Meanwhile in Africa...: Recent Episodes
Hands at Work in Africa
You are listening to "Meanwhile in Africa..." by Hands at Work! The following podcasts are meant to inform, encourage and challenge you. They are short accounts of our work and reports from the ground. Hands at Work is a Christian organisation that believes that 'true religion is to care for widows and orphans in their distress' (James 1:27).
illuminate… I Will Show My Children What I Can Do
Episode 4
Thank you for listening to illuminate, a podcast by Hands at Work in Africa.
Hands at Work seeks out the most broken places in Africa to bring life to the poorest of the poor and most vulnerable people by way of His Church, both internationally and locally.For the past few weeks, we've been able to sit with the Hands family here in South Africa as George Snyman shares about the Goma region. Since his return, much has changed…
If you haven't already subscribed to the podcast, please find us on Spotify, Apple or Google Podcast by searching "Meanwhile in Africa..." Learn how you can give the gift of hope. Visit www.handsatwork.org/finding-the-most-vulnerable.
illuminate... Episode 3 - God is still busy with Katembe.
We want to share about where we work, the types of communities that we are called to, to see Jesus bring life where it looks the bleakest. Just as Jesus came to bring life to a broken world, Hands at Work seeks out the most broken places in Africa to bring life to the poorest of the poor and most vulnerable people by way of His Church, both internationally and locally.
The chief, I said to him, "You take me to Katembe or I go on my own, but we are going now." So he said, "Okay, let's go."
If you haven't already subscribed to the podcast, please find us on Spotify, Apple or Google Podcast by searching "Meanwhile in Africa..."
Learn how you can give the gift of hope. Visit www.handsatwork.org/finding-the-most-vulnerable.
During Advent, this podcast channel comes to you in the form of Illuminate.
Episode 2: Katembe - Jesus in a War. In this podcast series, we will take you to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where we will visit three communities in the Goma area. Let's listen to George discussing the people and places where we work and what God is busy doing there.
If you haven't already subscribed to the podcast, please find us on Spotify, Apple or Google Podcast by searching "Meanwhile in Africa..." Learn how you can give the gift of hope. Visit www.handsatwork.org/finding-the-most-vulnerable.
Advent Podcast by Hands at Work in Africa.
George Snyman, a co-founder of Hands at Work, has spent a considerable amount of time there this year. We're about to hear George talking to a group of volunteers in South Africa on October 30th.
If you haven't already subscribed to the podcast, please find us on Spotify, Apple or Google Podcast by searching "Meanwhile in Africa..."
Learn how you can give the gift of hope. Visit www.handsatwork.org/finding-the-most-vulnerable.
If you haven't already subscribed to the podcast, please find us on Spotify, Apple or Google Podcast by searching "Meanwhile in Africa..."
Learn how you can give the gift of hope. Visit www.handsatwork.org/finding-the-most-vulnerable.
“I could just sense such a fragileness, a heaviness, among everybody as they were sick, and the toll of the ongoing war. At times like this God's tears speak loudest. A beautiful, fragile miracle.”Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3-minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
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MeanwhileInAfrica
“Many people all over the world respond at the moment to me and say, what can we do? And I'm hesitant just to answer, because I don't want a quick response, and then we forget.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3-minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
haw.africa/podcast
#MeanwhileInAfrica
"So many of us have followed what was happening in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo the last couple of weeks, and in specific, we heard stories like Mutobe's story. We often tell their stories and that's great that we tell their stories because that inspires us. Are the Mutobe's few and far in between? I don't believe so."
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3-minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
haw.africa/podcast
#MeanwhileInAfrica
“Then we said to the churches, this vision belongs to the church. We are only with you to help you, but the time is coming when you must take this and run on your own.
“ Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3-minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
haw.africa/podcast #MeanwhileInAfrica
“What does it mean to do piece jobs? She said maybe somebody will come to her with a huge bucket full of dirty clothing. And she said if that happens her heart is so full of joy.“ Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3-minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
haw.africa/podcast #MeanwhileInAfrica
“The boys started running and then they make somersaults in the air and they land in this pile of grass… and instead of breaking all their bones, they land on this soft grass."
