It’s been said that the definition of an accountant is someone who solves a problem which you didn’t know you had in a way you don’t understand.  This statement might be true in many cases, but here at TWR-Africa we are blessed to have Ms. Becky Uhden and Mr. David Rittenhouse at the helm of the finance department.

Recently, David had the privilege of travelling to Lubango with the purpose of training the national director of Angola, Mr Kalumba Alfredo and his assistant Pastor Jorge Baptista in the basics of financial management.  An audit was also scheduled but due to an untimely computer virus (which wiped out all of TWR-Angola’s financial records) only a partial audit could be completed.

The training was very successful and Kalumba and Jorge have both said that the knowledge which they’ve gained is being applied, not only in managing the finances at TWR-Angola’s offices but also in their churches (Kalumba and Jorge are both pastors of churches in Angola) and their personal lives.

David was then accompanied to a local Cokwe village to spend some time with a listener group.  This group has been set up through Trans World Radio’s wind-up radio project.  Eight radios were given to internally displaced refugees who live in very poor conditions.

In the past, TWR-Africa has received very inspiring feedback on the positive effect these wind-up radios have on the lives of people who previously knew no hope.

“Angola seems to be doing a lot to improve their infrastructure, there is a lot of construction going on and children are all attending school” says David.  He came back with an optimistic outlook for the country of Angola and a message for us to focus on living contented lives trusting in our Father who will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13 : 5,6)

From an unknown source:

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won't survive the week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world.

If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death,
you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world.

If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed that over two-billion people in the world who cannot read anything at all.

You are so blessed in ways you may never even know.

Published 15 July 2008