Proposal to fund the Kono Ministry Facility

Objectives

1. The Kono Ministry Facility will provide year-round training to help enhance and facilitate discipleship among the Kono people.


2. The construction of housing will provide lodging for trainees, trainers and workers, affording stable housing without the annual increases in rent.

Steps for Completion

• Purchase six acres of land.


• Complete the paper work and conveyance.


• Clear boundary demarcation and GPS resgistration.


• Dig 2 water wells and toliet pits.


• Build dwelling house for workers (career missionaries, short-term missionaries, student missionaries, and a caretaker).


• Install and connect solar power and city power.

Proposal Details

Kono district has a total area of 5,641 km2 (2,178 sq mi) with a population of 505,707. It is divided into fourteen chiefdoms. Because of its rich mineral deposits, the Kono district is not just a home to the Kono people, but a home to many other ethnic groups from across the country and from other West African nations as well.

Kono district is in the Eastern Province, and borders with Tonkolili district to the northwest, the Kenema district to the southwest, the Republic of Guinea to the east, the Koinadugu district to the northeast, and the Kailahun district to the southeast towards the borders with Liberia.

The Seventh Day Adventist church has had a presence in only two of the fourteen chiefdoms since 1930 and up to now, there are still 12 remaining without any SDA presence. Our Principal Goal is to take the “Three Angels Message” to all the remaining twelve chiefdoms.

As we pray and mingle with the people including church officers, the Lord has impressed on my heart that the only way we can make a difference, is by disciplining the indigenous Kono and training them to take the “Three Angels’ Messages” to their own people.

Hence, the idea of purchasing a property which can be developed into a center for discipleship training and ministry in the region. On this property, we can train the local believers who have the desire to share the “Three Angels’ Messages” with their people group from all over the country as well as areas in Guinea and Liberia. Initially, the training would take place in a dedicated area of the home of the CM, with the potential to expand by constructing a dedicated building for training.

The purchase of this property will also help facilitate the sharing of the “Three Angels’ Messages” to the Kono People of Sierra Leone and others in the proximity by providing much needed housing for missionaries, both short and long term. The area is famous for diamond mining and as such, housing costs are continually rising and availability is scarce.

The property is also large enough to provide an area a wide variety of ministry events, e.g. the training of local Bible workers, the training of local elders, deacons and deaconesses in the newly planted congregations, youth retreats, youth rallies, Pathfinder events, Bible club meetings, men’s / family / women’s ministry events for new believers.

Currently, on the Kono project, a wide variety of ministries are currently taking place for which a safe location is an ever present challenge. This property purchase will enable these ministries to expand as the Lord sees fit.

The size of the property will make possible growth and expansion in the future.

We have in mind for this project to be self-supportive. The Sierra Leone SDA Conference does not have any facility to host conferences and retreats. All the national conferences and retreats I have witnessed had been held in hotels. If we build a training center at a later date, the local conference can rent it and we can use the income as stipends for our Bible workers or to develop the property.

In line with Adventist ideals, on a portion of the property we would do vegetable gardening, and plant fruits tree which when harvested, which would help to provide healthy agriculture as well as providing some income for the maintenance of the facility. The actual structures will be basic, consisting of cement block buildings with metal roofs, all designed to minimize the ongoing maintenance needs.

Housing is a challenge here in this mining community. The landlords here raise their rent every year because of the high demand for housing or apartment to rent. The presence of a South African-based Diamond mining company makes matters worse. These facilities will cut down housing expenses on the project. Better yet, the missionaries’ rent can be deducted from their salaries by AFM. Trainers from AFM, the Division, the Union or from our Conference will have a place to lodge during training sessions.

1. It will provide year-round training which will facilities the evangelistic effort among the Kono people.

2. The construction of housing will provide reliable and adequate lodging for trainees, trainers, and workers.

3. When training is not in session the facility can be rented for church retreats and conferences which will bring income.

4. Planting fruit trees and gardening can also bring in income and provide food for workers, trainers, and trainees.

Funding Needed

To fully fund the stated objectives, AFM will need your help to raise $275,000 dollars for the purchase of this facility. Thank you for your generous support.

Budget Breakdown

Special Project Funds

$275,000

Property Price: $30,000

Paperwork and conveyance: $5,000

Clearing, boundary demarcation and GPS Registration: $5,000

Dig 2 water wells and toilet pits: 40,000

Build dwelling house for workers (CMs, STMs, SMs & Caretaker): $162,900

Solar and city power installation: $25,750

Bank charges: $5,675

Transfer fees: $675