We feel that it is important that we relay to you information we have received regarding our Seeta Orphan village.
By requirement of the government, we have to put a layer of protection around the children. This means that we have to put up a fence that surrounds the perimeter of the village. Unfortunately, this must occur immediately. We are making a simple fence due of the lack of resources yet this will still cost us $15,000. We will be using standard treated wood with barbed wires that encloses the 35 acres in our village.
Today we started the process of building the fence with what little money we had available for this project. If you want to join us in building this fence then we would love for you to. Donate Here
We will be posting pictures of the progress on my facebook page if you would liek to keep up with them.
Because of Calvary,
Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Do Not Fear
I want to encourage you with this word during this time of uncertainty. The question I want to address today is: We all face fear in our daily living, but how do we overcome it?
Fear is a weapon that Satan uses to keep us in the cage, making us feel that we are safe. If you’re given the choice of being either safe or brave, what would you choose?
Humanly, we all want to feel safe in everything we do; unfortunately, safety is guaranteed in the cage where you’re “sealed off.” In order to touch your world and live your dreams, you will need step out of the cage of safety and take bold, brave steps of trusting God.
It is very simple to make fear-based decisions (the fear of tomorrow, of what could happen). We sometimes have fear of whether our children will grow to serve the Lord, fear of dying young, and fear of taking bold steps to do the uncomfortable though it is God’s will for us.
One wise man said if you want to overcome fear, you simply do what you fear and fear runs away. Fear cannot be ignored or co-habit with you. Fear demoralizes, fear haunts, and fear screams at every effort we gather to do anything great.
Don’t let fear keep you in the boat where there’s safety, Jesus is stretching out his hand and calling you to come out of the boat and walk on water with Him. In the next few issues, I will share with you a few steps you can take to overcome fear.
My dear partner, my prayer for you is that fear will be defeated in your life so you can enjoy the thrill of living by faith in Christ Jesus.
Because of Calvary,
Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Scripture Sundays: Christ has Risen!
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
“What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
“What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Luke 24
Because of Calvary,
Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries
Friday, April 22, 2011
God's Sacrifice
As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then “‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’
For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
Luke 23:26-56
Be encouraged,Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries
Thursday, April 21, 2011
"Egg"cellent News!
If you have been keeping up with our monthly newsletters, you have already heard by now that we have chickens in our village. They started as tiny chicks and have now grown to be full-size, egg-bearing hens, which was “egg”zactly our prayer for them. They are now producing many eggs, giving the children and moms in the village another variety of food to eat. Considering the “egg”cellent health benefits of this incredible, edible food, adding fresh eggs to their diets will help the children grown up healthy and strong. For “egg”zample, studies have shown that eggs are great for eye health, provide choline for brain and heart health, and nourish the body with protein, essential amino acids, healthy fat, and vitamin D. The healthy nutrients in eggs are no yolk! In addition to providing a healthy food source to add to the diets of the children and house moms, the chicken project has also been great for education. The children are eager to learn about chickens and eggs. They will read just about any book that has a chicken in it, which is “egg”citing news for their English reading instructors. Plus, they are learning the trade of raising chickens, which could be helpful in their adult life in both opening career options and feeding their families. After all, you can’t put all your eggs in one basket! There’s one thing for sure: if there was an “egg”xam, the children would all earn an A+. In many ways, the “egg”stra benefits of the chicken project, like being a learning tool, have been as rewarding as the healthy benefits. Primarily, the children are the ones who take care of the chickens, at their request. They feed, water, and clean after the chickens, but the most fun part is collecting the eggs. The children get giddy when they find that the number of eggs produced increases each week. They use their critical thinking to “egg”speriment with feeding times and partitions to see if it affects output and talk about what they can do “nest” time to help. Thank you to all who have donated to make the chicken project a success! What were once such tiny little birds are making a big difference in our children’s physical and mental growth! Well, that’s all yolks! :-) 
Because of Calvary,
Because of Calvary, Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Scripture Sundays: The Greatest Commandment
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
"The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
Mark 12:28-34
Because of Calvary,
Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries
Friday, April 15, 2011
Creating A Bond That Lasts Forever
I know that I have mentioned this before, but the letters written to your sponsored child create a special bond and a lasting impression on their lives. They cherish the letters they receive from you and truly feel they've been accepted as a part of your family. The letters make a difference in their lives beyond what you could imagine. Since often times you are unable to pack your bags and head to Uganda this is the only bond your child has with you, and they cherish that special bond created through letter writing.
