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.
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