The Christian Lifestyle 2 by WeServe Media

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2017 – MARCH 2018

ON THE COVER

COVER STORIES

16 12 11 46 61 60

Meet the Wincklers: Heinz and Alette. Angus Buchan: A Word of Equipping for 2018 Summer Gifts: 9 Faith-inspired Ideas A Guide to Christian Education I Found Jesus and Forgave My Abusers Marriage: It’s a Big Deal to God!

As two influential entrepreneurs with independent careers and a bustling family life, Heinz and Alette JohanniWinckler are making their mark for Christ in their local community. Read more about this dynamic pair on pages 16 – 19.

GROWTH 12 13 26 36 52 76

REGULARS

SPECIAL FEATURES

5 Contributors 6 Publisher’s Note 8 Editor’s Note 10 Have Your Say 13 Salvation 40 Pastoral Interview 43 Parenting 58 Celebrating Singles 60 Marriage 64 Health 66 Youth 68 Movies 69 Kids 70 Books 72 Local News 74 International News

11 14 20 22 23 24 28 30 35 38 42 44 48 56 61 62

Get Ready for The Last Days What is The Sinner’s Prayer? Called to Stewardship Hope For the New Parent The Christian Life: Serving Ourselves or Others? Seven Scriptures to Encourage You Through Trying Times

Summer Gift Guide Never Ever Stop Writing Turn Your House into a Home Industrial Chic Living The First Christmas Christian Camping For the Love of African Jazz The Camino De Santiago Saving Abandoned Babies God of the Broken The Orphaned Child The Sounds of the Nations The Prayers of our Teachers Summer Fashion and Beauty Tips Why is God Punishing Me? Serving Others One Image at a Time

GIVEAWAYS 36

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CONTRIBUTORS

Meet some of our magazine’s amazing volunteer contributors! Want to write for us? Email info@weservegroup.co.za and we will send you our writer’s guidelines. PUBLISHER WeServe Media (Pty) Ltd DIRECTOR AND SALES Juanita Fortuin MANAGING EDITOR Tamsyn Cornelius ADVERTISING SALES Thirusha Abrahams GRAPHIC DESIGNER Fiona Milligan

CONTACT DETAILS GENERAL: info@weservegroup.co.za SALES: juanita@weservegroup.co.za SUBSCRIBE: subscribe@weservegroup.co.za TEL: 081 514 5992 WEBSITE: www.weservegroup.co.za CONTRIBUTORS Angus Buchan, Angus Cornelius, Tamsyn Cornelius, Jenny Cupido, Candice da Rocha, Shaveh Feder, Juanita Fortuin, Ester Fourie, Karen Kingsbury, Loren Lee Langenhoven, Richard Mee, Rona Miller, Nicole Pitt, Melanie Stipp, Robyn Tichauer, Hein Van der Merwe. WRITE TO US The Christian Lifestyle Magazine welcomes manuscripts for articles, but only after the author has first consulted with the editor via email with a short description and article brief. We will contact you if we are interested in the article. WeServe Media (Pty) Ltd retains the right to publish articles as per our selection process. Writer’s guidelines are available upon request. The views expressed in articles and letters are the responsibility of the respective authors and not necessarily the views of WeServe Media (Pty) Ltd and The Christian Lifestyle.

ROBYN TICHAUER Robyn was raised in a church-going family with three older brothers. It was only as a young adult that she truly grasped the beauty and meaning of having a relationship with God. As life goes, Robyn experienced some trauma and when she decided to take the healing journey with God, her eyes opened and she hasn’t been the same since. “I’ve been broken and I’ve experienced God’s love and I want that for other people!” Robyn has a self-professed monkey obsession (borderline addiction) and owns 23 monkey teddy bears (gasp!). Her passions include cooking and being out in nature. NICOLE TAH-NEE PITT Nicole spent much of her childhood between two homes – in East London and Cape Town. After completing high school, she made the permanent move to Cape Town where she completed her Masters in Research Psychology. Recently married (yay) Nicole is thriving as a young wife and is passionate about issues related to mental health and wellness. “I believe we need to take care of our ‘temple’ on all levels – physical, mental and spiritual.” Nicole enjoys an active healthy lifestyle but can never say no to chocolate. She also admits to having more pairs of high heels than anyone she knows! HEIN VAN DER MERWE Hein was born and raised in the northern suburbs of Cape Town where he continues to live and teach kids at a special needs school. He is currently completing his honours in Educational Management. “Being a nature lover, I frequently find myself running, hiking and exploring various hiking routes in the Western Cape.” Hein also recently ventured abroad and you can see his travel pics on page 30! Hein loves to sing, even though he may not know the lyrics of songs. He admits that it is probably not in tune, but ‘as yet I haven’t noticed that myself!’ LOREN LEE LANGENHOVEN As an only girl with five brothers, raised by a single mom, Loren can honestly say that wearing her brothers’ ‘hand-me-downs’ was a blessing in disguise. Today she is living her dream as a stylist and she enjoys mixing and matching old with new and teaching people ways to style whatever they have to best suit their personalities. Loren launched her business ‘StyleByLoren’ in 2014. “I am extremely passionate about people, styling and entrepreneurship.” Behind the scenes, Loren is a self-proclaimed entertainer and loves acting the fool to have a good laugh, whether it’s alone or with friends. THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

SEEK FIRST GOD’S KINGDOM… Thank you to our faithful advertisers featured throughout this magazine. Here they are in alphabetical order. Alexandria Christian Academy Bible Institute of South Africa Bolton Footwear B3 Concept Design & Interior Cornerstone Institute Crest Trust Fudiciary Services Fiona Milligan: Freelance Photography, Graphic Design and Writing Grace Primary School Goodland Camp Harvester International Ministries HeronBridge Retreat Houte-Kop Braai and Firewood JuToFo Closet Kontos and Associates Maranatha Retreat and Conference Centre Mukhanyo Theological College MyFiladelfia Biblical Institute Pilgrimage Tours River Bible Institute Scripture Union Books Stoney Ridge Camping and Conference Centre TEE College TC Editorial Services Trafalgar Tours Tranquility Home Rehabilitation Clinic Travel Time Tours U-Leap Vineyard Christian School

To advertise in an upcoming issue, contact Juanita Fortuin on 081 514 5992 or email juanita@weservegroup.co.za. 6

Juanita with her daughter, Tovah

“But seek first His kingdom and

for the Kingdom and not become

His righteousness, and all these

weary in doing God’s labour during

things will be given to you as well,”

the busy holiday. Matthew 6: 19 - 21

(Matthew 6:33).

beautifully says, “Do not lay up for

This Scripture has resonated

yourselves treasures on earth, where

with our entire team and we know

moth and rust destroy, and where

that this is the message that The

thieves break in and steal; but lay up

Lord wants to share with all of you

for yourselves treasures in heaven,

through this, the second issue of The

where neither moth nor rust destroys

Christian Lifestyle Magazine!

and where thieves do not break in

It’s finally yearend and that means that we have so much to be profoundly grateful for. The good

and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Where is your heart today dear

Lord spared us through another year,

reader? God is a very present God,

through mountain highs, valley lows,

always ready to attentively listen to our

rivers deep and even when the light

prayers and answer them accordingly.

shone brightly… He was there! And

Don’t give up in prayer. Arise in the

He took care! All glory to Him.

AM with thanksgiving and in the PM,

We are delighted to present to you

return to bed with thanksgiving. The

the highly anticipated second issue

key to our daily living lies within our

with exciting stories and amazing

‘Thank You Lord Jesus’.

advertisers. Many thanks for your

As you turn the page, may the

continued interest in our mag, and if

good Lord turn your mourning into

this is the first time you’re joining us

dancing, your pain into gain, your

– welcome and cheers!

sorrow into a brighter tomorrow,

As we approach the festive season, we trust God to shadow us under

your shame into fame, and your sin in the bin!

His wings and to keep us safe from

God bless and enjoy!

all harm. And as we enter into the

Juanita Fortuin,

New Year, may we continue to work

Founder

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

EDITOR’S NOTE

I look back over the past three months and can hardly believe that we are already on our second issue of The Christian Lifestyle Magazine. We have received many amazing reports on how the magazine continues to impact individuals and we are thrilled to present this newest issue, in time for 2018. We are excited to feature Heinz and Alette Johanni-Winckler on our cover – a pair who love God and have chosen to swim against the stream to fulfil their calling through music, business and ministry in South Africa. As you turn the pages, be encouraged by the real-life stories of individuals who have chosen to trust God through trying times. Read about those who have triumphed through abusive relationships (page 61), received breakthroughs from addiction (page 38) and found new life after being orphaned (page 42). Be encouraged by a ‘God Word’ for 2018 from renowned evangelist Angus

Buchan (page 12) and find inspiration to live out your own purpose through the powerful story of bestselling author, Karen Kingsbury (page 14). May your faith be lifted, and your prayers be answered as you seek God for yourself and read about the works and wonders of Christ in action in our local communities. And remember to write to us and let us know about those stories that make an impact in your life. You can email us at info@weservegroup.co.za. Know this: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing,” (Zephaniah 3:17). Tamsyn Cornelius Managing Editor Follow me on Facebook: TC Editorial Services

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

LETTERS

Congratulations to the following winners! • •

Ingrid Watermeyer – Pantum P2500W Laser Printer from Ink & All Cara Bosch – The Shack Paperback from Struik Christian Media

After the launch of our first issue in August 2017, we received some amazing feedback from readers all over the country. This is what you had to say: RELEVANT “Thanks for the well designed and informative magazine. The articles are spiritually relevant with enough local flavour to build the church in South Africa!” Aje Pelser, Western Cape

BEAUTIFUL “Wishing you God’s blessings on your beautiful magazine.” Jannie - Pilgrimage Tours, Johannesburg

EYE-CATCHING “I loved the cover, eye-catching. Then I paged through the magazine and found a number of useful articles to encourage me, like the ’12 Powerful Verses to Pray over our Children” along with many others… too many to mention. Looking forward to the next one. Great job and keep it coming! Mervyn Petersen, Brackenfell

INSPIRATIONAL “This magazine is filled with inspiration, encouragement, life advancing and interesting articles... and so much more! This is no ordinary magazine!” Judy Smith - Yada Ministries, Pretoria

PROFESSIONAL “Congratulations on your first issue!! #amazing #awesome #professional” Werner du Plessis – Gauteng

INFLUENCE “Really love it! Congrats on this maiden voyage! May God give super-abounding grace of influence!” Ernie Smith – Gauteng Have something to say? Send us an email with your thoughts to info@weservegroup.co.za and the winning letter will be published in our next issue and you could win copy of ‘The Prayer of Protection’ by Joseph Prince – thanks to Struik Christian Media. 10

MONEY MATTERS

We asked Certified Financial Planner, Donovan Adams from Chartered Wealth Solutions to answer some of our readers’ financial questions.

QUESTION: I am just befuddled about Christians who proclaim the gospel of prosperity and yet there are many poor Christians in Africa. I just want to know how I am supposed to help those people and also enjoy a great life where I would never be in need of money ever again? Dhanalutchmee Mootyen – Mauritius

DONOVAN’S ANSWER: I firmly believe that any “prosperity gospel” teaching is false doctrine. Faith in Christ Jesus is an incredible free gift from God resulting in our justification (saving) from sin. This is the true gospel and is really good news to us sinners! God has done everything. We do nothing to earn our salvation. Paul explains this in depth in Romans. Sanctification, however, is the ongoing out-working of God’s saving grace in our daily lives. Good stewardship of our money is part of our sanctification. Tithing is part of good stewardship. Pray for organisations or churches to partner with financially, and continue to steward your money well. Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim 6:6).

GET CONNECTED... For news, reviews and updates from The Christian Lifestyle Magazine, follow us on social media: @christianlifestylemagazine The Christian Lifestyle Magazine @tclifestylemag

GIFT GUIDE Check out some of our top gift ideas for the season ahead – presents to lift your spirit and feed your faith! WOW HITS 2018

LOVE STORY From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes a new book featuring everyone’s favourite family—the Baxters. The perfect summer read!

THE MR & MRS COLLECTION Make his or her day with a stylish mug or gift a special couple in your life with the set!

2018 PLANNER

Keep your music collection updated with the latest WOW Hits 2018 Deluxe Edition, featuring 36 of today’s top Christian artist’s and hits. Now available from SU Books.

Get organised with a stylish 2018 diary or daily planner in an array of stunning prints. We particularly love the lux leather daily planners in turquoise and pink now available from CUM books. Stay scheduled with space for daily appointments, prayers and priorities.

FOR THE KIDS THE INSPIRE PRAISE BIBLE With striking line-art illustrations to colour in, this beautiful Bible is the ideal gift with nearly 500 all-new full and partial-page Scripture illustrations.

Teach your children valuable life lessons through a fun new Veggietales adventure – The Penniless Princess – now instore at SU Books.

ALWAYS BE JOYFUL This cutting board is a beautiful addition to your kitchen and a constant reminder to give thanks this summer! Featured items are available from www.cumbooks.co.za or www.subooks.co.za. THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

GET READY FOR THE LAST DAYS A word of encouragement and equipping for 2018. By Angus Buchan I am always excited about the future, because for any God-fearing Christian the future is good news. Paul says in Philippians 1:21 (NKJV): “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” In other words, you cannot frighten a Christian with heaven; if we live, we live for Christ and if we die, we go home. However, after having said that, I also feel that we are living in the last days and things will not get easier for the believer, but the Lord has promised us very clearly in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

FIND YOUR STRENGTH IN GOD Things will get harder and what I am very excited about is that there will be a distinct line between believers and unbelievers. There will be no place for nominal Christians; churchgoers who have no relationship with Christ. I really believe that this is a time where we need to strengthen our relationship with God and we need to have extended quiet times. We need to read our Bible in the first person by putting our names in the scripture verses, for example: “The Lord is Angus’ Shepherd, Angus shall not want.” (Psalm 23) I have been reading The Bible like that for many years and God continues to reassure me, guide me, direct and indeed comfort me through my darkest tests.

DO NOT COMPROMISE Remember the Lord has also promised us He will not allow us to be tempted above that which we are able. In other words, He will not allow anything that we cannot handle in His strength to come upon us, but it is not a time for us to live a compromised lifestyle. Those who would try and serve two masters will surely fail. Jesus says in Matthew 12:30 (NKJV), “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.”

BE READY 2018 will definitely come with many changes and we need to be flexible, and ready to adapt without compromising our stand for Christ. 12

2018 WILL DEFINITELY COME WITH MANY CHANGES AND WE NEED TO BE FLEXIBLE, AND READY TO ADAPT WITHOUT COMPROMISING OUR STAND FOR CHRIST.

People who love the Lord will really have to be strong for those who are still seeking Him. There will be a great influx of believers into the Kingdom of God in the last days - more than ever before, since the beginning of the world. The Lord does not want

one person to be lost, but He wants all to be saved. This is clearly stated in Romans 10:13 (NKJV), “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

BE AN EVANGELIST Soul winning is not to be left only to those who are called to be evangelists, every single one of us who knows Jesus Christ is a soul winner. Our lives need to be directed to that ministry. We need to also be very careful where we are putting our effort, our strength, our finances and our talents into. This world is not our permanent residence. We are here for a very short while and then we will be going on to eternal life in Heaven. There is a place called hell too! Jesus spoke about it. To define the difference between heaven and hell, is quite simply: “Heaven is to be with Christ and hell is to be without Him.” I couldn’t imagine living without the Saviour of the world ever again. So, may God bless you as you face 2018 with optimism, joy and excitement, but remember that being forewarned is to be forearmed. So, prepare yourself for the last days. God bless, Angus Buchan About the Author: Angus Buchan is a dynamic local evangelist who heads up Shalom Ministries in South Africa.

