We have just produced our Annual Review for 2010. If you would like a copy, please contact us and we'll send you one.

It is exciting to hear that the Samburu of the South Horr Valley are coming to the Lord.

Six ladies were recently baptized in a small baptismal trough (see photo). The trough was specially constructed, filled by a water tank fed from a spring up the mountain; after the service, the water was then used for watering camels. Read more here.

We have a new magazine out. You can read some of the articles online here, or view the whole magazine below. If you would like a hard copy, please feel free to contact us.

Ken Mizon, Tools for the Job Co-ordinator, describes the changes to the book project

The challenge

How can a joiner be expected to do a good job of work if he does not have a hammer and chisel or any other essential tools apart from the timber he is working on? How can a bricklayer build a good wall if he only has the bricks but no trowel or level to work with? In 1 Timothy 2:15 Paul exhorts Timothy to “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” But how can a pastor preach and teach his congregation if he does not have the right tools for the job?

The need

In 1999, John Brand, then UK Director of Africa Inland Mission, was burdened by the need for resources amongst African pastors, particularly the need for sound theological books. In the main these were usually unobtainable in African bookshops, there were some exceptions but they were very expensive in comparison to the average monthly income of the pastors. A project was devised to try to remedy this situation, at least in part: Tools For The Job (TFTJ). Next to the Scriptures, the pastor’s most important tools are his books.

100,000 books and counting

In the last ten years and by God’s Grace we have distributed around 100,000 books to pastors in Kenya and Uganda and also to some in countries outside of East Africa, including some French speaking countries. In Uganda we have a full-time Ugandan worker and in Kenya we work with Africa Christian Textbooks who have eight bookshops mainly in Bible Colleges.

The future

There have been several changes in the way the project operates. The main change is that TFTJ is no longer an AIM Europe project. With the agreement of AIM Europe the project was transferred to a new Charitable Trust under the title Christian Resources for Developing Countries (CRDC). The name Tools For The Job is still used as a working title in Africa. CRDC has three trustees: Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Sharpe from Forest Fold Baptist Church, Crowborough, Sussex and Mr. Ken Mizon from Falkirk Free Church.

The other main change was the decision to no longer supply book sets alone but also to focus on individual recommended titles; the aim being to enlarge as well as to establish the pastor’s library.

From the beginning this project has been funded by voluntary gifts from individuals and churches and we are grateful to God for the level of support that has been realised. As with all aspects of Christian work finance is needed for it to continue and expand. Anyone who would like to support this project should write to Stephen Sharpe at ‘Arisaig’, Crowborough Hill, Crowborough, Sussex, TN6 2EA Tel: 01892 655222; email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

I want to take this opportunity to say a very sincere ‘thank you’ to the many AIM supporters who by their generous giving have made this project successful.

Synergy teams have between 3 and 8 members and you can either join a team as an individual or even form a team from your church or CU. Contact us about any of the 2011 teams.

Tororo, Uganda: Children's & Women's Ministry 1st - 27th August 2011

Cost: £1100 (not including flights)

The team will be serving at SMILE, a day drop-in care centre which supports 350 vulnerable children. They will support the local teachers in teaching aid, group Bible teaching, individual mentoring of older children, nursing support, child support and women's local development iniaitive.

See SMILE for further information.

Creative Access Nation: Teaching English July 2011

Cost: £1100 (not including flights)

The team will be teaching English at a hospital to nursing students. A TESOL / TEFL qualification would be of benefit, but not essential. Accomodation will be on site at the hospital.

See here for information on Creative Access Nations.

TIMOQuest- Indian Ocean Island 1st - 27th August

Cost: £1300 (not including flights)

This team will be living and learning alongside an existing TIMO team, following the curriculum of the TIMO team and receiving one-to-one discipleship by a TIMO team member. You will learn the local language and be involved in the ministry of the long-term missionaries working and living amongst an unreached people group. More information about TIMO can be found here.

Contact us about any of the 2011 teams.

When: Saturday 12 March 2011
Where: Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge
Time: 10am - 4.30pm
Find out more:  Online

This day conference is for Christian health professionals from all disciplines and others who are interested medical mission and international work. As we learn from the Bible and hear from a variety of speakers, there will be a chance to meet and talk to others who have worked abroad in a variety of settings and to find out about the work of different mission organisations. Above all, it will be a time to consider how we can respond to God's call to serve the poor and to love our worldwide neighbours.

We have 3 new interviews with recent short-termers, Matt Butler, Ruth Eves and Lou Talbot. Find out more about short-term with AIM at www.synergyafrica.com