Exciting Testimony Mary & Martha

With a hectic few weeks of big family decisions, long working hours and
a busy weekend ahead,.
With a hectic few weeks of big family decisions, long working hours and
a busy weekend ahead, I was looking forward to the upcoming Monday
public holiday. I had planned it to be a pyjama day. A rare chance to
sleep in, stay in pyjamas and catch-up on some time with the Lord. On
the Sunday evening on an outlying road entering the city, we hit a
really bad pothole and I realised I'd blown out a tire. I went into
parking lot at the mall across the way and discovered that two tyres had
blown and the rims were also damaged, so no chance of getting off with
merely a spare tyre change. I got the AA to come out and they towed me
home. I saw may pyjama day go up in flames as the Martha in me began
planning how and where I'd be going to get this sorted. Being acutely
goal orientated, my initial instinct is to check the boxes and if
there's time left, which there seldom is, because the list never ends,
then we can consider doing some of the less pressing bits. I'm
embarrassed to say that often my relationship with the Lord survives
merely on scraps and my travel time in the car.

When I got home, I began to get mad and frustrated that my day was being
stolen, I needed it so badly. I made the choice and decided that Martha
would have to step aside so that Mary could get her time at His feet and
I said "Devil, you're not going to steel this day from me.". My Mom
agreed to borrow me her car and I decided that I would visit the tyre
place on the way into work on Tuesday and began to feel renewed
excitement about Monday's pyjama day.

It was a rejuvenating day. Many times Martha popped out her head and
said - "just call them and see what they have and how much it costs
etc," but I said no, it can wait till tomorrow. During the day I felt I
should not rush this and should call the insurance the next day and find
out if I need to do anything through them and if they cover anything. To
cut a long story short, I did, they towed my car in and had a look and
it turned out that bearings had been damaged and the rear axle had to be
replaced - more than R20,000 worth of damage.

I like Martha cos she's a girl who gets things done, but the Lord used
this incident to show me that Mary's way is strangely laced in peace and
gives the Holy Spirit an opportunity to do what needs to get done in
God's perfect way.
Thank you Cathy for this very moving story.
I would love to hear from anyone who has a special testimony or word for the congregation. Please send it to me at ruth.compion@gmail.com


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OUTREACH

Silverton Community house Silverton Community house

441 Moreletta Street, Silverton
Silverton Community House was made available to Hatfield Church to build the Kingdom of God by reaching out to the Silverton area. We are part of the household of God in the spiritual, living and working with The King. Likewise God has property in the physical where all His children can go to for various needs and a place where the prodigals can return to The Father’s House.


Management


The house was placed in the care of Ps Fritz and Louise De Klerk, Hatfield Pastors of the Moot area. They have transformed the property into a Skills Development facility where people can be trained in a variety of crafts and skills. This year, together with Ps Rob Botha and the Silverton congregation, they hope to propel the premises into a self-sustaining business. Continuing with the existing skills development, they want to add teaching and service to it. With the help of a whole community giving their time, talents and skills to God, much more is possible and for God nothing is impossible. Living on the premises is the caretaker, Elfie and working with the paper crafts during the week is Lizzy.


Long term Vision- Glorify God


The full vision for the Community house is to reach the women and children in and around Silverton who is currently secluded from the Kingdom and from God by poverty, isolation, or bondage. There is more need than what meets the eye and it is God’s heart to be the answer to the cries of the people. We as His body were ordained for His works before time. We hope to make an impact in the community big enough to bring glory to God.



Short term vision- Work with what you have got


Craft Shop and Tea Garden

Since crafts are already running on the premises and we wants to add to the craft set, a Craft shop will be ideal to generate a sustainable income. The handy work of trainees, creative church members and Silverton residence can be sold from here. A tea garden can serve as a social place to the congregation, a soul saving tool for the community and will bring more feet from outside to support the Craft shop.

Various classes and courses

Louise (Hadassah Ministries & Willing Hands Craft) has trained groups of ladies in paper crafts and Fritz (Eyakho Skills Development Academy SA- ESDASA) has trained groups of men in building skills. We want to meet the immediate need of the people and plan on bringing in classes in sewing, vegetable gardening, pottery, art, and anything the Lord leads them to.

Invitation
At all times the premises must glorify God and proclaim His Truth, so spiritual courses and life groups should form part of the everyday activity. All members of Hatfield are at any time welcome to use the facilities for training, counselling, prayer, meeting etc. There is a lecture room and cooking facilities available.

Going ahead...

To continue in building the vision our immediate focus is on:

a) Turning one area into a shop by breaking and building
b) Preparing and planting a vegetable garden
c) Inviting Silverton Residence to tea as an introduction


You can contribute in the following way
1) Volunteering

We need your wisdom, expertise and hands in every area. If you feel called to come help build, teach, dig, serve or pray or even if you want to help out as a once off offering, please contact us and come!

