What did you give up?

 It was our pleasure to carry soccer balls to Kenya for Zeb's Foundation. Kariz is a Pastor in Nairobi who has a deep heart for kids and prisoners and believes in the power of the Gospel. He was saved as a young man and continues his ministry in the slums of Nairobi. One statement he made as he shared his testimony has stuck with me: "After I was born-again, I still didn't have work for about 5 years. I couldn't steal anymore, since I gave my life to Christ, so I ate out of the garbage dump." Wow! What excuses do we use to continue in the "old ways" we practiced in the past? What convictions will we follow no matter what happens or what is required? I have to ask myself this today and every day. Kariz has chosen to STAY in the slums with his wife and kids to minister to the people there. And you can see the JOY that radiates with his obedience. What will I give up?

Orwaka Church - faithfulness of God's people

 After we left Uganda in September, 2019 (our last trip before covid hit), the school leader of Future Joy Primary and Nursery School called Ps. Simon Okuni and asked what would they need to do to start a church. Simon said, "You need land." He called back a few days later & said, "We have land. What else." Simon answered, "You need bricks." A few weeks later, the response came, "We have bricks." The people began to pray for someone to "stand with them" to provide mortar for the bricks. An American family and business decided to "stand with them" and sent money to begin building. Later 85, then 30 more were baptized as they professed faith in Jesus Christ. What a JOY it was to see all these 300 students and adults waiting for our visit to their beloved church building, started and built DURING covid in 2021. Then Matt Osborn Elizabeth Osborn had the privilege of preaching there last week and 100 more people indicated their choice to commit their lives to Jesus Christ.

Windows, doors, floor and plastering are yet to be done. God is GOOD! God's people were faithful and blessed.

Gentle Moses

 Looking back at old Uganda photos, I found this one from our second trip to Uganda in 2008. The man between me and Hugh taught me many things - One very important one. I called him "Gentle Moses", because there were 2 called Moses, and he WAS a gentle servant man who made sure the clinics ran smoothly (from the outside). He was a true Deacon & Associate Pastor. He would come to me and say "Millie, I have a suggestion." And he would make what always was a GREAT suggestion on how to do things better. (If you know me, I'm always looking for ways to do things better).

A few years later, Moses married sweet Harriet. He was in his early 30s and had saved a LONG time for his dowry of cows, goats, chickens, etc. for his bride. A couple of years later, Moses was hit by a car as he traveled the harsh roads on his bicycle. Taken to the local hospital, they said it was hopeless. Agnatius Okou Asalamuka took him to a larger hospital and they saved his life. But, after working with him one more year, he succumbed to ongoing effects of his accident and went ahead of us into the presence of His Lord and Savior. Thank you, Moses for teaching me servanthood and gentleness. You are forever remembered and our friendship cherished. Simon Okuni please share my love with Harriet.

Uganda church Building

 Did you know it takes about 12-14,000 bricks to build a village church in Uganda? The church members make those bricks, BY HAND, 2 at a time in a wood form. They are made out of mud which is dug from the ground (or from anthill dirt, which is very fine). The bricks are laid out and dried, then built into a huge stack with openings for a fire inside, perfectly stacked to bake correctly. (This is how bricks were made in the early 1900s in America before Acme Bricks came into being). Imagine doing all this by hand!!

One good thing we can do for churches is to help supply mortar and iron sheets to help them build their churches. Many churches are waiting for that building to enable them to meet for worship out of the rain or hot sunshine. It costs about $7000 to build a church in Uganda. (Town churches are usually larger to accomodate the hundreds of people who come so, of course, they cost more. The walls with the older stick church inside is a town church, Ebenezer, waiting on a roof).

This new church plant, Abila, has their land, and has made their bricks, in anticipation of their new building. The other church, Nazareth, is what a fully completed church looks like (missing only the wooden benches for people to crowd on to. Meanwhile they sit on the floor or mats if the floor is dirt).

Your Sunday School class, or church, or family might like to do a "building program" and build a church for people in Uganda! Check out our website at Partner135.org.

Church members make the bricks and wait for a Partner to come alongside them to build.

Ebenezer is waiting for a roof while they meet in the old, traditional stick church.

 Also when the government closed down all public gatherings in Uganda, the Uganda Christians invited people to their homes to read the Word of God and worship and 10, yes TEN, new churches were birthed out of the pandemic!!

Pigs for Pastors Project

 About 18 months ago, with the pandemic in high swing, we started a Pigs for Pastors Project to help the 70+ Pastors with whom we work in Uganda. Many of you responded with donations of money to support this project. We provided 2 piglets per Pastor to 50 Pastors and 1 piglet to 25 Associate Pastors over a few months time. We helped with required vaccines, meds and some food for piglets. The Pastors built the homes for the piglets and cared for them. (8 months before breeding, 4 months gestation and at 2 months , it is ready to sell).

