August 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.

"COMPASSION"

Greetings to each of you, wherever you may be, at the end of the third quarter of 2005. Spring has begun to peep shyly at us from beneath the dusty dry soil after an unusually warm winter. (Experts have said that this winter has been 3 to 5 degrees warmer than normal. Could this be the advent of global warming?)

The month of August in South African church life is traditionally the month of Compassion. The word compassion's root meaning is "to suffer with," that is, literally to feel the suffering, pain, woundedness, or oppression of the other. It refers to a communal suffering or a unity in emotion. Frankly, without compassion, we as Christians simply cannot do justice, love mercy, and walk in the way of truth. August has been just such a month for us at Anathoth. We have tried our best to be compassionate and have also been the recipients of the compassion of many faceless people.

Zanele needed to go for hospital tests today. She has been making slow but steady progress, but still has some very bad days when she is just too weak to go outdoors. We remain hopeful that we'll see her smiling some day. She has become very attached to aunt Bettina and her cousin Mabuntle, and is usually found playing very quietly in close proximity to where Bettina is working in the garden. A BIG breakthrough did occur during August. Zanele took a piece of chocolate from yours truly last week! (One small step for Zanele, one giant step for me!) We're delighted that Bettina has formally taken up the position as gardener at Anathoth. Already the property is showing signs of her diligence and work ethic.

For those who did not hear the news, our original gardener, Johannes Mpinga, died on July 30th, the day after being featured in the July Anathoth Newsletter. We, as his friends at Anathoth, attended the family funeral which was held at the home of Johannes's uncle and aunt, Jeffrey and Evelyn Mpinga, in the Orange Farm informal settlement on the 9th August. It was a very sad day for all of us. We were grateful that we could call upon Rev. Ike Moloabi to conduct the service. (Read Johannes' obituary.)

We felt the renewal and strength of being lifted up in the prayers and thoughts of those who knew about the death of Johannes, and clung to the mysterious warm comfort that the words of encouragement brought. Why is it that so often, at times of tragedy we become closer, more unified, as the Body of Christ? What happens the rest of the time?

Visitors

We were indeed grateful for the presence of Rev Jerry Haas with us during August. Jerry is planning a pilgrimage to South Africa for April/May 2006. If you are interested in learning more about this, contact him at his e-mail address: jhaas@upperroom.org.

The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Ivan Abrahams, paid our office a visit during August. Through his visit prior to the MCSA Conference, he inspired us with his presence and wisdom. It is humbling to be hosts of busy people such as these. We are grateful for their continued interest in the work we are called to.

The project to broadcast The Upper Room daily devotional guide in the Zulu language each day during 2006 is growing in magnitude. The pilot broadcasts into Kwa Zulu Natal were very well received. Our next step is to translate, record, and produce the January/February 2006 edition of the daily devotional. Our very first official broadcast is planned for 1st January 2006. Potentially, we could reach up to 9 million Zulu-speaking people who have access to a simple radio set. We are grateful for the professionalism and dedication of the leadership and staff of Trans World Radio. We continue to receive donations for this work in progress, and remain confident that the Holy Spirit will ensure that the full amount that we require for this new phase of our ministry will be received.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the residents of New Orleans, Louisiana as they struggle to come to terms with the devastation and loss of their city. May they feel the Love of Christ and personally experience the comfort and support of compassionate people.

I will be away in the United States 13th September - 12th October. It's going to be challenging getting the Anathoth News ready for you from a distance. (The wonders of electronic communication!)

Something to ponder: "The ground of compassion is love and the working of compassion keeps us in love. Compassion is a sweet gracious working in love, mingled with abundant kindness: for compassion works at taking care of us and makes all things become good." (Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love.)

Peace is my Sister.

We go forward --
Roland Rink