Ministry Update – March 2022
Thanks to your ongoing support, our AE teams have enjoyed some wonderful success in our outreach programs across Africa. By the grace of God, our Togo farming project has begun, with participants preparing the land ready for seed planting. They are also being educated on the correct way to grow vegetables for sustainability.
In Kenya, the local church leaders are helping to train up missionaries to reach even more people with the good news of Jesus. The Foxfire program has also had great success, with high schools now participating in forums to expand and continue the harvest. One young student, Boaz, says that he ‘feels strengthened to keep pure and serve God and His people.’
Our sewing school in Malawi has seen many graduates become trained in tailoring and professional dressmaking. These skills enable people to generate an income to meet their basic needs, and some have even gone on to open their own businesses.
The Hope for Girls Project will also soon launch in Malawi, with the aim of providing essential re-useable sanitary products to young girls aged 10 and over. This will be incorporated into the needlework program to ensure the sustainability of the program.
AE Ethiopia continues integrating new believers from the Kotebe mission into the mainstream church. New believer Gelan Megersa says she was met by someone on the street who told her about Jesus. “I was convinced and became a believer, and have been attending discipleship classes for the past 3 months. I have seen such a transformation in my life.”
In Uganda, the Omoo Youth Skilling and Production Centre has been training young people to bake cakes, mandazi, samosas, chapatis and buns to sell to the local market. They were able to raise more than 200,000 Uganda Shillings (approximately AUD 73.74) through the sale of their products.
Once again, AE has been able to outreach successfully in South Africa. In partnership with other ministries, we have been able to bring food relief to those who continue to suffer from unemployment, the ravages of the pandemic and the aftermath of recent unrest.
One recipient said that she had been praying for God’s intervention after both her mother and sister succumbed to COVID leaving her with the responsibility of caring for her brothers, all of whom are unemployed. Her response to our outreach was, “I feel I have hope now.”
Your prayers and support are invaluable to AE, and we give thanks to God for enabling us to bring some relief and minister to communities in desperate need. Please continue to pray with us that those whose hearts are moved by the Holy Spirit may grow in their journey of faith and be a witness to others.
Rwanda’s long road to peace and reconciliation
Located in the heart of Africa, Rwanda is a nation with a troubled past. In spite of this, the nation has recently made great strides in terms of its growth and development. We chatted to John Kalenzi, Team Leader of AE Rwanda, as he told us about some of AE Rwanda’s inspiring development projects.
Having seen the devastation caused by Rwanda’s genocide, John is particularly passionate about AE’s role in bringing true reconciliation to the hearts of people.
He describes that, “Reconciliation is at the centre of everything we do as AE Rwanda… to reconcile people with God, and also to reconcile people among themselves. We want to make sure that we build on what the government has done to build… peace and a justice system. But the government can’t really do reconciliation very well, because reconciliation is the issue of the heart… and the issue of the heart is the work of Christian ministries like AE and the Church… It is only the Word of God that can make a difference when it comes to reconciliation”.
With the deep trauma that Rwanda has experienced, it is so important that reconciliation is not merely skin deep. John describes his desire to see reconciliation that not only “discourages the opening of hostilities”, but that actually heals human hearts.
To hear more about AE’s work in Rwanda, watch Ben Campbell’s recent interview with John Kalenzi here:
Ethiopia is a rugged, land-locked country, rich in ancient history.
Home to the powerful Aksumite trading empire for over 800 years, the region is littered with the ruins of rock-cut churches from the 12th and 13th centuries. Currently, nearly half of Ethiopia’s population are members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
In order to empower the Christian leaders of the future, African Enterprise once again hosted their Students Discipleship Program (SDP) in schools during 2019, offering young people a chance to gain a better understanding of the Bible and the Christian faith. Over the last two years, tens of thousands of students have taken part in the Program, and the results have been encouraging.
Dawit attended the program as an 18-year-old and described how “the SDP has helped me grow as a young Christian believer. In the consecutive years of my attendance, I learnt that God is the creator of the universe, that Jesus Christ died for me and I am saved through faith in Him… Because of this program I now am able to explain the Biblical worldview to my classmates.”
