Linda Turner in Germany

Uganda is not the only nation where Project A 1:8 is helping to spread the Gospel.  We also support several other ministries, including a missionary named Linda Turner.  Linda travels all over the world preaching the Word and ministering freedom to people.  She is an incredible woman of God!

Most recently, Linda was ministering to Germany, a nation that has largely turned away from God in favor of a secular, humanistic attitude.  Linda preached in five cities: Wurzen, Leipzig, Hanover, Manehim, and Kleve.  Although the pastors in Germany face a  strong secular influence, they are keeping an eternal perspective and refuse to quit.  According to Linda, they are “aware of the time and season and have a confidence that God is on their side and that Jesus is building the church in Germany.”  She asks her supporters to keep the faithful pastors in Germany in their prayers.  Pray along with Linda that Germany will awaken unto righteousness and grow to the stature that God has intended for this nation.

While in Germany, Linda reconnected with people she met before the Berlin Wall was torn down.  She has seen these people’s prayers answered and believes that God has great things in store for Germany.  New churches, she says, are overcoming every setback the enemy has instigated.  Her encouragement to the leaders in Leipzig come from Psalm 131.  She reminds them, “There can be no pride in leadership.  Continue to release responsibility and authority to faithful people; don’t try to do everything yourself.  Be patient, wait for God’s timing, and always point others to and put your complete trust in the Lord… The body of Christ is bigger than our church, but each local church has a part to play and a destiny to fulfull.”

Linda’s words describe the heart and the vision of Project A 1:8.  We are confident that by ministering to other nations, we are fulfiling our destiny as the local church.  Keep Linda Turner and her future travels in your prayers.  This month, she will visit the troubled nation of Sri Lanka and a Muslim nation where ministry must be done very discreetly.

How Can I Help?

There are lots of ways to get involved in what God is doing in Uganda.  Williams and Peruth have a vision for a tilapia farm that would provide both food for the children and generate income for Grace International Ministries Uganda.  For more information about where you could give your one-time gift to Project A 1:8, see the “How Can I Help?” page on the right side of the blog.

For more information about sponsoring a child or children who need sponsors, see the “Sponsoring A Child” page.

All donations can be mailed to Project A 1:8, Church of the Heartland, 705 E. Jefferson St., Plymouth, IN 46563.

Grace Children’s Home Construction

Williams Beshiisha and his friends from Word of Life have been hard at work putting the finishing touches on Grace Children’s Home.  Our mission team left the funds to finish the building before we came back to the States, and Williams sent us pictures of the process.  I thought it looked nice when we stayed there; now it looks even more awesome!   I am continually amazed that at this time last year, the children’s home didn’t even exist.  God is so good!

Williams also sent a picture of the President–or the kabaka (king)–on a bodaboda (motorcycle).  He looks great, right?

Grace Children’s Home

One of my favorite parts of the mission trip to Africa was meeting the children who live at Grace Children’s Home Uganda.  From the moment I heard about the Beshiishas’ vision for an orphanage in their home, I couldn’t wait to meet the children who would be touched by this vision.  When we arrived, twelve happy, healthy children ran to meet us with hugs and smiles.  And I realized the power of love to transform lives.  When I was with these precious children, whom much of the world has forgotten, I felt closer to God’s heart than ever before.

Jesus said in John 14:48, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”  These children have exprienced the love of Jesus and the body of Christ personally, and it has transformed them.  They are living testimonies of the power of love to change lives and heal hearts and bodies.  These young ones are not orphans.  They are….

Jovia (needs a sponsor)… rescued from near starvation.  Today she always wears a huge smile, and she loves to sing.  People in the city are surprised to see her alive.

Axum (fully sponsored)… Jovia’s brother.  He, too, was nearly starving.  Today, Peruth loves his beautiful alto singing voice.

Robert (needs a sponsor)… his mother died and his father abandoned him.  Today, he is a happy child who loves to be held and always has a smile on his face!

