Our last night in Kampala seems to have come quickly, but at the same time we seem to have been here a long time. We’re all looking forward to seeing family and friends. It has been an amazing two weeks. We have spent time with people we have come to love, met new friends and seen new opportunities. We set out to “spend” ourselves on others for two weeks. We have done that, but in God’s amazing economy we have received so much. We will never forget how welcomed and blessed we have been by the people of Arua and Kampala. Many have nothing to give except their hospitality, warmth and friendship. We have experienced nothing but kindness, gentleness and love. It is wonderful to be with brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of location, race or economic circumstance. There is an instant bond that transcends the purely human experience. The Holy Spirit binds us together in ways that are truly mysterious. We have ministered to so many; we have come with ideas, hope and love, yet we ourselves have been changed perhaps most of all.
As Westerners we ask ourselves the question: Have we achieved anything? Time will tell, but we are optimistic about the future.
In Arua, a large group of Christian business men and women took two days to listen, discuss and understand the ideas we were bringing. We offered a higher vision for work - a calling if you will - to “love our neighbor as ourselves” in practical ways of developing the local economy by growing sustainable businesses that would generate income for the people of Arua; this would also fulfill the command we have to be stewards of God’s creation. We identified that the current businesses did not reflect some considerable competitive advantages that Arua has as a town. We also saw that there are business opportunities that capture more of the value chain and therefore deliver greater economic potential to Arua. For example, we asked why bricks are being transported over 500Km from Arua at incredible cost? We also looked at Arua’s assets and tried to match them to the opportunities. As a result of our work, a Christian Business Forum has been established to take this vision and make it a reality.
In Kampala, we spent days with our friends at Jesus Commissioned Ministries and tried to understand their circumstances and how best to try to help them grow their school. The visits to the local neighborhood were eye opening. We were invited into homes no more than 75 sq. feet in size, some in total darkness. For some the school will be the only way out of this life. What would Jesus do? The investments made to date have had incredible impact, and there is the opportunity for more. However we need to be careful to keep the local people involved. There is a tendency for them to pull back and expect the Muzungu to provide for everything. We have agreed on a new strategy for the school which might allow it to be sustainable and even had the opportunity to speak before the parents. But there is much to be done and they will need to be sustained by the Holy Spirit.
But maybe the question: “Have we achieved anything?” is the wrong question. Perhaps the right question is: “How did the Lord use our trip?”
It is hard not to think of the worship services we helped lead. In small brick buildings, under trees beside mud huts, in wooden buildings with sheet metal roofs God’s people meet every Sunday to worship. And worship they do! This is the highlight of most people’s weeks. They are in no hurry to leave - some pray all night before - then dressed in their best clothes they sing, dance and cry out in pure joy to our Father. How much the church in America could learn from these poor and humble people. The ability to teach was an absolute privilege. Whether providing testimonies, teaching Bible studies and Sunday School, or bringing the sermon, we were able to serve and challenge in ways they deeply appreciated. In Nebbi, I had to wait for 2 hours for my ride to pick me up. My church sat with me - it would be impolite for them to do anything else. The Lord used the time as, slowly at first, they asked me questions that they had about the Bible, questions about food and prophecy among others. Believers reasoning together - anxious to know the whole Word of God and its meaning.
It is also impossible not to think of the way people told us how we were encouraging them - just by being there and caring for them. They understand the notion of spending themselves, and they expressed deep gratitude that we would do so on their behalf. They saw the love of Jesus in us - a love that only Jesus himself was able to give us to share. None of this was done in our own strength, just Jesus using us to minister to his people. What a blessing and privilege to be used by the God of the universe in this way!
In Arua I was given two African names - Ayiko, which means “full of happiness” and Kisa, which means “merciful”. I cherish the gift of these names and thank God for them.
In this life, none of us know the full extent of the impact that we have as we are obedient to God’s calling on our life. We simply pray that God would be glorified in everything we have done and that he would use our endeavors for his own perfect purposes.
