Lidia Dube is a community builder par excellence and an excellent example of a woman of resilience, patience, and perseverance. When confronted with the gospel's truth, she did not shy away from her sin but confessed all and yielded her life to God.
In 1968, Lidia felt the calling to become a co-worker in the ministry that the late Erlo Stegen was called to in KwaZulu-Natal. The difficulty of accepting this calling made her very ill to the point of almost losing her life. Only after surrendering to God’s will did the Lord heal her.
In 1970, Erlo acquired a KwaSizabantu farm, meaning “the place where people receive help” in isiZulu. As a young person joining the work, Lidia was one of five first Zulu co-workers who supported Erlo Stegen in the early days of his ministry. The land was wild and undeveloped. They had no food, and many people in spiritual need soon flocked to the Mission for help.
With deep compassion, she helped the elderly, and out of gratitude for her help, they would give her mealies, which she took to the Mission to cook for the others. That was all they had at the time. After that, Lidia helped the men unearth wattle trees to prepare the fields for planting vegetables. She learned to drive a vehicle and drove from place to place, selling cabbages as an income for the Mission.
More and more people arrived at the Mission for help. The handful of co-workers cared for all the visitors and their needs. At night, Lidia would crochet items which she sold for extra income. In 1974, Lidia felt God’s prompting to invite young children to youth services at KwaSizabantu. She initiated a youth conference. She first invited white children, and after that, the Zulu parents requested that their children attend. Ever since, youth conferences have been held twice a year at KwaSizabantu Mission, and have grown with approximately 5,000 to 6,000 children of mixed races attending free of charge.
In 2009, Lidia felt immense concern for the youths who were drug addicts and living on the streets. She arranged for them to be brought to the Mission to share the Gospel with them and provide for their needs. The results were youths healed from addiction, restored relationships with their parents and communities, and a hope for their futures. The CYPSA (Concerned Young People of SA) program was born. Despite the constant onslaughts and efforts from uninformed people and institutions to close down the program, it has grown from strength to strength over the years, and over 18,000 youth members have already been helped through the program.
As a founding member of the KwaSizabantu Mission since 1970, Lidia’s counsel and guidance are sought by many, including royal households and people abroad. Through difficult years, she has persevered in serving and remaining faithful to God.
(Read the full story of Lidia Dube in the Devoted Magazine, Issue 41. Follow the link: https://online.pubhtml5.com/asxvv/xwdm/)
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