Stories from Edd and Kathy's Experiences in Uganda
The Remainder of the Mashberns Filters Delivered to Kyawangabi
September 14, 2013. The last 14 of the TivaWater filters donated by Allen and Jeannie Mashbern, Kathy's brother and his wife, were delivered to families in the remote village of Kyawangabi, about 40 miles outside Kampala. Thirty-six filters were donated to this village earlier by members and friends of our church, Mt. Harmony Baptist in Knoxville.
We have been very excited about helping this village because of our connection there. Richard Kirabira, head of the Nehemiah Business School (Chicken City) that I wrote the curriculum for this summer, grew up in Kyawangabi and still has family living there. This village has experienced a lot of pain through the years and, like all of the villages in Uganda, has been plagued with disease and deaths related to drinking the contaminated water there.
Thank you Allen and Jeannie for this awesome gift to a very deserving people. Your gift will make a difference in the lives of these people for many years to come.
Edd
We have been very excited about helping this village because of our connection there. Richard Kirabira, head of the Nehemiah Business School (Chicken City) that I wrote the curriculum for this summer, grew up in Kyawangabi and still has family living there. This village has experienced a lot of pain through the years and, like all of the villages in Uganda, has been plagued with disease and deaths related to drinking the contaminated water there.
Thank you Allen and Jeannie for this awesome gift to a very deserving people. Your gift will make a difference in the lives of these people for many years to come.
Edd
The Mashberns Provide Clean Water for Deaf School
August 28, 2013. Allen and Jeannie Mashbern, Kathy's brother and his wife, donated 16 TivaWater filters. We were blessed to be able to deliver two of their filters today to the Boanerges Deaf School in Kawempe (Kampala area). The school currently has 45 children and 6 teachers, all unpaid volunteers. By the way, the Mzungu is from Australia.
Talking to one of the teachers, Kathy found out that the school has recently battled an outbreak of typhoid. Hopefully, that is a problem they will never have to deal with again.
The kids were on holiday this week, but they promised to send us a photo of them when school starts back. The teachers expressed over and over their gratitude for the water filters. It was obvious they understood the impact the filters will have on their kids.
The other 14 of the Mashberns filters will be delivered to Kyawangabi next week, after we are back in Tennessee, but Richard promised he and Joseph will share the Gospel with the recipients and send us photos.
Thanks, Allen and Jeannie for your generosity and support. The teachers promised to pray for you and I know you will be praying for them as well.
Edd
Talking to one of the teachers, Kathy found out that the school has recently battled an outbreak of typhoid. Hopefully, that is a problem they will never have to deal with again.
The kids were on holiday this week, but they promised to send us a photo of them when school starts back. The teachers expressed over and over their gratitude for the water filters. It was obvious they understood the impact the filters will have on their kids.
The other 14 of the Mashberns filters will be delivered to Kyawangabi next week, after we are back in Tennessee, but Richard promised he and Joseph will share the Gospel with the recipients and send us photos.
Thanks, Allen and Jeannie for your generosity and support. The teachers promised to pray for you and I know you will be praying for them as well.
Edd
Pastor Patrick Gets a Miracle on Wheels
"Praise God!!"
August 27, 2013. A couple of weeks ago we appealed to our friends to help purchase a motorcycle for our friend, Patrick. In less than 24 hours, more than enough money was pledged to purchase a brand new motorcycle (about $1,300) and I had to send out an email saying, "Stop! We have enough!" In fact, we had enough money left over to purchase four TivaWater filters. It felt like we were collecting the left-over food after Jesus fed the 5000. We are very grateful to our daughter Frances; my dad, Paul Hancock; mom and dad's friend and our neighbor for many years, Jean Strange; and friends from Mt. Harmony Max and Sandy Fultz and Peter and Amanda Breazeale for joining us in making this miracle possible for Pastor Patrick.
Patrick was Kathy's interpreter in the eye clinic for all four of our medical mission trips to Uganda. About a year and a half ago he sensed God's call to the ministry and was commissioned by his home church, Dove Church in Wakiso (where all the medical clinics have been conducted) to start a work in Namayumba. He is a very humble and personable man and so far has led the church from 6 to 60 members.
He and his wife, Annette, have chosen to continue to live in Wakiso, mainly due to the availability of a good school for
their four children. It has been good that they haven't had to relocate, however transportation is a problem. Patrick has an income of $100 a month, thanks to Janet Dicken from Mt. Harmony and our daughter Frances, (not bad, I'm told, for a remote area) plus odd jobs he is able to pickup along the way. He does not receive any financial support from the mission or the sponsoring church at this time.
He was spending $6.00 to $9.00 a week on a motorcycle taxi to get to and from his church field. It is about 45 minutes away from his home and he is going there two or three times a week. That is a big percentage of his income. And, when on the church field, he must walk to all of his member's homes for visits and Bible studies. It is primarily a farming community and the homes are really spread out.
We talked to several people here who suggested the best long-term solution is for him to have a motorcycle to ride to and from his church field. We shared this need with our friends and the response was overwhelming.
The following Monday, Daniel and I went motorcycle shopping. I discovered that buying a motorcycle in Uganda is not a simple thing, however in a couple of hours it was done and I was following Daniel back to his house. (He was on the motorcycle. I was driving my car.) And today we got to make the delivery to Patrick in Wakiso.
We arrived at Patrick's house around 11:00 and visited for awhile. About 12:30, our friend Joseph (who works for TivaWater and drives a motorcycle everywhere) arrived on the bike. I could see he was surprised to see Joseph, however he greeted him warmly. After the greetings, I said to Patrick, "You know Joseph rides a motorcycle?" He said, "Yes." Then I said, "But this is not Joseph's motorcycle." He looked at me with question marks on his face. And, choked with emotion, I said, "This is your motorcycle!" He hugged me and all he could say for several minutes was, "It's a miracle!" He's right. It was a miracle straight from God and people who love Him and are responsive to His leadership in how their money is used.
This gift will have a huge affect on this family, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. They know there is a group of people in the U.S. who care about them and are praying for them. This gift will also have a huge affect on the Namayumba mission church due to Patrick's new availability to the families.
Thank you very much to the folks who donated to the motorcycle fund and also to all of you who will join them in praying for Patrick, his family and the church God has called him to serve.
Edd
Patrick was Kathy's interpreter in the eye clinic for all four of our medical mission trips to Uganda. About a year and a half ago he sensed God's call to the ministry and was commissioned by his home church, Dove Church in Wakiso (where all the medical clinics have been conducted) to start a work in Namayumba. He is a very humble and personable man and so far has led the church from 6 to 60 members.
He and his wife, Annette, have chosen to continue to live in Wakiso, mainly due to the availability of a good school for
their four children. It has been good that they haven't had to relocate, however transportation is a problem. Patrick has an income of $100 a month, thanks to Janet Dicken from Mt. Harmony and our daughter Frances, (not bad, I'm told, for a remote area) plus odd jobs he is able to pickup along the way. He does not receive any financial support from the mission or the sponsoring church at this time.
He was spending $6.00 to $9.00 a week on a motorcycle taxi to get to and from his church field. It is about 45 minutes away from his home and he is going there two or three times a week. That is a big percentage of his income. And, when on the church field, he must walk to all of his member's homes for visits and Bible studies. It is primarily a farming community and the homes are really spread out.
