She would never talk about herself. Never promote herself. But, without her big heart and dreams, I would have no motivation to keep writing these blogs in order to participate in them. We are both convinced that God brought us together, so we each enthusiastically accept our role in His divine appointment titled SOZO DREAM FOUNDATION. And, it is impossible to write about the project without writing about the person. There would be no project were it not for this tiny person with a huge heart that embraces big dreams.
Rebecca is back in school for her most demanding hospital rotations and challenging exams as a fourth-year medical student. During her break before this term, she launched an effort to provide a school structure, desks, toilets (pit latrine for those in Uganda), and a water well (borehole for those of you in Uganda!).
During her break, Rebecca discovered a one-acre plot with a “school” structure on it. It was a school for primary students. Because the nearest school was 10 kilometers from this site, the only option seemed to provide education to the small children in the area known as Kabyanga. But … take a look at the structure Rebecca found. Though five classrooms were needed, the lack of building materials forced the entire student body to gather on the only end of the structure providing shade from the hot sun and protection from the frequent rains.
Things change because the world has change agents in it. Rebecca is a change agent. Ignoring the temptation to think nothing could be done to help this community, Rebecca rallied some of her fellow students and friends and chose to bring hope to this community.
Rebecca grabbed a scripture from the Old Testament to apply and use it to stimulate her team. “Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified, says the Lord.”
The goal of this project is not to simply provide physical assets for students and teachers but to bring glory to God. The hope and blessings that are coming to this community are from God, the Creator of Earth, and the Redeemer of souls. The purpose of it all is to see God glorified and the lives of people changed. Development of physical life as well as the development of spiritual life.
It all began with the connection with the teachers and students. Rebecca’s passion for children is deeply seated in her own existence as an orphan until she was in her twenties. Knowing that someone sees them and cares for them was unbelievable at first. But when the old structure was actually torn down and the new building began to take shape … then hope began to take root.
It was hard for the community to believe that a group of single young adults still in medical school could accept such an ambitious project. But, God was the Originator of the vision and He drafts the willing and able. Soon materials arrived by truck and the basic structure of five separated classrooms … with a roof! … put smiles on the faces of Rebecca and her team. Soon walls were added with roofing. Hope was growing as excitement was building!
Not only was there a new structure but the building had doors on each of the five classrooms with locks! AND … each of the classrooms were equipped with a chalkboard!
Parents, teachers, students, and the entire community did a lot of head shaking in disbelief as this school building appeared to pop up from nowhere. As Rebecca said, “from nothing to something.” This project has captured the attention of the entire community. AND … this is just the beginning!
Rebecca sees the need for clean water … (look forward to reading the upcoming blog about this severe need) … and private toilets for the boys and girls. The classrooms also have a need for desks for the students.
This is the big dream Rebecca has for Kabyanga School. She doesn’t have money for the materials yet, but God has provided her with a willing team of workers and the blessing of the community.
Will you join us in this dream?
Funding is needed for desks, a well, and toilets. Please join TEAM SOZO. You can become a partner with us by clicking on the donation link at the top of this page to send your contribution. Or, you may send a check to Next Generation Ministries (or NGM), 29940 South Dhooghe Road, Colton, OR 97017. Make sure you write SOZO School Project in the memo line.
Psalm 127:1 reads, “Unless the Lord builds a house, those who build it labor in vain.”
Rebecca and I believe that using social media to build the SOZO team provides information and opportunity. God is the Provider. He loves divine/human partnership.