Ivan (fully sponsored)… a sweet boy who does his own thing!  “Where is Ivan?” is frequently heard around the Beshiisha home.  It was even hard to find a picture of Ivan!

Najja (partially sponsored)…. has blossomed under the care he has received from the Beshiishas.  He loves to be close and sit on people’s laps!

Maoreen (fully sponosred)… is full of joy.  She helps keep the other children in order, leads the singing, and makes sure everyone has their homework done.  She laughs at everything, and she was quite skilled with my camera before we left!  She took this picture herself, actually.

Ritah (fully sponsored)… could easily be bitter about her physical limitations.  Instead, she is grateful for a place to stay and works harder than any of the other children.  Ritah is beautiful inside and out, and the Beshiishas describe her as “amazing!”

Sandra (fully sponsored)… loves to sing, dance, and have her picture taken.  She is a leader with a tender heart.

Jeremy (fully sponsored)…. Sandra’s brother.  Jeremy is always happy.  He loves quality time and being held.  Like his sister, he loves having his picture taken!

Grace (partially sponsored)… Her mother died and her Muslim father abandoned her and her brother David.  At six years old, she was left to feed and care for her younger brother.  Today, she is the youngest girl at Grace Children’s Home.  Peruth also calls her the happiest.

David (soon-to-be sponsored)… Grace’s brother.  He came to the Beshiishas weak and crippled.  Today he is happy and healthy, running and jumping without any problem.  Our team fell in love with him!

Barbara (partially sponsored)… Barbara is the newest addition to the group.  Her stepfather rejected and abused her.  She had never had the opportunity to go to school before – but started first grade on Monday.  She arrived looking haunted and afraid.  After only a few days in the children’s home, her joy has been restored!

These children are evidence that God still does miracles.  They know him as father and provider, and their stories will touch hearts and lives for many years to come.  The Beshiishas are ready to take in more children, but they need American sponsors to help before they can do so.  Pray for Williams and Peruth and the children and their caregivers, and pray about making a difference to a child in Africa whose life will be forever changed.

They are praying for you!

We’re Home

Immeasurable!  This is one of the many words that come to mind concerning our recent ministry to Ugandan pastors, leaders, children/youth workers.  The impact of our mission trip to Africa was beyond what we’d hoped, dreamed or imagined.   Pastors traveled from remote western, eastern and southern regions of Uganda (up to 250 miles) to be challenged, equipped and refreshed.  Pastors and leaders were EXTREMLY appreciative of teaching sessions and practical tools for ministry.  Their feedback concerning the ministry conference was touching!

From heart piercing leader lessons promoting Christlike transformation, to practical workshops presenting effective team building ministry, the quality and effectiveness of our time in Uganda was tremendous!

Your generous giving to A1:8 helped to make this trip possible.  Please accept our heartfelt thanks for investing in world missions through A1:8.  Stay tuned for more testimonies, pictures and stories from our East Africa mission.

Greetings to all from Williams and Peruth Beshiisha!  (pastors/leaders of our incredible Ugandan team)

Uganda Mission Trip Tomorrow!

Following is a list of our Ugandan missions team. Departure date is this Monday, June 8 and through Monday, June 22. Thanks for thinking of us and for your life-giving prayers. Expect to hear suitcases full of stories upon our return!  Too many amazing God moments happen not to share them!!!   Check the blog for updates from Uganda

Grateful for the opportunity to go,

Michele Howard & Uganda ‘09 Team

Church of the Heartland

South Bend

Pastor Heath Hiatt

Sarah Fields

COTH Plymouth

Gerald Miller

Chris Miller

Dylan Miller

Cody Clemons

COTH Winamac

Maurice Loehmer

Victory Church

Portage

Jason Armold

Christy Armold

Amy Jasperson

COTH Logan

Ashley Loehmer

Leigh Anne Runkle

Brenda Gaerte

Michele Howard

We have friends, family, pastors and leaders leaving for the nation of Uganda tomorrow! Please keep them in prayer. Here is a list of several things you might bring before the Lord:

· Father, I pray that _________________ will be filled with the Holy Spirit and will daily walk in His power (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16).

