<![CDATA[Frontline Fellowship - Lenora Hammond]]>

<![CDATA[Frontline Fellowship - Lenora Hammond]]>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 06:09:19 +0200Weebly<![CDATA[Lenora's Last Project: Resistance in Romania: Refusal to Conform to Communist Coercion during the Cold War: Book on Josef Tson's Courageous Ministry by Bill Bathman]]>Fri, 05 May 2023 12:39:16 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/lenora-hammond/lenoras-last-project-resistance-in-romania-refusal-to-conform-to-communist-coercion-during-the-cold-war-book-on-josef-tsons-courageous-ministry-by-bill-bathman

Rev Bill Bathman dedicated 67 years of his life to Missions, mostly in Eastern Europe serving persecuted Christians in communist countries.

His youngest daughter, Lenora Hammond discovered this unpublished manuscript Shepherding in a Dog Society amongst her father's files and determined to type it up and prepare it for publication.

This was Lenora's last Project which her untimely death due to cancer cut short. Now, by God's grace, we can make available this most important and inspiring book which is not only very historically important, giving us extraordinary insights into the courage and tenacity of Christians suffering fearful persecution at the hands of Communist tyrants, but it is also most timely and relevant to this time of increasing government overreach and state intrusion into matters of religious freedom and conscience. The radical revolutionary cancel culture, hostility to Christian convictions and civilised standards needs to be resisted with the same tenacity and courage as the Romanian Christians in this book.

If you want to understand what was like to live under Communist persecution behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War, this book will take you on an unforgettable journey. You will meet Christian leaders such as Josef Tson who was targeted by the brutal Ceausescu regime, yet not only did he survive, but he thrived, against all odds.

If you want inspiration and insights as to how you can stand firm for your Faith against overwhelming opposition, here you will find examples of excellence which stood the test, under fire, and came through the flames victoriously.

As soon as we have the necessary funds, it will be a joy to have Bill Bathman's last book printed and made available. Please help us bring this important, inspiring and strategic book to print: https://www.givesendgo.com/ResistanceinRomania

Dr. Peter Hammond

To view our Frontline PRIORITY PROJECTS for PRAYER and ACTION with pictures, click here

]]><![CDATA[A LETTER FROM LENORA HAMMOND]]>Tue, 31 Aug 2021 13:53:03 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/lenora-hammond/a-letter-from-lenora-hammond9228644

Dear Friends and Prayer Partners!

Greetings to you from a very cold and wintery Cape Town. We have had unprecedented cold weather, including hail and snow in the suburbs of Cape Town, which is practically unheard of. We are grateful for hot water bottles and blankets to see us through this cold spell.

As we speak, a Frontline Mission Team is getting ready for a series of over 3-month overland journeys within Southern Africa. This kind of complex expedition takes months of planning and preparation so that each km travelled is used to its best advantage. The people we communicate with to set up conferences, seminars, school assemblies and training workshops work hard to prepare for the arrival of our teams. Ministry in those areas is varied, reaching as many groups as possible per Village and Town. Visits to various areas are planned for the journey up, as well as for the return trip. Our very elderly vehicles and trailers go through thorough inspections and services to make sure they are safe and roadworthy. With the limitations on travel world-wide, increasing costs for fuel, visas, health test costs; to overcome the series of hurdles and the bureaucratic obstacles, we are grateful we are able to participate in this aspect of our ministry again. Prayers are coveted as this dedicated Team ventures North.

Africa has come to our doorstep, so our ministry to a large variety of Africans, cultures and languages and even from restricted, or closed, countries is now possible within our own city. This has opened doors which previously were not open to us, and enables us to involve our interns for training purposes close at hand without the long, arduous and expensive overland travels. Both of these have extreme value and are beneficial to the missionary as well as the groups ministered to. We are blessed to be able to participate in both local and international missions.

One of the consequences of ‘lock-down’ policies, is that more and more work is done on-line. This means we are in quite a need of more people to serve in our growing IT department. This branch of our ministry is probably our fastest growing department, and we really need you to join us in prayer for the right people to join this work, as well as for the monthly support we need to raise to increase this aspect of our mission. The average salary for this type of position is at least $600 - per month.

Two other important and much needed aspects of our ministry are a full-time Bookkeeper / Financial Officer, as well as two new Secretaries. No one at our Mission wears only one hat. Most people are expected to oversee, be involved with, or volunteer, in various departments of our ministry, but the Accountancy responsibilities are needing a full-time person. The secretarial support is also vital as both Peter and our Office Manager need secretarial assistance. Again, we would covet your prayers for not only the right people to join us, but also the monthly stipend needed to support such individuals. Again, the average remuneration for such positions should be at least $600.

We are grateful for your friendship and support on so many levels. Thank you for taking the time needed to intercede on our behalf and for bringing our prayer requests before the Throne of God. Without you, our work would suffer.

May God guide you and grant you His special joy as you faithfully serve Him.

Together in ministry,
Lenora Hammond
Frontline Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
Tel: 021-689-4480
Lenora@frontline.org.za
www.FrontlineMissionSA.org

To read the latest Praise and Prayer Update with pictures, click here.

For those who want to prayerfully and financially partner with us in ministry:
Our banking details:
For South African supporters:
Acc. Name: Frontline Fellowship
First National Bank – Rondebosch
Branch code: 201509
Acc. No: 5017 0589 260
Swift No: FIRNZAJJ
Ref: Initial and surname and what it is designated for.

For overseas supporters wishing to donate into our South African account:
Bank Name/Credit Institution: First Rand Bank
Bank Street Address: Bank City, floor 2
Place: 4 First Place, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2000
Account Number: 50170589260
Account Name: Frontline Fellowship
Street Address: 28 Park Road Rondebosch
Place: Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
Ref: Initial and surname and what it is designated for
Swift No: FIRNZAJJ

For supporters donating from the USA:
You can go to www.FrontlineFellowship.net/support, or click here

]]><![CDATA[A Letter from Lenora Hammond]]>Thu, 24 Jun 2021 15:08:12 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/lenora-hammond/a-letter-from-lenora-hammond

Dear Friends and Family!

Greetings from a very wet and wintery Southern Hemisphere! We trust this finds those of you in the Northern Hemisphere well, enjoying summer weather and all things this conjures up.
While the whole world seems to be headed in a crazy direction, and while we are selectively being fed a very hand-picked and particular narrative, we are grateful to know God is still on the Throne and that He is Sovereign over all things world-wide.

QUARANTINE AND CANCELLATIONS
After such a tumultuous 2020, no one really knew what to expect for the year 2021. Here in South Africa at least, lock-down rules and regulations can change from day to day, and it seems impossible to plan ahead with any certainty for anything. From the simple plans to the more complicated ones, such as international travel, it still is anyone’s guess as to what lies ahead. The financially crippling rules regarding quarantine stays at hotels alone are enough to put one off of traveling for the foreseeable future. My sister has already had as many as six cancellations this year alone, to her booked flights for a visit here in Cape Town. We are hoping her latest booking for July will be stable and that we can enjoy some much longed for time together.

OPPORTUNITIES
Peter has had unprecedented occasions for radio interviews stretching across the Globe in the last year. When the media only gives you one account, it is refreshing to chronicle events not only from a Biblical perspective, but also a historical one. Peter also has invitations for ministry both in Europe as well as America. Unfortunately, neither can yet be confirmed due to the many travel restrictions.

Our missionaries are in the process of planning quite a complex overland mission throughout Southern and Central Africa. These excursions require tireless attention to detail, involving months of correspondence, ordering the correct literature in the correct languages, planning the itineraries efficiently, considering the cost of fuel, the border crossings according to the cost of Visas and of course preparing lectures, sermons, children’s as well as women’s evangelism.
So, while fickle governments, impractical rules, non-sensical regulations and other man-made impositions make it problematic to plan ahead, some things can still be counted on. The sun still rises and sets as God has ordained; His will for us is still realized; His Word is still true and daily obedience to the Word is still the only way forward. I am grateful for that, because ultimately it is all that matters anyway!

MY HIPS DON’T LIE
Most of you will know I underwent a very complex and complete hip replacement in December last year. Sadly, seven months later, I am still not walking unaided. The bottom line is that the bone metastasis on both sides of my hip has continued to spread, and the prosthesis cannot be supported properly. The “bony mets” as they call it is causing quite a severe amount of pain now, and I am on a stringent amount of pain medication to control this. Further treatment is being discussed and alternatives are being made use of alongside the treatments.

There are probably as many opinions on what type of care to consider as there are different kind of cancers! Sometimes it is hard to wade through them all. Digesting the vast amount of literature out there on the subject is overwhelming to say the least! At the end of the day, I pray fervently for God’s guidance and for His specific peace with each decision made. I am a Stage Four cancer patient, and so while not curable, I am still considered treatable. Any decisions we make are not made lightly and without them being bathed in prayer. I am grateful for you, my prayer supporters, who have upheld not just me but our whole family in earnest prayer. Thank you!

OLIVER DAVID
Our family here in Cape Town has been blessed this year with the addition of our third grandson, Oliver David Combs. Andrea and Hunter welcomed Oliver to their household in May of this year much to the delight of older brothers Jeremy, age almost six and Joshua, age almost three.

