On the cover

In this issue

• Dream God’s dream
• Getting to know Ps. Chris Hill
• Meet the guest speakers
• Relay for life celebrations
• Tiny tots celebrate cancer survivors
• Israel Houghton & New Breed
• August celebrations
• What Pretoria & Bloemfontein have in common
• Roses in the Holy City
• Choosing to overcome
• The little girl from Tennessee
• The love of God
• Nothing to eat
• Medically supervised fasting
• Between a rock and a hard place
• Be defined by your dreams
• Kiddico 1
• Giant killers
• As the counsellor
• The Holy Land
• Bling going reen
• Faithful followers?
• Count your costs?
• God’s people of character

Passionate about Christianity

(Letter from the editor)

This is your inspirational issue

The theme for this issue of Devoted was inspired by the annual Dream week event that has the theme, Passion for God. This issue will bring you information on passion and dreams; and all that associates with these themes. We also introduce you to the guest speakers at CRC Dreamweek Christian Conference from pages 4 to 7.

Ps Tim Hall wrote in his book Giant Killers: “Man is born to dream dreams, to see visions, to plan projects and conquests. A person is only as young as the dreams that consume him. Renewed strength and vitality are gifts of God. When a person no longer has a purpose or dream in life, he has entered old age.”

These are extremely powerful words! And it reminded me of Terry Fox, a man who did not give up on his dream – up until the very end. Terry was diagnosed with bone cancer when he was only 18 years old, and, as a result his right leg was amputated. He was 21 years of age when he started the Marathon of Hope to raise funds for cancer research. Terry did 3,339 miles across Canada in sun, rain and snow but, sadly, the cancer returned and spread to his lungs, which forced him to end the marathon.

Terry said to all before the marathon: “Even if I die, I will die doing what I wanted to do.” Terry sadly died on 28th June, 1981, a tender 22 years old. At the time of his death more than R24million was raised for his dream! One man’s passion made a difference to the lives of many other cancer victims. What a demonstration of love!

We also bring you the story of another hero, Wilma Rudolph (page 20), a physically handicapped woman who became the first American woman to win three gold medals at the Olympic Games. In spite of opposition she dreamt a great dream and achieved her goal.

The CANSA Relay for Life is another successful event of hope. And hope is also what Hettie Britzz brings us in her testimony on page 16, Choosing to overcome.

Roses, and especially red roses, are associated with life and love. And where can one find more beautiful roses than in the City of Roses, Bloemfontein? However, not many people know that Pretoria, affectionately known as the Jacaranda city, was also once called the City of Roses. Karin brings us the story on page 12.

South Africans like to travel, and I do so indeed! Our regular travel column, Destination, this month brings you the Holy Land, Israel, a destination that is definitely on my personal bucket list. There are many reasons for wanting to visit Israel and there are many marvellous sites to visit. A group of CRC pastors recently visited the Holy Land. Devoted asked them for some feedback. Read on page 36 what they did during their 10-day tour. We also invite you on a worship cruise for next year (see inner back page).

This issue of Devoted brings you a number of informative and inspirational articles. We also now have a number of inspirational writers, such as Ps Aidan Jeffery (Between a rock and a hard place on page 28), Pierre Fourie (Be defined by your dreams on page 30) and Dolph Lombard, who brings us tips on how to run a business on Godly principles in his article, Faith followers? (page 40).

I invite you to become a supporter of this Christian lifestyle magazine and to allow God into your life through this magazine. For with God(‘s Word) nothing will be impossible. (Luke 1:37).

I hope that you find this issue of Devoted a good read.

God bless!

Gerda