| 1. Ons glo die lewende God wat ons aanbid, is hartseer oor wat ons as mense aan mekaar doen in ons lieflike land.
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1. We believe that the living God Whom we worship, is saddened by what people in this beautiful country do to one another. |
| 2. As leiers en lidmate van christen-gemeentes uit die gereformeerde tradisie is ons saam met die regerings en samelewingsleiers van Namibië diep besorg oor die skerp toename in geslagsgebaseerde geweld, moord en ander tendense van misdadigheid en minagting van menswaardigheid in ons land.
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2. With Government- and civil leaders the Christian fellowship of the reformed tradition is deeply concerned about the sharp increase in gender based violence, violence against children, murder and other criminal tendencies, as well as a disrespect for human dignity in our country. |
| 3. Ons is oortuig dat hierdie afgryslike gebeure, optredes en dade in werklikheid simptome is van ’n diepliggende en ernstige siekte van morele verrotting en geestelike verval in ons samelewing. Veral is dit uiters tragies dat dit waar is van ’n samelewing en bevolking wat vir meer as 90% verklaar dat hulle van christelike oortuiging is.
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3. We are convinced that these gruesome acts are in fact symptoms of a serious moral and spiritual decay in our community. In light of the fact that in our community more that 90% of the people are, by their own confession, of Christian conviction this state of affairs is even more tragic. |
| 4. Ons besef egter ook dat dit nie moontlik en/of gewens is om eenvoudige verklarings vir hierdie toedrag van sake te gee of vinnige oplossings daarvoor voor te stel nie.
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4. However, we realise that it is neither possible nor advisable to suggest simple explanations or quick fixes for this state of affairs. |
| 5. Ons wat glo in die lewende Here, Jesus Christus, erken en bely dat ons dalk in die verlede (en selfs tans nog) bygedra het tot hierdie siekte deurdat ons nie helder en duidelik genoeg Christus se blye boodskap van hoop en bevryding in ons land uitgedra het nie. Hy is immers ons enigste troos in lewe en sterwe en ook ons hoop en krag vir die lewe hier en nou.
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5. As people who believe in the living Lord, Jesus Christ, we confess that we possibly contributed (and perhaps are at present contributing) to this sad state of affairs by not effectively proclaiming the good news of hope and liberation in Christ to our country. He indeed is our only consolation both in life and in death, and is our hope and source of courage in this life. |
| 6. Ons is ook diep onder die besef dat die profetiese stem stil geraak het wat deur die eeue reeds verklaar dat “…die vergieting van onskuldige bloed aan die orde van die dag is… omdat trou, liefde en toewyding aan die wil van God in die land ontbreek” (Hos. 4:1-2). Daarom word ons as leiers en lidmate tans opgeroep tot hernude toewyding en oorgawe aan die bediening van God se liefde, genade en sorg in ons land.
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6. We are only too aware of the prophetic voice which has fallen silent. Through the ages it has warned that “…bloodshed follows bloodshed…because…there is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgement of God in the land” (Hos. 4:1 & 2). Therefore all of us are called to a new commitment to the ministry of God’s love, His grace and care in our country. |
| 7. Ons wil daarom met erns ons oortuiging uitspreek dat die genesing en morele herstel van ’n nasie en samelewing net kan plaasvind deur die kwade te oorwin met die goeie. Daarom wil ons alle mense in Namibië aanmoedig om daagliks te lewe met dade gedra deur die waardes van aanvaarding, respek, versoening begrip, deernis, vergiffenis en liefde. Dit is die voorbeeld wat Christus Jesus self geleef, geleer en sy volgelinge opgeroep het om na te volg.
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7. We are convinced that the healing and restoration of moral values of the nation can only be accomplished through conquering evil with good. We therefore call on all Namibians to adhere to the values of mutual acceptance, respect, reconciliation, understanding, compassion, forgiveness and love in everyday life. This is the example Jesus set, and calls us to follow. |
| 8. Ons wil die regeringsleiers verseker dat ons vir hulle bid vir wysheid en onderskeiding van praktiese maniere en besluite om hierdie pad van genesing van ons land te bevorder. Ons verklaar ook dat ons bereid is om met gesindheid, voorbidding en praktiese optredes waar enigsins moontlik, saam te werk in sodanige prosesse.
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8. We assure leaders in government of our intercession for them – a prayer for wisdom and discernment in order to find ways to further the process of healing of our land. We declare ourselves prepared to cooperate in such processes with attitude, intercession and practical engagement wherever possible. |
| 9.Ons glo die lewende God wat ons aanbid, is ook opgewonde oor die moontlikhede en potensiaal van die mense in ons lieflike land. |
9. We do believe that the living God Whom we worship is also exited about the possibilities and potential of the people of our beautiful country, Namibia. |
