November Update

Summer and fall came and went and winter is now upon us. Oh how I dislike Chicago winters. Even the African sun in my bones fails to fight off the artic winds off Lake Michigan that come through the city.

Firstly, as many of you know; Annie and I are leaving Chicago for South Africa next year! Yes it’s true. We are leading our first official pioneering teams of interns to Africa for a year! When all things are considered, right now just seems to be the perfect time to do this, and we are both excited at the challenges this presents.

We also want to introduce everyone to Nate & Rebecca Clendenin (pictured above with us), from North Carolina. Nate first spent time in Mamelodi, South Africa doing an amazing photo journalism project for his Master’s degree…in fact many of our web images are a result of that trip. Desiring to return to South Africa for a longer time, Nate and Rebecca contacted us. Since then, this awesome couple have visited with us in Chicago, and are pumped to be a part of our team for ’08-‘09. We couldn’t be more excited to have two such solid people joining us for the year, launching the Africa Revolution internship program!
There are a few other folks prayerfully considering if a year in Africa, living in intentional community, is what God may have for them. As time goes on we will introduce them all to you. These interns are our Revolutionaries.

I would like to challenge those of you reading this to consider how you can be a part of this vital step in Africa Revolution’s mission. You may know someone considering going to Africa and you should pass on our info or you yourself might be considering going. To find out more about the internship program Click Here.
Some of you are unable to go and I seriously challenge you to be a part of this by supporting us as we seek to be fully funded for our time leading up to leaving, as well as our time in Africa. To find out more about supporting Annie and I click here or visit our site at http://www.allanandannie.com/


Yes I did say team"S". Apart from the team to South Africa, we are also sending a team to Swaziland (see Swaziland on the map above). Swaziland holds the dubious title of having the highest HIV prevalence rate in the world (%48). Bulembu ministries, our partner ministry in Swaziland, is doing phenomenal work in their community. We are providing them with a team of revolutionaries to passionatly serve and learn for the year. To get a better idea about Swaziland and to find out more about our partners in Swaziland, watch their compelling video below.


As HIV/AIDS decimates communities throughout Sub Saharan Africa, now is the time to respond with the love of Christ. As we have been traveling and sharing I am more convinced than ever that awareness is a huge role in why AR exists. Not just awareness of poverty and suffering but of God’s call to His people to respond as they proclaim and portray His Love. I am continually challenged by Isaiah 58 and Amos 5 and the words of God to His people when it comes to the suffering of those around them. It is in following this Biblical mandate that I believe our interns are putting their lives on the alter before God. Pray for our teams, the communities we are going to, and the practicalities to overcome before we leave.

In closing I want to share some information I came across that might help you understand the context Africa Revolution is ministering in when it comes to HIV/AIDS.

World HIV Prevalence Map-
The map shows the distribution of all people aged 15-49 with HIV. In 2003, the highest HIV prevalence was in Swaziland, where almost four in every ten people, were HIV positive. All ten territories with the highest prevalence of HIV are in central and southeastern Africa!

Shoot us an email of encouragement. Continue to pray for us and join in with us.
Take care,

Last Words
"Self-righteousness is a subsidiary of legalism, and the mortal enemy of compassion and mercy. Grace, on the other hand, is the mother of compassion."
- Bob Deffinbaugh