2) Donations

· Any coffee shop or cooking equipment- percolator, toaster, fryer, and mug set etc.
· Any sewing equipment or materials
· Any seeds, seedlings or plant food
· A window frame or sliding door for the lecture room
· Equipment for the lecture room- DVD player, projector, screen, TV
· Any clothing donations (for immediate needs situations)
· Clothing hangers and movable clothing rails
· Any food donations- non spoil or frozen (for immediate need situations)


Contact details:
Silverton House- 012 804 8776
Fritz & Louise- 084 400 3270, 012 331 4032
Petra- 083 644 9984 012 804 7041 Read more!

Mandela Day 2

VetKoek for 250 children. Another wonderful and inspiring effort was made by some of the congregation by making vetkoek for 250 children of the Booysens Primary School.Often these children's only meal is what they receive at school so a big thanks to all involved. Read more!

Mandela Day

Knowing God’s love is a blessing. Passing it on is a joy.

The 18th of July, Mandela Day we joined South Africa in giving
57 minutes of our time to others. So on Saturday morning a few of us went to Little Angels Orphanage to spend some time with the children. In my eyes, I was offering the morning to God. Loving the children in that time turned out to be rest for my soul.

I was a child in My Father’s house, meeting new friends and playing
games long forgotten. I could see how the love of God, through one
available couple, can transform the destiny of seven once desperate
children. This makes me understand that the Kingdom of Heaven only needs a little mustard seed to grow into a majestic tree. I might
still not realize what God can do with the little mustard seed I have
to give.

The children themselves don't expect much. They want you to share
yourself with them while they draw you into their world to see life
through their eyes. Then they take the opportunity to show you that
they are worthy of your time and love as each child blooms with his
individual talents that will one day make a difference in someone
else's life.

Jacob, Rebecca, Gabriel, Esther, Naomi, Malcholm and Sarah, You are all uniquely beautiful and my life is enriched by to getting to know
you as part of our God-family.

Petra

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2ND PART OF BIBLICAL MANDATE

“We wanted to stay together after our parents and grandparents died of AIDS. I want to go back to school but there is no money. I must work hard to get a good life and look after myself not to get the disease my mother and father had.” Theological and biblical mandate for the Church’s challenge and response to orphans and vulnerable children
Dr Elijah Mahlangu
“We wanted to stay together after our parents and grandparents died of AIDS. I want to go back to school but there is no money. I must work hard to get a good life and look after myself not to get the disease my mother and father had.” Felix, 15 year old, the sole income earner in a household that includes his five younger siblings and one 80 year-old great uncle”

