I find myself repeatedly responding to the question “so what did you think?” with the slow pensive response; “It’s overwhelming.” I said it after the elders meeting regarding the needs of the community. I said it and felt it on the drive back from our day at the Apartheid Museum. I say it and mean it after every time we drive out of the township.

It’s not that I’m feeling undone, but rather feel that very, VERY urgent need for the Lord to show up and be present or else… or else we will be undone! It was relieving to hear Pastor Philip say, “God must do it. It’s his work and we are just tools. He said it, so He must do it.” While I know this is true I am still tempted to allow disappointment to engulf me.

As we zoom in on our daily activities, like teaching computer classes or re-igniting the churches Food Pantry and kicking off the Gardening Project, I can’t help but look around and see the big picture and realize our best efforts are but a drop in a bucket of need that contains the ocean. I would like to convince myself that helping one person is enough… but I feel that would be a cop out of what I feel compelled to scream out, HELP! We need more people to come and do and love and share and give and partake. Yes, we have an amazing group of people supporting us and with us but we need more to join in. As a mobilizer I have visions of myself as William Wallace in Braveheart, waving the flag for the Scottish Nobles to join in at the battle of Falkirk but none of them are joining in. Yet I must fight these overwhelming feelings … and so like Pastor Tom Stark prayed over us when we were leaving the U.S., “Lord, they cannot solve all of Africa’s problems… but neither can they give in to despair…” and so we continue.

Lord, we need you to show up and bring some folks with.

Above- In Mamelodi with Pastor Vincent

Finally we are able to update. With many miles under our wings we are safely in South Africa. To attempt to try and touch on everything would be ridiculous but here is a brainstorm of highlights in a nutshell;
1. Annie got pooped on by a bird,
2. Ants LOVE our kitchen,
3. Language lesson; Umfundisi means pastor in Zulu. Maumfundisi means pastor’s wife in Zulu.
4. Gas is $5.80 a gallon…and we drive a 12 person diesel bus …but movies are only $3.75
5. We painted our house as the bright orange color was causing me to gag every time I walked in.
6. We love our team members and have not killed each other yet. Check out their blog www.mamelodistories.org for great updates and stunning photos. And check out Dave’s blog who is with the team for 2 weeks.
7. There are less than 660 days before the World Cup comes to South Africa.
8. The Powerhouse Church is a vibrant body of believers whom have made us feel so welcome and loved.
9. As we find our feet in the township it has been more encouraging and personally challenging then I could explain in words. To be honest we are feeling joyfully overwhelmed. The best way to attempt to explain it is by sharing an excerpt from Annie’s journal:

Today, I fear the Lord. For I met with his sons, and did not see myself in them.

We drove out to Temba to visit Pastor Philip at Ebenezer Bible Church. At Ebenezer we met Nthapeleng (Thapi), a young pastor. Sharp, critical thinker. speaks with understanding about the needs and weaknesses of the African church; he said, “we are all about saving souls, saving souls, but have no administration, and so it all collapses…Until the church can run efficiently, the impact it can have on the community will be minimal.” What a weakness to have! Oh, that the church in America could struggle a bit more with this one!… He longs to get some workshops on church administration in the area.
We asked Thapi if he is a full time pastor. He said he does feel called to full time ministry. He quit his job and was a pastor full time for a year and a half, until he could no longer feed his family, and so now he does both. He pastors a small church in Mandela Village, and works in construction. What a heart he has, it poured out of him as we spoke. That if you don’t have God, there is “no life, and no warmth in you. You become stiff and can’t move without God’s warmth. Life is un-livable.” And the way these pastors work together, and know each other! They say about their community, “this is my side, i must pray for all of these, that is your side, you must pray for all of those. what do you need from me? how can i help you? and can you help me with this and that?” …Why does this seem so foreign to me? Isn’t this how it should work? Mustn’t we be strategic about our work in the Lord?