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
"Everybody's smiling when we greet each other early in the morning. Because the soil is wet. You smell the fertile soil. There's a hope. There's a chance that this year is gonna be a good year."
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“Some said yes immediately. Others went to go think about it a little more. Some said yes but didn't show up. Some said yes they showed up, but turned away sorrowful because they couldn't sacrifice. And others said yes, showed up, and they've stuck through with us and now we've slowly seen the fruits of that.“
If you haven't already subscribed to the podcast, please find us on Spotify, Apple or Google Podcast by searching "Meanwhile in Africa..."
Learn how you can give the gift of hope. Visit www.handsatwork.org/JoinUsThisChristmas.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“Being pregnant in a strange place, and in strange circumstances, Mary knew what it was like to give birth when things are not well. Promise felt a connection with Mary of the Bible, in a strange place with family tensions.”
If you haven't already subscribed to the podcast, please find us on Spotify, Apple or Google Podcast by searching "Meanwhile in Africa..."
Learn how you can give the gift of hope. Visit www.handsatwork.org/JoinUsThisChristmas.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
"You know, there's a song in Zambia which says, "The one who gave me teeth, is going to give me what to chew." So, God knew that these teeth are supposed to chew something."
If you haven't already subscribed to the podcast, please find us on Spotify, Apple or Google Podcast by searching "Meanwhile in Africa..."
Learn how you can give the gift of hope. Visit www.handsatwork.org/JoinUsThisChristmas.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“Our God is the one who lifts up the humble. Our call is to say yes to Him because when we do that, we know he can do great things through us and He will get the glory. “
If you haven't already subscribed to the podcast, please find us on Spotify, Apple or Google Podcast by searching "Meanwhile in Africa..."
Learn how you can give the gift of hope. Visit www.handsatwork.org/JoinUsThisChristmas.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
"Thank you for walking with me through this season. May your feet be beautiful. May your hands bring life. May your tongue speak hope. May your ears hear the cry of the most vulnerable."
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“Thank you for the amazing things we could learn in Africa. Now we are applying it in England. Same story: England, back in the hub, Masoyi early days.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“We were touring up this little footpath into the hills on our way to visit Lemmy. Lemmy had polio when she was a baby. She's 14 now! She sat on a grass mat with her grandmother sitting opposite her. What can I do to break the ice? Before I could even think about it…”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“Sometimes you see that difference even on the local level. If you look at Madalitso and Beatrice coming from the same wider community, working in the same Service Centre, but with such different backgrounds.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“There was an old grandmother whose little hut burned down to the ground. When we got there yesterday morning, we stood at the Care Point and she was there because she knew she could come to somebody.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
"Today, you're not going back. You stay with us in the village. I want you to walk with me and I want you to see what I see, because this is your country. I want you to see it with the eyes of Jesus."
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
"I was an orphan when you guys came here the first time". And now he's a church leader! Isn't that incredible. There he sat with us. But then he said, "I'm asking officially, can you come and teach us one day? Just let's talk about God and the Bible."
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“I thought about the people that are waiting for me in Luhonga… Maria has been in my prayers for the last few months after I heard the news that she was brutally attacked.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“I hope you loved the last 10 weeks as we walked the journey through Africa. May this inspire you to be faithful, to be consistent, and not to give up. We’ll be back later in the year for Season 7 Part 2!”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“Her mother is now a volunteer Care Worker. She brings people to the Lord. She works hard. She cares for the most vulnerable people. She shows so much compassion.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“Climbing the mountain, we were engulfed by mist and rain. We had with us with a huge pile of blankets and mosquito nets. I met Mahoro that morning - her eyes told me so much.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“There's a spirit of hope. There's a laughter. There's a singing that I have not seen for years in my affluent brothers and sisters.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“We were busy packing up and I looked outside and there I saw a woman with children under the tree. It was obvious that she was in distress. She must have been running for three or four days before she got to Buhimba.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“I want the children back on our farm. I want to hear them sing and dance. I want to see their hands full of colour paint. I want teams here. Lord, it's time for them to come back.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“I hope he studied this manual before now. I hope he is only reading it now to encourage himself because this is getting late now.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“It's tough. It definitely got worse, for sure. But when I met the team this morning. I saw a hope that contradicted what I saw on the road. Yeah, we have got two ways to look at this.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
They just loved him because he shared his story so openly and with so much integrity, telling people, "Jesus is life!"
