Frontlines 2018 | Issue 3 (Superbook Edition)

CBN SOUTHERN AFRICA PARTNER MAGAZINE

THE SUPERBOOK ISSUE | 2018

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

02 | Feature: A Light to the Nations 04 | Partnership: Building a Community for Christ 05 | Project Update: HOSA Pre-School

06 | Orphan’s Promise: Amelia’s Testimony

12 | Feature: What is a Dad Worth?

07 | Superbook Edition: Updates, Highlights & Mzansi Flavour

14 | Project Updates & Partner Impact

10 | Become a World Changer

PO Box 37779, Valyland, 7978 +27 (021) 701 1776 www.cbnafrica.org

21 | Bring it On, with Pat Robertson

Visit the Orphan’s Promise website: www.orphanspromise.org

OUR MESSAGE |

Warm wintery greetings to you!

As you may remember, I have 4-year old twin boys and a 6-year old daughter. Over the past few months they have been insisting that I tell them ‘make-up stories’ at bedtime instead of the regular, easier ones from our bookshelf. But like many of you I’m often tired during the week and my stories get pretty boring. The kids yawn and complain, and I keep falling asleep mid-sentence.

Story is a theme that the Lord has been raising again and again for us as a ministry team this year. We want to be telling more and more exciting stories on air, on the ground and online, but we are even more eager to become part of more exciting stories.

Ian Walton CBN Southern Africa Regional Director Don’t forget, we also love to pray with you - about anyone or anything. Give our prayerline a call on (021) 701 1776 or you can email prayer@cbnsa.org or WhatsApp +27 71 763 810

We’re Social! @CBNSouthAfrica

Let me explain this a bit better. Your life can be seen as a series of stories, or maybe as multiple chapters in one very long story. Basically, a good story requires an interesting character, something that the character really wants or needs, and a serious obstacle in the way of them getting it.

Now in my boring bedtime stories my main characters are flat and uninteresting – there is nothing that they strongly desire, and nothing strongly against them. This makes for pretty bad stories and although I have created these characters, I really haven’t thought enough or cared enough about them to make their story exciting. But what about you, a character God has uniquely created and cares for infinitely? What kind of stories has your loving Father dreamed up around you?

I have recently become convinced that God constantly invites His children into better, more exciting stories. Unlike the characters I create for my tired bedtime stories, He puts desires and vision in our hearts and we get to choose how we respond. And when we do have the courage and faith to step into these stories, plenty of obstacles come against us - this fallen world and the enemy’s destructive schemes take care of that. But we’re always faced with the choice to trust and obey and keep walking further into the story, or to let fear or comfort stop us or even drive us backwards. Our lives with God have all the elements of great stories in the making – but to a large extent we get to determine how those stories play out.

So what kind of story is your life telling right now? At CBN SA we are challenging ourselves with this same question. I want to encourage you today to embrace whatever challenge or step of faith it is that you are facing, clinging on to the strong hand of the One who created you. Stories alongside Jesus will seldom be easy… but they will never be boring.

Under His Grace Ian Regional Director, CBN Southern Africa | 01

| FEATURE

A Light to the Nations

By Gordon Robertson, Chief Executive Officer 02 |

FEATURE |

In CBN’s new documentary, To Life, we share the untold story of how the tiny state of Israel makes a huge impact around the world through selfless humanitarian work. It’s amazing to see how the Israel Defense Forces use medical expertise gained on the battlefield to rescue dying victims of natural disasters.

For example, after major earthquakes struck Haiti and Nepal, the IDF and other Israeli volunteer groups were among the first responders. Their trained personnel rapidly set up efficient field hospitals with modern equipment to quickly diagnose and treat suff ering people. And it’s not just disaster victims: Israelis also help Palestinians, Syrians, and some of the poorest people in Africa—all for free.

Why are Israelis doing this? One motivation comes from the Hebrew phrase tikkun olam, or repairing the world. It generally means that the world is fallen and it’s up to us as believers in God to fix it. Another concept, from the rabbinical teachings of the Mishnah, says that to save one life is as if you’re saving the entire world. And so, the value of one person pulled from the rubble is worth everything. Yet most often, when we ask why these volunteers leave their comfortable homes to do grueling work in horrific situations, they say, “We’re Israeli. It’s who we are. We’re called to be a light to the

nations.” This is based on Isaiah 49:6, where God says: “Not only will you restore to greatness the people of Israel who have survived, but I will also make you a light to the nations—” then the verse concludes: “so that all the world may be saved.”

This prophecy is to Isaiah and points to the Messiah; yet it is specific to Israel, too. And as I watched this film, I had a profound revelation that the purpose for the rise of Israel today is that all the world may be saved. The Israelis are being a light to the nations and showing off God. This is not something they have to drum up; God has put this into them.