Then Vincent took us to a place on the outskirts of Mamelodi, this small dust-plot with a few trees. Here, a pastor named Isaac is pouring out his life. We meant just to go see the place, but Pastor Isaac was there. He couldn’t stop pouring, and he broke my heart. I hope I never recover from this break. We hardly stepped out of the car and he was at our sides, still in his tie from work. Whether because we’re American, and that implies connection and possibility, or because he simply can’t ever stop himself, no matter the company (i suspect both are true) He started sharing the vision God has cast for him. He said God has filled him with passion for the elderly, and he needs to build an old-age home next to the church. Many in South Africa have no patience for the older generation, as they are quite set in their ways of ancestral worship, and are very closed off to the gospel (i’ve heard other pastors write them off, say we need to focus on the youth). Isaac says, the devil cannot have them. He says if they must die, they will die knowing Jesus. He says in this part of the township, they don’t send ambulances. So he must get some vans donated, and setup a call center, and go to pick people up when there are emergencies. And the hospitals send people home too early, so he must go to the hospitals and tell them, “let’s work together, give me a ledger of who you had to send home, and my church will go and care for them.” and he must build a hospice on this land for the sick, so he can feed them, because the old people don’t take their pills if they have no food to take them with. and when they have food with which to take their pills, and when they feel they are loved, then their bodies will heal.
And i knew as this man spoke, that when he dies, Jesus will know him. Jesus will welcome him home, a tired and beloved brother, whose work is done.

The beginning of a computer lab at Pastor Isaacs’ church

The church is the size of a small house, built of cinderblocks, with a corrugated metal roof. on the floor are a few carpet remnants, that must have been found somewhere along the road. they aren’t just dirty, they’re covered in actual gravel. So tomorrow (saturday) the youth will come out, and he and the youth will clean the carpets so that the elderly don’t have breathing troubles during service on Sunday.

We asked him, is he a full time pastor? He said he also has a job (apologetically!) and as if to explain, he said, “when God has blessed me with work, i must take it. I must keep this work, so that i can use my salary to build the church into what it needs to be. I must keep giving and building for now.”

But why are these brothers so tired? why are they doing the work of 10 men on their own? This family is broken. This family of God, it is not working as it should.
What will God say to us?

And whenever we leave them, they pronounce such blessings on us! they pray for us in such a way! Isaac said, “if more Americans like you could come! all we’ll have to worry about then, will be natural disasters that we can’t prevent. these manmade problems could be gone as they ought to be!” …and he said it with hope. he honestly did. more hope, i’m afraid, than i have at this time.

Whenever Vincent tells us of some issue at the church, some problem, he always says, “so then we started praying. We fasted and prayed for one week.” or, “that was a real problem, so we fasted 21 days, and prayed in the church everyday.” And then God shows up, teaches them something. When the church’s computer school kept getting broken into, they fasted and prayed. The problems stopped, and he said that God spoke to them, “you are too selfish. people outside of the church are hurting. they are robbed and broken. now you have tasted what they know, and you can minister to them.”

And, God forgive me, all I can see in my mind are the countless church meetings spent on milk. How do we entertain the youth better at youth group? is it yet time to re-paint the sanctuary? are the seats comfortable enough? how do we raise money for new ones? are we honoring people’s time, keeping services and meetings short enough, so that we know they will feel comfortable showing up? What about honoring God’s time? We can’t even take 30 minutes to worship him before hearing his word. why would he show up to really teach, fill, and bless us? we haven’t even the time to receive these things from him! what must he think of us? Oh God. Today I fear God. Today I am afraid. Are we the ones who will cry out to him, and will he know us?

Winter Road Trip
2,200 miles… it was 2 weeks on the road that brought quite a range of experiences down in the South. From a low country boil in Georgia to grits and gravy in North Carolina we loved it all! We finally got to meet Will Brown (far right) for the first time, whom is going to SA with us this year. We got to see old friends, spend good time with our interns for next year and met their families and church families! We got to share with churches, pastors, missions’ coordinators, individuals, and even got the chance to speak to a couple of 7th grade social studies classes in Georgia about South Africa! God opened doors in amazing ways.
To read Annie’s thoughts on our winter road trip experience click here.
One last shout out to all our hosts along the way; Bac & Hailey, Greg & Nicol, Sean & Kristie, Nate, Bec, Pip & Champ!

