We have been asked how the current strike is affecting our ministry in South Africa, so we wanted to give you a quick update. In a nutshell, teachers, healthcare workers and civil servant workers in South Africa are currently striking over pay.

The strike has not affected our Outreach Department, in fact we have a mission team serving with us and they’ve been out in the villages everyday for the past couple of weeks. God is using them in HUGE ways to impact people with the love of Christ.

Because schools are closed, our AIDS Prevention program has been affected by the strikes, all Leadership Summit classes this week were postponed and will be rescheduled when school resume. Some of our LaunchPad classes will also need to be rescheduled depending on their location.

We ask that you stand with us in prayer that this week will be the last of the strikes! We know God has big things in store for all of our programs for the rest of this year.

After their first week of relationship evangelism and children’s ministry, our team from Grace Christian Church had wonderful testimonies for the congregation of AFM Paballong church. The church was overjoyed by the stories of salvations and healings, and by how many kids came each afternoon hungry to learn about God.

Afterwards, Pastor Thito thanked and encouraged the team in return.

“Thank you so much for your testimonies. They are such an encouragement. Please know that we as a church will continue to pray for the families you’ve met, and the children that came to children’s ministry – that they know the Lord, come to this church, and become our next generation of leaders. Please also know that the seeds you planted will bear much fruit. Even if you don’t see it because you are returning to America, when you go to heaven God will be so excited to introduce you to the ones who are there because of the time you spent in Paballong. When you meet them, you will say Wow! Wow! Wow!”

Please pray that the seeds planted in Paballong continue to grow.

At Monday’s Hand in Hand conference, part of what God put on my heart to share with these church leaders and pastors was drawn from the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8:  The juxtaposed way that God responds to people entangled with sin verses the way that we in the church often do.  Jesus took the woman’s adulterous behavior and pushed it aside so that He could look straight into her heart.  When the Pharisees were demanding she be stoned according to the law of Moses, Jesus shifted their fury to an inward evaluation of their own sin and gave them a challenge- that the one without sin could throw the first stone.   We all know how the story ended, no one remained to condemn her.

Jesus looked at this woman and the Pharisees in the same way that He looks at us – passionate about restoring our relationship with Him and removing our shame, which because of the cross, isn’t ours to shoulder.  The challenge God put before us, as a body of believers, was to change our hearts towards those stuck in sin to be like His heart for them; one that’s not focused on punishment, one that doesn’t judge, one that seeks to restore ourselves and each other into a right relationship with God- a heart that seeks to break shame rather than create it.

We had an incredible day of worshipping and learning together.  And later that evening around 8pm, I received a phone call from one of the conference attendees.  She told me that she urgently had to share what God had done in her heart at the conference.  She explained that on several occasions her house had been broken into. Everything from her few valuables to the food from her cupboards had been taken.  And she was certain she knew who was to blame.  So she had plotted a foolproof revenge- to take their very lives.  But during this message God interrupted her plans.  He didn’t change her circumstances, but He changed her heart. She left the conference putting a stop to the revenge that had been set in motion.  And instead, she’s asking God for an opportunity to share His love with those who have stolen from her.

- Amy Riep, Director

Last week our village discipleship program graduated 70 students! The graduating students couldn’t have missed more than 3 classes, and received a certificate for their faithful attendance. Graduations are a fun time for us to celebrate with our students and praise God for all He has done in their lives throughout the last few months. Here are just a few of the testimonies:

LaunchPad has changed my life very much. After my father passed away I no hope in life because I knew that we had lost a bread winner in our family and my mother had no job. LaunchPad taught me about God and His will so I realized that God has His ways in life, there’s always time for everything. – Dintle

Since I came to LaunchPad I realized that forgiveness is the best medicine to a better life, and I also learned the fruits of the spirit. – Maki

I used to sleep without praying but now I pray at night before I go to bed and it’s all because of LaunchPad; I forgive those who do me wrong so that God could forgive me for my sins. – Dineo

We think that partnering with Thrive Africa through $10 Tuesday is the best thing you can spend your money on today.  Here’s why:

1. Because 93% of our partnering pastors report that sexual activity among their youth is a significant problem- and they’re asking us to help.

