Saturday, April 5, 2014
Sunday, February 2, 2014
My time Stateside
Hello and Happy New Year! Can you believe it's already February?! Seems hard to believe. Time flies when you are having fun and doing God's work :) And this year is going to be jam-packed with KidZ at Heart ministry work for me in Africa. I'm very excited!
For the past 2 months I have been Stateside on furlough visiting with family, friends, and my prayer and financial champions. It's been such a sweet time spending Christmas with my family; especially my precious niece Tani. She's a bundle of joy. I've also enjoyed hanging with some close friends and taking in some USA things I can't do in Africa (eating at some favorite restaurants (sushi!) catching a movie, taking a walk on the beach, strolling through Target, Starbucks, that kind of thing....) And best of all I've gotten to meet face to face with so many of my support team and share all that God is doing in Uganda and the rest of Africa through KidZ at Heart. I've had opportunities to share about my ministry work at house parties that friends have organized and at several churches. I've split my time up between Jacksonville, Florida (where I'm from) and Phoenix, Arizona area where KidZ at Heart is located. At the moment I'm in Arizona gearing up for our KidZ at Heart Staff Retreat that starts in just a few days. This will be a time of spiritual refreshing and planning for this year. On February 14th I head back home to Kampala, Uganda where I will hit the ground running with all the exciting KidZ at Heart work to be done this year in Africa.
Here's some exciting things happening this year in Uganda and beyond in Africa:
- KidZ at Heart training workshops in partnership with KEST (Kampala Evangelical School of Theology) will expand to many village areas throughout Uganda. It's our goal to bring our children's ministry training to as many parts of Uganda as possible and equip the nationals!
- I will be mobilizing short-term mission trips with KidZ at Heart to countries such as Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Cameroon.
- I will return in June to East Kilimanjaro, Tanzania to help lead a KidZ at Heart training with a team from the USA
- Our intensive children's ministry degree program called KAHLA (KidZ at Heart Leadership Advocacy) launches this year in partnership with KEST (Kampala Evangelical School of Theology). We are so excited about this new development!
This will be the beginning of my 2nd year in Kampala, Uganda and it really has become like home to me. The abundant work of KidZ at Heart in Uganda and throughout Africa has just begun. And I'm very honored to be part of God's work there. In order to continue the ministry work God has called me to do, I need a team of champions that are praying and financially supporting the ministry work I'm doing. I'm currently needing $1000 more in monthly support to meet my monthly budget. The cost of living in Kampala is very high. (If you would like to see a breakdown of my budget or have any questions please feel free to ask) Will you partner into this amazing ministry and help reach the 2.2 billion children that need to know Jesus? All it takes is 10 people @ $100 a month, 20 people @ $50 a month, 40 people @ $25 a month or even 100 people @ $10 a month!
May God bless you abundantly!
-Shannon
Donation Details: To Donate Online: http://www.kidzatheart.org/about/our-team/staff-volunteers/ Scroll down and Select My Name (Shannon Routzahn). You can set up Automatic Monthly Gifts if you select the "Ongoing Gift" option. (If the monthly amount options aren’t what you want to give you can also give via filling out the Automatic Donation and Automatic Withdrawal form that is available online at http://www.kidzatheart.org/give/support-a-staff-member-or-missionary/ )
Or Mail Checks to: KidZ at Heart International, P.O. Box 21148, Mesa, AZ 85277-1148 (Please designate on Memo line that it’s for Shannon Routzahn)
The 2.2 billion children have the right to become children of God if they receive Jesus as their Savior. How can they receive Christ if they have never heard about Jesus and His salvation plan of each of us? We must be part of God’s plan to reach the 2.2 billion children with the Gospel, so that they can become children of God. Over the past 10 years, KidZ at Heart has directly trained more than 5,000 children’s leaders in other countries to reach and teach kids for Christ within their own culture. These leaders can also freely share KidZ training with others (an estimated 30,000 more) who are sharing Jesus with children. Thank God for his leading and provision!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Ngora KidZ at Heart Training
The 3-day training covered subjects such as How Children LEARN Best, 8 Wonderful Ways Children Learn, Story-telling techniques that bring the Bible to life for children, How to Prepare a Lesson Plan, How to Love Our Children to Good Behavior, and Discipline Dos and Donts. The participants even spent a day practicing all that they learned through different story-telling techniques. This is always our favorite day as we get to see how they implement what they have learned. Something really special was that the workshop handouts were even translated into their local language, Ateso. This was such a huge accomplishment and blessing. It's our hope that this is just the beginning of a very fruitful relationship in Ngora district and even the surrounding districts. We would like to do annual trainings in this area where we can keep building upon what was taught and keep expanding their children's ministry skills. KidZ at Heart has seen tremendous testimonies from other areas of Uganda that recently attended our trainings and we know that Ngora will be no different. The people of Ngora are family to me now and I can't wait to get back for a visit and then also future trainings.