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“Then gogo Funnie started sharing this story with me. This young man, Enoch, heard that Miracle's dad, completely rejected him. Enoch heard this news and said to the family, "I will be his father".
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“We are expanding in a midst of a crisis, all over the world. We are not shrinking back. We are growing, and it starts with growing sons and daughters, deeper relationships, and all of us in our maturity.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
The Hands at Work Advent series: “illuminate” on the “Meanwhile in Africa…” podcast channel.
It was an opportunity and a dream come true, but the church had no means of paying a pastor’s wages. The responsibility of providing fell on his wife. She was a rock and kept the family together. She was amazing, and Ernest knew it!https://www.handsatwork.org/thegiftofhope
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The Hands at Work Advent series: “illuminate” on the “Meanwhile in Africa…” podcast channel.
Despite her efforts, the money she earns is too little. She could not see the way forward. Naomi began looking for a way out. A way to end the pain and the brokenness. A way to end the relentless weight of responsibility to care for her children, the ones she loves most.
https://www.handsatwork.org/thegiftofhope
Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Google Podcasts
smarturl.it/MeanwhileinAfrica
Music provided by Artlist.io
The Hands at Work Advent series: “illuminate” on the “Meanwhile in Africa…” podcast channel.
On an unremarkable patch of land is the Kawaza Life Centre. A couple humble shelters, stand in defiance of the lush proud mountains in the distance. The sound of children laughing. Girls sing to the rhythm of a skipping rope. Boys play with a ball made from recycled plastic bags. From the shade under a tree, comes the heartfelt singing of a group of men and women.
https://www.handsatwork.org/thegiftofhope
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Music provided by Artlist.io
Care Worker singing recorded by Jeff Locke
The Hands at Work Advent series: “illuminate” on the “Meanwhile in Africa…” podcast channel. http://smarturl.it/MeanwhileinAfrica
The rumble of the motor under the seat – it all feels like freedom in a strange kind of way as you hold tight to the driver. You’re not the only one on the road as you roll through town. Every stand at the market seems to be selling the same vegetables as the last. The smell of frying fish is crossing the road while chickens scurry under the market tables looking for anything that may have fallen from the rough wood tables to the ground.
https://www.handsatwork.org/thegiftofhope
Music Used in this Video:
Song/Music: The Silent Grove
Artist: Axltree
Link:https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Axletree/music-from-a-hampshire-farm-ongoing-project
License Type: Creative Common - CC BY
Song/Music: “Let Go” from Uppbeat (free for Creators!)
Link: https://uppbeat.io/t/kisnou/let-go
License code: UJ0QX9YVFZ67IAGJ
Song/Music: Only You
Uppbeat (free for Creators!)
Link: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/only-you
License code: HPF968MEMDTMX2FA
Song/Music: Day One
Artist: Alan Špiljak
Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Alan_Spiljak/Colors
License Type: CC By-NC-ND 4.0
"We don't pray because we panic. We pray because we know our father still on a throne and tomorrow belongs to Him!”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
"‘Cast your burdens unto to me. I am doing something beautiful and new.’ Today, good news will be brought to a tough community. The prayers that you brought to me today, I am able.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“It was wet and cold and his heart was going out for the people there. And at that moment, I realised that I would have driven past that place without even noticing it.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“When Audrey walked into Chigodole, she was as unexpected as the cold front that hit us. And then she spent ridiculous, generous time with the most unexpected home.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“I don't think we can understand grace. I don't think we can understand healing until we look brokenness in the eye, and we see the depths of the pain around us.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“The word spread out that we are doing assessments. Walking through the community. Watching grandmothers and widows.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“The word spread out that we are doing assessments. Walking through the community. Watching grandmothers and widows.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“These grandmothers, these Care Workers, they just sensed the openness, the real personal contact that they had with these young leaders. I tell you some of our senior leaders stood there with their mouths hanging open.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“I looked at the young boy as the tears ran down his face. There was a pain and an anger and a hurt. You know, it's times like that, when words dry up.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“The soon coming kingdom that promises no more tears, no violence, no sexual abuse, no hunger, no diseases. We have the opportunity to show glimpses of this kingdom and to bring hope in a place that seemed to be hopeless.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“There was a moment last year where she had no food in her hut for her grandchildren. Nothing! And they were all thrown out of school because she couldn't pay. She couldn't pay for them.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
"It's just wave after wave of malaria and typhoid". He just wept as he spoke to us. "I just can't work for longer than two, three weeks and then I'm down with malaria. I just don't recover."
