Thank You

As the holidays quickly approach, we are excited for all of the festivities that the Christmas season brings. BUT… there is a reason it is called “holidays” and not just “holiday.” We cannot rush by and forget Thanksgiving. Albeit there is no religious meaning to the holiday, that doesn’t mean we can’t take the day to be thankful to God for all of the gifts he has given us.

On behalf of all of the staff at Christian Life Ministries and Christian Life Church, we would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support of our ministry and of the children of Uganda. Many times, people look to us in amazement of what we as a ministry have been able to accomplish in a relatively short amount of time, but we have to point credit outwards. Glory be to God, of course, and thanks be to our wonderful supporters. You have all done so much!

Since we first started our church, Christian Life Church, in 1995, we have grown a following of tens of thousands of members throughout Uganda and East Africa with approximately 1,000 total church plants. What started as a small gathering under a propped up tent has become so much more, and we continue to grow and bring others to know a passionate life in Christ with our 2012 vision project, in which we will plant hundreds more small churches around the Kampala area.

When we were moved to do something about the orphans in Lira, our supporters stepped up in a big way. In 2003, we rented a home in Lira to house 30 children. Since, we have built two orphans villages, one in Lira and another near Kampala in Seeta, housing approximately 1,000 children. We have been able to care for these orphans to the full extent, thanks to our wonderful sponsors and supporters.

Our Seeta village was given a new kitchen in 2008 and clean water, a playground, and electricity in 2009. When the local private school posed as a challenger, our supporters stepped up and built us a temporary school structure, which is in the process of bring replaced with a beautiful, sturdy permanent structure.

If you are reading this, and at any point you say, “wow,” please know that you have helped to make this possible with your generous support! Every dollar you have given has been strategically spent and every person you have referred has been a blessing to our ministry. We thank God everyday for you and your heart for the people of Uganda.

We would love to invite you to see all that you have helped us to achieve firsthand in Uganda and to experience what God is doing there. If will be like a huge family reunion as you meet face-to-face the children and the people whose lives you have changed! If you are interested in visiting, please contact our office at 972-307-5433.

As Thanksgiving lies just around the corner, we say thank you again for your beautiful heart and generous support. God has been so good to bring you to us, and we pray that in working with our ministry, we have helped bring you closer to Him, too.

We want to leave you encouraged by what you have done for our ministry and for the orphans in Kampala, Uganda. Without you we could not fulfill our mission to Transform Uganda.

Please let us know how we can pray for you, and please continue to pray for us.

Also, as a token of Thanksgiving to God for the many blessings He bestows on our lives (healthy, peaceful country, guaranteed meals, and so much more!), help a child be thankful that God can use someone like you to make his or her wish for Christmas come true. A child will know that he or she is loved, cared for, and thought about. Twenty dollars can buy a Christmas gift for a child as well as provide for them a party complete with a hearty meal, treats, music, and dance. Whether you’re a monthly sponsor or not, your donation will be tagged to a child and he or she will know that some one from a very, very far distance loves and cares for him or her.

Please consider creating a smile on an orphan’s face on Christmas. Christmas will be meaningful to them, and the message and mission of Christ will be communicated to them in a powerful and practical way.

If you have already sent your gift for a child, thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving!


By His Grace,

Pastor Jackson and Eve Senyonga
and the entire Christian Life Ministries Staff

Wordless Wednesday

Orphans Give Back

For more information, http://www.christianlifeministries.org/orphansgiveback.htm


Blessings,

Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Minsitries

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Sponsorship Sundays

I am happy to introduce you to Isaac Magada, a 12-year-old boy who needs full sponsorship!

A little about Isaac:

• Isaac was brought to the orphan village in Seeta by his mother.
• There is no information currently available on Isaac’s father.
• Isaac has 3 siblings.
• Isaac has not been given an education.
• Isaac’s mother is a casual laborer who puts in extra hours to try to make ends meet. Despite her efforts, she is unable to provide for Isaac’s basic needs.
• With your support Isaac will never go hungry and receive a good education.

Please contact us at j.kitts@christianlifeministries.org if you are interested in sponsorsing Cosima!