Considering my own health issues, I am delighted to be able to witness and experience this new precious addition to our clan. Sadly, I am not able to be as much support as I wish I could be, but I enjoy rewarding cuddles with him on a regular basis. Now Peter and I both understand why our parents preferred only having one grandchild visit at a time! We try to do the same, and are able to enjoy the unique differences in our grandsons. The boys enjoyed helping their Oupa(Peter) plant a tree along the canal in memory of my parents, their great grandparents.

HAMMOND CREW
Daniela is very busy with her work as a graphic designer and enjoys the variety and change of pace that free-lance work affords her. She also enjoys and relies upon the stability a part time designer job via a UK company has to offer. Christopher is finishing off his fourth and final year at Film School. He hopes and prays he will be able to find work in the Post Production Industry during these uncertain times. He works on short film projects for our Mission as well and takes on free-lance work whenever possible. Calvin is in his second year of studies towards a Diploma in Sports Science and has quite a number of coaching jobs both privately as well as coaching field hockey and cross country at a Primary School. Peter and I are blessed to have all of our children involved in outreaches, Camps, Courses and projects with the Mission to varying degrees.

GREAT COMMISSION COURSE
Tomorrow (Lord willing, with rumours of a return to Level 5 lockdown), our three-week Great Commission Course begins. This will be the first time in 10 years that we are hosting it during our winter months. (We were aiming to accommodate students from the Northern Hemisphere and their summer break, but travel restrictions are still too limiting.) Both Peter and Hunter, alongside our dedicated Missionary Team, have been gearing up and preparing for the best possible lectures, outreaches, and workshops for outside participants to get involved in. They, along with our Frontline leadership team, have worked tirelessly to make this our best GCC yet! We always pray the Lord will send us only the people He would like at these Camps and Courses, and we look forward to meeting the various participants from around South Africa.

Like many other Missions, we are feeling the restricting effects of financial hardships for many of our supporters. We consider ourselves blessed to be in Ministry and trust the Lord for His provision, His way, and in His time. We are grateful for our world-wide family of prayer warriors and financial supporters that humanly speaking make things like this Great Commission Course possible. Thank you for taking it upon yourself to pray for our participants, that they would realize a fresh and deeper call to the Great Commission. Frontline Fellowship is in a unique position to offer practical, on the ground training for anyone considering a call to cross-cultural Missions. Peter has an intensive programme of outreaches planned for our GCC participants. We look forward in anticipation to any new volunteers or interns the Lord will bring our way. There are several areas of expertise that are in urgent need of being filled, and we just know the Lord is preparing specific individuals to answer the call.

Thank you for being a part of our prayer-support Team. Thank you for your intercession on behalf of our family as well as for the vast array of opportunities that need to be realized as the Lord allows.

May our Heavenly Father bless and guide you.

Gratefully,

Lenora Hammond
Lenora@frontline.org.za
www.FrontlineMissionsSA.org.za

]]><![CDATA[TEN YEARS of SURVIVING VICTORIOUSLY]]>Thu, 16 Jul 2020 10:26:28 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/lenora-hammond/ten-years-of-surviving-victoriously

My family has always believed it is important to celebrate milestones, anniversaries and to remember their significance. I am commemorating my tenth anniversary of my cancer diagnosis of June 2010. It was days before Peter and I left on a speaking tour of Europe. I remember being grateful for that excursion as it gave me time to pray, plan and put life into perspective.

No one wants to hear the dreaded “C” diagnosis. The stigma attached to this feared disease is significant and it sends shock waves throughout most families. But God is never taken by surprise. He numbered the days I would spend on this earth while I was being formed in my mother’s womb. It is up to me to make each day count.

My cancer journey has certainly given me a different perspective on life. It has taught me to appreciate family and to cherish each day we get to spend together. In our case, there are nine souls living on our property here in Cape Town. Peter and I, plus three of our children live in the main house and Andrea and Hunter plus their two sons live in a 2-bedroom cottage on our property. This in itself, is already significant, in that most of our peers have no family in South Africa anymore. Life here, with its incredible unpredictability, means that most young adults are searching for greener pastures in other corners of the globe. So, the bulk of our friends have no adult children, or grandchildren, near them. I have ALL of them right here! God knew what I needed and that I longed for the blessing of children and grandchildren all around me.

My cancer experience has included three stages. The first was the original diagnosis, which involved radical surgery and chemotherapy. Five years later, there was a relapse as my Oncologist found 6 positive glands. Months of radiation and chemotherapy ensued. Another four years later and metastasis to the bones was discovered. ‘Bone mets’ is generally considered a better diagnosis than organ involvement. I am grateful for this, as it keeps me keeping on and staying positive about the fact that my visit here on this earth is not yet over.

I enjoy sport very much and have had to make some adjustments as to what I can participate in. Keeping physically fit is part of the routine that keeps me up-beat and able to be strong enough to cope with daily life in a busy household.

Sadly, both of my dear parents have gone to be with the Lord now and I miss them more than words can convey. I still keep thinking ‘I need to tell Mom about this or that’ on a regular basis. My oldest sister Debbie has been my strength and support as we waded through all of the legalities and practical implications of losing our folks. Our family is spread across three countries and three continents. But it is due to Mom and Dad’s Missionary legacy that I followed in their footsteps and joined Frontline Fellowship here in Cape Town, 32 years ago. Now, our oldest daughter and her husband, Hunter have committed to life in Missions as well. I am beyond thrilled that I get to watch them as they aspire to serve God with their whole being on a full-time basis. These days this is a far greater challenge, in that deputation work is much more laborious and the economy is so much weaker.

So, in the last few months, I have celebrated 10 years since the kidney transplant for our son Christopher; 32 years since moving to Cape Town and now 10 years since my original diagnosis of Cancer.

God is a God of order and not chaos. The fact that an illness can send you into a tail spin does not mean He is not in control anymore. It never means He overlooked that aspect of my life. He cares about each minute detail and I endeavour to commit to serving Him in obedience, in spite of my frailty.

The advent of the Covid lockdown has propelled our ministry in to much more online work. Peter is inundated with radio interviews and has had a tremendous opportunity to point out to a worldwide audience the revolutionary strategy that the enemy is employing in this situation. For Peter, who has lived through several revolutions and wars it is quite crystal clear. The needed response too is clear. I was able to join him for a Church planting project up our West Coast in a very cold and wet rural environment.

Thank You friends, for your friendship, support, trust, love and encouragement you all provide as we navigate turbulent times here in South Africa. We are grateful for the work the Lord has entrusted us with. We are indebted to Him for allowing us the privilege of service in this manner. We trust Him for our support and for the provision of so many needed and essential projects. All in His perfect timing.

Take a look at www.FrontlineMissionSA.org for some of the things Peter has been up to lately. You can also listen to some From the Frontline radio podcasts that Calvin, Andrea, Hunter and I have helped with.

With love and a grateful heart, here is to at least Ten more years…….

Lenora Hammond
Frontline Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
lenora@frontline.org.za
www.FrontlineMissionSA.org
www.WilliamCareyBI.com
www.LivingstoneFellowship.co.za

]]><![CDATA[FAMILY NEWS DECEMBER 2019]]>Fri, 06 Mar 2020 07:14:17 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/lenora-hammond/family-news-december-2019To view this newsletter as a PDF with pictures CLICK HERE

Dearest Friends and Family!

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD.” — Isaiah 55:8

Isaiah summed up the year 2019 quite accurately for me! I certainly had no idea what a tumultuous year was ahead. Knowing, Loving and Serving God makes the paths we navigate daily so much more secure. Understanding that His purposes and plans are not always ours is not something to fear but to actually look forward to.

In March I was in Arizona with my mother and between my sister Debbie from Austria and I, we were able to arrange for her home to be sold in record time and to move Mom to an independent living facility. She had her own apartment there and in a sense felt she was given a new lease on life.
Upon my return home in April we were given the news that my cancer has spread into my bones. My hip was treated with radiation. As I am Stage Four now, I am considered incurable. But again I am reminded of the God we serve.

I had planned to return to Arizona for a visit with Mom in September, but was urgently called there earlier as Mom was hospitalized. By the time I arrived towards the end of July she was in the Cardiac Unit and I then facilitated the move to a Skilled Nursing Facility. Mom did well with the rehab, but at the same time she felt incapable of facing life on her own in her apartment again. Dad was a ‘larger than life’ kind of person and the gap he left just seemed too large to fill. Mom was always encouraged by Psalm 91: “He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge.” She referred to this verse as ‘God’s Featherbed promise’. So at this point she decided she was ready to begin her heavenly journey home. Debbie joined us and helped with the task of taking care of the administrative aspects.

Mom and I shared very sweet times of fellowship together in her last two months. We spent each day reading together, or listening to uplifting music. She was content and very much at peace. Debbie rejoined me after Mom had peacefully passed away and we laid her to rest right next to Daddy on September 23rd at the Military Cemetery. Mom was given a Nurses Honor Guard, which gives tribute to the service Nurses offer. So while this was one of the hardest things I have ever done, I was also filled with a sense of harmony that she was with her Heavenly Father and joined again with Daddy.