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Because the moment they walk out of those gates, they walk into a whole new world. They've got to fight for food and care for each other and their families.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Can you see the pain in the beauty? Can you see the beauty in the pain? It's only when you bring the two together that we authentically, genuinely see Christ in all.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Late that night, the guys sat around the fire and they exchanged their life stories as they share with each other. It was amazing. It was like a Holy moment just watching this and seeing what God was doing.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
How could this happen to one family? Where is Miracle's mom, Tawonga today? Maybe having an attack somewhere, in a strange place alone and vulnerable. Kennedy sat quietly watching Fanny. I could see he in deep thought. A quiet man, understanding pain and loss too well.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“It's hard. It's not fun. It's not easy. We're having to do things we don't want to do. We're being taken advantage of here. It's hard. It's hard to get food. It's hard to live like this, and I want to come home." – Agnes (Malawi)
“For food, we were suffering. That is why most of the time when we're having no food, we had to go to the Care Worker and asking for food because we ended up trusting her. They were not feeding at a Care Point like at our Care Points now, but they were giving food parcels every month. So they were giving us that food parcel that was such, like helping a lot.”
“Everyone was expecting and thinking of the worst during those days. Every day the Care Workers would go out looking for her in the bush for those four days, looking for her. They went out everywhere, calling everyone that they could possibly know or anywhere she could have potentially gone and, they were also going to the police…”
“Feeling like she had nothing else to lose, Mercy weighed her options and made a call to pick up her dusty grass mat, and a few other items, and walk out the weather-beaten door that leaked light and cold, but somehow held in the cooking smoke. The school bag was enough to carry what she needed. She hadn't been using it for school this year, due to the schools being closed for the pandemic….”
Join us in this season of Advent as we shed light on the vulnerability of theAfrican girl.
“He had to convince the family not to take Promise to a traditional healer. He had to get him past all the roadblocks, and convince the doctors that they should take the boy in. And then to trust God for healing.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“I pull my mind back to my conversation with Erick in the Democratic Republic of Congo this morning. A few months ago, completely unexpectedly, a few powerful men came and they took our property that we were renting”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“They split away - split the church in half, because they felt they shouldn't share their resources with other people who are not in their congregation. And orphans are dirty.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“Injustice is not respecting the image of God! Not respecting people that were created by our Father! To love, not just those who are close to you and like you, but those who are far and different from you, because you see the beauty of your Father in them.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“They're waiting in that line all by themselves. Not talking to anybody. Not in contact with the friends around them. I looked beyond the mask and I saw their eyes. It shook me. Eyes of loneliness.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
“We know that feeling when a child really prays in faith. It stops us in our tracks and we are awe-struck by the faith that these children display in tough times.”
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
As we celebrate this season and the gift that it brought us, I’m reminded of this statement that says, “God’s hope arrived in the form of a person” that is Jesus Christ.
I love the message of hope we find in Mary’s song from Luke 1: 46- 48, “……Oh how my soul praises the Lord, How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, For He took notice of His lowly servant girl, And from now on all generations will call me blessed”
Don’t you find it interesting that God chose to use a village servant girl to be the mother of His Son (who happened to be the greatest gift the world has ever received). God often uses the ordinary, the broken and the unexpected people to bring Hope. In this case He used Mary. I wonder if He knew that many ordinary and broken people like me would look at Mary’s story and find Hope. That same God who gave Mary Hope and caused her to rejoice in her ordinary circumstances still takes notice of the broken, the lowly and the vulnerable.
This year there’s been many times when I found myself doubting if there is any hope for some of our children, the families we work with or the communities we are involved in. In those moments I had to remind myself of the Hope I found when Christ burst into my ordinary life as a village girl many years ago. I’m learning to say that, that same God who took notice of me and chose me is the Hope of the children or the families we are working with, it doesn’t matter how difficult or complicated their circumstances are.
