Like most of
the world, Uganda has been hit by coronavirus. Public transportation has been banned for 14 days, and public
gatherings banned for 32 days. This means we can't have Sunday meetings or prayer
groups at our church here. The government has imposed all these protective
measures to safe-guard us from the Covid-19 virus. Unlike normal days, Kampala is
now free of traffic congestion as people have been advised to stay home.
Probably as you know, most Ugandans don't have personal transport, so
unfortunately this will affect families in terms of food, medical treatment,
etc.
Already there are families struggling with lack of food due to Covid-19. The picture above shows one of a number of families we are helping. We
thought it wise to reach out to these homes with hand sanitizer, posho, beans,
liquid soaps, and bread to save lives.
Most of the families we are helping did not have hand sanitizer, and as
you know, currently this is so essential to protect against the pandemic virus.
Thankfully we have been able to provide them with this too. We appreciate all
those who been able to help us do this.
As we have been making these deliveries, we found only two families had
sanitizers. The rest did not have any, and yet soaps and sanitizers are very
crucial at this time.
Above is Nalongo with her family receiving a box of items to
help in this crucial time.
Simon doing deliveries with our motorbike.
All other ministry programs have been put on hold since we are not
allowed to do them at this time. In the picture on the right are some of the
church kids who belong to our Sunday school here. They normally come to have a
free ride with their pastor. We love them. Some of them keep asking me:
'Pastor, don't we have church on Sunday?
[Me:] 'No'.
[The kids:] 'Why?'
[Me:] 'The diseases will attack us'.
As you know, we have ministry for campus students and high schools.
Simon was meeting these girls and giving them career guidance for their
studies. Some of those have been in our discipleship trainings and have
received Jesus as their Saviour. We were glad to meet with them and pray
together. Most of our ministry activities are on hold as we wait for the Lord
to deliver is from this pandemic.
Looking at what is happening all over the world, we would love to share
with you a scripture which we would ask you to consider reading. You will all
realise that most of us have been in lock-down in our homes for safe-guard, so
please take time and read Psalms 33:10-22.
Let me just highlight verse 10: "The Lord brings the counsel of the
nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples".
In spite of what is happening all over the world; in this Psalm, as in
many other scriptures, God is teaching us that he is in control, with all the doctors
we have, and laboratories, etc. Covid-19 has become a worldwide challenge. Each
day we are losing lovely friends. Businesses and institutions are closed almost
everywhere. Maybe God is saying, 'I can frustrate all your wisdom and plans'!
As God's people, let's turn to Him all the more, and intercede that He
will grant us mercy in this time of adversity.
We love you and thank you so much for your prayers. We would also like
to give a big thankyou to those who have provided us with money for Bibles.
Distributing the Word to those in need is a vital part of our ministry.
Prayer requests.
1. Pray that this world pandemic will end.
2. Pray that as I and Simon distribute foods and other help to this
community, that God will protect us, and also give us more wisdom on how to
protect ourselves.
3. Pray that God will provide for our needs. No more market for our pigs.
Simon can't work, so we are at home and only able to do distribution of foods
to the community.
4. Pray for the provisions for this ministry, and that God will show us how
to reach out to church members with the Word while we are not able to meet
together.
Yours in Christ,
Alex and Simon.