I really want to encourage you to write your children as much as they write you if not more! If you have recently received a letter from your child I encourage you to take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to write back to them. Encourage them in their journey, commend them for their good works, share scriptures with them and talk about common interests between you. If you have yet to send a picture of you or your family, print some out and send them their way. How fun it will be for them to see the face behind those words, to know exaclty who is writing them and helping them to have a brighter future. So as an encouragement to you, I want you to see the words of our children so that you can know just how impactful your letters are.
"I was excited to see your photos and the rest of the family members. I am so glad to be a part of your own family."
"It will be fun hosting you and your parents next year. I am praying for you. I love you with all of my heart."
"Thank you for having a special place for me in your heart. Thank you for loving me and praying for me. I am so happy and excited most of the time because I know I have parents in America who love and care for me."
"Am so happy to hear from you. Thank you for appreciating the letter I wrote. I feel so blessed to be sponsored by you."
"Thank you for sending me pictures and writing a letter to me. I think about you all the time. I pray for you everyday."
"I am a God fearing person and you were given me by God, so I praise God for that. Thank you for making my future bright."
Because of Calvary,
Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries
I really want to encourage you to write your children as much as they write you if not more! If you have recently received a letter from your child I encourage you to take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to write back to them. Encourage them in their journey, commend them for their good works, share scriptures with them and talk about common interests between you. If you have yet to send a picture of you or your family, print some out and send them their way. How fun it will be for them to see the face behind those words, to know exaclty who is writing them and helping them to have a brighter future. So as an encouragement to you, I want you to see the words of our children so that you can know just how impactful your letters are.
"I was excited to see your photos and the rest of the family members. I am so glad to be a part of your own family."
"It will be fun hosting you and your parents next year. I am praying for you. I love you with all of my heart."
"Thank you for having a special place for me in your heart. Thank you for loving me and praying for me. I am so happy and excited most of the time because I know I have parents in America who love and care for me."
"Am so happy to hear from you. Thank you for appreciating the letter I wrote. I feel so blessed to be sponsored by you."
"Thank you for sending me pictures and writing a letter to me. I think about you all the time. I pray for you everyday."
"I am a God fearing person and you were given me by God, so I praise God for that. Thank you for making my future bright."
Because of Calvary,
Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Pray for Uganda!
I am writing to you today to ask you to please pray for our nation. We need to pray for peace over the people in Uganda so that transformation can continue to take place. We have had peace for many years now and we do not want this peace interrupted. I ask you to keep Uganda in your hearts and prayers over the next few days especially.
Because of Calvary,
Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries
Because of Calvary,
Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Visiting Sunday for Secondary Students
It is tradition at the secondary school campuses throughout Uganda to invite parents and guardians to visit their child at school and talk to their teachers about their child’s current areas of praise and improvement once each month, called Visiting Sunday. The support of family can really aid a child in being successful in boarding school. Just because our children don’t have parents to visit them does not mean that Visiting Sunday wasn’t special. On the contrary, our ministry goes above and beyond to treat our secondary students to a very exciting, fun, and encouraging Visiting Sunday. After all, we are one big family. Staff from the church, a few house moms, and volunteers from local universities planned Visiting Sundays for the children, from St. Lawrence (London College and Crown City) to St. John’s to Namilyango. Because Visiting Sundays vary from school to school, for these volunteers, these events are spread out through most of the month. We are so grateful for their service. One thing is a must when we visit: great food! The house moms got together at the Seeta orphan village to prepare a great meal to go. We delivered the food to the children, who were happy to have a reminiscent meal from the place they have called home for so many years. We also delivered some school supplies, miscellaneous snacks, and spending money to the children to last them until next months’ Visiting Sunday. In addition, our staff was able to visit with the teachers for each student, getting an update on how they are doing in their studies. The university student volunteers helped us greatly in this area because they could encourage students to improve weak areas. The children are so receptive to the university students because these young men and women have been in their shoes and have succeeded in making it to university level, which is a goal for each of the secondary students. They are able to share experiences, and how their faith in God and devotion to His purpose have led them to where they are today. We were able to pray with the children for their success and comfort. In addition, we were able to hear any concerns or questions they have had since living in this more independent setting for the first time, from hygiene questions to spiritual guidance. One thing that was particularly touching was seeing how much the students support each other. It is clear that they are each others’ support system and that their relationships are growing stronger and stronger as they fellowship together during this journey. Outsiders may have initially pitied our orphans when it comes to Visiting Sunday, thinking that it would be a day to remind them that they are without parents to encourage them. However, it is exactly opposite. Our children have grown up in a close-knit village, with more supportive role models and a bigger family than most can imagine. And, Visiting Sunday shows no exception to that. We were there in full force, ready to provide as much support as asked from us for the children. Our children felt the love of a family in a huge way, and it was evident how much this support means to them in the smiles on their faces. All in all, Visiting Sunday was a full day for our secondary school students, a day to fill their bellies, backpacks, and pockets, but more than that, a day to fill their hearts and souls with encouraging words and a magnitude of support. Please continue to pray with us for these children, as they are at a pivotal point in their education. Please pray that they continue to learn and grow in Christ, and that they don’t feel sad when they miss their siblings and house moms, that they continue to adjust to their new environment without homesickness. Pray for them to remain healthy and that they take care of themselves well. Thank you for your prayers! 