1. Introduction
Bone-chilling statistics emanate from the World Health Organization, AIDS Conferences, Newspaper articles etc. Indeed the latest statistics on HIV infection, AIDS sufferers including orphans and vulnerable children send shock waves throughout the world. Space and time is too insufficient in this article (as in any book, presentation etc.) to portray a comprehensive picture of the victims and devastation of the HIV/AIDS scourge.
The worldwide epidemiology of HIV/AIDS has evoked resources from many national governments (particularly in developing countries), the United Nations bodies, Non-Profit Organisations, etc. Aids is undoubtedly the number one killer in developing countries. An increasing number of people are falling sick, suffering physically, emotionally and spiritually – many in abandonment and desolation. Many women, young people, children and babies are severely socially and emotionally afflicted. Daily, people die of AIDS related diseases. Daily, children become orphaned when mothers and fathers leave them alone in a world that is not equipped to care for them.
HIV/AIDS has done great damage to families and their children. Due to HIV/AIDS, grandmothers find themselves caring for their sick children, grandchildren and orphaned grandchildren. Children orphaned by AIDS are found in almost every country of the world. In some countries, there are only a few hundreds or a few thousands. But in Sub-Saharan Africa, the UN estimates that currently, there are 14 million AIDS orphans and by 2010 there will be 25 million. These orphans suffered the tragedy of losing one or both parents to AIDS and many are growing up in deprived and traumatic circumstances without the support of their immediate family.
Research on orphans and other vulnerable children shows that many programmes have not adequately addressed the physical, cognitive, emotional and psychological plight of the OVC. Worse still, very little has been researched and published on the philosophical, theological and biblical basis for the church’s response to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children. In this presentation, an attempt is made to highlight the biblical mandate of the church’s involvement with orphans and vulnerable children. The presenter wishes to strongly argue that the church is generally apathetic towards the needs of orphans and vulnerable children because its theology and missiology on the subject is ill-informed and naive. The church has been often criticized for being the last to respond to developments in society, for merely reacting rather than taking a lead in some of the pressing needs of the day. The presenter persuasively submits that the church’s intervention, support and care of the OVC is not a suggestion or option but a command, mandate and obligation. In order to achieve this objective, the author looks at the Old and New Testament perspectives on the church and its response to orphan care.
2. Old Testament perspective
Many Christians are well aware that the Bible addresses issues of poverty and justice. Yet, many of us tend to think that the key to righteousness is right belief. Strictly speaking, this is correct. We cherish the fact that the righteous shall live by faith (Heb. 10:30). This was of course the dazzling truth Martin Luther discovered and that sparked the Protestant Reformation along with an extended period of renewal. We are justifiably relieved by the good news that our salvation is a gift from God, received through simple faith and not works of righteousness (Eph. 2:8-9). Our eternal life with Christ is guaranteed if we confess Him as Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead (Rom. 10:9). We have characteristically emphasized right belief especially in the 20th and 21st centuries. Despite this firm scriptural basis about the importance of right belief, there are so many “troubling” passages in the Bible which seem to suggest that the key to righteousness is “right behaviour”. We shall first look at OT’s basis for orphan care.
Maybe before an extrapolation of OT perspectives on orphan care, it is worth mentioning the socio-cultural background of the OT on the subject. OT scholarship agrees that the Ancient Near East has brought greater clarity to the divinely inspired revelation of God in the Old Testament.
A case in point is the well-known literary motif of the widow, the orphan and the poor. For instance in ancient Mesopotamia, the protection of the widow, the orphan and the poor is detailed in two well-known law codes, that of Urukagina of .Lagash in the twenty-fifth century B.C. and the Ur Wammu, the founder of the so-called third dynasty of Ur in the twenty-first century B.C. The famous law codes of Mesopotamia, that of Hammurabi in the eighteenth century B.C. says,
“To make justice appear in the land, to destroy the evil and wicked (and so that) the strong might not oppress the weak – to give justice to the orphaned (homeless) girl and the widow”
In ancient Egypt the protection of the widow, the orphan and the poor was the continual boast of the King. Thus, Merikane of the First Intermediate Period is instructed by his father, Khety III, that the good king does not oppress the widow or confiscate the property of the orphan. In Syro-Palestine, the theme of the widow, the orphan and the poor are attested. In the Aqhat Epic, the conduct of the Kings is described in the following fashion:
“Thereupon Daniel the Raphaman picks himself up, he sits before the gate, he judges the cause of widows, he adjudicates the case of the fatherless”
Now, turning to the Old Testament we find that the same motif is utilized. The difference between the extra-biblical literature and the Old Testament is that the church believes and experiences the OT as inspired, authoritative for faith and life. The OT is alive today! What does the OT corpus (Pentateuch, Poetical and Prophets) say about the plight of orphans? How should God’s people respond to their calamity? Throughout the OT the care of orphans, widows and the poor are intricably intertwined. It therefore becomes difficult in this text to mention or discuss one in exclusion of the other/s.
