June 2008 Mission Trip, Kabale Uganda

June People For Missions trip to Kabale, Uganda
Trip Dates: June 7-23, 2008
Size of team: 20
Estimated Cost: $3,400 per person includes airfare, hotel, food, ground transportation. Not included Visas, passports or medicine.

Team Leaders: Bruce Georgi, Margaret Noblin

Activities:


House of Hope Kabale-one-on-one discipleship, sports ministry (soccer, basketball), help with bike repair, more bikes, gardening, resource center books, clothing, school supplies, garden tools, seeds bought in Uganda, encouraging the mum, helping with cooking for the kids

Villages-Crafts training in basket weaving and jewelry making, Bible Study-spiritual warfare, Jesus film (evangelism), Evangecube, medical mission, mosquito nets, safe water, Life Application Bibles for pastors reading English, need to research water wells and mosquito nets main problems

Mercy-Kabale Hospital and Nursing School available to people wanting to work with AIDS patients and children

Crafts Ministry-basket weaving, jewelry making, learning about business and how to evaluate costs, setting prices, evaluating designs, quality control

Bunyoni Lake Ministry to Orphans-1000 orphans are living around the lake without homes. We plan a field trip by boat of the area and to the island to educate our team.

AWANA and Children’s Ministry-opportunities to assist with the AWANA program or teach Sunday school in Children’s ministry

Senior Youth Ministry-opportunities to mentor secondary and university students in basic life skills, (discernment about dress, how to budget with the envelope system, part time jobs you can create when there are no jobs, honoring God in all that you do, being a light in the community 24/7) These are just a few areas where help is needed.

Travel Arrangements: We will fly into Kigali, Rwanda (3 hr. drive to Kabale, Uganda) and spend the first night in Kigali because the border closes at 7:30 p.m. then on to Kabale in the a.m. $50 visa for Uganda. Required. Just passport for Rwanda. Team will fly in and out of Kigali, Rwanda. We will be staying in the Stipp Hotel in Rwanda or comparable hotel and the White Horse Inn in Kabale. For information and application please email margaret_noblin@msn.com or call 214-366-0425.

Pray for Kenya...Violence Continues

Please join us in prayer for our many friends in Kisumu, Nairobi and Eldoret. The church that had the women and children in it was an Assembly of God church in Eldoret and there were mostly children under 15 that were killed and burned. Around 30 were in the church and the others had gone. The women and children thought they were safe there.

Our friends in Kisumu at the church there are from several tribes and trying to shelter each other and help. One of the Rock businessmen who is Kukuya had his store burned down but fortunately we were able to get his inventory out before the looters. Some friends have it under protection. One of our scholarship students was stranded in Nairobi and we were able to get online with KLM and book an e-ticket for him to fly out to Entebbe. He is safe now. Praise the Lord. However we have been told all other transportation is closed and the road from Nairobi to Kisumu and on to Uganda has been ravaged with horrible things going on along the road. We have heard reports of killings with machetes and bow and arrows prior to Wednesday. This was why we felt we needed to get our Rock university student out of Nairobi as fast as possible.

Our friends in Kisumu are at home and Wednesday was the first day they could get food but only two groceries were open and the military was present so they could prevent riots. Many have fled to the villages but they are not safe either. The enemy wants to deceive, create mistrust, divide and conquer. The ladies in the crafts ministry have been so frightened for their lives especially the ones from the president’s tribe because there are gangs of young men just looking for an excuse for violence. The church is trying to do what they can but the military has been told to “shoot on sight” because the whole downtown area of Kisumu has been looted and many buildings burned. We were suppose to go to Kisumi in March so we are still going to Uganda but will see how things go. It is so shocking the horror that is taking place in this pretty little city on Lake Victoria we have visited regularly.

If you google “Kenya elections” you will see much of the video and details of what is happening. At least the demonstration for yesterday was stopped which had the potential for much more bloodshed. Our Rock student was an election official in Nairobi and has been in touch with us since last week. It seems from what the international observers said from Canada and the U.K that when the district tallies came into Nairobi this is where the numbers were changed. He said they were different that what the grassroots tallies were in some districts so the international observers requested a recount of those districts. When they refused and the President was quickly sworn in the violence began.

Many of our Kenyan friends are heartbroken and weeping when we talk to them on the phone. It breaks our hearts and we have prayed for them on the phone and encouraged them to sing for comfort to soothe their fear and maybe it may calm the angry mobs around them. Evil is so ugly and good leadership is so important in Africa. Prayer is really needed desperately for the people and leadership of Kenya.

The Rock African Arts Takes Off!

