SGTC Adult Ed instructor writes self-help book

This article was published in the Americus Times Recorder on Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017 about South Georgia Technical College Crisp County Center's Adult Education instructor, Angie Kauffman. By Leila S. Case AMERICUS — Americus native Angie Kauffman’s winning smile depicts her positive mental attitude and strong faith in God. She faces whatever life deals her head on and takes action to solve difficulties. “Life goes on no matter what problems you may encounter,” said Kauffman, who is the author of a self-help, inspirational book on how to cope with daily ordeals. “I’ve been through some hardships in life and I expect most people have as well, even those who say that they have not had difficulties do.” “Confronting the Enemy,” Kauffman’s first published work, is a non-denominational guide on ways to confront daily problems. The book was recently released by Westover Press, a division of Zondevan. Kauffman, 43, grew up in Americus the daughter of John and Paula Southwell and was educated in the local public school system. She is a 1992 graduate of Americus High School and a graduate of Georgia Southwestern State University with the bachelor science in early childhood education. She earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Columbus State University and today teaches students in the GED program at South Georgia Technical College, Cordele campus. Kauffman said “Confronting the Enemy” has been in the “works” for a couple of years but it wasn’t until after the suicide of her husband Roland Kauffman earlier this year that she was prompted to get the manuscript completed and published. She said her extensive research in the Bible gave her the material she needed to write the book. “I’ve experienced problems throughout life but Roland’s death is the biggest, perhaps the most devastating I’ve ever experienced,” she said during a recent interview. “Because of my love for Roland and the community that supported us in countless ways since his death, my goal was to get the book into the hands of readers as soon as possible so perhaps my words would guide them to deal with tough times and minister them in the hardships they face. Our family received an outpouring of love from throughout this community. The book is a way for me to give back.” Explaining more, Kauffman said, “God helps us face our fears and depend on Him to get beyond them through scriptures in the Bible on how to handle the problems by confronting the enemy. My book guides the reader on how to face Satan on a daily basis. We need to be extra strong and know that God is behind us for Satan is powerful but only as much as God allows.” “Confronting the Enemy” is written in three parts. “Part one provides the reader with tools to use to confront the enemy such as different aspects of the armor of God that is listed in the Bible. Not all problems come from Satan, but many times he uses those experiences to create negativity in our lives,” said Kauffman. “The next part focuses on fictional stories about characters that have faced difficult circumstances that offer the reader the opportunity to apply the truth they learned from part one. The book concludes with three special chapters that help the reader examine their own lives to see where they are spiritually.” The author has provided open space in the back of the book for journaling thoughts and prayers. Besides leading a busy life teaching, she is the mother of two daughters, Victoria Kauffman, 15, and Emily, 10, both students at Furlow Charter School. She is presently writing another book based on the experiences she’s had since her husband’s untimely death. Kauffman will sign copies of her book from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Clinic Drug Store, 1001 E. Forsyth St., and at a “meet and greet” at Café Campesino, 134 W. Lamar St. later. The date has not yet been set. “Confronting the Enemy” is available locally at Clinic Drugs, online at Amazon Prime and Barnes and Nobles.