This past 2 weeks, we were able to return to Uganda after 2 1/2 years away. We saw some of the offspring of the original piglets and heard testimonies from Pastors of God's provision through YOU. Pigs normally have from 6 - 12 piglets, twice a year. They sell from $30 - $100 (depending on age) so this is a good source of ongoing income for Pastors. THANK YOU for your support.

Pastors are encouraged to tithe from their offspring and keep another female to expand their herd. Many Pastors and Associate Pastors were blessed by this ministry as you gave.

6 out of 7 of the offspring below was female.

The Miracle of Kibale - God has a plan!

 After MANY hours (days) of travel, we finally arrived in Pallisa. Word had spread and we were greeted by Pastor Michael Okoboi of God's Plan, Kibale, Church. What a blessing to hear the stories of the faithfulness of God and His servants for the last 2 1/2 years. They prayed for YOU and thank the Lord for His faithfulness as you shared and supported them.

We stopped by the church on our trip to Moroto. The church members have begun plastering the outside of the church (which protects and preserves the mud bricks from destructive rain). We drove by that "spot" where BOTH vans broke down in 2013 and the faithful team did an impromptu Evangelistic Rally. God had prepared the hearts of 19 young men to hear the Good News! Those men made a decision to follow Christ that day. God's Plan (not in our plan) Church, Kibale was begun. It has grown, and started 2 daughter churches. God is GOOD. SO GOOD! See the story below.

Blessed Goat Gospel Ministry

 What a privilege it is to be part of the "Blessed Goat Gospel Ministry" and to be the "gift giver" to Pastors and widows when generous donors give money for goats as Christmas gifts for their family members. These goats typically have 2 kids twice a year, which supplies income, food and school fees for these families. Thank you for your generosity!!

In 2012, FBC Mabank Youth raised $5000 for goats with a 30 hour fast over the New Year's weekend. One of the widows who received a goat was blessed and prospered. Over time, as she raised her goats, she was able to save to buy a cow. As she continued to work and save, her cow and goats produced and she prospered and she was able to build a house. Years later, Agnatius visited her and she gave him a goat - a thank offering for the investment Mabank Youth had made to her. God is good! The Lord provides.

Hungry for the Word; Committed to read it daily

 As I spoke at Ongilai Church, I told the story of the old Indian man who had 2 dogs, a black one and a white one, He often had them fight one another and those watching would place bets on which one would win. The old man generally won the bets. One day, someone asked him how he always seemed to know which one would win. He said, "It's easy. The one that I feed wins." I used this story to illustrate the importance of feeding our Spirit with the word of God. The people were moved by the story and its implication, but distraught that they had NO Bible to feed and strengthen themselves. So they asked for Bibles. Then I asked them for a commitment to read the Bible every day. These are the ones who made that commitment. We bought 10 Bibles in the Ateso language for $100.

Ongilai Church, Pallisa, Uganda

 I was privileged to speak at the newly built Ongilai Church on Sunday. I was warmly greeted by about 75 adults and as many youth and children. They danced and sang in worship, then sat quietly as I shared God's Word with them through my Interpreter, Simon. I talked to them about the importance of relationships, based on our relationship with Jesus Christ. I used Ephesians 4 and prompted them to "put off the old way of life" and "put on the new". They actively participated in THROWING OFF the anger, lies, bitterness, slander, etc and "pulling into their hearts" love, truth, forgiveness, kindness, encouragement, etc as they walked in Christ's love. We talked about the importance of the Holy Spirit's filling and how we get strength through being daily in the Word of God. As we finished, the Zonal Leader told me that they had a humble request: there was only ONE Bible in the church, the Pastor's. They said they would love to have a Bible where they could read it in their homes and promised to do that every day. At the end of the trip, I purchased 10 Bibles for them to share and read together. A blessed donor will reap the reward of that gift to these humble, hungry people.

Mountain Villages

 On Sunday night, we departed for the bus station at 8 pm, boarded a bus at 9:30; rode 7 1/2 hours in a local "coach" toward the north of the state. Arriving at 4 am (it was cold), we waited for our jeep to come to take us 4 1/2 more hours into the mountains. Arriving "ragged" at 10:30 a.m., we checked in to the hotel, "freshened up", and boarded the jeep again for another 1 1/2 hours over rough terrain. The only "public" transportation in to the village was a jeep which would carry ALL the people who could get in OR ON it!  Pastor Raju had always walked into this village. we decided after 2 days in the jeep, that might not be so bad to walk it!

Unprepared for the cold of the mountains.

 

Tribal Villages in Mountainous areas

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One of the mountainous tribal villages we visited had never had a missionary come there. There were only 5 families of Believers and no church in the village.