Revival Crafts shipped several hundred items to the U.S. for sale by The Rock African Arts before Christmas and the ministry is bearing fruit. Ladies and some of the young men learned about U.S. Customs labeling and classification codes since all the items had to be prepared for the shipment. Learning about the export requirements was intersting and exposed the group to many aspects of setting up a business involving international trade.

Children from the House of Hope, Kabale made bracelets and necklaces to help with household expenses and school fees along with ladies in the church and students wanting to participate and have a part time business while in school.


Some of the jewelry is made of unique "trade beads". "Trade Beads" originated in Venice, Bohemia and European countries such as Germany, France and the Netherlands from the late 1400s to the early 1900s. Traded in Africa they were used by visitors as money to pay tribal chiefs. Today these popular, collectable beads can be seen in the Museum of Mankind in London, the Pitt River Museum in Oxford, the Royal Museum of Central Africa in Belgium, and the Murano Museum of Glass in Italy just to name a few around the world. Many styles which were readily available just 5 years ago are no longer seen today. How the beads survived a hundred or more years of wear and travel through at least three continents is amazing. It makes you wonder...who wore them before us and who will have them next. The trade beads, used in our jewelry are handmade from clay and ground glass and purchased as we find them in Kenya. The designs vary due to the unique nature of the beads.

The first shipment to the U.S. back in June surprised many members of the congregation when one Sunday Pastor Johnson announced that "those who had made baskets and jewelry could pick up their pay on Monday." There had been some naysayers who told people they would never sell anything but our Lord is faithful and now the ministry is expanding and many members are excited. Basic business skills are being taught so each person learns how to manage resources, set pricing, pay themselves and keep capital in reserve for more materials so they don't put themselves out of business. It is part of what Pastor Johnson calls "going to a new level." For more information on purchasing the crafts please e-mail africanarts@rockcapital.org. Soon items will be available on E-bay through the Internet.

An Outing and A Life Jacket Adventure

The outing to Bushara Island with the House of Hope kids and a few friends who help us at the home was definitely a family memory maker. It was a great adventure. Many of the children had never worn life jackets so we had to have a little discussion on how you use them and not to be fearful of the water.


Isaac insisted that he sit between Prossy and me so we could protect him on the way over to the island. By the time we returned he was really loving it and had overcome his fear. Love does that when everyone is encouraging one another and all the older kids were telling him it would be OK and he trusted what they said.


Many thanks to those who made the adventure possible and also the purchase of the clothes we needed for the children. It was the first time the girls could go shopping and choose what they wanted and stay in a budget. I gave Prossy some money and an envelope and said this is what you have to spend…please bring receipts and stay in the budget and be a good negotiator. Also I said please don’t call me and ask for more money because you are not budgeting properly! They all laughed and did a great job buying skirts, shoes and even had enough left to get earrings.


The older boys received an envelope with money for trousers and were told to be good negotiators also. For many this was the first pair of new trousers they ever had and to be able to shop for them was so fun for these adolescent guys. I have to say they made good choices with nice fabric and quality construction. The night before church I found myself hemming John's pants so they wouldn't drag on the ground. We even had a lesson in tailoring. Praise God for his provision and the good stewardship of the children.

This thanksgiving I have had tears of joy to be a part of this precious spiritual family. I love each one of them so much and can’t wait to return in March.

Rock Fellowship On Solid Ground

In September the Rock scholarship students in Kampala began meeting for fellowship, prayer, Bible study and sharing life experiences. During our trip we were privileged to attend two of the sessions. Many thanks to Ben for fixing two delicious lunches and Lutaaya and Ben teaching about the "condition of the heart" and "who is Jesus." During both meetings the Socratic method of teaching was employed to encourage discussion and evaluation of the material covered. The discussions were stimulating and application oriented.

At the end of each meeting the guys gathered to pray and share prayer requests from the heart. Mark and I were so touched by the transparency of the students and the bond of true Christian friendship that is developing. These men are serious about their faith and it is evident they are focused on honoring God in all they do.

EMI Completes Kabale Site Plan

God continues to open doors in Kabale as Revival Tabernacle Ministries reaches out to the community. Engineering Ministries International in conjunction with People for Missions/Houses of Hope and Revival Tabernacle Ministries has developed an exiting plan for a multipurpose facility in Kabale to serve the area. In May the EMI team visited and designed a beautiful structure to meet the phase one needs of the ministry.


The building will serve as a hub for outreach with food distributed from Children's Hunger Fund, AWANA activities for the children, business training for church members, House of Hope and church administration, church services, Sunday school classes, conferences for village pastors,and periodic clinics for children in the neighborhood needing basic medical attention.