SALVATION

WHAT IS The sinner’s prayer is a Christian term for a prayer that is said when someone wants to repent of their sin, ask God for forgiveness and state belief in the life, death, and saving resurrection of Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9-10 says that “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Millions have come to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ through church services, friends, and family leading them in a salvation prayer. However, it is not words in a prayer that save. Jesus Christ alone has the power to save through faith. Here we share one of the original prayers of salvation, as uttered by King David in the Book of Psalms. If you want to enter into a real and meaningful relationship with Christ, pray the below prayer, confess your transgressions and turn away from your sinful lifestyle. We encourage you to get into contact with your local church group and connect with other believers who can help you along this journey of faith.

SINNER’S PRAYER FROM SCRIPTURE

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

(Psalm 51, King David) “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are proved right when You speak and justified when You judge. Surely I have been a sinner from birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me… Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow… Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Then will I teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will turn back to You.”

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

The life of #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, Karen Kingsbury, will inspire you to pursue the God-given passions in your heart.

Karen Kingsbury is an award-winning inspirational storyteller and novelist with over twenty-five million copies of her books in print worldwide. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. This is her story.

My heart overflowed with stories. But the practical side of writing looked like journalism, which I studied through high school and college. There was a point

THE EARLY DAYS

in my freshman year at Pierce College when I actually decided

I was born in Fairfax, VA, the oldest of Anne and Ted Kingsbury’s five children. I was hooked on Dr. Seuss from the first time my dad read me ‘The Grinch Who Stole Christmas’. I had the story memorised by the time I was five. We moved often because of my dad’s computer programming job with IBM. Maybe it was the moving that truly underlined my love for reading. In books, I found friends I never had to leave. When I was 10 years old we left Michigan for California, where we stayed for the next two decades. The beach was just thirty minutes away over Malibu Canyon, and there on the shore of the Pacific Ocean I dreamed about being a novelist.

I was sick of writing. I would be a lawyer, a prosecutor. That year I took an English class and three weeks into the semester, Professor Bob Scheibel ordered me to the front of the room. Bob was a surly old journalist with a lifetime of experience. He ran the school newspaper. He pointed at me, real sharp-like, and said, “Are you Karen Kingsbury?” I felt my knees tremble. “Yes, sir.” “Two things.” He looked over the glasses at the end of his nose. “First, you will never ever stop writing. And second, you’re on staff.” There was no arguing with Mr. Scheibel. And like that my future was set. After graduation, I immediately started work as a sports writer for the Los Angeles Times. I covered high school sports initially, but quickly I began seeing bigger stories, deeper stories and I earned a reputation. If a story needed tears, my editors would give it to me.

Find out more at www.karenkingsbury.com.

TRUE LOVE About that time I met the love of my life, a blonde, blue-eyed California boy named Don, a guy with one driving passion – to live his life for Jesus Christ. He brought a Bible to our first date and asked me if we could read Philippians together. I didn’t know a Philippian from any other “ippian” and seriously I thought he was crazy. But he was cute and clean-cut, so I put up with the Bible reading. Three months passed and the tension in our “Bible” conversations grew. I couldn’t defend my viewpoints, my worldly values I’d accumulated over the years. Finally, I’d had it. One afternoon standing outside his car I took his precious, underlined, highlighted Bible and I threw it on the ground. Split the binding right down the middle. Don picked up the pieces, gave me a sad look, and drove off. I figured the ground would open up and I’d be headed straight for … well, you know. Instead, God allowed me to get in my car and drive to a Christian Bookstore, a store I’d driven past all my life and never, not once stepped inside. There I bought a Bible and a concordance. I went home to my apartment and set about making a case for my man made beliefs. Instead, I could hear God saying, You can either fall away with your unfounded views on life, or you can grab onto my Word and never let go. I grabbed. I’m still holding on, still standing on that rock today. I’ll be devoted to God’s word the rest of my days.

Don forgave me and we joined a non-denominational Bible-believing church. We attended a weekly Bible study and a few months later we were baptized. It was the same week Don proposed to me. The two of us were married on July 23, 1989 and on our sixth-month anniversary we found out I was pregnant – though that was certainly not our plan. I figured I’d never know this child – too busy working long days at the newspaper. Don simply rejoiced and said, “We need to pray. God will show you a way to write at home. He can do that!”

PRAYING FOR A WAY Over the next nine months I prayed doubtfully, Don prayed faithfully. We prayed the Lord would allow me to make my salary from home. An unlikely request at best. During that time I sold a story to People Magazine – a sad true murder story I’d covered for the newspaper. A literary agent in New York contacted me and thought the story would make an interesting book. I agreed to write a proposal. At the time, I didn’t see my conversation with him as part of God’s plan. But three days before my return to work the agent called again. He told me to sit down. He had gotten my proposal into a bidding war and the resulting deal was beyond anything he had hoped for. The first check? Just $12.49 more than I made a year. I quit my job the next day. I’ve been home writing books ever since.

PLAN ‘A’ Over the next few years I wrote four true crime books – not my favourite topic. After that I couldn’t write about another murder. I begged God to show me what was next, how I might find my way back to that long ago ‘Plan A’ – being a novelist. In 1995 I read Francine Rivers’ book, Redeeming Love, and I knew I wanted to write books that glorified God for the rest of my life. That spring I wrote my first novel – Where Yesterday Lives. I had no agent willing to represent it, and no publisher. Thirty rejection letters followed. The publisher I’d worked with for the crime books said they loved it – but without sex scenes and strong language, they didn’t know what to do with it. I pressed on, praying and believing. A year later I received word from Multnomah Publishers – they wanted my book. And two more. At least. At the same time we welcomed our third child. Over the next few years we decided to add to our family in a way we had never planned. We adopted three little best friends from Haiti – Sean, Josh, and EJ. Today our family is healthy and happy and whole. Don is still the love of my life, still pulling me aside for a little Bible reading and still the best father to our nearly grown children. And I’m still certain that my professor from that distant freshman English class was right. I’ll never, ever stop writing. THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

We recently met with Heinz and Alette-Johanni Winckler in their Somerset West home to chat about their family life, music and calling to minister in South Africa. By Tamsyn Cornelius 16

COVER STORY

A fragrant array of Springcoloured flowers usher me up the steps of the Winckler family home, where singer-songwriter Heinz Winckler resides with his image consultant wife, Alette, and their three growing sons Lian, Simeon and Reuben. From behind a bold red front door, I hear the joyful noise of boys being boys, and I am greeted by a beaming Alette, armed with hugs and a vibrant energy as she welcomes me inside and into her creative work studio. As two influential entrepreneurs with independent careers and a bustling family life, Heinz and Alette are surprisingly cool, calm and collected. Alette is a renowned stylist, author and inspirational speaker while Heinz is no stranger to the spotlight as a multi-awardwinning singer-songwriter, actor, author… and the list goes on! With so many creative initiatives going on, the couple tell me that their real passion is actually to see people set free through Christ and rooted in their local church. “God first, then family, and then everything else,” explains Heinz.

DISCIPLESHIP SAVED MY LIFE As a household name, Heinz will always be remembered as the very first winner of South African Idols in 2002. Over 15 years later, however, there is much more to the man behind the microphone. “It has been a long road,” admits Heinz. “After Idols happened, all the issues and struggles I had in my Christian walk became pronounced.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

Suddenly my entire life was in the public eye and I felt really guilty about what was going on in my life.” God then sent a local pastor to connect with Heinz and introduce him to a new lifestyle of discipleship. “At first, I wanted nothing to do with discipleship,” Heinz laughs. “I didn’t want to talk about those struggles I was really facing… those things that I had kept secret!” Despite a hesitant start, Heinz agreed to the meeting and this sparked a long-term discipleship relationship. Heinz elaborates: “Through the process of being discipled, I received healing from my past and I realized that I needed to be held accountable and walk with someone. Discipleship really helped me enter into a deeper level of what it means to be a follower of Jesus, and this redefined my spiritual walk and saved my life!” Today the couple are strong advocates for the work and ministry of the local church. “I believe the local church is Jesus’ plan for His bride – this is where God works and His blessings flow,” explains Heinz. “I believe we all need to be a part of a local church family… not where you feel good, but where God sends you!”

me to Heaven. I needed to make a

(also the bassist for Tree63) as well as

decision to serve Jesus for myself,”

top musicians such as Paul Mabury.

explains Alette. Today, she admits that

He also had the opportunity to

God is still her first love.

recreate the well-known ‘Let It Rain’

INTENTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

“We want to let others know that

Alette now runs a vibrant business which can also be viewed as a ‘ministry’ to women, in which she

worship song with its original author, Michael Farren. As Heinz’s first Christian

offers image consulting and styling,

contemporary album, songs such

makeovers and inspirational talks to

as ‘Lord Have Your Way’, ‘Follow’,

ladies of all ages, especially those who

‘Who Reigns’ and many others easily

have lost their sense of style and are

communicate his soulful style and

unsure of what to wear. Her aim is to

heart of worship. With a few Afrikaans

speak to the confidence of women –

tracks thrown in, Heinz continues

encouraging the mothers, sisters and

to appeal to a broad South African

daughters in society – and challenging

audience with lyrics that touch the

toxic mindsets.

heart and openly honour Christ.

Alette has also written three selfhelp and motivational books aimed at women, and co-owns a lullaby range consisting of English and Afrikaans music on CD and DVD aimed at children, as well as her Lulla-Bible (also available in Afrikaans as ‘LullaBybel’) which has sold more than 39 000 copies in South Africa, USA, Australia and the UAE, making her a two-time best seller. She also hosted her own makeover programme on DSTV where audiences got to see her dynamic personality in action. Together the Wincklers are also passionate about empowering Christian couples in their marriages.

After 11 years of wedded bliss, marriage and family rank very highly on the Wincklers’ priority list. Alette explains that they absolutely love the energy of three developing boys in the house, but the couple agree that they need to be intentional about how they spend their time and invest in their relationships as a family. “Our relationship with God is key for our marriage,” Heinz says while pointing to Alette… “which in turn is key for the life and dynamics of our family,” he concludes.

with God as the lead, you can have a healthy marriage and family life.” The pair can often be found ministering together – Heinz through song and Alette through motivational talks and singing back-up vocals to her celebrity husband. They are a dynamic duo, working on various projects (together and apart) to bring glory to their Heavenly Father.

A CALL TO WORSHIP

Heinz attributes the success of the album to faith and obedience, as well as a close personal walk with God. He admits that He has long since wanted to produce a Christian album, but that he had to be obedient and wait on God’s timing. It took almost a decade before this album was realized! “I cried before the Lord and I said YES many years ago – thinking that it was time to do a worship album! But the answer I felt in my heart at that time was a resounding NO, which I later realized was God saying, ‘Not Yet’.” Nine years later ‘The Roar’ came into being, and Heinz testifies to the miraculous work of God in guiding him through the production of this album – right down to the finances needed to record it. “God desires a broken and contrite heart that says, ‘Lord your will be done, and not mine!’” He says the album formed part of a God-move for their family. First, the Lord led him to leave his former recording label, and then with finances running low, God showed him that the time was finally right to produce a worship album. At the same

Heinz’s passion for Christ couldn’t be

time, God was orchestrating for the

more evident than on his latest album

Wincklers to move to the Western

‘The Roar’, written and produced in

Cape where they would buy and

SERVING JESUS AND OTHERS

Nashville, Tennessee (the capital of

renovate a house.

“Even though I grew up under the pews (Alette’s parents and grandparents were in ministry), I knew that that fact alone would not get

Christian music) in 2016. Here he

“The album formed a part of God

had the honour of working alongside

guiding us into a whole new season

renowned Christian influencers

– uprooting us from our home, and

including producer Daniel Ornellas

bringing us to the Cape.”

COVER STORY A GOD-JOURNEY Alette and Heinz testify to the fact that the entire process of relocating to Somerset West and renovating their house was part of a God-journey – stepping out in faith and trusting God to take the lead. Today, the very house we are seated in is immaculate – inside and out – and I can’t help but compliment the couple on the beauty of their home. There is a real sense of humility when Heinz shakes his head and responds: “Everything you see here (he points to the beautifully renovated interior) … we did not deserve, but God made a way for it to happen. He provided even in our darkest hour! What nobody really knows is that we too have had hard times, but God is faithful and He always provides.” I am reminded of the Scripture that reads, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 4:19).

ROOTED TO SOW The Wincklers are trusting that God will continue to direct their path, and for now, this path has lead them to Cape Town. Who knows what the next step will be but “we are exactly where we are supposed to be right now,” says Heinz. Alette tells us that travel is something they enjoy and want to do more of, especially after having the privilege of living and travelling abroad when Heinz first landed a role in the hit Broadway musical ‘Rent’ just after they were married. For now, however, home is in Somerset West and the couple know without a doubt that God has called them here, within South Africa, for such a time as this! “We are a blessed nation,” explains Alette. “No matter where we go – there is just no place like home. There is a strong calling on our country and I feel that this is the reason why we are always under attack,” she points out. Heinz feels strongly about stepping out only through God’s guidance. “Too many South Africans are leaving the country out of fear and not

faith,” he shares. “If you are leaving and God did not say so, you are not going to find a better life. I promise you this! It is better to live under the promises and provision of God than to do your own thing!” The vision is to continue finding new ways to take the message to the rest of the country (and the world). Heinz shares that his dream is to own a production truck with all the necessary equipment to be able to go out to preach and sing in areas where people would otherwise not hear the Gospel. “The older I get and the more I move into ministry, I am seeing more and more that God actually has a plan for us from this nation, and a calling within “WE WANT TO LET OTHERS this nation; that whatever will KNOW THAT WITH GOD AS happen on an international THE LEAD, YOU CAN HAVE scale, will happen from here.” Together the pair believe A HEALTHY MARRIAGE that there is hope for the AND FAMILY LIFE.” nation of South Africa and they will continue to sow and minister here, until the Lord directs them elsewhere. The Wincklers are presently rooted at Every Nation Church, Somerset West, where the family enjoy local fellowship and discipleship, and are also actively involved in a life group. In the end – through family, music and ministry – Heinz and Alette thank God for His faithfulness and provision and for establishing their new ‘base’ in the Western Cape. “We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now,” Alette concludes.

GET IN TOUCH Both Heinz and Alette have active social media accounts and business websites where you can find out about their latest projects and ministry. Heinz is also excited to have featured in the new Frans Cronje movie ‘The Roar’ due for release in 2018. Watch the press for details! For updates visit www.heinzwinckler.com and www.alettewinckler.com. THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

We chat to professional designer Brendan Schnetler from B3 Concept Design and Interiors about how to maximise the design style of your home. By Tamsyn Cornelius HOW DOES A CHRISTIAN FAMILY HONOUR GOD THROUGH THE DESIGN OF THEIR HOME? Don’t fall into the trap of allowing symbolic artefacts and décor elements which promote a presence of false gods or spirits into your home. Constantly pray and cut off curses of things that you purchase and do research around the history of artwork before placing these things in your home.