I'd like to personally thank my dear friends Stanley and Beatrice Etiang (photo above), Vincent, Godfrey, Silver (our translator), Lynn and ARISE, our translator of the Ateso handouts, Pastor Grace, Pastor Charles, and so many others that were involved in making this training such a success. It takes a team to do God's work and each person is of such value.
What's next on the horizon for me?
- In just one week I will be in the USA! I will be in Jacksonville, FL December 13-January 25th for the holidays, seeing friends and family, visiting with supporters, and raising more support. I will then be in Phoenix, Arizona January 25th-February 10th for a KidZ at Heart staff retreat. I travel back home to Kampala on February 14th. If you are in any of these areas I'd love to see you when I'm in the States!
- In 2014 I will be back in Kampala and busy with KidZ at Heart trainings in partnership with KEST (Kampala Evangelical School of Theology) and KAHLA (KidZ at Heart Leadership Advocacy program) throughout Uganda along with also mobilizing many short-term KidZ at Heart trips throughout Africa (Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, and many others).
- I've joined the choir at University Community Fellowship (my home church in Kampala) and I'm very excited about being highly involved with the worship team in 2014. I will also continue to help with UCF's children's ministry and the women's ministry called King's Daughters. I'm blessed to have found a wonderful home church.
- Supporters, PLEASE BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR DETAILS ON THIS IN THE UPCOMING WEEKS. My giving method will be switching over to KidZ at Heart International. I will be walking you through this easy process and explaining about the switch-over. World Outreach has been wonderful agency to me and I'm thankful for all they have done the past few years.
May God bless you abundantly,
Shannon
To Donate Online: http://www.worldoutreach.org/donations Select My Name. The system can process USA and International Cards. You can also set up Automatic Monthly Gifts if you select the "Monthly" option.
Or Mail Checks to: World Outreach Ministries, P.O. Box B, Marietta, GA 30061(Designate for Routzahn, Fund Code #91)
The 2.2 billion children have the right to become children of God if they receive Jesus as their Savior. How can they receive Christ if they have never heard about Jesus and His salvation plan of each of us? We must be part of God’s plan to reach the 2.2 billion children with the Gospel, so that they can become children of God. Over the past 10 years, KidZ at Heart has directly trained more than 5,000 children’s leaders in other countries to reach and teach kids for Christ within their own culture. These leaders can also freely share KidZ training with others (an estimated 30,000 more) who are sharing Jesus with children. Thank God for his leading and provision!
Friday, September 20, 2013
KidZ at Heart Intensive Training at KEST
The KidZ at Heart trainings in Uganda just keep getting better and better! Pastor Grace Rwothumio, Way & Gean Stevens, and I led training at KEST (Kampala Evangelical School of Theology) this past weekend for 25 key children's ministry leaders within Uganda. The trainees included our KAHLA (KidZ at Heart Leadership Advocacy) East Africa Launch team, KEST staff, and key children's leaders throughout the country. We did this intensive 2-day training to raise up trainers for KidZ at Heart within Uganda. Our work in East Africa keeps getting larger and we simply can't do it all alone. We are confident that with the help of this team we can bring more KidZ at Heart trainings throughout East Africa.
The 2-day training was a huge success and it was the first training of this kind in Africa for KidZ at Heart. Our 25 trainees were eager to learn and become great trainers. The participants came from churches and organizations such as Watoto Church, Church of Uganda, Baptist Union of Uganda, New Life Church, Christian City Gate, All Saints Cathedral, Jesus for the Little Children, Godly Living Ministries, Word of Life, Gawa Church, and Pentecostal Evangelical Ministries. On the first day we went over the fundamentals of how Children L.E.A.R.N. Best and then they each had a chance to lead part of this workshop after we led them in a workshop called "How to Become a Great Trainer". On the second day they each led a storytelling technique from our workshop "Bringing the Bible to Life". And we ended the day with a leadership workshop that focuses on teamwork.
Everyone that attended was greatly encouraged and excited about the future with KidZ at Heart. I myself was feeling so proud of this incredible group of leaders! It's so exciting for me to see each of them lead KidZ at Heart workshops and come together as a wonderful team to reach kids for Christ. They also have become like family to me here in Uganda. Whenever I'm in need or have a question I know I can call on any one of them for help.
Exciting things are happening with KidZ at Heart in Africa!
