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COVID UPDATE AS OF JULY 1
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As of today, South Africa has tested 1,630,008 people for COVID 19. Of that number, 151,209 have tested positive. There have been 73,543 recoveries and 2,657 deaths. South Africa is currently in stage 3 of the lockdown with a few more businesses open at a 50% operating system. Gatherings of only 50 people under very strict regulations are now permitted. The expected peak is still a couple of months away. (See this video update from CNN. The CNN photo here is of a field hospital in Khayelitsha Township outside of Cape Town.)
Thandeka (Thandy) KaMavundla-Nzama, program director, reports, "The past few months have been very hard as the whole country faced the pandemic. All our ministry platforms came to a standstill as schools, prisons, churches, rehabs and all forms of gathering were suspended. Throughout the national lockdown our teams have come up with creative new ways to continue reaching the youth of Africa with the gospel. We have received great stories of young people committing to Christ and others sharing their appreciation of the Reach4Life lessons on our Facebook page and WhatsApp groups. All the teams from the four Reach4Life countries have received another food parcel gift last week. We are grateful to our Reach4Life funding family! We continue to pray for you all and thank you for all your support that has carried our wonderful local missionaries through this tough time."
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REACH4LIFE REPRESENTED ON NATIONAL TELEVISION
Drug Rehab Coordinator Bheki Myende had an opportunity to represent the R4L ministry on
national TV, on one of South Africa's major news channels (SABC). Bheki was on a panel with top government officials. He shared the impact of the program in his own personal life as a former drug addict. He also challenged the government to open more doors for faith-based organizations like Reach4Life, for a more holistic approach to youth issues. The panel congratulated the R4L ministry for its proven contribution in South Africa and other African countries.
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CHRISTIAN LEADERS INSTITUTE TRAINING
We are always looking for resources that might be useful for the ministry workers. This month, after searching online, we found a potential resource, Christian Leaders Institute, which is a correspondence college level Bible School for individualized learning. The program, endorsed by Frances Chan, offers
over 100 free online training courses covering various ministry skills. Courses can be done by WiFi using cell phones, which is a plus since most ministry workers don't have access to computers. The R4L Coordinators have been made aware of this opportunity and will be assisting interested Peer Educators with the registration process. It seems simple to navigate and the institute has reached out to Thandy with offers to help if needed. Many Peer Educators completed the Emmaus Bible school free courses last year, and this will give them another opportunity for continued learning and spiritual development.
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WE'RE ADDING TO THE BOARD
Prevention Time has always been based on many people "pulling together" to support the ministry in southern Africa (South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, and Lesotho). Currently our board is comprised of Mindy Sauerlender, Mary Schumacher, Kim Ives, John & Lorna Packard, and Pastor Ed Kelley IV. We are now adding three additional people to the board.
Margaret Kiyohara (left, at one of our auctions) attends Des Moines Gospel Chapel. She has been a big part of our fundraisers, especially our annual auction. She has assisted in the administration side of her husband's business for many years. She has participated in MOPS, Kid Reach, children's ministry, women's ministry, and other areas as needed. She also serves with the Des Moines area food bank.
Janis Schlepp (middle, marching with kids at a school), attends Christ's Church, Federal Way, where she serves on the staff in children's ministry through Sunday School and Awana. She is also involved in community outreaches. Janis is especially gifted in drama, and writes and produces amazing plays! She has expressed a heart for Africa missions.
Sara Dickinson (right, with Peer Educators) attends Mountain Vineyard Christian Fellowship, where she is involved with youth and is the missions ministry leader. Sara is interested in assisting with discipleship. This is a never-ending need in such a large ministry that is reaching so many people with so many needs.
All of these women have participated in past mission trips, and all bring a great deal of creativity and energy to the group. We appreciate their willingness to serve with us! We also appreciate all of our supporters who are willing jump in to help whenever we need it.
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TODAY'S STRUGGLE IS ABOUT YOUTH CHALLENGES
Yandiswa Thwala 16, Grade 10, is shown here sharing a passage from her R4L Bible to encourage other youth.
She says, "I am so grateful that these difficult times found me in Christ. It's been months of not going to school and seeing friends and playing my favourite sport. Hard as it has been, I have had so much peace knowing that the Lord is in control. Today we have come to our R4L group wearing our school uniform as we celebrate June 16, commemorating the youth of 1976 who marched against apartheid. Today our struggle is not apartheid but AIDS, drugs, and all other youth challenges. But the Lord is directing my steps. I have been reading my R4L bible and I am assured that nothing will separate us from the love of God, Romans 8:35."
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REACH4LIFE GROUPS ADOPT SAFETY PROCEDURES
Teams are starting to meet together for prayer and planning for the new ministry environment ahead. This Ladysmith group is practicing social distancing and temperature checks as they prepare to attend a meeting.
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EVENT UPDATES
Clothing Drive - Please take advantage of your time at home to clean out your closets! Then bring us your gently used clothes, shoes, purses, belts, bedding (no pillows), backpacks, drapes, and fabric-y type stuff. Drop donations at 30020 2nd Ct. S., Federal Way, under the porch or in front of the garage if the weather is good. Donation receipts can be taken from a bag on the porch. This fundraiser is underway now and will continue through at least September 30. Please pass the word to neighbors and friends!
Garage Sale -Sacajawea Middle School (where we hold this event) has asked us to check back with them toward the end of July. If possible, please continue to hold your items until we get further word then.
Auction - Our annual silent auction has been rescheduled for October 10. Please add this event to your calendar!
Mission Trip - The mission trip has been postponed until September of next year.
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The current Rand exchange rate is still excellent at 17.15 Rand per dollar.
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Please partner with us in the Amazon Smile program. Go to amazon.smile.com and assign Prevention Time as your charitable partner.
We will receive 0.5% of purchases made at Amazon. Thanks for your help!!
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Thanks for Your Support
Prevention Time thanks you for your interest in our organization. We are a 501(c)3
organization and all donations are tax-deductible. Prevention Time has no paid staff,
so our administrative costs are minimal. To help support our work in sub-Saharan Africa,
please click on the donate button below.
Sincerely,
The Prevention Time Board
Lorna Packard
Mindy Sauerlender
Mary Schumacher
Kim Ives
John Packard
Pastor Ed Kelley IV
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