We talked to several people here who suggested the best long-term solution is for him to have a motorcycle to ride to and from his church field. We shared this need with our friends and the response was overwhelming.
The following Monday, Daniel and I went motorcycle shopping. I discovered that buying a motorcycle in Uganda is not a simple thing, however in a couple of hours it was done and I was following Daniel back to his house. (He was on the motorcycle. I was driving my car.) And today we got to make the delivery to Patrick in Wakiso.
We arrived at Patrick's house around 11:00 and visited for awhile. About 12:30, our friend Joseph (who works for TivaWater and drives a motorcycle everywhere) arrived on the bike. I could see he was surprised to see Joseph, however he greeted him warmly. After the greetings, I said to Patrick, "You know Joseph rides a motorcycle?" He said, "Yes." Then I said, "But this is not Joseph's motorcycle." He looked at me with question marks on his face. And, choked with emotion, I said, "This is your motorcycle!" He hugged me and all he could say for several minutes was, "It's a miracle!" He's right. It was a miracle straight from God and people who love Him and are responsive to His leadership in how their money is used.
This gift will have a huge affect on this family, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. They know there is a group of people in the U.S. who care about them and are praying for them. This gift will also have a huge affect on the Namayumba mission church due to Patrick's new availability to the families.
Thank you very much to the folks who donated to the motorcycle fund and also to all of you who will join them in praying for Patrick, his family and the church God has called him to serve.
Edd
Mt. Harmony Gives Clean Water and Living Water to Kyawangabi
August 21, 2013. The members of Mt. Harmony Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee has generously donated 36 TivaWater filters to the families in the remote village of Kyawangabi, about 40 miles outside Kampala. The last 28 of those filers were delivered today. Included in the 28 were four filters donated by our friends and former Mt. Harmony members Peter and Amanda Breazesle. What an awesome sight!! Joseph, our friend and TivaWater rep, led a joint training session for all 28 families. There was excitement in the air as they assembled their filters and learned how to use and maintain them. The photos below give a hint of what it was like, but can never show the appreciation that came from their hearts. The clean water provided by these filters will change the future of this village.
Actually, the best part was having the opportunity to share the Living Water with that room full of people who, because they had just received the gift of clean water, were very open and receptive to what the Mazungu had to say. They listened intently and at least seven prayed to receive Christ's gift of forgiveness and salvation. We had just a few copies of the Lugandan Gospel of John left, so Kathy distributed them to the new converts and also a handful of tracts we had brought with us. There were lots of requests for God's Word, so we will be sending several copies of the Gospel of John with the team coming in October. We also sent each person home with the document I prepared a couple of years ago, which describes how God led the folks a Fellowship Church in Knoxville to design and build the filter. However, the main focus of the document is a written presentation of the Gospel message.
Mt. Harmony, with your generous gift, you have adopted the African village of Kyawangabi, which means you are "connected," not just physically through the filters, but also spiritually. It is your responsibility to pray for their physical and spiritual health. Pray for their children. Pray for their crops. Pray that God will be "the center" of this village.
Kathy and I have been honored to be able to represent you here. It has been an experience that will shape our lives for years to come.
Edd
Actually, the best part was having the opportunity to share the Living Water with that room full of people who, because they had just received the gift of clean water, were very open and receptive to what the Mazungu had to say. They listened intently and at least seven prayed to receive Christ's gift of forgiveness and salvation. We had just a few copies of the Lugandan Gospel of John left, so Kathy distributed them to the new converts and also a handful of tracts we had brought with us. There were lots of requests for God's Word, so we will be sending several copies of the Gospel of John with the team coming in October. We also sent each person home with the document I prepared a couple of years ago, which describes how God led the folks a Fellowship Church in Knoxville to design and build the filter. However, the main focus of the document is a written presentation of the Gospel message.
Mt. Harmony, with your generous gift, you have adopted the African village of Kyawangabi, which means you are "connected," not just physically through the filters, but also spiritually. It is your responsibility to pray for their physical and spiritual health. Pray for their children. Pray for their crops. Pray that God will be "the center" of this village.
Kathy and I have been honored to be able to represent you here. It has been an experience that will shape our lives for years to come.
Edd
Harmony Kids Learn About Uganda and Donate Two Filters
August 21, 2013. Last week, Harmony Kids, a children's group at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, had a Uganda Party at the home of Buddy and Mary Holley, where they raised $120 for two TivaWater filters. Buddy and Mary have been very supportive of our clean water project this summer personally donating ten filters. But in addition to the filters, we very much appreciate their encouragement and prayers.
At the party, the children learned where Uganda is on a globe, how far it is from Knoxville and how many people live there. They discovered that Uganda, and specifically Kampala where we are, is a very crowded place! They also learned that quite a high percentage of Ugandans are Christians, which surprised them.
The kids ate rice, papaya, pineapple and plantain to experience what Ugandans eat everyday. They learned a lot and, more importantly, helped two families have clean drinking water. They prayed for Edd and me and thanked God
that they are so fortunate and can help fellow Christians half way around the world.
Below are photos of the families that received the Harmony Kids filters and other photos of village life. We also included some photos of how the food they ate grows here in Uganda.
Thank you Harmony kids for helping these families in Kyawangabi have clean water to drink!
Kathy
At the party, the children learned where Uganda is on a globe, how far it is from Knoxville and how many people live there. They discovered that Uganda, and specifically Kampala where we are, is a very crowded place! They also learned that quite a high percentage of Ugandans are Christians, which surprised them.
The kids ate rice, papaya, pineapple and plantain to experience what Ugandans eat everyday. They learned a lot and, more importantly, helped two families have clean drinking water. They prayed for Edd and me and thanked God
that they are so fortunate and can help fellow Christians half way around the world.
Below are photos of the families that received the Harmony Kids filters and other photos of village life. We also included some photos of how the food they ate grows here in Uganda.
Thank you Harmony kids for helping these families in Kyawangabi have clean water to drink!
Kathy
Dan and Shadia Mutyuba
Dan farms their small piece of land there in the village and sell their produce at a nearby market. He and Shadia have four children. They have been boiling their water using wood collected from the bush for fire. Their new water filter will provide cleaner, healthier water for them, as well as save time and natural resources.
George and Teopista Sempa
George is also a farmer and he and Teopista sell their produce at a large market on the main highway a couple of miles or so from their village. He and Teopista have 14 children, so their new water filter will get plenty of use. They also boil their water, which, with 14 children, requires a lot of time and resources.
Mt. Harmony Provides Clean Water for Four Families in Kyawangabi
August 16, 2013. The members of Mt. Harmony Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee donated enough money last Sunday to purchase 22 TivaWater filters to needy families in the Kampala Uganda area. We delivered four of those filters today to families in the remote village of Kyawangabi, about 40 miles outside Kampala. Kyawangabi is the village where the Holley family, also members of Mt. Harmony, recently donated four filters to two schools. All four of these families were extremely excited about receiving a TivaWater filter and expressed their gratitude to us over and over.
We were able to share the Gospel with and pray for the entire group who participated in the training (see photos below), truly a blessing for us. One young man genuinely thanked me for the prayer. We later found out he is a Muslim. We will be bringing more filters back to this village and will be looking, for not only healthier people, but also for spiritual fruit.