Here are some upcoming projects you can pray for as well as some praises:
- Praise! Our KidZ at Heart South Africa team had a wonderful and successful trip. They partnered with Walk Thru the Bible in Johannesburg and put on several trainings.
- Praise! and Prayer: I received my special pass visa extension this week (a huge answer to prayer) and I've been told my work permit should come through within a week. There had been delays but it looks like it will be in my hands soon. Please keep praying, God hears and He's answering!
- At the end of November I will help lead a 3-day training with Pastor Grace Rwothumio and Pastor Charles OPendi in a district of Uganda called Ngora. This past July I visited Gawa Church in Ngora with the hopes of bringing a KidZ at Heart training to this region. I give praise to God for opening up the doors for this training. Please pray as we start planning for this training in the northeast region of Uganda.
- Prayer for upcoming travels. I will be in South Africa most of October and in the States December-February.
I'm continually thankful for each and everyone for you that either reads my updates, prays for my ministry work, or helps financially. I know that without your help I couldn't be here doing what I'm doing. Will you prayerfully consider joining my support team? I'm still in need of one-time gifts and monthly giving. Some needs that I have are:
- I'm still in need of living room furniture and I don't currently have the funds to purchase this. I need at least $1000 to cover this.
- I'm in need of some car maintenance (the roads here are rough). I need $500 to cover my car needs so my car is in top shape to travel throughout Uganda.
- I'm in need of more monthly partners. I could use $500 more in monthly support.
May God richly bless you!
-Shannon
To Donate Online: http://www.worldoutreach.org/donations Select My Name. The system can process USA and International Cards. You can also set up Automatic Monthly Gifts if you select the "Monthly" option.
Or Mail Checks to:
World Outreach Ministries, P.O. Box B, Marietta, GA 30061(Designate for Routzahn, Fund Code #91)
The 2.2 billion children have the right to become children of God if they receive Jesus as their Savior. How can they receive Christ if they have never heard about Jesus and His salvation plan of each of us? We must be part of God’s plan to reach the 2.2 billion children with the Gospel, so that they can become children of God. Over the past 10 years, KidZ at Heart has directly trained more than 5,000 children’s leaders in other countries to reach and teach kids for Christ within their own culture. These leaders can also freely share KidZ training with others (an estimated 30,000 more) who are sharing Jesus with children. Thank God for his leading and provision!
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Success at Jinja and Kaliro KidZ trainings!
Praise be to God!
I just got back from a very fruitful ministry trip to Jinja and Kaliro in Uganda. Pastor Grace Rwothumio and I put on KidZ at Heart trainings in areas outside of Kampala for the first time. We worked closely with Asaph Isabirye Servant, founder of Jesus for the Little Children and our KidZ coordinator in Jinja. With his help and many others we were able to train close to 200 children's workers!! In the town of Jinja (where the Source of the Nile River is) we had 68 in attendance at Jinja Christian Centre and in the village of Kaliro (1 1/2 hours north of Jinja) we had 117 in attendance at Kaliro Discipleship Centre. Many of these children's workers have never been given the opportunity to attend a training. What I can say is that they were truly thankful and so eager to learn! During the 2-day training in both locations the participants were taught How Children L.E.A.R.N. Best, the 8 Wonderful Ways that Children Learn Best, 11 storytelling techniques of Bringing the Bible to Life, and concluded the trainings with the participants creating a Bible lesson based on the Christmas story and then presenting and evaluating them. Those in attendance for the full training were also given certificates at the conclusion of the workshops. I'm very blessed to see such success with these trainings. Lots of hard work went into the planning and preparation of bringing KidZ at Heart training outside of Kampala to other areas of Uganda. And this is only the beginning. I know over the next year I will be traveling all over Uganda to do more KidZ trainings as well as returning to Jinja and Kaliro.
Here are a few testimonies from the recent trainings in Jinja and Kaliro:
“We’ve had a lot of testimonies both in Jinja and Kaliro, what a wonderful training!! The people loved the KidZ training yet in Jinja many have undergone several trainings from other organizations before. They loved the L.E.A.R.N. method and many are applying it both at church and at school where they teach. Thanks for keeping your promise and bringing trainings to these areas. You may not know how many have had a chance of teachings through your efforts yet they have been struggling with what to do to help their children. We are so thankful and appreciative!!”
- Asaph Isabirye Servant
A participant from the Jinja training, Nakabugo Proscovia from Deliverance Church Bugembe, says "I loved and clearly understood the L.E.A.R.N. concept. This is helping me even in class at a primary school where I teach and I will also be applying it to my kids at church. I extend my thanks to Shannon and Grace together with the KidZ team. I ask that they please come back next time because I appreciate the good work done."
