Hope for Children Update

Many families at Church of the Heartland support a child through Hope for Children, a ministry of Pastor Richard Kaaya in Uganda.  When we went to Uganda over the summer, several of us had the privilege of meeting the children we sponsor and bringing them gifts and greetings from the States.  It was so touching to meet Juliet, the girl I sponsor, and see her at New Life Center, where she goes to school.  It made me realize how much these children really love their sponsors.  By sponsoring these sweet children, we truly are giving them a future.

According to the last update from Pastor Kaaya, God is doing great work in the lives of the students at New Life Center, and they are making an impact on their city.  The soccer team at the primary (elementary) school won a national tournament.    In May, there was a camp with 640 kids in attendance, and 260 of them accepted Christ.

Pastor Richard’s ministry builds homes such as Abba Home, that provide love and protection for orphaned and vulnerable children.  This home currently looks after 36 children.  These children have a home and a reason to look to the future, as they concentrate on being KIDS and leave the worry of who will take care of them to Christ.  Praise God for people who are making a difference in kids’ lives, both   here and in Uganda.

Reminder to Sponsors:

There will be a kids and youth camp for these students and children from the city from December 6-12.  The theme is the life of Jesus.  The event is open to all kids in the community.  If you sponsor a child through Hope for Children and would like to give above your monthly sponsorship for your child to attend camp, the cost is $35 – which needs to be in before the last week of November.  You could also sponsor a child from the community to attend the event for the same amount.

Any other gifts – such as birthday or Christmas – for your sponsor children need to be in check form, as they cannot receive presents at the school without paying taxes on them.

Thank you for your generous support of these children!

God’s Plan for Barbara

I was not expecting to witness a miracle when I went to Uganda in June 2009.  Instead, I was expecting to go to Uganda, love and play with the children, and come home satisfied with the smiles that I brought to them and the many memories that they gave to me.  However, God wanted Barbara and me to meet and change each other’s lives.

The story begins when I came home to Williams and Peruth’s house one day.  There were many children in the yard playing which was a normal scene that happened every day, but there was a new girl playing in the yard.  Her name was Barbara.  We immediately connected and began to play.  We laughed and played carefree in the yard.  I did not see her that night, so I assumed she was a girl from a nearby house who just came to play for the day.  I thought nothing more about Barbara until the next day.

Pastor Michele and I were talking the next day when she mentioned Barbara.  Peruth had told Michele Barbara’s story, so Michele shared her story with me.  Barbara’s father had died and her stepfather did not want her to live in the house.  Her stepfather was abusive to her.  Barbara had never had the opportunity to go to school.  She was living around the neighborhood without a home.  Her mother had brought her to Grace Children’s Home to see if Peruth would be able to take her into the home.  I do not think that Peruth was able to take her in at that time because some of the children who were living in the home did not yet have sponsors.

When I heard Barbara’s story, my heart was filled with compassion.  I could not believe that yesterday I was playing and laughing with this beautiful girl and today I would live knowing she did not have a home to live in or a family that loves her.  I went to talk with Peruth to ask her some more details about Barbara.  My heart spoke and I told Peruth that I wanted to sponsor Barbara and that I wanted her to live in the children’s home.  Peruth was very happy to hear about this so she made plans right away for me to purchase some shoes for her to go to school with.

I was able to see the joy that was restored to her during her first night living in the children’s home.  She had already made several friends (Jovia, in particular) and was feeling loved and accepted by the children who lived in the home.

The team left to return to the US on a Monday morning.  Before I left the children’s home, I saw Barbara and the other children getting ready for school.  It was her first day of first grade and she looked very excited to be going.  Barbara changed the way that I view sponsorship and orphans.  In just a few days, I was able to see how sponsoring a child completely changes a child’s life.  Barbara went from a life of rejection, abandonment, and abuse to a life of joy, peace, and hope for the future.  I was not expecting to witness a miracle when I went to Uganda in June 2009, but I saw what I saw.

Ashley Loehmer

Music from Uganda

One of my favorite things about Uganda is the music…. especially this song!  Watch Peruth Beshiisha and the women of Word of Life – in all their traditional African finery – sing “A Woman.”  Let their passion for God inspire you!

Update from Uganda

The following is an update that we recently received from Williams and Peruth Beshiisha in Uganda.  Keep them in your prayers, and praise God for what he is doing for our brothers and sisters in Entebbe!

From the Beshiishas:

Thanks to let us have such a good facility unto the young ones through your prayers and financial support. We are done with all plastering finishing interior.  The last step will be painting. This is how far we have reached.

Next week on September 7, 09 the young ones will begin their 3rd term. It was good to have them together at home. Continue to pray for us to attain good health as to be done with this coming term.

Bless

Williams & Peruth Beshiisha

…… I love it when they send pictures!  Check out the awesome progress they’ve made on the children’s home and a picture of these beautiful kids!

If you would like to sponsor a child or pray specifically for a child who needs a sponsor, see our “Children Who Need Sponsors” pages – recently updated with pictures!

Missing Friends

Last night I was thinking about my friends in Uganda.  We’ve been home for two months now, and it seems like a lot longer.  A lot of life has happened in two months – I’ve started school and youth group, and I’m getting back into everyday life here in Indiana.

I have a friend who spent six months in Thailand, and when he got home, he decided that he would start sleeping on the floor to remind himself not to forget his friends in Thailand, who don’t have beds.  He never wants to forget poverty and the friends he made who are poor, hungry, and in need of help.