Thank you, Mt. Harmony, for giving us the blessing of being able to influence the lives of these families, both physically and spiritually.
Photos of the families and brief information about their households are shown below, plus some photos of the group training session, the evangelism presentation, and their homes.
Edd and Kathy
We were able to share the Gospel with and pray for the entire group who participated in the training (see photos below), truly a blessing for us. One young man genuinely thanked me for the prayer. We later found out he is a Muslim. We will be bringing more filters back to this village and will be looking, for not only healthier people, but also for spiritual fruit.
Thank you, Mt. Harmony, for giving us the blessing of being able to influence the lives of these families, both physically and spiritually.
Photos of the families and brief information about their households are shown below, plus some photos of the group training session, the evangelism presentation, and their homes.
Edd and Kathy
Sezaliyo and Robinah Kiwanuka
He is the local leader and a farmer. Every village has a political structure with a leader. He is sometimes called the chairman. They have 10 children who will be drinking water from their new TivaWater filter, plus other children from nearby. They boil their water, will probably not save any money by not having to boil, just time and natural resources. In remote villages like this one, they do not normally boil their water with charcoal, like they do in the city. Since it is available, they burn wood for heating water and cooking.
Jastin Nakaggwa
She is a single mom whose only income is some fruit she is able to sell in the market. She has two children and five grandchildren living with her. She does not boil her water for drinking, so she will most likely see a significant different in the health of her children.
David and Jane Kateregga
He is a kindergarten teacher in a nearby school and Jane is unemployed. They have seven children (4 live with them) plus two additional children live with them who are not theirs. They do not boil their water.
Steven and Christine Bumba
Steven is our friend Richard’s brother. His sole source of income from farming. They have five children of their own, and they also have two orphans living with them. They have been boiling their water.
The Devil Ain't Gonna Steal My Joy!
August 11, 2013. One of my favorite saying is "Don't let the devil steal your joy!" I even have a cartoon about it. And, since I have been here, I have been studying "James." It starts off with one of my least favorite verses, "Consider it all joy.... when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance" (James 1:2-3). I had a chance to put these verses to the test yesterday.
When we went to Bukasa the first time, the children were timid, reserved or afraid of the first Mazungus they had ever seen. Yesterday was much different. We were friends. As the service was finishing, it came up a large rain storm and everyone had to wait it out. I gathered the children and we sang silly action songs, like Father Abraham and Hokey Pokey. We were having a great time, so, when we ran out of songs, we started playing Duck, Duck, Goose. I didn't know if they knew this game, so I demonstrated. I was almost back to my spot when I tripped on...probably on a bench. I really don't know what I hit, but I think it was the brick wall (I blacked out). I'm sure I scared everyone to death. I immediately thought, "OK, where's the joy in this?," so I started doing an assessment. I thanked God that I was alive, walking, nothing was broken, and I still had all my teeth...a lot to be thankful for! The pastor and Geoffrey said we made the devil mad this morning with the healing service and the Bibles. I said, "I'm just not cautious and don't act my age sometimes." But I wonder...
Through out the day, I began to realize more and more how I had experienced God's protection. Even Wilter, my nurse friend, and the dentist I went to this morning could not believe my teeth were not loose or the inside of my mouth damaged. I've got a knot on my elbow that could have been a break. I fell on my arm that I had shoulder surgery on, but didn't damage my rotator cuff. It hurts to blow my nose, but it 's not broken. My jaw wouldn't close, but there was soft food for me to eat for lunch. God provided everything I needed at the time. I needed ice for my face and the village doesn't even have electricity, but I had ice in the cooler for chicken salad and banana pudding! I brought a clean washcloth for the ice pack! I had baby wipes, sanitizing gel, ibuprofen and CHOCOLATE in my purse. And an hour later, I was back in the ministry business. We delivered five filters and I only missed the one on the way home from church.
I felt God's blessing more strongly, maybe more than ever before. I was even able to reach my dentist in Knoxville, David Parker, and he actually answered his phone on a Sunday afternoon! He gave me the encouraging words I needed most, "Don't get an x-ray yet. It's probably just trauma." He also told me how much Ibuprofen to take. He really helped with my one lingering fear... a dislocated jaw! By this morning, I could close my jaw much more that yesterday. God is Good.... All the Time!
So... then began to wonder, "Why did God let me fall in the first place?" I've thought about this a lot. We receive God's blessing and protection with every breath we take, but we take it for granted. Sometimes I need to be reminded not to whine because "somebody" lost my keys when, actually, it was God that hid them, because He knew that someone was going to run the stop sign and I wouldn't be there, because "I couldn't find my keys!" Every time I look in the mirror, I have a HUGE reminder that He is watching over me. I'm not there yet, but I can understand a little better what Jerri Giffin meant when she said "I would go through all my injury and illness again just to KNOW God 's Presence." It's real; I feel it; and I wouldn't trade this feeling for anything!
So when you look at my picture, don't feel sorry for me. Thank God with me for His provision and protection. Because of Him, I am alive and well and will be coming home soon!! The devil may have tripped me but, the Lord caught me!
Too blessed to be stressed,
Kathy
When we went to Bukasa the first time, the children were timid, reserved or afraid of the first Mazungus they had ever seen. Yesterday was much different. We were friends. As the service was finishing, it came up a large rain storm and everyone had to wait it out. I gathered the children and we sang silly action songs, like Father Abraham and Hokey Pokey. We were having a great time, so, when we ran out of songs, we started playing Duck, Duck, Goose. I didn't know if they knew this game, so I demonstrated. I was almost back to my spot when I tripped on...probably on a bench. I really don't know what I hit, but I think it was the brick wall (I blacked out). I'm sure I scared everyone to death. I immediately thought, "OK, where's the joy in this?," so I started doing an assessment. I thanked God that I was alive, walking, nothing was broken, and I still had all my teeth...a lot to be thankful for! The pastor and Geoffrey said we made the devil mad this morning with the healing service and the Bibles. I said, "I'm just not cautious and don't act my age sometimes." But I wonder...
Through out the day, I began to realize more and more how I had experienced God's protection. Even Wilter, my nurse friend, and the dentist I went to this morning could not believe my teeth were not loose or the inside of my mouth damaged. I've got a knot on my elbow that could have been a break. I fell on my arm that I had shoulder surgery on, but didn't damage my rotator cuff. It hurts to blow my nose, but it 's not broken. My jaw wouldn't close, but there was soft food for me to eat for lunch. God provided everything I needed at the time. I needed ice for my face and the village doesn't even have electricity, but I had ice in the cooler for chicken salad and banana pudding! I brought a clean washcloth for the ice pack! I had baby wipes, sanitizing gel, ibuprofen and CHOCOLATE in my purse. And an hour later, I was back in the ministry business. We delivered five filters and I only missed the one on the way home from church.
I felt God's blessing more strongly, maybe more than ever before. I was even able to reach my dentist in Knoxville, David Parker, and he actually answered his phone on a Sunday afternoon! He gave me the encouraging words I needed most, "Don't get an x-ray yet. It's probably just trauma." He also told me how much Ibuprofen to take. He really helped with my one lingering fear... a dislocated jaw! By this morning, I could close my jaw much more that yesterday. God is Good.... All the Time!
