missions.....

Give me ears to hear Your Spirit

Give me feet to follow through

Give me hands to touch the hurting
And the faith to follow You
Give me grace to be a servant
Give me mercy for the lost
Give me passion for Your glory
Give me passion for the cross

(Steve Green)

Tupende Wazee (Love our Seniors) is a 70+ group, who have been abandoned by their family members. Civil unrest has caused them to leave their ecosystems and lifestyles in the villages, leading to instability. There is no system in place to offer support. 

This program has been running since 2019, offering psychological support, therapy, and Agape meals. 

The Democratic Republic of Congo is rich in culture. We also connect them with the orphans supported by the church. Orphaned children can become disconnected from some wonderful traditions. We bring the two groups together and the children hear the stories from the 'grandmothers'. The children discover grandmas who pray for them and care about them as only a grandma can!

Through these activities we have seen lives transformed, health restored, and great joy as they flourish in a supportive community!

 

 We have been out visiting many churches. Please let us know if you would like to be on that list?

I think you can add your comment in the comment field offered below each post?

Thank you for being such supportive friends!

There has been considerable progress since my last post. The first group in UZIMA is about to graduate! They have learned valuable sewing skills and are preparing to use their new abilities to support themselves. Can you imagine what that will mean to them?

Tupende Wazee, our seniors' support has seen an upgrade. The women were challenged to navigate the steps up into the meeting room.

a few of them could not make it at all. They remained downstairs trying to listen from there. 

We were able to add support rails for the steps;

a few months later, we were able to rent the ground floor room so all can gather in one space. Here is the latest report received;

- we have seen lives changed dramatically through this program.

- we have seen seniors that now know how to live in society

- we have seen reconciliation with their family members 

- we are seeing a renewal of strength and hope in the group

- they are saying they are now living a full life

We thank God for the privilege of coming alongside these courageous seniors to address some of their ongoing issues and restore HOPE in their lives! ( why is hope such a powerful word? Hope has moved people out of untenable situations into better lives, and has helped humans stay alive)

All of YOU have made this possible! Thank you for caring. I hope you recognize the great effect you are having on the lives of these forgotten members of society.

May the God of hope and faith be with you in 2023! He is before us, behind us, and beside us. May He move us toward that which will bring us closer to Him.

 

UZIMA SEWING CENTRE.....

On June 1st, 2022, a new program of TBA called Uzima Center (LIFE) was initiated with plans to provide vocational training.

The training began with the teaching of sewing that aims to transform and empower vulnerable individuals.

We decided to give priority to orphan children who have graduated from the childcare sponsorship program.

Upon completion of the project, they will be able to use this marketable skill to provide for their own basic amenities. Thereby providing, with dignity, for their basic amenities in the future.

The program is a FIVE-YEAR PLAN to train fifty vulnerable people as a beacon of hope in the fight against poverty.

June 1st, 2022, the first group entered the program. They had no sewing skills, and had not used sewing machines before. Surprised by seeing new machines, their faces lit up and they began expressing their joy in having this opportunity. 

A successful story;

“S” is a 22 year old woman. Her mom was kidnapped and held in the jungles for months, being raped by rebels. As a child, she was orphaned and came into care through a child sponsorship program. At age 18, the program was completed, but she was still an orphan with no means of obtaining even basic amenities.

When she entered the Centre, she burst into tears and expressed herself by clapping and jumping. She said: “I am so happy my sewing class begins today; I can’t wait to sew my own dress!”

S has a big dream of becoming a great tailor in her village.

After two months, S made her first dress!

We are so excited to hear this report!

We praise God for her and for her instructors! 

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PRAY WITH US!

 We face a humanity that is too precious to neglect. We know a remedy for the ills of the world too wonderful to withhold. We have a Christ too glorious to hide. We have an adventure that is too thrilling to miss. 

~ Theodore Williams

Introducing UZIMA (LIFE) CENTRE

God encourages us to respond to all people in need regardless of race, religion, or national origin.

Together Building Africa seeks to create change.

Our goal is to assist sexually victimized and destitute women and girls, and those with disabilities.

Congo has no factories to produce ready-made clothing. 

UZIMA (Swahili for ‘LIFE’) SEWING CENTRE….will teach tailoring, an essential skill that will provide basic amenities and relief from absolute poverty.

We have purchased a few hand-turned and treadle sewing machines (power is unreliable).

At UZIMA SEWING CENTRE, they will be taught how to use the machines to cut and create garments.

After this training, they will apprentice for 2 months with an experienced tailor.

Upon completion of the training, we would like to see each student receive a sewing machine. Then we would send them out in groups of 4 to begin small businesses.

For some physically challenged individuals, this will provide them with dignity in the pursuit of basic amenities to live. It will also equip them with practical tools that will enable them to live up to their full potential.

Following a micro-finance model, the graduates will pay small sums back into the program for future students.

Dependence on external funding will be gradually reduced as the centre becomes more self-reliant.