GREEN LIVING IS A SIGNIFICANT TREND IN DESIGN GLOBALLY. HOW CAN WE MAKE PRACTICAL CHANGES IN THE WAY WE DESIGN AND DECORATE HOMES TO MAKE THEM MORE SUSTAINABLE? Up-cycling is key in this instance. Repurpose furniture items and accessories that you already have or could find in second-hand stores and consider talking to various green approved specialists that can assist you with your choice of energy efficient lighting, appliances, material choices and installation specifications.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEST WAYS TO INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY THROUGH INTERIOR DESIGN? Depending on the size of your property you could create a fully furnished separate entrance to let out and generate an additional income which in turn allows you to finance the upgrades on the property. There are three main areas which are key spaces that everyone should always focus on: kitchens, bathrooms and master bedrooms. Always stick to basic quality fittings and fixtures that are timeless.

This allows a potential buyer to take immediate interest in your property.

WHAT ABOUT THOSE ON A BUDGET? Budget driven design is probably one of the most challenging tasks an individual can be faced with and allows endless opportunity to challenge the creative thinking process. Keep your base simple and inexpensive and incorporate two or three key feature pieces in the space to really make a statement. Look around the house and find items that might work better in another space, for example: you will be surprised how different a simple piece of art will look in another space!

WHAT INSPIRES YOU AS A PROFESSIONAL DESIGNER AND WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU CURRENTLY EXCITED ABOUT? As a designer I’m inspired by many natural elements that make-up the fundamentals of design. Godly direction, the outdoors, technology and fine art are amongst the many things that inspire me. Overall the ability to literally change one’s emotive state plays a large role in keeping me motivated to do what I do. Walking in on the clients’ first impressions after the work has been completed and seeing the ‘wow’ reaction on their faces is priceless. I’m currently excited to see how the future of technology will be incorporated into modern interiors. This is the way forward as we move towards the automated future. With this, the increase of creative materials also expands the choice options for us as designers.

CONCEPT 

++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

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Add copper accents, leather, raw wood and grey tones to finish off the perfect inspirational industrial chic living space.

Plascon’s Neutral of the Year for 2018 is Amadeus: an earthy, yellowtinted hue – perfect for adding a pop of warmth into any interior. The Benton Floor Lamp from Illumina is beautifully sculptural with a cement base, textured design and refined rustic appeal.

Get the look with a modern wallpaper such as the trendy urban designs from Cara Saven Wall Design. We love the ‘Soft Pink Bricks’ and ‘Concrete Slabs’ for a contemporary industrial style.

Industrial urban design remains on trend. Think exposed stonework, urban lighting and copper accents. We chatted to interior design icon, Marcia Margolius, from SA Décor and Design – The Buyer’s Guide, about her designer tips in creating the ideal industrial chic living space this season. Here are some of her favourite finds:

For retro, oldworld charm, the Banshee Egg Chair from Spitfire Furniture oozes industrial style, available in Oxblood, Vintage Black or Vintage Brown.

For industrial style to echo oldworld design in your modern home opt for the Clear Glass and Brass Carrington Wall Light from Illumina.

Finish off your industrial living area with gorgeous Cemcrete floors. We love Cemcrete Colour Hardener Cobble Milk floors.

Reclaim Christmas as the rightful historical event that it is – when the Saviour of the world was born for you! By Tamsyn Cornelius It’s the season of Christmas carols being played on full blast, tinsel and fairy lights cascading from retail store windows, and malls filling up with festive – and often disgruntled – shoppers. Although Christmas has become a season of shopping, food, family and holidays, we need to remember that Christ is central to our celebrations over this time. Many believe that certain Christmas traditions are actually rooted in paganism, but as believers in Christ, we need to recognise that this event gives us the opportunity to share Christ with the world. It marks one of the most significant moments in all of history – the birth of the Saviour of the world. This is good news for every individual. For the first time, God manifests Himself in human form to bring us back into relationship with Him. “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord,” (Luke 2:11).

GOD’S PLAN IN MOTION The story of the first Christmas is the beginning of a new chapter in the bigger story of God’s plan to rescue His people from sin and destruction. In fact, Jesus’ birth had been anticipated for centuries prior to His grand appearance, born to a

virgin in a manger. Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.” This prophecy was spoken many years before Christ’s co ming. Translated from the original Hebrew text, Immanuel means ‘God with us’. Isaiah prophesied the incarnation of God who would become flesh to take our place and show us the extent of His unconditional love to redeem us from our sins.

way and the truth and the life.

POWER IN THE MYSTERY

unfailing love and promise to save

The beauty of Christ’s birth lies also in the mystery that Jesus was both fully man, and fully God. God succumbs Himself to our humanity in order to prove the depth of His affection for us. “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship,” (Galatians 4: 4-5). Through Christ’s coming, God designs a path for us to take up our rightful place as sons and daughters – as heirs – in His kingdom. Without Christ, we would be doomed to a life of death and destruction, but Jesus gives us hope – a way – to be reunited to the Father. “I am the

No one comes to the Father except through me,” (John 14:6).

GOD’S REDEEMING LOVE Christ’s birth marks a pivotal historical event – a day that changed the history of mankind. Today, Christmas may be filled with arbitrary traditions – Santa, trees and decorations – that may have nothing to do with the real meaning behind the event. However, we need reclaim this day as a celebration of God’s us, through the birth of His own son, made flesh to set us free. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but will have everlasting life,” (John 3:16).

WHAT CAN YOU DO? Instead of going with the flow in celebrating a commercial Christmas this year, why not start your own family traditions that honour Christ over the festive season! Sit down with your family and share from the Bible the story of Christ’s birth. Tell your children about the significance of Jesus’ coming. And most of all, walk in the knowledge of God’s unfathomable love for you, now and every other day of the year! THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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CHRISTIAN

CAMPING: WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE?

Let’s go camping! As summer approaches, many churches and local youth groups will be excited to plan a Christian camp or retreat! If you’ve ever worshiped God together under open skies while a bonfire flickers in the background, you probably know the excitement that comes with Christian camping. There are so many benefits to getting outdoors with likeminded believers and being free from your normal routine and distractions. Some of the benefits of camp include:

DIGGING DEEP INTO THE WORD

Foremost, you will gain invaluable exposure to the Gospel and may be able to spend time in the Word, alone, and together in a group, to help edify and build your spirit. Christian camping may include a time of worship, prayer and devotion – all of which draws us into the presence of God and allows a space for the Holy Spirit to work in your life.

CMY

GODLY ROLE MODELS

There is also opportunity for campers to engage and learn from godly mentors and people of influence who will be able to speak into your life. Camp is a carefree space to escape the burdens of your daily routine and meet up with other faith-filled believers who can encourage you. They are also able to show unconditional love, model how a godly man or woman behaves, and display God-centred living before the campers.

A SPIRITUAL RETREAT

Being out in nature is the perfect time to reflect on what God is saying to you personally. Most camps will not have access to televisions, wifi networks, social media and other technological distractions that keep you from spending quiet time with yourself, and the Father. Make the most of camp as a spiritual retreat with a focus on spiritual growth and reflection.

GOODLAND ESTATE YOUTH CAMP VENUES Allow your Creator to meet you in nature.

Our venues cater for groups of different sizes: • Goodland Fountain: 60-200 • Camp Reynard: 20-60 • Casa Riparia: 10-20 Prices from R110 per person per night.

www.goodland.co.za | admin@goodland.co.za 0825202232 THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

TO STEWARDSHIP

With God as the owner of the earth, we need to learn to become the supervisors of all He places in our care. By Angus Cornelius

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him,” (Psalm 24:1). Scripture clearly indicates that the whole earth belongs to God – He is the owner of everything. In Christian circles we often hear the term ‘stewardship’ however this is very seldom explained. Simply put, ownership is the act, state or right of possessing something.

Stewardship on the other hand is defined as the job of supervising or taking care of something. From these definitions we can see that a steward manages, oversees and cares for that which belongs to the owner.

UNDERSTAND THE OWNER’S HEART To illustrate this, we need to explore the psyche of the owner. An owner is primarily

concerned with the value, growth and condition of their assets. Whereas, a steward’s primary focus is to take care of the owner’s asset. As such, the main concern of the steward should be meeting the requirements of the owner – maintaining the value, growth and condition of the owner’s belongings. The difference is that this growth is not for the benefit of the steward but for

the benefit of the owner. “Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the Lord your God”, (Deuteronomy 10:14). Scripture suggests that God’s ownership stretches to all things on this earth, including those things we claim as our own, such as our finances. As the owner, God has expectations of how His resources should be treated and used. As mentioned, the use of these resources should primarily be for the benefit of the owner and His kingdom. God has granted man dominion over the earth and in effect, we are His managers, working on His behalf. This authority to govern over the earth was put in place at creation, in Genesis 1: 26 – 27: “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Man does not only have the right to rule the earth, but the responsibility to care for it as God would.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION When it comes to finances, God gives us the free will to use it as we see fit. However, a good steward will always consult the owner on how these finances are used and invested. In my opinion, financial stewardship starts with something as practical as having a budget. A basic budget gives you an indication of what you are spending your money on. The next step would be asking God how He would like you to spend the finances He has put under your control. This means consulting God on all items in your budget i.e. everything from tithing to entertainment, groceries and more! God is a good God and His concern for us stretches to every

aspect of our lives. Therefore, something as seemingly carnal as putting money away towards your retirement (financial planning) or insurance is as much an example of good stewardship as sowing finances into missions and helping those in need. We need to remember that we are God’s most precious creation and we are included in that which belongs to God on the earth. Therefore, as our Father, He is concerned with our livelihood. This is not an excuse to be self-centred with that which God has placed under your control. The finances God gives us can be equated to seed. We need to consult Him to determine what portion of this is “seed for eating” and what is “seed for sowing” then do what He shows us to do.

BEING A TRUSTED STEWARD OF THE FINANCES UNDER YOUR CONTROL IS ONE OF THE MOST UNNOTICED WAYS TO WORSHIP GOD.

INTIMACY WITH GOD True biblical stewardship is birthed from a place of intimacy with the Lord, not solely from a sense of duty. When God gave Adam dominion over all things in the Garden of Eden, they were sharing a deep intimacy and a close daily walk. In effect, Adam ruled the earth and its resources as God would. Then came the fall and sin separated man from God, breaking that intimate relationship. Jesus came and restored that relationship with God through His death and resurrection. Miraculously, this gives us all the opportunity to walk closely with God again and the ability to consult Him on all matters in our lives, including our finances. Being a trusted steward of the finances under your control is one of the most unnoticed ways to worship God. This is because you can only become a trusted steward by knowing the owner, getting to understand His nature, His character, His heart. So the question remains, will you manage your finances as God would? THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

As a celebrated local Jazz musician, pastor, and founder of Kaleidoscope Church and Café in Claremont, Glenn Robertson has always had a strong affinity towards authentic South African music, particularly African Jazz. Tamsyn Cornelius finds out more about his calling to music and ministry.

WE ARE INSTRUMENTS OF TURNING MOURNING INTO DANCING! TRANSFORMATION IS THE KEY. 28

WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALIZE THAT MUSIC WOULD BECOME YOUR LIFE? I have clear memories as a young boy, spending many hours listening to the radio – remember there was no TV back then! I could have been about seven or eight when I first saw ‘The Sound of Music’. My parents purchased the LP and I literally learned all the songs from start to finish. The music bug had bitten!

HOW DID GOD USE MUSIC TO BRING YOU INTO A CLOSER WALK WITH JESUS? Christ came from heaven to earth to show the way. He came into the Galaxy night club to show me the way! Walking across the dance floor to get a round of drinks on a hot summer afternoon in 1988, I was reminded of my wife’s words earlier: “I don’t care where you are going, but wherever you are, could you safely say you’re serving Jesus if He walked through the door?” I was rooted to the spot and was suddenly super aware of what was happening around me. For the first time, I was able to see things as they really were. I imagined the resurrected Jesus coming to meet me and I knew that I wasn’t right with God. Only the Holy Spirit can reveal that.

Music was the one thing that had the power to derail my life and destroy my marriage. God took that gift, that which the enemy intended to use for evil and used it to work for the good of many. I have never looked back since that day. He truly came to give me life in abundance in the true sense of the word.

YOU NOW PASTOR A LOCAL CHURCH AND ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN MUSIC MINISTRY. HOW DOES MUSIC AND MINISTRY WORK TOGETHER IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH TODAY? Music obviously plays a huge part in what we do. Ministry is simply service to others. We serve others with the gift of music, whether they are believers or not. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning,” (James 1:17). Ultimately, it’s love that reaches people. Music has to come from a place of honesty and truth. If we are truly walking in light and truth, then that is what will be imparted. We believe that discipleship can start the minute you meet any person. It is that discipleship (impartation of a godly lifestyle) that we trust will impact people’s lives for the better.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED IN THE LOCAL MUSIC INDUSTRY? We found that as long as we exclusively do ‘gospel music’, the general Christian community will be supportive. However, when we started Kaleidoscope 12 years ago, we encountered much criticism from Christian circles. As one person stated, “As long as you insist on playing secular music, I cannot support you.” Very sad. Jesus’ own disciples missed Him on the Emmaus road after His resurrection. From the world, we have found that some fear the “God-factor”. Generally, there is a lack of support for local musicians from the general public, especially when it comes to live performances. Big concerts and festivals may garner some support, but that is not sustainable. It’s the weekly support that is needed to put food on the table of musicians and their families. Too many venues are having to shut down due to lack of audience support.

That’s why it is so important for the church to understand the role it plays in the transformation of a culture.

AFTER ALMOST 12 YEARS, HOW DOES KALEIDOSCOPE CONTINUE TO MEET A NEED IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY? We’re simply a community who desire to be found loving God and loving people. We are not a programme-driven church. We meet every Sunday to learn, to live and love, with the Bible as the cornerstone for all we do. In our quest to learn more about the God we serve, we seek to develop relationship with those who desire to walk alongside us, whether they meet with us on a Friday evening or on a Sunday morning. Kaleidoscope as a community, will often be found in the marketplace. That’s where Jesus was found. Clean, excellent entertainment is offered at our venue every week.

WE SEE SO MANY STRUGGLING MUSICIANS TRYING TO MAKE A NAME FOR THEMSELVES. WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS THE CASE? Again, support is what counts. Local audiences also need to come to a place of understanding that the part they play is greater than just being entertained. They also need to be as financially generous toward local artists as they are with international acts. Musicians, artists and poets are often a prophetic voice, but often prophets are not honoured in their own hometowns. On the flip side, musicians have often had the stigma of drugs and chaos marking their lives. We are part of the solution. We desire a transformation of the culture we find ourselves in.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO SEE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN JAZZ AS A GENRE IN SOUTH AFRICA? More composing and the telling of our ethnic African stories to leave a rich cultural heritage. There are so many words worth saying and songs worth singing that have been buried rather than celebrated. We are instruments of turning mourning into dancing! Transformation is the key. When we are transformed by the renewal of our minds, we will find ourselves being His hands and His feet, serving in ways we never dreamed of.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

TRAVEL

Three South African friends recently walked the Spanish streets through the pilgrimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s way of Saint James. This is our story through images. Photo-essay By Candice Da Rocha with Hein Van der Merwe and Sonia Bosman.

THE STARTING POINT. The scallop shell is one of the most iconic symbols of the Camino de Santiago and today it is used, along with the yellow arrow, to guide pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, along its many different routes.