So... then began to wonder, "Why did God let me fall in the first place?" I've thought about this a lot. We receive God's blessing and protection with every breath we take, but we take it for granted. Sometimes I need to be reminded not to whine because "somebody" lost my keys when, actually, it was God that hid them, because He knew that someone was going to run the stop sign and I wouldn't be there, because "I couldn't find my keys!" Every time I look in the mirror, I have a HUGE reminder that He is watching over me. I'm not there yet, but I can understand a little better what Jerri Giffin meant when she said "I would go through all my injury and illness again just to KNOW God 's Presence." It's real; I feel it; and I wouldn't trade this feeling for anything!
So when you look at my picture, don't feel sorry for me. Thank God with me for His provision and protection. Because of Him, I am alive and well and will be coming home soon!! The devil may have tripped me but, the Lord caught me!
Too blessed to be stressed,
Kathy
Kathy and the Kids Video
The static you hear is the rain on the metal roof.
The Dills Provide Clean Water for the Balaza Family
August 11, 2013. Gene and Pat Dill, friends and members of Mt. Harmony Baptist Church in Knoxville, donated the TivaWater filter we were blessed to be able to deliver to Pastor and Chrizestom Balaza today. He has served as pastor of Calvary Temple for 18 years. He and his wife have seven children who will be benefiting from the filter, plus, he says, seven other family members who they will be providing water for. Like many others, they are not able to boil their water, so their new filter will make a huge difference in the health and well-being of this family.
Thank you Gene and Pat for your generous gift,
Edd
Thank you Gene and Pat for your generous gift,
Edd
The Dills Provide Clean Water for the Musisi Family
August 11, 2013. The Dills also donated the TivaWater filter we delivered to Richard and Namata Musisi today. This couple has 10 children who will be benefiting from the filter. When I asked if they boiled their water, Richard responded, "There are too many people." Any time a family that doesn't boil their drinking water is able to begin drinking clean water, they will see a significant improvement in their health. We are told many of the health problems here could be eliminated if the people would drink more (clean) water. This family are members of Calvary Temple church in Bukasa and, according to the pastor, are very deserving of their new water filter.
Thank you Gene and Pat for your generous gift,
Edd
Thank you Gene and Pat for your generous gift,
Edd
Mt. Harmony Provides Clean Water for the Calvary Temple Church and School
August 11, 2013. The John Blake Sunday School Class of Mt. Harmony Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee donated the TivaWater filter we delivered to the Calvary Temple church and school in Bukasa today. Most of the families in the church and the school do not drink clean water because of the cost involved in boiling. This filter will not be able to provide all the clean water needed by these many families, but it will make a big ripple in a huge sea of need. I really appreciate my Sunday School class joining us in our efforts to make a difference in as many lives as we can while we are here.
Thanks class for your generous gift,
Edd
Thanks class for your generous gift,
Edd
Red Bank Class Provides Clean Water for the Dimintiya Family
August 11, 2013. The Young Adult III Sunday School Class at Red Bank Baptist in Chattanooga, Tennessee donated the TivaWater filter we delivered to the home of Nalujja and Madoi Dimintiya today. This couple has 10 children and two grandchildren that will be benefiting from clean water to drink. They have been boiling their water, so their new filter will also save them a lot of money. It's estimated that a family this size will spend a dollar a day on charcoal to boil their water. Here in Uganda, that's huge! This family is very special to our friend Geffory, because they are neighbors to his mom and are very helpful to her, especially by carrying water to her.
Thank you Young Adult III Class for your generous gift,
Edd
Thank you Young Adult III Class for your generous gift,
Edd
Church Members Get Much-Needed Bibles
August 11, 2013. Last time we were in Bukasa, Geoffrey mentioned that several non-English speaking church members did not have a Lugandan Bible. I asked him how many the thought were needed and he said ten. Well, our daughter Frances give us some money when we left and said spend it on whatever is needed over there. We gave her a call and, of course, she said buy the Bibles. So, Geoffrey got ten beautiful Lugandan Bibles from his church bookstore at a really good price, 30,000 Ugandan Shillings ($12). Yesterday, during the service, we were able to present the Bibles to the pastor. He was overjoyed, as you can see. Now, ten more people in Bukasa will be able to read God's Word.
Thanks, Frannie, for your generous gift,
Dad
Thanks, Frannie, for your generous gift,
Dad
Kathy's Bag
August 10, 2013. There is just so much poverty here it can really become overwhelming. We have been advised that you can't help everyone, but you can do what you can.
Kathy noticed from our window one morning, shortly after we arrived in Uganda, a man going through the trash in from of the store next door. It really touched her to see people so hungry, so desperate, they would make the rounds of all the trash bags in the area. So, determined to do what she could, she buys bags of peanuts and a bag of hard candy. Then, each morning, when we go on our walk, she takes a grocery bag with a bag of nuts, some hard candy and a Gospel tract and begins look for a person going through the trash or a hungry-looking child to give it to. We can't help everyone, but when she gives the bag, we can say, "Made a small difference for that one" and "Thank you, God, for the blessing of food to eat."
Make difference for someone today,
Edd
Kathy noticed from our window one morning, shortly after we arrived in Uganda, a man going through the trash in from of the store next door. It really touched her to see people so hungry, so desperate, they would make the rounds of all the trash bags in the area. So, determined to do what she could, she buys bags of peanuts and a bag of hard candy. Then, each morning, when we go on our walk, she takes a grocery bag with a bag of nuts, some hard candy and a Gospel tract and begins look for a person going through the trash or a hungry-looking child to give it to. We can't help everyone, but when she gives the bag, we can say, "Made a small difference for that one" and "Thank you, God, for the blessing of food to eat."
Make difference for someone today,
Edd
The Wileys Provide Clean Water for our Fruits and Vegetables Lady
August 9, 2013. THANK YOU Bob and Barbara Wiley (Edd's boss in IL) for providing a TivaWater filter for our fruits and vegetables lady, Florence Kyatelekela and her daughter. We pray about where the filters that folks donate money for should be placed. We walk and drive this area every day. There is so much poverty here. We pass slums everywhere. I asked Daniel if we could get TivaWater filters into the Naguru slums. He said that I should pick out someone that was hard working, but struggling (that narrowed it down to about 80% of the population!). I made a decision not to buy fruits and veggies at the grocery store, but to help the people around me. I have admired this tiny, timid lady from the first time I met her. She is timid, soft spoken and knows very little English.
I found out over a month ago that she is a believer and gave her a Gospel of John in her language. She lives in a 10 x 10 foot room with her daughter, sleeps on a woven straw mat on a concrete floor and cooks over a small charcoal stove (see photos below). She walks twenty minutes each way, sometimes twice a day (we walked it with in the heat of the day, up and down several hills, whew!). Providing a TivaWater filter will reduce her expenses by the cost of the charcoal for boiling and, hopefully, she will be healthier and more hydrated.
It is such a blessing to be able to help in this way. She kept saying "God bless you", over and over. We told her someone else donated the filter and God chose her to receive it!
We will be delivering five filters on Sunday to Geoffrey's village and four filters next Friday to Richards village. I sure would like to place more filters here in the city. We can with your help.
Thanks Bob and Barbara!
