On Your Mark, Get Set, Go to Africa!
This is me, a guitar, and 4 kids who love music... i brought this guitar out and a bunch of kids crowded around and stood in silent reverence like they were watching the shuttle launch or something. Then i started playing the bass-line to Walk the Line and eventually they all joined in vocally- bombombom bom, bom, bom, bombombom bom, bom, bom... it was great, the kids over there are wonderful and musical!
It's 9 days before i fly to Africa for the second time in my life. The first time was in Aug. '05 for 3 weeks. Now, i'm returning to work for the Agathos Foundation for an 8 month duration.
The Agathos Foundation is at an exciting time in their story. Word of what we're doing is getting out and we are being called on for many partnership and start-up opportunities. If you don't know, the Agathos Foundation (AF from now on) is a Seattle based organization which strives to relieve AIDS victims through the purchase of commercial farms in Africa, then using the profits and properties to house children and widows left helpless in the wake of the AIDS pandemic.
As i said, the momentum is picking up, therefore my role will be primarily 3-fold. I'll assist the local pastor in his church duties which is on-site at our existing village. He and i will be looking for pastors to join the pastor training program we are beginning to establish. Second, as founder Rob Smith travels to and from Africa to the United States, i'll be his eyes and ears when he's not around. That means i'll join with the South African AF directors to visit and assess potential sites for AF to acquire. As well, i'll personally assist Rob during his visits to Africa. 3rd, i will host short-term church groups visiting our village. That means i'll drive them around, give them projects work on, and organize community outreach events focused on the spreading of the Gospel.
You are reading my weekly blog. This is how i will stay in touch with you while i'm away and keep you informed of all the excitement which transpires. Due to slow internet speeds and minute-by-minute costs for internet use, the uploading of pics will be minimal. However, periodically i'll add a link to a whole bunch of pics i'll put online for your viewing enjoyment!
I look forward to hearing from you through comments and emails. You can reach me at
richardharleman@gmail.com
Let me know you're praying for me!
posted by ricardo de africa at 6:16 PM
11 Comments:
Wow, here we go! Richard, I'm very excited that you're going again, and that your contributions to Agathos are going to be pretty intense! Count on me to keep you up in prayer during this time, for safety, and for battling back Satan's armies in that area.
Traveling mercies, brother. Enjoy the journey. Come home to us safe.
Dear Richard,
What amazing news you share and you haven't even reached Africa yet! I did not know about your trip in Aug., but apparently it left an impressive and motivation in your soul to reach deeper and commit your all! God bless you. You certainly will be in our prayers and we will be sure to include you in our Community Group (CG from now on) prayer chain as well. Godspeed Brother.
Fondly,
The Richardson Clan; Scott, Erica, John and James
Dude, this is cool. I'll be praying for you--and sending your info to some other Africa-philes who have done similar missions work.
Richard -
Angie and i will be thinking of you and praying for you over there.
Take care bro -
Jess
Richard: You are in the Nieman's prayers. What you are doing is testament to us all, and sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime!
Lord bless you and your endeavors!
-Bill
Hi Richard,
I am writing to let Richard's followers know that he made it down okay to SA and has contacted Rob Smith in JoBurg. Richard will be traveling today in our new combi down to the orphan village in Loskop, escourting Susan Jacobs from Seattle. Then he is off to Durban to pick up a Canadian and an Australian who are coming to the village for two and four weeks. Then back up to JoBurg to pick up Rob Smith, Rob Vatter and five others that arrive from the US on Tuesday the 17th. They all travel back to Loskop on the 18th when the first Agathos Boot Camp will begin in conjunction with the ACTS29 Network. I'll let Richard fill in the details. Thank you all for your support of Richard and the Agathos Foundation.
Marc Fulmer
Thanks Marc for the update - Looking forward to hearing how you are doing Richard!
~sarah
Thank you for the update Marc!
Yeh Richard! Glad to hear you're there and being put to good use already. I definitely look forward to hearing from you and seeing some pics of Africa!
Remember: Speak into the darkness with courage, purpose, and creativity knowing that God is with you.
Hello Richard
We miss you already at Crownhillites Com. Group meetings.
Brittany from the Queen Anne
group paid us a visit this past
Tuesday and gave us a testimony
about her two weeks ministering in
New Orleans. She got so blessed
that she wants to go back and do
it again soon, maybe in March.
I presume you are still getting
our Crownhillite communications.
We will keep you in our prayers.
Mike
Richard,
What a blessing you are to these children. You are in our prayers.
-Ari, Judy, Asher & Ella
Hello again Richard
Just read your latest update.
The extreme "highs" and extreme
"lows" must be hard to deal with.
Only God could give you the ability
to deal with that. Fern just sent
you $10.00 for more Bible help.
That is a big sacrifice for her
because she lives on disability income but she really cares. I hope more folks will step up.
Bless your heart
Mike
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