My prayer is that To Life will not only show the world what Israel is doing, but also remind us of our calling as believers to be a light to the nations. God bless you.

Scripture is quoted from the NKJV. This teaching was given during a CBN US staff chapel.

You can watch To Life the movie for free in HD online tolifethemovie.com

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| PARTNERSHIP

truly want to connect with you and if you need resources to assist you with issues that you might be dealing with let us know because that’s what communities do. We love and encourage each other!

Meagan Taylor | Partnership & Sustainability Manager

Building a community for Christ We at CBN SA are so very grateful for your partnership! Your partnership is making a difference in the lives of people who need a tangible demonstration of God’s love. Your generosity means that we can build long-standing communities that live in love, togetherness and hope.

I would like to encourage you as one of valued partners to connect with us so that we can interact as a community (as neighbours). We understand that life is a journey and we want to wrap our arms around your shoulders and walk with you in this journey. We understand and recognize the world is broken, people are broken, and we all have issues in our lives to work through, but you shouldn’t feel that you must go through life alone. We at CBN SA

Hebrews 10:24-25 says “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” This is God’s plan for community! We want to encourage you in your faith, through Christian reading content and television programming. We want to help your children learn about God, through Superbook. We want to give you opportunities to express compassion and love, through Orphan’s Promise and CBN Humanitarian.

We understand that life is a journey and we want to wrap our arms around your shoulders and walk with you.

As the word says “Iron sharpens iron” – let us sharpen one another… We are committed to one another and we believe that God has called us to certain things and we would love you walk with you in this journey so If you have a testimony to share or if you need reading material on a certain topic, please contact us on +27 21 701 1776.

To our DURBAN PARTNERS, please RSVP to the Durban Partner event happening on the 20th of July 2018 by calling into our office on (021) 701 1776 or email us at info@cbnsa.org. We are looking forward to meeting you!

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PARTNERSHIP |

PROJECT UPDATE: HOSA PRE-SCHOOL CBN partners sponsor the Hope Southern Africa Project which is a community transformation initiative in an informal settlement on the out-skirts of Standfontein, Cape Town.

The new school year has started and we are overwhelmed by the number of children joining our Early Childhood Development (ECD) School! Previously not many parents were happy to send their kids to our school, but God has opened the doors and now the classes are growing. Our excellent teachers set the course for their future, which is especially geared for children aged between three and five. Some of them have never sat at a table before and have never had a proper meal. Here at the HOSA pre-school they get fed a nutritious meal. The fruits and vegetables are grown at the organic aquaponic garden that is looked after by the community. The children are exposed to a fulfilled day with lots of much needed love and care.

We know that God has wonderful things planned for the HOSA and the ECD school.

Thank You CBN Partners!

Above are images that were taken of the children in May 2018.

Your support enables us to share the love of Christ to the many children that are in desperate need of a meal, love and support.

To help us further please visit www.cbnafrica.org/ sa-give or give us a call on +27 21 701 1776 to make a pledge into the CBN ministry.

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SUPERBOOK |

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| SUPERBOOK

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SUPERBOOK |

Sandy Oostendorp contacted us last year enquiring about Superbook, and more importantly Gizmo. She had a burning desire to introduce the children of Mitchell’s Plain to Gizmo and wanted to know how she could go about doing that. It is through these conversations that we knew we had our champion, our first Superbook Champion. Her involvement in her community and passion to see children being introduced to Christ led to us having a number of successful Superbook activations and Superbook Church Curriculum briefings in the Mitchel’s Plain area.

Her comment regarding Superbook…

“ Just watching the clips, and seeing the interaction of the children, especially those in the Asian countries, made me realize that Superbook is

one of the tools God is using to bring the knowledge of His kingdom to children today. The content of each series is so accurate. Gizmo is my all time favourite… and the kids just love him. The level of the content is so aligned to Children’s ministry… and rightly so… and for this .. I salute CBN” Her encouragement to those who want to get involved

“Superbook is the conduit through which many a child and adult is being exposed” to the Bible. And if you have been chosen to be a Superbook Champion, then just do it…… your harvest awaits you. Keep on keeping on. Don’t give up….. for He will carry you and strengthen you . It’s your time to make a difference.”

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| SUPERBOOK

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SUPERBOOK |

Did you know that you can watch the Superbook Episodes for FREE on our awesome Superbook kids site?

You can also play games, listen to the radio and read the Bible on the awesome Superbook Kids Bible App! Check it our on the App Store or Google Play

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| SUPERBOOK

WHAT IS A DAD WORTH? Written by Fin Sheridan, CBN Europe

“Even if you had ten thousand teachers in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.”

