The crime rate went down, no suspensions this year!
I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light. - Keith Falconer
Hello Everyone,
I am back home after a three weeks trip to Africa to expand the work of ICPF International. In the Thriving Newsletter's subsequent editions, I will share more experiences and stories. This week I want to focus on one testimony.
In 2020, we heard about an incident that happened in Cameroon. A third-grade student stabbed a second-grade student. From there came the vision for Thrive program. I got the privilege to give the name Thrive and work with others to develop 50 lessons on practical topics on the basis of the teaching of Jesus Christ focusing on moral, ethical, physical, mental, and emotional aspects of life. This should also result in skills, leadership, and spiritual development. There were some challenges, but many people contributed to it, and we completed the first version, and ICPF work in Cameroon was launched in 2021 using the Thrive program in schools.
Today ICPF has staff and many volunteers and is a registered organization in Cameroon. A police officer whom I mentioned in the last newsletter is also a volunteer. They go to schools and conduct the Thrive program. We got a chance to visit a few schools where this program was successfully running and got a chance to interact with students, teachers, and principals. We got very positive feedback from everyone.
When we visited Faith Comprehensive School, the principal gave this feedback-
For the last two years, the rate of indiscipline has come down. Normally I had to suspend 20-25 students yearly for different reasons. This year I have not suspended even one student. It is because of the change the Thrive program has brought in the life of students.
I was amazed by this testimony. Before rolling out this program, I heard some feedback from people that it could be made better and a few other things. I said, “Perfect is the enemy of good.” We cannot wait for perfect things when little children are harmed. How long can we wait for things to be perfect before acting on an urgent need?
I want to acknowledge that it is not a program that has brought the change. I believe the gospel message can transform and change people and communities. I have visited places that need transformation to bring back peace and harmony. Children are on the streets because of war and crimes against innocent people.
I still believe there is hope. We may not be able to solve all the problems but if we can solve one, it is better than doing nothing. The message of hope we have with us can change people and communities.
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT)
Health/Personal Update
Thank you for your continued prayers for my complete recovery. I am doing fine overall and had no issues during my travel last 3 weeks. I have an appointment next week.
Once again, I want to thank everyone who has not given up but continues to pray for me.
Media Updates
Thriving Talk’s new episodes have been released.
Thriving Talk’s new episodes,
All details are here - https://gospel-link.com/podcast-thriving-talk/.
Messages
Full Video
Shorts (less than 1 minute)
Blogs
Focus for the next few weeks.
Trip follow-ups.
I am happy to be among you. Thank you for your teachings .
This is amazing, I was really blessed to be part of the program.