in the back of our
pickup and some also slept in the VW bus.

that kind of weather.

Alvin and Vernita Nicholson will leave
South Africa for the States on the 2nd of

December. They will arrive in Chicago

on the 5th. Their return to South Africa is

scheduled for early in July, 1987.

COLD WEATHER, WARM FELLOWSHIP

by Caryl Stanley

Conference, 1986, was held during the

break between third and fourth terms at

public school so we were able to take our

children with us. There were 24 of us who

travelled from Port Shepstone. Alvin

Nicholson left very early in the morning
and took four Africans in his pickup.
Later a caravan left with Lynn and
Lucille Stanley, Vernita Nicholson and
Dina Stanley in the Stanley's car;
Duane, Kathy, Amber, Ryan, Nathan,
Diane and Dawn Stanley, Michael
LaHaye and Anita Mann in the VW

Microbus towing a pop-up camper; and

Michael and Caryl Stanley with four
Africans in their pickup towing a 2-wheel
trailer loaded with luggage, tents and
mission dishes and papers.
It took us about ten hours to make the

trip to Queenstown. We stopped for a

picnic lunch near Umtata in the

Lynn and Lucille Stanley stayed in a lovely travel trailer with a spacious tent (center).
Michael, Caryl and family stayed in their tent but ate with Michael's parents (right). Alvin
and Vernita Nicholson also stayed in a tent.

Transkei. It was cold and windy so we

hurriedly ate and then shopped in the

large showroom of the Wonk' Umuntu
Handcraft Center.
We were cold and tired when we arrived

at the municipal camp-ground in

Queenstown. Through friends Lynn and
Lucille Stanley were able to borrow a
travel trailer which was set up earlier in
the day for them. Refreshed by a hot
drink the rest of us erected our

tents.

Michael and Caryl were next to Lynn

Stanleys with Nicholsons next to them.
Duane and Kathy were across the
driveway. When all were set up we ate
supper and crawled into bed to get warm.
Unfortunately it rained and the
temperature dropped to near freezing so
no one was very warm. We were in
Queenstown for five days and six nights,
during which it rained nearly every day.
There was snow in thenearby mountains
and we all suffered from lack of sufficient

warm clothing.
Despite cold, miserable weather the
fellowship was warm and welcome. It
was good to be with fellow missionaries
from Johannesburg, Umtata, and East
London. We had supper together each
evening and enjoyed visiting and
sharing with one another.

The pop up trailer, which belongs to the Stanleys and Nicholsons, served as temporary
home for Duane, Kathy and family. Along with the attached tent and the Microbus, it also
served Michael LaHaye and Anita Mann. Because of its size, the tent also served when all
of the missionaries got together.

The Conference was held at Sada -

about 20 miles away from Queenstown so we attempted to combine trips as much

as possible. This sometimes left people

stranded at Sada longer than they had
planned or rushed away before they were
ready to leave.
However, everyone
seemed to cope quite well.
Conference

Sunday.

ended

with

dinner

on

Because of travel restrictions

after dark in the Transkei we decided to

stay over until Monday as we were afraid

we couldn't pack up and make it through

by dark on Sunday. So the missionaries
enjoyed a leisurely afternoon of tea,
photos, and games. Monday morning
found us up bright and early to pack and
fold tents, pack cars and begin the 10
hour journey back to Port Shepstone.

Sunday afternoon was a time for rest and relaxation after a week of travel and meetings.
Games were brought out and there was plenty of time for visiting.

The "abefundisi" {ministers) from Pondoland combine forces for a youth camp each year,
(left to right, E. Sogoni, W. Pepeta, I. Nomazele and C. Ncanazo.)

Water was brought from the stream in large

drums carried on an ox-drawn sled.

PONDOLAND -

CAMP
by Duane Stanley

My first real "ministering" after I

arrived in South Africa was the Youth

camp in Pondoland (the upper eastern

part of the Transkei). It was held in a oneroom rural church without electricity or
phone. The youth had gathered during
their winter school vacation the end of

June. Many had walked many miles with

Lynn

Stanley

and

Zephaniah

Qhiya

unloaded the benches which Lynn Stanley

and Umzumbe Bible Institute students had

made for the church at Ntabengadlenkomo.