[I HEART AFRICA]
Our Valentine’s Party Fundraiser was a blast. The evening was filled with amazing live music, a silent auction, a real live date package auction and a photo gallery depicting life in Africa. Our good friends braved the cold and supported the event in their typical style. Thanks to everyone for making the night such a success! A special thanks to Nicole Red for all her hard work.
Check out pics of the night in our photo gallery collections right here!

As many of you know, AR has steadily been working on plans to build Church Orphan Homes throughout communities in Africa. The orphan home plans are completed and we thought it time we give you a glimpse of the model. God has been opening up doors with folks willing to come on board with this unique orphan care model.

While in Africa, we will be working with Pastor Vincent and others to make considerable steps towards building our first Church / Orphan Home / Skills Development Center. Our goal is to have it up and running by the World Cup 2010 hosted in South Africa. We need churches here in the US to partner with us in making this vision a reality; if you know of any churches who may be interested in finding out more regarding AR and innovative Orphan Care, please contact us! See video below of Pastor Vincent showing us the potential land for the Powerhouse Church in Mamelodi, South Africa where, Lord willing, the first Church Orphan Home will be built.

On a personal note…
Farewell Chicago! Annie and I leave Chicago at the end of May for Michigan where we will spend a month with family preparing to leave for Africa at the beginning of July! It’s exciting but terribly sad to be leaving behind our friends and family…if only they could all come with us! It seems that in our personal lives God has been challenging us to “count the cost.” In a time when so many choose part-time followership and easy discipleship we too easily forget that “when Christ bids a man, He bids him ‘come and die’” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
We have been on a Keith Green kick recently. We both consumed NO COMPROMISE and have his music collection playing 24/7! It’s been refreshing to have that kind of passion and commitment to Christ and His cause constantly washing over us. We are challenged by Keith’s crystal clear convictions and passionate obedience. We highly recommend reading his story and listening to his tunes. And it’s on this note we end this entry, with some of his challenging lyrics.

Last Words
“Make my life a prayer to you, I want to do what you want me to–
No empty words and no white lies, No token prayers, no compromise,…”
– Keith & Melody Green (full song lyrics here)

Summer and fall came and went and winter is now upon us. Oh how I dislike Chicago winters. Even the African sun in my bones fails to fight off the artic winds off Lake Michigan that come through the city.

Firstly, as many of you know; Annie and I are leaving Chicago for South Africa next year! Yes it’s true. We are leading our first official pioneering teams of interns to Africa for a year! When all things are considered, right now just seems to be the perfect time to do this, and we are both excited at the challenges this presents.

We also want to introduce everyone to Nate & Rebecca Clendenin (pictured above with us), from North Carolina. Nate first spent time in Mamelodi, South Africa doing an amazing photo journalism project for his Master’s degree…in fact many of our web images are a result of that trip. Desiring to return to South Africa for a longer time, Nate and Rebecca contacted us. Since then, this awesome couple have visited with us in Chicago, and are pumped to be a part of our team for ’08-‘09. We couldn’t be more excited to have two such solid people joining us for the year, launching the Africa Revolution internship program!
There are a few other folks prayerfully considering if a year in Africa, living in intentional community, is what God may have for them. As time goes on we will introduce them all to you. These interns are our Revolutionaries.

I would like to challenge those of you reading this to consider how you can be a part of this vital step in Africa Revolution’s mission. You may know someone considering going to Africa and you should pass on our info or you yourself might be considering going. To find out more about the internship program Click Here.
Some of you are unable to go and I seriously challenge you to be a part of this by supporting us as we seek to be fully funded for our time leading up to leaving, as well as our time in Africa. To find out more about supporting Annie and I click here or visit our site at http://www.allanandannie.com/


Yes I did say team”S”. Apart from the team to South Africa, we are also sending a team to Swaziland (see Swaziland on the map above). Swaziland holds the dubious title of having the highest HIV prevalence rate in the world (%48). Bulembu ministries, our partner ministry in Swaziland, is doing phenomenal work in their community. We are providing them with a team of revolutionaries to passionatly serve and learn for the year. To get a better idea about Swaziland and to find out more about our partners in Swaziland, watch their compelling video below.

