In 1996, Sarah Ledford, a stay-at-home mom, living in North Carolina in the United States, felt the call to orphan care following a week-long revival where she heard a pastor from South Africa.
Following many years of prayer, Sarah and her husband, Chuck, felt called by God to adopt internationally from China. Their first adoption took place in 2002 and then a second adoption from China in 2005.
During the years between adoptions, Sarah wrote and had published a series of childrens books, The Brown-Eyed Girl books. These books loosely chronicle her family’s adoption experience. All of the proceeds from the sale of these books have gone to support orphans in need of medical surgeries through Love Without Boundaries. Thanks to the generous people who have purchased these books, many children have had corrective surgeries, been adopted and placed with their “forever families”.
In 2007, Sarah received a call from the Lord to begin working with orphans in Africa. Following this calling, through much prayer, she began networking and connecting with interested individuals as well as ministries, both domestically and in Uganda, East Africa.
In 2008, Sarah began planning and training her first mission team bound for Uganda. The result of that was the leading of a mission team on a “vision” trip. This “vision trip” in May of 2009 introduced Sarah and the team to a cross section of orphan care ministries in Kampala (the capital of Uganda) as well as in Jinga, Soroti and the Wera districts of Northern Uganda. The team visited a small village, Bweya Village, and met the children at a local orphanage. During this trip the ministry of ekissa was realized.
In September 2009, ekissa led a large mission team to Uganda for Child Evangelism (Vacation Bible Schoool) in Bweya and God solidified the calling to establish the ministry of ekissa. Relationships were established with Pastor Peter Kasirivu of Ggaba Community Church in order to collaborate and engage in ministry together for the purpose of planting a church in Bweya Village, Uganda. A model was established to have the church plant in Bweya act as "base of operations" for the ministry of ekissa. In late 2009, ekissa was registered and received the North Carolina Letter of Incorporation.
In February 2010, ekissa led a "vision trip" for Upward Sports International to initiate a relationship between Upward and Gaba Community Church. ekissa had strategic planning meetings with Gaba Community Church and members of Africa Renewal Ministries (ARM). ekissa led a large team in May 2010 for Child Evangelism (VBS) in Bweya and met landowner, Robert Nsubuga. We met with his family who owned lake front property on Lake Victoria in Bweya Village. We shared of the plans for the church plant and the creation of a "hub of care" for the village. They extended their blessing on the ministry of ekissa there in Bweya and offered ekissa the opportunity to purchase the land for the church plant. ekissa prayerfully stepped out in faith and committed to raising $90,000 in 7 months...and the Lord was faithful to provide!
In Aug 2010 ekissa received its "tax exempt" status and officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry!
In December 2010, Ggaba Community Church appointed Pastor Robert Logoloobi to establish and serve as pastor of the church plant in Bweya. We met Robert and spent time praying, dreaming and planning the outreach of the new church. The first official church service was held after we were egaged in door-to-door evangelism. Pastor Robert rented an old chicken coop to establish the church location. During this time, ekissa was introduced to Moses Ssebaggala, the Director of Bweya Children's Home in order to learn more about the needs of the children in Bweya.
In June 2010, ekissa led a large mission team to hold our first medical clinic. We set up the medical clinic at Bweya Childrens Home to see as many patients as we could in two days. The medical team saw about 300 patients and had to turn many adults away the second day in order to get all of the children seen. At a temporary church location, the team participated in Child evangelism (VBS). The team also dispursed through the village to do some door-to-door evangelism and community beautification where we burned trash for "the glory of the Lord", per Pastor Robert! At the temporary church location, ekissa hosted the first Community Health Education Clinic. The education was delivered by a local indigenous organization called Babyfood Network. They educated ladies in the village about the healthy way and reasons for breastfeeding and good nutrition. The team participated in a grand land celebration of the 3 acre tract of land, dedicating the land to the glory of the Lord and for the future site of the Bweya Community Church. We were able to worship with the new congregation which had grown significantly since the first service only 6 months prior.
It is our prayer that as we seek to meet the physical needs of Bweya Village, that these oppressed people would find true freedom in Christ.