africa

AFRICA INLAND MISSION

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

NEWSLETTER August 2013

connection

CH R IST-CENT RED CHURCH E S A M O N G A LL A F R I C A N P E OPL ES

C H R I S T- C E N T R E D C H U R C H ES AM ON G AL L AFR IC AN PEOPL ES
AFRICA INLAND MISSION
I N T E R N AT I O N A L

africa

NEWSLETTER August 2013

connection
AIM missionary Kristen Fry, pictured left, serves with Dwelling Places, a Uganda-based ministry dedicated to helping street children find safe and loving homes. One aspect of this ministry is reconnecting children who have somehow ended up living on the streets with family members who can love and care for them. Such was the case with 9-year-old Michael, who was recently reunited with his grandmother living in Ugandas bush.

FROM THE DIRECTORS DESK

FROM THE DIRECTORS DESK
In recent months the worlds attention has been on an ailing Nelson Mandela and the radical and positive changes he inspired and implemented in South Africa. Madibas dream is for another Childrens Hospital in South Africa. His 95th birthday on 18 July 2013 saw the launch of a global campaign to realize his dream in the Nelson Mandela Children Hospital for Johannesburg. Madiba said in 2006 that a specialized, dedicated childrens hospital would serve as a credible demonstration of the commitment of African leaders to place the rights of children at the forefront. I sincerely hope that African leaders in our communities and churches would take to heart Madibas sentiments to protect, respect and champion the rights of children on our continent.

Africa is home to about 450 million children, making up just under 50% of the total population.The children of Africa face numerous challenges with regard to poverty, health HIV/AIDS, education, child abuse, child labour and so on. We have a tremendous responsibility to our children the children of Africa! Therefore we want more workers in Africa to be committed in making the lives of our children better, as we share the life changing Story of Jesus with them. This edition of Africa Connection challenges us to be meaningfully and intentionally involved in the precious lives of children. I hope the articles will stimulate prayer and encourage involvement in childrens ministry. Its our desire to see more churches being creative in childrens ministry with programs that inspire and influence children into a deeper commitment to Jesus Christ. Our mission of Christ Centred Churches among all African Peoples demands vibrant childrens ministries. Children matter to God and so they must also matter to us!

Sincerely in Christ

Abie Joseph
also in touch with refugees she taught English to at Jubilee Church. Nick & Lynne Swanepoel are in the process of handling over much of their ministry responsibilities to local Rendille leadership in Korr. This is not easy with various challenges and they covet our prayers for godly wisdom. They plan to relocate to Nanyuki and monitor things but the security situation in recent months is a matter of concern.

JUST BRIEFLY
NEWS FROM THE AIM SOUTH AFRICA TEAM AIMSA OFFICE: Welcome to Louise de Ronde who takes over from Jill Coetzee as our Bookkeeper in the office. Louise is from Retreat in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town and has a passion for mission. She is engaged to Randall and wedding plans are set for early 2014.

RECONNECTING CHILDREN IN UGANDA

BY KRISTEN FRY

Zeka, Anita, Sally & Sarah The Director and his family participated in Matildas Commissioning Service on 30 June in Aliwal-North.

A&L arrived in Cape Town on 14 July due to a medical emergency. Alan underwent successful by-pass surgery for a blockage in an artery in his heart on 29 July. He is presently recovering in Cape Town. Praise the Lord for the amazing way in which the huge financial shortfall was achieved in a couple of days after the Insurance Company advised they will not be covering the full cost of the surgery. FOCUS ON MOZAMBIQUE: Jinx & Dawn Reyneke lead an ever increasing team among the Ndau in the Mossurize District of Mozambique. There are 15 members on this team committed to bible training, childrens ministry, medical ministry, church planting etc. Recently they received short term teams from Brazil, South Africa and the United States. A new church was planted with the Brazilian team in Jambe, bringing the number of churches to 14 since 2002. Praise the Lord! RETIREES: Lorna Eglin & Betty Allcock were involved in a motor accident on 8 July which caused significant damage to their vehicle, an air-conditioning box on a building and a fence. Praise the Lord they were not injured and didnt drive into another vehicle or person. Jack Pienaar was admitted to Constantiaberg Hospital on 27 July after suffering a moderate stroke. He received medical attention there for a few days and is presently at the Anchusa Retirement Facility in Meadowridge. Please pray for a speedy recovery as Jack receives physio- and speech therapies in his rehabilitation. Margaret Herringshaw underwent shoulder surgery on 1 August in Hermanus Hospital.