A participant from the Kaliro
training, Ketty Namukose, says “The most beneficial part of the KidZ training
was learning the art of storytelling to children. I plan to change my way of
teaching to children in the future and incorporate techniques such as drama and
the L.E.A.R.N. concepts.”
Thank you to my prayer and financial partners who are helping me to stay in Africa and do the ministry work God has called me to do. Please know that you are truly impacting so many lives! And the lives of the children will be forever changed!
God Bless,
Shannon
To Donate Online:
http://www.worldoutreach.org/donations Select My Name. The system can process USA and International Cards. You can also set up Automatic Monthly Gifts if you select the "Monthly" option.
Or Mail Checks to:
World Outreach Ministries, P.O. Box B, Marietta, GA 30061(Designate for Routzahn, Fund Code #91)
The 2.2 billion children have the right to become children of God if they receive Jesus as their Savior. How can they receive Christ if they have never heard about Jesus and His salvation plan of each of us? We must be part of God’s plan to reach the 2.2 billion children with the Gospel, so that they can become children of God.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Ngora, Tororo, and so much more!
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name,
He gave the right to become children of God –
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will,
but born of God."
John 1:12-13
God is so good! My KidZ at Heart ministry work is thriving here in Uganda. I just got back from a week-long trip into many rural villages to share all about KidZ at Heart trainings and love on the children. What I can say is that I've fallen in love with the peaceful village life and the people. It was precious time together building new friendships. Pastor Charles OPendi (from KAHLA launch team) and I traveled together to Ngora and Tororo districts. God granted us amazing travel mercies and we made our way along all the bumpy dirt roads. There are a lot of those in Uganda! lol :) We had many laughs.
While in Ngora district (about a 5 hour drive from Kampala) we visited Gawa Church in the village of Tilling. We had such a warm welcome and I can say now that they are family for life. Many Sunday school teachers from Gawa Church have attended KidZ at Heart training in Kampala in the past and now we would like to try and bring KidZ training to their area where hundreds of children's ministry workers want to be trained. We are looking forward to that day and plans are well on their way. We simply can't wait to get back there. We attended their Sunday school program and were so impressed with how they were applying all they learned from KidZ training in Kampala. Their children's ministry is thriving with over 200 children! From Ngora we then traveled to many villages around Tororo (a town that borders Kenya) to share about KidZ at Heart. Pastor Charles is from this area and they were very eager to host us. Again, we were warmly welcomed with children dancing and such kind hearts. During my time in all of the villages I ate all of the local food and was treated to chicken at all meals which is a real honor when you visit someone in a village. I even had some goat too! And of course the local staple, millet bread (it's kind of a brown sticky mound that you eat and dip in sauces) Everyone that I visited said that I truly have become Ugandan, lol. I think because I adapt so well and eat all of their yummy food.
So what is next on the horizon for me the next few months? Shannon is a busy bee :)
- Pastor Grace Rwothumio and I will be leading a 2-day training in Jinja town end of August and possibly a 2-day training also in Kaliro.
- The KAHLA East Africa Launch Team will be meeting this month to go over many important steps forward.
- I'm continuing to mobilize a KidZ team to South Africa that is August 28th-September 9th.
- I have some dear friends from Jax visiting the whole month of September and staying with me. They are considering becoming full-time missionaries to Uganda.
- Pastor Grace Rwothumio, a couple visiting from the USA that works with KidZ, and myself are leading a 2-day intensive training at KEST (Kampala Evangelical School of Theology) for KEST staff and KAHLA launch team.
- Tentatively we may have a week-long KidZ training in Ngora district the first week of December.
- December 12th-February 14th I will be in the States! I will be there for the holidays, seeing friends, family, and supporters, and also attending the KidZ at Heart staff retreat in Arizona.
I'm continually blessed by all of your prayers and support. Any day now I hope to have my approved work permit in my hands :) God bless you for your help!
-Shannon
To Donate Online:
http://www.worldoutreach.org/donations Select My Name. The system can process USA and International cards. You can also set up Automatic Monthly Gifts if you select the "monthly" option.
Or Mail Checks to:
World Outreach Ministries, P.O. Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 (Designate for Routzahn, Fund Code #91)
The 2.2 billion children have the right to become children of God if they receive Jesus as their Savior. How can they receive Christ if they have never heard about Jesus and His salvation plan of each of us? We must be part of God’s plan to reach the 2.2 billion children with the Gospel, so that they can become children of God.
Over the past 10 years, KidZ at Heart has directly trained more than 5,000 children’s leaders in other countries to reach and teach kids for Christ within their own culture. These leaders can also freely share KidZ training with others (an estimated 30,000 more) who are sharing Jesus with children. Thank God for his leading and provision!
