Anchor Your Life

Together We Can Make a Difference

Marji "Mike" Kruger

Pre-School Education

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It came to our attention that a major factor with a child’s success in primary school was whether or not they were able to attend pre-school before entering 1st grade. Without the basics of learning how to hold a pencil, learning their numbers, letters, colors, and shapes, the student starts primary school at a disadvantage. Most never catch up being doomed to failure in school.

Meet Paballo who is five years old. She is the youngest of the three children of a single mother. Their family is one of the neediest in Anchor Your Life. But, two weeks ago Paballo was given the chance of a lifetime. A friend of AYL agreed to sponsor Paballo at an English-speaking pre-school. Paballo’s mother agreed to delay sending her to school for an additional year so that her daughter could learn the basics and have the chance to be successful in school…and perhaps be the first in the family to complete high school!!!! We are elated for Paballo and can’t wait to see how God works in her life!

Paballo’s annual education costs for pre-school are $300 (just $25 a month). A pretty good investment to provide hope and possibly changing a life! Please pray that God will provide sponsors for 30 additional “Paballos” to attend pre-school.

If you’d like to assist with a child’s pre-school education, go to Help Africa Children or make a check payable to Anchor Your Life and mail to PO Box 19291, Sarasota, FL 34276. Please add “pre-school” to the memo. 

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Lesotho Food Update

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It’s always a “hand up and not a hand down”!!! We are committed to caring for the whole child which includes basic physical needs.

As of June of 2022, Anchor Your Life fulfilled it’s commitment to assist our families with monthly food allotments during both the drought and Covid-19.

Family Food Allotment

Lesotho, as the rest of the world, has been impacted by COVID-19. As of July 7, 2020, Lesotho has 155 positive results for COVID-19. Lesotho was the last African nation to report a Coronavirus case and it appeared for quite awhile that they were apparently free of the virus but the cases have been increasing quickly. According to Thabo Khasipe, the chief executive officer of the National Emergency Command Centre (NECC), Lesotho has 10 ICU beds with aim of increasing that number to 1000 to respond to the health needs.

Due to supply chains breaking down, the borders being closed, and the 2019-2020 drought, the stability of providing food, paraffin (for cooking and heat during winter), and fuel is in question. In addition, the prices of the country’s staple food items have significantly increased causing families without work to go without food for days or weeks at a time.

In response to the current needs of our families in Lesotho who have children who regularly attend our Bible studies and participate in our programs, we are seeking funds to provide food for the families through 2020. The monthly expense for a family varies between $35-95 per month depending upon the size and needs of the family. To help us in our efforts, please visit: http://anchoryourlife.com/lesotho-food-crises/

Resources: http://lestimes.com/khasipe-outlines-covid-19-strategy/
http://lestimes.com/500-basotho-quarantined-over-covid-19/

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Don’t Miss the Power

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“Show Your strength, God, so no one will miss it!” (from the Message) Psalm 21:13

O Lord that is my prayer. Show Your strength, so no one will miss it. . .so that You and You alone will get the glory. . . so that others will see You and put their faith in You! For You are mighty, You are powerful, You are the One who parted the Red Sea, and the Jordan River. You are the One who used David to defeat Goliath. . . You used Gideon to defeat the Midianites. . . You are the One who wiped out an entire army of Assyrians without one Israelite laying a hand on them. You are the powerful One.

You are sovereign, nothing keeps Your plans from coming about. Nothing changes Your plans. Your plans are perfect. You’re so good You take everything and work it out for the good for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.

O Lord, how fortunate that I was chosen by You, that I can be called a child of the King. Have me watch for Your power in my life today! Praising Him!

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It’s Who You Are, Not What You Do!

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A relationship with Christ is the most important decision you can make.Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children (NIV) Ephesians 5:1

“People should think less about what they ought to do and more about what they ought to be. If only their being were good, their works would shine forth brightly. The ground upon which good character rests is the very same ground from which man’s work derives its value, namely, a mind wholly turned to God” …Meister Eckhart (1260?-1327?)

Are you more caught up in your status? or in your stature? Do you want people to see all your acts of service and commend you? or do you consider God knowing what you do to be enough? Are you more focused on success than on sacrifice?

When we each meet God face to face one day, all the success and accolades, and even good deeds, will mean little. . . it will be our relationship with Christ and our measure of character that will count. Which are you more concerned with today. . . what you do?. . . or who you are becoming?

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How Do You Measure Greatness?

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They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. (NIV) Mark 9:33-34

“Two centuries ago, when a great man appeared, people looked for God’s purpose in him. Today we look for his press agent.” -Daniel Boorstin

How do you measure greatness? Is it measured by the reputation one leaves when he dies? by the amount of money one has? by the Nielsen ratings? by popularity polls? by how many homes a family has? In measuring your own greatness do you compare yourself to others? Do you try to impress your peers? Or are you attempting to live up to someone else’s expectations of you?