As HIV/AIDS decimates communities throughout Sub Saharan Africa, now is the time to respond with the love of Christ. As we have been traveling and sharing I am more convinced than ever that awareness is a huge role in why AR exists. Not just awareness of poverty and suffering but of God’s call to His people to respond as they proclaim and portray His Love. I am continually challenged by Isaiah 58 and Amos 5 and the words of God to His people when it comes to the suffering of those around them. It is in following this Biblical mandate that I believe our interns are putting their lives on the alter before God. Pray for our teams, the communities we are going to, and the practicalities to overcome before we leave.

In closing I want to share some information I came across that might help you understand the context Africa Revolution is ministering in when it comes to HIV/AIDS.

World HIV Prevalence Map-
The map shows the distribution of all people aged 15-49 with HIV. In 2003, the highest HIV prevalence was in Swaziland, where almost four in every ten people, were HIV positive. All ten territories with the highest prevalence of HIV are in central and southeastern Africa!

Shoot us an email of encouragement. Continue to pray for us and join in with us.
Take care,

Last Words
“Self-righteousness is a subsidiary of legalism, and the mortal enemy of compassion and mercy. Grace, on the other hand, is the mother of compassion.”
- Bob Deffinbaugh

Annie and I are back from Africa and are enjoying the early days of our married lives. Despite my beloved bike being stolen and Chicago temperatures’ feeling like the inside of a pizza oven… life is good. God has been incredibly good to us. We have a cozy apartment down in the city across from the Tastee Freezz, which helps on these sweltering summer days.

We loved our wedding even tho we didn’t get to have a petting zoo or do any country line dancing like I hoped (…not really). It was pretty incredible to stand up there with Annie at my side and see so many faces we love and know from so many different circles and from all over the world. It really is unforgettable to have had so many of you share those moments with us… and dang some of you can dance; others get a gold star for effort.

We had a sweet honeymoon and work trip in Africa. Apart from the parasite-amoeba-bacteria Annie contracted… Africa was just great. We got to travel around a bit. We had alone times together and spent time with ministry friends and family. There really is no way to show everyone who made our wedding and honeymoon possible, how grateful we are… we are forever indebted to your kindness! We hope you can share some of the adventure and memories with us on our personal website (www.allanandannie.com). To see pics from this very awesome chapter in our lives click here.

The brand new Vito donated by Mercedes Benz

I like what I am Learning-
Partnerships- “Many people do care, they just need to get the vision and have an opportunity to bring what they can to the table”… is a lesson that I am slowly learning. It can be hard work building a non profit like this from the ground up and I confess to being discouraged sometimes…but I know the vision is powerful and the mission is good. In sharing this vision and challenging potential partners along the way I am surprised who comes along and gets involved when they “get it” and bring what they have to the table. Mercedes Benz South Africa stepped up to the plate when they decided to support Africa Revolution with the ongoing use of a Vito bus for our computer training program running in various townships throughout South Africa.

Our crew and donors at the hand over of the Vito at the Mercedes Benz headquarters in South Africa.
The program seeks to develop community members by training them in basic computer skills which in turn will open up avenues for job opportunities in the future. Thanks to the Lord, through Gabe and Rach over 120 people have received basic computer skills (word processing etc.) and 5 trainers will continue the program once they return to the States, making this a successful sustainable program. I just received their OFFICIAL “what we did in Africa” REPORT and it’s staggering how God has used this couple… not just in what they have done but the amount of people they touched and the lives they have changed forever. Thanks Gabe and Rach for bringing what you have and more to the table, thanks too Mercedes Benz!

Gabe and Rach at Graduation with one of their students.

AR things to look forward to this Summer

Yard Sale- Get involved in our Summer in the City Yard Sale to benefit the victims of a multiple shack fire that has sent community members seeking help from one of the churches we are serving in South Africa.

Bike Drive- Collecting bikes to support churches HIV Home based Care initiatives.

Art Benefit- Participate in our end of Summer Art Benefit for Africa.