Debbie and I tied up all the loose ends and closed a 43-year chapter of Mom and Dad’s lives based in Arizona. I myself had lived there for 12 years and there was a real sense of finality for me. We still have really cherished friendships in Arizona and without them I would never have coped. So many aspects of support were shared with Debbie and I and we are grateful God allowed them to minister to us during this difficult time. From transportation to housing and hospitality, we were showered with love and support. I was also blessed with being able to join a Dragon Boat Team for their practices at Tempe Town Lake several times a week. This helped me immensely during this difficult time in Arizona.

Upon my return home to Cape Town, after a 9-week absence, I sadly received further news of my cancer metastasizing. New lesions have been found on my skull and spine and treatment will include radiation to my spine and a course of oral chemo therapy.

But in the midst of loss and sadness, God has blessed us with having our family here with us. Having our son in law Hunter and daughter Andrea, with Grandsons Jeremy and Joshua living in Cape Town, and having all our adult children still around is such a comfort. So very many of our South African peers have adult children now living in all corners of the Globe. They hardly ever see their children
and grandchildren any more.

Thank you for your generous friendship, love and support. I am grateful to each and everyone one of you who take the time to pray for us and to write notes of encouragement. Despite the weariness of this year, I look forward with hope and anticipation at all God will choose to use us for in His Service.
May the peace only Christ can offer be yours as you celebrate His Incarnation.

— Lenora Hammond

Momentous Milestones
It was 40 years ago that I stood up in 6 South African Infantry (6SAI) base and declared “I love the Lord Jesus Christ with all my heart. I want to honour and serve Him during my next two years here. If anyone else would like to join me for Bible study and prayer each night, please see me afterwards.” That stand led to the birth of Frontline Fellowship. Since then I have smuggled and distributed over a milion Bibles and books in over 100 languages into Communist and Muslim countries throughout Africa.

This year, Lenora and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. Shortly after that we were ministering behind the Iron Curtain with Lenora’s parents into Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Hungary and Romania. Later that momentous year we saw the Fall of the Berlin Wall, the Collapse of the Iron Curtain and the toppling of communist dictators like Ceasescue in Romania.

10 years ago Lenora donated her kidney to our son, Christopher, who achieved his Black Belt in Karate shortly afterwards and has represented South Africa at four international events, including in America, Germany and Switzerland, where he earned two bronze medals – all on his mother’s kidney.

It is a joy to have all our four children and two grandchildren at home and involved in our Mission, camps, courses, outreaches and projects. Daniela, Christopher and Calvin were group leaders and PT instructors at our BWS Camp. Daniela joined me on the South Africa Mission, which included school assembly presentations and outreaches while I was speaking at the Minister’s Conference and Back to the Bible Conference. Christopher is a tremendous help with filming, editing and IT / COMS work. There have been times that he single handedly handled our complex network even in times of crisis with our websites and systems under attack. Christopher stayed at the Coms office late into the night until our system was restored.

Hunter has been a tremendous blessing to the Mission and is a vital part of our leadership team. Andrea joined me in presenting lectures on Classical English Literature for Home education. Calvin did well in his debut interviewing me for our From the Frontline radio podcast. The whole family is involved in our Marches for Life, Life Chains, Missions in the Malls, Literature4Africa off-loading and sorting of tonnes of Bibles and books and so many other activities, projects and outreaches. Please visit www.FrontlineMissionSA.org to view our new video Missions to the Nuba Mountains of Sudan to see just one of the projects Hunter and Christopher were involved in.

Bad times are good for spiritual work. We are surrounded by crime, violence, riots, threats and danger, along with tremendous needs and opportunities to reach and teach, evangelise and disciple. It is in dark times that God’s light shines brightest. We have urgent invitations for ministry throughout Africa. Please join with us in prayer for the resources to respond effectively to these opportunities to serve persecuted Christians, Evangelise in conflict areas, train leaders, work for Reformation and pray for Revival.
Africa for Christ!

DESIGNING, DANCING & ICE SKATING with DANIELA

A very Merry Christmas and many blessings for the New Year to you all! May we never take for-granted all that God has given us.

2019 has been one of the best years of my life so far. It started in the right way, setting the tone for the year. We had friends visiting from Mozambique and America before the end of 2018 so we celebrated New Years Eve together. Just before midnight, we went outside to watch the fireworks that we could see coming from the Waterfront. We then prayed for the upcoming year and for Cape Town. The very next day we hiked up Table Mountain! This was a first time for our visitors and I was the one leading – which was a bit daunting. We only made one small wrong turn and made it to the top victoriously! It became very cold and rained a bit
so we took the cable car down which was an experience in itself.

A few days later the Biblical Worldview Summit commenced. I have done these camps for as long as I have been alive and they are always my highlight of the year! Each camp is different and improves every year. I am looking forward to this coming BWS 2020 where I will be helping with small group leadership and PT. In March I joined my Dad’s team for the South Africa Mission. I helped with presenting Africa Christian Action presentations at schools and conferences and handling book tables. It was so good to be apart of a superb team, serving others and learning.

This year I taught my first Beginner Watercolour Workshop! Having been taught watercolour from a young age, I am enjoying being able to use it in my career!

I enjoyed hosting and taking around Cape Town some out of town friends from Germany, Mozambique, America & South Africa. In my church, I felt a call to help with Sunday School, which has been so rewarding! You learn so much from preparing the lessons and I have enjoyed getting to know the children.
It is also a joy to have two nephews close by! God has blessed me with wonderful Christian friends. I also
had the opportunity to go to Europe for a two week adventure. I met up with friends from the UK in Amsterdam for a dance exchange and then went over to England to visit friends and do another dance exchange event in Edinburgh. I loved exploring the castles and learning about various cultures and traditions!

I am very grateful for all the opportunities and lessons I experienced this year. Thank you all so much for all your much needed love, prayers, & support. May God bless you richly! Lots of love, Daniela

FILM MAKING with CHRISTOPHER

2019 has marked the half way point of my 4-year BA undergraduate program in Motion Picture Medium. This year has definitely tested my faith as I am surrounded by secularism and liberalism on a daily basis. Controversial discussions about History and Art take place in lectures and debates. Most of the groups I have worked in chose to deal with the darker side of morality. Please join me in prayer that I will continue to walk my faith and witness faithfully for the Lord. I would really like to be able to make films that honour God. With that being said I have learnt so much and am grateful for the practical experience I am gaining. In 2019 alone, I have completed eight discipline subjects including, Directing, Screen-writing, Editing, Visual Effects, Sound Design, Music Media Production, Cinematography and Data-Management.

This time last year I was busy with a 2-week shoot, assisting in the lighting department for a new South African Afrikaans series ‘Alles Malan’. This was hugely demanding physically as the days were very busy and long! Call time (the time when people are expected to start work on a film set) would normally be between 04:30 to 06:00am and wrap time would often be after 20:00 hours! This was a huge opportunity for me and I am really grateful for the exposure and lessons learned.

During Term breaks, I volunteer at the Mission in our IT / AV department. I enjoy helping wherever I am needed, particularly in creating content for our AV or film department. We are praying for the Lord to see fit to send us more volunteers and Missionaries with IT skills to help our ever growing Media department at Frontline Fellowship.

The second part of the year saw Frontline Fellowship produce a short documentary on the latest Missions to the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. This was a long and challenging process, but at the same time a fun project which I was blessed to be a part of. I enjoy working on tasks such as these and I pray the Lord will equip me with the skills and knowledge to complete future film projects of this nature.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year
Christopher

COACHING with CALVIN

This past year has been a blessed and busy year. I have learned that having constant jobs, projects, goals, challenges and commitments is something we should consider a blessing rather than a hindrance.

We often see it as a negative part of life but it is actually something we must cherish and learn to thrive in, not only in our physical activities, but in our day to day conversations and social events.
They should emanate a sense of hard work and passion for even
the little things.

I was blessed this year to be a coach at 3 different schools as well start my own running academy and hockey academy. Each school required me to be in charge of a different sporting code which included athletics, cross country, hockey, swimming and water-polo.

As a coach I think I learned more than my athletes did during training as I was exposed to the various qualities needed, from patience for dramatic 13 year old girls on the hockey field, to understanding and discipline needed for naughty 7 year old boys in the pool.

I am starting to build up an army of athletes and training groups in my area and I can see this as good preparation for potential sports ministry/mission work in the future.

This next year is going to be a new adventure for me as I continue with my coaching work while adding in studies and volunteer work. I look forward to the challenge and I pray I use my time more efficiently.

— CALVIN

The COMBS CORNER

This year started out far differently than the last. Rather than packing up our home in Phoenix and promptly putting it on the market, we rang
in this New Year firmly planted in Cape Town.

Twenty-nineteen began with us at our annual Biblical Worldview Summit camp from the 4th - 9th of January, as the first part of the three-week Great Commission Course. Our newly minted family of four joined in on the presentations, activities, food and fellowship. Hunter had the privilege of being a part of the leadership team that ran the course. It was the first time we had been able to stay for the full three weeks, as studies Stateside had always dictated an earlier departure before. Being able to speak on various topics (Justification, Biblical Interpretation, Muslim Evangelism, Nuba Mountain Report Back, Biblical Preaching Workshop, The Gospel of Honour and Shame and The Trinity) and lead the eager attendants in Devotions several times (The Rescue Mission of God: John 6:44, My Soul Thirsts for You: Psalm 63, and How Will You Respond to Jesus? John 7:40-51) were absolute highlights for Hunter! I was even given the opportunity to share a little on Hospitality with my Mom as well. After our intensive three-week-long missionary training, three brave souls made a commitment to stay on with us at Frontline for further ministry training. It was a blessing to have them a part of the work for the expansion of God’s Kingdom this year!