Abie & Matilda and Leadership of AFM Aliwal-North Louise de Ronde Our deepest appreciation and thanks to Jill who served us well for nearly three decades. A Special Farewell is scheduled for 8 September 2013. We also thank Gustavo Hellwig for the excellent IT support he provided for our office for about a year. Gustavo, Franciele and their children leave Cape Town on 26 November 2013. They will be in Brazil for a few months before relocating to Nairobi, Kenya in 2014 to begin their new assignment. Gustavo has been appointed Information Strategist for the whole of AIM International. Congratulations! APPOINTEES: Zeka & Anita Tjiwana and their two precious little girls together with Matilda Ntukela attended Africa Based Orientation (ABO) in Nairobi, Kenya during July and early August. Zeka and Anita attended the TIMO Forum and shadowed two TIMO teams in Tanzania before participating in ABO. This is in preparation for leading the TIMO team among the San People in Tsumkwe in 2014. After ABO Matilda travels to Antananarivo, Madagascar to begin her assignment. George and Margaretha Bezuidenhout have started the process of transitioning from Open Doors to AIM. They hope to leave for South Sudan early in 2014 for their church planting assignment among the Laarim/Boya People. MISSIONARIES: Brian & Kathy de Smidt did an excellent job in assisting the Bara Curriculum Based Team (CBT) in Betroky, Madagascar. They are now back in the Central Region taking care of the Rwanda Team while Brian continues in his role as Regional Development Officer. Lynn Crutchley: With the wonderful help of a retired Afrikaans teacher, substantial progress has been made with the translation of Words for Life (WFL) into Afrikaans. Lynn travelled to Swellendam mid- July for the proof-reading. The WFL tutor training in Paarl has been completed, and the Stellenbosch training ought to be done by the end of September. Implementation of WFL in Paarl is scheduled for mid-August; and on the Stellenbosch farms in October 2013, DV. Lynn is

he road to a 9-year-old childs home should never be this long and hard. Its hot, dusty, barren, and was once known for cattle raiding. There is disease, poverty, and injustice over every bump and rut along the way. The most unjust part is that the journey we took to Michaels home began on the streets. There are many reasons why children wind up on the streets no reason is good. Promises of security, financial gain, desperation and many more pave the road to the streets. In Michaels case it was all of those.

Lets reverse Once Michael reached the streets from Karamoja (North Eastern Uganda) his family was destined to sleep in shipping containers for three rand a night, and forced to beg on the streets so they could afford that accommodation and some food. Begging turned into a way of life. Abuse was another part of that life. Michael was identified during a street outreach by Dwelling Places and was brought into the home for care and protection, and to be shown the love of God. He blossomed!

We started him in to school. Since he had never been, his start was slow, but he soon caught on. At Dwelling Places we found him to be so kind and tenderhearted, joyfully obedient, and always willing to help with the younger children. Our research to help Michael and his family off of the city streets and reconnect them with family in their home area led us to a long bumpy road into the Ugandan bush - a hard road to travel, but it led them home. Maybe we shouldnt worry so much about the road as much as the destination. Into the arms of a loving grandmother who thought she would never see her grandson again. Into his own house, though made of mud and sticks and surrounded by thorns, its his home; and into mainstream education. Leaving the streets isnt easy, and life in Karamoja isnt easy either. But one thing I know: There is one less child on the streets of Kampala and one more child home.