Kathy
I found out over a month ago that she is a believer and gave her a Gospel of John in her language. She lives in a 10 x 10 foot room with her daughter, sleeps on a woven straw mat on a concrete floor and cooks over a small charcoal stove (see photos below). She walks twenty minutes each way, sometimes twice a day (we walked it with in the heat of the day, up and down several hills, whew!). Providing a TivaWater filter will reduce her expenses by the cost of the charcoal for boiling and, hopefully, she will be healthier and more hydrated.
It is such a blessing to be able to help in this way. She kept saying "God bless you", over and over. We told her someone else donated the filter and God chose her to receive it!
We will be delivering five filters on Sunday to Geoffrey's village and four filters next Friday to Richards village. I sure would like to place more filters here in the city. We can with your help.
Thanks Bob and Barbara!
Kathy
Construction in Uganda..... Different!
August 6, 2013. I have been fascinated with the construction here from our first day in Uganda. It's very different than our construction in the US, but it seems to work for them. One thing for sure, it's much slower. However, if you will look at the photos, you'll see why. All the walls are brick. I'm told it's because of the termites and that a stick-built house wouldn't last five years. Well, it would be hard for them to find a decent snack around here. About the only wood in these houses are the doors and door frames.
Pretty much everything is done manually. For example, there are no concrete trucks here. At the clinic site across the street, they run two concrete mixers from dawn to sunset making concrete for all the mortar for the concrete blocks (which, by the way, are solid - no holes, like ours), the pylons and the slabs. However, with some of the crudest tools, they produce some beautiful work. For example, almost all rooms have crown mold, but it is not wood. It's formed concrete....pretty amazing. Inside, they will stucco the walls and, when they are finished, they don't look any different than drywall. Outside, they may leave the bricks exposed, but usually will stucco them.
Speaking of crude tools, check out the scaffolding in the last photo. I also saw a guy across the street today climbing a stick-built ladder; no aluminum ladders here.
Hope you enjoyed this little piece of African culture,
Edd
Pretty much everything is done manually. For example, there are no concrete trucks here. At the clinic site across the street, they run two concrete mixers from dawn to sunset making concrete for all the mortar for the concrete blocks (which, by the way, are solid - no holes, like ours), the pylons and the slabs. However, with some of the crudest tools, they produce some beautiful work. For example, almost all rooms have crown mold, but it is not wood. It's formed concrete....pretty amazing. Inside, they will stucco the walls and, when they are finished, they don't look any different than drywall. Outside, they may leave the bricks exposed, but usually will stucco them.
Speaking of crude tools, check out the scaffolding in the last photo. I also saw a guy across the street today climbing a stick-built ladder; no aluminum ladders here.
Hope you enjoyed this little piece of African culture,
Edd
Focus Kids Are Excited About Their New Shoes
How do these feel?
August 3, 2013. Wow! What a day...new playground equipment, new shoes, new socks and a new teacher! When I arrived at Focus the children and the teachers were very excited about the new swings, slide and merry-go-round donated by Stewart Evans, a member of Fellowship Church in Knoxville. It had just been installed. I was very impressed with the way they took turns.
We began the day with devotions and I learned some new songs, new words to old songs, and some new moves! Then I sat in on several of the classes; Bible, English, math and a class on "integrity" for the college students, led by Audrey! Very impressive! I believe they understand what it means. After discussing the seven points of integrity, Audrey asked, "Which one of these could you let slide?" Then she gave several examples. They agreed that all were very important. They are changing the culture, one person at a time!
After breakfast "Africa Time" (they eat breakfast at 10:30 - lunch at 2-:00 and supper around 8:00), Audrey had me teach a class on handwriting. It was fun ("I can do all things through Christ"). I don't know how they do it...35-40 2nd and 3rd graders in one classroom. There wasn't much time for individual help. They were all eager for me to check their work and, of course, every one got a sticker!
At lunch I got to help distribute the shoes we purchased earlier this week (see the Blog section). What a blessing! One of the volunteers thanked me and I told her not to thank me, the donations were from David and Jeanne Burnell, also from Fellowship Church. Spending other peoples money and getting the blessings is one of my favorite things. It seems like that's what we've done all summer. I love it!
I was so happy to come alongside the teachers at Focus and work with the children today. They are amazing! Most of the teachers are volunteers and almost all of them were once Focus Kids themselves. They are so appreciative of their education and their sponsors that their desire is to give back!
Kathy
We began the day with devotions and I learned some new songs, new words to old songs, and some new moves! Then I sat in on several of the classes; Bible, English, math and a class on "integrity" for the college students, led by Audrey! Very impressive! I believe they understand what it means. After discussing the seven points of integrity, Audrey asked, "Which one of these could you let slide?" Then she gave several examples. They agreed that all were very important. They are changing the culture, one person at a time!
After breakfast "Africa Time" (they eat breakfast at 10:30 - lunch at 2-:00 and supper around 8:00), Audrey had me teach a class on handwriting. It was fun ("I can do all things through Christ"). I don't know how they do it...35-40 2nd and 3rd graders in one classroom. There wasn't much time for individual help. They were all eager for me to check their work and, of course, every one got a sticker!
At lunch I got to help distribute the shoes we purchased earlier this week (see the Blog section). What a blessing! One of the volunteers thanked me and I told her not to thank me, the donations were from David and Jeanne Burnell, also from Fellowship Church. Spending other peoples money and getting the blessings is one of my favorite things. It seems like that's what we've done all summer. I love it!
I was so happy to come alongside the teachers at Focus and work with the children today. They are amazing! Most of the teachers are volunteers and almost all of them were once Focus Kids themselves. They are so appreciative of their education and their sponsors that their desire is to give back!
Kathy
The Holley Family Provides Clean Water for Two Schools
July 22, 2013. A big THANK YOU to the Buddy and Mary Holley family from Mt. Harmony Baptist Church in Knoxville for providing two TivaWater filters to the Kyawangabi Primary School and two filters to the St. Kizito Primary School in Nabutaka. These two schools are about a mile apart three and four miles up a very narrow dirt road. We traveled about two hours out of Kampala to get to these two villages. These are special schools because this is where our friend Richard (Mr. Chicken City) grew up. During his early schooling career, Richard attended both of these schools. Today, both schools have about 200 students.
Neither of these schools boil or purify there drinking water in any way and it is very unlikely that any of the families of these children boil their water either. Boiling costs about a dollar a day and these families simply cannot afford it. TivaWater has tested their water source and it was full of bacteria and disease. These four filters will not keep these children and their families from ever getting sick, because they cannot provide clean water for all the families. But hopefully, they will make a difference for the teachers, who will be able to take water home, and the children while they are in school. To make a significant impact in these communities, we will need to place filters into the homes. Please pray with us that God will lead folks in America and other parts of the world to be generous and help change the future of these communities.
Thank you Buddy, Mary and the boys for starting the process with this very generous gift.
Neither of these schools boil or purify there drinking water in any way and it is very unlikely that any of the families of these children boil their water either. Boiling costs about a dollar a day and these families simply cannot afford it. TivaWater has tested their water source and it was full of bacteria and disease. These four filters will not keep these children and their families from ever getting sick, because they cannot provide clean water for all the families. But hopefully, they will make a difference for the teachers, who will be able to take water home, and the children while they are in school. To make a significant impact in these communities, we will need to place filters into the homes. Please pray with us that God will lead folks in America and other parts of the world to be generous and help change the future of these communities.
Thank you Buddy, Mary and the boys for starting the process with this very generous gift.
Our First Foot Washing...
