One of the biggest burdens on our shoulders right now is that of getting the school fully funded so that we end this year in the black. Though our mission has historically allowed some freedom in advances on funding, the money eventually has to come from somewhere. Right now we are several thousand dollars a month short in ongoing funding – the funding that makes up the difference between what our students pay and what it actually costs to educate them. Several dollars a month is a pretty significant shortfall by the end of a fiscal year!

So we pray, we think creatively, we connect strategically when possible, we ask for people’s hearts to open to the need and to their ability to influence eternity, we publicize, we wait. The waiting is difficult as is finding the balance between faith and hard work between good stewardship used towards looking for money and trusting God to bring it in.

In the past few months we have prayed consistently as individuals, a couple, a family and a team for new funding for Christ School and we have seen prayers answered, though we are still missing these critical monthly gifts. Most surprisingly has been the ways God has brought in some of the money, proving to us that He is bigger than we imagined and controls more than we realize. Recently God has given us funding through:
– money from the chief administrative officer of Bundibugyo District to fund our students trip to the football nationals. This money is supposed to be paid by the government but this is the first time they have ever done it – too often the money is eaten by someone in the chain. Getting this money took many visits by David and the cultivating of friendships – well worth the doors it opens for him not only for the school but for future opportunities to impact Bundibugyo education on a grander scale.

- money from Uganda’s Ministry of Education to fund USE (Universal Secondary Education) students (much like a charter school situation). Our school costs more than USE funds so parents must make up the difference. We badly hoped that the promised funds would come in, but money from the government is never a sure bet so when David saw it arrive in the school bank account it was huge reason to praise!

- the potential of a free plastic tank for expanding our water project, as a result of too many tanks donated through a large international organization to Uganda’s public primary schools . . . Pray that we do get this, but this could significantly cut budge needed for our water project!

100% of sponsored orphans have been fully funded on Scholarships through the CSB Scholarships Fund – that is truly amazing!! And we have money in the bank for water, latrines, housing issues, and some other major needs. We have so much to praise God for, and He has provided in so many abundant ways. When I look at needing several thousand dollars in monthly commitments, I feel overwhelmed knowing that a whole lot more people have to begin giving regularly to keep us in the black. But when I look at what God has already done, it gives me hope and faith.