Blessings,

Pastor Jackson Senyonga

Wordless Wednesday

Testimony Tuesday

I am very excited to tell you about my testimony. When I was still young and I was about two years old my father died because he was given poisonous food. We suffered without mother and were six in number, two brothers and three sisters. Our mother struggled for getting us some food to eat. In two thousand one (2001), when war began and I was about four years old, my mother was ordered to kill all her children but my mother said, “I can’t kill my children you can kill me instead, but please leave my children,” and she was killed and the LRA told us “run away from us”, but our last born was unable to run. My elder sister tried to carry her and LRA said if that stupid “dog” cannot run you leave her hear for us. Then we started running hoping to meet our grandmother, we met her and told her the story she gave us some food because we were very hungry. We could remember our father, mother and younger sister and we began to cry and our grandmother encouraged us. When we were still with our grandmother, we heard that the LRA is coming. Then my grandmother was also burnt in the house because she was unable to run and we cried and I heard my elder sister praying “God you should also kill me.” We suffered for three days without eating. My sister said we should go to our aunt but she is very rude and likes mistreating children but we had no choice. We went there and she was unhappy to see us, we slept there for one day and she told us that she couldn’t manage to care for all of us but my sister knelt and begged her at least let us stay for only three weeks, then she agreed. Then my sister struggled to get some little money then we went to IDP camp and we could eat once a day, no clean dress to put on, no schooling and above all, there was no parental love.

The CLM people came and register my name. I was very excited and I started to study, wearing clean clothes and sleeping in good shelter. I am thirteen years old, I am in grade seven and in the future I would like to be a doctor.

Irene Apio, 13

Sponsorship Sunday

I am happy to introduce you to Edwine Kilwanga, a 6-year-old boy who needs full sponsorship!

A little bit about Edwine:

• Edwine was brought to Christian Life Ministries’ orphan village in Seeta by his grandmother.
• Edwine’s father died in a car accident.
• Edwine’s mother abandoned him after his father’s death.
• Edwine’s grandmother suffers from severe back problems and is unemployed. She is no longer able to provide for Edwine’s needs.
• Edwine needs your continued support so that he may have his needs provided for, education and the love and care he deserves.

Please contact us at j.kitts@christianlifeministries.org if you are interested in sponsorsing Cosima!

Blessings,

Pastor Jackson Senyonga

Wordless Wednesday

Testimony Tuesday

I want to thank God for the wonders He has done for me. When I was in the village with all my parents, the LRA rebels war began... We were coming to town and the rebels met us on the way and asked us, “do you want to die or be alive?” We said we want to be alive, and then they cut my father into pieces and we were left three children, aunt, and my mother. Again, they killed my mother and we were left with auntie. Then we reached town and we were staying at (IDP camp) having no food, clothing, essentials and many more, but God helped me and I was among the children (chosen to go) with Christian Life Ministries.

Coline Abonyo, Age 12

Sponsorship Sundays

I am happy to introduce you to Cosima Sempa, a 13-year-old boy who needs full sponsorship!

A little about Cosima:

• Both of Cosima’s parents died of HIV/AIDS
• Cosima has been staying with his grandmother who currently has nine other grandchildren in her guardianship
• She is jobless and tries hard to provide food and shelter for these kids
• Cosima wants to go to school and enjoy the human right to valuable education
• He needs your help to have a better future

Please contact us at j.kitts@christianlifeministries.org if you are interested in sponsorsing Cosima!

Blessings,

Pastor Jackson Senyonga

Wordless Wednesday

Africa Prays for America

I am happy to report to you about the event, Africa Prays for America, that was held in Washington D.C. on Saturday. It is very evident to me that God was there in a powerful way and that our time praying for America was successful. God is moving in a mighty way here and we are excited about it.

On Washington's Steps...

For more information: www.jacksonsenyongaministries.org/aslpn.html

On October 16, 2010 African Strategic Leadership Prayer Network (ASLPN) will host its first National Prayer gathering in Washington DC, where 50,000 intercessors are expected to unite in prayer for America. The event will take place at the Capitol Mall West Lawn from 10:00am to 6:00pm.