Finally, to let you all know that we have felt lifted in prayer by you all in such a powerful way. So many times we needed God to intervene on our behalf, and each time he has done so. We thank God for his mercies and you for your faithfulness to us all.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
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The Genesis of the 5810 Project
Vision
When Jesus was asked what was the most important command he answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your heart and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments”
As a follower of Jesus, it is challenging to obey these commands, particularly with regard to my neighbors.
How can I love my neighbors? How can I love my neighbors in a global context? How can I love my neighbors who are struggling to thrive in developing countries?
The classic response of western Christians has been to “send”. Whether we send those that have been called to vocational ministry, or send money and resources to “give to the poor”, or occasionally send ourselves on short-term missions trips. Each of these has value, but is this enough? Is it effective? Is it all that God calls us to?
The questions become more complex when you consider that no matter how much money we have spent on the “war on poverty” over decades, the problem remains as acute as ever. We are not winning the war, even here in the US. Are there other approaches?
As I struggled with these ideas, I was led to consider Isaiah Chapter 58. Here God tells us what true fasting is – to loose the chains of injustice; to set the oppressed free; to share food with the hungry; and to provide the poor with shelter. Then verse 10 says “…if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed then your light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like the noonday.”
“If you spend yourselves in behalf of others …….”
While we should send, we need to spend too.
What does it look like to spend ourselves?
For me I have been led to spend myself as follows:
• To go to a developing country, and to go repeatedly.
• To develop personal relationships with innovative leaders
• To use my own specific gifting and experience in business
• To find ways to move people out of the poverty cycle on a sustainable basis
• To invest money in parallel with my activities
• To share the love of Christ with my neighbor and to spend myself on their behalf.
5810 Project
The 5810 Project is predicated on the belief that while “teaching a man to fish” will provide him with a fish diet for a lifetime, it will not lead him out of poverty. To escape poverty people need to develop sustainable business activities. The 5810 Project’s vision is to provide an opportunity for business people from developed countries to share the love of Christ with their neighbor by “spending” themselves on behalf of others who are trying to build businesses and break the poverty cycle.
The 5810 Project is currently focused on two principal activities in Uganda.
Arua
Arua is a significant market town in the NW of Uganda, with Sudan to the north and Congo to the West. It is an agricultural market town that has grown because of government and NGO activity primarily in S. Sudan, but now increasingly in E. Congo. While the town has prospered and grown, the native Aruans have not enjoyed this economic boon.
Our efforts in Arua are centered on helping the church and Christian business people develop sustainable businesses.
We work with businesspeople to analyze the market situation in Arua, to offer training sessions, to encourage and mentor entrpreneurs and to invest in their businesses.
Kampala
Jesus Commissioned Ministries (“JCM”) is a church founded in 2000 serving three poor communities on the outskirts of Kampala. The leadership of JCM has a heart to reach the many underprivileged children in the communities it serves. Without education, there is little hope for these children to thrive. While education is available, the costs are prohibitive for most families. JCM has established Mercy Junior School (elementary) for these children. In addition to education, the children receive uniforms, food and school materials. The school currently has over 50 pupils in two Pre-K classes and Primary 1 (P1)and Primary 2 (p2) and is building classrooms for P3,4 & 5 for completion in the spring of 2011.
The 5810 Project has helped Mercy Junior School develop its rudimentary facilities and to buy a neighboring plot of land for expansion. We also advise the administrators of the school on business and education practices and have steered them through a process of becoming a fee-baseda significant drive to parent involvement and elevated educational standards and outcomes.
Opportunity
We believe that the 5810 Project offers a significant opportunity for the body of Christ:
• Grass roots opportunity to create sustainable businesses and deliver families and communities out of the oppression of poverty.
• Many business opportunities are apparent with relatively small investment levels necessary.
• Opportunities for talented business people to connect personally with emerging entrepreneurs and spend themselves on them.
• Opportunity for the body of Christ in the developed world to share the love of Christ with our neighbors in developing countries.
