January Uganda Prayer & Praise Report
As we have begun this New Year, let us praise the Lord for all He has done in Uganda and here! The theme of the ministry this year is FRUITFULNESS. We are excited to see what the Lord will teach us.
The students are on break, but are waiting with great anticipation to hear how they did with their grades on the National Exam. This was the FIRST year of the NEW curriculum of experiential instead of rote learning, and they are hopeful they did well. The Primary 7 students will find out mid-January, and if they didn't do well, they will not be able to continue on to Secondary School. Primary 4 students won't find out until February if they are able to continue on to Senior 5. This could mean the end of their education. Please pray for these students as they wait.
The GSM team was able to provide a special meal to the prisoners, along with a time of prayer and worship over the Christmas break. Children in the slums in Katwe, by the head office, were given food, and some struggling families were helped near each of the 14 centers where the ministry has work. Bread, soap and spices are all extravagant purchases when you are struggling to feed your family, so they try to include something the families can't afford. We consider these necessities, but to them, these gifts are a special treat. For those who donated to the food fund, you have helped feed the students and many families who needed help. Thank you for giving the ability to show the love of Christ in a tangible way. Pictures will come soon.
The bulk food purchase for the beginning of school happened this month. The farmers were needing money to feed their families at Christmas, so they were going out in the community to see if anyone was able to buy. This gave a great opportunity to purchase at a better rate than normal. We are able to save somewhere between 40 - 60% on the cost of food when we can purchase in bulk. We praise the Lord!
December was the 40th anniversary of the death of Osborn's father, who started the Gospel Messenger's Church (where Osborn's brother Moses and Dithan pastor) and the school at St. Mbuga in the slum area of Katie. (If you have ever seen the movie Queen of Katwe, the movie was filmed in this area, and shows living conditions very well.). They had a thanksgiving service at the church, and over 1,000 people attended. Eight of the eleven living children were there, many with their families. Christmas dinner was 94 people!! Osborn's report - 'lots of work, very busy, so exciting and exhausting at the same time.' Osborn's mother, Mama Prisca, was overjoyed with the gathering in remembrance.
Please pray for Mama Prisca. She is now 82, has a weak heart and has issues of diabetes and high blood pressure. Her legs aren't as strong as they used to be, so exercising is a big challenge. She had a minor eye procedure this last week, and once again we are so very grateful for Dr. Abraham, who was so very helpful as she had to go to the hospital. But as Osborn says "Her attitude and confession is good and positive as always.' Please keep her in your prayers.
Please pray for Esther of Kaberamaido, who lost her mother after a battle with cancer. (If you remember, Esther's husband died a few years ago in a motorcycle accident the day after the Int'l. conference , and she and her son Joseph have been carrying on as directors of the GSM center).
Bettie is now walking without crutches after her surgery. We thank the Lord for those who gave to allow her to have surgery and for her healing.
Even as the school is on break, Headmasters, some teachers and Osborn will be having planning meetings this week. The new Headmaster Aquinas of the Primary School is doing very well. He has built his team and they are working well together and the children are thriving.
We thank the Lord for the work being done at Sam's Attic to help support the teachers and children at the school. Many of these children wouldn't have the hope of education without this support. Pray for the team at Sam's - we have some new staff, some potential new staff, some that have had to move on, and staff that has been with us - some for more than 20 years when we were just a parking lot sale! We are grateful for each and every one of them, and grateful too for your prayers as we enter in to this 13th year as a thrift store.
We thank you for your prayers and for your support of this program. We do not take your support lightly, and realize what a gift you are to this ministry and this program. Even as you pray for the children, know that they pray for you, too....and so do we!
Happy New Year!
Patty
"But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the stream that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8
