If you, your church or your organization, are interested in knowing more about The Lion of Judah Academy, or supporting the work of the school, we invite your inquiries. Please call 610-987-0481, or visit the website (www.thelionofjudah.info) for other contact information.
DECEMBER, 2007, UPDATE
Greetings in the wonderful name of our Savior and King, Jesus!
As we once again near our celebration of His birth, and the end of yet another year, we would like to take a few moments to catch you up on what is new at The Lion of Judah Academy, and review some of the wonderful things God has been doing.
IN THIS UPDATE:
New School Year Begins in January
National Exam Results – Lion of Judah Academy Students Excel
The Year in Review
Challenges Which Lie Ahead
Lion of Judah Ministries
Opportunities for Service
Update on Lynn Inlow’s Health
NEW SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS IN JANUARY, 2008 --
When the school opens for the new year in January, 2008, it will have over 300 total students in Awali to Standard 7 (Kindergarten to 7th grade), and Forms 1 and 2 (first two years of high school…standard 2 is being added in January). The amazing growth continues…and word of the miracles God is doing at the school continue to spread throughout the land of Tanzania.
STUDENTS EXCEL IN NATIONAL EXAM RESULTS --
Once again, our students’ academic success, as witnessed by their scores on their national exams, turn heads everywhere! (and our students take all their exams in English…while most Tanzanian students take those same exams in Swahili!). For instance, our standard seven students took their national exam several weeks ago. Students who do not pass this exam are not allowed to continue to secondary school, and in the past our students have performed extraordinarily well on this critical examination. That has continued in 2007. In our ward (our local region…seven schools, nearly 600 students), the top nine scores were Lion of Judah Academy students! Not only that, all of our students scored in the top 15% of the ward). Overall, the school was first in the ward. This is a testimony to the dedication and hard work of the students and staff, and is a wonderful grace of God. Keep in mind, our school targets disadvantaged students, many of whom would not even have the opportunity to attend school, were it not for the blessing of The Lion of Judah Academy. And remember…they did this in English!
THE YEAR IN REVIEW --
During 2007:
* The dormitory/dining room/kitchen complex was completed, and is now fully operational
* The first class of the secondary school started in January
* Construction of secondary school was started; the first building is very near completion
* The school workshop was placed in operation, and the school is now producing on site almost all of our own furniture, doors, windows, and other such needs…as well as earning money producing similar projects for others
* Two work teams went out to the school from the U.S., and lots was accomplished
* The school computer lab has been set up, with ten computers; in addition, we have wireless internet access for one computer…with more to follow when we can get the necessary equipment out there!! In the Tanzania bush, of all places!
* A student-led organization for visiting the sick, evangelizing in the community, and promoting Christian discipleship among the students, has been initiated
* A “school store” has opened, where students (and local villagers) can purchase basic needs…and students can gain experience in operating a business
* New water purification methods for teachers water supplies have been developed and, as they prove their effectiveness, will be expanded; if they do prove to be effective and economical, as we believe they will, this may be something the school can develop into an income-producing project for school needs
LOOKING AHEAD --
Looking ahead to 2008, challenges and opportunities abound. Now that the secondary school is in operation, we must construct the necessary buildings and facilities to provide classrooms, laboratories, library and chapel, dormitory, teacher housing and all the rest. That will be huge undertaking.
In addition, we MUST address water needs at the school. This need only increases with each passing day…and we must take action. However, it will be costly, and significant engineering and logistical challenges exist.
THE LION OF JUDAH MINISTRIES: On the “home front,” so to speak, The Lion of Judah Ministries, here in the U.S., continues to actively support and promote the work of the school. LOJM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed to help the school. One of our major projects is the Student Scholarship Program, which needs to expand every year to help meet the needs of the disadvantaged children at the school. This year we completed our first formal audit, and passed with flying colors! You can find that audit, along with other financial information, on the website, in the “financial accountability” section.
We were approved for participation in the 2007 Combined Federal Campaign. The CFC is a workplace charitable program for federal employees, postal employees, and military personnel, and required a rigorous application/approval process. Being approved is an important step. We have already been approved for participation in the 2008 CFC.
OPPORTUNITIES: The Lion of Judah Academy exists because God graciously provides… and most of that provision comes through ordinary folks like you, whose hearts are touched, who catch the vision, and who desire to get involved in a true miracle which is having tremendous impact. We sincerely thank all of you who are and have been praying, caring, and supporting in various ways. Here are just a few of the ways you, your church or organization, can help with the work of The Lion of Judah Academy:
=> PRAYER…this is always the first and most important source of the school’s strength and support; please pray for the students and staff of the school, and the ongoing miracle that is The Lion of Judah Academy
=> Support a student (or two students!) through the Student Scholarship Program; information is on the website, or you can contact us at: LOJ@TheLionOfJudah.info, or 610-987-0481
=> Adopt a construction or other project; the workshop exists because an interested supporter wanted to contribute to the construction of it; our students have Bibles because a couple contributed funds to purchase and supply them; the computer lab is a result of one individual’s vision and generosity...and we could go on… Perhaps God is quickening your heart to get involved in one of the existing needs… or something we haven’t yet mentioned or even thought of! Please contact us if that is happening to you!
=> Consider going out to Tanzania for a period of time…on a work team? Perhaps to teach at the school for a year or more? We have ongoing needs for bookkeeping and financial management people to help relieve the headmaster of those burdens. The school is in desperate need of science teachers, as well as other educators
=> Invite us to talk to you or your organization about the work of the school, and the exciting things which God is doing there
=> Use Good Search for your internet searches. See additional details about Good Search at the end of this update.
THE INLOWS --
Lynn has completed her radiation treatments, and her body is slowly getting back to normal. She did not experience any serious side effects from the radiation at all, but now that she’s finished and getting it out of her system, she’s realizing it was making her more “tired and fuzzy-minded” than she had realized at the time. But that is quickly disappearing.
She will be taking an anti-estrogen medication for an extended period of time – likely years. And, of course, medication related to the heart-attack and stents.
But overall, her prognosis is great, she is feeling very good and strong, are we are so grateful to God and to all of you, for your prayers and support.
We have full confidence for a long and full life! Praise the Lord!
Our sons, Jerrad and Brett, and their families are well. Parks (grandson #1 – with Jerrad and Andi) is a delight! Grandson #2 in due in the spring, to Brett and Heidi. This is so much fun!
Thank you for your support, partnership, encouragement and friendship in this work.
Blessings for Christmas and the coming new year!
In Christ,
Lynn and Hart Inlow
“A PENNY FOR YOUR SEARCH….”
Have you heard of GoodSearch? (www.goodsearch.com/)
GoodSearch is a way to help your favorite charity – such as The Lion of Judah Ministries -- earn money every time you do an internet search…“A Penny for Your Search.”
Here’s how it works:
On the GoodSearch homepage, choose from thousands of organizations – the Lion of Judah Ministries is one of them. Search the Internet just like you normally would — the site is powered by Yahoo!, so you'll get high-quality search results. Fifty percent of the revenue generated from advertisers – an estimated penny per search -- is donated to the charity, school or nonprofit organization of your choosing.
A penny per search doesn’t sound like much, but it can quickly add up. If The Lion of Judah Academy has just 100 people doing 2 searches per day, that would earn over $700 in one year!
GoodSearch provides a very easy way to add a search bar to your internet browser, so it’s always there ready for you to use.
Check it out. “A Penny for Your Search” can really add up!
If you want to try out GoodSearch, but are nervous about it, or experience any difficulty, let us know. We’re not computer experts, but we had no trouble setting it up, and have helped a few other folks with it.