ctmi concerned parents

“Mum, Dad, if you don’t believe me, believe the miracles that you may know and understand what Jesus has done in me!”
As a parent, first of teenagers, then of young adults, our home has always had a lot of young people coming and going. My wife and I have always considered it a privilege to be able to have relationships with young men and women of varying ages, and cultures, nationalities and backgrounds.  I suppose it was growing up in Africa that instilled in our 3 children the practice of hospitality and, today, I am proud to say that my adult children are certainly colour blind, and treat all visitors to our home in exactly the same way.
One way that I’ve connected with younger men has been through sports, and watching it on TV. Recently, as I was thinking about some of the young people to whom I have explained the intricacies of the Dakar Rally, Cricket, Rugby, Surfing, F1, and the Tour de France, I immediately recalled a very special evening on Saturday 20th October 2007.  Those in the know will recognise the date when South Africa beat England in the Rugby World Cup Final.

What made it special in our home that evening was that our (very) small lounge was invaded by a large group of young people. In all, 37 of them, ranging from ages 18 to 35, crowded onto every available square inch of floor space of the lounge – after reorganising the layout of the furniture – in order to watch and support ‘their’ team. A few were married already, but most were single. The nationalities represented were South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, England, France, Mauritius, USA, as well as a few Mauritians. There was a lot ribbing going on, as well as some very serious and intense people, who could not join in the fun and laughter. It being my home, and my being the oldest person in the room, gave me a special position not only to join in the bantering, but also to observe this very diverse group of people…

My most vivid recollection of that evening was not the rugby at all. I had supported England since 1991, and become a Bok supporter only since 2002, when we started getting live rugby on TV here in Mauritius. Torn between the 2 finalists, I did not particularly enjoy the match. What I did enjoy was watching the dynamics of this large group of mainly young guys.

I knew many of their testimonies; most of them had spent time in our home and shared about their history and their background. It wasn’t hard to give praise to the Lord to see them enjoying a special time of fellowship. In fact, Jesus was the only common denominator amongst them all. A few came from very privileged backgrounds in South Africa, others had grown up in rural villages or farms in Zimbabwe. The Europeans and Americans had only ever known plenty. So many of them had led lives of addiction to heavy drugs, alcohol, and immorality. Some had been out and out gangsters. Yet, here they were, black and white, rich and poor, educated and less so; clean living, polite, respectful, willing to help, ready to go out of their way for others. What had brought about such dramatic changes?

Each one had, in his/her own way, been touched by the message of the cross. ‘The power of God for those who are being saved’ was evident in their lives. No one stops being a stoned, foul-mouthed drunk, or comes off heroin after hundreds of previous attempts, without a miracle from God Himself. These young men and women had truly been transformed by the renewal of their minds. Jesus had entered their hearts and, even if they wanted to, they couldn’t hide it. Of course their lives, their behaviour, their desires, their ambitions changed. It would be astonishing to expect anything less resulting from such a liberating transformation.
A tiny group of concerned parents refuses to accept the direct link between the fact that their son or daughter is no longer out drunk and/or drugged until all hours, and the messages preached and way of life of the people in the churches linked to CTMI. The work of the Lord in their hearts and the testimonies of changed lives in Mauritius, Durban or elsewhere, is THE reason why they have changed! This reminds of the story of the man born blind whom Jesus healed (see John 9:25), who said, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” We all know just how the religious and self-righteous authorities of the day reacted…
None of us can ever truly know or understand what Jesus does in someone’s heart. Only that individual knows exactly where he was and where he is today because of Jesus. Parents who are so concerned about these dramatic changes in the lives of their young adult offspring should possibly consider what Jesus had to say in the next chapter (John 10: 38) “…even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me…” As a parent and grandparent myself, I would be more concerned that I could be blind to the power of the Son of God working in the life of my child!
The (Un)Concerned Parent