Our Leadership Summit department recently hosted a luncheon for teachers and headmasters from our partnering schools. It was a privilege for us to be able to spend an afternoon pouring into the people that are so influential in the lives of the children in our area.

It was also exciting for us to get feedback from the teachers and headmasters. We love seeing how Leadership Summit affects students and, also, the teachers in real ways. One teacher said that it was “refreshing and energizing to be encouraged and appreciated” by our staff!

We’re excited to see all that God has in store for the students and the teachers in our Leadership Summit schools this year!

Have you checked out the new Thrive Africa store? If not, check it out here.

We have a brand new line of Thrive merchandise. From t-shirts to travel mugs and our very own blend of coffee—this must-have merchandise is a great way to support Thrive Africa. The proceeds from your purchases go directly to supporting our work in South Africa.

Be sure to check out our February Field Report that contains the following stories and updates:

• Thrive Africa Store Now Open
• Flash Point: IMPACT Conference
• Intern Adventures

We had a great time celebrating with our Outreach Interpreters this past weekend! We celebrated the fruit of last year, and spent time relaxing and refueling for our 2010 Mission Team season.

Our interpreters serve an instrumental role in supporting and equipping our missions teams–we couldn’t do it without them! It was a blessing to share this time with all of them.

Throughout all the challenges of the past year, the constant prayer of my heart has been for God to continue working mightily through Thrive. And He’s blown me away with His faithfulness. The fruit of lives changed by Him shows me so clearly that His hand is still at work.

I am excited about all the ways I see Him doing new things in and through us. I’m reminded again and again of Isaiah 43:18-19 – “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” The Lord has started a brand new chapter for Thrive Africa. We’ve entered a new season.

We are letting go of the past and moving ahead into the new things He has in store for us.

As a symbolic step forward, we’ve updated our logo. As we begin our twelfth year of ministry, we are excited about our new, fresh look. It stands as an ever-present reminder that the Lord is doing something new.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. God is using you to do something mighty in Africa!

We’d love to hear what you think about our new look!

Our leadership training conference has expanded to over 350 students. We’re looking forward to a year charged with energy and excitement, as they become our “Leaders in Action”. February 17th begins this season as a Flash Point of change. Radical change. Transforming students without hope, without dreams, without God to a whole new level. A life of purpose, a life of leadership, a life devoted to being a God follower who is the ultimate dream maker.

Join us in prayer as we begin this new season of change.

“Thrive Africa has taught me how to face the problems in the world and to respond.” – Ouma Buthelezi

“I have learned many things today, I am loaded.  I know who I am, I know why I’m here on earth, and I know how I can impact people around me.  I just want to thank God for bringing Thrive Africa and Hand in Hand into my life today.” – Amos

“I am so blessed to know that I am the Light and Salt of the world.  I’ve also realized that I don’t have to keep my problems to myself, others face them as well.” – Jermina Tsotetsi

“I learned that to be a light- it is a calling from God.” – Mathobisa Maria

“As leaders we must act like Jesus.” – Botodi Jan Khanye

“I have been revived through this seminar by having other preachers help through the Word of God.  I am blessed.” – L. S. Mosia

“I have reached a new understanding about being Salt and Light in the world – that I can impact my community and attract them to the Lord.” – Joyce Motete

“God is in this conference every time.  I always feel the Holy Spirit present in the Hand in Hand conferences.  Thank you for teaching me about Godly leadership.” – K. V. Malinga

“I felt changed by today’s seminar.  I saw God today.  I learned to read and meditate on the Word of God to be able to hear from Him and to realize my purpose.” – Engelina Tsholo

We had a great time at Hand in Hand on Monday! If you’ve seen the event promo video, you know that the theme for the pastoral development conferences this year is Salt and Light.

Here’s what some of the pastors had to say about the event:

“I have reached a new understanding about being Salt and Light in the world – that I can impact my community and attract them to the Lord.” – Joyce Motete

“I have learned many things today, I am loaded.  I know who I am, I know why I’m here on earth, and I know how I can impact people around me.  I just want to thank God for bringing Thrive Africa and Hand in Hand into my life today.” – Amos

“I have learned that I’m the Salt and Light of this world.  This makes me want to read and learn more from the Word of God.” – Motsoeneng Anna

We know so many of you were praying for this event. Thank you! Your prayers are making a difference in the lives of these African pastors and church leaders.

See more photos of the pastors conference here.

We serve a creative God. A God who demonstrates through His word and the world around us, that He is passionate about making all things new.  My prayer as we start a new year of ministry is that we will allow God to make us new- as individuals, as a community of believers, and as a ministry.

Part of being made new is also a call to to forget “the former things” (Isaiah 43:18).  The decision to let go of our expectations based on what has been familiar can be really tough.  But when we do, we give God permission to knock our socks off. We let go of our self-imposed limitations. We dream bigger and reach higher.

That’s what we’re doing this year at Thrive Africa.  Will you join us?

In Anticipation,
Amy Riep

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!