Their Legacies

The Holy Spirit gives us His gifts as He wills and not necessarily to please those who receive them. You see, beloved, I was once keen to be a great preacher, but God intended me to be a little preacher. Although I occasionally preached an acceptable gospel message, I was even then frequently reminded by my hearers that my gift lay in teaching, not preaching. To underline this fact, God urged and enabled me to pioneer and build three Bible Schools during the past 30 years. One in Zambia, one in Tzaneen, and one in Tylden. Light of the World Bible School is our latest effort, and it all began with a vision He gave me back in 1972, the year my Uncle Gideon died in Tylden.

It happened at about 02:00 a.m. I saw before me a terribly drought-stricken area. Not a green leaf or a blade of grass was to be seen anywhere. All birds and animals had either fled or were dead. Only a few starving humans were wandering around seeking food and finding precious little. By their clothing and the paint on their faces, I immediately recognized them to be of the Xhosa tribe. I felt compassion for them and cried out, “Lord, Who is sufficient for all this?” The All-Sufficient One answered marvelously. He caused a mighty fountain to spring up out of the ground near my feet. I watched the water in amazement. It was alive and parted into several streams like the spokes of a great wagon wheel, traveling over the hills and down into the valleys, bringing life and hope wherever it went. In no time, the trees were producing fruit which the people, birds, and animals were devouring with exceedingly great joy! I understood then that this was not ordinary water, but the Water of Life – the Word of God.

Visions are not always for immediate action. Habakkuk tells us, “The vision is yet for an appointed time…though it tarry, wait for it.” I had to learn patience. In 1990, I returned to Tylden and saw a property there which could well be turned into a Bible School, but it was in a very run-down state. Situated on the banks of the Kei River, its grounds were fairly extensive. For several years, it had only been used for sheltering and shearing sheep. I got in touch with the owner and asked him if he would give a year’s lease, which he obligingly did for a mere pittance. However, when I disclosed our intentions to a dear friend, Ashley Hessel, a businessman in the Transkei, he pointed out to me that it would cost a lot to fix the place up, and then the owner would want it back. So let’s rather buy it. In a very businesslike manner, Ashley formed and registered a non-profit company called “Light of the World Mission” to carry on missionary activities in the Transkei-Ciskei area on a non-denominational basis.

My wife Margaret was in full agreement. She owns a house in Somerset West, which she was able to lease out and uses the rental money to pay the food bill for the Bible School students – usually between 7 and 10 of them.

On the 5th of March, we arrived with two vehicles and trailers piled high from Somerset West with a dear friend and builder, Pierre Joubert, to begin a new phase in our work. It took several days to remove the rubbish and clear the grounds alone. Slowly, the place became habitable. Some farmers and locals were opposed to the project, due mainly to an understanding. We met with them in the local hall, explaining our plans and even giving them the gospel. The opposition gradually vanished, only to be replaced by a friendly and helpful attitude.

Students began arriving. Teaching for 6 hours daily is tough going, and so we prayed for help in the classroom. We figured the Lord would send us retired and self-supporting missionaries. Instead, He sent us 2 fine young families from the Cape – John and Pearl Heath in 1995, and Patrick and Julia Blair in 1996. He even provided housing.

Besides the Bible School, we have hosted seminars and started an assembly on the property, and have seen a steady flow of converts from all races.

We are situated 5 kilometres off the N6 highway between Queenstown and Cathcart. We try to keep things simple and inexpensive and turn no student away for lack of funds. Please put us on your prayer list, and call on us if you’re in the area or even just passing through.

Jack and Margaret Muggleton – P.O. Box 2662, Komani, Queenstown 5322.