Africa is not forgotten…

Remember how I wrote that I would update all of you on the new vans that are needed for Champion Christan School?  Well, the fundraising account for these vans has finally been approved by the AIM office!!!  We have been given 2 months to raise the $20,000 needed to purchase the 2 new vans for this school ministry to continue and grow.

This is the van that Pastor Joseph drives every school day, 2 hours each way to drive kindergarteners through bumpy roads and up and down hills in order to take them to school.  The current van they have is nearing its end, and sometimes we even had to push it down a hill in order for its engine to start.  In order to support this growing ministry, Pastor Joseph has assessed the need for 2 new, bigger vans to carry all the new students attending the school.

Is God calling you to support Champion Christian School through the purchasing of these vans?  Read the blog my teammate Hannah wrote to find out why this is a ministry worth supporting…and don't forget to watch the video that she has so painstakingly put together at the end!

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(Imported from Hannah's blog, "Africa is not forgotten…")

We may have left the continent of Africa on February 18th, but there is no way that any of us have forgotten those at Champions Christian School or Christ Ambassadors Church.  I wrote this blog on February 8th and have been waiting with anticipation to share it with you.  The AIM office has been able to set up a ministry account and they've given us the okay to share this info with you.  My teammate Ben helped to raise school scholarships for at least 59 kids to be able to attend school for one year.  Now, you can hear about another way to partner with Champions Christian Primary School and meet a real need.  Please don't overlook this or keep from praying into it as God may be using you to bring real change in Mukono, Uganda.

I can think of very few blogs that I’ve been more excited to write…or for you to read.  I’ve already written most of it in my mind over the last few days as I’ve actively participated in and ponderingly observed the goings on of the church here in Uganda.  Christ Ambassadors Church, started in 2004 by Pastor Joseph and his wife Frieda, has been steadily growing in many ways since its humble beginnings.  The faithful couple was taking care of 15 orphans in their own home as they helped and encouraged their church members to farm, cook or sew to raise money for the church.  In 2005, pastor remembers, “Everything was rented apart from us.”  They were renting the church building and their own home.  Through the help of two generous Australian men, they were able to obtain a poultry farm and live at home with 25 underprivileged kids and another couple who helped out.  Soon they bought the land that Christ Ambassadors Church currently rests on.  Still, it was difficult to keep all the children that depended on them.  Some went back to their homes if they had parents that found the means to supply for their needs. 
 
When 2008 came there was no way to pay the necessary school fees for the children living in Joseph and Frieda’s home.  They also became aware of the fact that their kids were being bullied and abused at school because of their status as orphans.  That’s when Champions Christian Primary School began.  Frieda laughed, “School is supposed to start in January.  Our term started October 1, 2008.”  The first class was P-6, Primary 6.  Now Champions Christian is over 200 students strong.  There are classes for children as young as three and the oldest finish up with P-7 (Primary 7) around age 14.  Forty percent of those attending this school are Muslim.  Since Joseph and Frieda take care of both the church and school, it is easy to link the two for ministry purposes. 
 
There have been numerous times that the children living nearby or those that attend school will come to church without their parents.  They learn songs, scripture and pray to Jesus.  Every Friday the school holds a chapel service where the Bible is taught and the children lead their own worship songs.  It is truly amazing.  Pastor Joseph and Mama Frieda are real servants of the Lord.  They go hard all day, everyday.  The kids often refer to Joseph and Frieda affectionately as “Daddy and Mama”.  The keyboard player, choir director and one of the lead teachers of the school all grew up under Daddy and Mama’s roof.  They have no biological children of their own, but the town of Mukono is bursting with those whose lives have been impacted by this amazing couple.  They know what true discipleship is.  They don’t just provide an education, they provide love, prayer, and dedication to raising up a whole and healthy child.  The motto of the school is: “Raising the total man.”

 Youth who've been discipled by Mama and Pastor: Peter (worship leader), Joseph (keyboard), Dennis (translator), Agnes (kids teacher), Jennifer (translator), Robert and Doreen (translator).

With Frieda and Pastor Joseph

With the quality teaching that the children receive, everyone benefits.  Those that have grown up are now pouring back into the ministry at school and church.  The kids that have accepted Christ go home and tell their parents.  Rachel and Margaret are two single-moms that used to be prostitutes.  Their children attended Champions school for one year as they struggled to pay the fees, often not paying the total amount.  Rachel had also been attending church and accepted Christ as savior.  This year, after having known Jesus for one year, she prayed for the Lord to provide the means for her children to continue in school.  My teammate Kelly was the answer to her prayers.  When she found out that Kelly would sponsor her children and Ben agreed to send her nephew (Margaret’s son) to school, she was overjoyed.  The effect was incredible.  Yesterday we went to Margaret and Rachel’s home because they had invited all of their friends and neighbors to come and hear us talk about Jesus.  They told their own testimonies of how he changed their lives and heard their prayers.  It was an incredible blessing to be a part of.
 
Everything about this month has been encouraging.  Living under Joseph and Frieda’s roof has been a blessing.  They love us, pray for us and enjoy our presence.  It is not hard to reciprocate those feelings.  We laugh, sing, joke and pray together.  The team feels at home here in Mukono and that’s why we feel so strongly that we should take action and be invested in what the Lord is doing here.
 
Champions Christian Primary School is making a difference in Mukono and will make a difference in all of Uganda one day.  The school was started by faith and it continues to run by faith as Joseph and Frieda trust the Lord to provide for their needs.  Right now, the biggest need they have is for one of a new van to transport the children to school.  I have had the unfortunate opportunity to ride in the current van, which is a total piece of junk.  It’s a total World Race vehicle!  We all make fun of it, Pastor and Frieda included, as sometimes it requires a push start.  The back door must be tied shut so we don’t lose any passengers and the side door is a bit stubborn to open at times.  The horn is a loose green wire that, when touched to the key, will produce a sound.  None of the gauges on the dashboard work and the front seat is only partially attached to the floorboard of the van. 
 

On top of all this, Pastor drives this van every school day for around 4-5 hours as he picks up and drops off the younger children in shifts.  Yesterday, Kelly and I woke up at 5:30am and rode with him on the route.  By the end of the first trip we had 33 children and 5 adults in the vehicle.  It seats 14 passengers comfortably and safely.  There is a great need here.  Several days this past week the van was in the shop for repairs.  When it is gone the team has to catch a local bus (no big deal), but the children take motorcycles home.  This is not safe and it’s certainly not acceptable. 
 
What I have seen and experienced in the past few weeks gives me confidence to tell you, my readers at home in America, that I fully support this ministry.  I have no qualms or misgivings about advocating for new used vans (two will cut down on travel time and assure the kids arrive to school on time), because I know Joseph and Frieda and I know they are good stewards of what the Lord provides. 
 
For two decent used vans it will cost $20,000 USD.  The Lord will provide it because he is faithful and answers when his people are in need.  If you are willing to be part of that answer and bless the children of Champions Christian Primary School, I encourage you to pray and to give.  Please check out the video below as well.  It's got some pretty hilarious footage and you'll get a chance to listen to Pastor's heart too.   

Some cute kiddos on the ride to school one day.

To give by check:

Make checks payable to Adventures in Missions with the accounting code 11WR0702MP  included in the memo line.  Without the accounting code they will not be designated to Champions School!  Checks should be mailed to:

Adventures in Missions
PO Box 534470
Gainesville, GA 30353-4470