1/14/07 - SA 2007 - BaaaBaaa Shadrack

Today is an organization day. Our goal is to get our computer up and running and connect with all our contacts and confirm appointments.

First thing after breakfast our host Leon invited his IT guy Mark to come by and insure that his DSL and my computer are compatible. A few strokes by Mark and we are up and running!

Once our computer communications were established we headed for the local Vodacom phone store. In 2003 I bought 2 South African cell phones to use while in country. Each year since we purchase prepaid minutes for the time we are in South Africa and are reasonably well connected to the entire country.

After the cell phones were loaded with prepaid minutes I purchased a couple pair of three quarter length bush pants to use while traveling. They help us blend in as countrymen rather than tourists. Add a bush hat much like Indiana Jones uses and the uniform for South Africa is complete.

We returned to our accommodations and started calling a long list of friends and ministry acquaintances established over the past 22 years. We confirmed our meetings for the remainder of the week and then I called to speak with Gabriel Ntombela and BaaaBaaa Shadrack Ntombela.

Glen and I had left the United States Friday afternoon and were basically out of touch until the phones and computer were up and running today. Gabriel answered his phone with some very bad news. BaaaBaaa Ntombela had been traveling in a car near Johannesburg, with his nephew as the driver, and they were passenger side impacted by another car. BaaaBaaa sustained serious injuries including a large gash over the crown of his head.

Glen and I re-grouped our scheduling and left immediately to see BaaaBaaa and Gabriel at a Government run hospital near the Johannesburg airport. The hospital was sparsely furnished but neat and clean. We were ushered into a small ward with five patients. One of which was BaaaBaaa. He looked in rough shape. The side of his face was deep black and blue and swollen. Over the crown of his head was a light bandage which revealed the long wound with many stitches and staples.

Baaabaaa appeared to be under sedation and delirious as he jumped from topic to topic with no rhyme or reason. Glen and I felt sad and helpless in the natural to assist BaaaBaaa but we knew prayer was best for him now. Glen anointed BaaaBaaa with oil and we had a wonderful prayer service for him.

We could see BaaaBaaa needed rest so we left to talk with Gabriel. Gabriel said BaaaBaaa was first rushed to a private hospital but they asked for an advance payment of 59,000 Rand, to begin treatment. That is about $9,000 American Dollars. Since Gabriel did not have the advance payment BaaaBaaa was moved to the government hospital.

The crusade in Mdantsane, which is 12 hours drive South of Johannesburg, had already begun in the old shanty church building. They were in anticipation of the arrival of the Maranatha Ministry Tent. Unfortunately because of this situation with BaaaBaaa the tent will not be sent. We discussed this situation with Gabriel and decided to rent a tent for a week in Mdantsane. When the roof builders from Michigan arrive next week we’ll set up the tent.

Plans were made for the local pastors to conduct worship, music and preaching. Gabriel will try to come depending on the condition of BaaaBaaa. For sure BaaaBaaa will not be in attendance.

We returned to our accommodations and settled in for the night knowing that BaaaBaaa was in God’s hands just as he was all those years ago when he received his eye sight.