UGANDA
We are thrilled to see how God is going is moving in the beautiful country of Uganda. John had the chance to visit there in December with two other men, and of every trip he has taken, this was the most riveting and unforgettable. Before his departure, we had tried for weeks to set up in country meetings for him to check out on his 2 days off there. Though we were praying continuously for the Lord to show us what need He wanted us to get involved with there, it seemed as though He was closing every door. The missionaries just so happened to be visiting the states, other ministry offices were closed, etc. So John ventured out not having any idea where God was going to take him. It was a total step of faith entering a foreign country not knowing what move he would make next, and just praying that God would show up and open doors. Needless to say, did HE EVER!!! At first, they went to Youths for Christ (YFC) office, but the office just so happened to be closed that day. So they decided to go down to Calvary Chapel Kampala. While there they met up with a young man named Andrew, who had a ministry in the slums. He was getting ready to head down to the slums right when they showed up. The timing was too perfect. Had theYFC office been open, they would've never run into him. So they agreed to go with Andrew, though he warned them that not even Ugandan's would enter this area. What he saw there was nothing short of heart stopping. Here is an excerpt from John's trip.
"We met up with the guys from yesterday and headed out. We stopped by the outdoor shopping place and purchased clothes for the street kids. We went to a couple different markets so it was a great experience. We got 30 shirts and shorts/pants and then about 12 pairs of shoes. We then went to the slums. The kids were all very excited to see us again. We went into one of the rooms with all the kids. We each said a few words to the kids. I spoke about the Christmas story and what it means. The kids then sang a song to us and then I prayed over all the kids. One of the kids got up and wanted to pray for us. It was awesome. We then started to pass out the clothes. Derrick and martin had to push the kids around so they would be calm. There were a lot of different kids than yesterday. A lot more babies. Again, I cannot do it any justice with words. I got tons of pictures of the kids and their new clothes. Just breaking our hearts. We stayed there for awhile and then the guys took us to another part of the slums that was indescribable. The people here are from the eastern part of Uganda. This was the worst part of the slums, remember slums of Uganda not America. I went into one of the rooms (houses) and my heart stopped. There were about 3 ladies and about 4 kids. UNBELIEVABLE! They were not in good shape. Half naked and very skinny. Something you don't want to see but when you see it you will never forget it. These people were living in the worst possible situation in Africa. That says something. We then went around and saw where the street kids sleep at night when there is no more room in the little buildings. It was a pile of trash and then there was a small wooden shed. I walked up and there were about 5 older boys sleeping in there. Around the back there was another boy sleeping in the mud. Again I cannot begin to describe these conditions. Worst of the worst. We then walked around more through the slums. Indescribable. Again it was an unbelievable day. Seeing the slums is something that will be with me the rest of my life".
Now that John is back we know that God had put these children HEAVILY on our hearts, and in an urgent way. In fact, in the time that John was gone, his words were haunting me at home. I would weep just thinking about the immense suffering of these forgotten children. We are now praying heavily as to how the Lord wants us to meet the need He has brought us to. We will keep you updated as to what were working on and how you can help to get involved.
We are thrilled to see how God is going is moving in the beautiful country of Uganda. John had the chance to visit there in December with two other men, and of every trip he has taken, this was the most riveting and unforgettable. Before his departure, we had tried for weeks to set up in country meetings for him to check out on his 2 days off there. Though we were praying continuously for the Lord to show us what need He wanted us to get involved with there, it seemed as though He was closing every door. The missionaries just so happened to be visiting the states, other ministry offices were closed, etc. So John ventured out not having any idea where God was going to take him. It was a total step of faith entering a foreign country not knowing what move he would make next, and just praying that God would show up and open doors. Needless to say, did HE EVER!!! At first, they went to Youths for Christ (YFC) office, but the office just so happened to be closed that day. So they decided to go down to Calvary Chapel Kampala. While there they met up with a young man named Andrew, who had a ministry in the slums. He was getting ready to head down to the slums right when they showed up. The timing was too perfect. Had theYFC office been open, they would've never run into him. So they agreed to go with Andrew, though he warned them that not even Ugandan's would enter this area. What he saw there was nothing short of heart stopping. Here is an excerpt from John's trip.
"We met up with the guys from yesterday and headed out. We stopped by the outdoor shopping place and purchased clothes for the street kids. We went to a couple different markets so it was a great experience. We got 30 shirts and shorts/pants and then about 12 pairs of shoes. We then went to the slums. The kids were all very excited to see us again. We went into one of the rooms with all the kids. We each said a few words to the kids. I spoke about the Christmas story and what it means. The kids then sang a song to us and then I prayed over all the kids. One of the kids got up and wanted to pray for us. It was awesome. We then started to pass out the clothes. Derrick and martin had to push the kids around so they would be calm. There were a lot of different kids than yesterday. A lot more babies. Again, I cannot do it any justice with words. I got tons of pictures of the kids and their new clothes. Just breaking our hearts. We stayed there for awhile and then the guys took us to another part of the slums that was indescribable. The people here are from the eastern part of Uganda. This was the worst part of the slums, remember slums of Uganda not America. I went into one of the rooms (houses) and my heart stopped. There were about 3 ladies and about 4 kids. UNBELIEVABLE! They were not in good shape. Half naked and very skinny. Something you don't want to see but when you see it you will never forget it. These people were living in the worst possible situation in Africa. That says something. We then went around and saw where the street kids sleep at night when there is no more room in the little buildings. It was a pile of trash and then there was a small wooden shed. I walked up and there were about 5 older boys sleeping in there. Around the back there was another boy sleeping in the mud. Again I cannot begin to describe these conditions. Worst of the worst. We then walked around more through the slums. Indescribable. Again it was an unbelievable day. Seeing the slums is something that will be with me the rest of my life".
Now that John is back we know that God had put these children HEAVILY on our hearts, and in an urgent way. In fact, in the time that John was gone, his words were haunting me at home. I would weep just thinking about the immense suffering of these forgotten children. We are now praying heavily as to how the Lord wants us to meet the need He has brought us to. We will keep you updated as to what were working on and how you can help to get involved.