Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas, was the church that organized to send missionaries in 1985 to begin the work that has now become Uzima and the other Hamwenga ministries. Broadway remains involved with Uzima's work today. In September of 2018, they invited three representatives of Uzima to visit them in Lubbock. Titus Ziro, Duncan Ziro and Daniel Chengo were chosen by Uzima to represent them on this trip. Daniel had been to the U.S. on two previous occasions, but this was the first overseas travel for Duncan and Titus.

The three Kenyans found themselves warmly welcomed. They were hosted by Tim and Rebecca Talley, who had been sent to Malindi by Broadway in 1985 and spent 30 years in East Africa. While in Lubbock, the three met with the mission committee, various individuals, and the congregation as a whole to share details of the work of Uzima. They also made visits to Lubbock Christian University and to Monterey Church of Christ, across town, to meet with sponsors of Mahenzo Mission. Daniel also made a brief trip to Kentucky to visit with the Rolling Hills Church of Christ.

The travelers returned to Uzima to report on their trip. They were tired but encouraged by the love they received in Texas. They brought warm greetings from the their Texas friends and news that Broadway had offered to replace sewing machines and computers for the trade schools of Uzima Christian Training Centre. Many will benefit from these needed updates. Uzima is grateful and better prepared to train willing students in trades.

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Uzima Mission School has made some changes in recent days. The name of the school has been changed from Malindi Church of Christ Junior School as it is now on its way to being a full primary school when class eight is added next year. Along with this change come new school colors as indicated by the new uniforms shown in the photos. Optimism is in the air as the school includes the seventh grade for the first time. A few months ago, 2 permanent classrooms were added to the string of temporary classrooms they had been adding to each year. As a further benefit to Uzima Mission School, Uzima Christian Training Centre's computer trade school was recently supplied with new computers and will provide classes to students from the primary school, who are eagerly anticipating this opportunity.

In November, the 2018 school year closed with 221 students finishing up their classes and going home for the break. January saw a significant increase in the student body with 298 students enrolling for classes from day-care (3-year olds) through grade 7. The pre-primary 1 class through grade three are full and cannot accomodate more students for lack of space. These nearly 300 students are led by 17 teachers and 4 non-teaching staff.

Plans are in hand for permanent classrooms to replace the temporary ones in use today. They wait patiently for funding to become available. They seek to raise $80,000 for this building project. $8,000 has already been given by generous friends of the school. This school serves the community and its families in positive ways, directing the steps of children into opportunities for growth and learning in an environment of God's love.

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As an extension of Nairobi Great Commission School, Uzima offers Advanced and Basic Certificates in Bible and Mission. Advanced classes are for leaders who have completed secondary school and choose to do the training. The basic level is for leaders who were not able to finish their secondary education but later in life develop an interest in seriously pursuing Bible courses. These classes are normally held in Malindi at Uzima during the school holidays--April, August and December--in two-week intensive courses. In order to receive the certificate, the student must complete twenty lessons, including the core courses of Old and New Testament Surveys, the Life and Teachings of Christ, Hermeneutics, the book of Acts, and Homiletics.

Three area leaders, Harrison Gona Kigunda, Francis Bajila Baris and Eric Ruwa Hare, recently finished their course work. They travelled to Nairobi Great Commission School for their graduation ceremony in November 2018. In January, one of these men, Eric, together with another, Kheri Mramba Mweni, enrolled onsite at Nairobi Great Commission School for a broader and deeper two-year full-time diploma course in Bible and Mission. The knowledge received by all of these trainings allows men and women to better lead in area churches and the opportunity to share what they learn with Christians in their home areas.

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