I returned from South Africa into the position of Principal at Surrey Christian School and the beginning of a major building program and then merger of schools. Those were challenging and rewarding years of team and leadership that led to our partnership in Sierra Leone, the building and establishment of a Christian School that has now been graduating students for about five years and recognized as one of the best schools in the country. And then more recently this partnership has led to the establishment seven more Christian schools in the more remote villages around Kabala and beyond where there are growing Christian communities.
One of the big challenges for the Christian Reformed Church in Sierra Leone is building an infrastructure that is financially sustainable. There are about 60 village churches in very poor villages that are not even able to pay a pastor or in many cases even build a simple church building, let alone tithe toward supporting the larger countrywide church structure. There is an urgent need to establish this church in the larger cities where people are working for wages and might be able to support a larger church infrastructure. This is a long-term goal.
A few months ago, the fledgling CRC of SL was able to find a piece of land in Freetown and make a commitment to purchasing it. The property of some two and a half acres will cost about $25, 000 to purchase. We have some generous donors who have put forward funds to be matched that could finalize the sale and begin the process of development. It is the hope of the church there to build shops on this property that will be income generating as well as build a small church and a Christian School. The closing date for this sale is this year-end. If you would like to make a Tax receiptable donation to this important project you can do so online at Global Partners or send a cheque to Global Partners in Christian Education c/o Surrey Christian School 8390 – 162 Street. Surrey BC, V4N 3G1. Write Freetown Project in the memo line.
Thank you for helping this new church begin to stand on its own as it seeks to offer Christian Education in the country and hope for its children. Thank you for your long term commitment to this work.
With Gratitude
Dennis deGroot