Dear Honeyridge Family,  

Another month has passed with many changes and yet much is still the same! Lockdown restrictions and the Covid-19 crisis still dominate our lives and discussion as we try to adjust to the new way of doing life for the foreseeable future.   

But this past month has brought the reality of months of news reports much closer to home as numerous individuals in our church family have tested positive for the virus, and as many more are in self-isolation due to contact with people who have it.   

And yet in the face of all this... we see so many people carrying on with life as if this virus is just a myth! And that got me thinking about the human condition of being blinded to the invisible reality of our sin, and the even greater reality that God exists, and we will all have to stand before Him one day.  

We read in Romans 1:19–21…  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honour Him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.   

As we see so many in our city acting as if God doesn’t exist… and as if the virus of sin is a myth… we understand that this blindness and hardness of heart is a condition which will ultimately result in eternal death. Do our hearts long to see these people saved? Do we pray regularly for God to give us opportunities to tell them about their condition and the cure which is only found in Jesus?   

Every time you watch the news this week and hear about the Virus and the search for a vaccination… Stop and pray to God for those around you who are described above in Romans 1… and that God would help you to proclaim Romans 1:16-17 to them!  

Romans 1:16–17  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”   

Your brother in Christ, 

Clinton. 

At House of Compassion which is our shelter in Lenasia, which caters for 30 homeless and destitute men, we have a constant need for provisions. Items of food and clothing are in constant need, as are things like toiletries and linen. Honeyridge Baptist has for many years been one of our main supporters, helping us meet their daily needs. With the onset of winter we were particularly glad to have received a donation of blankets and warm clothing. God bless you all for your ongoing assistance to bring some loving care and our Lord Jesus into the lives of these men in need.

Norman Voss

"In the middle of a pandemic, far away from loved ones and a newly qualified OT" – I never ever thought those 3 things would describe me. But when the Lord asks: “Whom shall I send?” I cannot help but say: “Here I am Lord, send me.” (Is 6:8). Because in His sovereignty he has provided and will continue to provide, “working everything for the good of those who love Him, even when we are uncertain." Rea Mahopo  

From being human jungle gym to, “Hello, can you hear me?” Or “Bob you’re on mute” this is the new normal of my life. However, seeing the kids and being able to worship and praise God together virtually is amazing. It's really hard trying to teach God’s Word to a camera, but when you get a kid’s message saying thank you when you are in a slump it shows that God is always working even when we don’t see how. Shaun Davidson

Berea, in Johannesburg inner city, is a globalised overcrowded neighbourhood plagued by poverty, decay, crime and many other social ills. Berea Baptist Mission Church participates in God’s mission in this neighbourhood by seeking to implement the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. One of the ministries we render as part of the Great Commandment is giving food parcels to the destitute, individuals and families in crisis.

For about 18 years Honeyridge Baptist Church has provided Helping Hand boxes of groceries which have enabled us to feed the homeless people and refugees who attend our Sunday services. We thank God for having led Honeyridge Baptist Church to send us cash instead of the usual boxes during the lockdown for us to provide food to those in need.  

Thank you, Honeyridge Baptist Church, for 18 years of partnership in the gospel.     

As a Principal my biggest worry when the first class of the Grade 7s was phased in, was will our parents be able to pay for transport. From what most parents had told me over the lockdown most of them were not working or getting paid during the lockdown. So it came as a great relief when the church bought and packed the food parcels as they used to in the first week of the children’s arrival. The timing was perfect. I knew that this would bring much needed relief to the parents who wouldn't have to worry about food while they pay for transport after all the challenges. On the first day 25 out of 28 Grade 7 children came and by the following week, 27 out of 28 children came. When they got the food parcels the children were openly happy. One could tell they were looking forward to being the bearer of good news at home with the food parcels.

When the parents were asked what these meant to them they said the following:

'I am so thankful for the food parcels that the church has given to our children. It helps so much. I was stranded, so stranded in the times of lockdown. Thank you, thank you so much. God bless the people of the church that give' – Mother One

'I assume these are the food parcels that Naomi (changed the name) has been getting since Grade 1, so I just want to say it is amazing. It gives her great joy to give it to her mum. Her mum is greatly impoverished and has all these other children that she has to look after, the first four get a child support grant. It is wonderful that Honeyridge put together these lovely boxes, samp, soap, tea bags, sugar and all the other things that they need' – A mother with an adopted child

'The food parcels have been really, really a great gesture for our family especially in these difficult times of the pandemic. With our salaries being cut and most of us being retrenched, they have helped us to ensure the kids don’t go to bed hungry and ensure they stay fed during the day too. And I will forever be grateful for this. God bless and multiply each and every partner who’s part of this. Thank you.' – Mother Two

'Thank you so much for the food parcels. It really helps so much with the kids. I know I will never be able to thank you enough. Do not give up. May God bless you all for helping the needy people. Thank you' – Mother Four

'I would like to express to you how it feels to get these boxes from the school. They do a very good job for us. Sometimes they find us with nothing to eat in the house. You’ll find the child has to go to school on an empty stomach and it is not a good thing, you’ll find that the children have nothing to eat. They help us feed our own children. May God bless that hand that gives to give more? Thank you by the name of God' - A Father

As a school we truly appreciate all the support that we get from the Church as an organization and all the amazing individuals who are always ready with words of encouragement and are interested in what goes on in the school. We thank you for all the prayers and feel so blessed when God answers them. We know that we are because you are. May God bless you tremendously and replenish where all this has been taken. Today was one of the coldest days and all the children are here. What a place!