2014: Tipping Point For Growth

There are some exciting changes coming in the New Year, but first let me tell you that 2013 was a year of tremendous progress. 4 Him in Africa launched our activity as a non-profit organization in 2012, but it was actually not until 2013 that we really started moving. And, although we did not become an overnight phenomenon, much was accomplished and the stage is now set for major growth.

Our target for 2013 was to find 400 sponsors for Ugandan students (which was a lofty goal). If attained, this would have completely met the needs of our first two partner schools in Uganda and opened the door for some major improvements. I am sorry to say that we missed that goal by quite a large gap, but, I am happy to tell you that we have still been able to make some improvements to both schools this year.

Mt Hebron Primary School is located in the trade center of Rubindi, on the Mbarara – Ibanda road in Southwest Uganda. This trade center is larger than most in the area, hosting many shops and small businesses. The school is currently housed in rental property that is overpriced and not the ideal location. But the children are happy there and the school has some great teachers. Most homes in this area, like the rest of Uganda house several orphans besides the family’s biological children. While helping orphans is a wonderful thing, it creates a tremendous burden, making it hard for parents to pay any school fees. This is why we are committed to finding sponsors for the children. It not only benefits the individual children, but also makes a huge difference in the household dynamic.

Although we have not reached complete sponsorship for Mt. Hebron, there are enough sponsors to at least pay the teachers’ wages with a little left over. Because the teachers are now getting paid regularly, the school is becoming more stable and test scores are rising. We look forward to meeting the next financial goal, which will mean the rent can be paid on time and we can seriously look at purchasing property more suitable for the school.

Lifesong Primary school is located in the Omubihembe village in Southwestern Uganda’s Ibanda district. This is a very remote location about a 2-hour drive from Mt Hebron. Omubihembe has become a major focus of 4 Him in Africa because of the food shortage that has pushed this village to the brink of starvation. We have initiated a program to feed not only the students at Lifesong, but all the children of the village. This program along with the efforts to stabilize Mt. Hebron School have been great wins for the ministry. However, to accomplish them, we shifted our fundraising focus, resulting in fewer tuition sponsorships at Lifesong. We will work to remedy that in the coming months.

Lifesong was not totally neglected, however. Donors supplied some much needed desks for the students in 2013. Each desk gets three students off the dirt floor and makes for a much better learning environment. During both mission trips to Uganda in 2013 we were able to deliver some vital academic supplies to both schools. This was especially important to Lifesong because school supplies were in critical shortage there.

God worked in big ways on both our trips to Uganda in 2013. Much was accomplished and many people were saved. The spring trip was special because we were able to minister in the Kamwenge Congolese Refugee camp located in South Western Uganda. Partnering with our friends at Revival Miracle Ministries we held a conference and crusade for the camp and the nearby village of Kamwenge. Our mission team collected thong-styled sandals before the trip and we were able to deliver 500 pair to the Congolese refugees. Most families had to leave everything when they fled to escape the fighting in the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). What a blessing to witness many children try on the first pair of shoes they’d had for a long time.

The October trip was no less amazing and may have been one of the most emotional for me as we watched the culmination of a three-year project. 67 pastors graduated from our six-week ministry school which occurred in two, week-long sessions a year. Each session covered four subjects taught to, on average, more than 200 pastors. At the completion of the sixth and final week we realized that over 350 pastors and church leaders had attended some portion of our school. It was amazing to watch the pastors walk on stage to receive their certificate, knowing all that had to come together over the last three years for that to be possible. God surely did provide everything needed for this life-changing opportunity.

The last major “4 Him in Africa Ministries” event of 2013 began in late October, and will continue into May, 2014 as we feed the children of the Omubihembe village. This remote village has been hit hard by a drought that has persisted for years, and in 2013 experienced hail storms that destroyed most of the remaining gardens and much of the hope for these people.

In late October we learned that the children attending Lifesong Primary School were failing to complete their school work because of hunger pains and began to look more closely at the situation. In the process, we discovered a crisis that extended beyond the 140 students registered at Lifesong. There were approximately 370 children throughout the entire village who were going without food. From that point 4 Him in Africa made the decision to feed those children. The expense of starting a project this size can be overwhelming, even before the first portion of food is purchased. However, with some generous donations and the help of our Ugandan friends, we began feeding and have collected nearly half the funds needed. I must say that it is a wonderful feeling knowing the children are not going to bed hungry, but the greatest part of this ministry is to know that God is getting the glory for all that is done.

