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Except the Lord build we labour in vain that tries to build ….
For 20 years the Lord has been using us to build the Christian community church Mission SL. In Freetown and Kono.
We celebrated 20 years of existence last September – By the grace of God we have been able to established 9 churches. 5 with there own erected buildings. A National Youth Ministry with many in the university and a formidable National Women Fellowship. WOMEN OF GRACE.
We had a meeting as a senior council which is the highest decision making body of the mission and came up with the following resolution as a way forward for the mission…..
1. That the General Overseer Rev. Yatta Samura should do more regular visit to the kono ministry.
2. That we buy a bike for the National Evangelist and Church Planter. (Rev Yatta Samura, Rev. James Marcarthy and the Freetown Church provides the bike by April.
3. That we put together a Training School to train our Pastors in house. On the 14th December we are traveling to Kono for a week to kick start the training of about 35 pastors and Leaders.
4. That we celebrate big time next year to bring together all of our churches and our International partners for the celebration. We hope we Will have representative from you guys.
5. That the Freetown Church building project kick start as that will be the blessing for the rest of the ministry
6. That a National Youth Camp and a National Women Retreat start by 2019.
7.That a National Convention be held every 2 years. For fellowship, Reports and posting.

We reflect back to 2004 when we first meet you and how far the Lord has use you guys to give us a big push us to where we are today.

Somebody says – Life’s most Important question is: “What are you doing for others”?
But you have done so much for us and for that we are grateful.
There is so much opportunity and open doors for ministry in this country which I believed we must take advantage of now while it last.
You are not only blessing us but you are also appreciating God for his Goodness to you.

Sports Life….
We are now in the schools to help teach and develop sports. We have had open doors and cooperation with the teachers and administration. We are also working in opening sports clubs in the schools for recreation, Evangelism and Discipleship.
In November 16th -17th we are bringing 8 primary schools in the Godrich community for competition. For the past 3 years government has stop all sporting activities in schools because of violence. But they have trusted us to do it. We have started meeting with the schools. We pray and hope that all goes well.
Last year we had a Youth Camp. It was a real blessing to many of the kids especially those who came from the mudslide and that was badly effected. Registration has started . planing for 300 children.
Since after the Election Sierra Leone has never been the same, things are very difficult and cost of living has gone way up. In December we are planing a Feeding program for the children we are working with. 6 – 15 yrs. About one hundred. (100)

PRAYER REQUEST…..,
1. The Pastors Training in December. To be a blessing to the Pastor of our mission.
2. Sports Life School program for open doors with the administered.
3.Primary schools competition in November for 8 schools for fellowship and recreation and also to exhibit their talents.
4.Feeding program, to give the children a Christmas treat.
5. The Church building project in Freetown. As we work in securing the Land. To make the right decision. Stay Blessed
Yours Faithfully…
Yatta Samura

Isaiah 43: 1-4. The Lord promise that he will be with us in whatever situation we go through. And thanks to you all in Oxford that are praying for us we feel encouraged. Sierra Leone has not been easy after the election things are really going down but our God remained faithful.
After the Election a lot of atrocity and killing are taking place. Political revenged. This is not good for Sierra Leone. The cost of basic commodities has gone up.
The Sierra Leone ministry is gradually growing. We are still supervising the school in Koidu. We try to keep our influence in the school to keep the Christian influence.

The Churches are doing very well. The churches in Kono has a combined service every other month to serve as encouragement into the smaller churches and to bring the churches together as one.

