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March 25 - 27, 2005 "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.", so it says in the 1st epistle of John, chapter 3. There isn't another verse in the Bible that offers a more accurate description of the purpose for a great crusade. It was late last year when the Holy Spirit inspired Andreas Huebner to plan a great crusade in the north of Namibia. So he accepted an invitation to come to Oshakati, a city in the very north of Namibia near the border of Angola. Although Oshakati is the second biggest city of the country and its inhabitants the Owambo, make up about fifty percent of the population of the entire country; this part of Namibia is rather unknown to many people. |  Snapshot of a portion of crowd at Independence Stadium in Oshakati | A Time Of Great Events The time of this event could not have been better, it was Easter Day; the country was celebrating the election of a new president and 15 years of independence. Rivers Of Living Water The region was experiencing intense rains which can be a big challenge for a successful crusade. But, When Andreas Huebner and Pastor Simon Xaba, the host and coordinator of the crusade, landed at Ondangwa airport on Friday afternoon, the rain had been replaced by brilliant sunshine. The downpour from the days before would be followed by God's mighty rain of the Holy Spirit! An Explosion Of Faith And Expectation The same evening, Brother Huebner preached God's Word to the thousands who filled the stands of the soccer stadium. When he took over the microphone and thundered a mighty "Hallelujah" through the loudspeakers, it was as if there had been an explosion of faith and expectation in the visitors' hearts. Signs And Wonders Spiritual salvation and physical healing go hand in hand with the great crusades. That is the way it was during the events in Nigeria; at Abuja in November and Kaduna in February and so it was in Namibia. The sheer number of people who wanted to give testimony during the crusade as to how God had just healed them was overwhelming, to the point that the preacher and his interpreter nearly sink down in exhaustion. It must have been hundreds, who continuously gave "their" special testimonies. There was everything from the healing of simple back problems to the sudden disappearance of tumors and ulcers, deliverance from demonic powers and the healing of AIDS. These miracles, especially the healings of AIDS, created a sensation among the people. With an estimated HIV-infection rate of 24% among the 15 to 49-year-olds, Namibia is among the most effected countries in the world by the AIDS-pandemic after Botswana, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. Here are just two out of the many healings from AIDS that we experienced in Oshakati: - "If you see my brother, you see a healed man!"...
... that is what the sister of a young man told us on the second day of the great crusade. On Friday the young man dragged himself to the crusade platform with much difficulty during the call to the prayer for healing. He could hardly stand on his feet, his body, weakened by AIDS, was just skin and bones. In addition to destroying the body's immune system it also robs the body of appetite. But shortly after the prayer the man appears strong; his face is beaming with happiness while he starts walking around without any problems. On inquiry, he proclaimed over the microphone; "I feel very, very good, now!", whereupon cries of jubilation and praise rang out from the stands of the stadium. Evangelist Andreas Huebner sends the man home and tells him to have a good meal. The next evening the man's sister reports as an eyewitness how her brother has eaten quite normally. Full of joy, she says, "If you see my brother, you see a healed man!" - Medical Certificate: "HIV-negative!"
When God does wonders, He does them in order to glorify himself and to lead people into his kingdom! This is what happened in the case of Charles. He arrived at the crusade on Friday evening HIV-positive. During the healing prayer the man feels God's power travel throughout his body. Brother Huebner tells him that he is healed of the HIV-virus and that he should see his doctor as soon as possible to have him do an HIV-test. The very next morning the medical test does not permit any doubt: "HIV-negative!" On Saturday evening, Charles comes to the crusade with the certificate in his hand and tears of joy on his face to present his test results to the people attending the crusade and give glory to God. As the test results are read out loud, jubilation filled Independence Stadium. Here is the text of the medical certificate (photo) of March 26th, 2005: | "Charles N., Date of birth: December 29, 1981 ... Above person requested an HIV test. An Immunochro- matographic whole blood test for the detection of antibodies against HIV was Negative! ... {Stamp & Signature}". | In fact many visitors testified afterwards how they had received healing during the preaching of the message. Mrs. Namutenya, one of the visitors of the great crusade, wrote in a letter to Evangelist Huebner: "It was amazing, great, wonderful, and marvelous and for most of us, our lives are completely changed by your preaching because the Lord used you miraculously and wonderfully. ... The devil cannot change that truth!" Namibia Fertilized With Divine Seed The crusade did not end with the departure of Brother Huebner, as Pastor Xaba worked closely with the local churches to impart the ABCs of faith to the newly won brothers and sisters. The churches work eagerly in order to keep the fire ablaze that has been kindled in the north of Namibia. |