Michaels grandmother thought she would never see him again, says AIM missionary Kristen Fry, who helped reunite 9-year-old Michael with his grandmother. The journey to find this boys home was amazing long, hard, and emotional, but we succeeded and it was one of the most beautiful reunions I have ever seen. I was honored to be a part of it.

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C H R I S T- C E N T R E D C H U R C H ES AM ON G AL L AFR IC AN PEOPL ES
AFRICA INLAND MISSION
I N T E R N AT I O N A L

africa

NEWSLETTER August 2013

connection

BY PAT HARTLEY

REDEEMING THE CHILDREN OF SOUTH SUDAN

RESCUING THE CHILDREN OF LESOTHO

outh Sudan appears to have missed the forward march of development with the rest of the world. Yet, its a country full of opportunities waiting to be grasped, just 2 years into its shaky independence from Islamic Sudan. This is the setting for this article on the children in this war torn country of South Sudan. Children constitute a large proportion of the population and everywhere we have been, the children run out to shout their greetings to the kawaja, these strange white foreigners. They seem happy enough with their big smiles and friendly gestures. However, they live very hard lives, having to take responsibility at very young ages. They look after babies when they are really still only babies themselves. They fetch water from wells or streams that a grown man would struggle to carry. They sweep their yards and their tukuls (houses); they do just about everything except garden thats womans work! Schooling, as we know it in the western world, is rare in the rural areas, with the children often not being released from their chores to attend. Education appears unappreciated. Generally, children are poorly fed as many of their mothers spend the afternoons drinking local beer after gardening. Children longing for some good news wouldnt you say? The Good News of Jesus!

In Nagishot, Eastern Equatoria State, (the place where we are based among the unreached Didinga People), we recently had a team of young people come out from America to run holiday clubs in two locations, lasting 4 days each. The children were mainly taught the good news about Jesus, who He is and what He came to do. They played games, had craft times and, importantly, were fed a good lunch each day. Many of these precious children responded well to hearing this Good News and seemed really eager to hear. What a blessing! The youth who were the helpers also heard and responded very well. Please pray for them, that what they heard may take root and grow in their hearts and minds. Follow up, which we feel is vital, is very difficult in this situation. Once the team left, the (spiritually) young people who remain need constant encouragement themselves. How we long for more people to come and minister to the youth and children of South Sudan. This is just one relatively small area in South Sudan, what about all the others? Pray the Lord of the Harvest will send workers into this amazing country of huge opportunity, open to Christian work and witness. We should be making the most of this open door, and to be part of the attempt to redeem the children of South Sudan. Please pray! Please come!

BY PAULINE STEEL

otsilisi was the oldest one of twin girls, their mother died the day after they were born and the father was left with 5 older brothers, the oldest being 12. At 13 days old Motsilisis twin sister died and the following day she was brought to Semonkong Childrens Centre by her father weighing a mere 2.3kg. The youngest of the brothers, Bongani (4), was brought to the centre a year later after their father also died. Today Motsilisi is a normal, naughty 5 year old and Bongani, an adventurous, bossy 7 year old. This is the story of only 2 of the 79 children at the centre but they all have their own stories, many of which a child should not have to experience. Semonkong Childrens Centre is a God-made family high in the mountains of Lesotho where orphans are loved and cared for. It is encouraging to see how some of the older teenage girls have stepped up and become leaders at the holiday club weve run for the younger children and some of the older boys, out of their own initiative, have got involved in looking after the goats, horses, pigs and other animals as well as helping out the local house fathers in fixing things around the centre. The younger childrens imaginations run wild as they think up games to play. If you are looking for the younger boys, they are behind the church, in the sun, making themselves cars and motorbikes out of wire and

tin cans. Most nights there is Bible Study or a time of worship happening in the bunk house led by some of the older boys. To hear the children sing, is amazing and there is usually someone, somewhere singing something, even the toddlers are walking around singing. One can only describe so much of this Godmade family, in order to truly understand, one needs to experience it for ones self. Pauline Steele is an Appointee who is busy raising prayer and financial support for a full term assignment at the Semonkong Childrens Centre. She hopes to be there early in 2014.