C3 Mssion is 20 years this year. A lot to thank God for. The God Lord has taken us this far. We are grateful to come across you on the journey and the assistance you have rendered us. Pastor Marcarthy and myself are grateful
We want to celebrate next year but in September this year we are planing a Thanksgiving together in Kono. Freetown will go to Kono. If any one of you can come it will be good to be part of it. We would value your support for transportation and feeding. Waiting for pastor Marcarthy to put the details together.
The mission is also planning to organize trainings for our pastors and Elders.
Sports Life. The work is schools is growing. We are training coaches to work with the school and establishing clubs in the school. We have gone to Kabala to start a new work Ibrahim Koroma is overseeing the work. Kabala is in the North of Sierra Leone. To start in August.
The mission is undertaking a big project which the mission is praying that it come to reality. The church project in Freetown which we see as strategic for the growth and stability of our mission.
Every week coaching in schools and communities are on going. The community coaching is growing as more and more children keep coming. More need for sporting equipments, balls and footwear.
We are grateful to God for many children in our churches were able to make it to university. Three graduated also from university this year and have got jobs.
Victoria Kadie Kamara. One child I started looking after since she was 1 yr old enter the Medical school this year to do medicine. I am very grateful to God. It is expensive but God is faithful. Thank you for your prayer support and assistance. We are grateful

Prayer Needs…..
1. Thank God for my daughter Kadie Kamara to be able to make it to the medical school.
2. Thank God for the new work starting in KABALA. For the feasibility study that is going now.
3. Thank God with us for 20 years of existence. And how far God has taken us.
4. Pray for for the thanks giving in September.
5. Pray for the church building project in Freetown on the way.
6. Pray for our on going coaching program in schools and communities.
7. Pray for the training of our pastors and elders as it commences in September for success.

Stay Blessed.

Faithfully
Yatta Samura

Elections

Sierra Leone is going through a very difficult phase at this moments after the National Election (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-43653098). The country is still not steady. There has been a very serious problem in the Parliament where the majority party in Parliament where dragged out of Parliament by the Police. Negotiations are going on. Please pray for stability

20^th Year Anniversary

As you know this year is our 20th. Celebration of the Sierra Leone Ministry. We are putting our mind together for celebration of how the good Lord has brought us thus far.

After 20 years we hope and pray the good Lord will provide us with a big lift in Freetown by providing us a building for school, Church, community Hall and offices. This is going to be a blessing for both the Ministry and the country.

PRAYER….

1. Please pray for sierra Leone and for the negotiations in Parliament to go through.
2. For the Sierra Leone ministry to continue to make progress. To have a wonderful 20^th year celebration.

Stay Blessed

Yatta Samura

Congratulations to Pastor Yatta on the Award of Outstanding Alumnus from the Evangelical College of Theology – April 2018

In the UK we are pleased to congratulate Pastor Yatta on his award from the Evangelical College of Theology which organizes a National Leadership Conference. Pastor Yatta was given the award from the 800 Pastors and Church Leaders who attended the conference. The award was given because of the progress of his ministry and his service to the Nation. In the UK we remember Pastor Yatta looking after Orphans back in 2001 during the Civil War, when the country was deemed unsafe. He set a high level of service at that time and it continues to the present day. This prestigious award is truly deserved by Pastor Yatta.

Richard Bayfield 11^th May 2018

Another load of freight has just arrived in Freetown. It included the usual school supplies and this time we sent a load of cricket equipment. All of which was donated. This is what Yatta has to say: “Thank you very much. We really appreciate the effort. We received them and have distributed. We donated some things to a nurse who is a member of our church. She took them to the hospital. The big one is the Cricket equipments. Abdulia is part of Sports Life and a national Cricket player. The equipments is expensive and difficult to get. We distributed the sports items to him to take it to his club. As I am talking to you now the team has gone to Nigeria for a tournament. Those equipments are a blessing to them. The other things are shared to church members. On behalf of our team we say a big thank you”. Abdulia is in the brown shirt!

Pastor Yatta sharing a smile with Joni and Paddy, both of whom have visited him in Sierra Leone, where Paddy ended up coaching the Sierra Leone National Cricket team!

We hosted Pastor Yatta and friends to puddings cheese and wine on Friday evening, 16^th March 2018 in St Andrews Parish Room. Vicky and Nic Russell who were recent visitors to Sierra Leone gave an enthusiastic presentation of their visit. Nic as a first time visitor said he intends to return before long. Pastor Yatta spoke in his usual inspirational and gracious manner. The event photographs below depict a wonderful atmosphere which was the key word used in feedback  over the last few days.

