From the Boardroom, July, 2006

Lizette Venter

Taking an overview of the past few months, it has become apparent that we as a team have much to be thankful for. We have a very strong team, with strong-willed individuals, all prepared to give of themselves their time and resources, to promote God’s work amongst our Youth. Even financially, God has provided what we needed thus far. By God’s grace, the last few months were exciting, but also challenging, and most of us felt out of our depth! I figure that if it was easy, we would not have needed God as much as we needed him in the past, but also in the future.

One of the highlights these past few weeks was that we decided to take a bold step for God in everything that we do, being it the Detention classes, or the NGO leadership training. It is of no value if we hide behind humanitarian plights while neglecting our purpose to declare God’s Year of Grace to all we touch.

Good news was the feedback from Mr Drescher at Pretoria North High, that the numbers of learners on detention from last year, this time, to this year, has dropped, increasing the excitement around our detention offering. With this, a thanks to the team, specifically Hettie, Ian and Cori for the work done there.

The challenges that we are facing in the last half of the year are immense and we desperately need your prayers. We are ill equipped to handle what God has placed in our hands. Luckily the Lord also stated that when we are weak, He is strong, and therefore we put our trust and hope in His mighty hands. Pray that we will be guided through His word, that we will obey irrespective of the cost and that we will be provided with wisdom, empathy and love for a dying nation.

There is plenty of opportunity for you to become more actively involved. We require help in the following areas:

• Marketing people who would assist in obtaining sponsorships at a 10% commission structure.
• Somebody that would assist in the admin work of 121 at the church office (Pretoria North) at least 2 half days a week.
• Prayer partners that will commit to spending time with God in prayer for 121.
• Detention support facilitators, who will be prepared to train in handling small groups during the detention at any of the three schools we are currently involved with.
• Business advisors that will be able to assist 121 in becoming an efficient and structured organization.
• Those with journalistic/writing skills, to assist in bringing out this newsletter on a regular basis.