Postscript: What Now?
I am thrilled now to fill you in on many exciting developments since my return from Uganda. First of all, after purchasing bananas for two schools, food and soap for many families in the slums, 300 Bibles for King’s Primary school, and clothing for all of the Smile Africa children, I still had around $350 remaining in my Heart of God account! After discussing it with my husband, John, we decided to take a step of faith and arrange through Heart of God to provide fruit to the children of Smile Africa once a week for as long as God provides the funds to do so. July and August have now been covered, and we are trusting that others will want to join us in continuing this ministry to the children throughout the year. More than just a feeding program, these children will be assured each time they are given fruit to eat that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of light, who never changes.” If you would like to be part of this ministry, please see the details at the end of this post.
I would also like to see that the children continue to get adequate clothing, and possibly even shoes throughout the year. This will need to be researched, in order to decide the most efficient way of doing this, but money will be needed, regardless of the method. The money will either be used for the actual clothing, or for shipping donated clothing from the U.S. The same details at the end of this post apply to donations for provision of clothing.
Another exciting development is that Heart of God, Uganda has offered me the position of education director, and I have accepted. I will be working alongside Denise, the director of Heart of God, Uganda, to put together a team of teachers to return to Uganda next summer to train and encourage the overburdened teachers there. So what I want from all of you teachers out there is prayer, practical suggestions for materials and teacher’s conference topics, as well as prayerful consideration about joining us for this next trip in June of 2010. We are also planning two other components of our 2010 trip: a men’s conference, and a teen rally. How exciting!
Since our return Pastor Ruth has forwarded many pictures and sent many updates and developments. She delivered clothing and our gifts to the family in the slums.
The children at Smile Africa all received new clothes from the bales we purchased!
Pastor Ruth has taken in ten elderly widows whose homes had crumbled, and who needed help. They were given some of the mats to sleep on, as well. These women are eating at Smile Africa and they are also helping as they are able with the children.
The children are using the mats that were purchased for resting, and are enjoying their weekly servings of fruit.
Through Heart of God International Pastor Ruth has partnered with World Vision to provide surgery for a little boy who was born with his bladder on the outside of his body. This will most likely save his life and make caring for him much easier.
As might be expected, Satan is active, and trying to interfere with God’s work in Uganda, just as He is anywhere. Kings Primary School has experienced recent personnel difficulties, Pastor Ruth and Grace have both had the flu, and Pastor Ruth had a serious infection from a cut on her foot. Alex was injured when she fell off a motorcycle while going to visit her parents. The father of the child needing surgery has tried to intervene and block the surgery because he believes the mother will benefit from it somehow. Although he has never provided for the child, he went so far as to kidnap him and the mother, holding them against their will until the police were called. If we came away with one notion, it is that life is fragile and often brief in Uganda. Half of the population of the country is under the age of fourteen. This fills me with a sense of urgency. Even one year from now we will no doubt witness many losses and changes among those we came to know and love.
I tell you these things to remind you to pray for Music pastor, Stephen and wife Mary; for Pastor Ruth, her family and staff; for the children and widows of Smile Africa; for Kings Primary School; for Agnes and the Early Learning Center; for Saphan and Alex; for Pastor Stephen and Rosalyn, their four children, and the seven boys they are caring for, as well as for their church and nursery school. I also elicit your prayers on behalf of Heart of God International as we come alongside these brothers and sisters in Christ to assist and encourage them.
If you are moved to give toward providing fruit or clothing for the children of Uganda please send your gifts to: Heart of God International Ministries, Uganda
P.O. Box 248
Willard, OH 44890
Be sure to designate your gifts for “fruit and/or clothing for Uganda.”