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C H R I S T- C E N T R E D C H U R C H ES AM ON G AL L AFR IC AN PEOPL ES
AFRICA INLAND MISSION
I N T E R N AT I O N A L

africa

NEWSLETTER August 2013

connection

I developed a love for the Gjuarati People and a desire to share with them Gods love and gospel message. They are a very religious people, but so very lost. Jesus said to his disciples in John 10: 16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. There are many in Dar, amongst the Hindus and Muslims, who are a part of his flock.We are Jesus feet and hands, reaching out to our lost brothers and sisters.What an honour and responsibility! Tania (Front right)

BY JENNIFER JACOBS

TOUCHED BY THE MEEK OF THE EARTH!

You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you,YOU are My Servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Blessed are the Meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Isaiah 41:9-10, Matthew 5:5

DAR ES SALAAM 2013

THE ASSIGNMENT
WHAT WILL I DO? Live the truth of the gospel message Prioritize language learning and relationships Simple living in a cross-cultural setting Live with a national family for a few days Participate in discussions on missional topics Be mentored by a missionary and be accountable to a larger team WHO CAN SERVE? TIMO Quest is for singles and married couples with no children Those exploring long term cross-cultural ministry, especially on future TIMO/CBT Curriculum Based Teams

TIMO QUEST

A Month of Service. A Lifetime of Impact

TIMO (Training in Ministry Outreach) is a two-year program to equip new missionaries with a solid foundation in Gospel Outreach and

n the 26th of June I had the great pleasure of receiving my very first team from my home State of Wyoming! Riki Andrews my dear friend is a leader of a Christian Ministry called Campus Ventures at The University of Wyoming. She along with three other students Caleb Rivera, Carolyn Smylie, and Theresa Tegdesch set aside 3 weeks of their summer vacation to come and help serve alongside me in the Childrens work here in the Mossurize District of Mozambique. Our project was to go out and distribute bags with basic hygiene necessities, along with the Wordless Book, to share the gospel. They experienced many hardships of the mission field, public transport or the lack thereof, illness, the local spiritual darkness and spiritual warfare, dust, bugs, extreme poverty, and culture shock only to see the Glory of the Lord revealed in each situation. We were able to go out to two of the zones we minister in, the villages of Makumba and Bundwa. It never ceases to amaze me, the gorgeous humility of the Ndau People. We came to minister only to have the Lord use them to minister to us. The team and I witnessed how to: worship unreservedly, give without reservation, love unconditionally, and most importantly no matter where we are in our Christian walk, to

daily be starving for His Word and desire to learn more of Him. Oh the Magnificence of our Lord! We gave out the bags, each containing soap, toothbrush with toothpaste, washcloth, and comb showing how to use them all in fun skits. Everything in the bags were donated from churches, friends and family, and childrens ministries in Wyoming. We ended each time with the Wordless book; with each colour of a page the team acted out a story from the Bible representing its significance. Then in true African style we sang and danced until no one could breathe anymore due to all the dust! My heart was blessed beyond measure, not just because I love having the privilege of ministering to the children of Mozambique, but seeing young adults from my home State being changed for life. Each one shared how the Lord was breaking and re-moulding them to change the way they live back in the States. I would like to finish with one of my favourite quotes Service is nothing but Love in work clothes. unknown Yes, there was an extreme difference between what we were wearing and what the locals were wearing, yet in the eyes of the Spirit everyone was in the same uniform of Love. Glory to God!

establishing Christ-centred Churches.TIMO QUEST provides opportunities to experience TIMO first hand for a period of one month.

