1   Education

Our 6^th-grade students have just taken the final exam that will give them a Primary Education certificate. They are so thankful to you for sponsoring their studies and giving them hope for a future.

And those in 12th grade have continued taking exams for their Professional High School Diploma. In this clip they show a lot of enthusiasm and confidence in their success, and share their motto: discipline, work, and success! They also thank all those who, through their donations and sponsorship, are making it possible for them to study. You will notice the majority of girls, a rare challenge here in Congo. We are so proud of them!

One of our students is in 5th grade despite his physical handicap. His name is Aristote.

Theo had the great idea of sharing a video about him on social media, and after watching it, a dear lady purchased a wheelchair for him to make it easier for him to go to school every day. He is so grateful and cannot believe it’s happening!

2   Health

Thanks to our clinic being right next to the school, we have been able to immediately treat any child who comes down with malaria, thereby saving countless lives. It can be fatal for a child suffering from malaria if he is not treated within 24 hours. Children under 5 years of age accounted for about 80% of all malaria deaths in the Region.

3   Youth Ministry

This month, Fabrice chose the theme of courage to teach his group of children, based on the verse Deut. 31 :6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid… for the Lord your God he it is that goes with you, he will not fail you nor forsake you.

Jacques just sent us these inspiring testimonies he collected from both children and parents who see the good fruit this program is bearing in the lives of their kids.

He writes :

Introduction

The vision that inspired the creation of the STEPS Program was to strengthen in children a personal relationship with the Lord and to help them grow up with solid Christian values.

We have been using this program with a group of children in Lemba (a popular part of Kinshasa) and have witnessed the positive impact it’s been having on the children and on their parents as well. Many of them now believe in Jesus Christ and have also become involved in teaching the children.

I must mention that the city of Kinshasa is plagued by kulunas (street gangs), thefts, delinquency, and other evil practices that destroy most of the young people. Training these children in the Lord is of utmost importance, for the sake of their souls as much as for the future of their lives in society.

I was able to collect a few testimonies from both parents and children, sharing how their lives have literally changed and how the Lord is now using them to share His love with others.

 

Gertrude: The teachings I received from the STEPS Program have had a very positive impact on my children’s lives. Before it was hard for them to obey and they didn’t help out, but now it’s totally the opposite, they wake up in the morning in a happy mood, and they pray all the time for my health.

 

Marie: My son had a difficult time forgiving others, he was a very temperamental child. But thanks to the training he has received with the STEPS Progam, the Lord had completely changed him, he has turned into such a kind boy, and he helps me a lot around the house.

I thank God for this and I thank you for the good training you are giving him with this program.

 

Annytha: Before I didn’t believe in God, I would often become ill, and my dad even separated from my mom because he thought I had received a curse from my mother’s side of the family.

I was very discouraged, and I hated my father bitterly, but thanks to the lesson on prayer and love, I found the strength to forgive. Now I am healed, and I feel liberated.

Prisca: I had a problem with anger, and every time I would make a mistake in my studies, I would lose hope. But now I have learned to talk to the Lord through prayer and He has helped me to overcome my fears and to better understand others. 

 

Patrice: The lessons that have had the biggest impact on me are the ones on happiness and joy.

It is important to be happy, there’s no need to wait till tomorrow. And especially since Christ is watching over me and over my future, I don’t need to be afraid.

Divin: I used to really enjoy fighting, and after my father passed away, I started hanging around the kulunas (bandits), and I hurt other young people my age, I even started to smoke, I always felt lonely, and I was hurting so much inside. 

I didn’t know that the Lord could accept me, but thanks to the STEPS Program, I have found the love of God through His Son Jesus and today I am serving Him so others can get to know Him also.

 

Joseph: It was hard for me to share things with my friends, I was selfish, and I only thought of myself. But since I started praying, the Lord is helping me to think of others.

Now I love to give because I often also need to receive from others, and the more I give, the better I feel.

 

Conclusion

It’s very moving for me to see how these teachings have transformed the lives of so many people and have touched the hearts of the children.

I am convinced that these children have become a real blessing to their families and to this country, now they know the ways of the Lord and are developing an intimate relationship with Him.

I am happy to be adding this stone to the building of their lives, I believe that it’s thanks to the STEPS Program who have shown them the Lord’s way.

I am planning to also start an agricultural project to teach young people how to grow food and eventually supply some of their needs.