Background of Sycamore Ministries
In June of 2007, the Parnell family visited Uganda for a month long mission trip. Our family planned and fund raised for over six months to make sure our skill sets matched the needs of the community, and we partnered with an existing mission organization to help with infrastructure.
Barb led an effort to start a sewing business for over 20 women without means to support their families. The business operates successfully today as Thread of Life . Charlie presented a five day business conference to approximately 150 people, and supported Barb’s sewing initiative by tutoring a few young men to manage the record keeping and business needs of the (future) sewing business. Daughter Kelli (then age 19) & son Nicholas (then age 15) partnered with the mission to introduce a soccer program into the Katunga slum in Kampala, which culminated in a formal tournament the last day of our 4 week visit with 8 soccer teams from across Kampala.
Thanks to our children, we befriended Pastor Richard Ssekyeru, the founder of Sports Friends Int.- Uganda. Unbeknownst to us, Pastor Richard was responsible for starting many soccer ministries across Uganda and throughout Africa, his heart for teaching young men to lead godly lives, and his desire to show Jesus’s love to the poor in Uganda.
Barb led an effort to start a sewing business for over 20 women without means to support their families. The business operates successfully today as Thread of Life . Charlie presented a five day business conference to approximately 150 people, and supported Barb’s sewing initiative by tutoring a few young men to manage the record keeping and business needs of the (future) sewing business. Daughter Kelli (then age 19) & son Nicholas (then age 15) partnered with the mission to introduce a soccer program into the Katunga slum in Kampala, which culminated in a formal tournament the last day of our 4 week visit with 8 soccer teams from across Kampala.
Thanks to our children, we befriended Pastor Richard Ssekyeru, the founder of Sports Friends Int.- Uganda. Unbeknownst to us, Pastor Richard was responsible for starting many soccer ministries across Uganda and throughout Africa, his heart for teaching young men to lead godly lives, and his desire to show Jesus’s love to the poor in Uganda.
In the few years following our family Ugandan trip, we continued to correspond with Richard and found a means to support his work, albeit in a minimum way. The more we learned about Richard and his family, it was natural to forge a strong relationship. We hosted him for multiple day stays in our Colorado home on two occasions when he traveled to the US for various Sports Leadership conferences. As it turns out, Richard is one of the most entrepreneurial person we have ever met.
After a heart-to- heart with Richard on his immediate and long-term needs, we decided we could best help from afar with fundraising. Our sense was that if people knew his situation/heart/struggles and vision, they would find a means to support him. Subsequently, Sycamore Ministries, Inc. was conceived primarily with a focus on his ministry. As we flushed out the Scope, Bylaws, and details for Sycamore Ministries in the 501(c)3 application process, we knowingly broadened the scope beyond his Ugandan specific work, recognizing our own passions could allow for meaningful work to help underprivileged children anywhere on the globe. During the last few years, Charlie had a chance to visit Kampala and be a guest in Richard’s home for a month long stay. It was a time that provided an up close and personal look at how the Ssekyeru family does life: their priorities, sacrifices, hopes, worries, laundry … and love. Charlie was especially blessed to spend time with Richard’s wife Florence and learn of her passion for the Little Surprises ministry she leads. In conclusion, for the short term Sycamore Ministries is focused on the ministries that Richard and Florence are leading in Uganda. Going forward the Sycamore Board will work with them to expand the scope as the situation presents itself. |
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