THE PILGRIM’S WALK.

The road was long and winding and yet every part of the journey had a lesson to be learned. We walked 300km, which was no easy feat. The pleasure came in finding new treasure on the road ahead and not being held back by our own inadequacies.

GOD’S PROMISE.

Some days the road seemed endless and the scenery unchanging, but at the end of each day the beauty of a small town or comfort of a warm shower and place to rest your feet, proved God’s promise to always carry us. “Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken”, (Psalm 55:22).

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

THE MANY FACES OF JESUS. There were beautiful places and sights along the path, and with every new vista a greater appreciation grew for how creative and powerful our God is. This became even more evident across the world by meeting different people and seeing His love and care in their hospitality and friendliness.

LET GO AND LET GOD! With 100km left to walk, my shoes became increasingly uncomfortable and my feet ached as they filled with blisters. I decided to stop and buy a new pair of shoes but held on to my original pair which no longer served any purpose. I eventually had to get rid of them to reduce the load and make space in my backpack. You see, many times we cling to things because of their original value and purpose, too afraid to let them go. We hold on to these unnecessary burdens and we have little room for the new things God has in store for us! I left my shoes at the 100km mark and walked burden free for the rest of the way, grabbing hold of the new lessons God was teaching me. 32

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THE DESTINATION. With great expectation, we arrived at the acclaimed Praza do Obradoira Cathedral which marked the end of our epic voyage, only to find that the building was closed and under construction, so its true beauty could not be appreciated. Here we learnt that no journey is about the destination, because life is always under construction. It is always a work in progress. So instead of focussing on the destination, have fun along life’s journey, appreciate the distance walked, and find value in the lessons learnt along the way.

REWARD IN THE WAITING. This journey was three years in the making – dreaming, waiting and planning – and finally it happened. I felt like it was a gift from God that came at the right time – His time. “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will grant you the desires of your heart,” (Psalm 37:4). INTERESTING FACTS: • Traditionally pilgrims used to start their ‘Camino’ from the doorsteps of their own homes. Today there are many starting points across Europe, in Spain, France and Portugal. • Annually, over 200,000 pilgrims walk the Camino. • Albergues are the public hostels used as pilgrim accommodation along the route.

G N I S AV S E I B A B

Door of Hope makes a difference in the lives of abandoned children with a four-fold ministry in the heart of Johannesburg. By Tamsyn Cornelius It was 1999 and an abandoned infant was found on the Queen Elizabeth Bridge in Johannesburg. While people stood around taking photos of this newly-born infant, the baby sadly passed away on the side of the road, due to exposure to the elements. Abandonment of infants in South Africa is, unfortunately, a common occurrence. Many of these children are left to die, or simply abandoned in dustbins, open fields, public toilets or on train tracks. After this horrific 1999 occurrence, the Berea Baptist Mission Church said, “something needs to be done”. Under the leadership of Pastor Cheryl Allen, the church made a hole in their wall and a ‘Baby Bin’ was installed allowing mothers to leave their babies, any time, day or night, for the church to take care of them. The moment a baby is placed, care workers on duty receive an electronic signal alerting them. The baby is taken in and the anonymity of the “donor” ensured. News has spread and other babies have been brought personally by their mothers or have come through other means such as

the police, community members, hospitals or clinics. “It is estimated that about 1000 babies are abandoned per month and only a third survive,” explains Door of Hope’s Operations Director, Nadene Grabham. “We don’t encourage abandonment. We offer a safe alternative to babies being abandoned in toilets, rubbish bins etc.” “We believe God has called us into this work,” explains Nadene. “Since we started in 1999, we have had 1572 babies of which 189 came through our Baby Bin.” “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you,” (James 1:27). Door of Hope operates a fourfold ministry in Johannesburg which includes the running of three baby houses that are often commended for feeling more like a home rather than an institution. Here they can comfortably take care of around 74 babies. They are also currently building a village for those children who are not adoptable. Some of the children

will find their home at the village and will become part of the Door of Hope family where they will find a community of ‘moms’ and ‘dads’, ‘aunts’ and ‘uncles’, ‘cousins’, ‘grannies’ and ‘grandpas’ to love and cherish them. “We seek to help in meeting the needs of abandoned, abused and orphaned children in South Africa, by providing loving and stable Christian environments, so that they may grow up to be people that have a positive effect in South Africa and the world.” How can you get involved? Door of Hope has different fundraising initiatives in progress. They are also in need of finances, consumables and volunteers to assist as needed. They are trusting God for over R30-million to build the Door of Hope Village. “Our world needs people of character. If we can raise a generation of world changers, we can make this world a better place. With your help, graduates from the Door of Hope Village can live lives of quality, starting a legacy that will build on itself for generations to come.” For more information visit www.doorofhope.co.za. THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

FOR THE NEW PARENT Andy Stanley once exclaimed, “Your greatest contribution to the kingdom of God may not be something you do but someone you raise.” By Tamsyn Cornelius

the toughest and most rewarding

WHERE’S THE INSTRUCTIONS?

jobs we may ever have to face in

Your tiny bundle of joy may not

life. However, caring for an infant

have come with an instruction

can be extremely overwhelming.

manual. However, your baby

As a new parent, you may be

has a number of basic needs

dealing with an array of emotions

that must be met on an on-

and raging hormones, coupled

going basis. The first step is

with sleep deprivation. In the

to ensure that you meet these

midst of it all, the onus is on you

physical demands which include

to provide and care for a new

regular feeding, cleaning, burping

little person. Take heart. Parents

and ensuring that baby is well

throughout the ages have dealt

rested. However, there are other

with these same challenges and

emotional and social needs that

have lived to tell the tale.

you should be fostering in your

Raising a child is probably one of

Here we outline a few fundamental concepts that will

baby’s desire to be nurtured,

help you understand how best to

embraced and loved.

promote your baby’s development. “I knew you before I formed

infant too – foremost is your

You are often your child’s first experience of unconditional love.

you in the womb; I set you apart

Commit your new baby to the

for me before you were born; I

Father and ask Him to show you

appointed you to be a prophet to

how best to love, provide and

the nations,” (Jeremiah 1:5).

care for your child.

CAN I SPOIL MY NEWBORN? Have you ever encountered a crying infant who is instantly soothed by a mother’s touch? In those early weeks, they often want nothing more than to be held and embraced. Physical touch and affection are important in the mental and physical development of children. In fact, growing research suggests that children with limited physical touch develop far slower than those who were raised in loving, affectionate homes. Do not be worried about ’spoiling’ your baby at this stage, as your nurturing reaction to hold your child is actually stimulating brain development that will help form their foundation for life. The Budapest Early Intervention Project is one such study that looked at the growth and stimulation of babies, with a special focus on orphans in

Romania. The project found that, for every three months that a child was left in an institution, an average of one month of growth and brain development was lost. Responding to your newborn’s desire to be soothed, embraced and held, is thus a powerful tool to help stimulate the growth of your child.

INTERPRETING YOUR BABY’S SIGNS Professor Linda Acredolo, author of “Baby Signs”, explains that babies are perfectly able to express themselves without using words. A baby’s gestures may include facial expressions, sounds or even actions – this is the way the Lord has designed them, in order to make their requests known without verbal communication. For example, rubbing of the eyes is often a tell-tale sign that your newborn may be growing tired and is probably in need of a nap. However, crying is also a part of a newborn’s vocabulary and as time passes, you will quickly differentiate between a cry of pain, hunger or exhaustion. Whenever you positively interact with your baby, he or she is absorbing this interaction and your words,

GIVEAWAY!

Win a parenting book bundle from Struik Christian Media including ‘Parenting with Courage’ by local author Mandi Hart as well as her accompanying ‘Parenting Journal’ to help you navigate the road towards shaping your children’s’ lives!

HOW TO WIN? Send us an email to info@weservegroup.co.za with the subject title ‘Parenting’ and include your name, contact number and address. Winners will be announced in the next issue!

which will soon form part of their social and language development. Your infant may also begin to imitate your facial expressions, and by six weeks of age they may return a smile or frown, as they copy your reactions and begin to navigate the road towards their own communication and expression of human emotions. From within the womb, a baby has already mastered the sound of its primary care giver – the mother. After birth, your infant will be able to differentiate between your voice and other sounds, or even unknown voices.

KNOWING MOM’S VOICE Researchers from the University of Montreal recently found that a mother’s voice favourably activates the parts of an infant’s brain that are responsible for language development. This study advocates the idea that babies have a basic need to be spoken to in a nurturing way. A mother’s voice is often associated as a soothing agent – one that offers affection, nutrition and care. Continue to speak to your newborn as a way of reassurance, which will help them to feel safe and secure in their new environment outside of the womb. As such you will begin to foster a healthy parent-child bond, just like the Lord intended.

YOU ARE ALL BABY NEEDS All your baby really needs for active growth is you. You will soon learn to rely on the parental instinct you never knew you had to care for your growing family. Commit this parenting journey to God and follow His lead as the perfect role model to your children. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans,” (Proverbs 16:3). THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

ADDICTION

Finding help through addiction is no easy feat. We hear from three individuals whose lives have been transformed through drug and alcohol rehabilitation at Tranquility Home. NOTHING TO LOSE “Coming into Tranquility Home, I had no hope for the future or any ability to try something new. Any thought of life after rehabilitation never existed. The first thing they asked me was if I was willing to turn a new leaf. I was desperate. They promised me freedom from self and peace in living a life of sobriety. I had nothing to lose. I gave it my all from the first step and already felt a weight coming off my shoulders. Telling people about who I truly was and how I lived in addiction was hard for me because that is what I had been running away from for the past six years. Again, I felt the freedom that was promised to me. After the tenth day, I felt the urge to do the programme to the best of my ability. The treatment team welcomed me into their family of fellowship. The acceptance I had been looking for with drugs had been given to me freely by people I never knew before. They understood me. I worked the recovery programme fearlessly and found peace within the spiritual experience. I can’t express

my gratitude to the people at Tranquility Home, the God of my understanding, and the opportunity of life through the recovery programme. I am a new creation...” Toni

addicts made me realise I am not

READY TO SURRENDER

one day at a time!

“Before Tranquility Home (TH), I was sick, angry, and lonely. I had given up on myself, God and life. Hitting rock-bottom opened a door which led to TH. From the moment I admitted that I was powerless over my addiction and that my life was absolute chaos, relief started to roll over me. I came to believe that there was a solution to my insanity. The 24 days at TH were some of the hardest, most wonderful and life-changing days of my life. Very quickly I realised that there is no elevator to sobriety and that I will have to take the necessary “Steps”. I also discovered that the magnitude of my recovery in rehab (and out in the world) is proportional to the sincerity of my surrender to a power greater than me. The staff of TH is absolutely amazing… They believed in me, when all I had was self-hatred. Spending time with other

alone. Being accepted for who I am kicked off my restoration process. I will always be a recovering alcoholic and I have to take it Tranquility Home showed me how - through honesty, openness and willingness.” Sarah

A MOTHER’S TRIBUTE “My 26-year-old son shuffled through the door of Tranquility Home looking more like a frail old man at death’s door. 28 days later, my son walked out of the same door a healthy, strong young man filled with hope, determination and inner peace. Tranquility Home gave my son the tools to be brutally honest with himself and his addiction. To not necessarily forget the past, that would be unrealistic… but to let the past horrors go, to free himself of his past, to take his strengths and to apply them to life! He learned that it is possible to start anew and to realise his dreams. They are indeed a home where people really do care. Thank you for giving me back my son!” Angie

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ranquility Home offers a holistic treatment approach that includes mental, emotional, behavioural, spiritual and physical treatment. You can count on a safe, serene, and compassionate environment, providing relaxation, restoration to good health and sumptuous meals.

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rema beca Tranquility Home offers aseco ho that includes mental, emotio fruit and physical treatment. Yo -Che serene and compassionate relaxation, restoration to go meals. ‘Tha Our professional staff Hom inc to m professional nurses; clinical counselors; social workers; and fitness & yoga & meditation t term of co We are also passionate abou to understand and copemem with addiction. me f m Inpatient Treatment: 21 of days Outpatient Treatment: 8you wee etern Registered with the Department of -Johm Development, and registered with

Our professional staff includes medical doctors; professional nurses; clinical psychologists; addiction counsellors; social workers; nutritionist; therapists; and fitness, yoga and meditation trainers. We are also passionate about helping family members to understand and cope with the stressful disease of addiction. Inpatient treatment: 21 days to 3 months Outpatient treatment: 8 weeks Registered with the Department of Health and Social Development, and registered with most medical aid schemes. Alcohol & Drug Rehabilitation Clinic 137 7th Street, Linden, Randburg, Johannesburg

t: + 27 (0)11 782 3418 c: 083 772 5293 e: info@tranquilityclinic.co.za www.tranquilityclinic.co.za

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THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

Simon Lerefolo and his wife Lindi serve as senior pastors at Every Nation Rosebank, Johannesburg. Together they are passionate about healthy marriages and nation building. They have one son, Omolemo and two daughters, Zinzi and Rori, whom they feel privileged to be raising. PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPBRINGING?

“THE BIBLE TEACHES US THAT WE ARE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING. WE WANT TO DO ALL WE CAN TO BE A BLESSING TO OUR CITY, NATION AND THE WORLD.”

I was born and raised in Potchefstroom in the North West, while it was still called Transvaal. My dad worked at the fire station and my mom worked as a domestic worker. My parents could not afford a lot of things, including paying for school trips. I had to sell sweets at school to raise finances so I could go on school trips and have money to buy lunch. My parents did their best to look after us and took us to church every Sunday. First, we went to a Catholic church and later moved to a Baptist church. When I started high school, I got involved in the struggle and my parents took me to a boarding school near Mafikeng where I completed matric and got involved with Youth for Christ (YFC). It was at a YFC camp that I gave my life to the Lord and met my wife. My wife Lindi was born in Alexandra and later moved to Mafikeng with her family where she completed school. She went on to further her studies at Wits Technicon (The University of Johannesburg).

WHEN DID YOU REALISE THAT YOU WANTED TO GO INTO MINISTRY? Soon after I gave my life to the Lord in high school… I started preaching the Gospel at the school assembly on Fridays. It was at this point that I noticed my passion to preach and teach the Word. A lot of my high school friends got saved and started going to church with me. I then completed matric and moved to Joburg to study Mechanical Engineering at Wits University. I was then introduced to His People Church, now called Every Nation. I joined a connect group and I was discipled through the Word and built strong relationships with other Christians. I still have some of those guys as friends today. A lot of them were at our ordination as senior pastors of Every Nation Rosebank.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SOME OF THE CORE CHALLENGES ARE WITHIN CHRISTIAN MARRIAGES AND HOW WOULD YOU HELP COUPLES OVERCOME THESE BATTLES? My wife and I are passionate about healthy marriages and believe that family is the bedrock of a nation. As goes the family, so goes the nation. We are convinced that the problems society face today are as a result of a 40

PASTORAL INTERVIEW lack of healthy marriages and healthy

presence and power of God. We do

families. It is mentioned that 66%

this through loving God, loving people

of birth certificates in South Africa

and loving our city.

have no fathers on them. This is a

Through our small groups we make

crisis and it is sad that this includes

sure that people are in the life of

Christian families.

the Church and they reach out to

The core challenges we face in

their friends and colleagues. We

Christian marriages is the fact that

have found two ways that works in

Christians are not practising the basics

reaching unbelievers. Investing in a

of our beliefs… Being in the Word,

relationship and then inviting them to

connecting with God through prayer

church or to a connect group.

and having fellowship with other

We also have outreaches in about

believers. The essence of our Christian

five schools in Joburg through our

faith is discipleship, which is following

kids’ and youth ministries. We also

Christ, fellowshipping with other

run kids’ and youth programmes every

believers and fishing… sharing the

Friday and Sunday during the services.

