My sincere apologies for taking a bit longer in putting
together this latest blog. The
month of June was filled with extra opportunities for ministry here in
Kampala. Some of them, onetime
events, while others have opened doors for a more consistent partnership in the
gospel.
We had our monthly events, including “The Fire Place”, which
focus for the month was “Unity”.
It seems that even here in Uganda division amongst people, not excluding
those that are churched, is alive and well. Some things in life are truly global. Jesus’ life example wreaked of
unity. In fact, one of Jesus’ last
prayers to the Father, recorded in John 17, was that we as the church would be
one, and that we would be one with Him.
Jesus knew what was to come.
He knew one of Satan’s largest means of attack, was the never ceasing
virus of division. Jesus is still
praying that prayer for us today.
God is truly stretching me in ways I never knew I could be
stretched. Loving and accepting
those that seem at the time, to be unlovable is one of the many areas in my
life God has chosen to challenge me as of late. Some of these people are even those I work hand in hand with
on a weekly basis. It’s difficult
for me to look past the obvious flaws of a co-worker in the Gospel, and not
allow it take a toll on how I treat and interact with them. But I’m sure I’m not alone in
this, and I am certain that others feel the same challenge regarding me. God is slowly by slowly changing my
heart in this area, but I imagine this struggle will far outlive my
lifetime. Thank God for His
never-ending grace. It seems
this past month’s FNC theme of unity was written for me.
Todd-
I was asked to give an update on 2 things, Joel and
JCI. For a few months, we have
gotten to know Joel (one of our neighbors directly outside the FNC gate). Everyday when we pull up to come to
school, he is there with his brother and sister waving and yelling “bye-bye” to
us. We have fallen in love
with all of the neighborhood kids who love us just because…and Joel has a
special place now in our hearts forever.
As much as we would want to pick him up at Joy Club or during the week,
we couldn’t because it hurt his stomach and he would cry or grimace. So, I finally decided enough is enough
even if we have to pay for him to get better ourselves, let’s pursue it. I thought it might be worms or
parasites that needed some meds, but it was a surgical problem (umbilical
hernia) that many kids need done here.
His though was causing his growth to be extremely stunted (he is almost
5 but looks as though he is 2) and causing his body lots of daily digestion
pain also. So we posted a few pics
along with an explanation on facebook and within minutes had over and above the
amount we needed for his surgery to take place. So 2 weeks ago, he went in for the surgery and it was a huge
success. It has been hard to see
him just laying around not able to do much, but these past few days has been
wonderful to see him up and walking, laughing and playing again. He still has a bandage on that will get
removed Monday, but he has healed beautifully from the surgery and will make a
full recovery. Todd has been
talking of unity within the church lately and to me this spoke volumes to me
personally. How much of an impact
we as a global church can make together.
Yes, we are here in a third world country being the “hands and feet” in
a very literal way of your money you send us, but without you we would be able
to do nothing; even more without Jesus it’s all for nothing! So, for those of you few who donated
please feel proud that you changed this boy’s life forever and please continue
to pray that they continue to learn and grow in their relationship with Jesus,
because that’s what it’s all about.
Now, Joy Club International-if you haven’t been following or
are new to our blog is our every Wednesday after school club for kids; it is
for ages 3-grade 5. Currently,
because kids are back at boarding school we have been running around 130, which
has been a great number for us to learn and continue to train our
volunteers. We are fully expecting
that number to climb in September when there is a month long break from
schools. I want to share with you
some of the details about what the kids are learning and doing at JCI in the
hope you can understand and start praying for their spiritual development in
this area.
First of all,
Pat Henry and Linda Luthy (from our home church) generously donated 2 years
worth of curriculum to start off our JCI, a huge thank you again; along with
craft and art supplies for the first 6 months…wow! We are currently on the 5th lesson (out of 13) of
the first set of material, which is called “Friendship First” by Group. So far, the kids have learned that
Jesus wants to be our best friend, Jesus shows us how to be a friend, Jesus
accepts us, and that Jesus is kind.
We started out doing one lesson over 2 weeks but quickly realized we
were too rushed so now we are taking a month for one lesson. This month we will be talking about
Jesus listening to the children, and focusing on how to be a good listener and
friend. Our goal is for the kids
to fully understand the lesson and concepts and show them ways of putting these
simple truths into action. We all
feel like they are responding very well to these lessons and slowly letting the
gospel penetrate their everyday lives.
The kids at JCI have enjoyed the music so much as we are
doing Hillsong kids with lots of motions.
They have enjoyed our snack time every week of popcorn and juice, which
is such a treat for all of them!
They also have a group time where they talk through the lesson and
answer questions together as a group, and also pray for each other and share
about their lives. I think what
some love the most is craft time.
This is such a time of creativity that they just don’t have the luxury
of doing at home or school or even at church. It’s amazing to me how much they have just enjoyed coloring
or drawing because they don’t get to very often. Some are such wonderful little artists that is just amazes
us every time we see what they can draw.
So without your donations this would not be happening period.
You are literally changing the neighborhood in the slums of
Bukoto/Kamoga as we speak because not just one or two kids are learning about
Jesus, but whole families are coming to know more about God because of
JCI. We are blown away every week
at how many kids and families come to our little base camp for JCI; hopefully
someday you will be blessed and be a part of this physically with us. Please continue to pray for JCI and the
impact on the community, help us to show Jesus through our actions and words,
and pray for our volunteers!
Finally, please pray for our last 9 weeks of
homeschooling. This has been quite
an adventure in this area over the last year and we are so happy to be in our
final stretch. The girls are
feeling more confident, adjusted, and eager to continue with homeschooling in
the future. We are blessed
to have you partnering with us and hope you will continue to pray for all of
our continued health, physical & emotional well-being, and spiritual
steadfastness!
Blessings,
Wendy
