Last week a very excited and grateful Sanaga Manamela called from Leondale. He just could not stop expressing his gratitude for the booklet Break Free which LHM sent him about a six weeks ago in response to the booklet offer on the "Spotlight" programme on Radio Pulpit. He gave thanks to God, sang the praises of the author of the booklet, and wanted to know whether he could translate Break Free into the local languages. He said, "Many more people need to read and understand this in their own language".

Sanaga had been addicted to cigarettes for decades and 48 hours after reading and rereading Break Free he decided to quit. He says that he had known for a long time that he needed to give up smoking but he just did not have the willpower to do it. After reading Break Free he asked God for help and its been just over a month now since he last touched a cigarette.

Sanaga also recently visited his ailing Mom in Port Elizabeth. She is addicted to alcohol and as he talked about that visit he wept. He asked that we pray for his Mom. He shared the contents of the booklet with her. She told him that she started drinking because of loneliness and even now as she was dying she felt so desperately lonely. For the first time in his life he prayed with his mom and asked God to help her. He is back in Johannesburg now and those taking care of his Mom tells him that she not drinking alcohol any longer. Sanaga says it is too early to say whether she is free from the addiction.

He is very concerned that his Mom and several other older women in the area are turning to alcohol as their children leave their homes in search of work in the cities. Sanaga is considering leaving his small construction business in Johannesburg and returning to the Eastern Cape in order to be close to his mom.

He is also considering starting a project in the area to help his mom and many other old ladies who because of traditional Xhosa practices have become trapped into alcohol abuse. We give thanks to God for what He is doing in Sanaga’s life. Please pray with us that God will continue to direct his steps and guide him as he makes some important decisions in the next few months.

2. HOW BIBLE STUDY CHANGED MY LIFE
By Josef Henning

"How can a young man cleanse his ways, by living according to Your Word. With my whole heart I seek you, Lord let me never wander from Your commandments. I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119, Beth

Do you know someone who calls themselves a Christian but they are pushy or hurtful to other people, and you think that is not what a Christian should be like?

As Christians we often are only half Christian, keeping many of our horrible and hurtful natures. One of the big questions Christians have in life, is "How do I change my life?"

I interviewed Gail Price for the radio programme "Face the Facts" and out of the interview came this amazing story of how Bible School changed her life. Gail told a story of how she went from a life of being pushy and selfish, controlling and demanding as a "half Christian", to a life that is pleasing to God. She told how studying the Word of God intensely brought a deeper understanding into her life of what God wanted for her, and more importantly, of what God expected of her, and how much this had helped her in her life and in how it had done wonders for her marriage.

Men and women need to understand their roles in God’s kingdom, as individuals and in our relationships. Bible School, actually any studying of God’s Word can help us live a life closer to Him. It is in understanding God and what His role for us is, setting aside what that the world thinks is right, it is in living according to what God says is right, that we become better people.

In the year that Gail went to Bible School, I personally watched her grow into a woman who was full of love for her neighbours, whose kindness expressed Christ who lives in her heart.

God can change any and everyone, and He does if we just let Him.

Read His Word, Study His Word, Live His Word

3. EQUIPPING THE SAINTS WORKSHOPS for 2004

20-22 February – Overcomers Through Christ Camp on dealing with personal issues by Linda Patterson at the Fisherman’s Village, Honeydew, Gauteng. Fee: R 250.00

27+28 February – Living the Mission workshop on personal outreach, facilitated by Kyle and Linda Hollman of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Venue: English Lutheran Fellowship, West avenue, Ferndale, Randburg. 40-60 delegates. R 50.00 fee.

6+7 March – Youth Leaders Development workshop (1). This series of 3 workshops is designed for teams of young people who are either running a Youth League or keen to get one started. It is best if two or three (or more) from your congregation enrolls for all three workshops. We shall cover things such as: Getting a Youth League started and sustaining it, Effective Youth Programs, Youth Trends, How to prepare and manage a Youth Camp; Understanding young people’s needs; The challenge of Diversity; Negotiating with Parents and a host of other related youth topics.

1-3 April – Biblical Storytelling/Drama workshop. Equips delegates to communicate the Message of the Bible in a new and creative way. For groups as well as individuals.

16-18 April – Leadership Development workshop. Far too often we get appointed or elected into leadership positions (e.g. Parish Council, Women’s or Men’s League, Choir Leader) without understanding what is required of us. These workshops are intended for those who wants to improve or refresh their leadership skills. Best Leadership Practices, Personal Growth, Principle-Centred Leadership, Team-Building, Goal-Setting, Setting Priorities are but a few of the subjects covered.

15-16 May – Equipping for Outreach workshop. Jesus has commissioned all Christians to reach out to others. This personal evangelism workshop equips persons of all ages and backgrounds to effectively share Jesus without fear.

5+6 June – Youth Leaders Development workshop (2)

5-8 July – Youth Camp. Make sure that the young people you know attend !

23-25 July – Equipping for Outreach workshop

29-31 July – Biblical Storytelling/Drama workshop

13-15 August – Leadership Development workshop

4+5 September – Youth Leaders Development workshop (3)

10-12 September – Equipping for Outreach workshop

30 Sep –2 October – Biblical Storytelling/Drama workshop

15-17 December – Biblical Storytelling/Drama workshop

4. ZULU AND SETSWANA SERMONS

Since 1965 the Lutheran Church in South Africa (LCSA) has produced and distributed sermons for each Sunday of the year in the Zulu and Setswana languages in order for lay preachers to have a sermon in hand to present to the congregations in the absence of the pastor, for personal edification of people who are unable to attend a Sunday worship service and other reasons.

The sermons for January to March 21st 2004 are available from LHM-SA and only printing and postage costs will be charged.

Please call Christel at (011) 792 8440 for more information or to order a set/sets and the cost involved.

5. THANK YOU !!

LHM-SA has been so fortunate in receiving financial support and hands-on support of people giving of their time and expertise as volunteers.

Now we have also been blessed with a lovely lounge suite from Rudi Schwacke that even suits the colour scheme. Susan Hall donated a high-tech Hi-Fi and Josef Henning arranged for us to have a three-drawer pedestal and a two drawer filing-cabinet !!!

6. RESPONSES

Radio Ministry
102 people calling for the Advent Devotionals, Topical Booklets or counselling and prayer.

Drama Ministry
400 inmates or wardens requesting the "Real Life" Bible Study, Topical Booklets, counselling and prayer.

Internet Ministry
74 people requested the "Real Life" Bible Study, Topical Booklets, counselling and other information. Two people asked to be referred to a Lutheran congregation.