On behalf of ASLPN, we are inviting you to join us in answering the call to pray with our American brethren. Register to attend here.

The great men and women of God listed below will be featured at the October 16th event.

Pastor Olusegun Olanipekun Dr. Bob O. Bakke
Rev. Enoch Agbozo Apostle Emmanuel N. Kure
Pastor (Dr.) W.F. Kumuyi Bishop Harry Jackson
Pastor Francisca Zinyemba Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Dr. T.L. Lowery Bishop Isaac Ogbeta
Bishop Darlingston G. Johnson Rev. Billy Wilson
Pastor Joshua Owoeye Pastor Hanfere Aligaz
Dr. Nicku Mordi Pastor James Fadele
Rev. Dr. Robert Stearns

Praise and Worship Team with:
Brother Kofi Thompson
Brother Emmanuel Nickson
Shekinah Glory


Click FAQ for answers to your questions.

Come and join me in this great event to pray for America!

By His grace,

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Minsitries

Shakey Shakey, Wimpy Wimpy, Chicken Chicken

Thanks to a generous donation from a sponsor and ministry supporter, we now have some new residents at the Seeta orphan village: chickens! These chickens will eventually produce eggs, and in turn the eggs will be distributed to each of the orphan homes.

We have been told that the children are really enjoying having the chickens on site. They have really stepped up to help raise these chickens by caring for them by providing food and water. The only problem we are running into is that the children are madly in love with the chickens and don’t want to leave them. The children will gather around the chickens whenever they get a chance whether it be before school, after school, or before they go to bed. While this doesn’t seem like a problem at first, getting them to return to class can be challenging when they are pining over a “chick.”

We have nearly 90 homes so you can only imagine the amount of eggs we will need to provide for them all. We have dreams for this to grow significantly, and we need your help in order to make this happen. But, in order to have more eggs, we need more chickens, and in order to have more chickens, we will first need to build a larger facility than the one we have currently. We have approximately 150 chickens presently. We will quickly outgrow our space and need to build a larger space with electricity. Then, after that is completed, we can get more chickens. This is one of our steps to helping our orphan village become more self-sufficient, and we are also teaching children not only the art of farming, but the responsibility of caring for God’s creatures.

We would like to say thanks to Gary & Cheryl Sargent who have made it possible for us to purchase these chickens. What has started as a small project to provide eggs has evolved into a learning tool resulting in hundreds of smiles daily! Thank you!

Blessings,

Jackson Senyonga

Christian Life Ministries

Raising Kids

My youngest daughter, Jackie, turned 13 this weekend. The years have surely passed by quicker than I wish but I am very proud of all that Jackie has already accomplished and hopefuly for all that she will continue to accomplish in the coming years.

I reflect on Proverbs 22:6 today, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

My hope is that I did this well with all three of my children and that I would continue to do this well. My prayer is that God would direct and guide me in the parenting of my children. This is also my hope for each of you that you would truly take the gospel and use it as a training guide when raising your children. I am very proud of each of my children and love the way that God has shaped and molded them.

Grateful to God that my children are believers of Jesus Christ! I pray for them daily and hope that God moves in their lives in mighty ways. My prayer is that they would be a vessel wherever they go in life. I desire the best for them and am a very proud father!

Blessings,

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Minsitries

Pillowcase Project Update

I am writing to update you on the Pillowcase Project. The ladies here in our office aer still working hard once a month to sew dresses for our orphans. To my understanding there are also several other groups making dresses in their towns and with their friends.

On top of that, The Pillowcase Project, has now fully partnered with us and is helping to provide dresses for all of our girls. We will be delivering these dress in December which is just 3 months away! All dresses will need to be in our office by the beginning of December so that we can sort through them and get them into the suitcase of our team members going on the mission trip.

Currently, we need more teenage sizes for our older girls. Mum Betty has communicated with us that about 150 of the 400 dress will need to be larger for our older girls. If you could make an extra effort to make dresses in this size that would be so helpful! Also, if you can make boys shorts that would be great too.