Good News. If all Christians would go

We have seen lots of young people

back to the basics, we will treat each

come to these events and their lives

other the way God wants us to.

transformed as they encounter our

Scriptures say, “Greater love has no man than to lay down their lives for another,” (John 15:13). We find that most people battle to humble themselves and serve one another. There is a selfishness that people would not sacrifice for the sake of building thriving marriages.

Lord and Saviour.

WHAT EXCITING INITIATIVES AND MINISTRIES ARE YOU PLANNING FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR? We have just concluded a sermon series called Bless the City, where we looked at opportunities to bless the city and people of Johannesburg. We

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR REACHING THE LOST IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

had a Saturday where we joined the

We are grateful to God for giving us

cleaned the parks in our various

a vision and passion to reach our city.

communities.

Our vision is to see lives, communities

mayor’s ‘Clean the City’ campaign. With our small groups we went and

In the new year we are trusting the

and society transformed through

Lord to adopt a police station and a

discipleship in the Word, and the

school and bless them on a regular

basis. We are already ministering at several schools and would like to do more in terms of financial help and assisting students who are struggling with fees. We also have a programme called Every Nation Biz, where we train and mentor entrepreneurs as they start their businesses. Our hope is that as they become successful to employ more people, thereby reducing the high levels of unemployment in our

nation. We are also going to introduce a fund to the entrepreneurs and a percentage of this fund will go towards campus ministry to students who cannot afford university fees. We have 8 mission trips planned to various parts of the world including Zeerust, Swaziland, Ghana and Brazil. The Bible teaches us that we are blessed to be a blessing. We want to do all we can to be a blessing to our city, nation and the world. For more info about the work and ministry of Every Nation Rosebank visit www.hispeoplerosebank.org. You can also read more about Pastor Simon’s personal testimony as captured in the book ‘Better Together’ by Roger Pierce (www. bettertogether.org.za). This book is a collage of personal stories of South Africans who have crossed cultural and racial divides to connect and break down barriers. THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

THE ORPHANED CHILD Melanie Stipp shares her heartfelt story of life growing up in a children’s home. In a tiny bed lies a blonde five-year-old little girl. She carefully listens to the sounds of the night all around her. She is afraid. Her blanket is pulled up half-way over her head so that only two small peeping blue eyes can be seen over the top. What goes on in the mind of a five-year-old? According to my own five-year old son, ‘nothing’. But this isn’t true for this particular little girl. She lays awake and wonders… ‘Will my mommy and daddy ever come back to fetch me?’ You see, this innocent blue-eyed, blonde-haired and frightened little girl finds herself in an orphanage, and this child was me! When we were young, my sister and I were taken away from our parents and placed in a children’s home. I was five and she was one. This is the age when you crawl into your parents’ bed at night; when you long to hear bedtime stories; or when you climb up onto your father’s lap and wrap your tiny arms around his neck. This is the age when you all sit and laugh together at the ‘big’ table

I often wished my Sunday-afternoon nap away and promptly at 3pm, I would speed down to the big gate, filled with so much excitement, to watch the cars pull in and out. I would scrunch up my nose to peer right down the road to see if I could spot any familiar cars in the distance. Come 5 o’clock, I would be left alone at the gate, tears rolling down my cheeks, remembering the promises made, and broken, by my parents. Many little girls dream about what they will become as adults. I, on the other hand, dreamed about a family and how I wanted to be the type of person that my parents had not been for me. It has been a long journey but by the grace of God, today I am grown, married and happy with a family of my own. Strangely enough, I often long for days of old in the orphanage. Yes, there were hard times, but there were many good days. We were one big family. The children’s home taught me many valuable lessons in life - many I

“MY HOPE IS THAT EVERY CHILD KNOWS THAT THEY ARE INDEED LOVED AND THAT THEY ARE BRAVER THAN THEY KNOW."

while enjoying a home-cooked meal; and you are surer than ever of your parents’ love for you. We were told that our stay in the orphanage would only be temporary. It was not. I lived there until Matric. I remember the long days of waiting at the telephone booth. Surely my parents would phone as they promised they would. My confident stance at the booth often faded into a seated position, and then I would lay on my back and stare into the sky… waiting and praying. When the phone did ring, I jumped up as fast as I could to find out that the call was not for me. Minutes often turned into hours, and yet, I lived with hope. Then there was the waiting at the ‘big gate’ every Sunday during visiting hours at the orphanage. 42

still treasure today. Over the years, I have learned about forgiveness and the grace of God. I have learned to forgive my parents, who in some way, did love us. Today I work as the Marketing and Events Coordinator at Durbanville Children's Home, one of the oldest children’s homes in South Africa. My hope is that every child knows that they are indeed loved and that they are braver than they know. Psalm 27:10: “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path…”. Melanie shares about marriage, parenting and life in general at Vrou Soos Ek. Read more here: www.facebook.com/vrousoosek/

H T I W T IS R H ? C S D I IN K G N I W O GR Get creative as you find new ways to connect with God during your parenting journey. By Jennifer Cupido One of my earliest childhood memories is walking down a cold dark staircase in the early morning towards the light. I would walk into the living room to find my mother on the couch with a cup of coffee and a blanket over her knees reading her Bible. It all seemed so normal and easy to find my mother up before everyone else each morning reading her Bible. Then I flash forward to becoming a mother myself with four children under five, wondering how I would ever be able to wake up before my kids - let alone read an entire chapter of the Bible and have enough of my brain functioning that early in the morning to gain some resemblance of a “revelation”!

hours that seem to go by in the blink of an eye. It all comes down to your heart’s intention and what you decide are the priorities in your daily walk. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33). We have to decide in our hearts that our relationship with God is a nonnegotiable and the very cornerstone to our success as a parent. I may not be able to spend hours on my knees in prayer or get lost in Bible study with little ones running around, but I can make it my intention to spend time with God throughout each and every day.

YOUR HEART’S INTENTION

Take this season to just lean into God and hear His voice throughout your day as you simply bring Him into your daily routine. The aim for each day is to draw near to God - not read through the Bible in a year as your Bible plan is telling you! Flexibility is part of the job description when you become a parent. There is grace in each season so allow yourself to try

Often, we find it hard to focus and make time for God in this busy season of parenting. However, with a little creativity and a willing heart, I’ve learned that we can not only maintain our relationships with God, but also grow it to new heights. The days of motherhood may seesaw between agonizing length, and

BE FLEXIBLE & CREATIVE

a different approach to your devotions. God spoke so much revelation to my heart as I would read Bible stories to my kids each night. The simplicity of Scripture in children’s Bibles would literally bring me to tears. God is in the everyday moments of our lives you just have to pay attention and lift your eyes to His.

PRACTICAL TIPS Get creative with your devotions; download a Bible app to have it at your fingertips all day and read a verse every time you look at your phone. Play worship music in the car, read Bible stories to your children and pray, pray and pray some more! If you set your heart on Christ and make your relationship with Him a focus in your life, you’ll never run out of ways to spend time with Him. THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

THE

SOUNDS OF THE NATIONS Together with my musical husband Tim Feder, we are co-labourers in the ministry of redeeming the cultural sound of Cape Town for the glory of God. By Shaveh Feder When Tim and I first met, we were both heavily involved in worship ministry. Worship was ingrained in who we were and the better part of our earlier relationship was spent doing worship together in our local congregation and playing music. In the early years of our marriage Tim continuously expressed his desire to write, record and release our own music as a church and started putting his efforts into doing that. He orchestrated a church album and learned a lot about the technicalities of working with various personalities and producing local music that was true to Cape Town – a city rich in diversely powerful sounds. As soon as that first project came to an end, I watched the desire grow even more within my husband’s heart. So, alongside being Creative Arts pastors at the time, we continued to pursue the idea of recording and releasing music.

AT THE HEART OF IT ALL In 2011, after producing his own album, Tim was offered an amazing opportunity to become a recording artist himself and to sign up with a label in the US. Over the same period, he had met a gentleman by the name of Dan McCollam, who had founded Sounds of the Nations Global. The heart of Sounds of the Nations is to go into local communities in as many nations as possible, to teach the power of writing music in their ethnic tongues and styles, and

redeeming the cultural sound for the glory of God. This completely resonated with us – a relationship was born and Sounds of the Nations Cape Town was birthed. Sounds of the Nations Africa was being team headed by Rob Harris and so we started to intentionally build relationships with both Dan and Rob.

A BIGGER VISION Recording an album is a highly costly exercise and we felt a deep desire to make it more accessible to the average artist. God was faithful and started to provide equipment for Tim to set up his own studio, which we tried to align with our local church. God began to reveal to us that this vision was bigger than our local church movement and so we gradually started building relationships with other churches, to teach them the power of their own cultural sound. We then started a studio in our home, which reduced the cost of recording for so many. Different artists began to come and record with Tim. His skill level and confidence quickly increased in his studio engineering. He was also recognised internationally by ‘Mix with the Masters’ to be able to sit under the mentorship of an engineer that works with many renowned international artists in the secular industry. All these opportunities were absolute miracles and we have never taken for granted the grace God has placed over our lives to be able to do what we do.

A TIME FOR EQUIPPING So, four years later, Tim and his fellow Director Jason Skippers, have trained and equipped various worship teams and artists across Southern Africa, offering courses in music production, studio engineering, song writing and more. They have travelled to Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Kenya and many cities across the nation and have graduated 215 students from over 60 churches in the local community. We have worked with many passionate local musicians, including the likes of Alana Wessels, Jean du Rand, Byron Levi, Chumani Ngojo and more! It has been a powerful and complete joy to watch people catch the heart to write their own music that resonated with the ground they were born on. As a family, we have chosen to completely support Tim in his pursuit of this vision. We deliberately home educate our children so that they are able to enjoy the luxury of seeing what their father does and also have the opportunities to learn the power of their own sound and unique gifts in this world.

LOOKING FORWARD What’s next? We are excited to announce that God has given us the vision to build our own world-class Sounds of the Nations recording studio, here in Cape Town. We are trusting God for the finances to help empower more local artists and release their sounds to the nations. Do you have a song in your own heart? Perhaps it is time to redeem the sound for the glory of God! “Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!” (Psalm 96:1). To find out more about the ministry of Sounds of The Nations Cape Town, visit www.sotncapetown.com.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

EDUCATION

STRENGTHENING

CHRISTIAN

EDUCATION

We chat to director, Sean Moore, from the Association for Christian Schools International (ACSI) about their vision to equip Christian schools, educators and students with the message of Jesus Christ.

WHY WAS ACSI STARTED? The vision of ACSI is to strengthen Christian education throughout each region by assisting in the establishment of Christian schools and the policy support of all schools. ACSI invests in the training of teachers to be effective in the Christian classroom to ensure that pupils are well prepared academically and on the journey of becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. ACSI South Africa was established in 2001 to help promote a body for Christian education locally. The Southern African office currently supports schools in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana and Malawi.

TELL US ABOUT ACSI’S GLOBAL FOOTPRINT? The ACSI headquarters is situated in Colorado Springs, USA. There are 28 regional offices around the globe serving around 23 000 schools and over 5.5 million children. We have experienced exponential growth in Africa in recent years, particularly in Nigeria, DRC and Uganda.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY SERVICES YOU OFFER? The ACSI office represents Christian schools through engagement with provincial and national government structures, helping schools negotiate the legislative and policy landscape for Independent schools. Legal and HR support is provided as well as representation on various educational statuary bodies including SACE (South African Council for Educators), IEB (Independent Examination Body) and the ETDP SETA. ACSI supports Christian school growth through school governance training and leadership development of school principals. Regular contact with school principals 46

promotes collegiality and support for the role of a school principal. Leadership and teacher training takes place through organised national conferences as well as training days in the various regions. Curriculum support is provided through the ACSI curriculum and the school visits by ACSI Educational specialists. ACSI offers school leaders, teachers and students the opportunity of global connections through international conferences and student exchange programmes, and communication through newsletters, magazines and the ACSI website.

WHY DO YOU THINK CHRISTIAN SCHOOLING IS SO IMPORTANT? As public schools are being forced to move away from any specific religious education, so the need for a holistic education, that includes the spiritual growth of the child, has become essential in our world today. The Christian school experience will develop and shape the child’s academic and spiritual life, promoting a biblical worldview that encourages growth towards their God-given potential. Christian teachers provide a great role model for the children as they help cultivate a worldview in which God has His rightful place. They look to the Bible for guidance in answering life’s big questions as they enhance the children’s spiritual development in an intentional, nurturing manner. Christian education prepares a child with a moral and spiritual foundation that will enable each individual to serve humanity in a God ordained profession, yet establishing a personal relationship with God that sustains the individual towards eternity. For more info visit www.acsi.co.za.

ADVERTORIAL

TO TRAIN AND EQUIP River Bible Institute shares their belief in training and equipping this generation for full-time ministry.

WHO IS YOUR IDEAL STUDENT? A person on fire for the Word of God, who is serious about their calling, and is 100% ready to fulfil what God has called them to do for His Kingdom. Someone who is ready to get their hands dirty with full-time studies, mission field work, ministry of helps, Church cell groups and more.

WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE TRAINED FOR MINISTRY?

and many led astray by what the Word calls false prophets, turning the Word into self-gain. One day we all will have to give account for every action and word uttered. Not only can ill-equipped leaders misrepresent the Kingdom, but they will not be able to wholeheartedly share God’s Kingdom with others, if they are not fully equipped to do so. For more visit www.rbiafrica.co.za.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” (2 Timothy 2:15). The River Bible Institute was birthed specifically to train people in God’s Word and in the ways of the Holy Spirit for the purpose of launching a new wave of anointed leaders into the ministry. We cannot go out to preach and teach the Gospel to the nations, if we do not have it living inside of us completely.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN LEADERS ARE ILLEQUIPPED AND LACK TRAINING?

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Ultimately, the Kingdom of God will be misrepresented,

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Is God calling you to ministry? Have you been dropped in ‘at the deep end’? Do you want to grow your ministry skills?

The River Bible Institute East London is accredited through Transworld Accrediting Commission www.transworldaccrediting.com *RBI is not SAQA accredited THE RIVER BIBLE INSTITUTE – TRAINING A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERS FOR MINISTRY IN THE 21ST CENTURY

CONTACT: +27 (0) 43 711 4847

TEE College offers four accredited Higher Certiﬁcates to equip Christians in these ministries:

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Learn basic skills in care and counselling in contexts such as the family, HIV/AIDS, life changes, and human suffering These Higher Certiﬁcates offer practical, innovative, and easily-paced study paths to excellence in your area of ministry.

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Registration for 2018 opens on 1 November 2017. Theological Education by Extension College Website: www.tee.co.za E-mail: admin@tee.co.za Tel: (011) 683 3284 The Theological Education by Extension College is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a Private Higher Education Institution under the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997 (Registration Certiﬁcate No. 2008/HE08/002). Non-Proﬁt Company Registration No: 2007/030481/08.