Hunter Turns 30
On February 8th, we celebrated a pretty big milestone for Hunter: the end of his third decade here on this earth! I collected birthday notes from a few friends and family around the world to make the distance feel a little less vast for him. We had a fiesta themed party in our back garden, in honour of his Arizonan heritage. My parents answered a huge prayer for our family by gifting Hunter my Mom’s car!

Transitioning to Two
Life with two little boys is not what we expected it to be. While our hearts have certainly grown and our level of patience for and understanding of our children’s personalities has steadily increased, the adjustment to two has been far more challenging than we anticipated. Having one child lulled us into a false sense of security, leading us to think we knew what we were doing in the parenthood department (ha!). That being said, learning how to balance our time, affection, discipleship, discipline and education on how to share has been far more rewarding than we could have ever imagined! If given the choice, we would never opt for easier if that meant life without our precious rascals.

Two Months in Arizona
After months of planning, preparation and prayer, we made the trek to Arizona for ministry and fellowship with our American family and friends for the last two months of 2019! Since being in the States, we have been able to meet together with friends, family, pastors, churches and supporters. Hunter has also had the opportunity to share with classes at Phoenix Seminary and Arizona Christian University. In the lead up to Thanksgiving, he also had the privilege of preaching on a Life of Thankfulness from Ephesians 1:15-16. This was a major highlight of our visit and an immense blessing for our family!

Josh Turns One
Since arriving in Phoenix, our sweet Joshie Bear celebrated his First Birthday! Reflecting on the 365 days that led up to this special celebration, we are so grateful God chose to bless us with this particularly joyful little boy! We had his lumberjack themed birthday party in a nearby park and celebrated with close family and friends. It was very meaningful for us to share this memorable event with people we love very dearly. We are grateful to be able to celebrate the Christmas season with Hunter’s family and look forward to our return to Cape Town by New Year’s Eve! We’ll begin 2020 with our annual BWS course and we couldn’t be more excited!

FROM HUNTER’S DESK: Muslim Evangelism and Campus Ministry
This year has been a year of growth in ministry. We have been able to continue the work of Evangelism and discipleship to university students on the UCT campus, as well as our door-to-door Evangelism amongst least reached peoples in Cape Town (please feel free to ask us more about this at Hunter.Combs89@gmail.com). It has been a blessing to be able to regularly share the Gospel in over 40 homes in this community and we trust the Lord to continue opening hearts and homes to the Gospel.

Teaching New Testament Greek
In June, I was invited again to travel to Mpumalanga to teach at Back to the Bible Mission on New Testament Greek. I had 111 students from 19 different African countries and one student from Brazil. By the end of my week with the students, it was so rewarding to see their growth and their newfound love for the Greek language. I look forward to returning again in 2020 to continue teaching them Greek.

With Grateful Hearts
Thank you for all the love, support and prayers you’ve poured into our family this past year. We pray that God would fill your hearts and homes with His joy and peace this Christmas season and as we enter the New Year in 2020!
With love in Christ — Hunter, Andrea, Jeremy & Joshua

Frontline Fellowship PO Box 74 Newlands 7725 Cape Town South Africa
Email: lenora@frontline.org.za mission@frontline.org.za peter@frontline.org.za
Websites: www.FrontlineMissionSA.org www.ReformationSA.org
www.TheBibleandAnimals.org www.LivingstoneFellowship.co.za
www.WilliamCareyBI.com www.HMSSchoolofChristianJournalism.org

]]><![CDATA[October 2019 PRAYER UPDATE from LENORA HAMMOND]]>Fri, 15 Nov 2019 12:48:12 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/lenora-hammond/october-2019-prayer-update-from-lenora-hammondDear Friends and Family!

What a year 2019 has turned out to be. It seems to me that many major Life Events have been crammed into this year already, most of which would need a year, or more, to process and come to grips with. But God is Sovereign and merciful and we rejoice in His perfect timing for all of us.

In March of this year, I helped my mother in Arizona move from her home she had shared with our late Dad for 16 years into an independent living facility. My sister Debbie and I were able to be on hand to help with the sale of their home and the trek across Mesa, Arizona to a one-bedroom apartment. Mom seemed to have a new lease on life and worked hard to make new friends.

I returned to Cape Town early April, to the news that my cancer had metastasized into my bones. This meant a course of radiation and allowing my hip to heal. I have always been confident that God foreordained and numbered my days here on earth. I remain positive and hopeful that He will allow me to continue to serve Him in whatever capacity He sees fit.

Mom was hospitalized for low sodium and her heart condition, so I travelled back to Arizona in late July to assist in her recovery. I facilitated her move into a skilled nursing facility and after that to a group home. She just was not able to face living on her own in the apartment anymore. Her loneliness and the incredible gap that my late Father left in Mom’s life seemed insurmountable.

My sister Debbie joined me again and we began to get Mom’s affairs settled which included closing accounts and services. I think what struck me most was how I was winding up a 43-year History in Arizona. My folks had served the Lord in Missions Ministry for 66 years. 23 of those years were based in Europe and 43 of those were working from Arizona as a base (7 of those years were spent going back and forth between a home in Cape Town and Arizona).

Mom made her heavenly journey home on September 14th and we laid her to rest right next to Daddy in the Military cemetery in Arizona on September 23rd. It was a bittersweet moment, to say the least. Knowing that Mom was finally where she wanted to be, helped immensely, but I also felt a loss like never before. It was certainly the hardest thing I have ever dealt with. I remain grateful for the peace and assurance that can only come from our Heavenly Father.

I was almost 16-years old, when my parents re-located back to Arizona in 1976, so I finished High School there and went on to Northern Arizona University. I also served on staff at a Community Church, worked with my folks at their Mission and had other sundry part time jobs. The friendships I developed in Arizona during those years have lasted the span of these many years and I was really grateful for their support during this painful process. These recent nine weeks that I spent there, caring for Mom were made so much more manageable due to the backing of so many. Packing up our parent’s earthly possessions and ministry related equipment felt like the closing of a lengthy chapter, or book. There was a sense of finality to everything.

Now, back in Cape Town, I am continuously reminded of how blessed I am to have all of my family around me here. A life of Missions inadvertently always means you have to say ‘Hello’ and ‘Goodbye’. It involves lots of travel and thousands of decisions. Having my adult children here in Cape Town means, I am able to enjoy fellowship with them as they study, work, or enter a life of parenting. Many of my peers here in South Africa have no family around anymore because their adult children have all left South Africa. God is good and has blessed me indeed.

Peter and the children held the fort here valiantly in my absence, but I am so grateful to be back home again.

Thank you to each and every one of you who have encouraged and prayed for me during these last few weeks. Your notes of reassurance, or phone calls, have meant the world to me.

May our Heavenly Father bless and keep you.

Grateful for your support and friendship,

Lenora Hammond
Frontline Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
Tel: 021-689-4480
Email: lenora@frontline.org.za
Website: www.FrontlineMissionSA.org

To read Frontline’s Tribute to Harriett Bathman, click here.
To read Frontline’s Tribute to Rev. Bill Bathman, click here.

]]><![CDATA[FAMILY NEWS DECEMBER 2018]]>Fri, 18 Oct 2019 10:27:19 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/lenora-hammond/family-news-december-2018

To view the PDF with all pictures CLICK HERE
Dearest Friends and Family!

What a privilege it is to look back at the year and review all the many blessings that God has showered upon us again. We have been blessed with many opportunities, additions to our family, some heart aches, some travel and the expansion of our family life here on East Way.

January starts off with a bang every year as we host the Biblical Worldview Summit and the Great Commission Course. This year was no exception and we found ourselves scrambling to accommodate the over 130 participants. We had a lively and varied bunch of Teens and young adults and were grateful for the many opportunities this afforded. Tragically, during our Great Commission Course portion, during free time, one of our Course participants heartbreakingly lost his life during a swimming accident. This caused the group to bond in a way few things can.
We were blessed being able to witness the group’s caliber in character and testimony. The young man’s family were very gracious and we had the memorial service and funeral here in Cape Town.

The third week of January saw me winging my way to Arizona to visit my mother and to be able to help with the final packing up of Andrea and Hunter’s Arizona home. This was quite a busy time as the home needed to be show ready daily, but we were also needing to sort through many things and make decisions on what to bring to Cape Town. My Mom, sister Debbie and I also needed to make many decisions regarding family mementos and ministry paraphernalia to pack in to the Shipping Container headed for Cape Town. There was much rejoicing and celebrating when the Container Company arrived to pack up these earthly possessions.

On Valentine’s day the Combs family arrived to their new home on our property in Cape Town. What a joyous day this was. Mixed emotions ran high as they were leaving family, friends, their home Church and all things familiar behind to begin their ministry with Frontline Fellowship. For Peter and I this was one of the highlights of the year, because few things are more precious to parents than when your children join you in Ministry. Andrea and Hunter are living in a 2-bedroom Cottage on our property and it is wonderful having them so close by.

