CoGI CONNECT Program Updates

As we expand our programs in the communities we serve, we’re rebranding with the addition of CoGi CONNECTKidsCamp – formerly Vacation Bible School (VBS), CONNECTYoungAdultsCamp, and CONNECTCommunity.

JAMAICA
Impacting & Empowering the Youth In Jamaica. 
Although the CONNECTKidsCamp is designed for children 4-12 years of age, each year we’ve welcomed a growing number of teenagers. These young boys and girls are hungry for truth. Truth about who they are – their worth, value, and purpose. Truth that their circumstance does not define who they are or what they’re capable of. While they had a blast participating in the games and crafts, they they were visibly impacted by the worship music and the deep discussions about who God is and who they are as children of God. Emily, our volunteer worship leader, engaged them in introductory guitar lessons; and honored their request to listen to her sing while they embraced the truth that was sung over them.

At the end of the week, two of the young boys partnered with the local pastor and one of our male volunteers to deliver groceries to the elderly located in the even more remote areas of the community. This was a great opportunity to empower the youth to be intentional about giving back to those within their neighbours, despite their own personal circumstances.

NIGERIA
Building Meaningful Relationships In Nigeria.
In August, a team of 14 volunteers from our local partner organization, Davrem School joined the children of the orphanage and the surrounding community to partake in the annual summer CONNECTKidsCamp. After our first CONNECTKidsCamp and Christmas Celebration in 2018, the children were ecstatic to welcome the same team of volunteers back this past summer. While the children in the orphanage are used to generous and caring people who make financial and physical donations; they rarely have people engaging with and spending time with them. They’re starting to realize that the volunteers of CoGi and Davrem School care about spending time with them, pouring into their spiritual growth and mental well-being. The kids as well as the volunteers are super excited for this year’s upcoming Christmas Celebration!

WHAT’S NEXT – 2020

JAMAICA. The youth we serve in Jamaica can be better served, so we are planning our first CONNECTYoungAdultsCamp. This will be a 3-4 day camp designed specifically for the youth, creating a fun, adventurous, and safe place to continue conversations about the challenges they’re facing. Think of the traditional youth group camp that’s common in the United States and other countries around the world – fun, truth, growth.

CONNECTCommunity. We also plan to serve the broader community by partnering with a local company to provide training to individuals/families on how to farm chickens for egg production, as a source of meat for individual needs or as a means of generating income. This is aimed at providing a sustainable solution to some of the economic and nutritional challenges that exists.

NIGERIA. We will be supporting our local partner, Davrem Schools, in hosting the 2nd annual Christmas Celebration with the children at the orphanage. We envision this to be a time set aside where they can celebrate Jesus’ birth and enjoy a party organized just for them.  We want them to remember that they are seen! This will include music, games and cake. Our partner, Davrem Schools, will also run the 3rd annual CONNECTKidsCamp during the summer of 2020, with material, financial aid, prayer, and support from CoGi.

Nigeria 2018

In August, the Adeuya and Ukwa families (including their kiddos) traveled to Nigeria where we worked alongside our local partner, Davrem School, to serve the children of the Isheri community in Lagos. Within this community is an orphanage, which is home to approximately 50 to 60 children, newborns to 19 year olds. This orphanage also houses a school within its compound, where the children from the surrounding communities attend school. This allows the children living at the orphanage to integrate into society with the children from the community, which is critical amongst a culture where being an orphan carries a heavy stigma. This particular orphanage takes in children that have been reported abandoned to the Police, never knowing the child’s history, or even the child’s birth name (if the child is too young to speak).

The children are given the family name of the orphanage’s founder; so they have a family name, hopefully lessening the stigma society puts on them. Just like here in the U.S., in Nigeria, once a child reaches the age of 18, they ‘age out’ of the system. This particular orphanage allows the children who ‘age out’ the opportunity to voluntarily stay, as it’s their belief and realization that just because a child turns 18, doesn’t mean they are equipped to be out on their own with no support or guidance from family or a community. We couldn’t agree more!

As you can imagine, when working with children who know they were abandoned by their families, and are growing up in an orphanage, there are endless opportunities to speak life and identity into their lives.  

The VBS ran Monday through Friday from 10am to 3pm, during which time we served children ages 4 months to 19 years. On day one, approximately 65 children attended, then as the word spread that we were there, we had 85 children by day two, and by Friday, approximately 145 children! Good news spreads fast!!

Through the VBS, children were exposed to the teachings of Christ through participating in worship, bible study, art, music, and games. We shared five characteristics about Jesus Christ through the various activities to create a deeper understanding of the Gospel in a very practical simplified way. This allows young children to gather basic truths about who Jesus is and who He expects us to be. The material was presented in a way that is thought provoking to stimulate young minds, to engage deeper understanding of the Bible, and also facilitate those who want to continue studying the word of Jesus Christ.  The teachings included:

Day 1 – Washing dirty feet (John 13: 1-12)

            Day 2 – The impossible made possible (John 2: 1-11)

            Day 3 – The storm (Mark 4: 35-44)

            Day 4 – Compassion (Luke 7: 11-16)

            Day 5 – Sacrifice (Matthew 27 – Matthew 28: 10)

After the week of VBS, the Ukwa family traveled East to the village of Ohafia, where they served lunch to an estimate 375+ children. We were able to share with the children that they are each beautifully and uniquely made by God and that they are seen and loved by God. 

