Members celebrate Feast at regional and local sites in Southern Africa

By Janine Bell

CAPE TOWN, South Africa--Members celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles at five sites in South Africa this year.

The three main Festival sites were Durban in KwaZulu Natal, Strand in the Western Cape, and Nylstroom in the Northern Province.

Local sites in Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth accommodated those who could not attend at the main Feast sites.

Feastgoers were inspired by the messages given by Mr. Albrecht. His warmth and sincerity left a lasting impression on members.

Strand

The Strand site had guest speakers from various denominations. Coordinator Ron Stoddart said, "This was a new experience for members, and I think they learned a lot."

Durban

"Simple but inspiring" was the motto for the Durban Feast of Tabernacles site. Praise and worship by the Durban church band added a new dimension to worship services and blended in with the messages of the day.

Nylstroom

The Feast at Nylstroom was at Weesgerus resort, allowing members to attend services and stay on site.

Bloemfontein

Roland Gevers, Bloemfontein pastor, said: "We were a warm and loving group. Each one worked hard to make the Feast a success. The local site there "was a wonderful opportunity to praise God for giving us eternal life, and to encourage one another."

Port Elizabeth

Attendance at Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape was made up mostly from the Port Elizabeth brethren, but also included members from the rest of the province and Zastron, Pietermaritzburg, Pretoria, Kempton Park and Umtata.

Services were conducted on the first and last days, and the weekend in-between.

Zambia

Two hundred twenty-five brethren met at four local sites in Zambia to Celebrate the Kingdom of God.

Lusaka was the main site, and ran for eight days. Twenty-nine brethren in Kitwe kept the Feast for four days. Petauke was host to 29 men, women and children.

In Mumbwa, 72 brethren worshiped our God for three days. Worship and lodging facilities were constructed from grass and poles. Some brethren walked more than 20 kilometers to the Feast site.

Some of the impressive attitudes there were humility, cooperation, zeal for Christ and eagerness to learn.

Festival offering messages were presented in the form of a drama, which gave variety to the worship services.

Harare, Zimbabwe

Throughout the Feast, a spirit of hope, commitment and excitement was apparent.

This year the Feast in Harare was predominantly attended by members from Harare and the surrounding areas.

Youths led worship services on the first day, accompanied by traditional drums and rhythmic clapping.

James Lambu commented on services in Harare: "It was apparent that people are now worshiping because they want to worship. This is a marked difference from the past."

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

About 70 brethren gathered in Willow Park, a camp site owned by Youth for Christ. Members stayed in chalets and cooked their meals in a communal kitchen, which turned out to be the hub of activities. Since everyone stayed on site, it was a united, joyful Feast.

Mauritius

The Feast in Mauritius was celebrated in the town of Flic n Flac. About 50 brethren came together to fellowship and hear inspiring and uplifting messages. Regional director Bob Klynsmith and his family attend the first few days of the Feast in Mauritius.

Before the Feast, Mr. Klynsmith and his family visited our three members on Reunion Island, now four, as Mr. Klynsmith baptized Patricia Prodigue.