This year has seen an increase in involvement on my part with a group called Reach for Recovery. This is a Breast Cancer support group which reaches out to women who have undergone mastectomies and visits them in the Hospital. It is a wonderful opportunity to share with them your own experiences and to answer as many questions as they may have. It is good for these women to interact with women who have managed to build their lives up again after such radical surgery.

Around Easter time, we were surprised with the news of another Combs baby due in November. This was the first time we were able to be a part of the process of a grandchild being welcomed into our family and was extraordinary for me. Joshua Ellis Combs was delivered in the same Hospital Peter was born in, in 1960. What a blessing to have History repeated in such a wonderful way!

November 7th ushered in the arrival of Joshua Ellis Combs! We are thrilled to be blessed with our second grandchild and are grateful for good health for mom and baby. Three-year-old Jeremy is adjusting well and life on East Way has become even busier.

My sister Debbie arrived for a visit in May and, as always, she is such a support to me on so many levels. Nothing like an older sister to help you see all sorts of things from a different perspective. We had many moments of fellowship around the table and it was the first time she had visited with the Combs family also living here. Our household is a busy one!

One of the things Andrea and I both enjoy is quilting. She joined me for the first time this year on a quilting weekend away. It is a wonderful time of being able to focus on new projects or on finishing up old ones you keep meaning to. What a joy it is for me to be able to share this with Andrea.

My involvement with the Dragon boating Fraternity continues and the middle of the year saw me traveling to Italy to be a part of the International Breast Cancer Participatory Dragon Boat Festival. This is an event that takes place every four years and involves Breast Cancer Dragon Boating Teams from all corners of the Globe. I was the helm / steer person for an Austrian Composite Team, and together we represented 10 Nations. It was a first for me to helm at an international event and needless to say I was quite nervous! But our Team won every single heat we were in, and out of 130 Teams we came 37th. Not bad for a Team who had only paddled together twice before the event. As always, I was showered with blessings as I had the opportunity to visit my nephew and his wife after the event and spent 3 glorious days with my sister Debbie and Hans touring the beautiful Italian speaking part of Switzerland. God is gracious and I was humbled at being able to enjoy such splendor.
My involvement with the Symphony Choir of Cape Town is a musical treat for me, and this year alone we have performed more Concerts than any other year. From Mahler, to Mozart to Handel’s Messiah, the repertoire keeps us on our toes. I am grateful for this creative outlet.
Peter and I are very grateful to see the next generation of Frontline Fellowship Missionary families bringing in their own creative energy. We are blessed with three young families and we love seeing how God is using each of them in their own way.

My health has gone from strength to strength. As a family we juice daily, and are grateful for our daily supplements made possible by Joyce and John Hart. In an attempt to keep my bone density strong, I continue to run, joining the occasional 10 – 16km races. My hormonal treatments are not pleasant, but are keeping the cancer at bay.

We are so grateful to the Lord for His many provisions through your support both prayerfully and practically. Thank you for your consistent friendship over the years. May His blessings be yours in abundance as you celebrate His Incarnation and usher in a new year.

With love and a grateful heart,
Lenora

From Daniela

A very Merry Christmas to you all & blessings for the New Year!

2018 has been an interesting year! It seems every year gets faster the older you get.

It began with the Biblical Worldview Summit course, which we hadn’t hosted in awhile. It was also at a new venue in Hermanus. We had a great camp with a record-breaking attendance. I thoroughly enjoyed fellowshipping with lovely people from around South Africa and all over the world and getting involved in the Great Commission Course where I could. Through the devastating incident that my Mom mentioned we all bonded very closely and have made what I believe will be life-lasting friendships. We learned how to have an eternal perspective on life. This earth is not our home and every day counts. I don’t think our lives will ever be the same.

Since Christopher and my visit to Europe last year for Bible School, we have made good friendships and have had four friends from Germany visit us in Cape Town! Because we are so fortunate to live in a beautiful country, the world often comes to us. Cape Town never gets old and there is so much yet to see and explore.

In February, my beloved Sister, Andrea, returned with her sweet family! It has been so wonderful having our family back together, and having not just one, but two Nephews to love, care for and play with.

In June, I was able to visit my dear friend Tanya in Alexandria, Eastern Cape. We had a fantastic time catching up, seeing her little town, going to the Grahamstown Festival for some concerts, and visiting their family restaurant ‘The Lunchbox’ on the R72. The Frontline Mission team happened to be passing through Alexandria during the time I was there so we all got to reunite for breakfast. God’s timing is perfect.

One of my goals for my art / design brand was to get my stationary / artprints sold in stores. Early this year my work was accepted into several stores around Cape Town! I am very excited to grow my design brand. Some of the new skills I have learnt this year though my work has included basic animation, chalkboard lettering and event planning.
I will be joining a sign-writing company soon.

This last month I had the privilege to be able to join my church for a short mission trip to Botshabelo, near Bloemfontein. During our 5 day outreach, we gave devotions at the Nurse’s clinic, ran seminar Bible studies with the church and had a children’s program in the afternoon. It was a humbling experience living and experiencing life in another culture. It was also my first time speaking with a translator (their language is Sesotho).

Thank you for your consistent love & prayers for our family and the Mission. May God bless and keep you.
Lots of love, Daniela

Sound ready, speeding.
Roll camera, set. And Action!

A merry Christmas to all our friends and supporters. I wish you all a very happy new year. This year has gone by in such a flash and it has been a year that has opened up many new doors for me. As always, we started our year with the Biblical Worldview Summit followed by our Great Commission Course which was a great time of fellowship and outreach with brothers and sisters in Christ.

Shortly after the BWS and GCC I started my studies in ‘Film, Television and Entertainment Production’, a 1-year higher certificate course. This short and compact course was a real eye-opener into the whole entertainment industry which led to an internship, 6 film shoots and counting! I mainly assisted in the lighting department and as a production assistant on commercial shoots.

This year I have also taken up a new challenge and started with boxing. I find boxing very satisfying as it keeps my fighting base alive while I further my studies.

Furthermore, I am still deciding if I am going to continue with my studies and start an undergraduate BA in Motion Picture medium from February next year or venture out into the film industry and find internships. Please keep me in your prayers as I am still contemplating which path God is leading me to.

Christopher

From Cape to Cairo

This year proved to be an amazing and eventful one as I returned to homeschooling for my matric year. This gave me the freedom to begin coaching hockey, water polo and athletics at a local primary school and also partake in many sporting events around the Country and ultimately the Continent.

With my sporting focus this year being on swimming and running, I was able to be selected for the provincial team for athletics and biathlon and the national team for Biathle (a run/swim/run event) which included the World Championships in Hurghada, Egypt.

The competition was extremely tough and with this being my first experience in international racing, I learnt many tough lessons and finished in 8th place on the world stage for the junior men’s biathle race which includes a 1,600m run, followed by a 200m open water swim in the Red Sea and then another 1,600m run. I am eternally grateful for the part my Grandma played in helping me to raise the funds necessary for this once in a life time experience.

I have too often taken for granted that we are blessed with amazing abilities by God and that we are called to use them for His honor and glory. I would like to consider a possible Sports Ministry and as the new year fast approaches, I am making preparations to study at a local Bible Institute in Cape Town. I am still seeking the Lord’s guidance for direction and feel this year will give me more grounding needed to make decisions for the future.

In my spare time, I plan to compete on the athletics track to try improve my 800m and 1,500m times, as well as going for a sub 82 - minute half marathon at the very hilly Two Oceans Ultramarathon event. I will continue with multisport events and also do a few long distance open water swimming races. I would like to get involved in either Life Saving or Sea Rescue as an opportunity to volunteer on those fronts.

May God bless you all this Christmas Season and in the New Year. Thank You for your prayers, friendship and blessings,

Calvin

The Combs Corner

This year has come and gone like a flash of lightning. Just a year ago we were still in our townhouse in Glendale, Arizona, with boxes piling high in every room as we prepared to move, and now we are well settled in our South African home 9,627 miles (15,493 km) across the globe. It’s hard to believe we have been living and breathing in the South African culture for most of 2018…

Crossing Continents
Four days after ringing in the New Year, our house went on the market! Within weeks, our home was under contract and on the 3rd of February a 20-foot shipping container rolled away with our belongings. Ten days later, after many tearful farewells, our little family boarded the plane that took us to Seattle, then Amsterdam, and finally Cape Town. When we finally reached our destination on Valentine’s Day (February 14th), we were greeted with the happy hellos and excited embraces of the Hammond family! Fatigued and weary, we fell into our beds in disbelief that we had finally finished the long journey we had spent nearly a year preparing for.

Sweet Surprise
Within three weeks of landing on African soil, we discovered we were expecting another baby! It was an absolutely joyful and welcomed surprise. In the midst of adjusting to this big life change, knowing we would be adding a precious baby to our family made this chapter that much more special! It took a while for the three of us to readjust to the South African culture and fall into a rhythm and routine, but after a couple of months, it became more natural to call our new home, Home.

Mountain Mission
We hadn’t been here for a month before Hunter was invited to join Ben, Abrie, and John on their mission to the Nuba Mountains. It was sooner than we’d planned for Hunter to go on a cross border mission, but we knew this was an amazing opportunity he needed to take. He left on May 1st – just one day before our container was set to arrive on our doorstep. Their 23-day long mission was eventful, productive and at times frustratingly slow. It was, however, an immense blessing to be a part of this mission. They travelled through unstable military areas and, at one point, were escorted by nearly a hundred military personnel. By way of container, they were collectively able to distribute 34,000 Bibles, 50,000 Story of Jesus picture books and share the Gospel with tens of thousands of Nuban children in 130 local schools. Please keep the Nubans in prayer as we receive reports that the Sudanese Armed Forces are currently mobilizing troops to launch an attack on the Nuban people.

