As many of you know, I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Uganda over the Christmas break and during J Term.\u00a0 I was part of a group of students, alumni, and parents that participated in “partnership strengthening” along with Hope Christian School, in Masaka, Uganda.\u00a0 In a word, the trip was absolutely AMAZING!\u00a0 I believe that the Lord was glorified and that our two schools were blessed in several ways.<\/p>\n
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Joy quickly became a theme of our trip.\u00a0 It seemed like every school, church, and group that we visited sang, “This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it”.\u00a0 The students, teachers, and individuals didn’t just say the words, but it was very apparent that they truly believed and trusted that this promise was really true.\u00a0 I cannot begin to express how sincerely joyful the people of Hope Christian School are!\u00a0 They overwhelmed us with their thankfulness and their hospitality.\u00a0 Through their joy and thankfulness, they testified how rich in Christ they really are!\u00a0 I don\u2019t believe there has ever been such an extended period of time in my life that has been characterized by joy, sincere thankfulness, and generous hospitality.<\/p>\n
I could also characterize our trip as a strengthening exercise in several key areas.\u00a0 As a group, we were able to paint the entire campus of Hope Christian School.\u00a0 We were able to complete their new pit latrine to help with some of the sanitation needs of their students.\u00a0 We conducted a Vacation Bible School program for their students as well as ministered in several churches.\u00a0 I had the unique opportunity to conduct three days of teacher workshops for the faculty of Hope Christian School.\u00a0 Personally, one of the true blessings that I received was to spend some focused time with our students.\u00a0 It was great to share time together along with the opportunity to have devotions together, work together, and just have fun together.<\/p>\n
I came away from the trip thinking, \u201cWhat\u2019s next\u201d?\u00a0 To balance the various overall goals and initiatives of Faith Christian School with the partnering opportunity of Hope Christian School likely will be challenging.\u00a0 Some of the unique future opportunities may include the following:\u00a0\u00a0 Provide scholarships for Ugandan students to attend Hope Christian School;\u00a0 start a teacher exchange program with FCS teachers traveling to\u00a0 Hope Christian School for several weeks in the summer and helping them in a variety of ways;\u00a0 hosting Hope Christian School leaders at various conferences and training opportunities that might occur here at Faith;\u00a0 and continue to take J Term trips every 2 \u2013 3 years to continue the investment in this wonderful ministry.\u00a0 I believe that Hope Christian School is also looking forward to the future.\u00a0 I want to share an excerpt from an e-mail that I received from their director at Hope Secondary School. He says,\u00a0\u201cI am convinced that the J Term Trip provided\u00a0 the key to unlock the door, to understand the world, the people in other lands, challenges facing Ugandans, appreciate God’s diversity and\u00a0 feel challenged on how to find solutions.\u00a0 God has blessed us\u00a0 with almost everything\u00a0 except that we just have an empty tank that requires only a little fuel and we shall move from where we are.\u00a0 Through the partnership of Faith Christian School and Hope Christian school, together we can rise up to the\u00a0 tasks lying before us, demonstrate love,\u00a0 and respond in\u00a0 creative and meaningful ways to the challenges that plague Uganda. Eccles 4:9-10\u00a0\u00a0 With God’s divine leading and provision we can together enhance the Father’s Kingdom\u00a0 on Earth as we prepare the next Generation for Him.\u201d<\/p>\n
We have the amazing opportunity in that we serve the one, true God \u2013 the God of the nations!\u00a0 Please join us\u00a0in praying for Hope Christian School and the future partnership with Faith Christian School.\u00a0 If you have ideas or suggestions in this partnership, I would be very interested in discussing these with you, and I look forward to the future opportunities that the Lord will provide each of us.<\/p>\n
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