Bench-making provides carpentry
experience and some spending money for
the students and more affordable church
pews for the churches.

their blanket, dish and spoon - most do

not have Bibles to bring. The youth are
part of preaching circuits of four
"umfundisi's" (teaching/preachers)
(pictured above) including about 30
preaching points or outstations. During
the day classes were held in the building,
and at four places out in thewinter grass.
I was pleased that 4 of our UBl students
were there to help teach. My father and I
hosted in the home of Mr. Sogoni,

the local minister, while campers were

scattered about the community of
thatched roof huts. Meals were cooked,
as always, in large iron pots over open
fires. The ox-drawn sled brought water
up in large drums from the stream.
By dark the church was already
crowded. While it looked as though it
should hold about 100, there were over
250 gathered for worship when I arrived
to preach by the light of one candle. The
service would continue long after ray
message was over, as singing groups
from each outstation came to raise their

voices in praise.

Four days of stomach trouble that

followed camp didn't diminish my
enjoyment of the week.

NTABENGADLINKOMO
(an outstation visit)
There is such a

wide difference in

culture between the places I have been,

and

Pondoland

seems

the

farthest

removed from the hectic western way of

life. It is simple, quiet, rural and tribal.

Zephaniah, one of our first year students

Zephaniah Qhiya interpreting for Duane

Stanley as he taught a Sunday school
lesson to the "young people." His class was
everyone under 25 years of age.

is from the congregation at

Ntabengadlinkomo and went with us one
Sunday morning to visit his home
church. As is always the case, a single
trip serves many purposes, so we
delivered church benches made by my
father and one of the students.

The

small congregation had saved for a

long time to buy these benches, costing

by Duane Stanley
less than $10 each.
To show their
appreciation for our transporting the

pews they took up an offering in the

traditional "penny slapping" fashion.
After 45 min, they had raised about $12.
Following the worship service I taught
a Sunday School group, that is, all the
young people up to about 25 years of age.
Zephaniah served as my interpreter. It
was a bit disconcerting to stand among
the feathers of what I knew was in the

cooking pot just a few feet away. Each

place I have visited has been unique in its
own way. Many faces here were familiar
to me from camp.

rjgpMBO- -

fv

Lesotho-^''^ N''
Republic of
South Africa

Tea break by the road in the Transkei. The Microbus carried the 6

GRAAFF REINET
LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

men who went to Graaff Reinet for a seminar while the trailer
carried the luggage.

by Duane Stanley
Our first Leadership Seminar was held at Graaff Reinet the
first week of August. It was a full day's drive through the
Transkei and into the Eastern Cape from Umzumbe. The VW
Combi our "ark" made travel comfortable, as we left the

lush coastal growth and its sugar cane far behind and finally
entered the arid Karoo with its dry open veld (picture 1). It was
dark by the time we arrived for a short visit with the local
minister, Maart Joseph, before making our way to the camp
ground.

The seminar was better in all respects than we anticipated.

Already we have had a number of requests for more seminars,
because of the good experience at Graaff Reinet. Four of us
from UBI taught and preached throughout the week (Lynn
Stanley, Nic Qwemesha, Michael LaHaye and myself).
Classes for leaders were held through the morning and early
afternoon (picture 2), with prayer time after tea break in the
morning (picture 3), where voices were raised in a number of
different languages for the needs of the churches.

The seminar drew many men and women from the eastern Cape
who listened attentively to lessons such as this one taught by
Lynn Stanley.

Late afternoons were filled with sessions for the women of

the church and for the youth after they came from school. A
quick supper was followed by a 2'/2 hour preaching service
each evening, as we became the church at Ephesus, hearing
Paul's letter and examining what it means to be a mature
church. At each service a portion of Paul's letter was read, a
film-strip story used, a Bible character examined and then the
sermon. All the teaching was interpreted either into Xhosa or
Afrikaans (picture 4).
Brother Joseph's evangelistic
"invitations" often meant another half-hour of preaching. On
Sunday morning a fascinating baptismal service for fourteen
climaxed the week (picture 5). Much of this service is on video
for you to experience with us!
I am writing this article the day before leaving for our
second seminar week at Barberton, and by the time you read
the article, we will also have completed our third seminar at
Umzumbe, with one left to hold in the eastern Cape. Pray that
God might use these training times to strengthen our
leadership in the African churches.

During the walk to the river for the baptismal service on Sunday
morning, frequent stops were made to preach to those who came to
watch the crowd pass by. Fourteen people were obedient to the
Lord in baptism on this occasion.

