In this episode of the Sozo Podcast, we welcome back Ron Owens, Village Project Director and Sozo CEO Suzanne Owens, to continue telling the story of how Sozo Children began. Picking up after the land purchase in 2014, Ron shares how Engineering Ministries International (EMI) partnered with Sozo to design a master plan for the future Sozo Village. We hear the incredible backstory of drilling the first three wells on the property — from small yields to a miraculous 22,000 liters per hour — and how God turned a “mistake” placement into the community’s primary water source. Along the way, Ron and Suzanne reflect on God’s provision, the importance of different gifts working together, and how water became both a practical and spiritual lifeline for Sozo Village and its neighbors.

From Thrift Store to Choir Tour: The Vision Expands

In this episode of The Sozo Podcast, Haley Jones sits down once again with Sozo Children founder and CEO Suzanne Owens to unpack a pivotal season in the ministry's journey. From the move into their Avondale headquarters in early 2015 to the grand opening of Sozo Trading Co. that summer, Suzanne shares the behind-the-scenes story of how a passing comment at a donor dinner sparked the launch of a thrift store that now serves thousands.

But that’s not all—this episode also dives into the heartwarming origins of the very first Sozo Choir. Hear how a vision planted in 2007 came to life in 2016, as 21 children from Uganda traveled to the U.S. for a six-month tour that would forever shape their lives and the hearts of everyone they met.

Highlights:

• How a business partnership with RJ Mechanical made Sozo’s headquarters and thrift store possible
• The logistical mountain of bringing 21 Ugandan children to the U.S. for the first choir tour
• The unexpected spiritual, emotional, and academic growth the choir kids experienced
• Why reverse mission trips matter—and how they’re changing lives

Tune in and be reminded: when you follow God’s lead, even a simple idea can change the world.

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In this episode, Haley Jones and Sozo Children founder Suzanne Owens pick up the story where Ron left off—when Sozo was out of money and relying fully on faith. Suzanne shares how they opened a third home for boys in the slums of Kabalagala (yes, it means “pancake”) without knowing how they’d fund it—and how God provided again and again.1

From makeshift offices and volunteer staff to organizing 20+ interns and running epic mud run fundraisers, Suzanne reflects on the chaos, exhaustion, and beauty of Sozo’s early days. Most importantly, this episode reveals how, just four years in, Sozo took a massive leap of faith—buying 28 acres of land in Uganda. Spoiler alert: it involves surprise checks, divine timing, and a bankroom miracle.

If you’ve ever doubted whether big dreams born in small living rooms can become reality—this episode is proof they can.

In this episode of the Sozo Podcast, the conversation with founders Ron and Suzanne Owens continues as they reflect on the defining moments that shaped Sozo Children in its earliest days. From financial uncertainty to cultural challenges, and even a terrorist bombing during the 2010 World Cup in Uganda, the Owens share raw stories of hardship, hope, and divine provision. Listeners will hear about the first children’s homes in both Montana and Uganda, the leap of faith that led to a second rented house in 2011, and the unwavering mission that kept them moving forward. Through every obstacle, God’s presence was evident—and these powerful stories remind us why Sozo exists: to see every child thriving.

In this episode, we continue the story of Sozo Children’s beginnings—when the dream became a reality. You’ll hear how two young men on a mission trip found themselves face-to-face with a group of children in desperate need, and how a simple “yes” led to welcoming the very first 17 children into care. From the chaos of last-minute housing to the early days of building trust and family, this is the heartfelt, behind-the-scenes story of Sozo’s first home in Uganda—and the children who forever changed everything.

Episode 2: The Moment Everything Changed
What happens when your plans to "just serve" turn into something far greater? In this episode, co-founders Ron and Suzanne share the powerful events that led up to the launch of Sozo Children in 2010. From a broken-down choir bus in a church parking lot to a gut-wrenching phone call about a 3-year-old girl in Uganda, you’ll hear how God used unexpected moments, surrendered hearts, and a deep desire to live out real faith to birth a ministry that now impacts hundreds of children. This is the episode where everything starts to come into focus—and the mission of Sozo truly begins.

Episode 1: The Beginning of Sozo

In our very first episode, we’re going back to where it all started. Join us as we share the story of how Sozo Children was born—from a single mission trip to a lifelong calling. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of the challenges, the leap of faith, and the undeniable moments that shaped our journey from Birmingham, Alabama to Uganda, Africa. Whether you’ve supported Sozo for years or are just learning about us, this episode offers a powerful glimpse into the heart behind our mission: to see every child thriving and every community transformed.

Who is Sozo Children?: Sozo Children is a Birmingham-based nonprofit with a heart for Uganda. Our mission is to empower vulnerable children to become thriving leaders for Jesus Christ through family-based care, education, and community development. Since 2010, we’ve provided holistic care for children in Uganda while inviting people from around the world to be part of their story through sponsorship, mission trips, and more. At Sozo, we believe in long-term impact rooted in love, faith, and the power of transformation.

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