We pray that our children will understand how much the Lord loves them - Eph 3:16-19

087 022 0345 | www.vineyardschool.co.za admin@vineyardschool.co.za THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

EDUCATION

We asked a range of dynamic teachers from diverse backgrounds to share with us some of their biggest prayer requests for the year ahead. This is what they had to say. By Tamsyn Cornelius INGRID BRONKHORST, GRADE R TEACHER, PAARL SCHOOL FOR THE NEUROLOGICALLY HANDICAPPED: I have 28 years of teaching experience within mainstream primary and ELSEN schools (for learners with special educational needs). For the past 18 years I have taught preschool children with special needs at Paarl School. I would ask God to provide me with the wisdom and knowledge to understand each child fully (emotionally, cognitively, physically, spiritually, etc.), which will enable me to provide a nurturing environment where each one will develop, grow and learn to be the best person he or she can be in life. I would also like to instill a spiritual awareness in each child to make them aware and accept that God has a specific and perfect plan for each of us. (Ingrid also recently won a National Teacher’s Award within the Cape Town District in the category of Excellence in Preschool).

ULRICH VAN WYK, NATURAL AND LIFE SCIENCES TEACHER, BOSMANSDAM HIGH SCHOOL, BOTHASIG: One of the concerns which make the teaching-learning moment difficult in the classroom is when learners grow up in difficult circumstances. Through behaviour and poor academic achievement I’ve learned that some of our children do not live in a healthy, kind environment and have to deal with very intense situations at home. My prayer would be for all the learners to be reared in a loving, safe space and to fully have the support of their loved ones. Another prayer request would be for learners to be 48

eager, excited to learn and to appreciate the value of receiving an education. (Ulrich is currently entering his third year as a high school teacher)

JOANNE PEERS, HEAD OF INCLUSIVE SUPPORT, PINELANDS NORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL: I have been in the education sector for over 17 years. The most surprising part is that regardless of years of experience, I am continually inspired about how much more I can grow and discover. I am a mom of three boys – two under the age of 11 and a foster teenager in high school. This very role by nature has given me a lived experience in the complexity and beauty of education. I am also a student in the writing stage of my MEd thesis. I have also recently been afforded the privilege of being a lecturer for students who are embarking on their own journey of becoming teachers. My current role is the Head of Inclusive Support at Pinelands North Primary School, which in a nutshell, gives me the wonderful opportunity to be thinking daily about how we better meet the needs of every child, family and staff member at our school. My hope and prayer would be that in the 2018 school year, all children would feel the depth of love, care and affirmation that confirms their rights to an education in South Africa. We have a long way to go in our role as a society, community, adults and educators to protect our children and provide for each of their unique needs. I believe that the value of relationship between children, educators, parents and the broader community is a necessary place to start. I pray that we would do better in being active listeners in children’s lives, custodians of their citizenship and brave enough to trust their voices in our future as a country.

NOTHANDO FAVOURATE MAPOSA, GRADE 3 TEACHER, DUMEZWENI PRIMARY SCHOOL, SOWETO:

went on to teach and play leadership

they may live fruitful lives filled with

roles in the International Schools in

interests and relationships and in

Qatar, Turkey and China and gained

service of broader society.

I pray that the children would know and believe that they are loved. I pray that they may open their spiritual eyes and ears to understand what is being taught. I pray that they may be protected from the devil and that he does not steal anything from them. May their parents get to understand the value of education and the importance of their role in developing the child.

of primary school curricula in each of

Spirit to be our continual Helper for

these settings.

growth in grace in our relationships

MABEL LAUBSCHER, PRINCIPAL, GRACE PRIMARY SCHOOL, PINELANDS:

to love and do what is right in His

I have been teaching for 35 years in a variety of different roles and on three different continents. I was involved in the founding of the International School of Cape Town from 1998 to 2003, heading up the primary school and developing the curriculum. Later I

further experience in the development

I returned to South Africa nearly

As a team, we all rely on the Holy

with one another, with the children

eight years ago to give back to

and their families, and with those in

education in South Africa, and two

our local community, that He may

years ago, the Lord led me to Grace

enable us to reflect Jesus’ grace and

Primary to take up the role as their

truth to the world.

first principal. I also teach Grade 4 and 5 English, History and Maths part-time. I pray that learners may learn from a young age to know God’s ways and eyes. I ask that our school would be a place where God’s truth is understood; where the children are encouraged to know and understand His world; where they are exposed to some of the great minds of history, literature, poetry, art and music; and where their gifts, talents and characters are nurtured so that

“I PRAY THAT LEARNERS MAY LEARN FROM A YOUNG AGE TO KNOW GOD’S WAYS”

Grace Primary School 8 Protea Close, Pinelands

021 824 4055 info@graceprimary.org

We are a growing independent Christian school in Pinelands with small classes, offering a rich and stimulating literature-based curriculum and striving to serve the child as a whole person. Look out for our next Open Day in February 2018 or call the office to book a tour of the school and meet the Principal.

*We still have a couple of spaces available for Grade 1 in 2018*

www.graceprimary.org www.facebook.com/GracePrimarySchool

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

EDUCATION IAN SMITH, PRINCIPAL, THE VINE SCHOOL, LANSDOWNE: I have been in education for more than two decades. I taught at two public schools previously, and started as a teacher at John Wycliffe Christian School (now known as The Vine School) for four years, then served as Deputy Principal and have been serving as Principal for the past 7 years. Part of our education philosophy or ‘Ambleside education’ at The Vine School includes the idea that children are not products to be moulded to a prescribed set of outcomes, but are individuals made in the image of God with immeasurable potential to grow in every area. My prayer is that we would help our pupils find delight in learning about God’s world and in knowing Him through it. That we would help them grow to become people with good life habits and godly, critical discernment; people of Christ-like character who will want to, and be able to, bring about change in the world for the extension of God’s kingdom.

CHIRENE ROSSOUW, PRE-GRADE R, CURRO CASTLE BRACKENFELL: I am a Group 5 (Grade RR) teacher and have been teaching this age group for the past 5 years, whilst furthering my studies part-time through UNISA. My biggest prayer request for my class of 2018 will be to protect the little minds of the children. They are exposed to so much in today’s world and it clouds their imagination. The TV shows that children watch introduce them to violence, monsters and bad language etc. The children portray those characters and live themselves into those roles at school and it can lead to conflict that may not end well. (A trip to the nurse or principal’s office). Children need family time, love and affection. Parents have a lot of responsibilities and find it difficult to make time to interact with their children and switching on the TV or playing on a tablet seems like a great alternative, but it is not good for a child’s development physically, mentally and emotionally. I pray that God will open their eyes, minds and hearts and that parents will take responsibility to make family time a priority. Children are meant to play outside and learn through play and follow the good example that their parents portray to them, instead of blindly following the media.

NIKITA FREDERICKS, ENGLISH TEACHER, EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY My prayer for all my learners is that they feel loved and valued, and that they each realise that there is at least one person who believes in them completely. I pray for their holistic success, not necessarily academically, but as individuals who grow in love and knowledge as they pass through my class. I want to be who I needed when I was young, and show Christ’s love in a practical way, daily. 50

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EDUCATION

SERVING OURSELVES OR OTHERS? Richard Mee, Head of Ethics, Philosophy and Religious Studies at Cornerstone Institute, delves into the question of what it means to live a good Christian life. One common misconception about the good Christian life, is that it is all about personal piety, often guided by being religious and reverent. We may continue to suffer from Pharisee-ism in the church – a “heart of stone” disease with a don’tbreak-the-rules approach to a faithful life. However, by just not doing anything wrong, are we achieving “life in all its fullness”, “peace that passes understanding” and the “joy in the Holy Spirit”? Even the word ‘peace’ suggests that Christianity is about more than private piety. While we often see peace as merely not fighting, a Hebrew understanding of peace is more about positive, or right, relationship. It forces us outside of our ‘self’ and into the public.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT THE GIFT THAT IS PLACED INSIDE OF US BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ORIENTATED TOWARDS THE BLESSING OF THOSE OUTSIDE OF US THROUGH WHATEVER IT IS THAT GOD PLACES IN OUR HAND TO DO.

Our brain chemistry and social processes seem designed by God in a way that often rewards us for a life lived in love of others. This is Jeremiah’s call to “seek the prosperity of the city” because through it we will prosper. Generosity towards those around us results in others being generous towards us. Caring for the health and prosperity of our neighbours is essential for our own health and prosperity.

ACTING FROM LOVE In all of this we see that we are created for public service and that loving actions result in personal piety. In our efforts to live a good Christian life, let us take our eyes off ourselves and ask what it is that love would have us do for those around

IN SERVICE OF SOCIETY John Wesley, in addressing a society with clear moral dilemmas, clearly linked individual piety to service of society, and the poor in particular. Karl Barth said that the Christian minister should have a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other, clearly suggesting that Christian life is always responding to what is happening around us. What this leads us towards is the old truth that our faith, as James wrote, is always seen in the works that it produces, and Jesus said that a good tree will bear good fruit, but a diseased tree will bear bad fruit. True piety is seen in the fruit of what we do, not what we don’t do. It is active. Personal faith must always drive public action. Personal piety is always seen in service of society.

places in our hand to do.

us. Maybe we will discover what so many others have discovered before us, that we grow more spiritually when we serve others than when we

BLESSING OTHERS We have seen students who have taken their Theology studies into church ministry, while others have gone, in the power of the same spirit, into community development, counselling and psychology. One student has very intentionally continued their work of the Gospel in the financial industry and others have

are consumed by ourselves. Maybe the best path to piety is to discover ourselves in community, to allow the Holy Spirit to turn our hearts and our hands towards those around us. In this way we will discover a greater depth of relationship with God, as we love and care for others, than we could ever discover in seeking Him on our own. Is a good Christian life public or

found their way into government

private? Should we look for piety

work. The important thing is that

or for service? A truly personal

the gift that is placed inside of us by

Christian faith is always in some way

the Holy Spirit is orientated towards

public. Piety cannot be separated

the blessing of those outside of

from service, and is, in fact, often

us through whatever it is that God

discovered through service.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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“FOR HERE I SHALL WALK WITH THEM AND TALK WITH THEM AS WITH THE APOSTLES IN DAYS GONE BY. HERE AS THEY WAIT BEFORE ME, THEY SHALL KNOW THE LAND WHERE UNTO I HAVE CALLED THEM AND THE WORK WHICH I HAVE CALLED THEM TO DO. FROM HERE THEY SHALL GO TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH TO PREACH MY GOSPEL WITH SIGNS AND WONDERS.”

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The Bible Institute of South Africa (BISA) was founded in 1923 as an evangelical and interdenominational training centre in South Africa. From the very beginning it has been their mission to train and equip individuals to know Christ and to make Him known. BISA has a long record of consistently and faithfully training ministers, missionaries, lecturers, teachers and church workers in the Bible and theology. Moreover, many Christians have been better prepared for effective witness in the professional world. Students are drawn from, and go out to minister in, many different countries in Africa and the wider world. Christo April is a BISA employee with a powerful testimony and calling to teach. Born and bred on the Cape Flats, Christo was brought up in a Christian home, but rebelled, particularly in his teen years. He knew that his friends were into gangsterism, using weapons and violence as an outlet, but Christo refused to go that far. At age 15, a terrifying incident changed the course of his life for good. While visiting a friend, Christo was shot, severing his femoral artery and leaving him to haemorrhage. Close to death, Christo had to have his left leg amputated above the knee. He spent two months in hospital, followed by an extensive and frustrating rehab as an amputee. During recovery, his Christian family rallied around him with daily visits and prayer. It was during this time that Christo began to recognise the truth in the Gospel that he had previously rejected on an intellectual basis. He went to church with his parents and the love and warmth he felt there made him eager to return. He started to enjoy reading the Bible, (even the King James Version!) and wanted to share this excitement and understanding with others, so much so that in 2006, Christo was awarded with a BTh followed by a BA (Hons) several years later. Since his conversion, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been involved in church ministry and in 2016, Christo was ordained. He met Neil Henry, the Christian Leadership Programme (CLP) Director at the Bible Institute, who, recognising gold, quickly involved Christo in teaching in the CLP programme. CLP is a three-year, part-time BISA programme, offering college level biblical leadership studies. Christo was invited to BISA several times as a popular guest chapel speaker until mid-2017 when he officially started working at the college. Christo loves reading, particularly history, philosophy and theology. He is a valued asset to BISA, a place where he can freely share his love for God and the Gospel. For more info about the courses on offer at BISA visit www.bisa.org.za. THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

With summer in full swing, I am sure you are excited to be out and about, but you may also be really anxious about what to wear and how to stay cool, confident and stylish. StyleByLoren is here to help you with our top tips for a confidently fab summer.

Get styled this summer with Loren Lee Langenhoven from StyleByLoren.

STAY FRAGRANT AND FRESH Now is the time to become a minimalist queen and allow your personality to be your biggest accessory! Opt for loose fitted garments (structured not flimsy) that are made from natural, breathable fabrics that are ideal for summer. Avoid embellishments – these may weigh down your garment which will end up sticking to your body. The same applies to jewellery. Explore lighter colours that shun the sun instead of absorbing it. Extra Tip: If you are worried about sweat in your neck, wear a small cotton scarf. It will absorb the moisture and still have you looking super stylish!

DON’T FORGET THOSE GORGEOUS TRESSES!

The trick to looking effortlessly chic, is to make a little effort that goes a long way. When it comes to your hair, start at the bottom and get a good trim to say bye-bye to dry lifeless ends. Apply hair product from the tips to the root, and deep condition from time to time. Summer is great for fun with up styles, like a messy bun or sleek ponytail. This is great for corporate and casual looks and will keep you looking fresh! Extra Tip: Get an effortless beach hair look with our homemade sea salt spray. Mix 1 teaspoon of sea salt and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil with water in a small spray bottle. Spray and scrunch your hair to get that desirable wavy beach look. The coconut oil will counteract the dryness of the salt.

TAKE OFOF TAKECARE CARE YOUR SKIN! YOUR SKIN

For an everlasting glow (that is not oil build up), drink water, exfoliate regularly and SPF, SPF, SPF! Do not leave the house without using a moisturiser that has SPF in it. When it comes to make up, use a quality primer, which creates a shield and prevents your skin’s natural oils from mingling with your foundation. Opt for cream eye shadows, waterproof mascara to keep your lashes moisturised, and instead of a regular lipstick (which becomes messy in summer heat), use a lip stain or lip crayon. Extra Tip: Feeling clammy in the summer heat? Take a sheet of blotting paper and lightly touch your skin to absorb excess oils.

StyleByLoren is a fashion and image company that offers various services from fashion, wardrobe and personal styling to personal shop assisting. Founded by Loren Lee Langenhoven, StyleByLoren aims to use the power of fashion to empower others! 56

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

Finding God’s best without shame, fear or negativity. By Robyn Tichauer There comes a point in life – perhaps due to age or circumstances – where your singleness becomes a big deal. Personally, I thought I’d be much older before reaching a point of near identity crisis. I also thought I’d be married by now (let’s all laugh at this one). We lament before God about our frustrations, dying dreams, desires and the unfairness of our situation. We may enviously peer at other couples who seem to taunt us as they hold hands or cuddle up closely to one another.

COMPARISON IS THE THIEF OF JOY This is often when the worst habit – comparison – sets in. I find myself scrutinising every female, especially those in relationships at church, searching for that hidden flaw. Often, I don’t find any. Everyone seems prettier, thinner, more interesting. To me, these women have everything I want and are everything I want to be. I compare myself to pretty much everyone and fall very short of my self-set expectations. The result? Complete and utter shame. I judge myself into a cycle of negativity. Every look in the mirror becomes one of disgust; every clumsy moment becomes proof of why I’m single and a reminder of my ineligibility as a dating option. I become my own worst enemy, and I often fallen into a pit I dig myself. And my future husband is not the one who can save me. Only God can do that. Falling into this cycle of self-shame, feelings of unworthiness and of comparison, is unhealthy. Not only that, it isn’t what God wants for us at all. I’ve found that the biggest temptation as a single woman is not sexually orientated (like porn or intimacy 58

with strangers) as I had assumed it would be. Rather, it is the temptation of comparing myself to others and destroying my image, worth and confidence with negative thoughts about myself. It’s also thinking that my worth and identity can only be found in who I will become when I am no longer single.

“HE WANTS THE BEST FOR US IN EVERYTHING – NO SHAME, NO FEAR, NO DESTRUCTIVE THOUGHTS"

definitely better. My personal history and the testimonies of others have proven this to me time and time again.

GO DEEPER Having the time and opportunity to build a deep relationship with God is a beautiful, and necessary, thing. God adores us and wants the best for us. Once we realize that

WHERE IS YOUR FOCUS? We all have different timelines and journeys set out for us by God – a fact we easily forget. For now, my journey is to be single and focus on God without any distractions. Once you start to plan a future with someone, ‘God Time’ becomes less and less as your partner fills up more of your time and thoughts. It’s natural. But having a steadfast and secure relationship with God before a relationship means that your love for God will surpass the distraction. It also means you’ll be more secure, healed and prepared to enter into a relationship – and the relationship is more likely to be a healthy one when God is first in your life. I haven’t been successful with this yet. But I know life

is simply better with God. Not easier, but

(by spending time with Him), we’ll begin to see ourselves as He does - perfectly and wonderfully created. He wants the best for us in everything – no shame, no fear, no destructive thoughts. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well,” (Matthew 6:33). It’s hard to believe all of this when we’re the ones stuck in a rut and can’t see God anywhere, but it’s true. The more time we spend in God’s presence, the more we want what He wants for us, and the more we will see these desires come into fruition - including all those tender matters of the heart!

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THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

MARRIAGE

With over 40 years of wedded bliss, Rona Miller delves deep to explain the true significance of the marriage covenant. The blank silent screen stared at me. A faulty synchronised audio visual unit and more than eight hours to go before touchdown in Dubai. The lady next to me began our conversation with something along the lines of, “My husband is upfront in business class and I bet his AV is working!” Never one to stand on ceremony, I bleated, “What sort of husband do you have who travels in exclusivity while you are with me in cattle class?” Apparently as a professional sports coach he was travelling with his team upfront whilst us lesser mortals paid our way at the back, albeit cheaply! I asked my newfound friend how long they had been married and we settled into a conversation that I’ve remembered ever since. “Well we lived together for 10 years and on our 10th anniversary he asked me to marry him. I never thought it would happen but I said yes and now we have been married for 11 years.” Intrigued I enquired, “So what is the difference between the first decade and the second? “Oh, it’s like night and day.” There it was, stark and simple; day and night - light and dark.

A BIBLICAL COVENANT You see, marriage is and always will be a big deal to God! From Adam and Eve in the first book of the Bible through to the wedding supper of the Lamb in the book of Revelations, God deals in covenant (not contract!). “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one,” (Genesis 2:24-25). Interesting that God 60

doesn’t use politically correct terms such as “...one with his partner or significant other”. There is something powerful about the covenant of marriage. In fact, marriage is so important that God even speaks of His Beloved Son Jesus as the bridegroom, and His church (us) as the bride (Ephesians 5:25-29). Marriage is supposed to mirror God’s covenant relationship with His people.

A DEEPER DESIRE Despite worldwide trends for couples to live together, there is still a deepseated longing within each of us to be in a committed, caring and permanent relationship – one where we can be appreciated for who we are, and not criticised for who we are not. You know how it goes, “I wish you could be more like...” (fill in the blanks) “If only you would be less (...)” “Why don’t you (....)” Too often we try to erase the very character traits that made us fall in love in the first place. ‘Cute and entertaining’ may later be perceived as trivial and frivolous. ‘Dependable and thrifty’ may be viewed as boring

and stingy! What was it that attracted you to that person when you couldn’t wait to share time together? And what is it that you are now trying to change in them?

CHANGE COMES FROM GOD A minister once spoke of a nervous bride who had been tasked to remember the first three stages of the wedding service which were: 1. Go down the aisle; 2. Reach the altar; and 3. Sing the first hymn. She was heard to mumble as she stepped toward her bridegroom, “aisle, altar, hymn!’ (or “I’ll alter him”). In marriage as in life, it’s not up to us to change other people, so let’s leave that to God as He’s really good at it. Rather, let’s allow God to change us first from within, and then amazingly the world is better, brighter and certainly a lot more peaceful. “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man,” (Proverbs 3:3-4).

WHY IS GOD PUNISHING ME? After decades of abuse, Ester Fourie finally found Jesus and was prompted to forgive those who had caused her so much harm. This is her personal story. My childhood was very different from most kids. From the age of eight, my father began to sexually molest me. Overcome with guilt and shame, I felt dirty and alone. Many years of repeated sexual abuse also resulted in the development of an eating disorder. Overweight and with a very low self-esteem, I found love at the age of 13 and I thought that this would be my ‘way out’. He was older and had a more

school events with him. These church “I REALISED events were awesome but I often had to walked away from one abusive situation to walk on egg shells and lie to my husband THAT I HAVE A another – this time physical and emotional. about what we had experienced. PURPOSE I eventually believed the lie that the abuse As an adult, I decided to stop the abuse IN LIFE”. I received was what I deserved. and after 32 years of marriage, I divorced my husband. Soon after, I visited a church DESPERATE AND AFRAID and realised that I did not know God. I came to I was married at 15 and five months pregnant. Shortly the beautiful discovery that He was not a God of thereafter my son was born with club feet. Once more I punishment, like I had thought. I realised what Jesus thought that this was a punishment I deserved. Financially had done for me and I wanted a relationship with him. my son’s father supported us, but both physically and I then decided to get baptised and God cleansed and emotionally – I was a complete wreck. healed my body and soul. I now had a small baby to care for who underwent four With the help of God, I was prompted to forgive operations to rectify his feet – the last one when he was my ex-husband and my father. This was hard, but I three years old. After every operation, I remember walking am grateful to Jesus and those who have walked this up and down with him in our tiny one-bedroom apartment journey with me for helping me to completely release as he cried for many days, and I had no idea how to help my father. him. I was 16, afraid and alone with no help. Today I honour my earthly father, because God At first, I didn’t want more children, but then I fell pregnant instructs us to do so. He was a sick man, struggling for a second time and sadly lost the baby. Thereafter I had a with many of his own demons but I know that if I had little girl and when I held her in my arms for the first time, I kept the hurt and resentment in my heart, it would knew I would fight for her to have a better life. have destroyed me. FRUSTRATION MOUNTS I realised that I have a purpose in life. God saved, I was forced to attend my husband’s church to baptise my son healed and restored me. Today I am remarried to a but before this could happen I had to attend Bible courses wonderful, supportive and loving man. My relationship and adopt their religious beliefs. Without any relationship with my children is slowly being restored and my with God, I did all that was requested of me but still felt relationship with Jesus grows deeper by the day. empty. I grew unsatisfied and frustrated and I kept searching “To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown for purpose because I thought I was being punished. of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of My husband instructed me that I was not allowed to mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their attend church myself, but only drop off my children. Only righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the after my third child was born, did I eventually attend Sunday Lord has planted for His own glory,” (Isaiah 61:3). secure living environment. However, I

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

AN IMAGE AT A TIME “Armed with a decent-ish camera and loads of enthusiasm”, Nelani Van Zyl nervously agreed to assist in a friend’s wedding in 2013. She called it ‘love at first click’ and little did she know that her heart would continually tug at the idea of wedding photography and that God would soon redirect her path towards this creative call. In 2016, she made the difficult decision to quit her stable retail job and pursue photography full time, a decision she never expected to be so fulfilling and life changing. This career change has taken her on a journey of self-discovery, full surrender and complete faith in God.

CALLED TO SERVE

Nicole Pitt chats to local wedding photographer and visual storyteller, Nelani Van Zyl, about her calling to pursue her creative craft.

A CREATIVE CALL Growing up in a creative home with a dad as an avid photographer, set the tone for what was to come. However, Nelani’s creative spirit was often stifled in her corporate career. Through obedience to God, she took a leap of faith, staying true to who she was created to be, to pursue her passion for photography. Nelani loves the universal language of photography along with its ability to relay emotive stories. Wedding photography is also one of her favourite forms of expression. “I love the creativity of it,” explains Nelani. “It’s something that transcends cultures and transcends languages and you have the ability to capture emotion without putting words to it.” 62

Serving God by serving others is what her photography is all about. Nelani views her work as a ministry tool as she has the unique task of meeting and praying with couples before (and on) the biggest day of their lives. She feels blessed to be able to live out her dream every single day, using it to bring glory to God. This is evident in her style, where she allows God to direct her lens. “God will also lead me on a shoot, saying ‘there, there’” she gestures. “I have to trust God on every single shoot, that He will open up my creative eye because He is the ultimate creator.” She is quickly learning to surrender every part of the photography process to God. “I had to come to a point and say, ‘Okay God, you need to come sit with me and edit every single photo. You need to develop my style.’”

COVENANT GROUND

Nicole Pitt and husband on their wedding day.

Nelani loves bold, bright pops of colour, crisp, sharp and bright images that tell a story. She has a love for landscapes, food and travel and last but definitely not least… weddings! Being a self-professed romantic at heart, Nelani loves to visually showcase a story of love through wedding photography. She respects and understands that marriage is a gift from God – a covenant. She feels honoured to

be a part of each couple’s unique tale of love and redemption as they commit their union to the Lord. “It’s a privilege to shoot weddings,” she explains. “We get to work on covenant ground!” Nelani also has a love and passion for people which drives her involvement in the ‘Touching Hearts’ ministry she is a part of. “I love being able to sow into people’s lives”. “Everything needs to point back to God. Once I made that realisation, I could see the difference in my work. He changed my style and I learned to edit through His eyes and see couples through His eyes.”

STANDING OUT Through her shoots, editing and now the revamping of her website, Nelani completely surrenders, placing it all in the Father’s hands. In a saturated market, she believes that she needs to stand out and be different. “I had to sit with God and ask Him how He wants the website to look. He came and re-established the foundations of my business with the different packages and shoots I offer. I had to stay true to the season I found myself in, not simply following the lead of everyone else in the industry. I want to do things because God is leading me. If I establish my foundations in God, my business will flourish.” This is a vivid reminder of the Scripture that reads: “Seek first the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously and He will give you everything you need,” (Matthew 6:33). This adequately encapsulates the way Nelani works and strives to live her life. www.nelaniphotography.com.

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BREAKING THE MILK MYTH By Jennifer Cupido, health enthusiast and skincare entrepreneur.

Why do we love milk so much? Health enthusiast and skincare entrepreneur, Jennifer Cupido, unpacks some of the myths associated with this childhood staple. Milk seems to be one of those whole foods that comes in and out of style. It’s great for bones and then it’s bad for skin, good for hormones and then bad for weight loss should you keep milk in your diet?

A CHILDHOOD STAPLE AND FOR GOOD REASONS! Milk continues to be a powerful symbol - our first food – intrinsically linked to the mother and often associated with God’s blessings and richness in the Bible. “If the Lord delights in us, He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey,” (Numbers 14:8).

HEALTH

TODAY MILK HAS MANY BENEFITS. LET’S BREAK THE MILK MYTHS:

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Whole fat milk aids nerve and brain development according to Frank Greer, M.D. Chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee of Nutrition. It contains vitamin B2 and B12 and Vitamin A – all needed to produce energy in the body.

Drink alone as a whole food to replenish energy after a workout - or give as a “snack” for kids after playtime.

Originating in milk, alpha hydroxy acid helps to resurface and nourish the skin.

Milk can also be used to sooth sunburn and inflamed skin.

It really can help you sleep - a certain amino acid found in milk reduces stress and can even aid headaches. Try it warm in the evening to ease you into sleep.

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DIY MILK FACE MASK FOR NOURISHED SKIN Milk actually has many advantages for improved skin including softening rough skin, deep cleansing pores, oil control action, killing off germs, hydrating and gently exfoliating skin. Milk has been used in beauty treatments since ancient times. Create your own DIY face mask with these simple ingredients: 1 tablespoon milk and 1/4 ripe avocado Directions: Mash up a quarter ripe avocado until it is free of lumps. Add in 1 tablespoon of whole milk and form a smooth paste. In a circular motion, apply this mixture to your face and let it set for about 10 to 15 minutes. Once dry, wash your face with warm water and a soft face cloth to remove paste. What can you expect? Together with avo, milk works to preserve moisture in skin cells and deeply cleanse pores. Expect a smoother, softer, nourished skin. Tip: If you have excess paste left over, apply to your hands and neck for baby soft skin!

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CHRISTIAN APPS TO HELP YOU GROW IN YOUR FAITH As a young believer, it is easy to feel disconnected from others and alone on your faith journey, but this does not need to be the case. Thanks to technology, there are so many great apps available to help you make the most of your walk with Christ. Here we share our top 10 must-have apps:

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YOUVERSION BIBLE APP

You can now literally take the Word of God with you wherever you go! This amazing app contains over 1000 versions of the Bible, including audio! You can bookmark your favourite verses and access hundreds of relevant Bible reading plans and devotions to suit you! Set reminders and never miss your time in the Word!

PRAY AS YOU GO

This innovative app is a daily prayer session designed to go with you… wait for it… wherever you go. A new prayer session is produced every weekday and one session for the weekend. It is not a ‘Thought for the Day’, a sermon or a Bible-study, but rather a framework for your own prayer which lasts between 10 and 13 minutes, combining music, Scripture and some questions for reflection.

VERSES – BIBLE MEMORY

Dig deep into the Word and memorise Scripture with ease using this nifty memory app. Now you can memorise quickly and easily with fast-paced memory games. Stay motivated by tracking your progress over time by using the tracking tool. More than 1,750,000 memory games have already been played with passages recalled perfectly over 2000,000 times!

GOT QUESTIONS

We all have questions about life and God. What does it mean to have the fear of God? Why does God allow natural disasters? This app has over 5600 of our most frequently asked questions about the Bible organised by topic, with a built-in search function and relevant articles for easy reading. You also have the ability to ask your own questions should these not already be available on the app.

YOUTH

GLOBIBLE

GloBible focuses on making reading and studying the Bible a beautiful experience for any believer. GloBible has been around for a while, but the latest version of the app is an all-new take on the Bible-study experience. GloBible encourages you to explore by tapping on passages to see more media and study resources. It just takes 2 taps to access resources for any Bible chapter and the app has hundreds of biblical locations linked directly to Scripture.

RIGHTNOW MEDIA

RightNow Media is like the “Netflix for the church” because they have a huge library with thousands of video sessions that people can access anytime, anywhere. A vast selection of video resources for Christians is available, especially small group studies, kids’ media, and sermons.

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AIR1 – MUSIC APP

Air1 app gives you positive Christian hits all throughout the day and allows free Christian music downloads for Android. This app is a contemporary hit radio network, playing contemporary Christian music and is operated by a not-for-profit ministry. You can now listen to trending Christian music, view all Christian artists (alphabetically) and add their album to your favourites and even receive daily Christian verses from the app all for free.

YESHEIS: RETHINK SHARING YOUR FAITH This is the perfect faith sharing app that helps you start conversations with friends who don’t know Jesus. It will inspire, stretch and challenge you to live life on a mission. Get tips and tricks on how to talk about Jesus no matter the situation. With a live chat and a video sharing library, you can access vital information to help you share your faith.

PRAYERMATE This useful app allows you to keep track of prayer requests. You enter the names of people you plan to pray for, and the app pops up index cards each day to remind you. You can easily organise the time and way you pray, and you can subscribe to online prayer diaries. It includes a reminder clock, photo attachment, and a downloadable prayer gallery.

IDISCIPLE

iDisciple conveniently delivers sermons, exclusive growth plans, devotionals, and music from hundreds of top Christian authors, speakers, ministries, and artists to you - any time, any place, on any device. Receive content from top Christian authors, speakers, and ministries such as Rick Warren, Andy Stanley, Lysa TerKeurst, Joyce Meyer, Ravi Zacharias, John C. Maxwell, Third Day, Anne Graham Lotz & more!

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FAITH-BASED FILMS TO INSPIRE

Here are a few Christian movies to keep a look out for this summer. Don’t miss out on these challenging tales to encourage your faith.

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

In Sony Pictures Animation’s The Star, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. Together with his newfound animal friends, Bo becomes one of the unlikely heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas. A wholesome family movie with a new spin on the birth of Christ – in cinemas from mid-November.

THE STAR

This revolutionary film is about an atheist female scientist, Dr Beatrix Cera (played by actress Diana Angelson), who eventually learns that faith can absolutely create miracles. The newly-completely apocalyptic drama follows the fight of Dr Cera as she finds her way through a world on the brink of extinction. In her attempt to save the world, she finds herself in a violent struggle between good and evil.

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Mary Magdalene is a prominent biblical figure and this movie, named after this iconic follower of Christ, focuses on her life, scheduled for release early 2018. Mary Magdalene is an upcoming American-BritishAustralian biblical drama film written by Helen Edmundson and Philippa Goslett, directed by Garth Davis. It stars Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Tahar Rahim. Keep an eye out for this life-changing drama on the big screen.

ALL SAINTS

All Saints is based on the inspiring true story of salesman-turnedpastor Michael Spurlock (John Corbett), the tiny church he was ordered to shut down, and a group of refugees from Southeast Asia. Together, they risk everything to plant seeds for a future that might just save them all. It is a heartfelt faith-based movie about stepping out of one’s comfort zone and finding hope for a better future. Available locally through Humble Pie Entertainment and in cinemas from mid November 2017.

MARY MAGDALENE

From the Erwin Brothers (Mom’s Night Out, Woodlawn) comes the true story behind the record-breaking song, ‘I Can Only Imagine’. The inspiring tale follows the life story of MercyMe lead singer, Bart Millar, who at a young age, lost his father to cancer, which inspired the song. His journey brings ultimate hope to many as a gripping reminder of the power of true forgiveness. I Can Only Imagine stars Dennis Quaid (Soul Surfer) and Trace Adkins (Mom’s Night Out).

The Sunday school teacher was describing that when Lot’s wife looked back at Sodom she turned into a pillar of salt, when Bobby interrupted. “My mommy looked back once while she was driving,” he announced, “and she turned into a telephone pole.”

MERRIMENT

A Sunday school teacher asked the children just before she dismissed them to go to church, “And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?” Annie replied: “Because people are sleeping!”

SUNDAY SCHOOL

KIDS

At Sunday school, they were learning how God created everything, including human beings. Johnny was especially intent when the teacher told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam’s ribs. Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and said, “Johnny, what is the matter?” Johnny responded, “I have pain in my side. I think I’m going to have a wife.”

BOOK REVIEWS DRIVEN BY ETERNITY By John Bevere, Messenger International This soul-searching book is the revised and expanded 10th anniversary edition by best-selling author, John Bevere, who probes the heart with the question, ‘What will your eternity look like?’ With an eye-opening allegory and extensive scripture, the author paints a vivid picture of the way our earthly lives shape our eternal existence. He encourages the reader to make life count today and forever. The truth is, our response to the cross doesn’t just determine where we’ll spend eternity. It also determines how we’ll spend it. Life beyond that final breath isn’t just about heaven or hell, but it is much more wonderful than that. The book includes pertinent discussion questions for group study.

THE JOY MODEL By Jeff Spadafora, Thomas Nelson Many have given up on their faith being a source of joy and from despondence comes frustration. Author Jeff Spadafora provides a step-by-step guide to finding peace, purpose, balance and ultimate joy in your walk with Christ. As a management consultant and Christian life coach, he speaks to the heart of the matter and provides a blueprint for building a life of greater joy, with a workable plan for frustrated believers to become joyful followers. From creating margin in our schedules to breathe easier and think more clearly, to discovering our true selves and going deeper into our relationship with God and others, this book will take you on a journey from joyless to joyful.

THE PRAYER OF PROTECTION By Joseph Prince, Faith Words In these days of danger, trouble, and evil, New York Times bestselling author Joseph Prince reveals how God’s children can have round-the-clock protection through the power of prayer. This timely paperback unveils the Bible’s ultimate Psalm of protection, Psalm 91, to help you understand more about how God guards His children. Make God’s protection your priority today with practical advice from Joseph Prince who also shares key principles to living fearlessly in these dangerous times and finding peace in the secret place with the Father. Move from fear to boldness as you learn to stand on the biblical promises of God and guard your heart against every fear.

STRENGTHS BASED MARRIAGE By Jimmy Evans and Allan Kelsey, Nelson Books In an age where Christian marriages are continually under fire and people are often misunderstood in their own significant relationships, it is refreshing to read a book that aims to unlock the mysteries of a deeper, richer relationship with your spouse. Marriage expert Jimmy Evans and strengths expert Allan Kelsey show readers how to have a happier, stronger marriage by applying the concepts from the popular StrengthsFinder assessment to their relationship. Learn to recognise each other’s unique strengths and gifts in the quest to build a strong marriage for life. Utterly practical and insightful, the book covers topics like Stopping the Cycles of Pain, Speaking Love to Your Spouse’s Heart and Secrets of Successful Marriages.

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WORST DROUGHT IN OVER A CENTURY

WORLD AIDS DAY World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st December each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day. In South Africa, over 7 million people are HIV-positive, and an estimated 3,8 million South Africans have already died as a result of this disease over the past 30 years. Local news reported South Africa’s Aids-related death toll is already equivalent to 48 Hiroshima atomic bomb attacks and as a result, AIDS is like a weapon of mass destruction deployed in the country every six months. Much needs to be done to continue in the fight against AIDS. The United States alone has contributed over R65 billion to South Africa’s ongoing HIV and ARV campaigns. This life-saving funding is a golden opportunity for us to contain the spread of HIV and protect our precious future generations from it.

The Western Cape is facing the worst drought recorded in over 100 years and the effects are crippling. The City of Cape Town anticipates that its supply of municipal water may run out during summer. Water restrictions have been in place since 2005. These were intensified in December 2015 and have been made more extreme since then, as water levels continue to drop. In September 2017, level 5 water restrictions were implemented with water rationing becoming a growing reality. The City of Cape Town is looking into various ways to boost access to water - this includes sea-based desalination, water reclamation and groundwater abstraction projects. Continue to do your bit to save every drop and pray for rain in the Western Cape.

SAFETY FIRST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON Road accidents are one of the main causes of injury and death on South African roads during the festive season. With greater numbers of vehicles and pedestrians on the roads, it is essential to stay vigilant at all times. Always ensure that your vehicle is in full working condition before you hit the long road. Service your car regularly and keep a roadside emergency kit handy including 72

essentials such as a jumper cable, and torch with batteries. Ensure that you have a spare tyre in tow as well as a basic toolkit with screwdrivers, pocket knife and pliers. Remember, it is required by law that children under the age of three are to be securely fastened into a children’s carseat while in transit. Always check that your carseat is correctly installed and that your child is securely fastened.

Never drink and drive. The legal alcohol limit for drivers in South Africa equates to two drinks over the space of one hour. If you are caught with a blood alcohol level above this limit, you could face serious charges including imprisonment for up to six years, fines of up to R120 000, and the loss of your driver’s licence.

GLOBAL AWARD FOR LOCAL HEART VALVE A team of dedicated local heart surgeons and medical engineers have perfected a heart valve that will save millions of young lives particularly in poor third world communities across the globe. The breakthrough comes at the time of the 50th anniversary of the world’s first heart transplant, by Professor Christiaan Barnard, which took place at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town on 3 December 1967. Aimed at millions of patients in developing countries who would die without open-heart surgery, the valve allows doctors to repair or replace diseased heart valves at rural hospitals without the need for expensive, sophisticated, equipment or open-heart surgery. This is a breakthrough in medical technology.

CLIMBING THREE PEAKS TO SEE URBAN HEROES REACH NEW HEIGHTS At 6:00am on Saturday, 14 November, nearly 60 people gathered at the bottom of Devil’s Peak, after months of training, to begin a day’s worth of hiking mountains. Three to be exact. These people weren’t gathered because they are crazy (though for some that might be questionable), they were gathered for a shared purpose. For four years now, The Message Trust has challenged both team members and activists alike, to climb three of Cape Town’s well-known peaks in order to raise funds and awareness for The Message to be able to continue their work throughout the city. The Message Trust exists to raise up generations of urban heroes, creating opportunities for tens of thousands of urban teenagers and young adults to hear the good news of Jesus in word and demonstrated in action. This year’s goal of the fundraiser was not just to raise R125,000, but to actively unite in shared interest

to spread awareness of The Message’s vision of reaching at-risk youth and transforming their lives and communities for the better. As team members and activists conquered Devil’s Peak, Table Mountain, and Lion’s Head, it served as a beautiful reminder of The Message’s desire to see gangsterism, crime, poverty, and unemployment conquered throughout Cape Town. By working together, we can succeed in raising up Urban Heroes that provide solutions to the problems their communities face. “Three Peaks is a highlight of our year. It’s amazing to see the effort people make in order to support our work. Thanks to everyone who hiked, gave, and cheered us on!” — Tim Tucker - CEO, The Message Trust For more info: www.message.org.za THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

By Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons. ANTI-CONVERSION LAWS PASSED IN INDIA wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47943348

Since India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi took power in 2014, hostilities against Christians are on the rise. His background with radical Hindu nationalists and the RSS have emboldened those groups in their push to make India a totally Hindu nation. The northeastern state of Jharkhand recently became the ninth state to pass anti-conversion

laws, which are often used to suppress any religion other than Hinduism. Reports from after the March 2017 election say physical violence against Christians has risen 40 percent since 2016, while murders of Christians have doubled. Continue to pray for the Church in India as well as for those in government.

FINDING FAITH IN SIN CITY

The events of 1 October 2017 will forever be etched in the minds and hearts of people from around the world. In what is often referred to as ‘Sin City’, a horrific public shooting left 58 dead and 546 injured – and many more questioning their faith and purpose in life. Canyon Ridge Christian Church sits in the northwest suburbs of Las Vegas, 25 miles from the Strip, and its congregation was deeply affected by the massacre at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in October. More than 6000 worship at services every weekend, and 74

BONNKE’S FAREWELL CRUSADE DRAWS MILLIONS German-born evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, founder of Christ for all Nations (CfaN), recently held a five-day farewell crusade in Nigeria. Organizers say their goal was to reach over 30 million Nigerians with the Gospel. According to CfaN, the last time Bonnke held an event in Nigeria was in 2000 when 6 million people attended his meetings and more than 3 million people made decisions for Christ. Healing, miracles, and signs and wonders, have been the hallmark of Bonnke’s crusades over the decades. “He has seen witchdoctors and people bound in the occult become transformed by Holy Spirit-powered Gospel.” “Because it is my farewell crusade, I am going to pass that burning torch that the Holy Spirit gave to me in my young years, I pass it on to all who want to receive and follow my footsteps in Nigeria, across Africa and across the world.” – Reinhard Bonnke.

the week of the shooting, over 3000 came to a candlelight prayer vigil to try and process the tragedy that had just taken place. “It feels like it’s one of those things that kind of shakes everyone awake and helps them realise that there’s more to life than just living for superficial temporal things,” said Executive Pastor Mitch Harrison. Many that came, he said, admitted they rarely go to church. “People were showing up and saying, ‘I haven’t been to church in years but I need faith in my life,’” said Harrison.

CHILD LABOUR PLUMMETS According to new data from the International Labour Organisation, child slavery has dropped from 250 million in 2000 to 152 million in 2016 – roughly a 40% decline. This is good news for children around the world as greater action has been taken to protect kids, especially in hazardous areas, where labour has dropped by half, and rates also declined across all sectors, including agriculture, industry, factory, and trafficking. Additionally, children who are freed from modern slavery are more likely to get an education and enjoy their childhoods.

NETHERLANDS TO BUILD ROADS FROM RECYCLED PLASTIC A Dutch organisation has announced plans to salvage plastic pollution from the ocean and use it to build highways in Rotterdam. The Plastic Road project is quite simple: VolkerWessels, the company leading the project, plans to gather the materials by installing barricades in nearby ocean waters. The plastics will then be transported, processed, and compressed into building blocks for the roads. Beyond its benefit to the planet, the raw recycled material will also be more durable and easier to manipulate and maintain.

SOMALIA SEES BLOODIEST TERROR ATTACK IN COUNTRY’S HISTORY In October 2017, Somalia experienced the worst terror attack ever to occur on its soil. The government is blaming al-Shabaab for the truck bomb attack in a crowded street in the capital city of Mogadishu that killed at least 300 and injured hundreds of others. Authorities say the truck was packed with several hundred kilograms of military-grade and homemade explosives, then was

detonated outside a hotel near the foreign ministry. This attack is nothing new. In the past decade, al-Shabaab has carried out more than 360 attacks in Somalia alone. The Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab holds to a Saudi-inspired Wahhabi branch of Islam, said to be the main source of global terrorism. The group enforces Sharia Law, a strict, literal interpretation of the Koran. Open Doors USA President David

Curry explains: “This is a virulent strain of Wahhabi Islam, and they want to eliminate Christians. They want to create a caliphate in Somalia, in Kenya, and they will attack and destabilize governments to do so.” Somalia ranks No. 2 on Open Doors’ World Watch List for countries where it’s most difficult to be a Christian. Even the suspicion of having converted from Islam can result in a rushed public execution. THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

SCRIPTURES TO ENCOURAGE YOU THROUGH TRYING TIMES

SAY NO TO FEAR “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

When you are faced with challenges of any kind, you can always turn to the authoritative Truth of the Gospel for encouragement and life-giving power over despair. Speak these Scriptures into being in your own home and see God’s Word come alive in your own heart and family life!

HE MAKES ME BOLD “In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.” (Psalm 138:3)

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:26).

HE RENEWS ME “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

I HAVE A SPIRIT OF POWER “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7).

I CAN DO ALL THINGS “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

GOD IS MY STRENGTH “But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble.” (Psalm 37:39).

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