S. Africa: Satanist Raised From Dead! - 22 Aug 2006
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When Carla Trundle boarded a plane with Pete Greig to fly to South Africa a few weeks ago, she had a definite sense that this would be a Significant Trip, writes Shirley Cameron. Mostly she was looking forward to meeting the guys and gals who have been running 24-7 prayer rooms half way around the world. Little did she know how she would be blessed by amazing stories about God at work (and that weird culinary adventures were in store!). |
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Picture the scene: people are sharing stories during a 24-7 networking day in Cape Town. A guy in his early twenties comes to the front, grinning from ear to ear, and gives this testimony: “I was a Satanist; I was heavily into drug abuse; I took a fatal overdose and I was dead in hospital for 8 hours. My mum mobilised her 24-7 networks to pray for me and I came back to life!” He then sits back down, leaving the audience shaking their heads and wondering whether they heard right! The guy’s mother is there, but she’s crying too hard to speak.
Apart from being “kind of encouraging” (Pete’s words), this story reminds us that we shouldn’t become cynical. Jesus demonstrated the awesome power of God by raising people from the dead on a number of occasions.
Death threat
Another lady told this story: a few weeks before the 24-7 event she received a death threat. In her work with drug addicts in Port Elizabeth (now the Nelson Mandela metropol), she’d managed to get on the wrong side of one of the local drug dealers. In response she mobilised the local prayer networks for a two week 24-7 prayer watch. The drug dealer became a Christian! She now hopes to train him as a leader in her organisation.Boiler Rocks… and Worms
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Pete and Carla were shown photos of “Boiler Rocks” in Zimbabwe: people are praying night and day around rocks and in caves because it’s impossible to set up prayer rooms. They were also lucky enough to sample some local culinary delicacies: Mopani worms. Yes, worms. Fear Factor here they come! |
Out of Control
In Pete’s words: “The trip to Africa made us realise that 24-7 is more out of control than ever and all sorts of amazing things are going on we had no idea about. In many ways they’re not doing things the same way we’re doing them in North America or Europe, but God’s just blessing it and wonderful things, miracles are happening. We just love it and actually there’s a great deal that we can learn from the passion and faith of some of these prayer rooms”.
He had the following to say about the spiritual climate in South Africa and the impact of the AIDS epidemic: “South Africa seems to be at a very critical time spiritually. In a time when the church is in decline nationally, it’s a very important time to mobilise prayer. Current AIDS statistics make you realise how many people are carrying the virus (white as well as black). It’s obvious that there are major challenges as well as major opportunities ahead. We’re really excited to see the mobilisation of prayer in this context.”
Visions for the Future
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24-7 will be setting up an office in Cape Town with a new leadership team to give guidance to the many prayer rooms that are exploding across the nation. They will also work with Transformation Africa, which has a vision to set up a Boiler Room in every city in South Africa. Please pray that God will bless their efforts and that He will continue to work in wonderful and unexpected ways. |
 Hilton & Nadine of Transformation Africa with Pete Greig in Cape Town |
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Shirley Cameron grew up in South Africa; she now lives in Wokingham, close to Reading, U.K. She studied English literature at university but currently earns her living as a computer geek. Her wider interests include singing, watching sci-fi, running marathons and walking in the mountains. |