March/April 2005

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.

Easter greetings to each of you! We trust that Easter has been a time for great joy and spiritual renewal for you. We at Anathoth are at the epicenter of some amazing Easter miracles. Christ has Risen indeed!

For as long as I can remember, we have always prayed that the property will become a centre of Christian love and hospitality to the inhabitants of the surrounding community, and indeed to all those who enter the gates. We have always yearned to "be the church" in a very real and meaningful way for those who live in community with us in Eikenhof. Whilst our buildings do not look like any church I've ever seen, we have come to see ourselves in this light and treat the property as would any visitor to any traditional church building.

God has heard our prayers! Allow me the honour and privilege of introducing you to Ekhaya. Ekhaya means "home." As you read further, perhaps the choice of this word will become apparent.

As you read this, there are now three groups that, since the beginning of March, have begun to meet on a regular basis at the property. Anathoth in a profound way has truly become Ekhaya for the residents around us.

• There are seven or eight women who meet every Friday morning for prayer and support; for themselves, as well as their families. They spend time each week praying for and with each other. The make up of the group is a vivid picture of the three words proclaimed inside the front page of every Daily Devotional you will find, in that they are interdenominational, interracial, and international in their collective makeup.
• Approximately 30 young people aged from 9-15 years old meet every Saturday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. for a time of fellowship and bible study at the property. This group consists of girls and boys; Christian and Muslim; Black and white; who come from many Faith traditions. Almost all of them are from very needy social backgrounds. With this in mind we have begun a soup and sustenance program for these young people each Saturday.
• Lastly, and perhaps most significantly, we have begun a regular Sunday church service beginning at 12 noon at Anathoth. This church service has been instituted in response to requests for an "English" church service by local residents. The church congregation has grown very quickly from an attendance of 9 people to 29 people in the three weeks it has been operational. Why, these days we even boast a small choir, all dressed in matching black and white outfits. Again, in keeping with the character of Upper Room Ministries, the congregation is interracial, interdenominational, and international by nature. (See photograph of the Sunday service congregation in the Photo Gallery).

Bearing the groups mentioned above in mind, can we ask:

For prayers for the members of these fledgling groups.
For prayers that a durable maintenance environment will evolve, that will bring a sense of permanence Ekhaya to these new groups of Christians.
For prayers for those who lead these groups.

So, the Easter season of 2005 has in a very real sense been made manifest at Anathoth. We acknowledge with gratitude the pioneering role played by the Pienaar family in initiating these groups at the property.

We also thank Nancy Herron and the members of St Andrews Methodist Church for donating food, soup and clothing to members of the Saturday afternoon youth group.

We, along with the whole Christian world, can proclaim with deep sincerity that Christ is Risen indeed!

Other good news is that as of May 1st, you will be able to read about, and see much more of the work at Anathoth and of aurm in Africa. The Upper Room Nashville office has created an easy link from their home page to our very own Africa page. Our sincere thanks to Beth Richardson, Dale Waymack, and Joan Floyd for their time and effort spent in this regard. We trust it will bring new meaning and insight to you of the work and challenges in Africa. We will publish the link address in the next edition of the Anathoth News.

The African Upper Room editorial team, printing staff at Salty Print, and distribution staff at the Methodist Publishing House are all trying very hard to get The Upper Room daily devotional to our African readers as quickly and efficiently as possible. The rising price of fuel has meant that we have to find innovative, new ways of distribution of the magazine.

Please remember that we welcome all comments and input that you might have. Please feel free to communicate with us at any time.

As Easter morning dawned, we all in some unique and personal way turned our backs on the darkness of the garden of Gethsemane to follow the light of Christ into a new day. May Christ be very real to you in the days and months to come.

Peace is my Sister.

We go forward --
Roland Rink