Pray for the Revolution
As we seek out more staff and people to get involved, ask God to bring along called and willing individuals to grow the ministry. Pray for Annie and I as we pursue serving the Lord as a married couple and remain faithful to this mission. Ask the Lord to continually give us wisdom and provision as we direct Africa Revolution. We feel a renewed sense of dependence on Him… this is good! (p.s. There is a prayer gathering for AR the first Sunday of every month at 10am at our place for those of you who would like to join us.)

We love you guys… take care.

allan

Last Thoughts
“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” Proverbs 29:18

Ever wonder what a giraffe’s tongue looks like? Well now you know. [this moment sponsored by Rach and Gabe Dagani]

It is the end of March and Spring in the air… bringing love with it!
Life with the Revolution has been busy with 3 folks on the ground in South Africa, our first official board meeting under our belt and our internship program taking off… life has been somewhat of a whirlwind.

The team in Africa got off to an unbelievable start… seriously you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. But they are busy movin’ and shakin’ ! Since the beginning of February when they left Chicago on that insanely cold weekend they have been basking in the African sun. Evangeline has been finishing off her final internship while doing some ground work for our Orphan care ministry in South Africa. Check out her blog, a day to day window into her world. Gabe and Rach have been faithfully working in the churches building computer schools and training folks. I know some of you have been following their blog but if you haven’t, here is a snippet to pull you in…

“I feel like I’m also settling in to life in Africa. The slow, yet incredibly chaotic, pace of city life has begun to rest on me and I feel a great peace in being here. That’s not to say this is an easy place to live. I feel continually overwhelmed by the need and injustice here. Poverty is so striking that at times it takes your breath away- and it can wear you down. After spending a long day in a city called Soshanguve visiting schools, shanty towns and finally an AIDS Hospice, I broke down and cried for an entire evening. All that being said, after crying I felt a huge release. Crying seemed to remind me that my life is bound up with the people who work along side me; our lives are intertwined in the messiness of life and the glory of God. In those moments I feel great joy. Please keep praying for us…we need it.” – Rach

Here are some pics of the Computer Project in the Powerhouse Church in Mamelodi where Gabe and Rach spend most of their time. For more pics visit their personal blog

Here is how it works. Donated computers in the US are shipped over to SA. The computers are then fixed up and cleaned up by Gabe and the crew. Students come to the church everyday to receive free computer classes where they receive training in word processing that will open up avenues for job opportunities in their future. Students simultaneously receive life skills lessons and encouragement from the pastor of the church. This amazing opportunity is made possible by individuals like you, sending us your old computers, keyboards, parts and components. This development project aims to empower people so they in turn may develop their community. This is all done through the local church. This is a practical picture of holistic ministry.

As for me Allan, I have 8 more days till I get married!! The craziness is unreal. To all our single friends out there, we highly recommend eloping! Not even kidding. It’s been quite the journey from our engagement to now. God has moved in amazing ways but wedding plans can often times feel like you’re swimming through peanut butter. Yet God’s favor is so evident. I literally am living proof of Proverbs 18:22 “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives much favor from the Lord.” The favor has been poured on us in amazing and beautiful ways.
We will be in Africa for our honeymoon and will spend 2 weeks working there towards the end of our trip. This is Annie’s first trip to Africa and a pretty big deal as we pray God continues to envision the two of us together as we serve His Church in Africa. We are so excited!

Pray for our team
Of recent each of us has been feeling some serious spiritual attack in our personal lives and ministry. There have been some big frustrations, disappointments and difficult days. It is clear we are in a battle and the evil one is not pleased with our work.

Like constructing a building, this last year has been about digging deep and securing a firm foundation. Now as we rise above ground level we are excited for this next phase. Pray for us, pray as we turn this corner, from our focus being foundational development into tangible, practical steps. Get involved with our projects and continue to support us as we change gears.

Follow close, allan

*Monthly personal supporters are still needed for Evangeline and Allan. Please consider being a financial contributor and committed partner.

