November/December 2006 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.

Greetings! This has been another year in which God has blessed us abundantly. It has been our privilege to serve you; the followers of Christ. We thank God for every moment of our year together. Below are our thoughts, wishes and dreams for you, and your loved ones:

The annual ritual of waiting ... Advent ... is upon us. In the northern hemisphere where I live, we've entered the circadian cycle of shorter days and longer nights, cold Canadian air sweeping down and across mid-western States while we wait for temperatures low enough to produce snow. In the darkness of winter ... as with the expectation of Advent ... life and growth are taking place. Former Dominican priest, Matthew Fox, speaks of darkness -- a woman's womb -- decaying soil nurturing plant roots -- as a place where the miracle of life stirs even though we cannot see visible, external signs. Whether it is winter or summer, wherever you live, out of darkness look for the light. Advent is upon us.
- Dale Rust Waymack (US coordinator for AURM, Nashville, Tennessee, USA)

The shops have their decorations out and soon the Christmas carols will be "preparing" us for Christmas. But are we preparing ourselves to be more like the newborn Christ? Are we a gift to the community we live in? May this Christmas season be the first where we will become more energetic in bringing Christ to the world, bringing hope and love and grace to those who need it so desperately and sharing our resources with those who have so little. May we be a shining light for Christ as he calls us to care for those around us. Wishing all of you a very blessed Christmas and may 2007 bring new and exciting challenges.
- Renny Stoltz (AURM accountant, Pretoria)

At this time we celebrate the birth of Christ; we think of the Holy child as he was then -- a baby. Let us rejoice and praise God for this miracle birth, but let us be mindful not to keep our thoughts and focus on a baby. Let us remember that Christ grew to full stature in what he came to do. Let us not keep him as a baby, but in our hearts and minds and lives, let him grow in us to full stature. Be blessed this Christmas!
- Elaine Richardson (AURM Marketing, Western Cape)

"The Care the Eagle Gives Her Young" is the title of a song by R. Deane Postlethwaite in The Upper Room Worshipbook. The last verse is so encouraging for me:
And if we flutter helplessly
As fledgling eagles fall
Beneath us lift God's mighty wings
To bear us, one and all.

What a year 2006 has been! Individually and collectively we have been touched by moments of sorrow and moments of immense joy. As we approach 2007, may these words, adapted from Deut. 32:11 continue to inspire us. Peace and abundant blessings to all of you, your families and loved ones.
- Bea Smith (African English editor, Cape Town).

Luke 2:10 has these words -- "Do not be afraid, for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for ALL THE PEOPLE." The old African communities believed in the totality of life. The past, present and future were all part of the same, and we belonged to one another. There were no poor nor rich people. If a stranger came to live in a village, he would be given a cow on loan (they called it Mafisa). The cow would be returned to the owner after it had given birth to a calf. The calf then belonged to the new person. These were the GOOD NEWS. He now had a calf for himself. The message of Christmas from Anathoth is "The Good News is the gospel for the underdog, the outcast, the HIV/AIDS infected, and the underprivileged." We all become friends of God as we embrace ALL people for the sake of Christ.
- Ike Moloabi (AURM marketing, Gauteng)

I am reminded every Christmas that the revelation of the Messiah was not to priests or rabbis. The messenger was not a prophet but a star. I am challenged by Herod who tried so hard to hold onto his little kingdom when so much more was being offered. I try to understand that it is more important to make my heart a cathedral than to keep my mind in a concordance. A blessed and special Advent to you all.
- Gavin Leverton (AURM Marketing, Cape Town)

It is so easy at this time of the year to lose sight of what Christmas is all about. Yet as Christians, we cannot lose sight of the fact that we celebrate again the birth of "The Risen Christ." It is so easy to be influenced by the world and to get caught up in the secularism of the world that we live in. Then there are all the celebrations and the joy of being with and seeing friends and family again at this time. One needs also to remember those who are less fortunate then we are. Again one is reminded of all the many things that Christians and the Christian church do for those who are less fortunate than us at this time of the year. Local churches that go out and feed people who have nothing to eat on Christmas day; the local radio station that tries to make a difference in the lives of people who are in need. My prayer for each one is that this Christmas we would meet once again with The Risen Lord Jesus in a way that is meaningful and life changing. May we all remember this Christmas that Christ came into the world for each and every one of us and may we this Christmas shine the light of Jesus for all to see. May we all take seriously the idea of what it means to give this Christmas. May you have a blessed Christmas as you celebrate the life of the Risen Christ.
- John Mitchley (AURM books, Gauteng)

At Christmas time it is summer time in the Southern hemisphere. God faithfully presents us with gifts of peaches, plums, apricots, watermelon, mangoes, nectarines and many other fruits as gifts. The abundance of fruit always reminds me of the abundant Love of God. So great is His love for us that He gave a gift to the world -- Jesus, Emmanuel. How do we receive that gift this year? How do we respond to that limitless love each day of our lives? Someday, believe it, violence will simply be old fashioned. The dream continues. Come Lord Jesus!
- Roland Rink (AURM, Gauteng)

Joy to the world the Lord has come! Indeed he has come, for today we registered Zanele ("Zenzi" as she loves to be called) at school to start grade one next year. Her smile of excitement as we left the school brought tears to my eyes. It has not been a good year for her health, but this little angel of hope continues to bring us new surprises all the time. If ever we needed confirmation of God's love, I have witnessed it having journeyed with Zenzi through very difficult times during this year. May God bring you that same joy this Christmas. We thank you all most sincerely for your prayers.
- Nancy Herron (AURM administration, Gauteng)

We take this opportunity to wish you every blessing over the Christmas period. Our prayers unite us. Our next Anathoth Newsletter will be at the end of January 2007. Peace is my sister.

We go forward!
The staff of Africa Upper Room Ministries