16-year-old attendee Eden said, “One of the most important lessons I have learnt through SDP is reading and understanding the Bible. Though I have the Bible I was not reading it. But now I have learnt the ‘keys’ of studying the Bible. Now I have started to read daily. I have also started to share what I have read to my friends in school. I have also become a youth fellowship leader in my church. I want to go deeper and higher.”
Not only does the course offer students confidence in their school years, it imparts life skills that serve them well into adulthood as well. Marine Engineer Anteneh Demissie was among thousands of attendees who took the course in 2003. Now spending most of his time on the high seas of Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean, Anteneh expressed that: “The training was a ‘turning point’ in my life. Though I was a young boy with Christian orientation I had many spiritual questions for which I was seeking convincing answers. In the SDP training, all my questions were sufficiently answered. I consider that moment as a ‘Reference Point’ in my life. For me, the training was like a city gate – a doorway to abundance. Because of it I have entered into an abundant life in Jesus that is full of joy and enthusiasm. I am so happy.
One of the many benefits of the program was helping me understand the worth of the Bible as the word of God and igniting the love of reading it. Since then I have developed the practice of reading the Bible on a daily basis. The program has also made me become passionate about Christian spiritual matters.
I am now a marine engineer travelling around the world staying in high seas for many days and weeks. But my inner-self stays cool and tranquil even when the outside is extremely violent. This is because of the Rock Jesus, the foundation of my faith, whom I came to know better through the SDP training.”
Our Foxfires teams live a year of mission when they serve with their local country teams.
In Chinsapo, the Malawi Foxfires went out to Mpingwi Market in Lilongwe District to bring the message of hope to men, women and children. They had prepared a number of interactive activities to help attract a crowd and ultimately point to Jesus.
The team stood in the middle of the marketplace and began a local dance, and a crowd of 220 people gathered. This was followed with 5 other different types of dances.
One Foxfire said,
“Unlike other audiences, this audience was responsive, supportive and welcoming!”
After performing a skit about creation, Grace (one of the Foxes) shared her testimony. 53 people came forward to receive Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
The Foxes then had an opportunity to put their counselling training into practice, to encourage and care for these new believers, and teach them how they can move forward with this fresh hope for their lives.
“From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise.”
(Matthew 21:16)
There will be more stories of the marvellous work God is doing through the Foxfires in the month to come, as they visit more marketplaces, schools and conferences over the coming months.
Please send us your contact details to hear about these radical transformations.
“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
African Enterprise missions usually aim to reach an entire city with the Gospel during mission week. However, sometimes due to the size of a city, it is nearly impossible to reach the entire population in one week. Not deterred, AE Rwanda developed a plan to reach the entire city of Kigali within three years by reaching the city’s main districts, Gasabo, Kicukiro, and Nyarugene one at a time.
The Gasabo Mission took place in 2016 and reached nearly 79,000 with the gospel 6,900 of them making confessions of faith in Christ.
“The week-long mission brought 10,109 people into the kingdom and proclaimed the Gospel to over 62,987 people!”
This year, Kicukiro was AE’s target and God was faithful! After over a year of preparation and training of local evangelists, the week-long mission brought 10,109 people into the kingdom and proclaimed the Gospel to over 62,987 people!
During this mission, the AE Rwanda team placed a special priority on children and made a concerted effort to reach as many schools as possible. They also held events in parks and other public places with special programs directed at grabbing the attention of children.
Albert, AE Rwanda’s Mission Director explained, “It’s clear from scripture that children are esteemed by God. However, we find that in society children are often forgotten. They are ignored, rejected, abused or taken advantage of in so many terrible ways. Even the church sometimes misses the mark in giving children the right start in life. Along with reaching the lost, one of our desires during this mission was to rekindle ministry to children in Kigali. We have worked hard to develop an intentional and strategic outreach plan to the children of Kigali and we’ve taught this strategy to our local church partners with the hope they will embrace it and continue the work.”
The AE Team spent the week prior to the mission with local Sunday school teachers training them in how to effectively minister to children. The team also taught the children themselves how to effectively share the Gospel with their friends.
