Join Michele as she learns about the local Delight in the Lord Ministries and its work in Uganda.
What a pleasure it was to attend an informative presentation by the Board of ‘Delight in the Lord Ministries’ (DLM), with a warm welcome from Curt Deal and Cierra Crowe.
In attendance were 130+ guests at the Kiwanis Ogeechee Fairgrounds Building, all eagerly awaiting to hear the speakers on the growth and development of DLM. An enjoyable buffet of "Southern cookin’" was available with fried chicken, green beans, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, cole slaw, broccoli salad, and yeast rolls, finished off with homemade poundcake and banana puddin'. Delicious!!
‘Delight in the Lord Ministries’ was established in November 2015 and is now starting its 9th year of ministry in Uganda, Africa. DLM continues to assist children and their families with educational needs, medical expenses, and Bible studies, which enable them to teach children biblical truths and to share the gospel weekly.
“Mwasuze mutya abemikwano”
Cierra Crowe, Founder and Director of Mission, cheerfully greeted the audience with “Good Morning friends” in Luganda, the native language of Uganda. Crowe began her presentation saying, “My name in Uganda is ‘Nakimuli' -- given to me meaning a ‘good flower’.”
Crowe born and raised in Bulloch County and graduated from SEB High School in 2015. She has one sister, Ashley. Cierra said, “My family reminds me, from time to time, of the infamous preschool debacle, where I informed everyone that I did not need preschool because my grandma would teach me everything I needed to know. What a ‘spunky’ child I was; that's what I was told.”
Crowe always had the desire to help people, especially those of other ethnicities. She studied and learned about Africa, how people in some areas of the continent lived in huts in remote villages, and knew that God really wanted her to go to Africa and live in a hut, too. Crowe, with the help of her mother, Lisa N.Crowe, now Administrative Director of DLM and sister Ashley Crowe, now Executive Director of DLM, went on numerous mission trips to West Virginia, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.
After graduation, she made her first visit to Uganda for 3 months, volunteering with an organization. “I loved the culture and the people and felt God calling me back to Uganda,” she shared.
One of her favorite verses, Psalm 37:4-5, says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
‘Delight in the Lord Ministries' became a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in November 2015. In February 2016, Crowe returned to Uganda with the plan to stay for 6 months, and the rest is history.
”In October 2018, Delight in the Lord Ministry became a registered NGO in Uganda, allowing me to operate with a work permit under DLM in Uganda," she said. "Glory to GOD -- Mukama akuwe omukisa," added Crowe, a comment she uses frequently.
In great detail, Crowe explained how DLM is making a difference in the lives of Ugandan children and families and what they have accomplished in a short time.
Ashley Galo, Board Member shared, “Cierra, a former youth student, is a blessing to be a part of students called to overseas Ministry and missions. Serving on the board has shown me how God is working through DLM in Uganda. We are looking forward to our first family mission trip to serve with DLM.”
Accomplishments: October 2021-May 2023
DLM has purchased 17 acres of land and completed a Ministry Home with fencing, main gate, gatehouse, teacher latrines, Umeme power, 2 deep wells, a water pump, security lights, landscaping, and upgraded main roads. DLM provided $457,570 to complete all these projects through the faithful and generous giving of its supporters. DLM has monthly partners and educational partners to provide the financial anchor for this ministry.
Visionary Goals for 2024
- Building/Community Outreach: Focus on a ‘Primary Boarding School’ with dormitories where a child could sleep under nets (to avoid malaria) and clean drinking water (to avoid typhoid) and an outdoor Kitchen/Pavilion serving as a community outreach in the future; Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Educational and Medical needs on a daily basis..
- Educational Sponsorship Outreach: 72 Ugandan children are currently sponsored attending local primary and secondary schools. Every sponsorship pays tuition, hot lunches, school supplies, school uniform, sportswear and a new pair of shoes for 3 academic terms.
- Bible Study Outreach: Every child attends Bible study with an English bible, focusing on biblical attributes; Children attend local churches or mosques.
- Medical Outreach: Meeting the daily needs for children and families, including consultation, lab work and prescribed medication. Some children have malaria, bacterial infections, and a few with sickle cell anemia.
To construct the remaining buildings, DLM will need approximately $720,000. This would cover construction for the Chapel, Administrative Building, and 2 Classroom Blocks, which would include dormitories, toilets, headteacher house, and football pitch field.
Board member Melissa Sands said, “I have a tenderness towards Africa, and in October 2023, I had the opportunity to go and see the early stages of the building project and interact with 72 sponsor children. I would like our community and schools to know about DLM and be generous with their love, time, and resources."
In closing, Crowe smiled graciously saying, “Mwebale Kujja -- Thank you for coming!”
To learn more about DLM, please visit https://www.delightinthelordministries.org/.
If you would like more information on how you can contribute to their efforts, you can click here. You may also mail a check to Delight in the Lord Ministries, P.O. Box 183, Brooklet, GA 30415.