2. Your investment in Thrive is guaranteed to multiply.  As we invest in pastors and other church leaders, they become equipped to invest in others and bring lasting change to this nation.

3. Our LaunchPad students are learning to make prayer a life-style and experiencing what it means to never be alone.

4. 18 schools in QwaQwa participate in our IMPACT leadership conferences. Hundreds of schools are still waiting for the opportunity.

5.  We equip and mentor 23 coaches that impart hope and knowledge to approximately 4000 learners every two weeks.

6. Your $10 today impacts 80 students tomorrow by paying 2 coaches to be in 2 classrooms reaching an average of 80 students in one day with a message of hope!

7. The Department of Education has granted Thrive unlimited access to the schools in our entire district (over 300). Our limitation is the funds to pay for additional coaches and curriculum.  Your $10 pays a days’ wages for two coaches or for 5 curriculum books.

8. Treating your friend to a coffee date says that you care about her. Making a $10 Tuesday donation in her name says that you know she cares about others.

8. LaunchPad students come to our discipleship classes during their free time because they are hungry to know about God.  Your $10 helps us get to our 6 classes each week.

10. For less than a date-night at the movies- you can impact a life, a community, a nation. DO SOMETHING!

At our Boitsebelo LaunchPad class we have a small group of four girls, but Alicia and I have been able to really connect and pour into them.  In some ways, a small class is a blessing because it does give us the opportunity to mentor to them and to be older sisters to each of the girls.  I have enjoyed getting to invest in their lives as we equip them to be warriors for Christ.  During the first few weeks, the girls were very shy but now that we have continued to help draw them out of their shells they are really opening up and it is exciting to see them growing and blossoming.

Initially, the girls in our class were very shy.  Recently, they asked us to add some games to our class and to our complete surprise, they loved it when we did a team building exercise with a hula-hoop. It was amazing to see how some simplistic fun helped them emerge from their shells!

We also worship together in our LaunchPad class and initially the girls would argue over who was going to sing and what songs we would do.  In recent weeks, we’ve lead worship and introduced the to some English songs and there has been a breakthrough- now we get to watch each of the girls worshipping with their eyes closed and focussing on God rather than us or each other.

Seeing these changes in our class and in our students warmed my heart and God used that to remind me why we are there; to invest in their lives and bring them closer to God through discipleship.

- Alaina Mauch, Twenty4Seven Intern

Here at Thrive Africa it’s $10 Tuesday and we want you to know the Top Ten reasons that we’re asking you to join us in impacting South Africa:

1. One of our Basotho Coaches reaches 300 students with a message of hope each week.

2. One Hand-in-Hand conference equips 100 church leaders. We’re aiming to change what’s been said about the African church-  that it’s a mile wide and only an inch deep.

3. Boitsebelo School reported zero teen pregnancies due to the impact of Leadership Summit.  Their headmaster, Mr. Lebone said this: “Much has been done in terms of equipping students with tools and knowledge to make wise decisions. Example, during the past years we had several learners who got pregnant, but we don’t have even one learner who is pregnant this year.”

4. 160 Launch Pad students are developing connections with Christ and building relationships with our staff team .

5. Nearly 400 students participate in our quarterly IMPACT conferences where they are equipped and advanced as leaders.

6. Thrive is investing in 52 national staff members and combating the 88% unemployment rate. Your gift of just $10 on Tuesdays covers a day’s wages for two South African staff.

7. 50% of our surveyed students still need to know essential truths about HIV/AIDS. Our Leadership Summit program is breaking barriers of communication and providing vital knowledge to turn the tide of the AIDS pandemic in southern Africa.  We’ve made a lot of progress but the need is still great and we’re not willing to stop!

