What are your plans this summer? Have you decided what you will be doing as yet? I had never had to look forward to summer like I had in the last 3 years.
I had live in Africa, more precisely on the equator, all of my life, until my relocating to the USA, where I was excited to see, touch and taste snow for my first time. I had never had to wear long Johns let alone know that they excited, or invest in a jacket that made me look like the Michelin mascot, or for that matter own a pair of gloves. The only gloves that I ever owned were bicycling gloves. 32 degrees is a number that I referred to in high school when in the physics or chemistry lab, not knowing that one day I would have to live in sub zero temperatures. My first experience on feeling so cold was when I got off the plane at Logan Airport in Boston, MA. From that moment on, I have always looked forward to the next summer.
During the upcoming summer, my wife and I have committed ourselves to go to Australia for a mission trip sponsored by InterVarsity Graduate and Faculty Ministries (GFM)/Black Scholars and Professionals (BSAP). http://national.bsapministries.org/
The Australian global project is organized under the Department of Missions for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. The project dates are June 16–July 3, 2009 (flying from L.A. to Sydney, Australia). To maximize our ministry effectiveness in a relatively short period of time, we will be visiting and working with the Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship (AEF).
Why consider organizing a mission's project to Australia? Why is it important to partner with AEF to serve and learn from Aboriginal Australians? The Aboriginal Australian populations are largely an urbanized population with substantial health, economic, and social problems, considered to be "Black" in their country. With a past history of British colonization, surviving Aboriginal communities experience high rates of poverty, poor education, poor access to health services, and extensive exposure to violence, substandard housing, and poor nutrition.
In building relationships with AEF, it is our hope to develop a missions project that:
1) Encourages Black scholars and professionals to engage in using their skills for the positive growth and development of urban Aboriginal Australian communities. It will be designed to allow us to be at a place where our hearts are broken and filled with compassion for the poor.
2) Serve urban Aboriginal Australian communities. In addition, graduate students and professionals will learn how to apply and integrate their studies into real life situations, such as using their skills to combat health problems or assisting start-up businesses.
This year, during the 2 weeks of missions ministry, the areas of focus will be:
- leading a vacation bible school
- working in a medical clinic for the Aboriginal community in Mount Druitt
- Christian leadership training and discipleship for Indigenous peoples, including mentoring
- tutoring for youth
- visiting homes in the Mount Druitt community and surrounding areas
- evangelizing to Aboriginal juveniles in the Mount Druitt community
- working for reconciliation for the various ethnic groups by partnering with Mt Druitt Indigenous Church for Cultural Days.
Does it sound exciting? Indeed it is! I am therefore asking that you support us in this spiritually enriching experience by making contributions towards our expenses, which include transportation, housing, food and donations to AEF. Our fundraising goal is $6,435.
To make a tax-deductible contribution: www.intervarsity.org/donate/to/kabugu ; by EFT MAIL, payable to Intervarsity Christian Madison, WI 53707-7895). Please designate the ministry of C Kabugu".
If you prefer to send contributions directly to us so we can thank you, Write for "C/N KABUGU - Australian global project" in the memo section and send to 65 Commons Drive Unit 102, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
All donations are to be received by June 15, 2009.
Would you want to hear about the above experiences? Then, keep reading this blog during the dates June 16–July 3, 2009. I plan to add daily updates.
Useful Links for more information
http://national.bsapministries.org/
http://www.intervarsity.org/gp/page.php?id=807
http://www.intervarsity.org/gp/project.php?row_id=283
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