Hands at Work in Africa is asking you to join with us in 40 days of prayer for orphans.  This is only a suggested guide.  This time of prayer will coincide with our multiple Hands at Work Regional conferences that are happening all over Africa.  If some faithful members can meet daily, so much the better, but if not, do not let that discourage you.  Pray alone if necessary and meet whenever possible.  Know that many across the globe are joining you daily, together in agreement in prayer.  Gather 2 or 3 (or more) people in a home or a church or anywhere and the Lord will be with you and hear your prayers.  Matthew 18:20, "For wherever two or more are gathered in my name, I am with them, in their midst."  

 The most important part is to commit to praying daily!

Recently George had the chance to go and speak at The Forge Church, we invite you to listen to his message:  http://www.forgechurch.com/sundaynotes.php

March 4^th – 8th| Perth| Freedom Church| contact Tim Haley 61449893941

March 9^th  - 15^th| Sydney| contact Carly|  carly@au.handsatwork.org

March 16^th – 22^nd|Melbourne|contact Shane|  shane@au.handsatwork.org

                                |Ballarat| contact Ben Reeve|   ben@au.handsatwork.org

George and Sheila Green came to visit Hands at Work in Swaziland in 2007. An organic relationship of prayer and support has grown from there with their church, Hands at Work and a small community of women and men caring in Swaziland. Recently George Snyman from Hands at Work was able to visit and encourage their rural church: St John’s in Heath Hayes, Staffordshire, UK.

Below is George Green’s account of their story.

For two years now, our small church in Staffordshire, UK, St John’s Heath Hayes, has supported Hands at Work in Africa, with a particular interest in one community based organisation in Swaziland: Asondle Sive Bomake (ASB). This relationship developed when my wife, Sheila and I visited their community and worked briefly with their coordinator, Nomsa Lukhele.

Listen to George
Thurs., FEB 18^th (19:00-20:45): Compassion and Proclamation
Sat., FEB 20^th (10:00-11:30): Compelled by Compassion
Where:                Central Baptist Church 827 Schoeman Str., Arcadia, Pretoria, South Africa
Who:     everyone is invited

Missions Fest is a catalyst to enable people to catch a vision of the Great Commission spoken by Jesus (Matthew 28:19).  This locally driven missions festival helps people find a place where their interests and abilities can best be put to use. Missions Fest’s three-fold purpose is to inform, celebrate and challenge people of all ages to get involved in missions by sending, praying, giving and going.

And listen to other motivational speakers, Jackie Pullinger and T.A Ralekholela

In January 2007, Mary began selling her body on the street and became deeply involved with friends who were a bad influence on her. But when she became bedridden by TB in 2008, the team of childcare workers from Makululu HBC were  there to support her with visits, helping her with things such as buying charcoal,

• How do you feel? ~ Ashamed at the stigma that goes with this pandemic?
• A strong feeling that something must be done?
• Distressed or angry that the rest of the world seems unaware?
• That it looks as if you are the one who must do something, when you were looking forward to a more restful life as a grandmother.

You remember from your childhood, how the land produced all that people needed. The community lived simply, but there were fields full of maize, and no-one went hungry. Now, much of the land is uncultivated. So many people of working age have died, and orphans cannot work the land and attend school.

• How do you feel about the problem of trying to feed all of the orphans? ~ Can the food be grown locally or must it be bought?
• Where will the money come from to feed all of the orphans, or to buy  seed, fertilizer and tools?
• How can the orphans be helped to begin to produce their own food?

Ka Phunga is up in the mountains, far from tarmac roads. Orphans and sick people are in scattered homes spread over a large area. You and your volunteers travel on foot. Sick people get treatment too late, or not at all. Many suffer chronic or fatal illness for which we would quickly and easily obtain treatment. It is hard to get supplies of food to many of the orphans. For a few days each year, visitors from other countries come to work with you, and for a short time you have the benefit of a vehicle.

• How do you feel about your isolation from the modern world?
• Do you feel supported, _ by your king, _ by your government, _ by people from other countries?
• What would you like the visitors to do when they return to their homes?

The young people of your country are giving up hope. Many would leave, if they could, to make a living in another country. You were brought up to be proud of your country, its king, and its traditions. It is a beautiful country, which could feed itself. You are a Christian.

• What do you hope and pray for, for the future of the children growing up in Ka Phunga now?

“How many children do you have?” I asked him as we passed through the solid metal gate guarding the entrance to his “mansion.”  I knew he called it that, always following the reference with a carefree laugh, to warn us of the simplicity of his lodgings.

“You will see,” he said with a grin.  In the brief stint of our acquaintance he had used this phrase to answer almost every question I had concerning his work, as if believing to revive the sense of mystery and anticipation so often lost with age and life. 

When we exited the car, he immediately pointed across the yard and a large field to Mulenga.  As he enthusiastically pointed out the house from which the twenty orphans are fed daily amongst the mass and spread of huts far in the distance, we pretended to know exactly which hut he was pointing to.  It didn’t really matter; we knew the beautiful work he was doing there, we knew the beacon of light that house was in the sea of darkness surrounding it and in the lives of the children

This year instead of having the conferences in just South Africa we will be holding four regional conferences that will be open to anyone interested in attending.  The Hands at Work family is growing at a rapid rate which means that it is becoming increasingly difficult to get everyone to South Africa.  This means we can bring the conferences closer to home for the Service Centres involved, also allowing our international visitors flexibility and possibly allow them to attend in the country of their interest. In the past we have only been able to have a very small number of community based organizations (CBO) representatives present.  By holding regional conferences it will also enable greater CBO participation and give more people exposure to the vision of Hands at Work. 

The conference schedule is as follows:

South Africa & Swaziland | March 24-27 | Hands at Work in Africa near White River, South Africa

Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo & Malawi | April 15-18 | Luanshya, Zambia

Mozambique & Zimbabwe | April 22-25 | TBD

Nigeria | May 20-23 | Lagos, Nigeria

We are excited about the new opportunities that hosting regional conferences will bring.  All are welcome to come and be a part of the different regional conferences.  If you are interested in attending or helping fund the conferences please contact us at info@handsatwork.org. 

View more of last year's conference in photos