As the mission began on June 17th, the children and teachers gathered at a local playground where they performed the skits, games, and songs they had learned in order to attract a crowd. They then shared the Good News with the people who had gathered and 103 of the village children accepted Christ! Praise God!
The team also reached out to many schools and universities. “The age of self-discovery for teens and college students is a vital one”, Albert said. “We took the Gospel to schools and universities across the city because we believe that the Gospel is a strong foundation for them to build their lives on.”
In one school, the team met Martin, a self-described hooligan. “I’ve always been proud of being wild; being feared by the other students,” Martin told us. “I’ve never before felt remorse for my actions. That is until the AE missions team arrived at my school.”
In a school of 310 students, Martin was renown for his wild ways. “When the mission team came this morning, I wasn’t too interested, but when they began speaking about the Gospel and the love that Jesus has for me, I was immediately convicted of my sins and I knew that I needed Jesus in my life.”
“Martins humble response to the Gospel touched the hearts of many other students who then also felt emboldened to raise their hands to receive salvation.”
As the AE team called for people to raise their hands to accept Christ Martin was among the first to respond. Upon seeing his hand in the air, a gasp went up among the other students because they couldn’t believe that the boy they had feared was responding to a call for salvation! Martins humble response to the Gospel touched the hearts of many other students who then also felt emboldened to raise their hands to receive salvation. In total, 300 of 310 students responded to the call for salvation at Martin’s school!
Throughout the Kicukiro Mission Week, people heard the Gospel ringing through neighborhoods, marketplaces and, slums. Open air outreach in these places brought many to their knees in the knowledge that they needed Christ in their lives.
“My life is in disarray.” Jeannine (19) told the team. “When I lost my both my parents at a young age, I was left feeling alone in the world. I thought that relationships with men would help me be fulfilled. So, for several years, I’ve thrown myself into multiple relationships and affairs but instead of finding the affection and care that I wanted, I’ve only found frustration, dismay, and pain.”
“As I was walking through the market, I heard someone preaching the Gospel through a speaker and their words struck me to the heart. I was compelled to stop and listen and I made a decision to follow Christ right then!”
“As I was walking through the market, I heard someone preaching the Gospel through a speaker and their words struck me to the heart. I was compelled to stop and listen and I made a decision to follow Christ right then! I felt instantly free and light! I want my life to be transformed by God. I am determined to follow Christ and lead a life that honors him. Thank you for coming to tell me about Jesus today.”
These are just a few stories from the many thousands of lives that have been changed by the Gospel through the Kicukiro Mission. Now the church must continue the work by reaching out to those who have made confessions of faith and starting them on the long road of discipleship. Please pray for the local Kicukiro churches as they begin this very big task.
Please also pray as the team begins preparation for the Nyarugene Mission. Ask God to provide church partners who are passionate about reaching their communities with the Gospel.
You can support the Nyarugene mission one of the many other missions that happen throughout the year praying and giving. Download our prayer diary and give today so that you can partner with us in bringing thousands into the Kingdom of God every year!
Ezra Fekadu is already in his second round of study in AE Ethiopia’s discipleship program. He is only 11 years old!
“In the discipleship program I have learnt that God is the Creator of heaven and earth, and Jesus died for my sins. I’m so happy to learn the Bible.”
He lives in the city of Arba Minch in Ethiopia and is one of nearly 20,000 students currently signed up for the discipleship program run by AE Ethiopia under Team Leader Mel Mesfin.
Ezra is in Year 5, and his goals are to be a good student and get good grades. He is the youngest evangelist in the training course.
“I have already started witnessing about Jesus to my friends in school. When I grow up I want to become an evangelist and go out to the streets to preach about Jesus Christ.”
In Matthew 19:14, Jesus told his disciples to let the children come to him. AE has helped fuel Ezra’s spiritual passion and followed this instruction.
Ezra said he would like to live a good spiritual life and serve God. What a strong foundation he is laying.
Please pray for the 20,000 students that will go through the Discipleship Program this year in Ethiopia. AE Ethiopia is making amazing progress in the lives of young people across the nation.