Mary’s circumstances hadn’t changed when she and that song, but Hope made her to rejoice and trust that the day is coming when she will be called “Blessed”
We are blessed because Jesus brought us Hope, let us celebrate and share it with those who desperately need it in this season. May our eyes be opened to those who are looking for hope because we are given that hope we have experienced that hope for ourselves. The world needs this Hope. May you have a Wonderful Christmas Season!
In Luke 7:24-28 we read the following:
When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written:
‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’
For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
John the Baptist, being the son of a Jewish priest, must have been familiar with all the sacrifices required by the Jewish tradition. He must've seen countless lambs sacrificed but had a different calling than that of his father Zachariah.
He had to wander in the wilderness dressed in skins, and his message was that people should repent, turn from their ways. When he saw Jesus, he pointed to him twice in the same number of days. 'But there is the lamb of God!' Like all the other Jews. He must've expected the Messiah, someone that would come and restore Israel. The one promised in the old Testament who would come. And when John was asked who he, himself, was his reply, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Make straight the way of the Lord!" as the prophet, Isaiah said. But was he expecting his cousin to be this mighty Messiah? Although he pointed to Jesus twice as the lamb of God, he still sent some of his disciples to Jesus while being in prison to find out if Jesus was the one they were expecting, or is there going to be someone else? John had the vision of who Jesus was when he was at the height of his ministry, but when he was thrown into prison, he might have had his doubts.
"Could my cousin, the one I know so well, really be the one we are expecting? It is one thing to have hope in Christ when things are going well, but when things aren't going as planned, then we tend to lose hope. Are we really following the right one? Can I trust him? Should we continue to have hope in His word?
And then in the first chapter 1 Peter, we read: "Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who, according to his abundant mercy, has begotten us again, to living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." In the midst of any persecution, all trials that we might face, we have a living hope.
I listen to someone bring a word of encouragement, quoting the word of God, but nowhere did they ever mention the name of Jesus. Do the right things. They said, do not give up. Have the right values. Follow your calling, but no where did they speak of him, of Jesus, and that He is the one in whom we should place our hope.
Jesus is our hope. John did not have a long and successful ministry. He was thrown into prison, but he never ceased to point people to the person of Christ. We can take courage when looking at the life of John the Baptist. Although people around us may think of our life and ministry, that it's not successful and that it may not last for a long period of time. We must realize when our father is in control. In this Christmas season, show people the way to Jesus, the hope of our salvation.
"Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
Over the centuries, probably more traditions and legends have accumulated around the wisemen than any other aspect of the Christmas story. Tradition has pictured them as Kings and given them names, even though the gospel simply refers to them as nameless, wise men from the East. These assumptions were no doubt made on the back of Isaiah's prophetic words, " Nations shall come to your light and Kings to the brightness of your dawn. They shall bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord." Tradition has one coming from Arabia, another as King of Sheba, and a black man from Egypt. What these legends are serving to emphasize is that the coming of Jesus is no mere local event drawing a few curious shepherds, nor is it confined to one nation, one people, the Jews, but Jesus has come for all people, black and whites, Jew and Gentile, rich and poor. In a sense we are there, kneeling before the baby through these strange and mysterious visitors because they demonstrate Jesus is for each of us.
The general consensus about the gifts is that they emphasize the significance of Jesus. Gold for a King. Frankincense for worship. And myrrh for the savior who was to die for us. I much prefer the suggestion of a monk and theologian from the 12th century called Bernard of Clairvaux, who suggested that the gold was to enable Mary and Joseph to flee as refugees into Egypt. The frankincense was to sweeten the air in the stable and the Myrrh, wait for it... Was for deworming, the infant Jesus. Now, what's I love about this insight is the sheer, earthy practicality that God shares our life, born in a stable - rootless. Then having to flee as a refugee and experiencing the most basic of human needs.
What Bernard realized so clearly is that here is God sharing all the frailties and risks of human life in order to be Emmanuel, God with us. We have a saying in Hands at Work that we go to the poorest and most vulnerable communities off the tar road. Here in these gifts, we see God stooping to share our lives and our vulnerability right off the tar road.