- 1 Corinthians 4:15 Happy Father’s Day! If you have a good dad, and a good relationship with them, today is a good day. If that is the case, then you should be extremely grateful because there are thousands of people for whom that is not the case. Some don’t know their dad. Some aren’t close with him. Others have lost them and today is tainted with grief.

The relationship between a Dad and their child is one of 12 |

FEATURE |

the most mysterious and beautiful things on the planet. Try watching this scene from the Lion King or this scene from A Knight’s Tale without bursting into tears. Whether it is “dads and lads” or “being a daddy’s girl”, there’s so much power weaved into the ways that fathers and their children relate.

“OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR NATURAL FATHERS ARE MEANT TO BE A GOSPEL PICTURE OF THE FATHER FOR US.” Maybe that’s because God is revealed as a Father? He’s a Father with a Son and so I think that, when it is functioning well, we can see the thumbprints of God in the role of an earthly dad. Our relationships with our natural fathers are meant to be a gospel picture of the Father for us. When we have a dad that does that well, it’s a great gift. If your dad didn’t do that well, or at all, then the gospel is redemptive good news because you have a perfect heavenly Father who will fill those gaps.

Paul knew the value of a father.

That’s why, in 1 Corinthians, he writes the above verse with a sense of sadness and responsibility. The Corinthians had so many teachers and preachers (I’m not sure they had ten thousand but it’s a biblical way of saying “A lot!”) but they

did not have many fathers. So Paul adopts the posture and role of a father because a father is worth so much more.

Today might have been a Hallmark invented occasion but, whatever and whoever your father is, there’s a chance to connect with the perfect Father – to say “thank you” to the one who will never leave, always affirm and forever love us.

Wishing all the Dad’s a very joyful & blessed Father’s Day for 17th June 2018!

“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” - Psalm 103:13

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| IMPACT

PROJECT UPDATE: 1000 DAYS PROGRAM The 1000 days program focuses on reaching out to pregnant women (some teenages) and mothers with their babies. The caring team at Living Hope and CBN aim to share the Gospel with these mothers and emphasize God’s special plan for them and their babies.

The program aims to promote mental health wellness, physical and brain development from conception, through pregnancy and birth, to the age of two years old. This First Thousand Days initiative is part of our community based services program.

The program is aiming to have a graduation towards the end of June 2018

to celebrate completion of the 8 week program with the mothers.

Twenty-one mothers successfully completed the curriculum. One of the graduate mothers has joined the Masi branch to become a volunteer facilitator educating her friends and neighbours on the lessons she learnt while following the course.

Thank you CBN partners for supporting the First Thousand Days program!

We highly appreciate your love, care and compassion for these amazing women and the future adults of SA.

Get Involved! To find out how you can get involved at the various CBN ministries in Southern Africa, please get in touch with us on (021) 701 1776 or email info@cbnsa.org 14 |

IMPACT |

PARTNER IMPACT CBN Partners, look at what you are doing! * 25 elderly people where provided with a home cooked lunch in Johannesburg and 8 take away meals where handed out.

Donated clothing and other goods where also provided for sale at a market. The funds that are received are used to help the elderly that are in need.

“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.�

Proverbs 11:25 You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date!

Facebook.com/CBNSouthAfrica

* 2 new boys were enrolled into a programme that provides care and guidance to children with difficult-to-manage behaviour.

CBN supports the program by providing food and toiletries for the residents are are working through the programme and to register children onto a formal home schooling programme. * 3 new babies were welcomed by the care givers at Rockabye baby. The natural spring water that has been provided by CBN is used to make formula for the babies. CBN has given the orphanage (+3000L) of water to assist during the drought in Cape Town.

Your financial support goes along way to helping communities that need it. See the on-the-ground report for more impact stories! | 15

BRING IT ON |

BRING IT ON

Q&A

Your questions, with honest answers

by Pat Robertson

Q: Many speak so highly of heaven, and we are taught that when Christians die, that’s when they really begin to live. If heaven is so wonderful, why are we as a nation so afraid of getting sick–while always praying for healing and trying to live longer?

Pat Robertson Founder of The Christian Broadcasting Network

Do you have a question for Pat? Log on to CBN. com/BringItOnline and follow the instructions to submit your question.

A: There are many people living in this nation who are not going to heaven. It’s been said that when these people die, they taste hell in their first few moments, and it’s horrible. They scream and yell. The ones who give their lives to the Lord are all going to heaven, and they will be there with Him. But both sinners and saints were created by God. He made us want to live and hold onto life.

The exception to that are our fellow believers who are terribly ill and want to be relieved— with many praying that God would take them home to be with Him. But other than the exception, why are we afraid? It’s because our Maker in heaven breathed life into all of us. Th at life is the opposite of death. We all prefer not to hurry the end of our lives. We want to live. It’s been built into our DNA. | 17

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