Author: Norm

[From Pastor Yatta via WhatsApp]

Good afternoon my UK Oxford family.
Thank you very much for your support in December and the funds you sent.
I want you to know that we where happy and grateful to God for the provisoon.
How we spent

1. The Church Camp did not take place. It was already late when we received the funds and therefore not able to do the camp.
2. We have a ministry for little girls in our Mission call – DAUGHTERS of ZION. We supported them for a two days retreat at Regent.
3. CHURCH FEEDING PROGRAM…
   We provided feeding for the two churches in Freetown and
   The central church at Soldier – all departments,
   Children, Youth and adult. They started at 10 am in the morning till 6 pm. In the evening I have to stop them. Put the music off. The neighbours around the church came around. I see families enjoying themselves i was very happy. The church at mambo did it the following sunday after central. They cooked, bought 3 bails of clothing and bought water and drinks. They share a lot of clothes to the members plus what we received from Gill box. The place we are meeting was so full people don’t want to go home. Let me on behalf of our churches say thank you. We really appreciate you. You guys have never stop blessing us for Christmas. Since we met you guys in 2001 you have carry us in you heart. I want you to know that we prayed for you and people where just blessing you
4. Sport Life Seniors We provided small resources for our sports life seniors. We got some ladies to cook and buy drinks for them. They took the food to the field. We got them to play and eat. These are people who are really supporting us with sport life ministry. They provide finance and assistant the ministry so we decided to surprise them. They were so happy You guys made it possible because of what we received from you.

In all 283 people benefitted. We fed: Central 92, Mambo 115, Sports Life seniors 76.

Stay blessed

One of our Trustees collected some gifts – clothes, shoes, etc – at his church and sent them to Pastor Yatta. Here is Yatta’s response (sent via WhatsApp).

Good morning my brother.
I picked up the 2 boxes and came straight home because people were waiting for me very anxiously.
I asked the churches to send 1 representatives to represent their church.
They open the boxes and share the items in three parts

1. The church at Mambo
2. The Central church in Freetown
3. And the Kono.. church.

Thank you for putting Smiles on the faces of our church members. When they opened the box they were filled with joy and excitement. A lot of people have something. There where lots of clothes and shoes
Also there were phones and laptops. books pens and pencils . Some of my pastors got phone that has never used phone before. They need them for reporting. Some one will have to teach them how to use it. The phones were all open to our network here.
Thank for the effort you are putting on collecting and sending them.
People got and enjoyed their Christmas from the boxes . Even myself got a pair of sandals. Nice one good looking. Thank you Ian. We appreciate the box so much and will always look forward to receiving it. May God bless you and bless your effort. Stay Blessed.

[From Pastor Yatta via WhatsApp]

Finally! Finally! Finally!
The Lord has answered our prayers!
Since I returned from England in February this year, every land opportunity we pursued had already been sold. But by God’s grace, we remained courageous and persistent in our search. We are especially thankful for the help of a lawyer who recently introduced us to new land opportunities.
As many of you know, Christian Community Church was founded in 1998. In 2002, the Lord brought us into partnership with one another, and since then, nothing has remained the same. You have been a pillar of support to us, and through your help, the ministry has continued to grow and expand.
At present, we have eight (8) churches in Kono and two (2) in Freetown. Our dream, vision, and heartfelt prayer is to have our own church building in Freetown, along with a school and a health clinic that can help generate income to support the rest of our ministries.
Currently, we have twenty (20) pastors under our care. It has not been easy to support them all, and this is why we are praying and working toward sustainable sources of income for the ministry.
Since returning from England, we have established a building committee. We have also engaged the services of a lawyer and a surveyor to guide us through the process of acquiring land.
The building committee has assessed that eight (8) to ten (10) town lots will be suitable and convenient for our project, especially as the school will need space for a playground.
After negotiations, the landowner has agreed to sell to us at $4,000 per town lot, down from his original asking price of $5,500 per lot. He has generously offered us this discount because of our relationship with him, the lawyer, and because the land will be used for a church.
We have agreed to purchase the land.
However, the landowner is waiting for us to begin payment before proceeding with the official survey. December is approaching, and many people from the diaspora will be coming home for Christmas to buy land and build homes. If we delay, we risk losing this opportunity once again.
This is a good piece of land at a fair price, and we are asking for your support to secure it.
Please stand with us in prayer and in giving. Let us not miss this opportunity.
Stay blessed.