July 21, 2013. Earlier this week, Pastor Patrick told us that we would be "washing feet" in church Sunday. Imagine our surprise! I hate to admit it, but it was our first foot washing. I have envied the Guatemala teams from our church that have done this...so I have been pumped (and a little...lot, nervous) all week .
During the Sunday School, every one gathered, even the children's class, and Patrick led in a Bible study on John 13:1-15, about Jesus washing the disciple's feet and the command for us to do the same. Then they brought up a bench and asked four people to come up at a time. We thought they would be shy, but they seemed eager. Patrick had told them several weeks ago that this would take place...long before he told us.
The mothers wanted their babies blessed and their feet washed, and many times it was against their will, kicking and screaming. as it were! Patrick poured water over each and everyone's feet and washed and prayed, "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, may you be blessed. Now go forth and share the Gospel"...WOW! His wife Annette held the basin and Edd and I dried their feet. So humbling...for us ...for them. We were the ones who were blessed!
Jesus said, "Do it," so they do! But I can't help wondering, since the church is just a little over a year old and most of the 60 members are new converts, were we the first Mazungus to wash their feet? I truly feel more of a sister by doing this.
Kathy
During the Sunday School, every one gathered, even the children's class, and Patrick led in a Bible study on John 13:1-15, about Jesus washing the disciple's feet and the command for us to do the same. Then they brought up a bench and asked four people to come up at a time. We thought they would be shy, but they seemed eager. Patrick had told them several weeks ago that this would take place...long before he told us.
The mothers wanted their babies blessed and their feet washed, and many times it was against their will, kicking and screaming. as it were! Patrick poured water over each and everyone's feet and washed and prayed, "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, may you be blessed. Now go forth and share the Gospel"...WOW! His wife Annette held the basin and Edd and I dried their feet. So humbling...for us ...for them. We were the ones who were blessed!
Jesus said, "Do it," so they do! But I can't help wondering, since the church is just a little over a year old and most of the 60 members are new converts, were we the first Mazungus to wash their feet? I truly feel more of a sister by doing this.
Kathy
Isaac is Lovin' His New Chair
July 20, 2013. In our June 23 Story (below), we told you about bringing Trey Hutchins' old wheelchair over here for Isaac, the grandson of our friends Dantes and Beatrice. We have gotten emails and phone calls about how much Isaac was enjoying his new chair, but today we got to see for ourselves. Dantes said the neighborhood children did not have much to do with him, but since he got the chair, they fight over who gets to push him. This has made Isaac very happy, he now gets outside more and he likes to go fast! When they first put him in the chair he starts smiling!
We visited with Dantes, Beatrice, Isaac and all the rest of the family (and there are a bunch of them) today and enjoyed a feast for lunch. The most blessed part of the day was seeing how responsive Isaac is becoming. He still cannot walk, talk, or feed himself, but he is eating...whatever the grownups are eating....mostly. I think he may have acquired at taste for Kathy's chocolate oatmeal cookies today. They said it was the first sweet food he had every had. After the first one, he wanted another.
One of the funniest things today was when Isaac would not let go of Trey's picture (see below). Kathy took some pictures of Trey, who donated the chair, so Dantes and Beatrice can see the boy they are praying for. They showed the picture to Isaac and like to never got it back. He's got a really good grip.
Also, on our way to their house and on the way back, several children waved and said "Hello Mzungu! (white person).
While we were there, we were able to deliver a TivaWater filter to the family, which put a smile on everyone's face. Like most of the people here, they were having to boil their water.
Thanks again Trey, Jerry and Penny for your unspeakable gift,
Edd
We visited with Dantes, Beatrice, Isaac and all the rest of the family (and there are a bunch of them) today and enjoyed a feast for lunch. The most blessed part of the day was seeing how responsive Isaac is becoming. He still cannot walk, talk, or feed himself, but he is eating...whatever the grownups are eating....mostly. I think he may have acquired at taste for Kathy's chocolate oatmeal cookies today. They said it was the first sweet food he had every had. After the first one, he wanted another.
One of the funniest things today was when Isaac would not let go of Trey's picture (see below). Kathy took some pictures of Trey, who donated the chair, so Dantes and Beatrice can see the boy they are praying for. They showed the picture to Isaac and like to never got it back. He's got a really good grip.
Also, on our way to their house and on the way back, several children waved and said "Hello Mzungu! (white person).
While we were there, we were able to deliver a TivaWater filter to the family, which put a smile on everyone's face. Like most of the people here, they were having to boil their water.
Thanks again Trey, Jerry and Penny for your unspeakable gift,
Edd
Red Bank Class Provides Clean Water for Redeemer House Orphanage
July 16, 2013. The Young Adult III Sunday School Class at Red Bank Baptist in Chattanooga, Tennessee donated the filter that we delivered to the Redeemer House Orphanage in Jinja today. We selected Redeemer House because they are very special to us. A little over two years ago, Kathy Vaughan, founder of Redeemer House, met a little three month old girl shortly after she was found by the police abandoned on the side of the road. Kathy and her staff prayed for the little girl often and wondered what happened to her. When Ruby Kate's new parents were in Kampala waiting for paperwork, Kathy checked into the same hotel they were staying in. She recognized Ruby Kate and now knows "the rest of the story". Ruby Kate now lives happily in Knoxville with her new family. Her Nannie is one of my best friends. This is our way of saying thank you for taking in Ruby Kate and getting her to the Hearts of Love Orphanage in Kampala where her new family found her. (Hearts of Love Orphanage received their TivaWater last year from the entire Hancock Clan!)
We met Mollee and her staff who is in charge while Kathy Vaughan is in the states. We were very impressed with them and the happy children. The orphanage houses eight children currently and has just moved to a new facility that can house up to twenty. A lot of their time and money goes into boiling their water (see photo below). Last week one of the girls received a sever burn when the water spilled on her leg and foot. Thank you to my sister Jeanni's Sunday school class for providing this filter. You can learn more about Redeemer House Orphanage on Facebook.
Thanks for your prayers,
Kathy
We met Mollee and her staff who is in charge while Kathy Vaughan is in the states. We were very impressed with them and the happy children. The orphanage houses eight children currently and has just moved to a new facility that can house up to twenty. A lot of their time and money goes into boiling their water (see photo below). Last week one of the girls received a sever burn when the water spilled on her leg and foot. Thank you to my sister Jeanni's Sunday school class for providing this filter. You can learn more about Redeemer House Orphanage on Facebook.
Thanks for your prayers,
Kathy
A Day to Remember
July 7, 2013. Where to begin…Geoffrey’s mother had invited Edd to come to her church, Geoffrey’s home church, and preach. She said there had never been a white man preach there before.
Geoffrey and his family picked us up at 7:45 and we drove an hour and a half to his mom, Shareena’s, house, where we met her and had tea and snacks before church. She is such a gracious lady. Then we piled back into the van with mom and off to church we went. The greeters carried in our Bibles and my purse and everyone clapped as we entered...so strange. We were ushered to the front of the church and the worship began. Oh, how these people can praise the Lord! The children’s choir sang and danced, then the youth and finally the adult choir (the only instruments were a couple of African drums and a soda can filled with gravel). Then Geoffrey brought out his guitar and led in congregational worship. How Jesus must have smiled! When the corporate worship began (everyone shouting out praises to God, all at the same time, and in their own language), I’m sure He cried along with me! What can I say…”YOU JUST HAD TO BE THERE”! Truly awesome! But wait...there’s more.
