Hands at Work begins each year with a Watchword; a guiding scripture that our leadership team shares with the Hands family. This scripture is a promise, a challenge, an inspiration, an encouragement and an opportunity to invite God to lead us throughout the year, expectant for what He will do in and through us.
The Watchword brings a sense of unity, knowing that the verse being shared is being shared across Africa and around the world. We know that whilst we are here in South Africa, other people are sharing the same Watchword in other countries. There is power in being a part of something way bigger than just where we are.
Marc has been a volunteer with Hands at Work since 2007. From Calgary, Canada, he is currently based at the Hub in South Africa where he serves as Project Support Leader. As a long term volunteer, Marc has experienced first-hand the trials and stirrings of living in a growing Christ-centred community with a focus to serve the most vulnerable.
A look back at what made 2011 a special year for Hands at Work and our children across Africa. Mouse over "NOTES" to read about these special moments.
In early April a group of local church leaders, friends of Hands, and Hands at Work staff and volunteers got together at the Hub just outside White River to talk about Who, What, Where and How we are.
Sensing God's favour on the day, the Hands at Work team were up at the crack of dawn to set up. By the time guests arrived, lively chatter and upbeat music filled the air.
WHY Hands at Work
George Snyman, Hands at Work founder, spoke first and said that he hoped the day would give everyone a good glimpse of the family's handiwork.
George showed the child mortality rates of the countries that Hands is working in (see a PDF of his PowerPoint slides linked below) and asked of each person: "What would God do with His available resources if one out of five of His children did not reach the age of five?"
Then a second question to chew over: "According to the indicators, it is life endangering for a girl to go to school in sub-Saharan Africa. How can this be when Africa is the most evangelized place on the planet?"
"Every month there are 180,000 new orphans. The number of orphans due to HIV/AIDS continues to grow and grow," he went on to say. "There is no time to be quiet when 6,000 children will walk back to their huts as orphans. We cannot tell them about Christ alone, we need to show them Christ's love through our actions."
At the beginning of each year, the Hands at Work family in Africa sets aside a morning to meditate on the watchword for the new season.
We recorded audio tracks of each of the speakers and we encourage you to listen to them by clicking on the links below.
Click here to listen to Hands at Work founder, George Snyman.
Click here to listen to Lynn Chotowetz, Levy Mwende, the communion & prayer and the closing.
Watchword 2011 “It’s in Christ that we find out WHO we are and WHAT we are living for.” - Ephesians 1:11 (The Message)
We make a choice, this morning, and we say: with God we can conquer all things.
“Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
“I dwell in the high heavens, and I dwell in hearts of the humble.” Wow.
“We’ve gotta do something!”
No wonder God says, “Unless you become like a child...”
I want you to catch what God is saying to us: I want to do something, first IN you and, from there, OUTWARD.
The power of the Holy Spirit is going to come, he is going to mould, he is going to shape and he is going to bring forth a nation that mirrors himself.
We’re being moulded into who God wants us to be … we don’t want to be shallow. It is not a discussion, we’ve already decided: we want to go deep.
Absolutely, this year is about going deeper.