8. Developing a leader today is equipping a nation for tomorrow.

9. Why Thrive? Our ministry model, based on 2 Timothy 2:2, is to teach biblical truths to trustworthy people who will pass them on to others.  The fruit of our investment in South Africa is exponential because we extend our reach of God-centered change by raising up indigenous leaders who will model the same.  We believe in teaching men to fish rather than solely giving them a fish for today.

10. Your investment in Thrive Africa is about something bigger than growing wealth, it’s about growing leaders. Investing in what God is doing yields a much better rate of return than Wall Street – an eternal one.

What can you do on this $10 Tuesday to make a difference?

Have you ever agreed to do something and then realize you have no idea what you’re doing?  This happened to me when June, our Leadership Summit Director, asked me to pray with our Coaches during our healing workshop.  I had never been to a healing workshop and had no idea what to say or how to pray healing into someone else’s life. I also knew that our Coaches are dealing with serious issues and pain that goes deep.  But every time a Coach came to pray with me and shared a little of what they were struggling with the Holy Spirit stepped-in in a huge way.  I could feel Him prompting me to speak words and insights that were way beyond my knowledge and understanding and when I spoke them I could see their truth sink in.  Isn’t it incredible how in our inability He is able and that He continues to use us to speak truth into the lives of those around us.

- Aimee Hurtubise, Finance Manager

I’m thankful that God doesn’t sugar coat things for us.  He tells us in His Word that living by faith and following His direction will be tough (see James 1:2).  He uses words like trials, tribulations, and persecution.  So I don’t know why I still get surprised by hardships or momentarily discouraged by circumstances.  Like I did yesterday.  In the late afternoon hours our mission base was hit by a tornado and several cabins were destroyed.  When I stood looking at what is pictured above, I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. I felt angry that Thrive has faced so many challenges in the last 18 months and I was battle-weary.

But then I heard that still small voice inside me say, turn around. I did, and arching over my head was the most spectacular double rainbow I’ve ever seen- literally spanning the borders of our ministry home. My heart was immediately assured:  We can look at His promises rather than the wreckage, and press on. My heart was also full of thanks that no one was hurt and that the damage was minimal compared to the destruction that could have happened.

After grounding myself in what I know to be true about God, I went back to our Thrive community covenant to help steer my emotional response, which reads in part: “We live from the heart. Without passion, what we do means nothing… We laugh in the face of hardship and we press on in spite of opposition. We are enthusiastic about the task that God has placed before us. We maintain a positive attitude regardless of the condition or situation.”

Our ministry will not be hindered because of the damage. The remaining cabins provide enough housing for our upcoming mission teams and ministry guests.  We will press on, trusting in God’s provision to restore what’s been lost and to provide with abundance for every financial need Thrive has.

Today we are standing on Romans 5:3-5 which reads, “We also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has  poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Thank you for praying for us and standing with us!

- Amy Riep, Director

This week on the field blog, we will be highlighting testimonies from the Healing Workshop that we held with our Leadership Summit staff. Thank you for your prayers- our three days were full of profound moments with God and we were all impacted by His presence.  This first testimony is shared by Amanda Radebe, our School Administration Manager in the Leadership Summit Department.

“I knew that this particular workshop was going to be different. And it was confirmed when my director, June, asked me if I would be willing to pray with the Coaches when time called for it, at the leading of the Holy Spirit. I thought it was not going to be a big deal, it’s just praying. But the very first day of the workshop God was already at work. I was very nervous. I thought to myself that I couldn’t do it (begin praying without knowing what to pray). But I remembered that it was not by my power but by God’s power in me I could pray with the Coaches. So I surrendered to His leading and just listened for the Spirit leading me on what to pray about for them. It was incredible; it totally was the leading of the Spirit to be able to pray and speak into the lives of the Coaches. Even the hidden things that needed to be brought to light and dealt with, I was able to identify them and let them go and allow God’s healing power to work in me.

I realized again that in my time of weakness, when I surrender to the Lord, He is the one who will lead me into His will. And indeed He did just that.”

- Amanda Radebe, School Administration Manager for Leadership Summit