The Pentateuch
It is worth noting that in the first five books of the OT, the concern for the widow, the orphan and the poor is permanently woven into the fabric of those crucial sections dealing with the covenant made between God and His people, Israel, both in the covenant code of Sinai and its renewal before entering the land of Canaan. In Exodus 22:21 – 24; 23:6 the widow, the orphan, and the poor fall under the protection of God Himself. This is reiterated in Deuteronomy, where God is represented as the Supreme Judge who has the interest of these elements at heart (10:18ff). This is true not only with regard to the set feasts of Israel’s religious and social life, as well (Deut. 14:28-29. 24:17-22). In the key section, Deuteronomy in which the climax of the oath of ratification occurs (26:8-19), the God of redemption invokes the law of charity upon His people so that they continuously remember the magnitude of this redemptive grace toward them. In Deut 27:19 His redemptive grace toward them has a curse:
“Cursed be he that perverteth the judgement of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all people say, Amen.”
The Poetical books
In the book of Job, the evil man is described as one who oppresses the widow, the orphan, and the poor (14: 1-4, 14, 21). In the third round of discourses between Job and his “comforters”, Eliphaz sin language accuses Job as follows: “Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.” In his defence, Job vows that such has not been the case. Indeed, in his final summation and protestation of his innocence at the end of the three rounds of discourses, Job again pleads and swears under oath that he is free of any such evil practices (29:7-7; 31:16-17, 21-23).
The Psalmist likewise extols the God of triumph because of His righteous character with this same motif (Ps. 68:1-5). Thus he says of Him: “A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.” In the eighty-second Psalm, God is declared to be the righteous judge who prescribes justice for all the downtrodden: “Defend the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: Rid them out of the hand of the wicked.”
The Prophets
The cause of the widow, the orphan, and the poor is not neglected by the prophets of Israel. They point out that Israel had betrayed their wickedness and lack of God-oriented perspective in their treatment of the widow, the orphan, and the poor (Isa. 1:23; 10:1-2; Jer. 7:4-16). Typical of this use of the motif are the words of Ezekiel 22:6-7:
“See how each of the princes of Israel who are in you uses his power to shed blood. In you they have treated father and mother with contempt; in you they have oppressed the alien and ill-treated the fatherless and the widow”
Detail by detail the sad and sordid tale unfolds. Parents were lightly esteemed and robbed of the honour due to them, even though honour to father and mother was one of the most frequently stated commands of the law (cf. Exodus 21:17; Lev. 20:9; Deut 27:16). This relationship ultimately underlies the proper submission of citizens to their rulers. If parents were slighted, the sojourner could not hope for consideration. Him they oppressed, forgetting that they were formerly sojourners in Egypt (Exodus 22:21, 23:9). Those without human protectors, the fatherless and the widow, were wronged, the wicked forgetting that God had made Himself their special and sufficient Defender.
True righteousness, a living relationship with the Lord, would be evidenced in a type of conduct that reflected His high ethical standards: “Thus saith the Lord; Execute ye judgement and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place (Jeremiah 22:3, see also 7:4-7).
Because of her sins Israel was to face the chastisement of God’s outstretched hand (Isa. 9:16-17) and was herself to become widowed (Zech. 7:8-14). Jeremiah lamented: “How doth the city sit solitary that was full of people! How is she become as a widow! Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens, we are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows.” (Lam 1:1, 5:2-3)
The above discussion clearly illustrates that throughout the OT orphans (and other vulnerable people) are particularly enjoined upon Israel as befitting a redeemed people who are entrusted with the character and standards of their Redeemer. Even in Malachi (the last book of the OT) the theme is utilized in pointing to the coming ministry of the forerunner of the Messiah and of the Messiah Himself and of righteousness that would then be inaugurated (Mal. 3:1-6). But one may ask for the reason for the prominence of this motif, the widow, orphan and the poor? It has been noted that the motif is an integral part of the covenant stipulations of the OT wherein Israel in pure treaty formulae is represented as the vassal to her Sovereign God. Therefore, Israel is commanded to take care of orphans on behalf of God. What truth the church must learn from!!
3. The New Testament perspective
In the critical moment in human history, Christ appeared as God’s Anointed One. He came to demonstrate God’s mercy and love.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted to proclaim liberty and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18)
“Jesus went through Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon possessed, those having seizures, and the paralysed, and he healed them”. (Matthew 4:23-24)
“A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing you can make me clean.” Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing” he said “be clean.” (Matthew 1:40-41)
Christ’s offer of his grace, abundant life, healing, peace, etc. was and is still for all. The gospel as proclaimed by Jesus was inclusive in nature. This is seen in his parables. For instance in the parable of the great banquet, a Pharisee acts as a host, Jesus and his disciples are invited. Jesus challenges the host

