Testimony of André Venter
Article source: JOY! Magazine
A few years ago, a mission team with members from several Reformed Churches decided to travel to Mocuba, Mozambique, to share the Gospel and build a church. They asked for our advice because our company, Adven Construction, was actively building in the vicinity at the time. In an effort to help them, we decided to erect the steel structure and roof so that they only had to build the walls and floor themselves.
Pleasing response
Initially, Dr Gerrie van Wyk did not want to use our ministry’s poster of the narrow and the broad way during their mission trip. The synod of the Reformed Church rejected it due to Jesus being depicted. However, when Gerrie saw our own missionary, Roy, using it with great success, he started handing the posters out himself, explaining the message to bystanders. Their reactions were gratifying, everyone wanted it to explain to others, especially their children.
A bad accident
At the end of the successful mission trip, the team started their journey back to South Africa in the early hours of the morning, while it was still dark. Gerrie was sitting in the front of the combi. For just a second, he bent down to answer a two-way radio. In that moment, they crashed into a stationary truck that didn’t have its lights on. Two passengers in the backseat of the combi died on impact. Gerrie experienced a tremendous blow to the head and went into
a coma. He was flown back and rushed to the Sandton Mediclinic.
An unexpected response
After several months in hospital, Gerrie had regained consciousness, but he just stared in front of him and did not respond. Roy drove down to Rustenburg (from Pretoria) to pray for him. Roy called me excitedly the next day, saying that Gerrie was responsive. Apparently, a nurse had walked by and asked if there was something they could show Gerrie that had made an impression on him. Roy ran to fetch the poster of the narrow and the broad way from his car and held it up in front of Gerrie who responded instantly: “Narrow and broad way, Roy Ready, André Venter” – he was back!
All glory to the Lord
Gerrie visited me twice in Stellenbosch, just to express his appreciation. I had the privilege to visit his congregation and talk about the beloved posters. All glory to the Lord, because it is only He who can do such miracles!
Email posters@adven.co.za if you would like to order your own posters!
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Date published: 31/05/2023
Feature image: © Advent 2000 – Bible Society of SA
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