Jesus had a radically different approach to greatness. He taught that the great people are those who serve others instead of being served . . . who place others’ interests ahead of their own (Mark 9:35). . . who are living out what they say they believe (Matthew 5:10). . . who love others, even their enemies, without expectations of how they will be treated in return (Luke 6:35). . . who have a child like faith in Him. . . who are humble (Matthew 18:3-4). The great ones from God’s perspective, are those who follow Jesus, not society, no matter the costs!

Who’s definition of greatness are you trying to measure up to? society’s? or God’s? What changes do you need to make today so that you will be “great” in God’s eyes?

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In A Panic!

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God cares about you.When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. (NIV) Mark 6:47-48

Jesus has just miraculously fed a huge crowd (estimated between 15,000-25,000 people) with just 5 small loaves of bread and 2 small fish. All the people have eaten and are satisfied. As the people watch, they become convinced that this Jesus, is no ordinary man. They’re hoping that maybe He’s the One they’ve been waiting for. . .the One who will bring healing, help and hope to their nation.

The people think that their hope will be found in crowning Jesus King of Israel. There is political momentum here. If a vote had been taken, Jesus would have won the Galilean primary! But, Jesus knows that is not His mission. Jesus sends the crowds home and sends His disciples away on a 5 mile journey. Could it be that Jesus did not want His disciples get too tempted by “kingdom” talk?

But, instead of hoopla, the disciples find themselves caught in an unpredictable turn of events. The sun has set, a chilling wind sends shivers up their spines. . . it’s pitch black, no moonlight, and a storm is coming. The boat begins to rock back and forth. The men try to steady themselves. Wave after wave crashes against the boat, pouring more and more water into it. Some of the disciples most likely, frantically bail water, as others strain against the oars. They are exerting every muscle in their bodies trying to make headway against the relentless wind and waves. . . they are soaked, from the sea water and their own perspiration. . . their hands are blistered from gripping the wooden oars, which get heavier with every pull. They do not have a choice of fight or flight. They couldn’t exactly swim in or head for shore, they are 3 1/2 miles out (John 6:19b) – right in the middle of the lake (Mark 6:47).

I wonder what was going through their minds. . .”Where is Jesus when you need Him? Just like everyone else I’ve met in life, He doesn’t really care about me. You can’t count on anyone.”. . . “What will happen to my wife and kids? Who will provide for them?”. . . “I’m too young to die”. . . or were any reciting Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you?”

What are you afraid of? Not ever having enough money? or running out of money? Afraid of the violence around you? Afraid of being alone? of death? of looking back on a worthless life? Do you ever wonder if anyone really cares?

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Hillside Dining

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Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, (NIV) Mark 6:41-42

The crowds had gathered. There were 5000 men in the crowd, conservatively figuring, there was somewhere between 10-15,000 people, including the women and children, possibly as many as 25,000, who had come to see and hear Jesus. Jesus did not have to advertise to attract a huge crowd. Word had spread that His teaching was refreshing after all the rules that their religious leaders had piled on them. And word had spread around the countryside about this Man from God who heals the sick, casts demons out of the possessed, cleanses lepers, heals the paralyzed, restores sight to the blind.

All during the day Jesus and His 12 disciples gave themselves to the crowd, because the crowd was hungry. . . they were hungry for healing. . .hungry for help. . .and hungry for hope. Are you hungry for the healing of your broken body? Healing of your broken marriage? Healing of your broken family? Healing of your broken dreams? Healing of your broken life? Healing of a broken relationship?

Are you hungry for help with your finances? With your work situation? With your chaotic life? Are you hungry for hope? Hope to find the meaning of life? Hope to fill the emptiness inside? Hope in finding Love that is uncompromised and unfailing?

Eventually the crowds become hungry for food. Jesus miraculously feeds this huge crowd with just 5 small loaves of bread and 2 small fish. All the people eat and are satisfied. Jesus took control of the situation and met their need. Why not let Jesus have control of your situation and allow Him to meet your need?

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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When Everyone Wants a Piece of You

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Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (NIV) Mark 1:35

The stress of day to day living by the Sea of Galilee…Jesus teaches the people:
They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. (Mark 1:21-22)

Same day…Jesus heals the demon possessed:
Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are– the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching– and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.” (Mark 1:23-27)

Jesus noteriety is quickly spreading:
News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. (Mark 1:28)

Same day…Jesus heals Peter’s monther-in-law:
As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. (Mark 1:29-31)

That evening…more ministry:
That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. (Mark 1:32-34)

Everyone wanted a piece of Jesus. Ministry was demanding. When that happens to me, many times I just crash. Sometimes I crash and burn. But, look at what Jesus did (and notice He didn’t sleep in):
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)

When everyone wants a piece of you, God offers peace to you.

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