September 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.

"COMPASSION"

We've begun a new format for future Anathoth Newsletters. Each member of staff will add their perspective to a common topic each month. Via these writings, I hope that you will become more familiar with Africa Upper Room Ministries staff, each of whom brings their own special gifts and talents to the work at Anathoth.

As one looks around the world that we live in today, there seems to be very little compassion shown to those who are less fortunate than ourselves. There are so many different situations that we come across every day of our lives and so often we tend to walk the other way. A friend once said that you never know when it may be Jesus that is reaching out to you with a hand in need of help. Just the thought that you may be turning down the hand of Jesus is a scary one.

I think sometimes that the parable of the Good Samaritan is one that we as Christians need to hear more often, because we are often more like the Priest and the Levite than the Samaritan.

Trevor Hudson in his book, A Mile in my Shoes says the following: "Compassion lies at the very heart of the authentic Christ -- following life." He goes on to say, "Any spiritual experience that does not result in a deeper concern for our suffering neighbor can hardly be called Christian."

This reminds me of a discussion that took place in the office. We were debating the issue of people who are being helped. As I reflected afterwards on that discussion, I realised how easily we debate people's lives without really taking into account their situation and what they may have been feeling at the time. In many ways we as Christians were being dispassionate rather than compassionate.

The questions that I think that we need to constantly be asking ourselves is can we afford not to be compassionate in our dealings with people who are less fortunate than we are. How do we know that the hand that is reaching out to us for help is not the hand of Jesus.

May compassion always be at the very heart of all that we do as we walk through this world.

- John Mitchley (Book Division and Anathoth Development Project)

The Lord uses people in His work. Everywhere I go, each day, I see evidence of God appealing through life events that challenge me to be like Christ.

Anathoth has to be like a seed, waiting in the soil to see the light of day. We are being challenged to produce a new life through reacting in compassion to the events that challenge us in so many days of our life.

Compassion for me is acting in a Christ-like manner to help others learn to be Christ, and touch other people like Christ touched the sick and gave them hope for a new beginning.

The events of these days, our days, are a challenge that is saying "Be Christ to other people."

- Ike Moloabi (Marketing)

Compassion is something the Holy Spirit stirs greatly in us. We often feel helpless and don't know how to help. Sometimes however all we are asked to do is to share the pain and cry with the sufferer. Jesus felt compassion and wept.

- Elaine Richardson (Marketing)

Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) was of aristocratic birth, but forsook all to be at the bedside of dying soldiers. That is compassion; when one can sacrifice one's comfort zone for the comfort of others. Her compassion has had a worldwide ripple effect in that it gave birth to the nursing profession. If each of us could but sacrifice a small part of our comfort zone to consider the plight of HIV & AIDS sufferers, what a ripple effect we could cause. Christ left his royalty and his comfort zone and the ripples are still passing through each one who has touched, and has been touched by him. Are we prepared to leave our comfort zone?

- Winifred Montgomery (Editor of the French Edition)

It always astounds me how God works in the lives of people. As I have been printing out the monthly statements for the subscriptions, I have found myself praying for each of these people -- that they may find a word of hope and encouragement through the words printed in The Upper Room devotional guide. I have heard of so many people saying that they have found hope, encouragement and new insights through the devotions. In a more practical form, I see caring and compassion being shown through Nancy as she has taken little Zanele under her wings to ensure that she gets proper nourishment and medical attention. Through a closer daily walk with God, God shows us the areas of needs, whether it be the continued increase in distribution of the devotional guide so that more hearts are touched, an act of kindness daily or whether it is making greater dreams of providing an AIDS care centre at Anathoth come true. Are we willing to take the risk of trusting God to provide the means so that we can be a caring, compassionate place of Love?

- Renny Stoltz (Accountant)

A trademark of the earthly work of Jesus was his compassion for people. He said that he was always about "his Father's business," so we must presume that it is God's will to be compassionate towards us. Now if compassion is the spirit of love which is awakened by the sight of need, then the occasions for God to be compassionate towards us are many, as are the occasions for us to be compassionate towards our fellow travelers.

- Gavin Leverton (Marketing)

A final word on compassion from a hero of the poor: "I was at a meeting of the Superiors General in Europe. They talked only of changing the structures of society, organizing things in a different way. It all came to nothing. It did not do something for the poor, or preach Christ to those without religion, to those ignorant of God. I was happy when it was all over." (Mother Teresa of Calcutta).

The vibrant blue dome of the African sky is an enduring symbol of our continued hope. We've not begun to swim yet, but we are learning to tread water as AURM. The first Saturday in October will mark the start of swimming lessons for those young folk who have not learnt to swim, but who continue to join us every Saturday afternoon at Anathoth. Some might call this compassion. It is simply who we've been called to be to the Eikenhof community.

Make us one with God, one with each other, and one in service to all the world.
- Roland Rink