Celebrating the African Child

For at least 5 years now I have been asked to share God's Word and lead "Africa Child Day" at Precious Children Primary School.  This is the first year that I learned the history of that day... so I am going to share Wikipedia's explanation with you:

The Day of the African Child has been celebrated on June 16 every year since 1991,(François Xavier 阿福’s year of birth) when it was first initiated by the OAU Organisation of African Unity. It honors those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976 on that day. It also raises awareness of the continuing need for improvement of the education provided to African children.

In Soweto, South Africa, on June 16, 1976, about ten thousand black school children marched in a column more than half a mile long, protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of young students were shot, the most famous of which being Hector Pieterson (see image). More than a hundred people were killed in the protests of the following two weeks, and more than a thousand were injured. 

 This year's theme was the Lord's Prayer... so on Friday Jalyssa and I headed off to the school to spend the day with 300+ energetic children.

 I shared a little "magic" trick with the kids... showing what happens when sin wrecks our lives and fellowship with God... and then

 how the blood of Jesus makes us whole again.

 Singing

Dramatic storytelling

 On Saturday, June 16, I helped many wonderful church leaders in town to help pull off a children's crusade in the public gardens.  (There was a Canadian team here from Saskatchewan running a 4 day adult crusade, and this morning with the kids was an extension of that ministry.)

 While waiting for the sound system to get set up, I entertained the children with a family favourite activity - a round of "Dum Dum Dadada"

 A long time friend of mine helped me to lead a few songs in worship also.

 The crowd started out small, but we fed almost 700 children snacks and juice.... after breaking into groups for Bible study and games!!

Registration, Organization, Communication, Patience, Forgiveness, Fun, and Teamwork help an event like this to be pulled off smoothly.

More Murchison - with my Guests

 Murchison Falls is a national must-see here in Uganda and thankfully the gate to the park is only 4 hours from my home.... so I traveled with Ryan and Jalyssa and a few friends to check out some African wildlife.  We had a grand time together!!

 Cape Buffalo

 Elephants

 Sunset on the Nile

 I found the end of the Rainbow!

 Murchison Falls

 With my sweet friend and neighbour - Vanessa

 Top of the Falls

Elephant in the Nile... so amazing!

 The crew at the top of the Falls

 Sightseeing in the van

To God be the Glory!

It is GOOD!

Jumping into June

The first few days of June found me back in a super busy Kampala.

 I was joining the OneHope team for a 2 day training on the new "Lead Today" curriculum.

 Alison did a great job training

 It's always good to learn a lesson in the games we play.

 Group presentations

Praying for God to transform the youth of Uganda!

 LEAD TODAY is a fantastic new youth discipleship material - focusing on Influence, Vision, Integrity, Growth, Initiative, Self-Discipline, Timing, Teamwork, Attitude, Priorities, Relationships, Responsibility, Communication and Leadership.

I had a blast hanging out with this crew at KPC Watoto in Kampala.

Back in Soroti, Ryan, Jalyssa, and I are walking alongside one small nursery school - teaching crafts and creative techniques with the teachers there.  I am also doing the Friday morning devotions with all of the kids there.

Here we were making colourful letters out of beautiful African cloth.

Morning Devotions

And a sweet note for me.  My old colleague - Rachel Kolb is in town with her precious family.  A true pleasure to catch up in each other's lives.... they left Soroti 5 years ago.

May Moments 2018

May was a good month.  Ministry has been picking up - and so has my health and energy.  

Educational Care took place from May 14-18.  We accomplished Modules 5 and 6 - talking about Leadership in Christian Schools and The Purpose and Value of our Schools.

 Discussions and planning.

 Role-playing and drama

These teachers have been challenged to make a difference in how they teach and lead in their schools.

Digging into God's Word together

Praying with One Another

 Along with a very important action plan!!

I was also invited to attend a Ladies "IF Gathering" in Jinja.

 Women who live and serve, mostly in the Jinja area, gathered together for prayer, inspiration, worship, sharing, testimonies, and sweet fellowship for a day and a half.  I've never seen so many westerners in one place.... it made me feel out of place in Uganda.  :)  But I am so glad that I went to meet with God for a while.

 While there I was blessed to catch up with a long-time friend and team-mate - Angie Sliedrecht.

 Also, since joining with GOM I have new team-mates too!!  Natalia invited and hosted me for the weekend.  Such a delight to get to know her outside of our cold Niagara Falls training in Feb.  :)

 Hard-working Stephanie is also a pleasure to fellowship with whenever we meet.  Stephanie and I are praying to have a new NGO to get our work permits under while here in Uganda and I am so thankful for all of Stephanie's hard work as she communicates with lawyers and GOM. Please be in prayer for this process.

 

I finished off the month seeing a doctor and counselor in Kampala, getting more blood thinners, and PICKING UP VISITORS!!

 A trip to the Source of the Nile is always important!

 Watching birds and monitor lizards and monkeys

I am so excited to be hosting Ryan and Jalyssa Brink in my home for over a month.  Besides my parents or missions friends... I have never had visitors, so I am ecstatic!!  We have been having great time catching up, getting to know each other, and doing ministry together.  

My neighbour kids have come back home after spending school break in the village.
So cute!

Hmmmm.... Bible Club?

For at least 5 years now a few of us have been hosting Bible Club at a local church during school holidays.  It's always a grand time of sports, games, Bible stories, singing, Bible study, points, rewards, and wonderful fellowship.  Slowly over the last year or so the leadership team has become super busy - some have wedded, others have gotten jobs, one moved to Kampala... and yet we all have a heart for Bible Club.  

 A few weeks ago we even celebrated with a birthday party of a one year old princess.

 It's always a joy hanging out with these awesome youth leaders.

 Well, two Sundays ago we had a short meeting in my house, planning the Bible Club for this school break and I must say, I didn't think it was going to work.  Some have great vision and passion.  Some have absolutely no time because they now have other requirements and responsibilities in their lives.  

I volunteered and said that I would try to run the Tuesday afternoon program, knowing that it's not really fair to run the whole afternoon alone with anywhere from 10-60+ kids. 

 But I went.  I took a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) to the church and walked into an empty compound.  No opened church door.  No younger youth to assist me.  Just sunshine and peace.  I sat down on the veranda of the church and thought about texting friends, only to realize that my phone was at home, so I really had to wait and see what the plan was that day.

The Lord had a plan.  A few of the neighbouring children spotted me waiting and wanted to come over to talk and touch a mzungu.  It started with three... then more, then more.  I started with simple questions - name, school, church, etc.... and they started with small stories and lots of giggles.  I have never seen these kids at a Bible Club meeting before this.

 It was so sweet.  An older sister came along and then organized the children to minister to me.  They prayed, sang songs, and worshipped God with their whole bodies.  And then I knew that the afternoon plan was not in vain.  Under the car park shelter, I asked the children in I could share a few Bible stories with them.  They listened with great joy in their eyes.  I was glad I had come.

Praise the Lord for these little ones.  Really, there are ministry opportunities around every corner if I had the time and energy.  May these kids grow up knowing Jesus.