Pastor Yatta spoke briefly  at all the St Andrews services on Sunday 18^th March 2018. His message was one of thanks for the financial support during the mudslides and flooding. He spoke of how his ministry had supported survivors with food, shelter and community. Pastor Yatta spoke of hope for Sierra Leone despite the mudslides, despite Ebola and despite the civil war. There was much opportunity for conversation, laughter, friendship and fellowship both before and after the services.

I am very happy that the good Lord has crossed us over to 2018.

2017 was a difficult and challenging year to the people of this nation. The year 2017 brought pain and tears to many families due to the flooding and mudslides in August. Latterly austerity was declared by the government.

Our Theme this year…. THE POWER OF CHANGE.

We strongly believe that the face of our ministry our country will definitely change this year for good. As we celebrate 20 Years of existence at the Christian Community Church.

Politically Sierra Leone is changing and on the 7th March Sierra Leone is going to the polls. This Election has the potential to bring unrest to this nation and tension is mounting. In our small country we have over 16 political parties. We have set up a prayer group, to pray specifically for a fear free and credible Election.

Freetown… Our cry and pain is in regard to accommodation. We are having serious problem with the present place we are meeting for church and office.

PRAYERS……

1. For a peaceful Election and a God-fearing leader that will move this nation forward.
2. For the church building project in Freetown.
3. For the School and community Training project.
4. For 6 good and committed coaches for Sports Mission.
5. For the 16 children that are supported by Yatta who pays their school fees etc.
6. For the child feeding program and for external support.
7. For the 20 years celebration this year and for God’s provision.
8. For the February / March visits by Oxford friends to Sierra Leone.
9. For Pastor Yatta’s visit to the USA in late February and to the UK in March.

[From Yatta via WhatsApp 1 Nov]

I write to say a big thank you for the assistance you gave to Victims of the mudslide. They appreciate it very much, it was indeed a blessing to them , to some we gave money to help with their children schooling.
There were many displaced camps set up for the mudslide and the flooding we concentrated on two DON BOSCO and YA BUNDU respectively. We concentrated on Don BOSCO where women and children are kept. After spending a long time with them I am happy to let you know that every Sunday we have over 25 people that comes to our service because of the act of goodness we have shown to them. They will be around until 15th December then every body will go. Where I don’t know yet. We will keep in touch with them.
Politics.. The fragile peace we have been enjoying all this time after the war wants to be destroyed. Our National Election is on the 7th March 2018. Too much tension mounting. We pray and hope we would have a violence free election. Some of us would have to volunteer in the election process to maintain the peace.
Camp.. In December 27-30th Sports life ministry is planing a big youth Camp for about 300 young people. This is a discipleship method. This camp will have a lot of the mudslide and the flooding children. We need to keep them and excited. We are working in raising the funds for the camp in December.
Church Celebration.. Christian community church will be celebrating 20 years of existence we are meeting this month November to start the planning. Between Freetown and Kono. The celebration convention will definitely take place in Kono where we have more celebration.
First time in the history of sports for Sierra Leone to have gold in beach volleyball, we played and beat South Africa in the finals. What are celebration. Our sport people have started gaining confidence.
The church land for Freetown is still not signed. The director has ask to stop signing land documents until all the mess are sorted out. I have an appointment with the minister please pray that I will have favor.
”Spot Them Young ”program. Sports Life is affecting the lives of our young sports people by coaches and teams. Training and growing whole life coaches to train not only their sports but also their lives. Sierra Leone has gone through a lot of difficulty challenges, we are building a new generation as future leaders.

Prayers…….
1. Peaceful Election
2. For Sports life to continue to influence through Sports
3. Please pray for the Camp to meet its desired out come. And for God to help us raise the funds needed
4. For wisdom for the planning of the 20yrs of existence
5. Please pray for the mudslide and the flooding victims specifically for those we are working with at DON BOSCO for proper understanding of the things of GOd. And for God to provide for them as they step out December 15th.
Stay Blessed
Yatta Samura