After morning tea the men gathered together to pray for the needs
of the churches.

At the 2'/: hour preaching service each evening a message was

presented from Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Roland Joseph
from Kimberley served as Duane Stanley's interpreter.

UMZUMBE BIBLE INSTITUTE

by Lynn Stanley
Through our more than 30 years of
working with the Bible School, we have
used a number of terms to define our

work:
training ministers, training
leadership, but now the common term
seems to be discipling. No matter what it
is called it amounts to the

same

task:

teaching and practicing what Jesus

wants men to be. It is done in the class

room, at worship services, in the daily

working together with those who have
come to U mzumbe Bible Institute and out
in the churches as we are able to visit
them from time to time.

We have had a good year at UBI. We

^1
'
.y I

started with over 20 students and will

close the year with 15. Some left because

they completed their two years of work,
some because of family issues, etc. Two of
the older men students were introduced at

conference as men ready to serve as

ministers - one already has his circuit.
Since July we have had extra teachers;
Michael LaHaye, Anita Mann, and our
son, Duane. This has given us an easier
teaching schedule. Much consideration
is now being given to additions and
changes in the school. It is hoped that we
can make it more practical by using a
general emphasis on better use of
English, fundamental Bible background
studies, speech, etc., during the first year.
For second year the students would be
screened more closely as to aptitude and
ability to do the work. Some of our
students still come with low quality
education, especially from some rural
areas.
Many have very little Bible
knowledge coming from churches
without Sunday Schools or teaching
programs for the youth.
A new
curriculum is being worked out and some
classes will be changed. We would like to
see a fourth year added for ministers
only. There is a growing awareness
among younger ministers that they need
more training. That is far removed from

This rondawel served as a girls' dormitory until thereof was burned inAusgust 1985. The
roof has now been replaced with one that will not burn and the building has been renovated.
It now houses a married couple.

the days when ten weeks was deemed

sufficient.

The girls' dormitory that burned in

August, 1985 has been reroofed and
renovated.
It is now occupied by a
married couple.
Plans have been drawn and the work

begun on a new kitchen-dining room unit.

We would like to have it ready for use in
January, but that will tax our
capabilities and our funds. It will house a
tuck shop - a place to buy incidentals for the students, a storage room for food,
the kitchen and dining rooms, and a room
for library or office. There is to be a

will probably be used for housing girls

and possibly later for staff use. At
present staff office space is very limited.
Our great need is still additional
qualified full time staff.
We need
missionary help, and we also pray for
black staff who can step into this
leadership training program.
Mrs.
Jamjam, our cook, will probably be
leaving us at the close of this year. At 68
years of age, she is finding the work load
too great.

Discipleship continued from page 8.

comfortable veranda on the front of the

building. It will be multi-purpose and a

wonderful addition. The present kitchen

that love and patience are of primary

importance.

One last valuable relationship building

experience was with one man who has a
very meek and humble spirit along with a
deep commitment to the Lord Jesus
Christ. I noticed that one day this man
was not his normal cheery self and so I
went to him and discussed this with him.

During our discussion I found out that

this man goes through periods of
depression for no apparent reason. I was
amazed to find that this man had similar

experiences to myself for I too find that I

go through despression every once in

awhile and for no apparent reason. This

has opened up new doors for me to
communicate with this man so that we

might grow closer.

As I come to know these men in a more

personal way I am greatly impressed by

their commitment to the Lord Jesus

A. Kitchen. B. Dining Hall C. Study/Conference D. Porch E. Canteen F. Pantry

Christ. Please pray for them in their

desire to grow in grace and in the
knowledge of God and continue to pray
that our relationships with one another
may grow deeper in love (agape).

A TRIP TO ZIMBABWE

by Anita Mann

In late August Michael Stanley, Mike LaHaye and I had the

opportunity to travel to Harare, Zimbabwe to attend the
Southern Africa Missionary Conference. It was Michael
Stanley's first time to Zimbabwe and, of course, Mike's and

