Thursday Evening: Holy Week
Our plans are not God’s plans (Isaiah 55:8); we planned for 50 people and added 10 more seats for a Thursday evening meeting at Sidwell Corps with the Territorial Leaders, but the hall was packed, requiring us to bring extra chairs to seat everyone.
The familiar Easter story was illustrated in a new way by our Territorial President for Women’s Ministries, Commissioner Deise Eliasen, using food items like amagwinya/plain donuts without frosting, mineral water, toothpicks, boiled eggs, small donut balls without frosting, cheese, olives, chocolate with a purple paper cover, potato chips salt and vinegar flavour and small amount of grape juice. These and other food items were used to tell the whole story of salvation from the garden of Gethsemane to the trial that led Jesus Christ to the cross and eventual death and burial.
Praise God, the story ends in victory; Jesus rose from the dead and lives again. The cross, the water Pontius Pilate washed his hands with, and the grave were all represented on each plate. Then there was a breaking of bread together, and everyone enjoyed the lesson and the meal. It was interesting to see people hesitating to eat silver-wrapped chocolate, which represented the money Judas received in payment for betraying Jesus.
Good Friday
The glorious Passover Weekend began with Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion of Christ Jesus. The first session had three speakers outlining how Jesus was captured, presented to the authorities and the whole journey to the Cross. Major Veronica Mkhize shared a wrap-up Bible Message emphasizing what the speakers shared and challenging the congregation.
In the second session Major Aubey Hatukupa (Divisional Commander) welcomed and introduced the Territorial Leaders as “Followers of Jesus”. Commissioner Torben Eliasen gave a brief response and introduction of the theme, LOOK TO JESUS. This session had 7 speakers outlining the seven sayings of Jesus on the Cross and relating the sayings to our present circumstances, challenging soldiers and friends to live a life that is worthy of their calling. Commissioner Deise Eliasen closed the meeting with a powerful message challenging the congregation to stop nursing and nurturing their “pets” (sins). She further alluded that there is a need for total submission and devotion, giving all to Jesus, even our “pets”.
Saturday
The Territorial Leaders met with the Local Officers to present the Territorial Strategic Plan 2024. It was a very interactive and engaging session, and the Strategic Plan was well received by the Local Officers. Towards the end of this session, Commissioner Torben introduced Governance, explaining how vital it is for the Territory and Divisions to implement Governance. While the local officers were meeting with the Leaders, Captain Zothani Ntuli and Major Siseko Heshu (Retired) together with young people from Mdantsane Corps and Ibhayi Corps Junior Soldiers took to the streets engaging with the people, spreading the Good News of Jesus. Saturday of the Easter Weekend ended with a vibrant Shayatafula afternoon where all the Corps gave cheerfully.
Easter Sunday
UVUKILE! UVUKILE! Uvukile was the exclamation for Sunday morning, a joyous morning commemorating the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead, celebrating how Christ conquered the tomb. The meeting began by the remembrance of fallen soldiers, promoted to glory between Easter 2023 and 2024; it was a bittersweet moment. Commissioner Deise used a big visual Bible during the service as she took the children on the journey of Jesus’ crucifixion. Three women speakers outlined the events of Jesus’ resurrection and how the women spread the Good News of resurrection to the fellow disciples of Jesus after going to the tomb. The congregation was challenged to stand out and be counted like the women who went to the tomb. They did not hold the Good News to themselves; they shared the News. The last speaker highlighted the need for deep conversations with God, longer gazes into His Word, which results in empowerment. If one is empowered, it becomes easier to share the Word of God. Commissioner Torben closed the meeting with a powerful, challenging Message of reconciliation supported by the book of Romans 14, with verse 9 as the focal verse. Christ reconciled us back to God through His blood, so we are to reconcile with one another.