Why? In order to bring us back to him. So it is hope for us all that the wisemen found. But what the poet, T.S. Elliot recognized so clearly in his poem, The Journey of the Magi, it is a hope that leaves us restless. Okay. The pictures, the wise men returning home, no longer at ease here in the old dispensation.
For when we find Emmanuel, God with us, in the baby in the manger, we can never rest content until all God's people know his love and the life of his kingdom. May this restless hope be yours this Christmas time. Amen.
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
These beautiful words are spoken in chapter 40 in the book of Isaiah – a story that is all about how God saved his people from themselves. Right before these words are 39 long chapters that speak of the judgement of God. The prophet Isaiah tells us again and again of how people from different lands turned away from God. But now the prophet poses these questions: Do you not know? Have you not heard? God is an everlasting God, who has unending understanding for His people. And what’s more, that hope can be found in Him.
At this time of the year, we can’t help but think of who Isaiah points to in his book – announcing news of a Saviour who would come to earth for people like me, and people like you. Isaiah refers to Jesus as a great light, illuminating the path for those walking in darkness. He was sent by that everlasting God who put the stars in the sky and by His hand marked off the Heavens, to you and me. And He didn’t come as a King in a palace, but as a child, in meekness. This always leaves me with such hope! Jesus didn’t come for the saved and the strong, but for the lost and the weak. If we ever needed a reminder of that, consider how Jesus arrived on this earth. His family were lost in Bethlehem, with no place to stay. He was laid as a helpless new-born in an animal feeding trough because there was no other place for Him to lay down. His news was even announced to the least of these – night-time shepherds. Jesus came for people such as us – ordinary, weak and in need of a Saviour. And Isaiah reminds us that His gift to the world was hope – hope that He would remain forever, hope that there would be peace on earth, and hope that His kingdom would last forever.
Join us for "illuminate" each Sunday from December 1st to the 22nd, and may you experience The Thrill of Hope from that great Christmas Carol, "O, Holy Night", as we look at the hope of the Christmas season through the eyes of the prophet Isaiah, the Maggi who followed the star, John the Baptist and Mary, mother of Jesus.
These perspectives are brought to you by the volunteers that Hands at Work in Africa. Each week's audio is three minutes long, and you can find it right here on the "Meanwhile In Africa..." podcast channel.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Join us during the Advent season for Illuminate – Hands at Work'’'s podcast series exploring the themes of Hope, Peace, Love, Joy and Christ’s birth. Starting on 2nd December, hear a new 3-minute message each Sunday, from Hands at Work’s African leaders and International Volunteers.
Join us during the Advent season for Illuminate – Hands at Work'’'s podcast series exploring the themes of Hope, Peace, Love, Joy and Christ’s birth. Starting on 2nd December, hear a new 3-minute message each Sunday, from Hands at Work’s African leaders and International Volunteers.
Join us during the Advent season for Illuminate – Hands at Work'’'s podcast series exploring the themes of Hope, Peace, Love, Joy and Christ’s birth. Starting on 2nd December, hear a new 3-minute message each Sunday, from Hands at Work’s African leaders and International Volunteers.
Join us during the Advent season for Illuminate – Hands at Work'’'s podcast series exploring the themes of Hope, Peace, Love, Joy and Christ’s birth. Starting on 2nd December, hear a new 3-minute message each Sunday, from Hands at Work’s African leaders and International Volunteers.
Join us during the Advent season for Illuminate – Hands at Work'’'s podcast series exploring the themes of Hope, Peace, Love, Joy and Christ’s birth. Starting on 2nd December, hear a new 3-minute message each Sunday, from Hands at Work’s African leaders and International Volunteers.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
Meanwhile in Africa... is a 3 minute weekly story of serving Africa's most vulnerable by George Snyman of Hands at Work in Africa.
As you see the maize fields and how desperately people need rain, after they have poured in all of their resources, you feel the despair yourself, but there is such an energy and optimism.
Peter was a hard-working man. He plowed the field, made charcoal and had chickens and looked after his family well. Everything suddenly changed for his wife, Katherine, and their five children in 2015.
This is the last Meanwhile in Africa Audio for 2017. Thank you for listening! We are concerned for the affluent as we are for the vulnerable. What do we give our children?
