Medical Clinic Progress

As I visit the Children's Land and view the new structure that is there, I am utterly amazed by God's goodness. In the last nine months, I have truly watched God work in miraculous ways. In February, when I first came to live in Kyenjojo, I could have never imagined what this year had in store. I will never forget the joy that I felt when I first stepped on the Children's Land on February 16th, but I never anticipated that construction for a medical facility would begin in 5 months.



I remember the many prayers that I prayed as I walked around the land, but when I was uttering those prayers I never pictured how quickly they would be answered. It was definitely a testimony of God's faithfulness and provision. When one of the nieghbors to our land saw the construction beginning, he said "Do you remember those days you fervently prayed? God surely heard your cry and has answered." I am thankful that the peopleof Kyenjojo can visibly see that God is a God who sees and answers prayer. I am extremly thankful that another message which has been communicated loudly and clearly is that God and His people love the people of Kyenjojo District and are concerned about their condition and quality of life. We are already receiving many words of gratitude from the people in the area. This medical facility has ministered and will continue to minister to the community for years to come.



Each month that has passed since the dedication of the medical building has created more excitement in my heart. Every time I visit the land, I see more progress made. The construction workers have been dilligently working to see this project completed. In fact, this project has provided jobs for many people in the community. Many of the people in Kyenjojo have thanked us for giving them jobs so that they do not sit and drink and take drugs all day. They are even begging us to continue construction so they will continue to have jobs.



Now, as we are approaching five months after the dedication of the Medical Clinic, we are also approaching completion of the first building on the Children's Land. The workers are adding the roofing and will soon be doing the finishing touches on the walls and constructing the floors. I cannot wait to see how God continues to work and use this facilit,y as well as many others, for his glory and honor. Please keep praying for the work on this Children's Land, and don't forget to rejoice in the Lord's goodness and thank Him for His blessings. Your prayers are making a tremendous difference in the Kingdom of God and are moving mountains in Kyenjojo!


As you view these pictures, you will see how the construction process progressed. Glory be to God!

I Gave My Lunch Away Today

Many of us can't imagine eating only one meal a day-not even snacks in between. Nevertheless, this is the normal routine for many people in Uganda. I still have many moments where my heart breaks for the suffering, and I just can't imagine what it would be like to live the way that some of these people live. I've always said that in the US we take so many things for granted. For example, running water and clean drinking water are two things I think those of us in America don't appreciate enough. In Kyenjojo, it is a true struggle to have both of these necessities. I have had many days where I have struggled to find good water or have not had water to wash my clothes or mop my floor. Although the town does have water taps in some places throughout the town, you have to pay to use that water source and the water quickly runs dry or is just not there some days. In addition, I can never drink the water that I receive either from the tap or the well.

In America, it may be easier to forget the struggles the people face here, but I personally have some continual reminders of the neediness of this area, and in some ways I am bombarded by it-even in my own home. Since I have returned to Kyenjojo, I have had visitors at my door or window crying out my petty name "Abooki". They always come for something, such as food, soap, lotion, money, etc. They are very persistent. In fact, many of them will stay around my house all day, and they may even come early in the morning or late at night. The neighbors have complained about these children and people, threatening to cane (beat) them. They want these children and people to stop disturbing me. They tell Victor, "She can't even understand what they are saying. She just laughs, and they keep disturbing her." It is true that I cannot understand most of their words. I try to get what I can, but mostly I am unable to understand what they are asking or telling me. I cannot wait until I can fully understand the language!!!

It makes my heart so sad that these children are not going to school and that no one is caring for them. I just cannot imagine what it would be like to experience the childhood that these children face. Their parents are not minding whether they go to school or where they are. These chidren are just wondering around themselves, and many of them are very young.

Two days ago when I had just finished preparing my lunch and had sat down to eat, I heard their familiar voices. I was so moved in my heart that I thought "I cannot eat this lunch and not give them any." The problem was that there were many of them, and I had only prepared a small amount for myself. Unfortunately, I did not see the Mircale of the Five Thousand, and there was no multiplication. As a result, I ended up giving away almost all of the lunch I had prepared. (I had taken a couple of bites before they appeared, but after they came there was no more left for me.)

I have to say that the delight in my heart as I watched them eat erased my feelings of hunger, and I was glad that I had given them my lunch. I also knew that I would easily be able to get food for supper, but I could not confidently say this about these children. The only challenge I face here with food is that cooking meals takes hours becuase I only have a charcoal stove!

Every time I am given the opportunity to give to others, I always experience joy in my heart, and I am quickly reminded of the principle of the Bible that says, "It is more blessed to give than receive." I am confident that if more of us would live our lives according to Biblical principles such as these, we would experience a deeper sense of satisfaction in our daily lives. I know that Kingdom philosphy appears to be backwards, but in the end, it is the most rewarding!

My Miracle and Love of My Life

I was quite busy in the month of August with my wedding and honeymoon plans. I wed Pastor Victor Sande on August 15. Our wedding was a glorious and beautiful day, and I loved having an African wedding! In Uganda, weddings are a very big deal. They are truly a great celebration, and my wedding day could not have been more celebratory. Many people were smiling, laughing, and enjoying themselves. There was much joy and happiness in the air. We had almost 400 people in attendance! I praise the Lord for displaying his glory and presence on that day. Even nonbelievers were saying they could see God on that day. This delighted my heart more than anything! It is my deep desire that everything I do bring glory and honor to the Lord. I want his presence to always be displayed in my life no matter what event is taking place.

I count it as a tremendous miracle to have such a God fearing, unselfish, loving, and humble man as my husband. He truly makes me a better person and brings so much joy and strength to my life. I am thankful to have found someone who is as passionate about pursuing God and honoring Him as I am. I am also very thankful to have found a man who has very similar goals and visions as I do. I am confident that Victor and I will bring much hope and love to the people and children of Uganda. I was willing to serve God alone in Africa, but it is an added blessing to have a Godly man to serve the Lord alongside me.



God brought Pastor Victor into my life two years ago when I was volunteering at a local orphanage. We were both at this orphanage to gain more experience and knowledge to pursue our vision of helping the orphans of Uganda. After I left Uganda, we continued to communicate with each other and pray about the direction God was taking us. It was both of our desires to wholeheartedly pursue the will of God for our lives and be obedient to His voice. God continued to reveal to both of us that He had great plans in store for our lives and ministry together.



In the short time I have known Pastor Victor, I have been blessed in so many ways. He has not only been an incredible friend, mentor, and inspiration to me, but has also been very instrumental in helping my vision to become a reality. I would not be where I am today, or who I am today, without his influence and contribution to my life. I thank the Lord for bringing such a precious gift into my life. I will always consider him as my miracle and love of my life.