“When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbours, if you do they may invite you back and so will be repaid. But when you give a banquet invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind”
(Luke 14:3-13)
This parable emphasises generosity of God’s invitation, which does not discriminate among those invited on grounds of their merits, abilities, social standing, beliefs or moral standing. Jesus concern to the sinners, poor and outcasts is made explicit in the gospel narratives. This category of people included children, women, prostitutes, tax collectors, the impoverished, publicans and the sick. They were particularly excluded from full participation in the social, religious and legal institutions.

Jesus’ message and mission challenged the then notions of who was acceptable to God and for what reason. He scandalised the official custodians of religion and morality by proclaiming an inclusive rather than an exclusive message. Jesus behaviour was a living testimony of God’s will to have fellowship with all. The fact that Jesus opponents (the Pharisees, Saducees and Scribes) reviled him for being a friend of tax collectors and sinners is evidence that he practised what he preached. (Matt.11:19; Mark 2:16; Luke 7:34). For his opponents were unable or unwilling to celebrate the redemptive, liberating and inclusive activity of God, powerfully symbolised in the table fellowship of Jesus (Luke 14:15-24). Jesus offer to have fellowship with the outcasts is an explicit reputation of temporal norms of worth and status (Mark 2:15-17). It is also an expression of Jesus’ belief that all people are valued by God and that God’s will for relationship excludes no one. This leaves us with no doubt that if AIDS was a disease in Jesus time, he would have included the infected and affected in his ministry. The church therefore ought to learn from the example of Jesus.
Jesus condemned the Pharisees for devouring widows’ houses. Jesus was particularly concerned with the poor. He preached a message of good news to those who were lacking earthly privileges and told parables that encouraged generosity toward the poor. Jesus taught that voluntary poverty was for some, but not everyone and love is essential in voluntary poverty.
The early Christians provided for the needs of poor widows, and Paul exerted great effort to collect funds for the poor and needy because of a famine in Jerusalem. This positive attitude toward the underprivileged was always present among all the early believers. The condition and hope of the Orphans and Widows among the deprived were most vulnerable. The Orphan is a fatherless child while the Widow is husbandless. In both cases, no mature male figure defends against unscrupulous persons who would wish to defraud these individuals. Consequently, biblical legal codes provide for the protection of the rights of the Orphan and the Widow.
The poor, the orphan and the widows were to be included in the celebrations of the worshipping community. In the New Testament; James defined worship acceptable to God as meeting the needs of orphans and widows. The image of the needy orphan without a helper forms the background for Jesus’ promise that His disciples would not be left orphans or comfortless. They would not be defenceless since the Holy Spirit would act as their advocate.
The New Testament measured true Christianity character by a person’s care for the orphan and the widow. Compassion towards the poverty of others will be rewarded. Compassionate actions are seen in the form of the treatment of the Poor, the Orphan and the bereaved widow. They are not to be neglected or treated unjustly; they are to have special rights and privileges, they are to be cared for and helped generously. God defends their rights and expects His people to do the same.
Although the poor, orphans and widows will always exist, their need can be alleviated as well as being encouraged to help themselves to gain employment. Both in the Old and the New Testaments, God’s Word teaches that the poor are expected to help themselves when and wherever it is possible. Relatives should be willing helpers and those who are far better off financially should help those in need in whatever way that is possible.
4. Conclusion
People infected and affected by HIV/AIDS (including orphans) need counselling, material, bereavement, medical and spiritual help. Good solid biblical based pastoral care is vital to ministry to persons and families dealing with HIV/AIDS and orphans. Good pastoral care begins with reaffirmation of the need to respond to people with AIDS as persons and not see them primarily in the context of the circumstances in which their disease was contracted or how they were orphaned. In addition, it is important to remember that the gospel means good news. Our response to orphans must embody a kind of presence that indeed sounds like good news to them.
During times of great crisis, the church has always had great opportunities for ministry. And many times, the church has responded in extraordinary ways. The International Red Cross began as a Christian organisation which sought to care for wounded soldiers. The Salvation Army began as William and Clara Booth ministered to the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute. The YMCA and YWCA were founded by Christians. Human slavery was outlawed in England and America because of the persistent efforts of dedicated Christians. There is hope for the church today to address the plight of AIDS orphans:

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13)
“…Hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption.” (Psalm 130:7)
“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart all you who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24)
The Church must remember that there is no government or system that is going to be able to adequately supply the people resources and finances needed for the AIDS crises in Africa. As AIDS becomes more widespread, and orphans increase we must get actively involved…not passively involved. We can certainly do it because Jesus lives in us and He commissioned us in His Word to do it.
Read more!

BIBLICAL MANDATE ON ORPHANS +VULNERABLE CHILDREN

The significance of South Africa hosting the Global day of Prayer in May 2010, the World Cup in June/July, and Lausanne III , the World Conference on Evangelism, in October, cannot be underestimated. 1. Purpose
To make an input into the substance team dealing with the session on “a biblical mandate and challenge to the Church in terms of orphans and vulnerable children”.
2. Introduction
The significance of South Africa hosting the Global day of Prayer in May 2010, the World Cup in June/July, and Lausanne III , the World Conference on Evangelism, in October, cannot be underestimated. South Africa will be home to thousands of visitors, for some, a first exposure to the Gospel, for others, a deeper encounter with the God they know, and for those significant Christian national and international leaders, an opportunity to meet and hear from the Lord and each other in order to set the strategic agenda of the global Church for the next decade. What an awesome responsibility for South Africa as a nation and as a Christian community.
3. Context
South Africa’s Gini coefficient measuring inequality of income and wealth is one of the highest in the world. This gap is dramatically reflected in the contrast between South Africans living in first and third world conditions, with the latter representing 50% of our population living below the breadline. Millions of South Africans are living in conditions of unemployment, abject poverty and malnutrition. The country has also the highest number of people living with HIV in the world, with more than 5,4 million South Africans living with HIV. These dry statistics do little to expose the depth of suffering, hopelessness and desperation.
In terms of collateral damage, South Africa, like the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, is also in the grip of an orphan crisis. At present estimates indicate that there are 1,5 million orphaned children in South Africa. While Government is providing child care grants to 8,3 million children and support to 20 657 child-headed households, many children still remain extremely vulnerable. According to the South African Social Security Agency's statistics, as of September 2008, only 494 992 children were in foster care and receiving the foster-care grant. The backlog of about 157 000 reported cases of foster care waiting to be finalized is as a result of a shortage of social workers. According to the adoption register, the number of adoptions in South Africa was low because of a lack of awareness of adoption services. In the 2007/2008 financial year, only 1 682 children had been adopted.
However, the best method of dealing with orphan hood is to delay the death of the mother. Access to treatment is therefore essential. In this regard, South Africa has the largest ARV roll-out globally, 350 000 South Africans out of a total of 524 000 needing treatment, now have access to ARVs. While this is more than 66%, efforts to increase access remain a top priority. However, focusing on treatment is not enough. Prevention remains critical, particularly among the youth. Half of the population in Southern Africa is below the age of 18.
South Africa like the rest of the world is now also officially in a recession.

