Dear Friends and Family, CHACH PO Box 1141, P. O. Box 1141, Mbabane, Kingdom of Swaziland. Telephone +268-2404 7860 Fax +268-2404 8101 Email: helen@cmswazi.org Website: www.cmswazi.org AUGUST 2016 We love it that life is never dull in CMS. Despite the ongoing challenges of drought, and its knock-on effects throughout our little country, the Lord continues to stretch us, and grow the ministry here, in ways only He can do. We are now in our 19 th year of CMS, and the vision remains clearly in focus, to Win-Train-Send : To compassionately WIN Swaziland, through partnering with like-minded individuals, churches and organizations, to TRAIN up a remnant to preserve the future by becoming an accurate representation of Christ being lived out amongst communities; to SEND out empowered believers from a restored Swaziland to a world in need. It is a privilege to work with the like-minded individuals, churches and organizations that God brings into our lives, each bringing different strengths and talents, and working together to fulfil His purposes. We are so thankful for each one. It s a joy to be a part of the body of Christ. During June and July, though Mission Impact we have been blessed with visitors from different parts of the world, coming to serve alongside CMS in the rural communities. Tracey, as manager of MI had this to share, Last month we were in Lavumisa to hand out food to the local families and to pray for them. We always go down to the river to pray for rain on our way back. On the way down there I felt we should stop at a newly ploughed field and pray for the crops that would be planted there to be protected from the drought, from any insects or pestilence and to grow beyond the people's greatest expectation. When we arrived there a month later it was incredible to see how the maize had gone from tiny seed to fully grown with heads of corn already formed. The spinach was the biggest I have ever seen, the leaves were as long as Pr Sabelo's arm. The tomato plants were so full of fruit that the branches were breaking. This is despite them having had no rainfall for months! The lady who had planted them had the biggest smile ever as we explained that we had prayed over the field and were so grateful to God for hearing our prayers and for giving her such a wonderful crop. Her children were overjoyed at being able to pick large warm tomatoes straight off the bushes and eat them like apples. There were around 35 rows of tomato plants and after only harvesting the ripe ones from 2 rows she already had 2 huge buckets full of tomatoes to eat and to sell. It is incredible when we
partner with God in prayer and put faith in action by planting a crop in a drought and seeing what He does with the little we do. It was wonderful to see this lady having stepped out in faith and God meeting her way beyond her expectation with such a bumper harvest. Her hard work of carrying water daily from the river to water her crop has been wonderfully fruitful. God is faithful and He hears the prayers of His people. We are on the threshold of establishing 3 new ICBC projects, between now and early next year. Tim has been meeting with the community members and pastors, in preparation. With the help of Dayton CLC, the first of these new sites is about to be launched. We will keep you posted on the new developments, so watch this space, and please be praying for us. We need wisdom as we proceed. Very exciting times! A few weeks ago we were enormously blessed to receive yet another container sent from Northern Ireland, packed with delightful treasures that will make a difference to many, many lives; meeting practical needs, and bringing hope and encouragement as they are distributed to the various CMS centres, and the ICBC sites. It has taken days for Rene and her team of helpers to carefully & methodically sort the items and prepare them for distribution from our new Joseph s Storehouse, which is now open and running from Potter s Wheel. The joy experienced by the students of the Teen Challenge Men s Centre at receiving new clothes has lifted the mood of the entire Centre! Coming into Teen Challenge with very little, and being provided with only the bare necessities, these young men are not used to the luxury of being able to choose clothes for themselves. So for each young man to be given the opportunity to select a whole armful