Because of Calvary,
Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Scripture Sundays: Trials
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
James 1:2-18
Because of Calvary,
Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries
Friday, April 8, 2011
New Children at Seeta Village
We are so excited and thankful that God has given us the opportunity to take one step further toward our goal to take in and transform 6,000 children from conditions of abandonment, poverty, disease, and hopelessness, raising them up to become the future leaders of tomorrow. We would like to announce and welcome the 48 new children that now call Seeta orphan village their home. Please join us in prayer for these children, that God will use us to make a BIG difference in their lives, that they will grow up to be smart and capable young men and women, and above all else that they will love God.
Some of our new faces!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
A Day Without Shoes
In our society today, we don’t think of shoes as a necessity. They are a fashion item. They are the staple that pull together our outfits or that comfort item that keeps our arches from hurting. No outfit is complete without shoes.Somehow with all of our other clothes on, you can still feel exposed and slightly naked without shoes.
But for many people in developing countries, including Uganda, shoes aren’t an item of fashion; they are an item of hygiene and health. In these countries, which also have infested pools of water and unpaved roadways, shoes can be life or death. Going barefoot everywhere can have serious health implications, including contraction of soil-transmitted diseases, infection, parasites, and serious injury.
Christian Life Ministries
But for many people in developing countries, including Uganda, shoes aren’t an item of fashion; they are an item of hygiene and health. In these countries, which also have infested pools of water and unpaved roadways, shoes can be life or death. Going barefoot everywhere can have serious health implications, including contraction of soil-transmitted diseases, infection, parasites, and serious injury.
TOMS shoes, the shoes brand known for its “one for one” mission, in which they give a child in a developing nation a pair of shoes for every shoe that is purchased by the Western world, has started a movement to raise awareness of these issues, called “One Day Without Shoes.” For “One Day Without Shoes,” advocates around the Western world pledge to go a day without shoes to raise awareness of the impact a pair of shoes can have on a child’s life by taking off their own shoes for the entire day.
April 5th, today, is TOMS shoes’ “One Day Without Shoes.” Our entire office has taken the challenge, so our office is filled with the pitter-patter of naked toes. Considering we are staffed in a carpeted office that is temperature controlled, we can’t really understand the true pain that children that go day in and day out with shoes experience. So far, we can just complain that our tootsies are a little cold or that we forgot to get a pedicure for this day of exposed feet.
Even when we get off work or out of the office, we will not truly understand the burden of no shoes. We won’t walk miles home or even across the road to get lunch. Even if we walk inside stores and the dreaded public restroom, we will still know in the back of our minds that we will be privy to a hot shower and a foot scrub this evening. We won’t be worried with each step along our well paved sidewalks that we might be simultaneously contracting a potentially deadly disease. Even if we do contract such a disease, we will know that we are just a car ride and co-pay away from a tiny pill that will cure us, another comfort that the third-world isn’t as lucky to have.
As we brave stumped toes, sore arches, and dirty feet, we are more thankful for our beloved footwear. We encourage you to bare your paws for this day, just to be constantly reminded, at least for today, of the struggles that people, especially children, in third-world nations. And if your daily life is prohibitive of such an action, like if health codes in your workplace require footwear, please consider why those rules and health codes are in place.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our supporters and advocates for ensuring that our children are fully provided for, including shoes on their feet and proper hygiene and medical care to ensure they don’t have to struggle with these issues any longer. Thank you for making the difference in the lives of the close to 1,000 children we care for!
Because of Calvary,
Jackson SenyongaChristian Life Ministries
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Scripture Sundays: Faith
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.
By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.
By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Hebrews 11
Because of Calvary,
Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries
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