HOW MUCH SUPPORT WILL I NEED TO RAISE? Actual cost varies based on airfare and location of the TIMO team WHERE CAN I SERVE? Northwest Tanzania (Rangi) Dec 13 to Jan 18 North Africa 3 31 January Chad (A-People) mid Jul mid Aug 2014 Tanzania (Matumbi) mid Oct mid Nov 2014 Kenya (Tamarind) Jan/Feb 2015

INTERESTED?
Contact Naomi at shortterm.sa@aimint.net

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AIMS VALUES FOR MINISTRY AMONG CHILDREN

The goal of AIM Children Ministry is to contribute to the development of Christ-Centred Churches, directly or indirectly, through the evangelization of unreached peoples and the effective preparation of church leaders.

ALL OF AIMS MINISTRY TO CHILDREN WILL:

Present Christ and seek to strengthen their relationships with Christ In every effort to reach or teach children, Christ will be the center of our efforts. Our ministry can only have eternal significance to the extent that children know Christ and develop that relationship. Be done in partnership with local Christians We believe that the effectiveness of this ministry will be enhanced with a corresponding long-term benefit by partnering with and training local Christians. Through nurturing national leadership in all aspects of ministry, partner churches will be challenged to undertake childrens ministries if they havent, and to further develop their Christian Education programs. We shall serve and empower rather than dominate in these partnerships. Promote a godly view of children and childhood within our partner churches Children are a gift from God and are not for the exclusive benefit of their parents but to bring glory to their heavenly Father. God has a plan for each individual believer so Christian parents will be helped to accept and nurture that plan for each child. Helping Christian parents understand their duty to represent God to their children and love them with the grace with which God loves us will be an integral part of this ministry, as well as promoting childhood as a time of freedom to play, explore and learn. Be holistic where possible, with rare exceptions Children have physical, emotional, social and educational needs as well spiritual ones. We commit to ministering holistically to children in order to help them meet their God-given potential. Local churches and groups of Christians may be organized and encouraged to meet the needs of children in their communities as a tangible expression of the Gospel. Encourage Christian family life Gods design for bringing up children is the family according to the biblical pattern. Children without families are best placed into as family-like a situation as possible. Help children to cope with life by building up their resiliency. Children in Africa face many challenges from which adults cannot completely protect them. We commit to working with local Christians as they seek to help children develop a healthy biblical resilience.

SOME OPEN POSITIONS TO SERVE IN CHILDRENS MINISTRY

Trainer of Children Ministry Workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo Curriculum Based Team Member involved in ministry to young girls and prostitutes in Tulear, Madagascar Curriculum Based Team Member in youth/children ministry in Mozambique Childrens Pastor/Ministry Programme Director in Otiwarongo, Namibia Various teaching opportunities in Primary/Secondary Education
For more information kindly email Jill at personnel.sa@aimint.net
AIM INTERNATIONAL (SOUTH AFRICA) www.aimint.org/za S.A. Office: Postal Address: Telephone: Fax: I Kirkwood Rd, Plumstead, 7800 P.O.Box 109, Plumstead, 7801 021 - 761 5917 021 - 797 3640 Director: Abie Joseph - director.sa@aimint.net Administrator: Yvette Christians - aimsa@aimint.net Bookkeeper: Louise de Ronde - finance.sa@aimint.net Short Term Mobiliser: Naomi Jones - shortterm.sa@aimint.net Personnel: Jill Sangerhaus - personnel.sa@aimint.net Mobilizer: Carel le Roux - mobilize.sa@aimint.net Bank: Standard Bank, Constantia Branch No: 025309 Account No: 071778845

If you are making a new contribution towards the mission or missionaries, kindly contact Louise de Ronde by phone, email or fax, giving your name and address and state clearly who the amount is for. If you do not do this it will go towards General Funds as an anonymous donation. It is difficult and costs to get depositors details directly from the bank. AIM (SA) is a member of TEASA The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa. AIM is Registered with the Department of Social Development Registration number 047-193-NPO