Edd preached on Jesus being the Light of the world, coming so that we no longer have to walk in darkness, and did a fantastic job. THEN Geoffrey, who should be a preacher, not a driver, gave the invitation and three young people gave their hearts to Jesus. It was just too much.
After mingling with church members and children that weren’t quite so sure about the “Muzungu”, we went back to Mama Shareena’s house where Geoffrey’s wife Alice had prepared a feast, including the live turkey they brought with them. These are such special people, we are honored by their friendship.
We visited and prayed with neighbors and when it was time to leave, Mama Shareena said she had a gift for me. Imagine my surprise when she presented me with A LIVE ROOSTER!!!
After many hugs, pictures and goodbyes, we went to Geoffrey’s house for coffee and snacks again! Have I mentioned how special his family is??? Such a day to be treasured in my heart forever! Geoffrey kept my rooster and promised to have us over for dinner soon. Guess what we’re having?
Thanks for praying for us,
Kathy
Geoffrey and his family picked us up at 7:45 and we drove an hour and a half to his mom, Shareena’s, house, where we met her and had tea and snacks before church. She is such a gracious lady. Then we piled back into the van with mom and off to church we went. The greeters carried in our Bibles and my purse and everyone clapped as we entered...so strange. We were ushered to the front of the church and the worship began. Oh, how these people can praise the Lord! The children’s choir sang and danced, then the youth and finally the adult choir (the only instruments were a couple of African drums and a soda can filled with gravel). Then Geoffrey brought out his guitar and led in congregational worship. How Jesus must have smiled! When the corporate worship began (everyone shouting out praises to God, all at the same time, and in their own language), I’m sure He cried along with me! What can I say…”YOU JUST HAD TO BE THERE”! Truly awesome! But wait...there’s more.
Edd preached on Jesus being the Light of the world, coming so that we no longer have to walk in darkness, and did a fantastic job. THEN Geoffrey, who should be a preacher, not a driver, gave the invitation and three young people gave their hearts to Jesus. It was just too much.
After mingling with church members and children that weren’t quite so sure about the “Muzungu”, we went back to Mama Shareena’s house where Geoffrey’s wife Alice had prepared a feast, including the live turkey they brought with them. These are such special people, we are honored by their friendship.
We visited and prayed with neighbors and when it was time to leave, Mama Shareena said she had a gift for me. Imagine my surprise when she presented me with A LIVE ROOSTER!!!
After many hugs, pictures and goodbyes, we went to Geoffrey’s house for coffee and snacks again! Have I mentioned how special his family is??? Such a day to be treasured in my heart forever! Geoffrey kept my rooster and promised to have us over for dinner soon. Guess what we’re having?
Thanks for praying for us,
Kathy
Sunday School on Wednesdays and Fridays
July 5, 2013. When I first met Julia, the housekeeper's two year old daughter, she hid behind her mother and wouldn't have anything to do with me. Last week we watched Bible videos on the iPad together and she sat on my lap. Her mom said she cried over the weekend, wanting to go back to Auntie Kathy's. Today we read the Bible, sang songs, and played with bubbles and Legos. Like any two year old I've ever met, the thing she enjoyed most was the box! She would put the Legos in and cackle while dumping them out!!! I'm Looking forward to her coming back. She makes me miss my grandchildren and Sunday School peeps a little less.
Kathy
Kathy
The Church at Namayumba
June 24, 2013. This afternoon, the team arrived to deliver water filters. Several church members gathered to welcome our team. We were introduced to the man that donated the land and got a brief history of the church. Pastor Patrick introduced Edd and I to his congregation and verbalized to everyone how much we had meant to him and his family over the years. "Touching" cannot begin to describe it. We adopted him and his family four years ago and love them dearly. His children call me Ja Ja Kathy (grandma) and they named their youngest child and only son, Eddy ( It is very hard for Ugandans to say Edd, so his Ugandan name is Eddy. In Rio, he was called Edgy).
He then asked Edd pray for him and bless his ministry. It felt like an ordination service. Again my heart was full to overflowing. We will be going back next Sunday.
The village and the location of the church itself is the most beautiful place I have seen in Uganda so far. ADHD as I am, it will be easy to worship, but very difficult to pay attention. Chickens are nothing compared to the beautiful tropical birds flying around this place. The church now owns one acre in the midst of banana, mango, avocado trees, and lush vegetation.
We then walked to their water source, a nice large pond. It was cleaner than most I have seen (no cows or goats grazing nearby) but still muddy and full of bacteria , mosquito larvae and disease. They are blessed to have a pond. A half mile from our apartment people are getting their water from, and wash their clothes in, a drainage ditch. This is way too common.
After a demonstration of how to use and clean the filters, we split up into teams to deliver them. Below are a few photos of our day.
He then asked Edd pray for him and bless his ministry. It felt like an ordination service. Again my heart was full to overflowing. We will be going back next Sunday.
The village and the location of the church itself is the most beautiful place I have seen in Uganda so far. ADHD as I am, it will be easy to worship, but very difficult to pay attention. Chickens are nothing compared to the beautiful tropical birds flying around this place. The church now owns one acre in the midst of banana, mango, avocado trees, and lush vegetation.
We then walked to their water source, a nice large pond. It was cleaner than most I have seen (no cows or goats grazing nearby) but still muddy and full of bacteria , mosquito larvae and disease. They are blessed to have a pond. A half mile from our apartment people are getting their water from, and wash their clothes in, a drainage ditch. This is way too common.
After a demonstration of how to use and clean the filters, we split up into teams to deliver them. Below are a few photos of our day.
Pastor Patrick: An Answered Prayer
June 24, 2013. Today, we finally made it out to Patrick's church in Namayumba . Patrick has been my interpreter for the last four years in the medical clinics. Patrick graduated from Pastor Davis' Pastor School and is now serving as a mission pastor.
Patrick is a carpenter/builder by trade and is struggling to work, minister to a congregation an hour away, study for sermons, and be a husband and father. He does not own a car and has to take a taxi or a boda boda (motorcycle) to Namayumba. He has kept me posted on the progress of the building of their church and it has been exciting to watch it materialize and the congregation grow. One of his prayer requests is that he be able to move his family to Namayumba and find employment there. We have been praying about this for quite some time.
Before we left, Janet Dicken, our friend and member of Mt. Harmony Baptist in Knoxville, gave us a donation and we began to pray about the best way to use it.
TivaWater has a test project where donations are used to supplement a pastor's salary when there are enough filters in the village to warrant a TivaWater representative. With the Holley's filters, several donations by Christy Treadway's church, Ripley First United Methodist in west Tennessee (Christy is a member of the team that was just here), and several others, Patrick's village qualifies for this program. Our daughter Frances joined Janet and there was enough to pay Patrick's salary for a whole year. He will have a lower middle class income for a village family and TivaWater will administer it monthly. His TivaWater water responsibilities include visiting the homes of filter recipients and answering any questions they may have, which, of course, will give him a great opportunity to pray for them. Daniel Ololia, president of TivaWater Uganda, says everyone wants to be prayed for. We have filters in several non-Christian, as well as, Muslim homes. How totally awesome!