We are currently looking into what we will be doing for the 600 boys in our village. We will have to look at Uganda business or women making shorts locally to assist us in this project. You can help us by sponsoring a dress for $15 or even sponsoring boys shorts/tshirts for $15.

If you choose to sponsor this project, we would like to send a personal message from you to the child you sponsor so please provide us with a short note for them with your donation.

By His Grace,

Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Minsitries

Making a Difference

I am writing today for two reasons: to encourage those of you that are sponsors and then to plead with you to help me find this little boy a sponsor.

We have diligently been working on a new child letter system. One of our boys, Innocent Atugonza, wrote a letter to his sponsor that I would like to share with you.

"It’s me your handsome son writing to thank you for choosing me.

Thank you so much for taking such a decision in spite of the economic crisis.

You must be a great lady of faith. Me I am also a steward of faith.

I had faith that I would get a mum and now Hebrews 11:1 has come to pass.

I believed God for a mum and now I have you-glory be to God."

I found this letter would be of great encouragement to many of you who sponsor our children and maybe don't think you are really making that big of a difference. However, after reading letter after letter like this one from Innocent I want you to be encouraged that you are indeed cherished and loved deeply by your sponsored child.

I thank all of you who have made sacrifices during what Innocent has called an economic crisis. I understand that it is not always easy to continue sponsorship during difficult time but your faithfulness in that is so greatly appreciated. We are grateful for you and your faithfulness to our minsitry and your sponsored child.

On a sad note, prior to Innocent sending this letter, his sponsor had to cancel her sponsorship. I have a desire to find him a sponsor more than anything because he was so excited about their new sponsorship relationship. Please help me find a sponsorship for Innocent!

Blessings,

Jackson Senyonga

Christian Life Ministries

Sponsorship Relationship

Have you had the privledge of visiting Uganda and meeting your sponsored child? If so, please email us a picture of you with your sponsored child to Jana Kitts. Her email address is j.kitts@christianlifeministries.org

We have a special project we are trying to put together for all of you, but need some pictures of sponsors and their sponsored child. Please help us with this!


Thanks,

Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Minsitries

One to Love, One to Share

Nine-year old David Holdridge, founder of Happy Blankie and now Chief Happiness Officer, had a remarkable idea. He wanted to combine his little sister's two favorite things, stuffed animals and blankies, to create something that would make the world smile. His mother Emily encouraged him to bring his idea to life – and then added a life lesson that we can ALL teach our children - share. Her idea was to share the happiness of Happy Blankie with children in need of a smile. Thus, One to Love, One to Share, became the core philosophy of Happy Blankie. The concept is based on Emily’s message to David (and her other 3 children) – love one another, share with others and make a difference in the world.


Happy Blankie, a soft, oversized cuddly animal that is the perfect combination of stuffed animal and blanket. Every time someone buys a Happy Blankie, an identical blanket is given to a child in a hospital, orphanage or distressed situation around the world. Their mission is "one to love" and "one to give". What's great about this is that Happy Blankie has listed our orphanage as one of the places to give!


The best part is that you can choose where you want your second blankie donated. When you receive your blankie you will be able to follow the instructions on the "giving is cool" tag in order to donate your second blanket. Happy Blankie will allow for you to choose Uganda, Africa as the place to give your second blankie. So if you are needing a gift or want one for yourself, then this is a great oppurtunity to make sure our kids get one too.


Here are pictures they took while delivering Happy Blankies to some of our orphans.

By His Grace,

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Senior Pastor and Founder
Christian Life Ministries

Missions Teams

This summer, Jackson Senyonga and Christian Life Ministries have hosted about 120 guests from the United States for short-term mission trips, with winter mission trip coming up in December, the number of guests is expected to go beyond 150. Praise God!

These wonderful guests leave behind lasting smiles on the people of Uganda. They serve in so many ways. UKids, a very project oriented team, came this year to help start the school building for our children. They also put on a Vacation Bible School and did some mum training. Another group with members from Colorado and Alaska came to build a computer lab, a lavatory, and do special projects in Lira… all for our children. Dr. Dan from Ohio brought a team to do a temporary dental clinic for the children and mums. Rick Chowdry did maintenance on our water purification plant that he helped plant. Houses were painted, clothesline was hung, mums were blessed, and children were loved. The list goes on and on.