I’m praying that God never lets me forget Uganda.  I’m thankful that I live in the United States, and I have never been truly poor, have never known hunger, and am secure in my home and my job.  However, I want to keep my friends and a nation who need our help close to my heart and my mind.  After two months, it’s easier to go back to life here.  But I never want to forget life there.

Here, most of us don’t have to believe God for our next meal, for someone to take care of us, or for the chance to go to school.  Here, it’s easy to be comfortable and secure.  But I don’t want to forget my friends who use faith for EVERYTHING.

Lord, help us remember that we can make a difference to people who have much less materially than we do but are far richer spiritually.  Without God and without faith, they truly have nothing.  Your giving, your sponsoring a child, your prayers… they all make a difference.  We’re an ocean apart, but keep these precious people close to your heart.  And seek God about how you can help.

Today, don’t forget to thank God that you live in America, and because of that, you are blessed – and there are many ways that you can bless someone else!

And Lord, help me not to forget……..

Leigh Anne

Linda Turner in October

Linda Turner is coming to Northern Indiana!!!!!! (Can you tell I am excited?????)  Linda is a missionary that Church of the Heartland and Project A 1:8 helps to support.  She has been traveled to six continents and more than 100 nations to preach the Gospel and encourage believers – even in countries where Christians are persecuted.  Her stories are incredible.

Mark your calendars for the first weekend in October.  On Thursday night, October 1, Linda will be speaking to women in South Bend.  We had a great turn out at our women’s meeting when she was here last year, and everyone who attended was blessed.  She will also be speaking at Bible college on Friday, October 2 in Winamac.

On Sunday night, October 4th, at 6:00 p.m., and Monday night, October 5th, at 7:00 p.m., she will be speaking at combined Heartland services at the Logansport campus.  You won’t want to miss any of these meetings!

Get excited about the awesome ministry gift that is coming to Church of the Heartland in October!!!

More children to be sponsored

If you are interested or know someone who is interested in sponsoring a child in Uganda, see the “Children Who Need Sponsors” pages on the right side of the blog.  We just received updated biographies and information about children who still need sponsors to provide for their education and living expenses.  Ask God about giving a child in Africa a bright future through a sponsorship!

GIM Uganda Update

The following is information from our brother Williams Beshiisha about what GIM has been able to accomplish in Uganda.  The influence of Williams and GIM extends far beyond Williams’  home church.  Praise God for what He is doing in this nation as you read!

Greetings.

Since the connection with COTH began years ago, the Ugandan churches have been blessed by GIM ( USA).  Since 2004 many projects have been established with GIM (Uganda), Word of Life Church and any affiliated churches and ministries.

Establishment of church:

churches have been established in many districts of the Ugandan nation since 2004, i.e…

Soroti district:

Four churches have been established in aflliation with pastor John Eteu of Harvest ministries in Kabulamaido district since our COTH visited the area 2004.

Chaka 2 (Kyenjojo district):

Two more churches where established  in Chaka 2 Refugee camp with average members of over 300 people. (these are refugees from Democratic Rep. of Congo.)

Bushenyi district;

Two churches are in (a) Kyabahija with members totalling 285 and

(b) Kakindu with 320 members.

These are churches begun by our GIM college students from their local residents.

Masaka District:

This is where we have a great work achieved in many years.  13 churches have been established in affiliation with our  six regional directors and pastor college students from GIM Bible training school

Lyantonde Lwengo district:

Pastor Jude’s church in Lyantondwe  has reached to a capacity of 250 members. He was one of the pionieer student pastors in GIM bible training school in 2005.

Mubende District:

Several churches are existing due to GIM college and they are in aflliation.

Busembatya district in Busoga (Eastern part):

Busembatya has  been our recent GIM bible training ground. In coming month we are going to establish two churches. Members yet to be established after visitation.

Entebbe (Wakiso district):

Through the GIM Uganda/COTH Ugandan chp. in afflliation with Word of life church and in conjuction with GIM, USA / COTH have enhanced many churches, ministries, schools and colleges. More than 500 pastors and leaders of the 800 are in the reach of our operation.

COTH yearly  missions in conjuction Word of life church have enhanced/encouraged many ministries, youth and children.  Scholastic materials, sports gifts – e.g. balls (these come as answered long time prayer need), ropes, parachute kits and stationery (eg. school papers, pens, pencils colours etc.)  Then alot as been learned as a result of drama, singing and skite and more than 800 souls have come to the kingdom since 2004.

Pastor Kaaya of Tabernacle of Christ ministries also has been a long time team member with the COTH-USA since 1996.  The cooperative work with COTH in the early years shot him to construct a school that comprises more than 600 students and a secondary school..  Many are valuable students who seek sponsorship.

Orphanage:

Grace Children’s Home Uganda has been established to host 40 residents and 500 children who  seek sponsorship as to have education. And to meet  need of buying 40 acres to have a school on and dormitories.

Fish farm soon be started as to feed the orphanes and generate income for feeding.

Mobile GIM Bible training schools:

The Bible college came as a result of the COTH mission work in Uganda. When observed that pastors not trained, can’t prepare surmons, and never read the Bible through (unqualified leaders) being on job.

Children and youth ministries;

Word of Life children have increased in number from 67 attends to 200 if not at school (boarding sections) and the youths growing from 15 to 77 members.

Bless and hello to all COTH friends,

Williams( Entebbe pastors chairman)

Thank You!

For all of the interest you’ve shown in Project A 1:8, for your prayers for Uganda and other nations, for your generous giving, for your desire to make a difference by supporting a child or meeting a need….

THANK YOU!

And there are a few other people who want to thank you, too.

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.