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Wednesday, February 22, 2012
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Welcome to the inaugural issue of the ekissa newsletter! We have launched this newsletter, to be published monthly, that will feature news, updates, stories from Uganda, and information about ekissa. The impetus of this newsletter is to communicate effectively with you on a regular basis to keep you informed about the life of this exciting ministry! You are receiving this newsletter because you have prayed for, donated to, or supported mission trips to Uganda through ekissa.
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Introduction to ekissa
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If you are reading this newsletter, you’ve likely heard of the ministry of ekissa (pronounced etch'-uh-sa), which translates “mercy” in Luganda, the native language in Uganda, Africa. ekissa is a not-for-profit corporation, born out of a compelling and urgent need of community outreach. Recently, ekissa has entered into partnership with Gaba Community Church of Kampala, Uganda, focusing on the holistic needs of the people in Bweya Village. Bweya is void of any evangelical churches. Through this partnership ekissa was born. 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.
Our mission is to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ commanded to accomplish the Great Commission (Matthew 28), to reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and to guard against corruption from the Godless world (James 1:27). Our vision is that ekissa will become the church that provides a hub of care to foster relationships, to promote restoration to Jesus Christ, and to advance reconciliation of community.
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Matthew 28: 18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
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What's in a name?
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We’d like to announce the name of our newsletter…um…oh wait…we don’t have a name! Instead, we’d like to announce a Name the Newsletter Contest! We need your help in coming up with a name for our newly-created ekissa newsletter. Anyone can submit a suggestion, and each person can submit an unlimited number of entries. Click here to email your suggestions by September 1. The winner will be announced in the September newsletter and will receive an ekissa t-shirt as the grand prize (as well as bragging rights, of course!).
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Thank you for your support!
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Whether you have prayed for ekissa, sent a loved one on a mission trip, given supplies for the people of Uganda, or donated your time or money, we want to say THANK YOU! ekissa incorporated in November of 2009 (9 months ago).
With your prayer and financial support, ekissa has sent a total of 31 individuals over the past 12 months on mission to Uganda and raised money for one acre of land in Bweya Village for the site of a future Christian church. We look forward to more opportunities in Uganda, through the purchase of two additional acres of land, as well as buildings for the church, a school, a medical clinic, and an orphanage.
Please continue to pray as we serve the people of Bweya Village and as God expands this ministry.
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Partners with a Purpose
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ekissa partners with many organizations around the world for the purpose of mobilizing the people of God and maximizing gifts and talents OF His people FOR His people! Each month we will highlight a “Partner with a Purpose” and this month’s partner is Hip Chics Boutique in Clemmons, NC. We would like to thank owner, Kristina Prysiazniuk for being a ministry partner of ekissa. Hip Chics Boutique sells hand-made jewelry, made by the widows of Uganda. Purchasing their jewelry supports the livelihood of the widows we're ministering to. "Purchase with a purpose" by shopping at Hip Chics Boutique.
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The Lord's Land
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The creation of ekissa was the answer to God’s call on the lives of several individuals to be the church in Bweya Village, Uganda. Since its inception, ekissa has sent multiple mission teams into Bweya Village to minister, serve, and better understand the needs of this poverty stricken village. A community survey was conducted and ekissa teams spent hours with residents of Bweya to ask about their personal and community needs. The answers were consistent….We need a Christian Church!
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After an 8-month search, ekissa found land that would serve as the site for the new Bweya Community Churchand raised the money needed for its purchase. The mission team headed to Uganda this past May couldn’t wait to see the land and finalize the transaction. When our team arrived at the land site we were pleased to find surveyors already working to get the specification of our land. Our excitement quickly turned to devastation when we learned that the surveyors were working for another owner that had purchased the land out from under us prior to our arrival.
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We could not believe what we were hearing. All the prayers and all the confirmation we had received from God about the purchase of land….how could this be??? But our God is so faithful. The “messenger” with the news about our land turned out to be God’s chosen “messenger”. During this moment, God showed us his promise of Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”. This “messenger”, Mr. Robert Nsubuga inquired about our intentions in Bweya and why we were looking to purchase land. When we told him our story his face lit up with a smile that literally stretched ear to ear. He owned 3 acres of land that he has just recently decided to sell. He told us that he and his family were Christ followers and he could think of no better purpose for the use of his land. We followed Robert to see the land and were speechless at what we saw….3 absolutely beautiful acres of land on Lake Victoria closer to the heart of the village than the original site. We spent the whole next day with Mr. Robert, his parents and his family. We were overjoyed as we learned more about them and their love for the Lord. We are still praising the Lord for his provision which is truly exceeding abundantly above what we had imagined!!
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Coming Events
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Friday, August 20 Building Blocks for Bweya Rally & Fundraiser 6:30-8:30pm Hillsdale UMC Advance, NC
We invite you to hear an unforgettable and compelling story of God’s grace and redemption forgotten growing up in country marked by famine, war, poverty, disease and death. Guest speaker, Pastor Alex Mutagubya, visiting from Gaba Community Church Kampala, Uganda Africa. Tickets are $15 in advance and include authentic Ugandan dinner, entertainment and testimony. RSVP to Sherry Olivier at 336-441-5387
Thursday, October 14 Building Blocks for Bweya Rally & Fundraiser (more information TBA)
January 2-11 Mwangaza African Children’s Choir (times and locations TBA)
ekissa is host and coordinating ministry to the 2011 Mwangaza African children's Choir. "Mwangaza" is the Swahili word for “shining light.” The Mwangaza Children’s Choir is dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through song, dance, and testimony. The group, based in Ggaba, Uganda, East Africa, tours on behalf of Africa Renewal Ministries (ARM) to raise money for schools and orphanages. Mwangaza has performed at international meetings of Compassion International and World Vision, for the President of Uganda, and at the 2004 Dove Awards. They have also recorded with both Michael W. Smith and Nicole C. Mullen on their past CD projects.
Anyone interested in having the children's choir sing at their church/ community event, OR anyone interested in hosting a couple of the choir members in their home, please click here to email Michelle Speas or call 336.413.3743.
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Prayer requests and wish list
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Each month, we want to keep you involved in the ministry of ekissa and what our prayer and other needs may be. We ask that you please pray for this ministry and give however you feel led.
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Prayer Requests:
- Pray for monetary funds to purchase two additional acres of land in Bweya Village ($30k/acre) as well as the funds to build a Christian Church on the first acre of land (approximately $30k)
- Pray for Sarah Ledford and David Smith as they travel to Uganda in September with the purpose of meeting the appointed pastor for the new church, as well as meeting with the Ugandan partners to work on the logistics and details of the land development.
- Pray for the upcoming "Building Blocks for Bweya" fundraiser on August 20 in Advance at Hillsdale United Methodist Church.
- Pray for ekissa as we partner with African Renewal Ministry to bring the Mwangaza African Children’s Choir to the United States for the 6-month east coast tour.
- Pray for a monthly donor/ donors such that the daily ministry of ekissa can be sustained.
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Volunteer Opportunities
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We are always looking for a “few good men (and women!)” to volunteer to help with ekissa, whether it be on a permanent or ad hoc basis. If you are interested, please click here to email Sarah Ledford.
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ekissa is a 501(c)(3) organization. All tax-deductible charitable contributions can be sent to: ekissa, P.O. Box 370, Clemmons, NC 27012.
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