Last thoughts
“Biblical justice does not mean we should merely help victims cope with oppression; it teaches us to remove it.”
- Ron Sider

Welcome 2007! Can I still say that at the end of January? This year is already off to a crazy start. So much LIFE stuff is happening. The reality of getting married has hit me. The fact that Evangeline, Gabe and Rach leave for South Africa on Feb 5th thrills us. The truth that we survived our first year as an organization and are prevailing and thriving as we begin 2007 is living testimony that God is faithful. We are expectant for big things this year.


Christmas Party Fundraiser Review-
The Christmas Party Fundraiser was hosted at bLEND Café here in Chicago where we had a great turn out. The event was all that we envisioned it to be and more. Over $4,000 was raised! Some for our 501(c)(3), some to go to the much needed funding for ground work in Africa and some for the piggy bank. It was great to go out on a limb and get creative by doing a date auction, silent auction, live art and live music, but it was also important to us, to challenge people regarding God’s heart for the poor and help move them along the road to becoming advocates for this vision by extending our network. The greatest part of the evening was to look around and see our peers who have supported us throughout the whole first year, participating and pulling the whole thing together. Huge thanks go out to all y’all who made this event so successful. To the musicians, artists, bLEND, donors and dates for making our first Christmas Party Fundraiser such a bash.
The event was covered by a journalist and our friends from The Umbrella Mag – to read their write up click here. To see our pics from the evening visit the photo gallery on the main AR site. Photo Gallery


Feb 5th- Evangeline, Gabe & Rach leave for South Africa
As we see our vision move along it takes us to that scary next step where folks actually get on an airplane and end up in Africa. That’s kinda the idea right? Right!…but a lot goes into this…especially if you’re going for half a year! Quitting jobs, moving states, visa work, raising funds etc! Evangeline will be identifying our next steps on the ground as far as Orphan Care goes. Rach will be assisting her as well as helping us figure out the practicalities of implementing our internships on the ground. Gabe, the mad professor genius will be involved in further developing the computer training programs in several of the churches.

If you are interested in hearing from them while in SA, visit their blogs Dagani.Org & Dreaming For Africa and if you are interested in supporting them and their efforts… I know they would really appreciate it, please do so.

Evangeline and her friends. (they are counting the days till she gets back to see them.)

Church Orphan Home Plans are HERE!!!
From the AR vision and mission statement you can see that a huge focus of our vision is to Care for Orphans & Widows (Building Church Orphan Homes that provide 24/7 care in a loving family environment.) This orphan care effort will be focused in one centralized local church facility center per community. Months ago we drew up rough plans that encompassed all the necessary ingredients to fulfill the visions of the churches we serve in Africa. The first drafts of those plans for the building have come through from our volunteer architect in London. Clive is super gifted and draws in the Metric system…bonus. Clive has donated 100% of his time and skill into this mammoth task. Thanks Clive, we love you buddy!
We will build a multi functioning church center. The ground floor will be a church & community hall. The top floor will be the orphan home, providing innovative care to a capacity of 48 orphans and 10 caregivers; a good ratio & size to maintain healthy dynamics. Many caregivers will be widows and grandmothers who will live with the orphans. It has proved successful to place an orphan in the care of someone who knows their pain because they too have experienced loss. Attendees of the church form an extended pseudo family. The home has a family atmosphere of love, compassion and hope for a future; and so childhoods are restored.

The side of the building will be skills development rooms where interns will train people in computers, HIV/AIDS care and awareness, small business practice, tutoring, nutrition etc. Interns and community members will go out together and address needs in the community. This unique center will be a hub of holistic healing for the community. If any of you know of a church interested in partnering with an African church in an impoverished community, this might be what they are looking for. Let’s network, let’s talk.
(For those of you who like the details…click here to see the drafts! Floor plans 1. 2. 3. )

Clive and I in London in Oct 06, going over plans and ideas.

“Can an accident of longitude and latitude really decide whether you live or whether you die?” -Bono

This quote has really been on my mind since last week when Pastor Nyathi told us that this little girl, whom we visited, died due to health complications. When we saw her in May she was struggling. This family was literally starving when the church found out about them. Soon after, her little brother and she were left alone after their mother passed away due to AIDS. The church is doing what they can to care for the little guy. This is the church.

