ROCK Resources: Amid the daily challenges in ROCK’s ongoing multi-language media projects with partners around the world, the heartrending, horrific situation in Afghanistan has us feeling what Paul described in Romans 9:2, i.e. “great sorrow and unceasing anguish in [our] heart[s]” as we try to imagine what people (lost and saved, but in different ways) are experiencing as the Taliban inflict extreme Sharia on them. E.g., today’s news informs us that a well-known folk singer was executed and a public ban on music throughout Afghanistan is in effect. On a positive note, if you have not yet done so, check out the August ROCK Review which tells of ways God has been at work among Afghans amid the ongoing visible and invisible warfare. It includes our video-interview on Spiritual Warfare, which, as someone commented today, “vividly describes what is rampant in our own country and around the world.” https://rockintl.org/rock-reports/rock-review-august-2021

ROCKids: Here is a fresh update from one of the visionaries behind the Secondary School for Girls in Tanzania: We are so grateful to be able to share that we have transferred the funds needed to complete the final phase of the physics and chemistry labs! This is a huge milestone, as these are the last buildings we need before we can move forward with registering the school with the government (a process required even for private schools). More buildings will be needed in the future as the school grows, but for now we rejoice to be at this point.

In July, we hired our first staff member, brother W., who has been serving as project manager on a voluntary basis over the last several years. During that time, the Tumaini Jipya [New Hope] school was only one of his many projects. Now he will be able to spend 75% of his time focused on getting the school registered, local financial participation, and sustainability. Many of you have played a role in our ability to hire this godly and capable brother – thank you for your partnership in this. The next few months will be critical as we begin to go through the government’s approval process for the school. Please pray too that the LORD will raise up the right head mistress and teachers who will pour into the lives of the future students. Thanks for your part in all this!