September 2007

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.

"IN HONOUR OF WOMEN"

It may sound somewhat trite, but we really do have women to thank for so many things! In fact, we need to remember that it was a group of Christian women from Travis Park UMC, San Antonio, Texas to whom we owe our existence. It was this group of women who prayed The Upper Room daily devotional magazine into life. It was because of their initiative and zeal that The Upper Room magazine became a well known, loved and respected resource all over the world. One wonders if they had any idea then of how they were going to affect the lives of many, many people all across the globe. I somehow doubt it. In all probability they were simply too busy doing the small, seemingly insignificant things well, to be concerned about "if" they would be remembered. This is true of so many influential people the world over.

In South Africa, National Women's Day (9th August) is an annual public holiday. It commemorates the national march of women on this day in 1956 to petition against the carrying of "passes" (special identification documents which curtailed an African's freedom of movement during the apartheid era). It is fitting therefore that through this edition of the Anathoth Newsletter we pause to celebrate and honour women generally. More specifically, we need to listen to, and be guided by, the women who play such an important role in our work at Anathoth and Africa Upper Room Ministries (AURM):

• As this (Anathoth) is a place governed by the Holy Spirit, it is going to be a place of great assistance and help to us as a community and will be a home to many people.
- Bettina Mazibuko, AURM/Anathoth facility maintenance

• I believe that Anathoth can assist in the transformation of the community. I believe that it has the potential to bring about healing and restoration within the Eikenhof community, a community severely affected by social ills such as HIV/AIDS.
-Nancy Herron, AURM Administrative manager

• The sister at the clinic sends a message, "Please send more of the little books. The people keep phoning and asking for more." It is with ever-increasing joy that I supply these to them, to the people living in this fairly isolated fishing village on the West Coast, where there is much poverty. The recipients are mainly Afrikaans and Xhosa speaking workers at the fishing factory. Their English is poor, many are not yet Christians and yet the Upper Room daily devotionals are meeting a need, encouraging them, giving them hope, connecting them to other people around the world in the most wonderful way that only God can do and most importantly to God. I thank our Lord for the privilege of being part of the AURM family that enables me to do this.
- Elaine Richardson, AURM Western Cape Marketing

• The vision is to spread The Upper Room and the word to all in South Africa and Africa, so that people can spend more time with God each day. We need to work hard to be effective in our communities and to make a difference in the lives of the people.
- Renny Stoltz, AURM accountant

• I am 7 years old. I am very happy to be here; with my family and friends from Africa Upper Room who all care for me. This is my home now. I love going to school.
- Zanele Mazibuko, our Anathoth inspiration

• As we look forward to a partnership between AURM and Come Back Mission (CBM) it is here at Anathoth where it will all happen. We seek to assist in the transformation of those affected or infected by HIV/AIDS, alcohol and drug abuse. It is this tranquil setting that we hope to provide skills development for the local community.
- Cheryl Pillay, CBM coordinator and AURM partner in mission

• To supplement her household income, one of our workers has found weekend employment at a local supermarket. While promoting one of their products, people have noticed the Upper Room bag slung over her shoulder and enquired what 'joining the conversation' is all about. She happily tells them about the devotional guide.

What a good way of marketing the work of AURM! We've given her a batch of Prayers for Encouragement booklets to hand out when next she's called upon to do duty at the store. Perhaps one day we can say: Find it at a supermarket near you!

Other staff members are dealing with terminal illness, divorce, and alcohol and drug abuse in their families. All are battling to cope, resolving day-to-day issues in their lives. It is heartening to see these women encouraged and strengthened by the stories shared in The Upper Room daily devotional guide.
- Bea Smith African, English editor of The Upper Room, Cape Town

It would be remiss of us not to also remember the significant supportive role that the women of 1908 Grand Avenue, home of the GBOD and The Upper Room, play in the day-to-day work and life of AURM. We are quite simply in awe of the support (and patience) that they offer us. Thank you, every one of you!

We salute the admirable women of the world who, in recent times, have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize:

• 1976 - Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan founders of the Northern Ireland Peace Movement.
• 1979 - Mother Teresa for her work amongst the poor.
• 1991 - Aung Sa Suu Kyi from Burma for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights.
• 1992 - Rigoberta Mechu Tum of Guatemala in recognition of her social justice and ethno cultural reconciliation work based on respect for the rights of indigenous people.
• 1997 - Jody Williams from the USA for her work for the banning and clearing of anti-personnel landmines.
• 2003 - Shirin Ebadi of Iran for her efforts for democracy and human rights. (She focused especially on the rights of women and children).
• 2004 - Wangari Muta Maathai from Kenya for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.

In conclusion, the wisdom of Mother Teresa:

"We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our homes and remedy this kind of poverty."

We go forward,
Roland Rink