It’s been almost 2 months since the last post. Sorry folks, but this summer has been ridiculously busy. We’re burning the candle at both ends… between work, and weddings, it’s been crazy. But as you will read below, some really great stuff is happening. It seems like God is building our team and moving things along.

So what has been going on? We continue pursuing our 501(c)(3) status, which is such a huge deal, as you good folks need your tax deductions. We’re being incorporated, having our bylaws written and have our Board of Directors in place! So that’s the real hard work getting done around here.

I stayed with my old prayer partner / partner in crime, Gzegorz and his fam.

I had the opportunity to speak at a church retreat just outside of Ottawa in Canada at the end of last month. With six messages in hand, I was ready to bring the fire! After the second talk I lost my voice and submitted to using a mic. I shared about Africa and challenged people to consider being part of our internship program. I really enjoy speaking, and have been encouraged to do more of it. I’m working on my jokes but it’s usually a tough crowd out there or are my jokes really that bad? (so if any of you want someone to come to your church, university, small group, whatever, holler my way.) God really challenged me personally as I prepared and shared my small thoughts on His big vision for His Kingdom. I’ve fallen in love afresh with the story of the Good Samaritan. My heart shudders as I hear Christ’s voice say, “Go and do likewise.” This story is being burned on my heart in ways I never thought possible. I challenge you to go and read and meditate on it. Luke 10.

Further thoughts on this are on my personal blog.

So this is amazing news… we have a couple, whose beautiful wedding Annie and I attended this summer, coming alongside us in serving our partner churches in South Africa (Rach and Annie are actually best friends). Rachael and Gabe Dagani are going to Africa in February for half a year. Gabe will be mainly setting up the computer training classes (he is a computer engineer/teacher) and Rach will be helping do some of the groundwork for the internship program (she is a Mission Year Alum/case worker) as well as working with Evangeline and the other social workers to train care givers and help prepare the church for their soon to be Church Orphan Home. How cool to hear their passion for God and desire to serve the poor. And how awesome is it that they want to give the first fruits of their marriage to God in this way. Please pray for Rach and Gabe as they prepare for Africa 07, coz Africa is not for sissies!

Gabe and Rach met on a plane flight in Europe and this pic is from their stunning wedding this summer.

So what do you know about Africa?

Pastor Vincent praying over a group of school students at an assembly.

We also have an exciting visit from one of our African pastors this month. Pastor Vincent Nyathi is a pastor, preacher, and friend to the poor in Mamelodi, South Africa. He runs a vibrant church (with a really cool name, check it out; “The Power House”). He pastors in a black township set up by the then apartheid government northeast of Pretoria, South Africa. He will be joining us, here in Chicago at the HQ, for a lively evening with a presentation on “AIDS, Faith and Poverty in Africa” followed by a time of Q&A.

So be here! Wednesday 7pm, September 20th 2006. (see main site for more details)

For those of you praying for us and supporting us faithfully, we truly thank the Lord for you. We are so grateful for you being part of this vision and helping build its foundation. It’s not easy trying to get a rocket ship off the ground.

I know others of you personally may not be able to give like you may want to, but you are well connected and networked in ways we are not. Be advocates for this vision. Please get passionate with us in caring for orphans and giving people jobs so they can feed their families. We really want people to get involved one way or another. Tell folks about the internship program, donate an old computer, or support us financially. I challenge you to do something! Go to our projects page and see if there is anything in the list that you can help provide for… even here in our Chicago office. We have all sorts of pressing needs, from stamps to a digital projector. Click here to go to the Projects Page

Food for thought from Luke10:29

….But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Till next time, onward with the Revolution!

More than a month has passed since we have been back… and that exhilarating, breathtaking moment of driving through a herd of elephants back in Africa seems millions of miles away now. Our external worlds as well as our internal worlds have been turned upside down. Jenn is fixin’ to relocate to Chicago from Texas to move in with Evangeline. Evangeline is adjusting to not having her nice cushy job at Concordia and I Allan have moved out of Old Town to Humboldt Park, right across the street from them! Unfortunately I lost my good old roommates but my new crazy roommate is dave pontious from church (who incidentally knows more about American culture than any other person I have ever met).