Monday, July 1, 2013
Bwana asifiwe!!!!
Bwana asifiwe!!!! (Praise the Lord!!!! in Swahili),
I have just returned from a truly amazing mission trip to Tanzania with KidZ at Heart International! After many months of preparing, raising funds, and praying, our team of 6 spent two weeks ministering to the Swahili people of East Kilimanjaro. What I can say is that Tanzania has stolen my heart. The landscape, the beauty, the people, the way of life....my heart is full of joy from this experience of a life-time! I saw so many blessings. I saw the hearts of pastors, evangelists, and children's ministry workers change from the KidZ at Heart trainings in their area. I saw the love and importance of children change their thinking and their hearts. It was such an amazing thing to witness.
I joined up with an incredible team from the USA. Each team member had their own God-given gifting to contribute to the trip and they have become friends for life. We hit the ground running as we partnered up with the Northern Diocese of the Lutheran Church in Tanzania. Our focus for the two weeks was in the East Kilimanjaro district in a town called Himo. We were able to conduct a pastor's leadership day the Saturday before our week-long KidZ Ministry Equipping Conference (KMEC) and we saw close to 100 pastors in attendance! This was a huge step because if the importance of children within the church can be in the heart of pastors, that's when change can start to happen. We worked alongside two incredible pastors that truly love children and have caught the vision of KidZ at Heart. Pastor Rogers Mtui and Reverend Winford Mosha helped us tremendously and I can see God really blessing their ministry work. The week-long KMEC training was also a huge success! Throughout the week we had 80 Sunday school teachers, children's ministry workers, and evangelists attend. Their thinking was challenged and they learned many new ways to teach children for Christ. Throughout the week I saw eager hearts, laughter, praise and worship, and a deep love for Jesus and children. I believe that God has swung open the doors in this area of Tanzania for KidZ at Heart to do more trainings in upcoming years. I know that I plan to definitely be a part of it!
Also during our time in Tanzania we made life-long friends with the staff at Babylon Lodge where we stayed. We explored the lush and beautiful area of Marangu near Mt. Kilimanjaro. We visited some of the parish churches and saw their children's ministries. And we got to end our trip with a refreshing time as a team going on safari together. We visited Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater (the 8th Wonder of the World!), Haven Nature Safari Camp, and Lake Manyara. And one of the coolest things happened on my last day in Tanzania. For the whole two weeks our team was in the East Kilimanjaro area, the mountain was hidden by the clouds (the locals even say that the mountain is quite shy). I thought I would leave without seeing the mountain. But God had other plans. My flight was cancelled the day I was supposed to fly home to Uganda and wouldn't you know it.....on that day the clouds parted, the blue skies came out, and Mt. Kilimanjaro came out in all of her glory!! It was a tremendous gift to our team. I've learned that what may seem like inconveniences can actually be gifts from God.
So what is on the horizon for me? I have quite a bit coming up that I'd like to share with you:
- I will be traveling to an area in Eastern Uganda called Ngora July 19-23. Pastor Charles OPendi of KidZ at Heart Leadership Academy Launch team will travel with me to the village of Tilling to visit Gawa Church. We are hoping to bring KidZ training to this area in the future. (After our visit to Ngora we will travel to Tororo where Pastor Charles is from)
- I'm busy making preparations for KidZ trainings in the areas of Jinja and Kaliro that we hope to have the end of August.
- I'm also making preparations for a 2-day intensive KidZ training for our KAHLA East Africa launch team (KidZ at Heart Leadership Academy) in September.
- I will continue to mobilize our KidZ South Africa trip that is end of August.
- And I'm in the final stages of the processing of my Uganda work permit!! This is a HUGE blessing and I can't wait until I have the permit in my hands :)
As always, my thanks goes out to my awesome supporters and prayer warriors. I know that God has called me to do ministry in Africa and I know I wouldn't be here without any of you. We each have a part to play and no part is less significant than the other. I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store for KidZ at Heart throughout Africa!
Please consider giving towards this amazing ministry. I'm currently in need of $500 ASAP to cover the costs of my work permit. It's going to be ready any day now and I need to be able to pay to get it.
Mungu akubariki! (God bless you!)
Asante. (Thank you)
-Shannon Routzahn
To Donate Online:
http://www.worldoutreach.org/donations Select my Name. The system can process USA and International cards. You can also set up Automatic Monthly Gifts if you choose the "monthly" option.
Or Mail Checks to:
World Outreach Ministries, P.O. Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 (Designate for Routzahn, Fund Code #91)
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