4. Reformation Agenda
How we as a nation deal with these challenges and inequalities, and how we share available resources, makes South Africa, a world in one, an important and significant model to the world at large. Where we fail and how we succeed is of significance. Perhaps these are some of the reasons why South Africa has been chosen to play host to such an important set of international events. In the end it is never only about ourselves but the whole of Africa is watching and waiting!
There is a general disillusionment with the prosperity Gospel and its fruit of materialism and self centeredness. A great need exists for the teaching and proclamation of the full Gospel. As the Old Testament prophets addressed in their day political and economic injustice, idolatry and a breakdown in family life , we too need the same message. While South Africa has made major developments since 1994 in terms of addressing political injustice, the other evils still remain firmly entrenched.
In this regard we need to reflect on the battles that have been won, in order to get courage for that which lies ahead. South Africa’s liberation from Apartheid must be one of the most significant giants that have been slain and one needs to carefully work through in order to see the fingerprint of the Lord in this historic event. In this regard, the Freedom Charter as a future basis for our democratic constitution and the role of the Anti-apartheid movement, is significant. Despite serious lapses in conscience, the role of the Church also needs recognition. In 1979, the First South African Christian Leadership Assembly (SACLA) met to mobilize a united response against Apartheid.
The significance of the 1979 Assembly was not only to protect biblical principles of justice and equality but also to lay an important foundation for the future role of the Church in building a democratic nation. In many ways the truths of these foundations need appropriation.
In July 2003, SACLA met for the Second time, the most significant outcome of which was to identify the giants facing the nation and to begin an important process in building a national front in combating their cause and effect. The giants were identified as: HIV and Aids; violence; racism; poverty and unemployment; sexism and crisis in the family.
In pursuit of this battle, a Reformation Agenda for the country started to build, and in April 2008, the National Initiative for the Reformation of South Africa (NIRSA) was launched, the purpose of which was to chart a map for the Reformation Agenda of the country and to consolidate the battle facing the giants as identified at SACLA II. The NIRSA declaration marks an historic document setting out the battle plan for the body of Christ in bringing a “rebirth of hope, faith, confidence and renewed vision of what our nation can be under God”.
In particular, the NIRSA declaration in response to the orphans and vulnerable children crisis states:
We resolve to explore how the church, along with the government and appropriate NGO’s can embrace in a new way the huge challenges before our nation of dealing with the poor, marginalized and destitute, most especially orphans, widows and refugees. One logical extension of this concern is for Christian couples to be open in new ways to adopting orphans.
This an important resolve made by brave Christian leaders, such as Michael Cassidy and others, and we are accountable for how we respond to their efforts. As in our history there will be those that will look away and there will be those that will answer the call. What we now need is a clear strategy, strong leadership, and the commitment to fight in this battalion of the army.
4. The hope of a promised land
The nation of South Africa is on its own journey, much like the ancient Hebrews who had to be delivered out of Egypt in order to take their promised land. Our history of bondage of the majority of our people, the present impact of HIV and the identification of the “giants” that have to be taken, make for important reflection:
The angel of death is moving from house to house and it is not only the first born at risk. Therefore the blood of the lamb needs to be on the lintel and the two doorposts. Households need to be consecrated. The Lord is calling us out of Egypt, to stand at the Red Sea and trust Him to do what only He can do. With the bondage and slavery of our past at our backs, only He can part the sea and take us forward. And then in the desert we need to be focused and disciplined, we need to persevere and travel to the Jordan. While some may be left behind we need to press forward. We must cross the Jordan. The Lord will hold the waters that we may cross. We have to cross a second time. First the Red Sea and now the Jordan. But peace in the promised land will only come if we deal ruthlessly with the giants that threaten us. They are territorially illegitimate. None must remain lest they grow strong and destroy us…
5. Navigational Map of Matthew 25
In terms of practical application, there is a sense that we need to return to evangelizing house to house. There is a need to follow the angel of death to bring hope and comfort. The role of the home based care movement is significant in this regard. But it is tactically unsound to just follow the epidemic, there is wisdom in going ahead with a message of prevention. The consecration of each home to the Lord is necessary in order to advance this strategy. It must be remembered that 9 out of 10 South Africans remain HIV negative. This is a critical focus in our battle.