Containers Can’t Contain Emotions
It was an emotional experience for me to see our boxes and the few pieces of furniture we kept being delivered to the very street where I grew up. It was unbelievably surreal to know just how far it all had to travel to get here. Three months had passed since we loaded up the container and sent it on its way. I’d shed a few tears seeing our empty home in Arizona and I got fairly misty-eyed seeing it all delivered to our new home. God was so good to have orchestrated every last detail in the way He did. We are so grateful for the support and prayers that made the container a reality.

Cross Country Family Mission
Hunter was given an amazing opportunity to teach at Back to the Bible Mission (BBM) in Barberton, South Africa, at the end of August. He spent a full week teaching the students there on Biblical Ethics. The student body is mostly made up of pastors and leaders who come from all over the continent of Africa. Hunter was also invited to minister to Adullam Mission in Secunda on the way up to BBM. He was so grateful for the opportunity to share some of what he gleaned throughout his years at ACU and Phoenix Seminary.

Ministry in the Cape
In Cape Town, Hunter and the team of Frontline apprentices focused their evangelistic efforts on evangelizing a least reached people group and university students with the Gospel. They spent many afternoons on the University of Cape Town (UCT) campus sharing the Gospel with students from a wide variety of religious backgrounds. Hunter, Emma, and Alpha (two of the missionary interns) helped run a Discovery Bible Study over the course of two semesters with students they met while evangelizing on campus. In addition to the student ministry, they also focused their efforts on witnessing to a least reached people group in South Africa. The team conducted roughly 55 outreaches this year in Cape Town and were blessed to see the hand of the Lord at work.

Welcome, Baby Blue Eyes
We’re thrilled to present to you, Joshua Ellis! He was born at 9:36AM on November 7 in Cape Town, South Africa, via C-section. His birth weight was 3.86kg (8 1/2 lbs) and 53cm (20.9 inches) long. We are so thankful to God for bringing this sweet little man into our lives and for using an amazing medical team to safely do so. We are entirely smitten with him and Jeremy has adapted wonderfully to his new role as big brother! Our hearts have grown immensely!
We chose to name him “Joshua” after his Daddy’s middle name as well as the Biblical character, and “Ellis” after my Grandpa’s (Bill Bathman’s) middle name. Ellis is also a family name that goes back several generations on my Mom’s side. We wanted to honour his memory in this special way. He was a major influence in both of our lives and we are so grateful for all the love and wisdom he and my Grandma have poured into us both over the years.

Frontline and Family
It has been an immense blessing for us to be a part of Frontline Fellowship and the vast opportunities to invest our time in the Kingdom of God. We love living so close to the Hammond family for the first time since being married. It’s been a joy seeing Jeremy enjoy his Noni, Oupa, uncles and auntie. We praise God for His faithfulness in bringing our little family all the way around the world to serve Him in South Africa.

Thank you for your love, support, and prayers. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, we pray that He would fill your hearts with His love and joy. May the Lord be your strength and peace in 2019!
With love in Christ,
Hunter, Andrea, Jeremy, & Joshua

Peter has added more hours to each day somehow and has once again been blessed with the strength and endurance to accomplish much. His year included 9 Missions, conducting conferences and services from as far afield as Australia to America. This year has seen the conclusion of a 6-year study and preaching project going through every Book of the Bible. The Old Testament Survey was published in 2016 and the New Testament Survey is on track to be published in the New Year. Just in time for the 500th Anniversary of the Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli’s launch of Biblical Exposition in 1519. Hunter and other next generation Missionaries completed the Biblical Preaching Handbook which forms a vital part of this Back to the Bible Movement, which our Teams are emphasizing on Missions throughout Africa. In July 2019 Peter plans to be a part of the Reformation 500 Global Church Council in Zürich, Switzerland.

Inspired by the return to Cape Town of our favorite journalist, Andrea, Peter launched a new initiative; the Henry Morton Stanley School of Christian Journalism with weekly meetings on uncensored news behind the news. You can view some of his articles and presentations on video on our new www.HMSSchoolofChristianJournalism.org website.

This year Peter was honored by the Western Cape Armed Forces Veterans for his years of service. He now serves as one of their Chaplains. He has also continued to be the Chaplain for the Rhodesia Association’s Annual Remembrance Services. This year was particularly significant as the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice
which ended the First World War.

Earlier this year during the record breaking Bibles to the Nuba Mountains Mission, Peter felt the burden of four of our best young Missionaries, in a dangerous field, all at one time, all are married, three of them with young children at home and with three of the wives expecting, including our own daughter Andrea. Although Peter routinely took similar risks when our children were just as young, it is obviously harder to trust God for other people’s safety. However, there was much joy and pride in the accomplishments of Hunter and the rest of the Team for successfully distributing over 34,000 Bibles to 130 Schools in the remote Nuba Mountains of Sudan.

For Peter’s Annual Mission Report visit www.FrontlineMissionSA.org. His weekly radio podcast From the Frontline is also accessible from our website.
Frontline Fellowship
PO Box 74 Newlands 7725 Cape Town South Africa
Email: lenora@frontline.org.za
peter@frontline.org.za mission@frontline.org.za
Web: www.FrontlineMissionSA.org www.ReformationSA.org
www.TheBibleAndAnimals.org www.LivingstoneFellowship.co.za
www.HMSSchoolofChristianJournalism.org

]]><![CDATA[SEPTEMBER 2018 HAMMOND FAMILY UPDATE]]>Thu, 27 Sep 2018 11:04:56 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/lenora-hammond/september-2018-hammond-family-update

Dear Family and Friends!

Greetings from a lovely Cape Town, where winter is being ushered up to the Northern Hemisphere and Spring is making its debut. Most of you are aware of the serious drought the Western Cape has undergone, but this last winter God has blessed us with an abundant amount of rain and our dams are nearly full. Yet, our ANC government has decided that punitive water restrictions are an additional way for them to extort more money from hard-pressed Capetonians and we are now being charged a ‘sundries levy’ which is purportedly going towards building new water desalination plants. Much more can be said on this topic, but suffice to say that despite stringent restrictions, our gardens are green and our rain water tanks are full in preparation for our dry summer ahead. It is always a good principle to conserve water and certainly our family has perfected the art of showering while standing in buckets and using this water for all and sundry other purposes.

It is quite extraordinary to think that September is here already and reflecting upon the challenges as well as blessings 2018 has already had in store for us, here is an update:

Andrea, Hunter and Jeremy have already been here now for 7 months! What a blessing it is to have them living with us in our little Cottage on our property. After being a student for most of his life, Hunter is relishing, despite the challenges, a life of full-time missionary service in his many capacities. His duties vary from mentoring our mission interns, heading up the regular outreach teams to the University and to the Muslims in the Cape, going on Mission trips as far north as Sudan and also around South Africa, giving lectures, Bible studies and mission report backs. Having our daughter and son-law sharing our ministry calling remains one of the many blessings in our life. We could not be more proud. We are looking forward to the arrival of their second baby boy in early November. This will also be the first time we are involved in the birth of a grandchild!

Daniela is enjoying her work as a graphic designer. She has a variety of projects she works on and also designs for our ministry. She is keenly active in her local Church and joins in on the many outreaches, hikes and Camps that Frontline Fellowship arranges.

Christopher has finished his third term of an ‘Intro to Film’ course and is seriously praying over God’s direction for the next few years. He is eager to enrol in a three-year degree program in Film and Editing, which would enable him to pursue a career in Post-Production. We are praying for God’s provision for his studies and His peace that this is the way to go forward. Christopher is able to work on film sets and gets offered a huge variety of experiences. Cape Town is one of the film capitals and companies from all over the world use our beaches and fair climate for filming commercials and catalogue shoots. Christopher also house-sits and gets involved in the IT work at our ministry on his free days.

Calvin is finishing up his grade 12 exams this year and we hope to complete his SAT as well. Next year is still quite uncertain as we explore various options of study. One of them is a one-year course at the Bible Institute, followed by a course in Sports Management. Cape Town is a most ideal setting for a sports-minded person and our whole family is involved in some outdoor sporting, or hiking event, on an almost weekly basis. It is no wonder that one of our children may end up turning Sports into a ministry career. Calvin has been invited to take part in the Bi-Athle World Champs event in Egypt in October. This is a run/swim/run event. (Different from bi-athlon, which is running and cycling) To this end, he is swimming and running on a daily basis, starting very early in the mornings. He fits in his studies in-between and also works as a coach in one of our local primary schools. Calvin joins our Ministry for outreaches and work parties when he can.

By God's grace, Peter has already, personally, completed eight missions this year, including to Back to the Bible Mission in Mpumalanga, lecturing on Missiology for a week amongst 100 students from 20 countries across Africa, as far afield as Madagascar, Benin and Ethiopia, along with prison ministry, hospital evangelism and History Workshops for home educators.

