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The most significant developments regarding my 2010 Project work are as follows:

1. There has been increased activity at the Durban BEC recently, with more visitors, more people starting written courses and greater shop sales.

I am now focussing more on the BEC, offering seminars four days a week instead of the present two days. I shall also be available for impromptu classes and informal discussions between 10:00 am and 2:00 p.m. for four days a week. I am hoping that Bro. Cam will cover the other day and help with my classes when I am away from Durban.

Bro. and Sis Jim Harper enjoying their visit at the Durban BEC.

2. We are experiencing a small, but steady, flow of serious students coming to the Durban Hall on Sundays, having previously made contact with us at the BEC. They attend for:

a) Lecture b) Memorial Meeting and c) Afternoon seminar, following a communal lunch.

Local black brethren are now presenting, and Barry V H, Paul Z and myself attend to meet new friends and help with the questions that follow each talk. Between 20 and 25 are usually present, about 8 being friends.

The Sunday afternoon seminar for recently baptized brethren,
sisters and friends.

3. A newish class, held on Saturday mornings in a community centre near Umgeni Road, Durban, is attended by 3 regulars, but I hope this will grow into a more substantial class. We shall arrange some billing, to make the class more widely known, as we now have a toehold in a new area.

The April Lamontville Study was attended by 12 visitors, up from 9 the previous month, which is encouraging. The next class is due on the first Saturday in May, and has been advertised in Zulu and English.

5. This month I am leading a new class, held each Friday evening, for black brethren and sisters who cannot attend the weekly Durban Bible Class because of transport problems. Currently, 4 brethren and 3 sisters attend. The aim is to help them become good teachers of the Word. I see this as crucial for our longer-term plan to preach in languages other than English, notably Zulu and French in this area.

I am writing some new material for use with this class, other groups and the BEC.

Brethren and Sisters enjoying the new Friday evening classes
at the home of the two Marys.

6. We held a successful Easter conference in Durban . My contribution was 3 “breakaway” sessions for less experienced members and friends on “Getting to Know Jesus Better”. The P2P group did an excellent job with the children’s programme, and Bro. Jim Harper was also excellent as the main speaker.

7. Two comments were made about the P2P Team which I think are important:

a) The training at Torquay was extremely useful to the team.

b) Because of the bonding that took place in Torquay, each group “hit the ground running” on arrival in SA. No time was taken in getting everyone to feel comfortable with each other – which enabled us to make a rapid start in all the projects.

Luke, Esther and friends my table companions at the P2P
farewell dinner.

We shall soon be losing Paul and Jane, who have been brilliant. Paul, as a world class teacher, will be very difficult to replace, and I shall miss him personally very much.

So, I end this report with my usual plea…please find us some more experienced teachers!

With love in Jesus, and a further “thank you” for your continuing support,

Your Brother by Grace,
David