Greetings!
"Miracle" is a big word. But it continues to be the best word to describe what is happening at The Lion of Judah Academy.
Lives are being changed -- in children, their families, and the teachers and staff of the school.
The Church is being strengthened and encouraged, as the school ministers to church workers and their children.
Models and examples of new ways to "do education" in Tanzania are being put into practice, and because they are working, educators in Tanzania are taking notice.
But most of all, God is being glorified, Jesus Christ is being exalted, and the Kingdom of God is being built up.
We want to share just a few of those things with you in this newsletter.
The students of The Lion of Judah Academy once again have demonstrated to everyone the standards of excellence at the school.
Every Standard Four (fourth grade) student in Tanzania must take a national exam, and must pass that exam before continuing on to Standard Five. Large numbers of Tanzanian children end their school careers at this time because they are unable to pass the exam. Almost all the children who take the exam, take it in Swahili -- Lion of Judah students are among the few who take it English. Since 2003, the first year our students participated, they have done consistently well.In 2005 however, they outdid themselves! All thirty of our fourth grade students took the exam. Twenty-six received an "A", four received a "B." That's exciting enough. However, perhaps even more impressive is this: the Tanzania Ministry of Education gives special recognition to the ten students receiving the top scores in each ward (a geographical grouping of schools). When the list of top students in our ward was published, all ten were from The Lion of Judah Academy!! In fact, the top eleven scores on the exam were all Lion of Judah students!
What a testimony to our dedicated staff of teachers -- not to mention our great students
Well, at the Lion of Judah Academy, they keep coming...we keep building! They keep coming!! So we need to keep building!
Then stages #2 and #3 lie ahead.
During 2005 four teacher houses have been completed and occupied. Three more, including a duplex apartment, need to be finished.
When the dormitory and remaining teacher houses have been completed, that will mark the end of major construction on the primary school project*at least for the time being. Of course, none of this remaining work has been funded yet. God has yet to provide that. But He has been consistently faithful, and will be in this matter, as well.
HOWEVER -- even before we can see the end of the construction work on the primary school -- the next great challenge has already been set out before the school and its board of trustees: a secondary school. We believe this is the next great step for The Lion of Judah Academy*something which is necessary to do to fulfill God*s vision.
Please pray.
What a witness to the miracle God is doing!
"If you build it, they will come...." At least, so goes the line from the movie, "Field of Dreams."
The most recent project is the dormitory, which has been divided into three stages: #1 - dorm rooms for 56 children and dorm parents, plus one-half of the total bathroom facilities; #2 - dining room, kitchen, and remainder of the bathroom facilities; #3 - rooms for 56 more children and more dorm parents.
Stage 1 is nearing completing, and is expected to be occupied early in 2006. The roof and plastering work has been completed. Plumbing and electrical work is underway. Furnishings are being constructed.
Classroom building number three was also completed and occupied during the year. That building includes two classrooms, the chapel, the library, computer lab and small kitchen. The Mwanza region Regional Commission -- similar to a state governor in the U.S. -- came to the school to dedicate that building. He has been a good friend and vocal supporter of the school.
Dorm during construction
Team member Paul 'has' to test the new swings we've just completed!
