In 1952 a former director prophesied that Ivan “would travel overseas, that he would experience oppression and trials like no other person, and that he would be purified as gold”. In the beginning of his travels, Pastor Prinsloo would always accompany him. They founded a Members in Christ church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Pastor Prinsloo returned to South Africa but Ivan stayed behind. Ivan was often invited by other churches to bring this wonderful gospel. At one point he ministered in 15 other assemblies.
Many times Ivan gave expression of the joy that filled him when God blessed him. He would often praise the Lord aloud, usually somewhere in the countryside. One time he praised the Lord on the main street of a large city, shouting and dancing. A police cruiser pulled up alongside. They had received word that a crazy person had been sighted. Ivan told them: “I’m not mad, I am glad”. They asked for identification to determine whether or not he was legally in the U.S., but his passport was at his home. The police ordered him into the car. Ivan would always ask for God's protection when going on a trip and he immediately started to pray. Out of respect the police officers removed their hats and bowed their heads. On the way he explained to them why he was so happy and started singing the song: “Give Your Heart today to the Lord”. The policemen realised that he had all of his faculties, but they were obligated to report to the police station. The captain of the police station asked Ivan what he was doing in the United States. Ivan answered: “The same way you are being sent to catch criminals, the Lord has sent me to teach people deliverance from sin”. They immediately released him and brought him back home by car.
After a service at a certain assembly a man invited him to come and eat at his home. Ivan noticed that all the cutlery was engraved with the letters USR&H (United States Railways and Harbors). Ivan asked about the initials on the cutlery. The man admitted that he had stolen all the cutlery and asked Ivan what he should do. He explained that he had a number of stolen goods in his camper. He asked Ivan to help him return all the stuff. However, according to God's word he needed to do this himself. Ivan promised him that he would fast and pray for him so that God would strengthen him. (And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. Luke 19:8 KJV).
The man put everything in his pickup truck and brought his wife along for support. At the reception desk of the USR&H company he asked how he should go about returning some stolen goods but they couldn't help him and sent him up to the next floor. When he arrived on the next floor they sent him to the manager one more floor up. This is now the third time that he had to cart everything around and admit that he stole all these goods. The manager admired his courage and felt very sorry for him and forgave him all debts. On the way home his wife noticed that he had left a bundle on the front seat. Again he returned and humiliated himself so that God might exalt him. The spirit of stealing was rooted out of this man's life. (Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 1 Peter 5:6 KJV)
Around the Tulsa area are many hammerhead oil rigs that are connected with a network of pipes to transport the oil to town. Someone came up with a hidden system to divert the oil at night. During a church service this man came under such a heavy conviction of his wrong doings, that he went to the oil company to confess and offer to pay for the oil that he had stolen. He was filled with joy that his sins were judged now and would not follow him. (Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 1 Timothy 5:24 KJV).
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