So what about the great things that are coming up in 2014?  God has brought together a great team of gifted men and women who are dedicated to helping take 4 Him in Africa Ministries to the next level. We have determined that there must be change if we are going to grow in 2014. Just a few of the things on the horizon include a new media campaign and a new look and feel to our communications, rigorous fiscal accreditation to reassure potential donors of security and integrity, and new goals for our mission trips this year. In 2014, there will be exciting changes at 4 Him In Africa.

If there was ever a time to join a missions organization, at any level of participation, this is it. We need your prayers, your support, and your enthusiasm as we share our message of hope with the world. If everyone helps just a little, then the support needed from each individual is not nearly as big. It may surprise you to know what a huge difference a small amount of support can make. As you think about the things God is doing through 4 Him In Africa Ministries, we would ask that you consider becoming a partner with us. Visit www.4himinafrica.com to find out more about what’s going on right now and what we feel God has planned for our future. You’ll see how easy it is to sponsor a child, help feed the children, or even help us get the word out to more people. Thank you for a great 2013 and the hope of an even bigger 2014. Happy New Year and May God bless.

www.4himinafrica.com

God Will Find A Way...

Last night I met with the board of 4 Him in Africa for our regular monthly meeting, but for me it was anything but a regular meeting. Our meetings are such a blessing as we look at the things that have been accomplished knowing that it is all a miracle. Our ministry is funded by donations and no matter how big our need has been we have always had the funds when we needed them. Last night was no different, because there was much to celebrate.

As we began to discuss new business I realized our next topic had the potential to cause problems. You see I came prepared to present a motion to feed the children of the Omubihembe Village in South Western Uganda. We learned during our last mission trip that the drought had hit the Ibanda district quiet hard, but we did not realize how severe things would get. A couple weeks ago I came to realize that this village was suffering because most of the families depended on their crops for their livelihood. Without the crops they could not eat or purchase the other needs that were provided for by selling produce.

This information hit me particularly hard because the Lifesong School located there is one that we partner with and over the last few years we have gotten to know many of the children through our visits. The Omubihembe village got my attention early on when the parents responded so well to a request made by Pastor Simon, who we work with in Uganda, to help build a school for the children in the village. When you realize the size of the sacrifices made by the parents to help fund and build the school it warms your heart. It only takes one visit there to see that the children are happy and the parents are grateful for any help we can give them. We were able to help them finish the school last year by funding the roof and when we came to the school in the spring the children were happy and the school was beautiful. Some of you have helped us buy desks for the school this year which is making it even better for the children.

When I heard that the children were hungry and they were not even able to stay awake and do their school work it broke my heart. To think a child tries to sleep at night, but can’t because of the hunger pains they are experiencing it makes me want to do something. Then there is also the issue with the children who do not attend the school, because they cannot afford school fees. We know there are many who don’t attend especially the orphans in the village. How will they eat and survive? I sent Pastor Simon into the village to see just how bad things were and when he reported back we found that there are 350 + children in the village and many are not getting a meal each day.

After doing many calculations Pastor Simon and I have come up with a plan to feed the children and last night I presented it to the board. I think it is because God has been teaching us how to do business through faith that it was not even an issue with the board and we all agreed that we must go forward with the plan to feed the children. The first thing we need is to build a storehouse for the school. As all the feeding will occur at the school there must be a place to store the food, so the board approved funding for that. Then we have to buy cooking utensils, plates and cups, and the board approved funding for that. Then we need to put up some type of facility to cook the food so we have some money approved to help with that. (All the cooking is done over wood fires) Our plan is to feed the 160 children in the school a simple breakfast and then prepare lunch for all the (350) children in the village.

Today I started a campaign to raise the money for this which is quiet a large amount. We will be feeding the children every day until May. I notice when I posted something on Facebook that it did not draw much attention. That is to say if I post a joke or an interesting story it is not unusual for 50+ people to like it and another 15 or 20 to comment. Today’s post that were asking for help only had a couple of likes and one or two comments. My question to you is this, why is this so hard? I know most of my friends on Facebook personally and all of you can afford a few dollars. Most of you are parents, great neighbors, and faithful friends. This is one of those times when I really need you to get involved with what we are doing. I remember a few weeks ago I received an e-mail from Simon with the estimates for feeding these children and I thought “ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND”!!!!!  As I started to reply the thought came to mind, am I telling him that God cannot afford that much? The truth is I don’t think God cares how much it cost He is more interested in our obedience. For that reason I had to decide whether or not He wanted me to take action. I am telling you that my heart has ached since that day and after listening to the board last night it makes sense for us to go forward. Won’t you reconsider and help by first making a donation and then asking someone else to do the same. I know we can’t save all of Uganda, but I think we can make a difference in one village.

