DECEMBER 2005 JOURNAL

Publish date: 12/06/2005

We greet you in the precious Name of Jesus. This month we have a report for you on Good News Mamelodi (GNM).

We were met at the airport in Johannesburg by a group of people from the choir, with a big welcome banner. They were so excited about GNM and very appreciative that we were coming to their city. We were so moved. They sang and danced for us right in the arrivals hall, with all the other passengers and their friends and families looking on. It was a wonderful welcome. When we went to the field, we received an equally warm welcome, except this time from the whole choir, and also our precious volunteers. The 500-voice choir all bought their own t-shirts and also paid for their own transportation to all the rehearsals and the five nights of the crusade. This is quite a sacrifice for people who do not have their own vehicles and who do not have much money to spare!

It is so difficult to put into words all that goes into a crusade of this magnitude and how much is going on while we are there—the people; the pastors and their churches; the salvations; the healings; the miracles! All we can say is that the Lord did exceedingly abundantly above what we can ask or think as He always does! In five wonderful nights we had 113,000 recorded decisions for Christ! As we were also on four radio stations, we have no idea how many thousands of people prayed the salvation prayer with us over the air, but we know that heaven has the count!

In preparation for Good News Mamelodi, we distributed 1.3 million handbills, put up 7,000 posters and 11 major billboards. We also ran a newspaper campaign in four major South African newspapers. We ran a total of 507 buses to bring the people to the field from in and around Mamelodi. We gave away a total of R35 000 over the five nights. On the last day, a lady gave us an extra R5 000 to give away, saying that she wanted the money to be used to take care of children. We did our drawing of R10 000 that night and a four year-old boy and his dad won it. Then we gave the R5 000 away and it was won by a nine year-old! His mom had sent him to the crusade by himself that night. She had been to the crusade, but was taking care of her five month-old baby at home. She had had no money to pay school fees and she was so happy to receive the money.Isn't the Lord amazing?

We also had a complete set of musical instruments donated—keyboards, drums, guitar, and bass—which were given away, through a drawing, to a local church who participated in GNM. Actually, our interpreter's church won them! We also had a drawing to give away ten electric guitars to other local churches who participated in GNM. They were all so blessed! Every night we preached a salvation message, gave an invitation to receive Christ, taught them and prayed with them to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and prayed for healing of bodies and minds. We saw so many phenomenal healings. Among others, we saw many, many crippled and paralyzed people walking and running, including a three year-old who had never walked in his life because of complications resulting from his premature birth. These were people who had mobility problems for various reasons, including strokes, accidents and illnesses.

The pastors have reported that their churches have greatly increased in numbers from GNM—some of them have doubled in size! Praise the Lord for all the wonderful things He has done! We had an amazing time and the lives of the people we brought with us from America were forever changed. Thank you so much for sharing with us in the harvest. As you sowed into Mamelodi, this great and fruitful harvest goes to your heavenly account!

Yours for Revival and the Harvest,

Drs. Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne