Latest Newsletter Now Available On-line

Our December 21, 2011 newsletter is now available on-line by clicking here. Praise God for how He enabled us to bring the Truth of His Word to many children, youth, adults and church leaders in 2011. We are looking forward with great expectation to what He will do in 2012!

What do you choose today?

We were blessed by this powerful message by Max Lucado last week and pray that you will be to ... what do you choose today?

Each Day I Choose - By Max Lucado

It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments, the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose.

I CHOOSE LOVE…
No occasion justifies hatred;no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY…
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical… the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE…
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE…
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS…
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. I will be kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS…
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS…
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS…
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself. I am a spiritual being… After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot rule the eternal.

I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL
I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

ONE MONTH LEFT to GET OUT THE VOTE!

We need you to GET OUT THE VOTE to help TentMaker Ministries and all the orphans, vulnerable children, care givers and local church leaders we serve in Africa win a $50,000 grant in the Giving of Life Grant initiative. With less than a month to go, praise God, we're holding on to 6th place! Here's what we need you need to do:

1) REGISTER

For 5 (yes 5!) votes go to http://www.givingoflife.com, click on "Register for More Votes" in the top right hand corner, and create an account  using your email address (2 more votes). You'll receive an email to activate your account. After you activate your account, sign in and in the top right hand corner you should see  "3 votes remaining. Get more!" click on "Get More!" and link your twitter account (1 more vote) and facebook account (1 more vote). That's a total of 5 votes!

2) VOTE

Go to http://www.givingoflife.com/browse/tentmaker_ministries and click on the "VOTE" button as many times as you have votes. (You can do this without registering/signing in and you will get 1 vote).

3) SHARE

Share this event invite with all your friends encouraging them to participate and share the invite, share a link to the voting page on your wall with all your facebook friends encouraging them to vote and share the link, and email the event invite to all your non-facebook friends.

then...

4) PRAY

Pray that we finish in the top 50 and find favor with the review committee that will be evaluating the 50 ministries that receive the most votes to determine which ones will be the recipients of their 20 grants... 17 @ $2,000, 1 @ $10,000, 1 @ $20,000 and the top award of $50,000!

Voting ends Friday, November 4 at 5:00 pm Eastern time and the award recipients will be announced 6 weeks later by the review commitee on Friday, December 16.

From all of us at TentMaker Ministries and all the orphans, vulnerable children, caregivers and local church leaders we are serving in Africa, a sincere and heartfelt "Thank you and God bless you!"


http://www.givingoflife.com/browse/tentmaker_ministries/
.

Faith Like Potatoes?

Thanks to Dr. Don Orvis and our friends at Face to Face International (www.face.org) for sharing this story...

Missionaries in the later part of the 19th century began to push into the interior of China. There they found a small community where the main crop was potatoes.

These Chinese nationals had a good climate and great soil, but their harvest was tiny potatoes about the size of marbles. The missionaries asked, "Surely some big potatoes grew here?" "Oh yes, we used to get big ones, but lately we only get a few now and then," they admitted.

What do you do with the bigger potatoes?" "Well," the local farmers answered, "We eat them, of course. They are the best."

The nationals were planting the tiny potatoes that had the genes that produced even smaller crops. They were systematically reducing their crop as they took the biggest and best for themselves. The missionaries showed them that only when you plant the big ones -- the "best" that you have -- will you get bigger potatoes in return.

We smile at people who do not understand this most basic principle. Yet, we often do the very same thing. We say "I want to keep the best for myself." Whatever is left -- the leftovers -- I will let God have them. We want to give God our "runt" potatoes, and then we wonder why life seems disappointing.

What kind of potatoes are you planting? Big ones or runts? Maybe you're not planting any... Remember, you reap what you sow.

10 seconds of your time for $50,000?

We are so excited to have the chance to win a $50,000, $20,000 or $10,000 grant from Giving of Life Grant. The 10 ministries that receive the most votes make the finals, so it's up to you... please check out our profile on their website and vote! Help us help the orphans, vulnerable children and people that care fort them. Here's the link: http://givingoflife.com/browse/tentmaker_ministries/

Sowing Seeds

¹ That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ² Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³ Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown". Matthew 13:1-8

I'm not much of a farmer or gardener, but think it is important to note when reading this parable that the sower was “scattering the seed”…. He (or she) was throwing it EVERYWHERE… not carefully placing it in the most promising locations. There is not a lot of skill involved in scattering seed…. walking through a field, taking a handful of seed and throwing it. Anyone can do it. A child can do it and be as effective as an adult. True to form as told in the parable, when you “scatter seed” in this manner some is bound to fall along the path, where the birds will find it and eat it up. Some will fall on rocky places, where there is not much soil. Some will fall among thorns, but some will fall on good soil, where it will produce a crop—“a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown”.

It is also important to note that in this parable what matters is not skill of the sower, but the quality of the soil upon which the seeds falls. Seed that falls on good soil will produce a crop, seed that does not will not.

We have been scattering seed for some time now and just as in the parable, some of our seed (resources of prayer, time, and yes, money) has fallen on roads, in rocky places, and amongst thorns. Praise God, though, some has fallen on fertile soil and has or is producing a crop, —“a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

After a time of prayer, preparation and waiting, last week we started an inductive Bible study for local church leaders of what the Word of God says about sex using Kay Arthur’s book “The Truth About Sex” as a guide. Talking about sex is taboo in many cultures and in spite of the ravaging effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic here in Africa the subject is never addressed in most churches, even though God’s Word openly and often addresses His purposes and guidelines for how we are to honor how He has created us as sexual beings.

With the subject matter being as sensitive a topic culturally as it is, it took some time and prayer to find a church and pastor willing to host or sponsor the study. Praise God, a local church responded to the call. In an effort to increase the yield (“a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown”) it was prayerfully decided that the class should be for local church leaders… pastors, their spouses, youth leaders, elders…. that, once empowered by the teaching, would be able to take the information learned back to their respective churches, ministries, small groups, communities and workplaces to multiply the knowledge.

We were praying for 30 local church leaders to attend. Several days before the first class we received a registration list from the sponsoring church of 18 participants. The day before the first class we were told the list had grown to 30. The team responsible for the class agreed we should prepare materials and refreshments for 40, but in faith we prepared for 50. At the appointed starting time there were 4-6 people present, but the number started to quickly grow. By the time we started the Bible study, praise God, there were 60 adults in attendance, eager to hear and learn what God’s Word said about sex and learn a new way (inductive Bible study) to read, understand and learn His word on their own.

The information contained in the scripture presented was a blessing to them and their enthusiastic reception of and reaction to the new study methods and information contained in the scripture presented was a blessing to us. At the end of the first lesson when it was time for those interested in committing to completing the remaining five classes we found that there were more that wanted to continue than we had books for, (again, praise God!). We registered as many as we could accommodate and have many on a waiting list for a second class to be started when we receive additional books, probably in mid to late May.

We are now praying over offering additional topical inductive Bible studies and inductive studies of complete books of the Bible. Please join us in those prayers as well as thanking and praising Christ for the seeds we have sown finding this patch of fertile ground and pray that they will produce a crop of a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

Fender Bender on the N3

Traffic conditions are scary at best in South Africa as road construction, disabled vehicles, unroadworthy vehicles, unqualified drivers and wide variances in speed always make driving an adventure. The odds caught up with us on Friday as we were rear-ended by a truck while stopped behind another accident in front of us. Praise God none of the five in our Nissan "Hardbody" Sani were injured and the damage to the vehicle was minimal... a broken rear turn signal. The truck that hit us and it's occupants took the brunt of the collision and weren't as fortunate though... the vehicle was not drivable and one of the three occupants, seated in the passenger or left side of the vehicle, sustained a minir injury to his leg and cuts from the passenger window which shattered in the impact. Please keep the safety of us and everyone travelling on the South African roads in your prayers.

2010 Year-End Tax Receipts and Donation Summaries Mailed Today From South Africa

Happy Thanksgiving from South Africa!

Wait, what’s that? “Happy Thanksgiving”? Is Thanksgiving celebrated in January in South Africa?

No, it’s not even celebrated as a holiday in November here. But we are blessed to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving twice every year… in November as most people in America do, and again in January when we prepare and send year-end tax receipts to our donors that document how the Lord has blessed us through each and every person that has supported the ministry which Christ has called us to. It’s like Thanksgiving all over again, when we give thank and praise to God for you and your selfless support and important role in advancing the Good News of His love to the people we serve. Without you it would not be possible for us to do what Christ has called us to do.

To us, preparing and mailing these documents is more than meeting a mere formality required by the IRS… it is an opportunity… a blessing and honor… for us to remember and give thanks for the manner in which He has provided manna from heaven through our generous supporters on a daily basis to sustain the work He has for us here.

If you are one of our many financial supporters, your year-end tax receipt and donation summary was mailed to you today from Johannesburg, South Africa. As always, we are interested in knowing how long it takes for the mail to arrive from South Africa (last time the first piece was received in 8 days), so please let us know when you receive yours. The first one to reply will be blessed with a box of “Select White Chocolate Choc-Kits, our favorite South African biscuit (cookie) the next time we return to the states.

And while we’re at it, Happy New Years, or “Compliments of the New Year” as they say here! In South Africa “Happy New Year” also means “Back to School” as the South African school year follows the calendar year, with students who have advanced to the next grade starting that grade in January. For many students this means attending new schools as they advance from primary school to high school.

The start of a new school is always one of great need for many South African families and students as returning to school necessitates the purchase of school supplies and in many cases, new school uniforms due to a change of school or the old ones being outgrown or worn and tattered.

We have been assisting a number of students and families with their school fees, supplies, uniforms and transportation costs without the promise or pledge of funding for these expenditures and our Educational Assistance and Sponsor a Child Funds are presently underfunded. Please consider supporting a child’s education by donating to our Educational Assistance or Sponsor A Child funds. For reasons of security and confidentiality we can not publish the names or pictures of the children in need on the internet, but we will provide you with information about the child your donation supports when the funds you donate are allocated and spent. To donate to these causes please visit our website at http://www.TentMakerMinistries.com and follow the links to our on-line donation page, which allows you to designate the item you would like to sponsor. All donations made to our Educational Assistance and Sponsor A Child Funds will be used to meet the educational needs of students requiring assistance.

We thank God continually for you in our prayers. Please also keep us in your prayers for divine wisdom and guidance as we continue to learn and be led by His Holy Spirit. We are excited and blessed by the opportunities that lay before us to reach an ever expanding multitude of people with His Word.

Finally, as we close this letter we would like to encourage you with these words from the Apostle Paul, a TentMaker by trade, which can be found in his first letter to the church at Corinth, Chapter 9:

Generosity Encouraged

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 1 Cor 9:6-15. (emphasis added)

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from all of us at TentMaker Ministries!

“Happy New Year” means “Back to School” in South Africa

Happy New Year from South Africa, or “Compliments of the New Year” as they say here! Along with the New Year, school resumed this week in Johannesburg after the long holiday break. The South African school year follows the calendar year, with students who have advanced to the next grade starting that grade in January. For many students this means attending new schools as they advance from primary school to high school.

The start of a new school is always one of great need for many South African families and students as returning to school necessitates the purchase of school supplies and in many cases, new school uniforms due to a change of school or the old ones being outgrown or worn and tattered.

We have been assisting a number of students and families with their school fees, supplies, uniforms and transportation costs without the promise or pledge of funding for these expenditures and our Educational Assistance and Sponsor a Child Funds are presently underfunded. Won’t you please consider supporting a child’s education by donating to our Educational Assistance or Sponsor A Child funds today? For reasons of security and confidentiality we can not publish the names or pictures of the children in need on the internet, but we will provide you with information about the child your donation supports when the funds you donate are allocated and spent. To donate to these causes please follow the links to our on-line donation page, which allows you to designate the item you would like to sponsor. All donations made to our Educational Assistance and Sponsor A Child Funds will be used to meet the educational needs of students requiring assistance.

Harvesting Means Hanging Out

By Jennifer Holste

The goal of poverty alleviation is to restore broken relationships that people have with God, each other, and the systems in their lives. To restore someone back to the image of what God created them to be takes time. It requires a relationship. In more simpler terms, hanging out.

Is that what missionaries are really doing with their time? Just hanging out? Is that really the best use of their resources? What about the buildings and programs that need to be established? If there is no immediate fruit to the labors of a missionary, is he/she really doing their job?

Consider New Song Urban Ministries, situated in Sandtown - a 72 block area in Baltimore Maryland. On the outside, Sandtown is a typical North American inner city ghetto with high rates of violence, drug abuse, pregnancies out of wedlock, and unemployment. Yet on the inside, there is New Song, staffed by more than 80 people with a multi-million dollar annual budget. It runs programs for housing, job placement, healthcare, education, and arts. What is their secret to success? Mark Gornik (co founder) explains:

"Instead of imposing our own agendas, we sought to place our lives in service to the community....For over two years we weren't working to renovate houses, we were out and around in the community, 'hanging out.'...During this time the foundational relationships of the church were formed....Everything revolved around building community together."

It took New Song 4 years to build their first home. 4 years for one home? That hardly seems like a productive ministry. Again, Mark explains:

"Is such a housing process too slow? Why not let professional developers do it? New song and Sandtown Habitat were building people, leaders, community, an economic base, and capacity, not a product for profit."

Ministry is about process, not product.

Consider farming as another example. Think about all the things that need to happen before a crop is harvested. "First, someone has to go and prepare the land. This is backbreaking work that involves felling trees, pulling massive stumps out of the ground, extracting rocks and boulders from the field, and moving them aside. But there's no harvest yet. Next the soil has to be broken up. The earth needs to be plowed, fertilizer churned in with the soil, and orderly rows tilled to prepare for the seed. Then the seeds must be carefully planted and covered. But still no harvest. Perhaps a fence needs to be built to protect the plants from animals that might devour them. And always, the seedlings must be carefully watered, nurtured, and fed over the long growing season.

"There are sometimes setbacks - bad weather, blights, floods, and insects - that can jeopardize the harvest. But if all of the hard work is done faithfully and with perseverance, and if God provides good seed and favorable weather, finally a glorious harvest is the result" (The Hole in Our Gospel, Stearns).

Jesus invested countless hours of time and teaching in a small group of 12 men. Three years to be exact. While He performed miracles, signs, and wonders, things really started to take off after the Great Teacher had left. Those who had been taught were now going out, spreading, multiplying, and taking their knowledge with them. They had been called out, nurtured, empowered, enlightened, and released. All of this occurred within a relationship that revolved around simply hanging out.

We need to move beyond our Americanized tendencies to evaluate the worth of a project based on its output. Product does not automatically determine merit or value. Let us be more process-focused, fixing our eyes on sharing the joys and sorrows of life with someone. Let us live beside them, demonstrating our genuine love, care and concern for them. May we laugh with them, cry with them, hold them and hug them. With this perspective, we are showing Christ's love to the world instead of simply talking about it (Stearns).