University Community Church Construction in Gulu

 

It's been a few years in the working. Pastor Jimmy and Phionah found the perfect plot a few years ago, in the middle of university hostels and in the past year we wanted to start construction, but at the moment there is a glitch with the land title. 

University Community Church, our church family, and the place where Moses serves as the associate pastor, needs to construct a permanent building. Where UCC currently meets is a rental place. It is falling apart, but also much too small for the ever growing family. We are grateful for the number of Gulu University students who continue attending in our little bamboo structure. The landlord is constructing all around us, and so we are also feeling squeezed. The children have gone for 20-30 in number to 40 or even 60+ kids on a Sunday. Hallelujah.

University Community Church needs a permanent structure - to have a larger sanctuary for worship, but where we could also host conferences and trainings. We desire to have a library for church leaders. And 2 large Sunday school classrooms so that we don't have to fight the elements under the African skies.

We even desire to construct a cafe at the side, as a safe place for students to hang out and to bring sustainable funding to the ministry.

When things get seriously underway, I will send out more information for donating, but for now, the Ugandan info is on the posters. And for American donors, you can send money via Eternal City Church in Pittsburgh, PA.

The estimated cost is: 840,000,000 UGX

or $205,000 USD or $285,000 CAD

Click here for donation information.

The Rest of September 2026

Oh, it's a sun shiny day during rainy season. :)

Kids club is still happening at home, at least 2 Saturdays a month. 66 children are on the attendance list. A few weeks ago, the kids gifted me with the most precious sunflower earrings, and two homemade bracelets, accompanied by a poem. So sweet.

We are currently with Old Testament Moses in the desert. The kids can do a fantastic summary of God and His people in the book of Genesis.

A few of us older Mama's from church - we like to gather every other Monday night for prayer, accountability, and sharing.

I'm so grateful for Emma and Okello who continue to help us on the home front.

Home is such a sanctuary for me.

We have a new calf in the village.

One of our friends gifted us a night away at Sipi Falls.

God's creation is soothing to a busy heart.

We then proceeded to check out his new rice mill. 

We are so proud of this amazing engineer

.

We proceeded to Jinja for 3 days of meetings with Resonate Global Mission and various Timothy Leadership Trainers. We are thankful for the team partnership.

One evening, after workshops all day, we spent one hour on a boat, at the source of the Nile River. It's really high right now.

Here we are with our regional, Ugandan, and Kenyan TLT leaders.

I finally got a haircut, while in Jinja. I think it had been 13 months.

Celebrating Ernest.

We love celebrating the youth at church.

Back to Moyo District

 Resonate Global Mission has a ministry called "Educational Care", and my dear friend Barbara and I love travelling to Moyo district, 3.5 hours from Gulu, to walk alongside South Sudanese teachers in the refugee camp. The drive is gorgeous, the roads are rustic, and the teachers are hungry for knowledge.

Driving to the camp

After a day of training. Soaking those for sure!

Module 4, out of 5, was completed during the second week of September. 

"Leadership in a Christian School"

Fire is so mesmerizing and the food is yummy.

The school - venue

When it's too hot for the classroom, we move to the shady tree.

It's been nice serving alongside Barbara. I have the joy of being her driver and training sidekick. We have been in Moyo district for over 4 years. Educational Care is set up to teach one module for 3-5 days, then there is a 3 month time to implement an action plan, then we gather together to discuss/work through the next module. I believe this is my third group of teachers to train. Each group is thirsty for knowledge, because the education system in lacking in northern Uganda. Some of these teachers have barely finished Grade 7 and have gone on to teach the new generations.

Since there is no room for us in the camp, Barbara and I drive an hour back to Moyo town to eat and sleep. Here we are out for an evening stroll. 

One Week in Yumbe

September was a fantastic month for me. I love moving around, training and equipping, and seeing God at work all around northern Uganda.

During the first week, Moses and I, along with our daughter Becky, and our dear, long-time friend Teddy, drove 5 hours north (and had to cross the Nile River by ferry) to reach Yumbe district. There we partnered with another friend to bring Sunday school curriculum to South Sudanese refugee camps.

Crossing the Nile

Moses is sharing with children's ministry workers in the camp.

3 churches gathered in one location, so that the rest of the camp could be residential for South Sudanese refugees.

We always share the Biblical background for why children's ministry is important - especially in such a young country like Uganda.

Becky was happy to utilize her typing skills to keep records of all the curriculum we handed out in the northern district of Yumbe.

Putting puzzles together is always a fun challenge. A very unfamiliar activity here.

Luke was our amazing host!

Handing out OneHope materials

One of three churches trained. We did three 2-day trainings back to back.

Heading home, equipped.

Pray the materials will be utilized and that children will grow in the knowledge of God's Word.

Lunch time

Sorting curriculum in the evenings. 

Over 9000 pieces of curriculum dispersed.

96 Sunday school teacher attendees

55 churches equipped.

We are so grateful for the free partnership with OneHope, as they empower us to share materials with people in hard to reach places.

We also focus of creative teaching methods.

Another group!

Beans are on fire

Cassava chips for breakfast

A big gate, with no fence, to welcome you to the school compound, cracks me up.

Final group!

Sharing stories of Hope