[Editor’s note: The main church in Freetown is currently based in a rented hall and Pastor Yatta has always yearned for a permanent space for his mission, to include a school and healthcare facility for the community. This current parcel of land does not have to be acquired immediately. He is seeking support to allow him to lock in the land so he can continue raising funds to reach the final amount. If you have any questions, please contact us]

[From David Sandi via WhatsApp]

Saturday the 5th of July, was Thanksgiving day at Ahkom. It was combined with certification ceremony for pupils graduating from primary to junior secondary school.

The day begun with a march past around our catchment area, followed by prayers on return to the school campus. Then came the certification.

There were two marching bands and a DJ set. It was a fun day for all involved: pupils, parents, staff, friends, significant others and the locals.

Below, are pictures taken in the school compound immediate on our return from the march past.

Sports Life held an inter-church football tournament, won by New Life Ministry, but everyone had a good time!

The Children and Youth Ministry also celebrated, the latter with a seminar at the beach

Jog4Jesus is an annual event run by Pastor Yatta and his Sports Life Ministry – the name says it all. This year the event also celebrated 25 years of Pastor Yatta’s ministry. The event was covered by national newspapers which is a reflection of the wonderful work Yatta is doing, in very difficult circumstances.

Runners in Bo and Freetown

Induction of new students into the catering department of the Tech/Voc center.

25 years Celebration of Sports Life Ministry Sierra Leone.
We are grateful to God for having kept us alive for 25 years.
This ministry is a blessing to this nation. As we work with Schools, community, sports clubs and Churches.
We do Evangelism Training and Discipleship.

As we celebrate 25 years, we put together various programs.

1. Inter Churches Football Competition. Going on now.
   With 24 churches participating
2. Volleyball for girls. 12 teams competing.
3. There will also be a Quizz competition for 16 churches.
4. On the 19th April we will be having JOG 4 JESUS. Involving all walks of life in Freetown.
5. On the 27th April there will be a Thanksgiving Service. A time to appreciate God for having taken us thus far.
6. Our last celebration program will be in December. As we will do CAMPS. Youth and Children Camp. Please uphold us in your prayers as we continue to navigate through. More specifically for God to provide the necessary FUNDINGS. It has been difficult – but we shall continue to move forward.
   Stay Blessed.
   Yatta Samura

Pastor Yatta visited Oxford in February. During his stay he presented a short message to his supporters and at St Andrew’s church. His message is below:

“I am here to express my thanks and appreciation to you at St Andrew’s for your prayers and your support. For over 20 years, you have been partners with us and where we are today as a Mission is good. You have contributed greatly and we say thank you.

Let me also say thank you for your help and support of the Children’s Feeding Programme in December. The children always look forward to it. Anytime they see me, they will ask if it is going to happen again. I have taken this initiative ‘up country’ to Kono to the less privileged. It is a blessing to them.

I also want to take the opportunity to thank you for the stipend of our Pastors and Coaches of the Sportslife Ministry SL which we receive every month. It helps to put food on the table for them and helps the children in school. This is something that has helped the Ministry progress. It is small but goes a long way.

The country of Sierra Leone is deteriorating. In June 2023, we had an election that is still not finished, The President refused to hand over power so the International community cut the support to the government, leaving all of us suffering.

We are gradually losing our younger generation to drugs. All over the country, there is a serious problem with more and more drugs coming into the country.

Please pray for our young people. Everybody wants to leave the country, so they don’t mind dying to go out. Many have died in the Mediterranean as they try to cross to Europe. Everyone wants to go out, to leave, as there is nothing in Sierra Leone for them. When you get to Sierra Leone you will see big houses and big cars, most owned by those who have left and this motivates people to leave.

Our theme for this year, 2025, is ‘Making progress’ – 1 Timothy 4:15, Progress is something you see, something tangible. As a Mission, we must make intentional progress.

Our dream is to leave LEGACY. Another Pharaoh will come that does not know Joseph. Joseph came to Egypt and brought all his family. After some years, another Pharoah came to Egypt that does not know Joseph. There will come a time when you supporters will not be around. Myself, I might not be around. What will happen to the ministry then?

So, my suggestion is:

• Build a church, a school and a health centre in Freetown to generate income to support the rest of the ministry
• To buy a 20 seater bus to bring people to church

Buying a piece of land in Freetown is expensive but we would save money in the end by not paying rent.”