Because there are not enough biblical churches to handle the number of kids coming from the R4L program, we have seven official church plants, along with many “unofficial” church gatherings in homes, etc., and we continue to see more. You will recall that a church was built in Harrismith last year. They are holding services, meetings, and trainings there now. This month, we were blessed when the king in Tugela Ferry gave some land for a church plant there.  (In the tribal areas, land must be allotted by the king.) Thandy said that when the king approved giving them this land, he said “I see many taverns there. People are being destroyed. I have never seen a church there. Anything that brings light is good.” Pictured above is the men's council of the village. (Thandy and Emmanuel are sitting at right.) The men officially approve the land transfer and show them the land they will receive. We will send something out in a few weeks with more details about the church build, and are already collecting funds for this project. To donate, please go to our donate page. On the second page of the payment process, from the "projects" dropdown box, select "Tugela Church." Thanks for your help!

With an estimated 500,000 rapes a year, South Africa has one of the highest numbers of rapes in the world. More than 40% of South African women will be raped in their lifetime, with only 1 in 9 rapes reported. As a result, the actual number is much higher than the number recorded by the police. Lately, the killing and rape of women and children is on a shocking rise. Our female peer educators have had some encounters with dangerous people on their way to schools. Please pray that God will protect them as they carry out their ministry. (Image: REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham)

Thandy reports, “This year we are experiencing an amazing partnership between churches, teachers, Peer Educators and “foxes” (student peer educators). There’s a unified voice all over Africa that says, “God’s word is the solution,” and every child of God wants to participate and contribute in spreading the light. In May, we have trained 46 Foxes, 82 Peer Educators, and 54 teachers who have started to lead groups in their school classrooms. This month, we have been focusing on schools that the Department of Education requested we bring the program to, due to the difficult problems they are facing. We started with training in Port Edward in an area called Kwanzimakwe. Participants came from the Eastern cape and some parts of the Free State province." Pictured above are Thandy (second from left) with senior facilitators (left to right) Jacky, Bowazi, and Monica. Below, Pastor Shaun Duma thanks the R4L team for the great training they received.

South Africa’s power cuts are continuing to impact the program. Communication is critical in the R4L program and dead phone batteries cut off that communication. Darkness increases danger. The lack of traffic lights results in taxis taking longer to get to the schools, prisons, etc., increasing the cost. (This is in addition to the higher fuel costs.) Power outages that last for days are happening regularly throughout the country. In Johannesburg, the electrical grid is collapsing under the weight of almost daily scheduled power cuts by Eskom (government supplier of electricity). The constant switching on and off of power during load shedding is causing further strain to the aging grid. These power cuts are causing huge problems for homes and businesses. One doctor said that doctors have to use their phones for light in sensitive examinations of small children. Residents have been told there is no plan for a near-term solution. Please pray that we will be able to find ways to work around these challenges.

We don't have enough room to show you all the trainings and rollouts that are being done in the four countries! Representing trainings is the group above from Pt. Shepstone.(Thandy is seated front, center.) Representing rollouts is the group below from Bona High.

“I am Mrs. Buka, and I am a high school teacher. Our schools are ungovernable. Our kids in schools are violent and poorly performing on their grades. As a parent myself it hurts to see many kids who drop out because of issues at home, society or just bad influence. As a child of God, I have decided to be part of the R4L movement. Before I start my lesson R4L has become my devotional tool. I have seen kids' lives change through this grogram and the training has really equipped me to be more effective when I disciple the kids.

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.