This is the speech that was delivered by Oaitse Phikane, one of our volunteers, at the Commissioning Service.
Face The Nation is truly a “God thing” that makes me speechless. I first learnt and heard about FTN in 2006 and 2007 when I was doing my Form 4 and 5 at Moeding College. The Rally Team presented drama and dance. We were all excited to see young people like us preaching Abstinence and most importantly preaching Christ. The people who were in the Rally Team included Kefilwe and Vivien and these women I still look up to, even up to today. In 2006 I remember one guy Clive came to my class and taught us life skills and study skills. These study skills included mind mapping, which I still use even today and it really helps. In 2007, a team of four ladies came to our school. The ones I remember are Noma, Neo and Amo. They were wonderful and introduced us to a message of Abstinence. I had an opportunity of signing up a True Love Waits card and making a pledge to be sexually pure until marriage, and I still have that card (at this point Oaitse held up her pledge card) and I am going to give it to my marriage partner, to show that I have been sexually pure, waiting for him.
In Moeding College 2007, I was the church prefect and Scripture Union Chairlady, therefore I worked closely with the FTN team. They taught me leadership skills and these ladies were always available to laugh, cry, eat and pray with me. They helped me to grow personally and spiritually and it was for these reasons that I wanted to enrol in the university to become part of this life changing program called Face The Nation. In 2009 I had the opportunity to be part of FTN and ever since FTN has become my second home. A home where I have been trained as a child to fear the Lord, to love Him and most importantly to serve Him with my all. FTN has opened my spiritual eyes and has trained me to be a servant to all. Teaching and doing counselling in Matsha College in 2009 and 2010 has allowed me to give back what was planted in my life in 2006 and 2007 to these precious kids. The study skills that Clive taught me in Moeding and all the teachings from School of Discipleship, I was able to invest into the lives of these kids. I am still in touch with many kids from Matsha and I mainly do counselling on the phone. These past 3 weeks were truly phenomenal. I am so grateful to God for using all the lecturers to speak into my life.
The first week with Student Leadership University was a great experience. These men of God challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and do my best for the glory of God. Fresh Start challenged me in the area of forgiveness. I have been hurt in the past and found it difficult to forgive because some of the people who hurt me are Christians. It was during the Fresh Start week that I got my deliverance and total healing. This last week has challenged me to actually dare to be different and to go out and live the talk. I have learnt that I am unique, fearfully and wonderfully made, so people should see Christ in my life. I am going to take all the teachings I got from FTN to reach UB for Christ, because “I am in UB, but not of UB.” I am so grateful to have a family like FTN and this is thanks to OBC for such a “Big Programme.” Some of the people who have kept me focused and nurtured my faith include my Prayer Partners in 2009 Mr and Mrs Ephraim Nkomo, my spiritual mothers, Sylvia Neo Kadi, Gail, Aunty Maria and Tirelo.
Their smiles and prayers have kept me going. Moruti Mokgwathise has been a father figure in my life. Face The Nation brothers and sisters in the past years, my current Prayer Partners Dr and Mrs Boadi, are truly a blessing. Mr Lenos Ngugi and my dear friend Lame have also played a role in my Christian walk, they are true prayer warriors. My prayer truly is to see FTN growing international. I am not ashamed to say, “I am what I am, because of Face The Nation.” Thank you. Oaitse was one of the 7 volunteers voted onto the committee of the FTN Club at UB for the 2011/2012 academic year.
Please continue to pray for the volunteers over the next two months before the new academic year begins. Pray that fires burning brightly will not go out, that volunteers will stay connected and hold each other accountable. Many of them have gone back into their home towns where they have little support from families, and as we know, it is often most difficult to live out your faith with family.
Thank you once again for your ongoing prayer and support.
Yours in and on behalf of Face The Nation
Gail Wingreen
