The Lion of Judah trucking company is part of a dream that Elias Taban (our head guy on the ground in Sudan) has for the orphanages to become completely financially sustained by the Sudanese.
The company consists of two trucks that help to transport goods all over Sudan and Uganda. Lion of Judah is a fully registered company in Sudan and Uganda. Part of the reason for the registration in Uganda is that if war would break out in Sudan we could then just move the trucks to Uganda so they could continue to generate revenue to run the orphanages. With each orphanage that we raise funds for, part of the cost will go towards another truck that will provide the complete overhead cost of the orphanage.
One concern that some may have is, "What if a truck breaks? How will the orphanage be provided for?" The answer is the other trucks will be able to help provide for these costs if a truck should need repair. Part of the focus we have is not only for these trucks to simply provide self-sustainment, but what we call Kingdom sustainment. Kingdom sustainment is this idea that we always want to be looking outward and not just at sustaining these orphanages. The trucks now produce more than enough revenue to cover the operating costs of the orphanages. Consequently, the extra funds go toward other ministerial use that EPC has. Therefore, if a truck would break, the excess funds from the other trucks would help to sustain the orphanage while the broken truck is being repaired.
So far the company has experienced great success. Two orphanages are already completely sustained by Lion of Judah and the third will be by the end of this year, 2010. We are currently raising funds for a fourth orphanage, which will only cost $249,000 ($125,000 for building costs, $100,000 for a new truck, and $24,000 to get the orphanage off its feet to run) in order for it to be completely sustained. What we mean by this terminology is this money will build the orphanage center (which consists of an orphanage, that will be home to 100 children; a school which will provide an education for the orphans and also 110 village children; a fresh water well; a medical clinic; and a church), provide full time jobs for 42 Sudanese employees (over half of which will be widows), and also provide all of the operating costs for the orphanage! Therefore, it is not just a matter of indefinitely giving to the same orphanage, rather we have a plan that will allow the financial gifts that people give to truly multiply because of Lion of Judah.
To put it another way, this one time funding of $249,000 will provide food, clothing, a home, education, medical needs, and Christian discipleship for 100 orphans all the way until they turn 18! This money will also provide an education for an additional 110 village children. This money will also allow long term and stable employment for 42 full time employees! Therefore, we believe this approach can have a huge holistic impact on a community for the Kingdom of God!
We would love for you to partner with so please feel free to either contact us or go to our Partner page.