• Transformational impact on the “spender” and recipient alike!
If you would like to discuss this further, please contact me Andy Mills at amills@tkc.edu
When Jesus was asked what was the most important command he answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your heart and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments”
As a follower of Jesus, it is challenging to obey these commands, particularly with regard to my neighbors.
How can I love my neighbors? How can I love my neighbors in a global context? How can I love my neighbors who are struggling to thrive in developing countries?
The classic response of western Christians has been to “send”. Whether we send those that have been called to vocational ministry, or send money and resources to “give to the poor”, or occasionally send ourselves on short-term missions trips. Each of these has value, but is this enough? Is it effective? Is it all that God calls us to?
The questions become more complex when you consider that no matter how much money we have spent on the “war on poverty” over decades, the problem remains as acute as ever. We are not winning the war, even here in the US. Are there other approaches?
As I struggled with these ideas, I was led to consider Isaiah Chapter 58. Here God tells us what true fasting is – to loose the chains of injustice; to set the oppressed free; to share food with the hungry; and to provide the poor with shelter. Then verse 10 says “…if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed then your light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like the noonday.”
“If you spend yourselves in behalf of others …….”
While we should send, we need to spend too.
What does it look like to spend ourselves?
For me I have been led to spend myself as follows:
• To go to a developing country, and to go repeatedly.
• To develop personal relationships with innovative leaders
• To use my own specific gifting and experience in business
• To find ways to move people out of the poverty cycle on a sustainable basis
• To invest money in parallel with my activities
• To share the love of Christ with my neighbor and to spend myself on their behalf.
5810 Project
The 5810 Project is predicated on the belief that while “teaching a man to fish” will provide him with a fish diet for a lifetime, it will not lead him out of poverty. To escape poverty people need to develop sustainable business activities. The 5810 Project’s vision is to provide an opportunity for business people from developed countries to share the love of Christ with their neighbor by “spending” themselves on behalf of others who are trying to build businesses and break the poverty cycle.
The 5810 Project is currently focused on two principal activities in Uganda.
Arua
Arua is a significant market town in the NW of Uganda, with Sudan to the north and Congo to the West. It is an agricultural market town that has grown because of government and NGO activity primarily in S. Sudan, but now increasingly in E. Congo. While the town has prospered and grown, the native Aruans have not enjoyed this economic boon.
Our efforts in Arua are centered on helping the church and Christian business people develop sustainable businesses.
We work with businesspeople to analyze the market situation in Arua, to offer training sessions, to encourage and mentor entrpreneurs and to invest in their businesses.
Kampala
Jesus Commissioned Ministries (“JCM”) is a church founded in 2000 serving three poor communities on the outskirts of Kampala. The leadership of JCM has a heart to reach the many underprivileged children in the communities it serves. Without education, there is little hope for these children to thrive. While education is available, the costs are prohibitive for most families. JCM has established Mercy Junior School (elementary) for these children. In addition to education, the children receive uniforms, food and school materials. The school currently has over 50 pupils in two Pre-K classes and Primary 1 (P1)and Primary 2 (p2) and is building classrooms for P3,4 & 5 for completion in the spring of 2011.
The 5810 Project has helped Mercy Junior School develop its rudimentary facilities and to buy a neighboring plot of land for expansion. We also advise the administrators of the school on business and education practices and have steered them through a process of becoming a fee-baseda significant drive to parent involvement and elevated educational standards and outcomes.
Opportunity
We believe that the 5810 Project offers a significant opportunity for the body of Christ:
• Grass roots opportunity to create sustainable businesses and deliver families and communities out of the oppression of poverty.
• Many business opportunities are apparent with relatively small investment levels necessary.
• Opportunities for talented business people to connect personally with emerging entrepreneurs and spend themselves on them.
• Opportunity for the body of Christ in the developed world to share the love of Christ with our neighbors in developing countries.
• Transformational impact on the “spender” and recipient alike!
If you would like to discuss this further, please contact me Andy Mills at amills@tkc.edu
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