October 2005 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.

"EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE"

"If we are to experience God, we must be open to God, to the mystical, to the divine, appearing in our lives. And we must have an openness that is free of any preconditions about how that will happen. Looking for God in a godly form is the great historical mistake."
- Edward Hays
In Pursuit of the Great White Rabbit

The past two months, as I have traveled from our hut in the village in South Africa to the huts of brothers and sisters in Christ in different villages in other parts of the world, the words of Edward Hays have traveled with me. His words have been a reminder that we so often encounter God in those around us on any given ordinary day. The spirit of Ubuntu is alive and well in the people in faraway villages who have, in a profound way, been a gift of God to me. As Christians we truly do have an extended family that stretches around the world. The translation of Ubuntu, "I am because we are," has taken on new meaning. Without exception, almost unbelievably, all of those I met on my travels proved to be extraordinary people.

Mexican Gulf at sunset.

To every one of you, from the central coast of California, Tampa and Jacksonville in Florida to Washington DC, Maryland to Nashville and Kenya, a sincere word of thanks for all your kindness and hospitality. Without doubt you are truly extraordinary Christian people making a difference in your own quiet way to the lives of those whom you encounter in those cities and towns in which you live. (Read an article about Roland's visit to Florida.)

The project to bring to the people of Kwa Zulu Natal The Upper Room daily devotional guide via radio continues to gather momentum. Yes, it is true that we are slightly short of our financial target for this project, but we trust and know that God will provide for our every need.

During October, Rev. Ike Moloabi and I traveled to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya in East Africa. Again we encountered extraordinary people. Amongst those were a team of United Nations volunteers who had just arrived to assist with refugee work in remote parts of Africa. The only common denominator amongst them was that they were all Jewish. It was a timely reminder that the mission field is not the sole domain of the Christian people. Our prayers for personal safety and safe passage continue for Jon, Rebecca, and the rest of their team. As Africans we are grateful for the personal sacrifices you have made to be amongst the disenfranchised and dislocated people in various regions of the continent.

Meeting with Kenyans in Nairobi

Christian Kenyan bookstore

Another view of the bookstore

Salesman for the devotional.

We would like to ask for your prayers for Rev. Andrew and Barbara Mac Donald and their family. Andrew has been with Trans World Radio for many years, as operations director. He has been laid low by illness, has decided to heed medical advice, and has taken early retirement in Scarborough in the Cape Town area. The Mac Donald family is yet another example of truly extraordinary people of the Christian faith.

Our thoughts and condolences go to the family of the Rev. Fred Allen who lost their beloved mother and grandmother. It was a privilege to be present during the time of mourning.

Our congratulations go to the Waymack and Crecraft families on the occasion of the wedding of Mat and Anna.

We are looking forward to providing you with aerial photographs of the entire 5 acres of the Anathoth property in the near future. This mini project has been made possible by the extraordinary folk from Mission Aviation Fellowship and their associates. AURM is grateful to them for their generosity and support.

We would like to take this opportunity to salute Mrs. Rosa Parks, the woman who decided that she could make a difference through her own non-violent personal witness in the USA. And boy, did she make a difference to the lives of millions of ordinary people! Rosa Parks is the epitome of an extraordinary human being.

To those in the USA, the HBO TV channel will be screening a South African-made movie during November. It is entitled Yesterday. We recommend that you watch this movie if you can. It is a very stark and accurate picture of the HIV/AIDS landscape in South Africa in the 21st century.

So, we have returned to our home and village from a long journey. God has kept us all safe and sound. Everywhere we travelled, we encountered extraordinary men and women who follow Christ. It is truly an honour to be considered one of you.

Siya Bonga!

We go forward --
Roland Rink