Patrick was speechless, except for "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" We hope to be able to help move him and his family to their church field while we are here. He is looking for a place as we speak. Please join us in praying they will be able to find a home they can afford. We serve such an Awesome God.
Kathy
Patrick is a carpenter/builder by trade and is struggling to work, minister to a congregation an hour away, study for sermons, and be a husband and father. He does not own a car and has to take a taxi or a boda boda (motorcycle) to Namayumba. He has kept me posted on the progress of the building of their church and it has been exciting to watch it materialize and the congregation grow. One of his prayer requests is that he be able to move his family to Namayumba and find employment there. We have been praying about this for quite some time.
Before we left, Janet Dicken, our friend and member of Mt. Harmony Baptist in Knoxville, gave us a donation and we began to pray about the best way to use it.
TivaWater has a test project where donations are used to supplement a pastor's salary when there are enough filters in the village to warrant a TivaWater representative. With the Holley's filters, several donations by Christy Treadway's church, Ripley First United Methodist in west Tennessee (Christy is a member of the team that was just here), and several others, Patrick's village qualifies for this program. Our daughter Frances joined Janet and there was enough to pay Patrick's salary for a whole year. He will have a lower middle class income for a village family and TivaWater will administer it monthly. His TivaWater water responsibilities include visiting the homes of filter recipients and answering any questions they may have, which, of course, will give him a great opportunity to pray for them. Daniel Ololia, president of TivaWater Uganda, says everyone wants to be prayed for. We have filters in several non-Christian, as well as, Muslim homes. How totally awesome!
Patrick was speechless, except for "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" We hope to be able to help move him and his family to their church field while we are here. He is looking for a place as we speak. Please join us in praying they will be able to find a home they can afford. We serve such an Awesome God.
Kathy
The Holley Family Provides Clean Water for Oliver (Olivia) Nakinike
June 24, 2013. The Buddy and Mary Holley family from Mt. Harmony Baptist Church In Knoxville provided a TivaWater filter to Oliver Nakinike. Oliver is a member of Pastor Patrick Omwene's (see Blog story) mission church in Namayumba. She supports herself making and selling sweet bread and popcorn individually wrapped for snacks. She sells them in the market and from her home.
Her husband works far away and they cannot afford charcoal to boil water. They drink water from the pond, carried a half mile daily. Her children are often sick with typhoid, diphtheria, etc. from drinking the water. All the families who have received TivaWater filters are thankful for improved health and time and money saved by not having to go to the doctor.
She was embarrassed that her son Victor was having to wear a dress and her only prayer request was clothing for her children. Needless to say, we significantly overpaid for a roll and a baggie of popcorn before we left (which we gave to Pastor Patrick for his lunch).
Her husband works far away and they cannot afford charcoal to boil water. They drink water from the pond, carried a half mile daily. Her children are often sick with typhoid, diphtheria, etc. from drinking the water. All the families who have received TivaWater filters are thankful for improved health and time and money saved by not having to go to the doctor.
She was embarrassed that her son Victor was having to wear a dress and her only prayer request was clothing for her children. Needless to say, we significantly overpaid for a roll and a baggie of popcorn before we left (which we gave to Pastor Patrick for his lunch).
The Holley Family Provides Clean Water for Rebecca Ndagine
June 24, 2013. The Buddy and Mary Holley family from Mt. Harmony Baptist Church In Knoxville provided a TivaWater filter to Rebecca Ndagine. Rebecca I a member of Pastor Patrick Omwene's (see Blog story) mission church in Namayumba. She has one son and teaches in a small school in the community and lives nearby. Rebecca has been boiling her water, so she will now enjoy a significant savings by not having to purchase charcoal.
She would like for us to pray that funds will be available for her to have a salary increase. She also asks us to pray for spiritual strength.
She would like for us to pray that funds will be available for her to have a salary increase. She also asks us to pray for spiritual strength.
Trey Does His Part For World MissionsJune 23, 2012. We met Isaac two and a half years ago when he and his twin brother were at the Isaac Clinic at Dove Church Wakiso. They were just a few weeks old. The brother died shortly after we came home. Isaac is the grandchild of Dantes' and Beatrice. Dantes has been working with Edd in the evangelism part of the medical clinics for the last four years, a dear, dear friend. He and his wife are raising Isaac. It broke my heart last year to hear that Isaac does not sit up, crawl or walk.
I have had a burden for him ever since. When I found out that we were coming back to Uganda, I called Penny from our church to see if she knew of anyone that had a handicap chair for sale. She said she had Trey's outgrown one that she would be glad to donate. This way their family can be involved in world missions although tied to home. When I called the airline, they said there would be no charge, another God thing! Bea said Isaac is beginning to smiles a lot, JUST LIKE TREY! Thank you Trey, Jerry and Penny...Meghann too for this awesome gift! You have significantly impacted the lives of a family on the other side of the world. Blessings on you all, Kathy Check out the Video of Beatrice receiving the chair for Isaac who was sick today. Kathy |
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Divine Appointment!!
June 22, 2013. While at the TivaWater retail store waiting to head out into the slums to deliver water filters with a team from Memphis/Jackson, I ran into a young man reading a TivaWater brochure. Since I figured he knew English, I started up a conversation with him. Long story short, His name is Moses, he is 17 years old, orphaned since age 6 and living on the streets. He said he is a believer (an American team came several years ago, told him about Jesus and changed his life forever). He gets by doing odd jobs, but never knows from dad to day where he will be sleeping that night. I introduced him to Daniel (TivaWater president) and asked if he had any jobs for him. Daniel talked to him for a few minutes and determined he was a good candidate for the Youth Project his wife heads up. He asked him "if I found you a place to live, would you be agreeable to it?" He answered emphatically "Yes," so Daniel gave him his phone number and told him to call next week after his wife has time to make the arrangements. When Daniel walked away, I said "Moses, I believe God just parted the water for you!". WOW! What a Divine Appointment! Kathy
JaJa (grandmother) Joel
June 22, 2013. After delivering water filters this morning, we spent the afternoon at Focus (a program for at-risk children). We played with the children and toured the facility. Then we went into the homes of children that had received water filters several months ago. We met an extraordinary woman that was caring for 2 grandchildren, 1 orphan, 1 whose father is dying of HIV (all living in her home) and 2 or 3 neighbors kids while parents work. She has a great attitude and loves the Lord. "In her spare time" she makes beads, baskets and other woven crafts. A few of us felt compelled to buy some of her crafts to help her out (she received a months rent from us). Suffering for Jesus here!! Kathy
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These are the really neat basket-weave chickens I bought from JaJa Joel. They will have a prominent place in our home. |
The Margaret Prayer
June 22, 2013. While visiting a family in Knoxville that did not know the Lord, my friend Margaret Kellem prayed one of the best prayers I've ever heard. While praying for the bereaved family for comfort, she also thanked Jesus for dying on the cross that we might be forgiven our sins and receive salvation. She gave the plan of salvation while praying for them. Awesome! When we visited Malucid's family, the director said the mom was not a believer. Since there was no time for an evangelistic presentation I asked Edd to pray Margaret's prayer. He knew exactly what to do. When he finished she had tears in her eyes. We left a marked copy of John and will leave the rest up to the Holy Spirit. God is at work in Uganda. Thanks, Margret, God is also working through you in Uganda. Kathy