of new garments has been an invaluable faith-building gift. Their hearts, and ours, are overflowing with gratitude to those who made this possible. Sewing machines from the container were gratefully received as an answer to prayer in Pine Valley and in Lavumisa. Pastor Sabelo writes, The sewing machines will be the beginning of education, training and developing the skill of sewing. We believe this will lead to the generation of extra income for the ladies making clothes and other products. We are so thankful for this and pray that this will lead to great testimonies. Ecc 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might Sabelo also reports that his community are very excited that the local leaders of his Lavumisa area have approved the construction of another footbridge, as the current bridge is not safe anymore. Construction of the new bridge will start soon, before the summer rainfalls arrive (speaking in faith!). Hawane Children s Homes are enjoying their new beds, dining room furniture, and music equipment - also gifts from the container, all much needed and very much appreciated. In July they had their annual Fun Day at Hawane CLC, hosted by the Armstrong family, with 450 children in attendance for face painting, crafts, bouncy castle and, of course most importantly, 5-a-side soccer. As always, much fun was had by all, and many lives given to the Lord that day, all glory to God. Saneliso is enjoying his time at Potter s Wheel as a pastor in training. His International School of Ministry studies are going well, and he plans to embark on a Global University degree course thereafter. He has settled in exceptionally well to the team, and is such a pleasure to have around no surprise, as he is, after all, an exceptional young man. Ncami is flourishing as an intern with Mobilize, in preparation for beginning at Limkokwing University early next year, where she hopes to study TV & Film Production. We think she s a natural! August has been an eventful month at Potter s Wheel so far. The new building is progressing, as and when funds come in for it. It s looking good as it takes shape. The building will serve as the Distribution Centre for the Bulembu products of water & honey, as well as offices for Mobilize, the whole accounts department of CMS & Bulembu, and a Coffee fellowship area for Potter s
Wheel, which is going to have stunning views. Still a way to go before moving in though.. On August 3 rd we were honoured to host Craig Hill, founder of Family Foundation International, for an evening of anointed teaching on Covenant. As a church, we have benefitted immensely from Craig s family focussed teachings for many years now, so to hear him in person was certainly a treat. The Q&A session with the ministry staff beforehand was an exceptionally rich experience, as Craig imparted both wisdom and encouragement. God is good! Then on August 5-6 th, we held the Potter s Wheel Men s Conference, with visiting speakers from South Africa. For the event, Julius had arranged a special array of suitable toys to be scattered around the church, both inside and out. Collected from throughout Swaziland especially for the weekend, the display certainly added a bit of fun, and points of interest, to the fellowship. Last Friday, school holidays began, so our Potter s Wheel Youth gathered early in the morning to set off for their 2- day camping retreat, to a farm in the Lowveld. Over 40 of them attended, and by all accounts it was a great weekend, full of crazy games, dmc s (deep, meaningful conversations), good teaching, and 2 birthday cakes! Ashar has a Winter Holiday programme of activities scheduled for the Youth during their weeks of holiday. She is loving the role of Youth Pastor, and we are loving seeing her step up to it. Sadly, August also meant the return of Joshua to Tennessee. Never our preferred angle of him, it was difficult to see him depart, for his second year at Lee University. But knowing he is thoroughly enjoying it there makes it so much easier, and we are thankful for the wonderful God-given opportunity he has to study at Lee, to be stretched, and to grow, in preparation for working with us at CMS one day, as is his heart to do. We feel very blessed to have been called as a family to serve together in our nation, and thankful for every person who works with us, either directly within CMS, or alongside us, or at a distance. Thank you, everyone, that together we can make a difference, and lift each other up. Sincerely, Helen, and for Kevin
Phase 1: Building the Pastor s house in the community, by the community. In Community By Community Strategy Phase 2: Home Visits - Reaching out to the community. Phase 3: Raising up Home-based Care Workers. Phase 4: The Church hope of the world - under a tree. Phase 5: Pre-school. Phase 6: The church is now ready to move Phase 7: Outreach. Phase 8: Planting a New Church. Challenge Ministries Swaziland MISSION To know God, to be His people, to value others and to change our world. VISION To compassionately WIN Swaziland through partnering with like-minded individuals, churches and organizations; to TRAIN up a remnant to preserve the future by becoming an accurate representation of Christ being lived out amongst communities; to SEND out empowered believers from a restored Swaziland to a world in need. THE FRUIT WE HOPE TO WITNESS To know God, to understand authority, to be teachable, be faithful, to be loyal, to be the 5 th Gospel More pictures & updates available on our website: www.cmswazi.org and on Facebook: Potter s Wheel Church