October 2023

Without Parents, but not Afraid with Jesus as Lord

Thandy reports, "This month we were encouraged as we received hundreds of stories of impact from all our R4L countries. What God is doing through the Reach4Life Program is beyond what we all could have imagined. To God be all the glory!"

One such testimony comes from Asiphile Mbatha, Grade 11, Mzimela High, Ladysmith. He shares, “I started attending the R4L Groups when I was doing grade 9. A lesson that changed my life was ‘tough times’. My mom died a few years ago, my dad was doing his best to raise me and my 3 siblings, but it has been hard. He fixes broken chairs and sofas, after I learned in our R4L class that a butterfly’s wings are made stronger during the process of it trying to come out its cocoon. I went home and asked my dad to teach me his job and business, he did. I learned how to fix chairs and sofas. My dad just passed away, I am not afraid, I have Jesus as my Lord and a skill that will continue to put food on the table for me and my siblings. Reach4Life builds young lives and gives us direction and courage in tough seasons. I praise God for this program and my R4L Bible.”

Pulpits for Pastors

In July we shared about Mduduzi (Johannesburg, Zandspruit), who is running WhatsApp groups in his university. Young people in his groups have asked him to speak in their churches, some of whom have been mixing traditional beliefs with Christianity. He says, “As I started going to the local churches in different communities. I noticed Pastors did not have Pulpits. I asked why. They said they were expensive, they cant afford. I went to my groups and requested that we collect wood and taught myself how to make Pulpits. I have made 9 so far in two months and I give to Pastors who are doing Reach4Life in their churches with their youth. A lot of these churches have turned from ancestor worship and now only believe in Christ alone. This program is ushering us to our callings and destiny as young people.”

"I Have Seen Kids with Tears in Their Eyes"

Soweto Peer Educator, Puseltso, says, “During Covid I lost my job, life became very tough for me and my family. I am married with two little children. While I was down someone told me about a Ministry that is doing great things in their community. I attended a training and all darkness, sorry feeling of failure disappeared. From February I have been a Peer Educator, I teach 4 schools daily for 5 days a week. I have found purpose and a new passion to share the gospel of Christ. The subsidies we get are a big blessing. I am able to travel from one school to another. I have found a family in all the teams of R4L. We are trained to do God’s work with excellency. I have seen kids with tears in their eyes wanting Jesus. I am stronger and determined to follow the plan of God for my life.”

They Keep Coming!

Bheki (front right), Rehab Peer Educator at Baragwanath Drug Rehab, reports, “We have 8 Drug rehabs in Johannesburg, the Lord is helping his people in a great way. This group I am with today, they were all in this Rehab as patients. A few months ago they were clean and released but they continuously keep coming and some have started their own R4L groups in their communities. I am speechless at the transformation I see in people’s lives through his word. We appreciate the Bibles, the training, the mentoring, the team times, all these efforts help us to do God’s work with encouragement.”

School Staff Gives Gifts to Peer Educators

Tshepo Kgapane (blue shirt) is a facilitator and coordinator. He shares,

“I was very surprised to get a call from the principal saying we need to come earlier than usual for the school assembly because something special was going to happen at the school. That special thing was our team that has been serving this school for 3 years, we were given gifts by the staff. Kids sang and the Principal Mrs. Goba (in the middle, green shirt) said that she and the staff have seen the impact of the Program in their school. They thanked us for never missing a day at school and for putting in extra hours if there’s a need. We love what we do and we bless the Lord for the opportunity to serve in schools.”

Foxes Receive Appreciation; Start Sunday Youth Services

At far left is Nonhlanhla Tshabalala, Carletonville High School, Grade 10.

“This is my second year as a R4L Fox (student leader), I received training early last year and I came back to my school and recruited my Christian friends, trained them to lead their own groups and now we are a team of 12 and each day we lead a group each. Our peers are quitting drugs, smoking, bad friends, and bad behaviours through the program. Many kids in our school have given their lives to Christ. We help them find churches near their homes but in some areas, there are no Born-again churches. We are now starting to do youth church services on Sundays in different parts of our townships. Today we received appreciation certificates for our Ministry work, we are very happy and grateful.”

Church Surprised by Huge Number of Visitors!

In the second half of the year, more intentional conversations take place with kids in R4L groups, to see if they want to make a personal commitment to follow Christ. If they do, they are directed to local, Biblically sound churches they can connect with. The picture above shows a church filled with 164 kids who showed up unannounced, where normally only 15-16 youth attended. The pastor said, “Who are you?” They replied, “We were told that if we decide to follow Jesus we must join with a local church, and they (Peer Educators) told us that kids living in this section should come to this church.” A Peer Educator is helping the church develop their youth program to accommodate these extra kids.

Clothing Drives Ends November 3 and Auction Info

This is the last call for donations to this year's clothing drive! We're loading the trailer on Friday night, so you can bring them in until Friday afternoon. Clothes can be dropped at 30020 2nd Ct. S., Federal Way, on the porch, where you will also find donation receipts in a plastic bag. The funds we raise will be used to support the R4L program. Meanwhile, the auction went well but we still have people picking up items, so we don't have a final total yet. However, by next month, we should have results for both the auction and the clothing drive. Thanks again for your support for both events!

Training with Harvesters Ministries

Harvesters Ministries wanted to know more about the Reach4Life program that Thandy and her team are carrying out. Pictured above is a training done for them in Sikhemelele, South Africa the last week of October.

"We Love the Program!"

Pictured above are Kgomotso (left) and Joy (right), from Skyline Combined School in Kagiso. Kgomotso shares, “The Reach4Life Bible has brought light to my life. I used to hang out with bad friends and had no time for church, the Bible, or any Christian anything. The church behind our pic, I walked past it for years going to Primary school and now High school. It all changed when the R4L Program came to my school. Watching Peer Educators, young beautiful and intelligent young people talking about the word as if it was some life saving thing. I was interested to join the group. My life changed, I am now a committed believer and the church I walked past for years is now my spiritual home. I have introduced my friend Joy to the program, and she too now is a believer. Reach4Life, we love and thank you all for caring about our lives.”

Rollouts!

The R4L Bible distribution at the school above in Lesotho represents the 13,958 Bibles distributed this month. The breakdown is as follows:

South Africa - 7,956

Swaziland - 2,931 

Malawi - 160

Zimbabwe - 28 

Mozambique 876  

Lesotho - 1,630

Tanzania - 120 

Because of the shortage of R4L Bibles, during the year kids sometimes must share books. But the goal is to give books (to keep) to those who complete the program. Please continue to pray that more Bibles will be printed and made available so that the program can continue to grow.

The current Rand exchange rate is good at 18.68 Rand per dollar!

Thanks for your help!

Prevention Time thanks you for your interest in our organization. We are a 501(c)3 organization and all donations are tax-deductible. Prevention Time has no paid staff, so our administrative costs are minimal. To help support the ministry in sub-Saharan Africa, please click on the donate button below.