Thabang: May you rest in peace

I remember it like yesterday, the day I walked within the Bapsfontein compound on a Sunday before church service as I normally do, to invite others and share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with the people and His love. As I called to this young man whom I came to know later as Thabang, the shock in his face was shocking to say the least. He actually asked “O mema nna mmamoruti hot la kerekeng? Meaning are you actually inviting me to church? True to his word he came and after church I got time to talk to him. It is then that I understood his shock, he was born-again from Lesotho. As is the culture from where he comes from he went for the initiation and was expelled from the church when he came back and never again allowed to fellowship. He was therefore surprised that I am extending an invitation to him. We spoke and I reassured him that though man ca find it easy to condemn God doesn’t. There is always a chance to be reconciled with him. A chance he gladly took.

A few months later he disappeared from the church, and could not find him even during my weekly walk about. When I finally found him and asked what was going on, in his usual loud and slow voice he said “mmamoruti ha key a wa, ke sekame feela” am not yet fallen but just bending over a little. Again we had a very serious talk about righteousness and encouraged him to rule over sin and not let it rule over him. About three weeks ago he came to church, very very drunk. I had never seen him in that state. In the middle of the service he stood up, took out his offering, left it at the table and off he went. My heart was very troubled that day. I asked one of the ladies-aus Connie to go check him and talk to him as I was very concerned about what I saw. By God’s grace I also managed to meet him during the week and again had a serious talk. He repented and asked to be forgiven. The last three weeks he again took his cross and followed Christ. Faithfully coming midweek with his note book and Sundays. Today we woke up to the news that he has been brutally beaten and murdered by allegedly some white men on his way back from work.

My heart is burdened and am saddened by his passing away so suddenly and so violently for no reason. I am, however, also grateful to God for having given us the opportunity to share the Gospel with him and followed up when there was a need. I pray for the day when Bapies’, rich and poor can worship God together under one roof. I pray for the day when Black and White will truly be equal and treat each other as such!

Galatians 4:19 “¹⁹ My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you!” May God give us the strength to travail for his souls until Christ is formed in them. May we never get tired of sharing the good news and praying that it bears fruit. None of us knew that Thabang will be no more today. I will personally miss him. I have fond memories of him. The short time I knew him, I thank God for his life….. May his soul rest in eternal peace!!