Easter 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.

As we move towards Holy Week, the events and celebrations that follow, each of us at aurm has confronted the question "what does Easter mean to me?" Herewith some personal responses from the staff of AURM:

The forty days prior to Easter always brings forth challenges and this is similar to the experience Jesus had. He encountered tremendous challenges and temptations yet he kept focused. His focus was the ultimate goal -- to ensure salvation for humankind. Easter is a reminder of the love that God has for us that led to the sacrifice of God’s only son. Yes the 40 days are torture, but the joy that comes with the celebration of the Risen Christ is where our hope should be. We will be tempted during this time but let us keep focused on our calling: to ensure that every African spends time with God each day. Remember, the challenges will always be there but they are not insurmountable. This Easter let us keep focused because in Christ we have victory.
- Nancy Herron

As a child I believed in the Easter Bunny. There was this hope and anticipation that he would leave a large supply of Easter eggs in the garden for us to find and enjoy. That same hope and anticipation has stayed with me over the years -– not for Easter eggs, but to re-experience the amazing grace, love and forgiveness showered over us by our loving God. The Lenten period allows me to search my heart for those things that I need to die to and then to celebrate the risen Christ. Christ has risen above the ugliness and suffering and is there to raise us above the ugliness of life. We have the choice to celebrate life in all its fullness and beauty because Christ has gone before us.
- Renny Stoltz

"Then I heard what seems to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderpeals, crying out, 'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns'"

Easter for me means that we can and will continue to triumph with Christ over all the evils and challenges of our world. Like Trevour Hudsen says, "Living like Easter people in a Good Friday world."
- Ike Moloabi

Easter is a time when I remember that Mary, the mother of Jesus, knelt at the foot of the cross, wept and suffered as she witnessed them crucifying her son. Jesus couldn't do anything to stop her suffering. It had to be. I try to remember this as I go through the rest of the year. We so often ask "why does God let us suffer if he loves us so much as his beloved children –- his family?" Yes, I want to be part of the Easter celebration of the resurrection, but to fully celebrate I need to first kneel at the foot of the cross and weep.
- Elaine Richardson

Lent has been a time of reflection about ways that Christ has been working both in my life and in those around me.  It has also been a humbling time for me as I have prepared to serve the Lord in a new role. I will be leading a Kairos team into the local prison during the week before Easter.  This is quite symbolic for me. Christ came into the world and gave up his life so that we may have life. Jesus didn’t choose who he would give up his life for; Christ gave up his life for all who believe in him. May you come face to face with the Risen Lord Jesus and be able to say "He is Risen." May you have a blessed Easter.
- John Mitchley

In my one and only trip to Israel, one of the most memorable places that I visited was Gethsemane. As I reflect on that place, I realize that it has become the place where I go when there is nowhere else to go, but to God.
- Gavin Leverton

I enjoy the calm of autumn, my favorite season. In the southern hemisphere Lent begins when the days are still hot. This matches our lives, I believe; we're frenzied, too busy, darting here and there, getting things done, trying to keep up. As Lent progresses, the earth starts to cool down, trees start shedding their leaves, everything becomes quieter. So with our Lenten journey, we calm down, reflecting on our lives, our relationships with God and one another. We try to get rid of all that is not of Him. In our Good Friday devotions we are privileged to bring all that we are and place it at the foot of the Cross. We pray for forgiveness that we may be set free. And God hears and answers with a glorious Easter Day. In the words of the hymn writer: Away with death, and welcome life; In him we died and live again (E. Shillito, 1872-1948).
- Bea Smith

Every Sunday can be an Easter celebration! Every time we stand around the altar to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion, we do so in grateful memory of the One who gave his life that we might live. In our time around the table, we really do stand in unity with Jesus Christ, in unity with those at the table, but perhaps most importantly; we stand in unity with the oppressed, the marginalized, the disadvantaged, the poor, the weak, and the humble. In other words, we stand in unity with the vast majority of the world family. We chant, we mumble, we whisper the liturgy: Make us one with God; one with each other, and one in service to all the whole world. May it be so.
- Roland Rink

Courage! Sunday's coming.

We go forward to Easter and beyond with renewed energy, enthusiasm and commitment.

The Staff of AURM