Pastor's home & clinic

 Touring the village, this lady was bathing her baby. She stopped to hold him up and proudly show him off. I pray that the family comes to know Jesus Christ as the One True God and chooses to follow Him.



I thought it was neat, how the Pastor’s wife, showing biblical hospitality, hosted the clinic at her home. We saw 91 people in the clinic, 27 accepted Christ.


Many people heard the Gospel. Pray that God's Word will not return void in this village.

Before we left, they entertained us with their traditional dance and escorted us happily to our vehicle, joyously waving good-bye! Quite a change from the first visit by the Pastor years ago!

 Sponsor a child from Immanuel School through Tom Cox World Ministries Sonshine Kids.

These are the beautiful, happy children standing in front of their home and school, and yard with geese in the background.

These are just a few of the 37 children in the Children's Home. 38 other local children in need attend the school on a daily basis. They are all grateful for their education and study hard. I was up early one morning watching the boys swim & bathe in the canal beside the compound while the girls washed their clothes. One boy was in the empty classroom studying hard at 7:30 in the morning. I was impressed! One boy was doing his chores cleaning up and would stop every little bit to practice his worship/dance routine. I loved just watching them with their joy for the little things in life. What a contrast with children & teens I know who have so much and are so unhappy and many time unaware of how blessed they are!

Mahima ("glory") and Bindu

Sam 11 years lived on street after father died

Teja 11 years (no father, mother remarried & left)

Kalyan age 7 (no father or mother)

Mahima - Her father died and her mother is not able to keep her.

True Religion: Care for the Orphans

As we entered the Children's Home in SE Asia, the children all came forward to greet us. I spoke to them in English and this young man, P, answered me in perfect English with the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. Over the next 8 days, every time I saw him, I was drawn to him, seeing the joy of the LORD in his smile.

On Sunday afternoon, I had the opportunity to sit with the children, sing songs and dance, and hear their stories. P came to the Immanuel Home in 2007 at 6 years of age. He said at home he had no clothes, no shelter, and no food. His father had died and his mother remarried. His step-father rejected him and sent him to the streets to live. (Remember, women and children have few rights in many countries). A local Pastor in the mountains brought him to the Home as a small child. He said he was so happy to be at school and to learn about Jesus. (He calls the Pastor at the home/school/church "Daddy", so thankful for all that Daddy does for him). He wants to be a Pastor when he grows up! He is already a "missionary" as he shares the love of Christ through his life and smile.

There are 37 children in this home, most abandoned by their family (or true orphans or the father or mother has died).  These children can be sponsored through TCWM Sonshine Kids for $30 a month.

RESPECT, LOVE and GRATITUDE!

 

Children all around the world need our love and care. Though many children around the world have few luxuries and many times not even enough food, I find more respect, love and gratitude exhibited by them as a result of just a touch, smile or hug of compassion. Here, I am in Uganda and have given this young albino child sunglasses so she might see in the bright light.  She is respectfully giving me thanks.

Children of India sit with arms crossed, hands in laps, patiently waiting on the program to begin!

Learning New Skills to Support a Family

With the start of new sewing classes, Ugandan women and men have the opportunity to learn to be tailors and earn money to support their families.  This term 38 women and 2 men are attending class.  Some of the women traveled so far that they are staying in an empty building because they can't afford lodging. We were surprised at the large number, and we only have 12 machines for them to practice on. Money is available for 2 more machines.  I commend these men and women for their desire to learn a new trade. Would you or your church be interested in giving $120 to buy a (treadle) machine for these people to learn a trade to support a whole family?  We hope to provide resources for them to get started in business. Then they will return a percentage of their profit to help support the next class. 

People RUN to accept Christ!

 

On our third day of clinics in June, we went to Kamake. We held the clinic in a large government building and saw 372 patients! It was market day in the village and there were hunreds of people all around. 202 of those 372 patients accepted Christ, but when it was time to close, there were still MANY people around (Some of the school kids had even skipped school and showed up. They had heard there were "mzungu" people there and they wanted to see us.) As we closed, I shared the Gospel with those standing around and 36 more people accepted Christ. That afternoon we held our first Crusade (began with 1 + hours of singing and dancing by our faithful Praise Team in the BLAZING sun). There were so many curious children around that I tried a "congo line"/Follow the Leader to try to keep them away from Virginia who was trying to just breathe in the oppressive heat. That didn't work for long, so we finally had to retreat to the shade of the van. With doors open, we were still the center of attention, even to the point of curious children touching my white skin & potruding veins to see how this "mzungu" even felt different. At the Crusade that night, 5 people came forward at the invitation. The Pastors said there were many more “private” decisions as the people are "shy" to make that public profession of faith. The next night, Hugh was the preacher and the huge crowd was back again. Adults hang back because the music is LOUD and there was some shade under the shelters of the marketplace. When he gave the invitaton, the Ugandan Pastors said they had never seen such a phenomenon - the people came RUNNING to the platform to give their lives to Christ. So much for SHY!!! As we had just successfully planted a church, we made arrangements to rent a shop space for 6 months for $20 a month.