before supper, and the hum of reunions had turned into a roar
by the time of the evening worship service. Everyone seemed
to greatly value this chance to swap stories as well as prayer
concerns. As a newcomer, I felt graciously welcomed into the
fold and appreciated hearing the different ways God is
working through these men and women.
Dr. Charles A. Crane, of Oregon, was our guest speaker. He
shared four messages, each enlightening as well as inspiring.
After being encouraged in "God's Purpose for His Church,"
"God's Power Within Us," "Mathetes: Disciple," and
"Discipleship in Practice," we all felt better equipped to face
the various challenges our ministries present.
Friday morning we closed the retreat in a Prayer Circle. My
mind still holds the picture of all those faces beaming with the
joy they find in doing God's work and eyes sparkling with the
love they have for their fellow laborers. Their expressions
clearly tell how wonderful is their calling in service for their
Lord and Savior (II Corinthians 3:18).
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect theLord's Glory,
are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing
glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

mine too. It proved to be a long trip, 2540 kilometers, and took

two days to reach Harare. Our progress was impeded by
multiple security road blocks manned by armed officers occasionally sober, often otherwise. Security was stiffer than
usual because of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit
Conference being held in Harare at that time. All our papers
were in order but they were quite suspicious of our CB radio
and first-aid kit. (I believe it was because Michael's kit was
packed in an old" ammunition case.)
We found Zimbabwe to be a beautiful country, more rural
and arid than South Africa with more wildlife.

We saw a

giraffe at the roadside and you wouldn't believe the anthills!

They nearly reached my waist!

The Conference itself was held at a campground called Rest
Haven - and that's just what it proved to offer: opportunity for
rest, fellowship, recreation and edification. The missionaries
arrived from different corners of southern Africa Tuesday,

There are many baobab trees near the road

to Harare and some of them are big, but this
one had a hollow inside which was big
enough to accommodate several adults.

Anthills dot the countryside throughout

Zimbabwe, and range in colour from white
to red to dark brown.

Mike and Anita bid farewell to Mashoko

Mission Hospital as we prepare to head
back to South Africa.

FRIENDSHIP, ENCOURAGEMENT AND CHALLENGE IN ZIMBABWE

by Michael M. Stanley
For many years I have believed that more personal contact
between missionaries on various fields was necessary.
Getting together, however, is not always easy as I can testify
from personal experience.
We have always appreciated the opportunity to meet with
other missionaries at the National Missionary Convention
which we attend regularly when we are on furlough. That
allows us to attend one out of every five conventions with the
result that there are many missionaries whom I have never
met.

The Pan African Christian Convention of July 1985

promised an opportunity to get together with several
missionaries to Africa. Since the convention coincided with

the beginning of our furlough, we made plans to attend, but we

did not reckon with the travel restrictions that were placed on
those who have travelled in South Africa. In the end we could

not get visas to enter Kenya so we were unable to attend. With

regret we saw another opportunity to meet with fellow-

missionaries slip through our fingers.

This year the Lord finally opened a door which was not
closed. The Southern Africa Missionary Conference was
planned for Harare, Zimbabwe and I made plans to attend.
Since it took place in August, my family could not attend
because the children were in school, but I did travel with
Michael LaHaye and Anita Mann.
After a long, tiring journey, an international border
crossing, a mistake about the venue and a lot of inspections at
police road blocks, we finally arrived at Rest Haven where the
conference was to take place. We were soon involved in
meeting missionaries, recruits and interns from Zambia,

interns and we all enjoyed the rapidly growing friendships.

After a lively evening meal where talking and laughter were
the order of the day, spirits were quieted as we moved to the
chapel for the first service. The singing was inspiring and the
message by Dr. Charles Crane challenging. Finally after
more fellowship we were able to settle in for a much-needed
night's rest.

The next three days were a wonderful blend of joyful

fellowship and spiritual renewal. Dr. Crane's messages were
uncomplicated and to the point, and his illustrations were
always interesting, sometimes exciting. After services. Dr.

Crane was always approachable, making possible many

profitable conversations.
Not only did I attend the conference, but I also visited the
Zimbabwe Christian College. Since I am involved in the
training of Christian leaders at Umzumbe Bible Institute, I
found the tour of the facilities and the ensuing conversation
with Jack Pennington very helpful. Since the school was

closed for vacation, I was not able to meet many of their

students nor faculty, but I now feel much more like both
schools are involved in a co-operative effort to achieve a
common goal.
On our way back to South Africa we stopped at Mashoko

Mission Hospital and again appreciated the opportunity to get

acquainted with other missionaries. It was also good to see the
medical work being done as a mission endeavour. In South

Africa all mission hospitals have been purchased by the

government so we cannot see that type of work any more.