We Came to Serve. When we arrived at the orphanage on Monday morning, we had the opportunity to speak with the staff as well as the founder’s wife. They admitted that when our local partner, Davrem School, approached them about our team coming to run a VBS for them, they were skeptical and hesitant, wanting to know what we wanted in return. They couldn’t understand why we would be traveling all the way from the U.S. to spend the week with them, and expect nothing in return. We soon realized that this concept even baffled the older kids we worked with. It was amazing to see how quickly their guards dropped and how warmly they embraced us, as we served as the hands and feet of Jesus to each of them. God is SO good!

Never too Young to Serve. We quickly found that our own children have hearts for the babies! They spent quite a bit of time in the baby room loving on the seven babies that were there. They enjoyed holding them, singing to them, and making them laugh! It’s a fantastic reminder that one is never too young to share the love of Jesus with others! 

Ministering to the Older Kids. From the time we arrived, it became very clear to Anthony and AG that they had a unique opportunity to minister to the older children. They had a great time playing games, laughing, and quickly building a good report with the kids, which allowed them to have moments of real truth talk. They discussed the ‘elephant in the room’; what being an orphan means in the society they are living in. They acknowledged the unfortunate nature of their circumstances, and encouraged them that God sees them, knows them, and has great plans for them. They are Sons and Daughters of the Almighty God! They have been blessed with a unique, large, wonderful, and beautiful family and they must work together and support each other, they don’t have to go it alone.  By Friday, all ‘tough guy’ exteriors that greeted us on Monday morning had long vanished, as we were sent off with tear filled eyes and hopes of seeing each other again.

Bibles for Everyone. One of our gracious donors provided the funds to purchase 120 youth Bibles, which we gifted to the children. It was such a huge success – each child was so proud of ‘their’ Bible, something that was brought just for them.  We continue to pray for each of them as they continue to seek the Lord and dive into Gods word.

God is AMAZING! As you can imagine, there is no shortage of stories about God’s provision and covering over every step of our fundraising, planning, and execution of both missions’ trips! If you want to hear more, feel free to reach out – we love to brag on God and His faithfulness!!!

Jamaica 2018

In July, Roxanne, along with a team of two volunteers, traveled to Jamaica to serve the children of St. Mary’s community and surrounding areas. Unfortunately, there are no doctors or access to medical care within this community. There are a very limited number of job opportunities (if any at all) in the community and as result; only the very poor families who are unable to fund secondary and/or tertiary level education end up staying. Some of the children we work with walk 2-3 miles each day to attend VBS, where the snack and lunch they receive may be their only meal for that day. As you can imagine, there’s endless opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus to this community and surrounding areas!

The VBS ran Monday through Friday from 9am to 1pm, during which time we served approximately 85 children, ages 2 to 19. The children were exposed to the teachings of Christ through participating in worship, bible study, art, music, and games. We shared five characteristics about Jesus Christ through the various activities to create a deeper understanding of the Gospel in a very practical simplified way. This allowed young children to gather basic truths about who Jesus is and who He expects us to be. The material was presented in a way that is thought provoking to stimulate young minds, to engage deeper understanding of the Bible, and also facilitate those who want to continue studying the word of Jesus Christ. 

The teachings included:

            Day 1 – Facing your giant (1 Samuel 17: 12-50)

            Day 2 – Unlocking your true potential (Judges 6: 1-16)

            Day 3 – One more act of kindness (1 Kings 17: 7-16)

            Day 4 – Expect the unexpected (John 6: 1-14)

            Day 5 – What is your destination? (John 1: 43-51)

It was amazing to see how the message of Jesus and His love for each individual child brought the warmest smile to each little face.

Host It and They Will Come. Everyday, as we arrived at the church, a group of children were awaiting our arrival and the start of the day. The children were beyond eager to get checked in each morning and get started with worship. They were thrilled to identify various songs to sing and engage in worship.

True Identity Behind Labels. The children that we serve have been labeled as the ‘problem children’ of the community and surrounding areas. Most of these children serve as surrogate parents for their siblings and cousins. One little girl, no more than 10 years old, carried her sister on her back the entire way to, from, and around the camp, as her sister is unable to walk due to a disability. Others cared for babies. The leaders would often relieve the children of their baby duty, allowing them to participate in games and crafts. These children, who were parenting other children, were such a witness to our team of volunteers. At no time did these children seem overly burdened by their responsibility, but instead were generous and graced with kind and helpful spirits. This was a great reminder that no matter how ‘troubled’ the children may be perceived by others, they are searching and eager to find the hope comes with the Gospel of Jesus.

Until We Meet Again. At the end of the week, we gifted the children with school supplies in an effort to offset back-to-school costs for their families. We ended with a ‘Sunday Dinner’ type of meal on Friday as we reflected on the week and all the enjoyable times. It was so memorable to see the big smiles and gratitude in the eyes of the children as we exchanged hugs and best wishes.