The first picture is a picture of the rented place/"church". Agnatius called from Uganda the next week to say that over 120 people had shown up for church and the place was too small! But that's all we have at the moment. When we returned in Nov. we went by Kameke to pick up people for baptism and I snapped a photo of the "meeting place". Ladies, guess who sits inside in the shade and who overflows to the outside? Yeah, you're right!



A Gift of eternal significance

Discipleship Pastors in Uganda have a great need for motorcycles to substitute for 10 mile bike rides to the churches where they teach new Believers the principles of following Christ. Would you, your Sunday School class, your business, or your church invest in a gift of $1200 to make an eternal impact on the lives of new Believers?

The Miracle of Kibale - June 2012

Leaving at 8 a.m. for Ngoro District (a new work), we began our 2 ½ hour trip north. About ½ hour out of town, 1 van sputtered to a stop. Hugh got out and said they had put petrol in the tank instead of diesel. We all felt satan was out to thwart our plans. After a few frustrating minutes, we loaded workers necessary to begin the clinic into the other van for the rest of the 2 hour ride. It went about 10 feet, & it died!! (It turned out that this was the only town for MILES on this difficult journey). We all just stared!! Mike, excited, kept bouncing up and down, saying, “God’s got a plan! God’s got a plan!”  But Hugh and I were just focused on what to do with 2 broken down vans, and 30+ people to transport on to Ngoro! Plus we were worried that the vans would NEVER run again! As Agnatius and Hugh went back to town (in the car he had thought about NOT driving on this long trip, I ran and jumped in, so sick I just wanted anywhere to sit and sleep. As we drove off down the road, I thought, “I just left my whole team all by themselves without a leader”. But it was too late to do anything so I just enjoyed the sleep! (Guiltily) When we returned about 1 ½ hours later with a mechanic, diesel fuel, and fuel filters all paid for by the station, we found a celebration taking place. Bullhorn, singers, dancing, celebration as 19 men had come to the Lord. Later, Virginia led another lady in prayer who requested to receive Christ. She was a widow with 5 children – another goat recipient. (Stella Amozina). One of the Pastors said, “This trip is anointed. God is at work”. As we rejoiced with the Team and the people there, one man said, “Please don’t leave us orphans without a church. We want a place to worship and want to meet this Sunday.  We don't want to be decieved.”  So an unplanned church plant was made!! (A building was rented ($20 mo. for 8 months), and a pastor was assigned for Sunday at 10:30 a.m.) Thank God for available seminary students as pastors. Agnatius said they had driven through that town many times and never thought to start a church for some reason. I guess God had to get our attention!! And what Satan had planned for evil, God turned to good!!! And, miracle upon miracle, the vans both started right up and ran perfectly the rest of the trip.

The Fire of Hell

As we visited a sugar cane factory in India, we watched as a young girl forced more and more chaff into the hottest fire I have ever seen. The pit was probably 20 - 25 feet across with a shallow "dish" loaded with about 6 inches of BOILING sorghum. The fire underneath was RED RED hot. I thought of Hugh's favorite sermon source, Psalms 40, and the pit described there and also of Gehenna (Hell) where the fire never goes out. Our pastor took that ppicture of hell literally and reminded us to remind ourselves of the importance of praying for and witnessing to the lost.

Welling Generous in their Poverty

Benjamin is always interested in our work in Uganda as he has such a heart to share the Gospel. Hugh told him the "Miracle of Kibale: God's Plan Baptist Church" story. He had given money in previous years for a bicycle and a goat for Uganda. He asked about costs of things there - Bibles, bikes, goats, etc. (We thought "comparing costs" between countries). On the last night at Holy Wings, we always have a Victory Celebration Party complete with a "feast", dancing, testimonies and fireworks.
As we closed the evening, Benjamin said the Translators had all talked and they wanted to buy Bibles for the Discipleship participants in Kibale. (There were only 2 Bibles in the whole group at Kibale, UG). His dad, Prabhudas, stood and said he'd like to buy 2 bikes for Pastors. His mom, Ruth, stood up and said she wanted to buy some Bibles, too. (She later gave me all the money from the Church's ladies prayer group which will go for special ministry to Uganda Pastors' wives in June). As we tearfully accepted their GENEROUS giving, out of their poverty, I thought, "They are truly rich, and I am so poor".

2 Corinthians 8:2 "And we want you to know about the grace that God has given the (Indian) churches. In the midst of a severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave . . . even beyond their ability. . . They pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord's people (having given themselves first to the Lord)."

Do you give out of your abundance or your poverty? Have I COMPLETELY given myself to the Lord first?