Matthew Chapter 25 provides a chart upon which to navigate.
Quoting from the English Standard Version:
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' 10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' 12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
The Parable of the Talents
14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. 19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' 21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' 23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' 26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
The Sheep and the Goats
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' 41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
Matthew 25 brings together: the Holy Spirit to stay the distance, the fact that we will be held accountable and the point of focus of the King, those that are overlooked, the most vulnerable in society.
The spirit of this age is so well expressed in an advert advertising a leadership summit here in Sandton where Sir Richard Branson will be speaking. The advert reads: “All we can give you is knowledge, wealth and power.” Perhaps it should be appropriate that this advert come with a warning. Beware! In the same measure that you have been given power, wealth and influence, you will be held accountable for what you have done for the King. The revelation of this truth will greatly assist those that are ambitious and well resourced. Investment in the vulnerable and overlooked is an investment in the Kingdom. Knowledge, wealth and power, these are not just temporal, they are of great strategic eternal value. They should be desired and used with great care!
6. A Kingdom Life
Orphans and vulnerable children should be seen from this kingdom perspective. As such one should approach their care and development from a Kingdom life perspective. What this means……(input Hannes VDW)
During a lengthy meeting with a focus on people living with HIV, a delegate to keep her young daughter busy started writing some questions on a peace of paper for her to answer. A man sitting next to the girl asked the mother if he too could ask her some questions. He wrote down on her paper: “what is eternal life and how does one get it?” Her reply: “to have eternal life is to be born free of HIV. To get eternal life one has to eat as healthily as possible and take your medication when you have it.” On reflection the man realized that in her mind she had not yet dealt with the issue. As a young 12-year old on ARVs with a mother on ARVs, her point of focus was on staying alive. The person asking the question gently wrote his answer: “eternal life comes from knowing the Father, to know the Father is to know the Son”. He had just quoted the response that Jesus had given. Jesus defined eternal life in terms of intimacy with the Father and himself.
In preparing to leave his disciples Jesus encouraged them along the same lines. In John 14:15 (ESV) Jesus says:
“15"If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

This is a foundational understanding and point of departure when developing a biblical worldview of orphans and vulnerable children. The focus is on eternity and intimacy. The Lord himself wants to be the Father to the children. He has such a heart for those who have lost their mother and have never known their earthly father. But unlike the social worker, cluster mother, concerned neighbour, kind teacher, He wants to live through His Spirit in each child. In John 14:16-18 (Amplified Translation) Jesus makes this remarkable statement:
16And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever-- 17The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you.
The Kingdom Life is a life of walking in the Spirit. Galatians 5: 22-23 (ESV) lists the benefits:
22But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, 23Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence).
In having a Kingdom focus and a Christ centred approach to the care of orphans and vulnerable children the conditions are set for the great equalizer in life. The children have access to the above fruit. An access that is not dependent on material resources does not require a just and fair society does not depend on their history or their circumstances. Paul wrote of this fruit while in prison. In terms of social justice what an amazing revelation. Children from a privileged resourced rich environment may not have what children from a disadvantaged background may have. While it is incomplete to share just a part of the Gospel and all the needs of the child need to be considered. Nothing can compare to the strategic advantage for that child to have the Spirit of the Living God in them in order that they may walk in the Spirit producing the fruit of the Spirit. Bondage and curses are removed and freedom and liberty is at hand!
7. Importance of Contextual Theology
(input Hannes VDW)
7. The Great Banquet
In Luke 14:16-24 (ESV) Jesus shares a parable that seems to have a particular echo for today.
16But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' 18But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' 19And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.' 20And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 21So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' 22And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 23And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"
What is the relevance of this parable for today and how does the information highway that we have access to relate to the “highways” mentioned in verse 23? What is the significance of the information society in terms of the great commission and how does this relate to the care of orphans and vulnerable children? What is the role of the virtual Church? How will it look? What will be its priorities and focus areas? Where does the storehouse sit? How will it distribute its resources and how will it define and manage concepts such as tithing and offerings? How will the virtual Church manage its storehouse? What will be its impact in terms of the care of orphans, widows, refugees, displaced people and those that are destitute?
One of the greatest tragedies of the present epidemic and scale of poverty is the breakdown in households. The absence of the father and the death or sickness of the mother makes for a desperate situation where the very fabric of the family is torn apart. In addition the traditional role of the extended family is also a cause eroded as the community struggles to cope with the scale of the problem. Into this context the local church has to respond.
How the global Church can respond and how the global community can assist is of critical importance. The opportunity exists for the global village to assist the local village in caring. Furthermore the citizens of the global village can form teams and networks which themselves become an extended virtual family. In this way households can be matched and supported. Through coaching and mentoring portals one even has the opportunity to recreate substitute mothers and fathers.
The theoretical construct of social capital allows for the unpacking of these social networks within a norms and values based system included in which is a regulatory environment with appropriate sanctions. The technical infrastructure acts as a web in which levels of access and security can be managed. The full implications of which is however, beyond the domain of this specific paper. It will be covered more substantially in session IV.