I returned from Zimbabwe encouraged and challenged by

every aspect of our tour. I feel a much stronger sense of unity

Zimbabwe and South Africa as well as visitors from the

with the missionaries of the different countries and I trust that

United States. Some I had met before, many were new to me.
Michael and Anita shared stories and experiences with other

the other missionaries feel the same after meeting those of us

from South Africa.

DISCIPLESHIP, A PRIORITY

by Michael LaHaye

Since my arrival in South Africa the

majority of my time has been spent
teaching classes at Umzumbe Bible
Institute.

Other activities such as a

leadership seminar in Graaff Reinet, an

Annual Conference in Sada, and a
Missionary Rally in Harare, Zimbabwe,
have provided me with breaks from my
teaching routine.

I have come to value my Discipleship

classes the most. It is through these
classes that I have been able to develop a
more personal relationship with the men
at school. In this way teaching takes on
more than just a casual relationship
between a teacher and students; there is
the investing of my life into the lives of
these men (II Timothy 3:10-17).
On Wednesdays I meet with men for
Discipleship classes. In addition to this I

South African TORCH

Michael LaHaye writes an assignment on

the board at Umzumbe Bible

Institute.

Scripture memorization is an important

part of getting to know God's Word.

Published quarterly for the following

remain out at school for the whole day

MISSIONARIES

and spend the night at the men's dorm. I

and their

FORWARDING AGENTS

conduct three classes, each about 45

minutes long. They are broken up as
follows: first period is with the second

Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Nicholson and family

year students, second period is with the

first year students, and the third period is

P.O. Box 219

Port Shepstone

4240 Rep. of SOUTH AFRICA

Forwarding Agent
Mrs. Richard Hanson
7108 Lower 170th Court W.

Rosemount, Minnesota 55068

a combined class of first and second year

students. The combined class is for open
discussion of material covered in the first

two periods. The afternoon and evening

is spent something like this: go for a run
with several of the men, meet for chapel
in the evening, afterwards have a light

supper consisting of bread and tea, and

Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Stanley and family
P.O. Box 219

Port Shepstone

4240 Rep. of SOUTH AFRICA

Forwarding Agent
Mrs. Sybil Evans
Box 181

St. Joseph, Illinois 61873

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Stanley and family
P.O. Box 13
Umzumbe

4225 Rep. of SOUTH AFRICA

Forwarding Agent
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Eckman

Route 2, Box 3
Kimball, Minnesota 55353

Louw Koopman and Zephaniah Qhiya

concentrate on their studies in discipleship.

then we meet for an informal time of

discussion and prayer. The topics in our
discussion cover a variety of areas like:
church leadership, sharing of
testimonies, family relationships,

apartheid and I have even got some

teaching in on American softball. After
prayer I am free to interact with the men
one on one before retiring for the evening.
My Wednesday evenings that I have
been able to spend with these men (Ben,
Jackson, Conrad, Louw, Stephen, Aaron,
Richard, and Zephaniah have been very
valuable to me in getting to know these
men better and understanding the
struggles that they go through as
Christians in a different culture. One

thirtg I have found is that although our

may differ, many of the
struggles and issues that I have wrestled
cultures

with are similar.

In one case I was discussing with a

man about his progress in some of his
other classes because he was not doing
very well and as we talked I found out
that there was frustration on his part
with learning.
He would study the
material very hard but when it came time
for a test his mind would go blank and so
I learned that his problem was not with
motivation but with memory. I could
easily relate to this myself for oftentimes
I would spend hours studying material
only to find out the next day that I could
hardly remember any of this material.
During one of our discussion times in
the evening one of the men brought up the
question of how to deal with family who
were of a different denomination than
himself. This man had had a dramatic

conversion; his whole life turned

completely around, but this was a
difficult issue for him. I was able to share

of similar struggles that I had gone

through when I first became a Christian
and I was able to share both triumphs
and failures. In the end we both agreed
Continued on page 6.

Form 3579 requested PO Box 2427, Knoxville, TN 37901-2427

The South African TORCH (501-820) is a

publication of the South African Church

of Christ Mission, and is published four
times each year in February, May, August,
and November by Mission Services Asso

ciation, 7525 Hodges Ferry Road, Knoxville, TN 37920-9731.

Second-class
postage paid at Knoxville, TN 37901-2427.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to South African TORCH, c/o Mission
Services Association, PO Box 2427,
Knoxville, TN 37901-2427.

Fourth Quarter 1986

Volume 37

Number 4