Another one of his highlights this year was ministering to 7,000, mainly Zulu, young people at the Youth Conference at KwaSizabantu Mission in KwaZulu/Natal in June. The enthusiasm and hunger for Bible teaching from these young people was most encouraging. The Bible College Consultation near Pretoria and joining in with KwaSizabantu’s church plant project in Tugela Valley, were other highlights, so far.

During the month of July, I was able to join 4,000 other Breast Cancer survivors in a Dragon Boating event in Florence, Italy. It was a privilege to be the helm for an Austrian Composite Team. We had 10 nations represented on our boat and we managed to win each heat we paddled in. So out of over 100 Teams, we ranked 37th - not bad, considering as a team we were paddling together for the first time. I was a very nervous helm/steer person, never having helmed outside of South Africa before! I met up with family in the Italian part of Switzerland, where my sister Debbie and brother-in-law, Hans, hosted several beautiful sightseeing tours. We were looked after by my nephew, Oliver, in his hotel nestled in the mountains.

Here in Cape Town, my involvement with Reach for Recovery, keeps me in touch with women who have undergone surgeries due to Breast Cancer. My hospital visitation enables me to minster to and engage in the lives of these women from all walks of life. I so enjoy talking to them and love the opportunities this gives me to encourage them.

We are so grateful to you for your friendship and support on so many levels. There are many desperate needs in our Ministry and so many ways in which people can be involved. I would welcome any of you to let me know in what ways you could be further involved with Frontline Fellowship – the ministry God has entrusted Peter with. Now more than ever, the needs are great, as so much of Africa is seeking refuge in South Africa. Our own country is, however, in much political turmoil and our currency has been tanked to junk status. Yet, Peter remains positive and convinced that we need to keep on keeping on and making a difference where we can.

Thank you for your prayers and your involvement!

Gratefully,

Lenora Hammond
Frontline Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
Tel: 021-689-4480
Fax: 086-494-8070
Email: lenora@frontline.org.za
Website: www.frontlinemissionsa.org

]]><![CDATA[DECEMBER 2017 HAMMOND FAMILY UPDATE]]>Thu, 30 Nov 2017 22:00:00 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/lenora-hammond/december-2017-hammond-family-update

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From Africa to the Alps & Wittenberg
The year of our Lord 2017 started out unlike any other for us. Especially for me. My dearly beloved father had gone to be with the Lord, just after his 89th birthday, a somewhat expected promotion, but never the less the hardest farewell I have ever said.

My sister Debbie was visiting here in Cape Town during December and it was very precious that she and I were able to Skype a number of times with Mom and Dad during his final days. My mother was a sterling stalwart and ably cared for Dad’s medical needs. She stood by his side every moment of the day and night and ministered to each and every request. Debbie and I were very grateful that Mom was skillfully assisted by our good friend Mary, a nearby neighbor.

Our Son in law Hunter very ably handled the internment service at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery which included military honors. A few of our very close friends were there to witness the event and we were grateful again, to good friends like Ron and Jan Gilbert who stood by Mom during this time and helped with so many arrangements. My Father leaves behind him a Legacy of Missions spanning several decades. This link will enable you to read more about my incredible father: www.frontlinemissionsa.org/in-memorium/tribute-to-rev-bill-bathman.

So I winged my way to Arizona to make arrangements for the memorial service in early January and I must say I was not prepared for the emotions that assailed me as I arrived at the home of my parents. I kept expecting my Dad to come around the corner any moment to give me a big Bear hug. My Mom was strong and helped me through the emotions I experienced. We got through each of the steps needed and again, with the help of Mary, the catering, décor and all practical aspects of the service were arranged. My sister Deborah arrived as we finalized things and Peter came in time to take the memorial service.

We celebrated Dad’s life and many people gave testimonies of how his life had touched and transformed them. We felt glad and content that we were able to know for sure that Dad had gone to meet his Saviour and that we will all meet him and spend eternity with him someday. During this time I was able to spend some wonderful time with Andrea, Hunter and Jeremy as well. I am so proud of this little family and am grateful that they will soon be joining us here in South Africa.

In April this year, Daniela and Christopher were able to head off to Europe to complete Spring Bible School at Tauernhof in Schladming, Austria. They will tell you all about that, but for me it was very special to be able to send the next generation to this very singular place. I am still in touch with many folk I was on staff with at the Tauernhof back in the 80’s.

In June I traveled up to visit family in Austria. It had been 9 years since I had been ‘home’. My sister Debbie and Hans made a journey down to Venice possible so that I could paddle the Vogalonga. This event takes place every year and all manner of vessels take part. I paddled with an Italian Breast Cancer Team, and the experience was all I expected it to be. What a treat it was to be a part of such an incredible event!

Following Venice, Debbie and I headed on a train to Vienna and I again had the chance to paddle with an Austrian Breast Cancer Survivor Team on the Danube River. We were a part of an annual Dragon-boating event, but it was the first time that pink teams had taken part. It was wonderful to mix with Austrian and Italian Breast Cancer Teams and to see this sport growing in Austria. Next followed a three day visit with my childhood friend Conny. This was an enjoyable trip down memory lane for us as we visited Primary School friends and places where we had grown up together. Both of us are Grandmothers now!

The highlight for me was being able to attend the graduation ceremony of Christopher and Daniela at Tauernhof. I was able to stay at Tauernhof for a few nights and re-visit my old stomping grounds. The Town has grown, but our memories are treasured.

I am forever grateful to the Lord for allowing me to be able to visit Austria again. So much of who I am is rooted in that place and I am privileged to have a sister and brother-in-law who welcome me and look after us so well when we visit. Truly, it was a blessing beyond measure.

Upon my return to Cape Town I launched into the renovation project of our little Cottage in the back Garden. This had been built for my late mother-in- law almost 20 years ago and we have now added another bedroom and expanded the living area and the kitchen. This will be a home for Hunter and Andrea to start their life Mission in Africa. We are grateful to the Lord for allowing the funds to be made available so that we could complete this project in good time. We know that this addition to our home will be of great use to our other children as well and for other Missionary couples needing a place to stay.

Most of my life I have enjoyed music and am thankful to be entering the second year as an alto with the Symphony Choir of Cape Town. Since being with them I have had the privilege of working on pieces such as Hayden’s The Creation; Stainer’s The Crucifixion; Mendelssohn’s Elijah and of course Handel’s Messiah. It is very fulfilling to be singing with such a caliber choir and in some magnificent venues such as St. Georges Cathedral. We will be performing an outdoor Christmas Carol Service in a beautiful Vineyard setting.

The Western Cape is experiencing a very serious drought at the moment and we are very limited as to the amount of water we are allowed to use daily. Once we have reached our limit the water switches off until 4 am the next morning. This system is not without its problems and we have had
many times of no water at all. We have many tanks around the property collecting rain water and no one dreams of showering without a bucket in order to catch water to then flush with. I often feel like I am camping in our own home! We are entering our dry season now as summer approaches so even harsher measures will be upon us.

Finally, I would like to say a very big Thank You to our friend Joyce Hart, who keeps us in good health with supplements and good oils. I add these to our daily juicing regime and thank the Lord daily that we are healthy and well.

Lenora Hammond

From Daniela
A very Merry Christmas to you all & a blessed New Year!
2017 has been a fantastic year! It started off right with the Great Commission Course. I have always attended the Camps, but this year was the first time I participated in the whole Course. It was a challenging, rewarding experience! I learned so much from the lectures, my own message preparations, tough outreaches and wonderful participants.

This year also marked my 2nd year working full-time at Frontline. The many aspects of the ministry keep me on my toes! It is exciting to work along-side fantastic Missionaries, seeing the development of mission trips to Africa and beyond.

My brother and I were also blessed with the opportunity to attend Spring Bible School at Tauernhof, an Englishspeaking school in Schladming, Austria. My Mom had worked here when she was about my age, so participating in this was a long-time dream. The course was a great balance of both educational and physical activities. We had the joy of hiking in the stunning Alps (on our doorstep) at least twice a week. We were with 70 other students from all corners of the globe and it was encouraging for me to interact with dedicated Christians from other parts of the world. My roommates were both from Germany, so I got to exercise my 2nd language! I had never before been away from home for more than two months, so it was an adjustment! I have definitely grown in appreciation for family and strength in independence. I also learned the importance of getting to know people beyond first impressions. Every person has their own story to tell.

Everyone had an opportunity to give their testimony. It was a great privilege to share mine at a Sunday evening service with many visitors from the local town! The arts and culture of Europe inspire me greatly. We also had a marvelous time with family in Salzburg, meeting secondcousins
for the first time! I also managed to visit friends in Vienna, Prague and the UK!

Back in Cape Town, I have carried on with work as a Graphic Designer, participated in local markets selling my ‘DH Art’ stationary, been an ‘extra’ on local film sets, coach at Junior Blades ice-skating club, volunteered as an Illustrator for Book Dash, as well as painting and dance classes when I have time!

Thank you for your consistent love & prayers. It means the world to our family. May God bless you abundantly!

Lots of love, Daniela

From Christopher
This time last year I had my intense Black Belt grading I had been preparing for the previous 3 years. I was invited to grade for my 2nd Dan Black Belt which is the equivalent of a second degree added to your black belt. This grading lasted 6 ½ hours where they tested us physically and mentally. It was the true test of mind, body and spirit. After 13 years of committed training and competing on an international level, I have decided that it is time to close this chapter and venture on to new activities.

