Hallelujah...and our friend Ezra — September 8
Robert Schuller said, "If you can dream it, you can do it. It's all about the possibilities. You can go anywhere from nowhere."
Our dream, our vision, for the people of Africa has been to bring forth positive and sustainable change along with the eradication of poverty... to create dynamic and vibrant livelihoods and foster Independence. There have surely been challenges we have needed to overcome over the past year for One City in Uganda, but we don't dwell on that. We keep looking forward!
And now, an important part of that dream has been realized. After one year of negotiations, prayer, a bit of frustration, but a lot of hope, the district government has signed the lease papers for the 23 acres of land thatOCM's Light Village will be built on!
THAT'S a hallelujah!
This is quite significant because this land, located in Lukhonge, is part of a 70 acre tract that is owned by the Central government and used for agricultural training and environmental research. A highly prized and very important tract of land for them. Turning it over to One City is a real vote of confidence and a strong endorsement of our mission here.
We wanted to share this great news with you all because we know so many of you have been partners with us, praying and hoping! And while this is awesome news, let us share how wondrous and extraordinary God is.
There were months and months of frustration over this land. Being American, and having been in the business world for lots of years, we had a time table in our heads in which to wrap up this land deal. (and that was a long time ago!) We have to be honest and say that there were days we thought about pulling out and looking for land somewhere else. We were eager to begin construction of the life-changing village. But we were also pretty certain that the Lukhonge land was right where God wanted the Light Village.
One of the high ranking village pastors, James Tukole, felt called to recruit and engage intercessory prayer teams from all over the district in 40 days of prayer and fasting over the land deal. They were amazing...and so disciplined...and so sacrificial.
The last day of their fasting was the 29th of July. They trekked to one of the mountaintops and spent the day communing with God. The 30th of July was the third anniversary of our son Sean passing...and on THAT day suddenly, after the fasting, and after a year of no movement, the government officials all got together and signed the land agreement.
Another hallelujah!
And we believe that was God whispering to us that we are right where He wants us, and He's got us covered.
Our approach to eradicating poverty is holistic; training, education, business opportunities. No handouts, but a helping hand. We are committed through God's help and guidance to leaving a positive footprint on this global city-making a difference for eternity.
The commencement of construction of this model Light Village Project is January. The village, which will be an example throughout the country, will house an orphanage, primary school, church, Level 4 health clinic, Artisan Training Center (Africa TrAID), Aquaponic Tilapia and Hydroponics farming, and Light Fuel...an alternative cooking fuel which will in turn save forests, prevent the deadly landslides taking place and alleviate respiratory illnesses and deaths.
This holistic approach will be a model for others to emulate the eradication of poverty and life changing improvements in the areas of health, education, spiritual growth, housing, and vocational training/entrepreneurial development.
Today, refreshingly, we're not asking you to dig deep into your pockets...or to dig at all! We're just sharing some amazing news. (though we would never refuse the much needed contributions to give this village a head start!)
sending love from Africa,
Mike and Deb
photos by Mike and Deb
"No one could make a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little." Edmund Burke
Ezra
Near and dear to our hearts is our little friend in Tampa. Ezra. You probably all know his story...his courageous and brave battle against Neuroblastoma. He's our little hero.
His parents, Robyn and Kyle Matthews are two of the most faithful, strong (and now a little tired) people we have ever met.
As Ezra's cancer has taken a different twist than any of us expected, we are calling out to all of you to join us in fervent prayer. We know it works. We see it here daily.
This young couple has a number of tough decisions to make and they could really use your prayers...and maybe a meal, or a housecleaning...or a date night!
Kyle's last Care Page update just yesterday was titled, 'Hit it as Hard as You Can'...he was speaking, I believe, about the chemotherapy and treatments, but I know they would also ask you to 'hit it as hard as you can' in prayer. We are expecting another of God's awesome hallelujahs!
Follow Ezra's journey at http://www.carepages.com/carepages/EzraMatthews/updates
