Vierhoek Primary School
In early 2019, Kim and I were introduced to Vierhoek Primary farm school 20 minutes from us that was “one of her best” as she put it. She was the Director of all farm schools in that part of the Free State and I think her intent was that we would be a source of financial funds for her to draw from. Little did she know what she was really starting.
Initially, the intent was for me to get to know the learners through their Life Orientation class and teach them about the Bible. That really didn’t work, because you can’t do this on 15 minutes a week with a big group that really didn’t want to be there in the first place.
Relationships though started to grow and I was soon invited to the farms and real studies started there. Here is the rest of the story.
Meet the Guys
Hlalefang
It all started with this guy. One day he needed a lift home and I agreed to take him. Twenty minutes later and lots of dirt road (not expected) I arrived at “the farm”. Far from anything and an environment that just was not something I had ever been introduced to. Let’s just say that this was the beginning of an cultural education that would never end. It was not normal for a white guy to visit this area of the farms, let alone get out of the truck and visit. Soon after this first visit, this became my second home and was the only place I could literally come visit unannounced, enter the house, set down, and make myself at home.
Hlaalefang was the first to want to know more about this book we call the Bible. His English was one of the best I had experienced, so it was easy for me to teach him. Soon he asked for an English Bible and all I would hear about from his family is how he reads it all the time.
This clearly laid the ground work for what was just beginning. I now had my core spiritual leader, I just didn’t know it.
Lebohang
Lebohang was Hlalefang’s best friend growing up. Their stories of being little boys running through the country side being little boys is endless. Lebo followed Hlafange everywhere and that included his study of the Bible. He was very quiet and shy, but the 3 of us have a special bond that could only be created by the Holy Spirit. I now had my #2 guy. They would learn about accountability and start teaching others discipleship. This is what is clearly reproducing reproducers.
Key note: EVERYONE from this point came from these two guys.
Thami
Thami is a product of the foster care system. He was in grade 12 with Lebo and was part of the study group I hosted last year to prepare them for the final exams. Thami had lots of questions about what and why I did what I did. He was one of the first to get to know Zach and one day Zach came to me as I was setting in the living room and said, “Dad, if there is anyone that should be in your studies and live here with the guys, it is Thami.” Zach spoke to me in a way I had never heard before and it clearly was from God. Thami has been here since.
Johnny
One day early 2023, Lebo came to our house and had this Johnny guy with him. I recognized him from Vierhoek, but didn’t really know him. Welcomed him and just went about our way through the study we were doing, which I think was Romans. What a place for him to enter as a new guy. He kept coming back.
Finally, I asked him to share his story with a small group of us. The following Saturday, he shared with the whole group what God is doing in his life and why he comes to the Brotherhood on Saturdays.
Johnny has been here every since and is now one of the leaders of one of our Neighborhood Bible Clubs.