Dave my new roommate. “You know it’s hard out there for a Pontious”
As far as Africa Revolution goes, so much is in the pipeline and so much is yet to be done!
-We finished drawing up the plans for the construction of the church orphan homes, (if you are interested you can look at it here. Church Orphan Home floor plan.)
-The internship program is in development and we begin recruiting soon.
-We’re filing to becoming a stand alone not-for-profit / 501(C) 3.
-We’re developing a board of directors to make sure we’re not crazy and to kick things into gear here.
-Partnerships are being pursued, and ministry contacts and friends are popping up all over the place. God is bringing the very best of help and advice from the most amazing people and ministries.

Shaping our internship program with Andrea from Mission Year
God is keeping us on our toes and teaching us some hard faith lessons at the same time! When I started this blog I said I would be honest…and quite honestly, personally it has been tougher than I thought it could be. It really does cost sweat and blood to do this. But, God shows up and encourages me forward. This verse I hear over and over and livin it out is so raw, painful and beautiful. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” matt6:33
Fortunately He also sent me Annie, whom has done a phenomenal job at keeping me relatively sane… Thanks Bella.
(fyi Michigan is quickly becoming one of my favorite states.)

So anyway, I promised a little more about our May trip to Africa and I really wanted you guys to hear about it from others in the team. So I asked Vandy (Evangeline) to share her experience with one of the churches we are working with. If you go to the Projects page on the AR website you can find out more about how we are currently serving this church.
Visiting Compass Point Community Church
We arrived in Soshenguve to find a couple waiting for us on the side of the highway in their tiny little car. Due to the lack of road signs they thought it would be best for us to follow them along dusty roads through twists and turns to their big old blue and white tent church. Little did we know how powerful of a ministry this couple has. With very little for themselves they continue to seek God for vital provisions to meet the needs of their community.

Our first meeting with them was a lot of listening…quite a bit of ewwing and awwing. Their heart for living out the Gospel by caring for orphans (like the grandmother and orphan pictured above), their community, and educating people on HIV/AIDS is remarkable. Through our conversation we heard something that carried us through the rest of our time in Africa. It goes something like this,
“80% of our community is HIV positive.”
“Wow, why so high”, one of us asks…
“Well it is because of the lack of education and a high level of hopelessness. For example, there is the thought that if you contract HIV the government will give you a monthly stipend, enough money that they can live off of and provide for their family. You see there is a hopelessness that says “if I am going to die anyway, and getting AIDS can help me provide for my family, then at least I can die knowing I provided for my family.” It is so sad because what people don’t understand is that their T cell count has to be so low to qualify… it is when they are almost on their deathbeds that they qualify. In reality when ones T cell count gets to the level that the government will start issuing checks they will pass on within a week.”

A child headed home in Soshanguve, South Africa.

This harsh reality keeps Jabylani and Constance walking door to door to help their community understand the facts about HIV/AIDS as well as praying, feeding, and clothing them. We had the privilege to meet many of the families that they visit on a monthly basis. For me it was hard seeing this 21-year-old female raising her daughter and four siblings. Unfortunately, she has AIDS and will more than likely die within a few months, handing over the household responsibilities to her next oldest sibling who is a 14-year-old female. This was not just a story that we heard or saw once but a reoccurring theme no matter where we went in many of these communities in Africa.

Jabylani and Constance use what ever comes their way to provide not only for their immediate family, but ultimately for God’s family. The last day we spent with them we walked their community, going from one orphan house to another. They had prepared for us to visit 12 houses and we only made it to 4. Exhausted, brokenhearted but inspired we were treated to a wonderful meal, fellowship and prayer time with folks from their church. By the end of the evening we we’re excited and in awe of this humble couple that God was using so mightily. I’m so excited to be serving this church and their community! P.s check out the Projects page!

A huge baobab tree in Zimbabwe. Hollow on the inside!

We had many more adventures in Swaziland and Zimbabwe that would be too much to mention in this post. We hung out with the coolest kids, laughed, sang and prayed till our hearts burst within us. I wish you could have been there.
Praying and singing up a storm at pastor Michael’s in Zimbabwe