8. Finally: Sharing the Second Tunic
In conclusion, it is the message of John the Baptist that has an echo in the world of today. In Luke 3:11 (ESV) John the Baptist in preparing the way for the first coming of the Lord, had this to say:
11And he answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise."
Perhaps as we think of the Lord’s return we need to be mindful of the same message. The challenge of caring for millions of orphans and children will force the Church and our society to face the reality that they are going to have to share of their second tunic. While this will mean different things to different people, it is a truth that all will have to face. While the technological age will make its mark and the information society will be of strategic value, the old fashioned ethic of love and grace driven by a passion for intimacy with our God will be the real driver that will produce the men and women of conscience that will care for these precious jewels of the King.





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WORDS OF WISDOM

Do you still remember what people were worried about beginning of last year? I will tell you; 1) R11 petrol, 2) high interest rates, 3) electricity ‘load shading,’ and 4) Polokwane. Because of fear of these issues many people packed their bags and left South Africa. But if look again at these issues, ALL of them seems to be sorted somehow. One respected professional actually predicted that by 2015 there will be no car in the roads because fuel prices will be beyond the reach of many people. But today petrol and interest rates are down. By the way when did you last experience loading shading. It seems suddenly we have enough electricity. For those not happy with the Polokwane conference a new party came in!

I am asking myself this question, “Was there any real reason to be afraid?” Why were these things so hot issues last year? Maybe we should ask ourselves who were we listening to? The media makes more money from bad news. Last year I realized that each time after watching evening news bulletins on a certain TV station I would not feel happy. It was like the news had a depressing effect on me. One day we decided with my wife to count the headlines on their news bulleting and classify them either as good news or bad news. The results were amazing. Mind you this did not include sports news and the weather. There were 11 news headlines, 9 of them were BAD and ONLY two were good. Immediately we decided to change news station. I considered that guarding MY FAITH was of paramount importance.

Ladies and gentlemen, GOD IS IN CHARGE OF SOUTH AFRICA! I know this because I am praying for South Africa. My friends are praying for SA. And I believe many people are also praying for this country all over the world. South Africa will not fall, but God in his power is working in unfamiliar ways.

Let’s go North of the Limpopo. God is in charge of Zimbabwe. I know this because I am praying for Zimbabwe. My friends are also praying for Zimbabwe. And I believe many people are also praying for Zimbabwe all over the world. We do not support Mugabe or Tsvangirai, we do not look to the east or the west, ANC, COPE , Hellen etc. If politicians were able to cause a nation to prosper, then why are people still poor, all over the world, considering the fact that every country has a whole lot of politicians. It is God put who up leaders and he put the down again.

As Christians, we are looking ABOVE to God, for divine intervention. For God himself to save mankind. We enforce the kingdom of God by our faith and prayer in love. Because we have the love of God, our father, we love our enemies i.e. people who hate us. We desire good things to happen even to bad people, because our father gives jobs, food, rain and goodies both to the good and the evil. This is what we do, displaying the glory of our father!

We must pay more attention to voice of God than to the voice of the media. Jesus himself said ‘in the world you will have many trouble’ but he add on and said but ‘take heart I have overcome.’ Problems will come and go but our faith MUST remain unshaken. Like the seeds which fall on thorns, the world can choke our faith.

We are ready to FORGIVE those who do wrong to us or do wrong to our friends. We see other people as God see them. After all they are made in the image of God. In image may not be coming not so right, but we pray for them so that the true image of God is reflected as they take in Jesus. The life of person who broke into your house is more evaluable to God than the stuff he/she stole from you. Our primary source of information is the Holy Spirit reinforced by the Word of God. Jesus said ‘when He come (the Holy Spirit), he will reveal to you ALL things.’ In this time, the ones who listen to the Holy Spirit will stand firm. But those who follow the media will be tossed from here and there (James 1:6-8)

Ladies and gentlemen our attitudes are like this. The glass is either half full or half empty. If you are looking from above, using God perspective, it’s half full because our target is to fill it. If you use the world’s earthly view point, from below, it is half empty because we are afraid of it getting empty.

If you look in history or right in the Bible, people of God faced many adversities; famines, natural disasters, wars etc, but in these time the HAND OF GOD WAS MIGHTY TO SAVE. Even if things don’t go the way we want or expected, know that our father, THE POTTER, has bigger plans. With time, whether we are still here on earth or in heaven, we will see and understand the BIGGER PICTURE. Be still and KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!

By Taka Sande

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