We had a heavy hailstorm here on the 25th.
It only lasted for a short time but it has destroyed houses, crops and so many
others things in the village. We have not had such a rain for a long time.
The picture above is the house of Proscovia who is a church
member here. Proscovia is a mother of 10 children, and her daughter Patricia is
one of the girls who helps set up the church each Sunday. Proscovia joined this
church from the beginning when we were starting it. So, as a church, we find it
worthy to help her. We made an official announcement in the church and we are
hoping that different people will come to help provide a shelter for her. We
need roofing sheets, pieces of timbers, cement, sand, stones, food and workers.
Even her toilet collapsed! You can see at the back on the right, all her
bananas have been destroyed by the wind and hail.
The storm damaged our banana plantation; the passion fruits ended up on the ground; and some bee hives were blown over by the wind. It was one of a kind which we don’t usually experience here. Due to the leakage in the pig sties, we lost one piglet. It rained heavily on them.
Here is a picture of Alex and Christine making vows at their wedding. We really appreciate all your help and prayers, and all who were able to attend - more so your prayers. If there is anyone who thought they would never get married, it was me. My brother Simon and I went through real hard times in our early years. But the Lord has been on our side each step in our life.
Above is Joyce who is a lay leader in an Anglican Church in a far away village. Even in her old age, she is one of the Christians who have courageously joined us to persistently motivate local church members about the importance of having the Scriptures in their own hands. She is also part of the village group that regularly calls us to share with them the purpose of the Scriptures, and also other ministry themes for pastors and church leaders. She has really done a great job.
More Bibles getting out there. So many churches have been helped and reached through the ministry of the Bibles.
The ministry of food has saved many lives from starvation. Above is Jaja Akim, a Muslim, who came for food, and below is Isha, formally a Muslim, but converted to Jesus Christ. Her smile shows that she was so grateful
Simon continues to shop for most of the chemicals used to make soaps for people who need them to use at their homes, and this has enabled us to share the gospel with people who don’t know Jesus as their Saviour.
To be sure, the family of Proscovia has been the most privileged in our food distributions, and they are so thankful to God for this provision. We are thankful to God for all the provisions for food and soaps. Male, a church member, was giving out the food, although it was in the dark and you could hardly see.
These pictures show that we are back to having Sunday services. We now have English service, although it has less attendance compared to the Luganda service. Uncle Dean is preaching and Simon interpreting for him. We bless the name of the Lord that they are here to serve with us. We think Madam Sherilyn will help us a lot with women's ministry - encouraging, praying, counseling and equipping them with ministry skills, once we resume normal trainings, possibly next year. We will be working hand in hand with Uncle Dean with the ministry of men; pulpit ministry with pastors; church leaders; and other activities. Also, we want to reach out to our community with the transforming power of the gospel. Please join us prayerfully, and if you feel God leading you to support this ministry, we would be so grateful.
Below is a picture of some of our passion fruits picked before the storm. After the hailstorm they look pretty bad.
Prayer requests
I. Pray for Sali who came to Jesus, that he will become a strong Christian and seek to grow spiritually. We also had Florance come to Jesus.
II. Thank God for the provisions of Bibles and food.
III. Pray for God's provisions and help with the shelter for Proscovia and her family
IV. Pray for different ministry activities which are under way.
V. Thank God for the wedding of Alex and Christine which went so well
VI. Pray for God's protection, and our ministry outreach to people.
VII. Continue to pray for our Sunday school kids. We are still not allowed to have Sunday school due to covid-19 restrictions; although some village kids do come to church with their parents.
VIII. Pray for the provision and availability of Bibles.
IX. Will you pray for single young mothers in and around this ministry? Most of them are school drop outs.
In the Lamb,
Alex and Simon