The highlight of 2017 was attending Spring Bible School in Austria! This 8-week Bible course took place in a picturesque alpine town, Schladming, which is well known for beautiful surrounding mountains. Schladming was the host of the 2013 World Cup Skiing Championships. It was invaluable to meet like-minded people from all over the world.

I also managed to join the Church Council with my father in historic Wittenberg for the Reformation 500 Celebrations to do some filming. This was a very special time as I enjoy filming.

Next year I endeavor to start out my further studies. I will be studying ‘Film Television & Entertainment Production’. I look forward to the direction and challenges God has in store for me.

From Calvin
I can safely say that 2017 has been filled with big decisions and milestones that have altered the course of my near future. Some that are worth mentioning would be that I am pursuing my running career as well as the sport of Biathle (running and swimming). As a family, we have also prayerfully decided to drop out of the schooling system and finish my education with a GED/SAT. This is going to allow me to pursue my passion in running and swimming, as well as enable me to pursue God’s work and serve at Frontline Fellowship. I also hope to be able to work as a coach and referee in water polo, hockey and athletics/cross country. I look forward to finishing my high school without being indoctrinated by a politically correct system. I am grateful for the trust my parents have placed in me to have the discipline to finish high school at home. (I hope to be finished by July 2018)

A big highpoint of the year would definitely be when I crossed the Old Mutual Two Oceans Half Marathon finish line in 83 minutes and 34 seconds. The grueling 21.1km (13.1 mile) course filled with massive hills and climbs pushed me beyond my limit and reminded me of what you can accomplish; when you put your mind to the challenge ahead and when the goal of your focus is glorifying God, that my running honours Him. Looking back on this year I have grown more and more aware of how much I have taken for granted in my day to day life. The amount of love and
support that I am given daily by God, parents, coaches and friends is constant and is one of the biggest factors in getting me where I am and where I want to be in life as an athlete and soldier for Christ.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to visit Andrea’s family in Arizona as well as my Grandma whom I have not seen since I was nine years old. It will be my first Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere and it will be my first and last chance to visit Andrea and family while they are still living Stateside.

Keeping Up With The Combs
This past year the Lord has taken us on a particularly moving journey with international students. At the start of the school year, our ministry team launched a welcome party for students and we had nearly a hundred students attend. There were icebreakers, food, games, Texas line dancing and raffle prizes for the students to win. It was a special opportunity to bless the students and learn how we could best serve them in their time in the States. That evening we offered students Bibles to take home with them and Sarah was the only one out of fifteen students to take us up on the offer. She clung on to the Bible as holding on to a newfound treasure. Over the next year Sarah faithfully attended our Bible studies and was always eager to study God’s Word. Despite coming from a Hindu background, she decided to become a follower of Jesus! A couple months later, on Palm Sunday, she was baptized as a further step of obedience to Christ.

This year has marked an exceptionally remarkable milestone in our lives: Hunter’s graduation from Phoenix Seminary with his Master’s of Divinity! To say it has been a long journey, would be a serious understatement. After four and a half years as a full time student (five years overall), this chapter has been one filled with mostly highs and an unbelievable amount of growth both on an
educational level as well as a spiritual one. We know this will always be a chapter reflected on with much joy and gratitude. The relationships Hunter has been able to build both with classmates and professors is another invaluable outcome of his experience at Seminary.

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You’re our family, our friends, our community and we want YOU to be a part of this journey every step of the way! We love you and are blessed to know you. We couldn’t be more excited to invite you to take part in this idiosyncratic journey…

We pray as you enter this festive season that you would reflect on all the wonderful ways our Lord Jesus has touched your lives and how empty Christmas would be without Him in it. May 2018 hold many blessings for you and your family!

With love in Christ,
Hunter, Andrea & Jeremy

Reformation to Remotest Regions
The vision of marking the 500th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther nailing The 95 Theses to the door of the Schlosskirche in Wittenberg as a monumentally important historic milestone for Evangelism, Education and Emphasising the life transforming doctrines of the Reformation, grew out of my Mission to Europe in 2005. For over 12 years our Thursday night Reformation Society meetings have been exploring the personalities, issues, doctrines and events which God used to launch the greatest Revival of Faith and freedom in history. Out of this has come books, websites and audio visual materials to lay solid foundations for Reformation and Revival in our personal lives, congregations, communities, countries and continents.

This year we mobilised Africa Reformation Overland Missions and the Reformation 500 Mission to Europe which culminated in the Church Council in Wittenberg. Christopher was able to join me in Germany in historic Wittenberg. I was invited to conduct Reformation 500 Conferences in Zambia, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Tennessee, California, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

On 30 October, we hosted the Reformation 500 Back to the Bible Conference in Franschhoek and on 31 October, celebrated 500 years of the Reformation at the Huguenot Monument.

This year we completed The Greatest Century of Reformation book, much expanded and completely revised. With Daniela’s art designs all of our publications this year have been better than ever before. We reprinted books of Martin Luther, including in Afrikaans, Die Weerklank van Martin Luther and the Reformation 500 Hymn Book. Christopher put together the Reformation 500 audio, data and DVD four-disc Boxset. With 14 films, 23 audio MP3’s and 13 PowerPoint presentations on the Reformation, this is the most comprehensive curriculum available in one boxset to promote Reformation doctrines and history for home educators and Bible schools. With 2017 marking the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution and the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, I have had many opportunities on radio, TV and at public meetings and conferences, to present the clear challenge before us today: Reformation or Revolution!

Frontline Fellowship
PO Box 74
Newlands
7725
Cape Town
South Africa

Email:
lenora@frontline.org.za
peter@frontline.org.za
mission@frontline.org.za

Web:
www.FrontlineMissionSA.org
www.ReformationSA.org
www.TheBibleAndAnimals.org
www.LivingstoneFellowship.co.za

]]><![CDATA[JULY 2016 HAMMOND FAMILY UPDATE]]>Thu, 30 Jun 2016 22:00:00 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/lenora-hammond/july-2016-hammond-family-update

Dearest Friends!

The year 2016 arrived brimming with guests and camp participants. We had such an array of international attendees, and I must say, it was the most action packed three week camp and course I have ever known. It is particularly meaningful to Peter and me, when our children willingly and joyfully participate in the events and outreaches as well. Growing up in a Missionary home can be daunting to say the least, and often children feel duty bound to ‘tow the line’. So when our children invite their friends and form an integral part of our Camp and Course, our hearts as parents are full.

The next few months saw Peter catching up with many writing deadlines, including the final publication of Dad’s Book Going On, Old Testament Survey, Sketches from South African History and more. In fact, due to the many writing projects, Peter was in Cape Town until the end of May, which is quite unusual.

June saw Peter and his Team travel the length and breadth of South Africa. And what a mission field this has become. In the past, 99 % of our Missionary work focused on Southern, Central and North Africa, but these days we find that the unrest and strife in much of South Africa makes it ripe for harvest. Local Elections are due to take place in August, and these unleash many protests which sadly turn violent and cause so much damage to property.

Daniela and Christopher both work in our Mission’s IT Department now. This is another of our many blessings as parents. Seeing our children join our Ministry and contributing in their special ways. Christopher is learning on the job how to manage our many websites, Sermon Audios, SlideShare and AV production. Daniela is designing our Book covers, AV designs, adverts, leaflets and newsletters. Her fresh, new designs have been commented on by many.

In a few days Christopher departs for Berlin, Germany, to participate in the World Championships for Karate. This is the third time he is participating in Worlds. We are thrilled that he is able to manage the intense training that has been required of him, although we can see it takes a toll on him physically.

Andrea and Hunter have had a busy first six months as well. Hunter is aiming to finish his Masters of Divinity within the next 9 months, after which they will be making the move back to South Africa. I am thrilled, to say the very least, at the prospect of having all of our children back on home turf, but most of all, being able to be involved in the life of our first grandchild, Jeremy. God is good.

My health has settled into a routine of daily hormone tablets, which I am tolerating fairly well. I try to increase my knowledge of natural approaches to our health and am constantly striving to improve our diet. Christopher and I are both immunosuppressed due to our medical history, and this means keeping our immune system strong is a focus. We are blessed by friends who are very supportive and who help us navigate this vast field of information.

Calvin is in the middle of his grade 10 year and his schedule is ever full with his many sporting activities. At the moment he is away on a Cross-Country Running Camp.

My dearest Father has had a down turn in his health of late, and is sadly battling a host of ailments. The latest being a positive diagnosis for prostate cancer. This has affected his health quite negatively and Mom and Dad have now been enrolled in a program called ‘Hospice at Home’. We are grateful for their medical care and my mother’s nursing skills are being tested to the hilt. We would be grateful for your earnest prayers at this time, as they face new challenges each day. My sister Debbie will be with them during the month of August, and I will be on standby to be with my parents for the rest of the year.

We are grateful to this community of prayer warriors. Thank you, for your support in such a variety of ways. This work can be lonely and challenging, and I sometimes despair at the gravity of issues Peter deals with on a daily basis. But God is our sustainer and we rely on Him for our provision on every level.

May God bless and guide you all. With Love and gratefulness,

Lenora Hammond

Frontline Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
Tel: 021-689-4480
Email: lenora@frontline.org.za
Website: www.frontlinemissionsa.org

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