February 2007 Report

Anathoth is the headquarters of Africa Upper Room Ministries. On five acres of land near Johannesburg, South Africa, it takes its name from the Jeremiah passage in which land at Anathoth is purchased as a sign of hope for the future. Anathoth is, for Upper Room Ministries, a sign of hope for the future of Africa. This newsletter from staff-person Roland Rink brings news from this important ministry.

Incredibly, the end of February is upon us. Lent is upon us. Deadlines are upon us. As can be seen below, events and happenings from the world of Anathoth and Africa Upper Room Ministries are keeping us almost too busy.

• Renny Stoltz writes: Today we heard that little Zanele has been admitted to hospital and was not doing too well. We pray for God's perfect healing for this dear little child and the support of family and friends so that she may not feel lonely and abandoned. Today I can just praise God for miraculous healing, the amazing and varying skills of doctors and nursing teams and for the support of friends. Having been diagnosed with breast cancer was a shock to the "invincible me"! And once again I had to come before God in total trust and in full faith that He would direct what lay ahead of me. The surgery went well and positively and the further treatment will do its final healing process. We look at Christ's ministry on earth as he taught through the parables -- Christ uses every aspect of life and nature to teach us dependency upon the greatness of God. Christ uses every person, no matter their status, to touch the lives around them to spread the Gospel. Do we proclaim the gospel of faith and love in small but life changing ways?
• Kyle Lauf, our video/DVD communications specialist writes:- We have posted the DVD of Zanele on the internet. If you'd like to view this moving piece please click onto http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1HqDMTGKEw
• The SA Theological Seminary has made contact with us. They're interested in us having a stand at their August event. Apparently they invite clergy from all denominations to the event which is held in Johannesburg. It seems like a very good opportunity to display our resources to a much wider audience.
• We received an order for various books from the TEEC (Theological by Extension College) librarian. We're hoping that this too allows us a far wider audience in ecumenical terms.
• It was most encouraging to receive a call from Grant Mills of Streetwise Traders. He's responsible for resourcing over 1,000 hawkers (informal traveling traders). They are very keen to test market The Upper Room devotional in the streets of Johannesburg and the fields of Gauteng. This may be the BIG breakthrough for aurm with regards the long held ambition to truly be "in the marketplace." Many of these traders apparently specialize in selling various items to those churches one often comes across on a Sunday in South Africa which are situated under trees and in the fields.
• We're delighted to have received the printed copies in Swahili of Prayers for Encouragement. We plan to distribute those into Eastern Africa during March. An Anglican Youth organisation has already ordered 5,000 of the Swahili booklets from us! The French translation has also just arrived, so those will be printed during the first part of March. (Learn more about this project or make a donation.)
• Radio editions of The Upper Room daily devotional guide continue to be in demand from many African countries. It is indeed gratifying to receive these requests. The hunger and search for God has never been stronger it seems.
• Please continue to pray for those many people affected by the recent floods in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. They are experiencing tough times indeed!

"In the 40 days of Lent (not counting Sundays) we experience the temptations of Jesus and remember our own. We recognize in the rapidly rising hopes of a triumphal entry some of our own expectations and hopes for a world of peace and love. But then comes Holy Week, and we see so many of those hopes dashed to their death. A somber time to be sure, but even in Lent we remember that each Sunday of the year is a little Easter."
- Rueben P. Job
A Guide to Prayer for All who Seek God

We do go forward!
Roland Rink