Hope is revolutionary. In East Africa, it is important to have hope, especially if you don’t know when you will have a healthy meal or clean water for bathing. Some regions of East Africa are more habitable than others. The rural villages can sometimes be the most challenging places to reside.
What do the villagers and other impoverished communities do when the well runs dry (literally)? They lean on each other and stand together as one people. They embrace community. They innovate and work together to make it through the critical times.
“If you wish to move mountains tomorrow, you must start by lifting stones today,” African Proverb.
As missionaries to East Africa, we are witnesses of the remarkable ways God is moving to empower the people He dearly loves, the East Africans. There are three notable areas we would like to highlight today:
1. A Growing Church
Broadening Faith
The Gospel radiates when believers share their testimonies. As East Africans spread the good news of salvation to other East Africans, comprehensive change occurs. Hope springs and life thrives.
Our African brothers and sisters live rather selflessly. They see that their place in the world is as ambassadors of God and beacons to those around them. This mindset allows innovation to take hold and lasting change to occur.
The anchor is the Creator of all things. That Creator loves to make all things new.
Did you know that revival is taking place in parts of Africa? Prayer, faith, and unity have brought this miraculous growing spark to fruition.
Unified Leadership
Our pastoral friends in East Africa have been carving out times to gather together and pray. These gatherings are meant to unify the Body of Christ. By joining together, mountains are crumbling. Unity is a powerful weapon.
Jesus taught us the importance of unity. He asked the Father to help us be unified,
John 17:23 “I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”
2. Practical Training
Our ministries are making great progress in education. Leadership schools are helping individuals learn how to best serve their people through ministry, medicine, teaching, and other specific areas of focus.
One of the most practical and affordable methods of empowerment is trade skill training. Skill training is a powerful vehicle of change. Trade jobs are positively impacting the economy and living conditions for East Africans. Some examples of trade skills are sewing, contracting, auto and motorcycle repair, building, painting, woodworking, and so forth.
Our ministries are working hard to train and raise up skilled leaders. As a result, individuals are empowered and communities are enriched. We at I AM Provision Ministries are investing into these pursuits. We see much potential through education.
3. Self-Sustainment
Finally, we want to shine the spotlight on the importance of self-sufficiency in East Africa. When people are able to be self-reliant, dignity shines in their hearts.
In East Africa, clean water initiatives are keeping people alive but there is much work to be done. Many villages are in need of clean water for bathing and drinking. Churches are working tirelessly to increase the availability of clean water for their villages and neighboring ones. It goes without saying that this is an absolute priority for missionaries.
Medical clinics are not prevalent and need to increase in number and quality. Medical practitioners, including dental specialists, are needed and are being educated locally. We have been supporting our ministries as they endeavor to raise up leaders, educators, and others who commit to serve their villages and cities.
It is a good thing for countries to invest in their own people and resources. Who could know the needs and history quite like the indigenous of the land.
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