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CELEBRATION ISSUE
NOVEMBER 2011
Foundation for Cross-cultural Education - P.O. Box 126, Wolseley, South Africa, Oak Street, Huis Weich, 6830
FCE 21st CELEBRATIONS KOTI NI EDEN
Neels
Lodewyk
Corné
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n 1990 a very clear and definite call came from the Lord… “On the twenty-forth day of the ninth month .. the word of the Lord came to Haggai, the prophet: “This is what the Lord Almighty says … give careful thought to this, from this day on consider how things were before one stone was laid on another in the Lord’s temple…” “.. and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God…” Haggai 2:18; 1:12 Looking back we can now understand why the Lord told us right at the beginning: “Do not despise the day of small beginnings.” (Zech. 4:10) 21 YEARS LATER we have the privilege to welcome you at the dedication of Koti ni Eden Training Centre. All honour and glory to God who made this possible.
Cecile
Anita
1990
2011
Follow the celebrations day by day. THURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER : FCE BIRTHDAY PARTY “En Route” South Africa
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t was a perfect night; a low moon was hanging above the huge trees surrounding the Koti ni Eden Training Centre. The night was lit up with flickering candles on the tables where the 160 guests sat. Etienne, Ina and their helpers prepared a South African evening with potjiekos – the official kick-off for the celebrations. From early afternoon about 20 black potjies were lined up in a semi-circle, each on its own coals and each steaming away with its secret ingredients. Some had biltong as its main ingredient, some chicken and some beef. But the proof was in the taste! THEN it was time for the birthday cake. Under loud singing of “Happy birthday dear FCE … “a huge cake in the form of the FCE emblem with 21 burning candles on it was carried from the kitchen. The candles were ceremoniously blown out. While the cake was cut and handed out to everyone, there were spontaneous singing and dancing. Heaps of colourfully wrapped presents were stacked on tables and each person received one. The happy singing, dancing in circles and rejoicing in the Lord continued until long afterwards.
FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER : INAUGURATION OF THE FCE COMMUNITY CENTRE
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bout 400 guests gathered under tents in front of the new school buildings for the official inauguration and dedication of the school to the Lord. Most of the guests were parents and people from the surrounding villages. The school children gave an overview of the history of the school through scripture verses, songs and skits. The overview was written by two ladies from Australia and the staff and the children put in many hours of practice. The tangible evidence of what the Lord has done in the lives of the children during all these years brought tears to our eyes. They spoke and read fluently in English, they quoted Bible verses, they have dreams for the future and they have knowledge of a Saviour who loves them and who laid down His life for them. The women from the community sang and danced to the beat of drums. For many of these women it was a first time opportunity to give expression of their grateful hearts towards the Lord, for what He is doing in the lives of their children. The speakers all had one
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purpose in their hearts: To give thanks to the Lord. 1. Neels de Jager: FCE came to the community in the name of the Lord – not with money and resources, but with our lives, to train and to serve the community. The school stands here today as a testimony to God – a testimony of His greatness and goodness and all He has done. Jannie Compion: “This is a great dream that came true today. We want to honour every one who helped to establish this school and above all bring glory to our God.” Mr Leslie Mumbula (Zambia): “FCE is putting the Word of God in the forefront in all the education and training. A wonderful school and college is set on Lamba soil.“ 2. Dr Craig Murison: (Australia) “It is a privilege to stand here today, representing MCF and MCC. When Neels and Jannie say ‘come and see what the Lord has done’ – they also dream and see in faith a future for the children of these children. We come to see today what the Lord has done, but also what He is yet to do! We are prepared and willing to be in partnership with FCE for the years to come.” 3. Faxon (a community worker): On behalf of the headmen in the area
he thanked FCE. The first pupils who started in this school are in Grade 12 this year. He thanked all contributing partners and the community for their commitment. 4. Principal Luke Sichone: “What you see is what the Lord has done. In the beginning the children came to school with fear of witchcraft, hungry and most without hope for the future. Today we have children who challenge the fear of witchcraft head on, who speak English fluently and in whose lives the love of God is coming through. Our final test will be when these children leave the school, that they will truly know and fear the Lord. If not, it was all for nothing.” 5. Mr Mumbula stood behind a young boy holding his hands over the boy’s hand for the symbolic cutting of the ribbon and Rev. Pensulu ended this part of the celebrations with prayer and thanksgiving. En Route Zambia: The delegates feasted on traditional Zambian food prepared under the trees on the open fires and in the kitchen. Nshima (pap) with fried chicken, fried fish, beef stew and vegetables were enjoyed while the conversations and jubilations continued.
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ll the guests and staff were divided into small groups and went on a walking safari to different stations where they could see aspects of the work done at Koti ni Eden. There was also an exhibition in two huge tents that gave an overview of some of the highlights of the history of FCE.
Poultry
Business Park
Building Projects
Nursery
Koti ni Eden Campus
FRIDAY AFTERNOON : EXPLORING KOTI NI EDEN AND THE HISTORY OF FCE
FRIDAY EVENING : OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF THE EN ROUTE CELEBRATIONS MAGAZINE AND DVD
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arkness …. Total silence under the massive thatched roof of the dining hall…. The stillness of the African night was broken by the sound of a shofar blown from the top of a nearby anthill. Two drums started pulsing rhythmically. The voices of Brian and Joseph lead the choir into a creative and spectacular adaptation of the song: “Come and see” followed by an incredibly anointed celebration song, specially written and composed by Joseph Leopard and Gabi le Roux. Neels prayed and welcomed all. The “En Route Magazine and DVD” was launched by Anita de Jager and Carel Nel as a testimony to the world of the greatness of God and for His glory. The DVD was shown and highly appreciated by all.
SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER : A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
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eels and the Training and Department Leaders took us on a trip down memory Lane. Through the years FCE staff were willing to give what they had; the Lord took it, multiplied it and performed a miracle to establish FCE as a mission organization.
Neels remembers how he in 1990 opened a bank account for FCE with R50 – that
was all he had. Jannie Compion took 12 students in a sheep truck on a mission outreach to Zambia. – all they knew was that God said “go to a place of seven towns where there is lots of copper.”
Gert Basson joined FCE in 1994 willing to serve the Lord with his many talents. Under his professional touch the FCE’s King’s Highways blossomed and became places of rest.
Nita Grobler clearly remembers the excitement when FCE started with the teacher
training college in 1997. As lecturers, Nita, Piet, Deirdré and Thinus had to lay down all they had in terms of knowledge and experience and blindly trust the Lord to lead them step by step.
Barbara Singoyi was a full-time wife, mother and student at the college in Zambia, all at the same time. Brian worked in the garden at FCE to pay her study fees.
Moses Sinyinza shared how he experienced his first contact with FCE through a dream. Four years later in 1996 three white men and one black man visited him in his house, exactly as it happened in his dream.
Dirk Grobbelaar and his family recalls how they were confronted with witchcraft
practises in the surrounding villages and malaria in Kalungu. How they were trained by uncle Hennie during those pioneer days to “never give up!”
Ameck Phiri and Luke Sichone were working their lands in Kalungu when Neels
met them and asked the Lord to give him these two men to train. Both men were trained by FCE and met their wives, Lydia and Mary at the teacher training college.
Thinus Dreeckmeier, a former teacher and lecturer, in his research focused on the real nature of Christian Education. He plays a leading role in developing Christ-centered curriculum for FCE. Leslie and Kathryn Bezuidenhout, ex FCE trained teachers from Botswana testify about the impact the FCE teacher training had on their lives. Both said it was all about living a Christian lifestyle. They often have to ask themselves: “Am I busy making disciples?”
! t s a e f a joyful
En Route Namibia
REDEDICATION TO GOD, TO THE VISION AND TO THE CALLING
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e all gathered in the dining hall and all the lights were switched off. In a very solemn ceremony, Neels called out the names of each staff member in the sequence of the years in which they joined FCE. He started with his own family and with Jannie. He said something about each one and they responded, then lit a candle and placed it in a huge cross, specially positioned in the front of the hall. After putting their candle in the cross the staff members remained standing at the back of the cross. The staff children put their candles at the base of the cross. After all the staff members were called out, they knelt around the cross, illuminated by the burning candles. Neels lead the staff in a prayer of rededication to the work and the vision God has called them to. During the singing of “Break dividing walls� the staff members each took a candle and gave it to one of the guests as a symbol of their unity and in grateful appreciation for their love and support through the years.
SUNDAY 25 SEPTEMBER:
CELEBRATIONS
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verybody turned up, dressed in bright colours. We sang, we danced, we prayed, we laughed, we cried, we worshipped, we shared, we clapped our hands and stamped our feet and we waved our flags as we danced to the music. This was the Lord’s Day and we all rejoiced and were glad in it. The floor was opened for our guests to bless us. Mac and Elsa van den Berg of Eagles Nest Christian School Polokwane rejoiced because Eagle’s Nest was born out of FCE 15 years ago. They read a very touching poem written especially for us. Pieter and Marelize van der Merwe from Ladismith testified that FCE also became a body for them and their family. Sonja de Beer from Pretoria was one of the teachers who joined FCE initially: She learned about missions during those first years in FCE. She honoured the three De Jager children
and the whole family for their input in her life.
Chris, Kees & Craig
Francois Fouché & his dad
Kees and Tilly Klaassen, all the way from Holland, thanked FCE for their continuous love and support and for being a body for him and Tilly. Craig and Candace Murison from AusMac & Elsa tralia testified how much it meant to van den them to experience the unconditional Berg love and acceptance in FCE. Corne Basson, Neels’ eldest daughter, had us all in tears as she shared her experiences from those early years. Living in the FCE body is truly like liv- Sonja de Beer ing in a family.
Maret Streicher & her mother
Eileen de Scande & her mother
Cecile van Schalkwyk, Neels’ youngest daughter, said after 21 years FCE ended up in the beautiful Koti ni Eden and she cannot wait to see where FCE will be after the next 21 years! The rest of the day we fellowshipped and enjoyed the time at the Coffee Shop under the huge trees. Friends and family had time to do some catching up and many new friendships were formed. It was an ideal opportunity for family and friends to visit together.
Kees & Tilly Klaassen
Christine Kleynhaus & her mother
CONCERT OF PRAYER
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bout ten different stations were created in the dining hall with two staff members responsible to lead the prayer in each group. Every 15 minutes people could change stations enabling everyone to have the opportunity to pray at as many stations as possible in the allotted time. As we worshipped the Lord in prayer, we acknowledged His Lordship in our lives, we petitioned for the salvation of the lost in our ministry and we declared our love to the One who has called and equipped us to build His Kingdom. In the quiteness that followed the shofar was blown and we became aware that a new dawn is breaking for FCE. Unite us as we seek to serve Him unconditionally for the years to come!!
Important Dates 2012: Discipleship Mission Training Foundation (3 months) Wolseley 9 January - 23 March 25 June - 07 September Discipleship Mission Training Condensed (6 weeks) Wolseley 8 October - 18 November National Christian Teachers’ Convention (NCTC) www.natctc.org.za 29 September - 1 October
Contact us:
Tel: +27 (0)23 231 0208 E-mail: info@fce.org.za Website: www.fce.org.za