If you visit Okedi Vincent’s church in Sofia, Busia, one of the slum towns in Uganda, you might see a young man called Jimmy confidently leading worship and giving words of encouragement from the front of the church. It would be impossible for you to know that up until recently, Jimmy was living a very different life, until he came onto the project run by LEMA (Life-Edifying Ministries Africa), which is providing a safer space for homeless children to sleep, access to education and health care and regular meals for children who have been living on the streets. The project is funded by Comfort International sponsors and donors, and is making a huge difference in the lives of children and young people like Jimmy. Â
Not too much is known about Jimmy’s past except that his parents were very poor and could not afford food, let alone school fees and uniform for Jimmy, and so he spent a lot of time on the streets looking for food, and not in the classroom. Jimmy would find comfort in church though, where he would sing in the choir and where he met Vincent, that pastor, who introduced him to the project. When the team met him, he explained that he would like one day to be a mechanic and a driver, but at the time, that seemed like a far off dream.Â
One year after coming onto the project, Jimmy’s life looked quite different. At 16 years old, he went back to school, specialising in mechanics with a view to get a job in that area. His report to his sponsor read like this:
“He says he is grateful for the opportunity to be able to be in school doing Mechanics. He says through your support he is seeing a bright future which he did not know whether he would get. He says his life is being transformed every day since he joined Lema Hope Centre because he eats well, sleeps in a better place and he is learning the word of God which brings hope daily. He says that he is renewed because of the love and care he is receiving which was like a dream to him before he was supported. He says thank you for standing with him this far and his dream is to touch lives of children who are like him in the future. He says he enjoys his course. After he finishes, he wants to teach and preach the word of God to people and for parents to love their children and share with them what they have to bring joy to hearts of children so that they feel loved. He says his memory verse is from Matthew 11:28 which says, “Come me, all of you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest”. He says he loves playing football with his friend Ronald, his favourite colour is pink and he loves singing a song called ‘There is power in the blood of Jesus’.”
Jimmy enjoys encouraging the rest of the church through preaching, teaching and singing about the transformation that has taken place in his life through knowing Jesus. He is looking forward to finishing his studies and starting work as a mechanic. We are so inspired and encouraged by Jimmy’s testimony, and how much he wants to help others who are in a similar situation to the one he found himself in previously. There are still many children, some as young as 4 years old, sleeping on the streets of Busia. We need more sponsors to come forward to help change their situations and give them hope for a future. If you or anyone you know could sponsor a child, please visit our sponsorship portal today.Â