A Busy Month at The AR House
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Rebecca Clendenin
Mar 28, 2009, 5:22:29 PM3/28/09
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Family & Friends,
It's been another busy month here at the AR House. The following is an update on our latest happenings, but first, a shameless plug for a very worthy cause:
Vote for "The Face of God" by April 3
Pat Davison, photo professor at UNC-Chapel Hill's School of Journalism and Mass Communication and Nate's mentor, is proposing a meaningful story idea on the Microsoft "Dream Assignment" Contest, in which first prize is $50,000 to pursue a dream photo assignment. Entrants propose their dream assignment, the public votes and the top 20 vote-getters are judged by a panel of professionals to decide the winner. Pat's dream assignment is called "The Face of God -- Images of the Divine at Work in Humanity." Please take a moment to read his proposal, and if you like it, register and vote by Friday, April 3. Thanks for considering this as this story idea is special to our hearts as well!
For more info on Pat, visit:
OK, now for an update from the Clendenins on happenings in Mamelodi:
The Beloved Vito Workhorse Remains
Thank you to each of you who joined us in praying and bombarding the Lord about our recent transportation dilemma. To recap, in February, we were notified that Mercedes Benz, who has sponsored AR the past two years with a donated Vito van, had decided to retract the ministry's use of the Vito as of March 1, due to budget cuts. Not a day too soon and not a day too late, we learned that, out of nowhere, Mercedes decided to extend our use of the Vito through the duration of our time here this year. What's amazing is that God touched and moved in the heart of the same executive who had only days before appeared unwavering in his conviction that the Vito be returned. We praise God! For me and Nate, when we set out on this mission last year, we both remarked that we'd hope to learn to live more by faith while in Africa; and in this moment, it felt like such confirmation that our Lord loves when people call upon His name, present even a mustard seed of faith and simply trust Him. Thanks again for rallying!
Introducing Africa Revolution's New Website
Nate and Allan have worked hard this last month to revamp and reintroduce Africa Revolution's website. There are still more pages to be added soon, but we encourage you to check it out:
Recent Formation of A Web Design Cooperative at The Powerhouse
Through a connection with one of Allan’s friends, Nate and Will have set up a web design cooperative in the township that will be designing sites for clients in a few weeks. This is an outstanding opportunity for the students Nate has trained in web design to gain further skills in design, client relations, marketing, business communication, task management and more. As one of the members of the cooperative and a promising web designer Pastor Daniel recently told Nate, "I know you came here to help a lot of people. But I know God sent you to help me." As a pastor, Daniel has struggled for a long time, asking God why he goes on living on so little income. He has friends in high places that help him sometimes, but he considers their financial charity just a handout. He thanked Nate for helping him with a hand up with this opportunity. For a bit more info on the Ikamva Web Development Services (Ikamva meaning “future” in Zulu) co-op, visit:
Powerhouse Skills Development Center Accreditation In The Works
This month, I've been working with Pastor Vincent and the leadership at the Powerhouse to apply for the Powerhouse Empowerment Center to receive official accreditation of the skills development classes through the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (www.hwseta.org.za ). The process for applying for accreditation through the South African government is very tedious, but by God's grace, the Powerhouse has had favor so far along the process. We have another meeting this week, the meeting at which time it will be decided if the Powerhouse is recommended for accreditation, so thanks for your prayers for favor again!
Personal Finance Workshop Series
This past week, Will and I began a series of evening workshops, open to the church and community, on what the Bible says about how we should handle money. Did you know that there are more than 2,350 verses in the Scriptures on money or possessions? This has something to do with the fact that the Lord knows that money is the number one competitor to Jesus for lordship over our life... Following the materials developed by Crown Financial Ministries (www.crown.org ), Will and I have had fun so far exploring -- with more than 60 people in attendance last week! -- what the Bible says about debt; and we look forward to addressing in weeks to come the topics of giving/tithing, saving, investing in God's kingdom and seeking counsel. The feedback we've received from people so far has been really encouraging; and for me and Will, we feel privileged to get to dive into and attempt to teach God's word in a cultural context that thrives on gaining knowledge in basic principles and guidance.
Women's Health Day Event
Today, Annie and I celebrated a wonderful day with more than 30 women of the church. One Saturday every month, the Women's Ministry meets to either do home visits, break into smaller groups for fellowship or celebrate an event on a topic of value. Today's gathering focused on women's health, specifically nutrition, diet, exercise, tips on cooking and purchasing healthy but affordable foods, calculation of body mass index and more. Annie and I were honored to each play a part in the day's program, and we give God thanks for how this ministry is blessing the women of the Mamelodi with new knowledge, caring relationships and an excuse to get together to have fun each month.
The AR Team Visits Mozambique
Last week, the AR team returned from a week's visit to Iris Ministries (www.irismin.org ) in Maputo, Mozambique. We had an incredibly inspiring time visiting this impoverished country. For more on our time and links to a few 3D panos Nate took while there, visit:
And Finally, Prayer Requests:
- Annie and I joined Gloria yesterday for her 29-week ultrasound check-up. Her baby boy is growing and continues to be healthy! We ask for your continued prayers for the Nyathis as Gloria is now only 10 weeks away from delivery.
- Pray for the teams from Chapel Hill and Atlanta as our they continue to raise funds for the Vision Trip in late May/early June. We are so excited about our churches coming and ask you to join us in seeking the Lord's continued provision for their arrival here and for an awesome time while here.
- Our student-teachers for Nate's web design class and for Will/Rebecca's business class have now taken over teaching. Please pray for them as the experience of preparing and teaching, handling a classroom and being a source of encouragement to their peers is no doubt a little scary for them.
- We realize we only have 3 more months til we head home. Pray that we would be thoroughly used up in our remaining time here, and pray for God's grace in particular as Nate and I set out to produce more multimedia pieces. Pray, too, as our team begins soon the process of winding down and debriefing how God would want us to apply all that we've experienced and learned to life back home.
As always, thank you for taking time to follow along on this journey of a year! We close with a verse that encouraged us today: "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." -- 2 Chronicles 16:9
Love to all,
Rebecca & Nate
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