Congratulations it's a ....

             The birth of a ministry can be an exciting time for those involved, although, even that kind of birth can come with some unmistakable labor pains. As a pastor and church leader, I found myself checking over a long list of preparations as we began the birth process of “4 Him in Africa Ministries”. Items like cost analysis and project guidelines had to be checked and rechecked. The Bible teaches us that the wise man should first consider the cost before proceeding. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? (Luk 14:28 KJV) It is wise to have an idea what you are about to get into, but with ministry there are many unseen variables that will add to the intensity of the labor pains. Any pastor knows that operating on faith is far from an exact science.

         Then there is the nature of the ministry that must be added to the equation before moving on. Are the main needs and ideals of a fixed nature? Do you know up front exactly what will be needed and is there an expected duration for these needs? What are the administrative costs and reoccurring expenditures that have to be accounted for? Will there be rapid expansion and what will dictate that expansion: will it be needs, or faith, or maybe success? All these questions need answers, and all those answers take much deliberation. Finally, all of it factors into the birthing process.

         If that wasn’t enough, what about those who will help with the birth or care in some way for the new baby? And what about the baby’s closest relatives? These are the people who receive from the ministry, or help facilitate the ministry, or even those who help fund the ministry. They all have their own personality, their own level of maturity and in some cases their own culture. As part of the founding group of “4 Him in Africa Ministries Inc.”, some might accuse me of being the father of the baby, but I would beg to differ. It should be obvious that God has to be the father, but I might get to help deliver the baby.

         The birth of this ministry has been a difficult time for all concerned. Although, I have found that the starting process was not nearly as difficult as sustaining the ministry as we strive to reach the level of funding required to meet all the needs. Some may even argue that we should have waited until we were confident that we could sustain the ministry for that appropriate time before starting such an endeavor. But our situation with “4 Him in Africa Ministries” has been a little different than most. The schools we are trying to support were already in existence. Although I cannot say for certain whether these schools would have survived without our help or not, the main issue has and always will be do the children get an education.

         To the people of Uganda an education is not mandatory or even guaranteed, but rather a privilege that not all children get. As I see it, if the parent cannot pay the school fees once the child is enrolled one of two things should happen: 1) the child leaves school or 2) the teacher does not get paid and leaves school. Either way eventually the child does not get an education. However, often times I meet teachers in Uganda who are not getting paid but continue to teach at the school. There has to be a better way.

         At “4 Him in Africa Ministries”, we believe there is a better way, at least for those children, teachers and schools we have been blessed to partner with. What way is that? For us to find the school fees for each child. With consistent funding of the schools the dominos will stand. With funding the children receive a uniform, one meal each school day, their school supplies, and an education. That money also pays the teachers who can in turn feed and help educate their own children and so on and so on.

         You might ask, “Why did he go into all that detail about childbirth and birthing pain?” Let me explain. There is nothing easy about operating a ministry from the other side of the globe. Cultural and language issues are but of a few of the challenges that face us as we try to grow. The challenge is keeping everything moving forward while we raise the funding we need to operate the schools in the black. Our plan is to find a sponsor for each of the children in our schools until we fill the schools to capacity. By finding 200 sponsors for each of our 2 primary schools we will not only keep the teachers and staff paid and educate the children, we will eventually be able to build better facilities and educate more children. Yes it is a big task and some might say it is overwhelming, but it isn’t. For anyone wanting to help the cost to him or her is actually less than a dollar a day. Think about it, for less than a dollar a day you can make a difference in the life of a child.

         As I sit here tonight thinking about how to end this blog only one thing comes to mind and that is a plea. My plea for those who took the time to read this post is to take action right now. Click on our link and go to our web page. Choose a child and sponsor that child right now, don’t put it off. If you are financially able please make an additional donation to the schools as well. Help us get the number of sponsors needed as quickly as possible so that we can start operating this ministry in a proactive manner. We have a goal of 400 sponsors in 2013. I would love to see us surpass that goal by a large margin. After you sponsor your child please ask a friend to make a difference. We at “4 Him in Africa Ministries” believe it is going to happen. As long as we just keep telling our story God will touch the hearts of those people who will sponsor a child until that difference is made. Someday Uganda will offer her children a free education and when that finally happens the possibilities for this beautiful country will be endless. Won’t you help? May God bless.