Man of War meets Man of Peace

In 1985, a young man arriving at the Infantry School first encountered the soldier. Thirty-seven and a half years later, that soldier was still charging forward, locked in battle.

This is the renowned "Man of War" statue, which stands at the Infantry School's main gate in Oudtshoorn.

My transformation began here in 1985 and culminated in a long journey of prayer walks, caminos, and pilgrimages through the very places and towns where we were once deployed.

It took thirty-seven years and six months to return to Oudtshoorn, completing the circle.

A "Man of War" came full circle, returning to where his journey began, now as a "Man of Peace." When they met face to face on the barren earth, the sound of a soft, heavenly rain enveloped them...

Upon returning to Oudtshoorn after thirty-seven years and six months, I discovered, quite by chance, that the town is precisely 37.6 square kilometers in size. God determined that time and place.

The corporal determined the rhythm and the pace:

Left... right... left...

And this Johnny will "Keep Walking" until the march transforms into a pilgrimage.

The Reunion

Three years later, after 40 years, our group of veteran soldiers reunited in Oudtshoorn. The last time most of us had seen each other was during conscription, being trained for war.

This visit to Oudtshoorn, however, was not for war. As some of my mates said, we returned not for conflict, but to share our life stories in peace.

Before the evening's main event - a visit and dinner - I had some time to walk around town. Earlier that morning, there was an inter-church men's breakfast for the local Oudtshoorn community, which I decided to attend, drawn by its spiritual nature.

Walking into a large group of strangers is always a little intimidating. It was still early, and I began greeting the men who were scattered around. My first thought was that I fit in with my shorts and t-shirt, as everyone was dressed casually. As I introduced myself to the fifth man, another man walked directly towards me, dressed head-to-toe in military gear. He greeted me with the words: "Good morning, Man of Peace."

In Oudtshoorn, the military heartland of the country, the "Man of War" recognized the "Man of Peace"!

We enjoyed a wonderful time visiting, eating, and chatting. Later, after most had left, I sat outside on the porch, talking with a man who shared his life of faith, explaining how he trusts in God for everything - from where he should live and minister, to what clothes he should wear. He emphasized how God takes care of him.

As we spoke, two sparrows flew right between us, at chest height - directly between our hearts. In that moment, the birds seemed to weave our words together with the Word of God.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God." (Luke 12:6, NIV)

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matt 6:26, NIV)

From there, I walked to my accommodation, quite a distance away. On the way, I felt a strong urge to walk past the old Presbyterian stone church in the town center. Because it was a Saturday, I didn't expect anything to be happening.

As I walked towards the church, I reflected on a task I had to perform here, in the heart of the country's military presence, on behalf of another old soldier I had met during my travels. He had been shot in an ambush on the border and, as he described it, was lying on the ground, bleeding to death, unable to raise his arms to stop the flow. He knew he was going to die. As shots rang out from all sides, he began to pray. Helpless on the sandy ground, he realized he was dying as a blood sacrifice for that piece of land.

In those final moments, he prayed for forgiveness for using the Lord's name in vain just half an hour before, and for considering his own blood more valuable than the sacrificial blood of the true Lamb, Jesus Christ.

To cut a long story short, the battle ended minutes later, and four South African helicopters flew overhead. One landed, he was loaded on board, and he survived to tell his story.

I was tasked to read aloud a verse from Hebrews on his behalf, declaring that Jesus Christ, not us, is the only true Lamb of sacrifice, here in Oudtshoorn.

As I walked past the Presbyterian stone church, I heard music coming from inside. There was a funeral service in progress. I went in and sat down.

The preacher stood up, announced his text, and read it. I gasped. It was exactly what I was there to declare on behalf of the old soldier ...

"how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb 9:14, KJV)

Father, thank you that You have not forgotten any of us. Forgive our sins and set us free through the blood of the true Lamb of Sacrifice. I pray this in Jesus' name. 

Amen.