· I pray that _________________ will speak the Word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31; Ephesians 6:19).

· I ask that ___________________ will present the gospel clearly to unbelievers (Colossians 4:4).

· Lord, I pray that _______________ would be accepted by the natives, the believers, and the missionaries in the area where they are laboring (Romans 15:30-31).

· God, I pray that You will protect _____________________ from the attacks of Satan and his demons (Romans 15:30-31; 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3).

· Father, I ask that You would open doors and hearts to receive the gospel as _______________ ministers in his/her place of service (Colossians 4:3).

· I ask that You would grant _____________________ peace and assurance about the care of his/her family members that are left at home (1 Peter 5:7).

· Father, I pray that ____________________ would see people and things from Your perspective (Proverbs 3:5).

· I ask that ______________________ would be salt and light to the people to which he/she has been sent (Matthew 5:13-14).

Uganda Bible College Grauation

As many of you know, Church of the Heartland helps support a Bible college in Uganda, which Williams Beshiisha oversees.  This Bible college equips hundreds of pastors, some of whom have had no other training, and is a great blessing to the people in Uganda.  The following is an email from Williams.  Praise God for an awesome graduation in Africa!

Greetings

What a day to experience the graduation of the students pastors and leaders in Iganga (250miles) in the eastern part of the country. It was an awesome day and especially when the students expressed their heart’s attitude of how the training was important and significant.  Thxs for all the financial support and love. These are some pics, I’m able to send three at a time. Bless and good times.

Williams

Halfway through our first year

I have some exciting news!  We are halfway through our first year of Project A 1:8, and we are on track to raise twice as much as our initial goal!!!  How awesome is that????

Brothers and sisters in Christ, I just wanted to let you know what a blessing it is to do life with such cheerful, generous givers who obey God.  Your hearts to be part of what God is doing in other nations are truly amazing.  Today I’m giving God all the glory for the awesome things that are happening because of your financial support!  Take a moment to scroll through the blog and see what God has done in just six months: an orphanage in Africa, a church plant in the Dominican Republic, supporting missionaries to several countries…. Praise God.

Thank you for your support of Project A 1:8!

Packing for the Trip

Last Saturday the Uganda team had our last meeting before we leave or our trip on June 8th.  We spent time practicing our dramas, learning new icebreakers to prepare for our kids and youth camps, and being trained to lead and counsel at camp.  We packed a ton of suitcases with gifts and necessities for the orphanage, camps, and leadership conferences.  Here we are doing some serious packing.

For most of us, our favorite part of the training was learning the parachute games!  Our team had so much fun that now we’re even more excited to see the kids in Uganda play with the parachutes.  I had forgotten how much fun this is!

Please continue to pray for us as we make our final preparations!

Church Plant in the Dominican Republic

A few weeks ago, Pastor Heath made a trip to Randall Black’s Faith Point church in Virginia.  Randall is an AWESOME speaker who always brings encouraging messages about faith and vision.  Church of the Heartland and Project A 1:8 recently had the opportunity to sow into a church planting project in the Dominican Republic through Randall Black’s church.

One church has already been built, and this week Pastor Randall is in the Dominican Republic to get the second piece of land ready to begin building the second church!  The people at Faith Point are very excited about what God is doing.  They need $28,000 to build the second building and are believing that God is going to work a miracle to get the money to them so that the building can be debt free.  They have asked us to be praying for the building project.

God gave us a serious mission when He called us to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth.  We are not just part of reaching people in Uganda!  God’s people everywhere are precious to him.  What a blessing to be able to build the Kingdom of God in other nations!  Keep Randall Black and the building project in the Dominican Republic in your prayers.