Bible Institute of South Africa

A true story of conversion to faith in Jesus - Gordon's story.

The setting is the early 1970's, in Kalk Bay, a fishing village just North of Fish Hoek in Cape Town, South Africa,  It lies in a beautiful setting, wedged between the ocean and sharply rising mountainous heights that are buttressed by crags of grey sandstone.

A literal translation from the Dutch/Afrikaans name "Kalkbaai" is "Lime Bay". The Bible Institute of South Africa is located here. The railway from the central business district of Cape Town to Simon's Town passes through Kalk Bay and in some places the line is only metres from the water's edge.

Dad came down from Johannesburg to visit his sister, Joy, who was a student at the Bible Institute.  On the balcony of the large stone house that was now a college dad stood, looking out over the Bay and Indian Ocean, sensing a wonderful quiet. Not only because it is so very beautiful there, but because his own heart was still in turmoil. Dad had no peace at all and, in contrast, the Christian students were an excited, happy bunch.  (Not that Christianity promises a garden of roses in life before the real life starts: there is space in the Christian faith to feel small and confused and even to have a broken spirit and many questions - but those who fear the Lord and not reject Him and love Him with all their hearts and souls and minds and strength and love people - for them there is a salvation and rescue next to none). 

In any case, dad sensed the peace of the place and students - which he could not find inside himself. So from that high balcony he looked out to the sea,  wrestling with his own lostness.

Just then a young man walked up the stone steps (dad mistook him for a student but it was acutally a young lecturer). Dad asked "Hey, what must a person do to become a student here?".  Without hesitation, Bryan Williams took dad straight to the principal's office for an interview!  Note, this is a Christian Bible College and dad was not a Christian at all. Why should he want to become a student here? And long before anyone has an interview with the principal (if you ever have one), there are application forms to be filled in, etc. etc. But.... inside dad there was a battle raging - and God was calling him and the Holy Spirit was powerfully at work. 

The principal, Mr Murdo Gordon, in broad Scottish accent, wisely asked dad about his relationship with a heavenly Father;  dad had to admit there was none. I'm not sure what took place in that interview - but I do know that Mr Gordon did not compromise and yet was utterly gracious.  That very evening, back at dad's holiday place, his friend Lex visited.  Lex asked dad if he could read the Scripture to him. Dad, strangely, really wanted that.  As Lex read and read, dad's heart started to open up and to be melted by a Saviour's love and sacrifice.  And so before the evening was out - dad prayed and repented and found new life in Jesus. Everything was new!  That is 39 years ago.

Here is the Scripture that haunted dad until he passed from death to life those 39 years ago - in a small holiday place in Fishhoek, adjacent to Kalk Bay.  

Mark 8:36 "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"

By the way, dad had another interview with the principal the very next day and was accepted as a student at Bible Institute Kalk Bay. 

You, our dearest children, know how dad still loves Jesus with a first love - all because he was first loved by God. 

PS As you know, dad and I met each other at BI Kalk Bay.  At another time we will maybe share about our first kiss at Cape Point, but for now this story is about ultra important things - even more important and loving than a first kiss.

Estelle Lobban is married to Gordon.  They live in Hertfordshire, UK