Have you experienced brokenness that rips your heart open? When you experience this, you can hold a life in your hands and have hope that their life will be a life well spent.
These people are not bringing amazing skills or bring the right formulas. The just have the right heart and a willingness to go to the places that have a need for hope.
You can't have one with out the other, and think that you'll grow up as a mature follower of Christ.
Simple, ordinary people who discovered contentment and the joy of giving - it burns within when you experience that!
George shares his experiences from Germany and Swaziland. "Maybe you are carrying big burdens. Come to me who are weary...and you will find rest."
Sometimes I feel so inadequate and so unequipped to share of the thing I know so well from the last 20 years. We have this light shining in our hearts but we are like fragile clay jars. But in the people to whom I spoke I saw hope - and I realised hope b
Witness was heavy on my heart. Everyday it is a privilege to fight for her and many others.
George shares a compelling story of courage. To bring hope in the places that have no hope.
The moment we went into the first community, everything changed. Church leaders from Australia, USA and Germany united together in Christ.
Its not my favourite because it’s so beautiful But because of whats happening in the middle of Honde Valley.
We chased the neighbours cows out of her fields and she shared the challenges of raising 4 girls in a rural village. She told me with fear and anxiety, just how vulnerable they are...
When people watch us while times are tough it changes peoples lives. The mundane things of life need to be grinder out faithfully. How I work in the valleys being faithful to the people I met in the mountain tops is maturity.
We invited all of the churches from the community and those nearby to come and stay with us in the life centre. At the end of our time we felt we were blessed to have shared this time more than we blessed them.
Abraham carried a burden that no 14-year-old should carry. As he heard the hope of a Father who cares deeply for him, his face began to change.
It's all about love. Why can't I reach deeper and give more? The honest answer is a lack of love.
Injustice is not just when you harm somebody. It is also when you know and you don't do something about it.
I met an old friend again, Bahati. His family was the first family we visited in Goma. He's got and incredible joy and peace about him. He's a simple man who embraces life and sees God in everything.
"Are poor people not just lazy? If they work hard will they not do better?" George Snyman tackles the lurking question supported by decades of working with the poorest of the poor.
David is already over 60 and he has had a tough life... He's caring for more than 100 children, yet when he sees just one, he knows exactly how to fight for that particular child.
She was stigmatized and experienced that very same rejection that she saw in so many people that she had shown love to for many years.
So many of us have been hurt in the past by things we did or labels people gave us. I want to tell you that we serve a God of many chances. He can even use that very story to bless others.
This is the last episode of Meanwhile in Africa... for 2016. We'll pick up again in February 2017 with more weekly stories from the ground in Africa. "There was a holy discontent in my heart. Have you got something that makes you so discontent? What blo
We are focused on the power of one to one, regardless of how seemingly insignificant it seems.
Deep, meaningful relationships - where we keep each other accountable, hold each other up and take care of one another...
In a community where everyone is desperate and poor - for them to see this girl who had been so ill - and now to be healthy and going to school. What an encouragement!
We would go and hunt for treasure and wild animals. We even think we saw a lion foot print. We found diamonds and gold!
This vision is busy growing in Australia. Churches, past volunteers and new communities - groups of people are spending time praying and giving generously to care for the most vulnerable people in communities across Africa.
Nathan is a friend of Hands at Work in Africa and has supported Hand's vision since he was 6 years old.
George Snyman speaks about connecting and the parable of the Samaritan woman from the book of John.
There are miracles and there is hope... even in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
George visits Goma, a beautiful place, but stained with blood... She had't eaten in three days.
I moved out of his way, but to my surprise, he moved exactly in line with me and stopped right in front of me. He stood there and looked at me. This boy knew me! In a town I've never been to. In a market with thousands of people...
Hebrews 3:13 (NRSV) But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Her first 45 minutes are walking in the bush in the dark by herself. Nolwai is vulnerable in many ways. George share some time with her on her journey to school.
George spent time in Swaziland recently and was confronted by the struggle of living in the shadow of drought.
George Snyman share from the DRC. He speak about Jesus high calling to the Kingdom of God.
George Snyman shares some thoughts on generosity from the context of Hands at Work in Africa.