Project 61 Ministries Child Sponsorship Program

As many of you know, Thompson Station Church has a child sponsorship program called Project 61.  This ministry started when 3 ladies from our preschool ministry staff (Sumer, Alicia & Angela) went on a mission trip to Africa in January of 2010.  While in Ethiopia their mission team visited children who spent their days searching for food at the landfill in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  It was a life changing moment and Sumer knew that she had found her calling…

From Sumer:  In the trash dump, there are fires burning and ash covers everything including the children. After leaving, God reminded me that in Isaiah 61 He says that He will bring beauty from the ashes. Those verses go on to say “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord, for the display of His splendor.” That is my vision for these children who spend most of their time in the trash dump, and for the 100,000 plus people living in the adjacent community, that their lives would glorify God. That they would be a testament to His promise that He will not leave us as orphans, and that this generation would be a planting of the Lord.

She returned home with a passion and a hope to find sponsors for these children and Project 61 Ministries was born.  By June of 2010, Sumer and Corey sold their house, gave up great jobs, sold all of their possessions and moved with their 3 preschoolers to Africa.  God’s provision was evident in all the details and by September 2010, 250 children had sponsors and were headed to boarding school!  They have spent this last year sleeping in dorms, eating 3 meals per day and receiving a Christian education.

From Sumer:  I am blessed to interact with our sponsored children daily, and the change in their lives and hearts is tremendous.  I cannot imagine a more drastic example of God’s grace than moving from the trash dump to boarding school.  Thank you for loving a child and meeting a need!

The Y Family

Project 61 needs additional sponsors for the 2011/2012 school year and monetary donations to help purchase school supplies.  If you would like to sponsor a child or make a donation, please contact Erin Allen at erin@p61.org. 

Tizita

Lengero