We are forever grateful for these teams that are helping shape Uganda’s future by preparing its leaders today.

To find out more about our winter mission trip, please visit www.theugandaexperience.com.

Have a beautiful day,

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Senior Pastor and Founder
Christian Life Ministries

Uganda Ministry Updates

My family and I, Pastor Jackson Senyonga, just returned to the United States from our summer long trip home. It was a glorious time of ministry on several fronts.

On the church front, I worked to cast the vision to plant 400 additional fellowship campuses accommodating 100 people each. By 2012, we are called to have greater Kampala saved. The people at Christian Life Church were very receptive to the vision. Their prayers for guidance turned into a line out the door of people volunteering to step up and lead these fellowships. Leadership training has commenced, and a leadership training manual of 200 pages is in print. I expected to have people step up, of course, but I thought there would be around 300 or so people. Surprisingly, we have over 700 people coming forward to commit to leading a fellowship. Wow!! Glory be to God! I started training these mighty men and women of God in the making for about 8 hours per week. We are planning to make hell smaller and heaven bigger by planting our first 100 of the 400 fellowships by December this year, Lord willing. If each fellowship can accommodate 100 people, we might as well have heaven throw a big party because the Lamb of God will again win the rewards of his sufferings.

Please help us pray for this Kingdom work and this project, specifically for these leaders, the training process which is still going on, and of course, the resources that will be required to launch this assault. Christian Life Ministries will seek help for Christian Life Church in this vision launch. Again, thank you for praying and supporting our ministry.

If you are interested in supporting this project, please let us know by calling our office at 972-307-5433 or emailing info@christianlifeministries.org. You can read more about our ministry by visiting www.christianlifeministries.org

Thank you for your love of our ministry and more importantly, your love for Christ.

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Senior Pastor and Founder
Christian Life Ministries

Women’s Conference

As many of you may know already, we hosted a large women’s conference in Uganda at Christian Life Church, the sister church of Christian Life Ministries in the United States. We were so privileged to have American visitors to speak and attend the conference. It was such a Jesus-glorifying conference.

I am so proud of my wife, Eve Senyonga, for all of the hard work she put in not only hosting for the conference, but also leading it and speaking at it. She put so much heart and effort into the event, and it showed as it was such a powerful time for all in attendance.

One of our key-note speakers was Pastor Joy Headley from Texas. She is the wife of Pastor Gregg Headley of Gospel Lighthouse in Dallas, a personal friend of mine. I first met the Headleys when Pastor Gregg first invited me to speak at an area-wide Pastors of North Dallas Assembly of God churches conference. Then, he invited me to speak at the Gospel Lighthouse Sunday Services, and also at their annual Big Pentecostal Sunday Joint Services for the whole area. Pastor Joy’s warm heart shined through her friendly smile and great sense of humor. The Ugandan women loved her, and her presence was a blessing to all that had the opportunity to hear her speak. Her good friend, Karen, was also in attendance, all the way from Texas. We loved to host you both in Uganda! Thank you for coming all that way, and thank you for being a blessing to all that you encountered!

At the Pastors’ Wives event, we also had some other American guests. Pastor Andrea from the Oaks Fellowship in Red Oak, Texas spoke. In attendance were Tracy Houston and Amy Noelck. I hear they prophesized that Amy would be marrying a pastor someday. Need some contacts, Amy? ;) Andrea’s words definitely empowered the women. That day, God cracked open many hearts, healed many wounds, and revived many relationships. Testimonies are still pouring in to this day.

Thank you to all that was in attendance and to all that spoke and blessed the women there. You will never know the gratitude Uganda feels for your ministry here.

Finally, if you would like to attend next year, we are considering having another women’s conference next summer. Contact Tasha in our offices to get information about visiting this beautiful country: t.lucas@christianlifeministries.org. You can also go to our website, www.christianlifeministries.org to find out more about our ministry in Uganda or www.theugandaexperience.com to find out more about our mission teams.

Thank you for reading. Your prayers and support are highly appreciated.

Because of Him,

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

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