A schedule of meetings is in process to share the vision with friends in the U.S. wanting to partner with us in the ministry. We hope to raise funds for phase I in the coming year and are excited about meeting new people God wants involved with His work.


With the large population of children needing family homes, the ministry feels a burden to expand into the surrounding areas. Future plans include developing construction options of more single family Houses of Hope in Kabale and around Lake Bunyonyi as more children are provided with a new future. Mark and Margaret are available to visit churches or other groups interested in learning more about the ministry work in Kabale. For more information e-mail us at margaret_noblin@msn.com or call 214-366-0425. http://revivaltabernacleministries.blogspot.com

Being Flexible As A Team Member!

Brittany and Margaret had to make a quick trip in to town to get paint for scripture verses being painted in the homes. This meant riding a "boda boda" (motorcycle) to the public dock 15 minutes away then going across the lake by boat to catch a taxi.


Upon discovering we needed some small bricks, Charles proceeded to use his Karate skill and break a brick with his hand! You never know what skills the Lord is going to use!

Reflections of the Clinic Team

How amazing after two years to see a vision become reality. More than half of the team returning to Uganda was part of the 2005 House of Hope construction team. At that time Travis Decanter(in boat with glasses) shared his story and the impact the lack of medical care had on him as a child. A vision was birthed and the journey began. Now Travis and the Mississippi team with the help of others returned to have "their hands on the bricks to build the clinic." The group raised over $30,000 to construct the clinic organizing auctions, fish frys and other fundraising events in several neighboring towns in northern Mississippi.


The team toured the main clinic facility which offers support to the Bethany Clinic being constructed. Dr. Martin is the director of Wentz Medical Center and the visiting physician who works with a nurse practitioner at the village clinic.


Below are some pictures of the children being served by the clinic. As one of the Bethany staff members said, "a hug or a pat on the back means the world to these children who have been so alone and without attention." If we didn't do anything else but show the love of Jesus with a hug, a pat or an encouraging word the trip was a success.

Words of Encouragement at Home

God's word is such an encouragement to the children and parents in the homes at Bethany Village, Uganda. Several team members painted scripture verses on the walls when they weren't laying bricks for the clinic!

Unity A Witness to Ugandans

The June Bethany Clinic Team at the construction site had such unity that the Ugandan workers asked for prayer for the same unity for themselves.



The Ugandans watched with amazement as team members passed, mortared and stacked bricks quickly organizing themselves for the next task, putting construction ahead of schedule.



Team members distributed free medicine at the dispensary and shared the Good News of Jesus while moms waited with their children.The new clinic will serve the children in Bethany Village and provide emergency care for the community.



One little boy, Mark, captured our hearts as he trusted Jesus hearing the Gospel with the aid of pictures on the Evangecube.



Several team members worked at Bethany School performing puppet shows and assisting teachers grading papers and demonstrating how to integrate Biblical truths in the classroom. Other teaching techniques which incorporate a Biblical world view were demonstrated in the classroom.

Teamwork at Home...Chores can be fun!

Smiles, new clothes, a sense of belonging, love of a spiritual mum and dad along with brothers and sisters are a few of the elements making the new House of Hope Kabale a home. In addition to the spiritual and emotional side of the family are the practical tasks required to run a household. Pastor Johnson and Evas are training the children to manage the home by creating teams for shopping, household maintenance, meal preparation and compound maintenance. In the future another garden team will be added when the compost bin and garden are ready for planting and maintenance.


Each team has a team leader who is trained by Pastor Johnson and Evas. The leader then trains their team in the tasks assigned to their group. After a month rotating each week and learning different tasks all of the children will be trained in managing the home. When Evas goes shopping the shopping team joins her and learns how to choose fruits and vegetables in the market, budget the money for each week and keep records of what is being spent. The household maintenance team keeps the kitchen and bathrooms clean, removes rubbish, cleans the floors and makes sure the interior of the home is in order. The most popular team function is food preparation which involves meal planning, cooking, setting the table, cleaning the dishes and proper storage of food. Cleaning, slashing the grass, trimming the hedges, plus arranging flowers for the house and sweeping the outside compound are a few of the tasks of the compound maintenance team.

Practical life skills are just part of the wholistic approach to equipping the children for success in the future. Learning to use indoor plumbing is a new experience for the children but as Pastor Johnson reports, "the children are picking up using the plumbing. I'm amazed how they learn things so easily." After only two weeks Johnson says, "Evas is getting used to taking care of the many children. She has had a fun time learning to budget for many children. The children are also doing well and learning to work as a team."

Teaching by example that humility in doing any job is important and that teamwork makes work easy and fun are helping the children learn important principles.

Reflections-Opening the House of Hope

The following is an account from Pastor Johnson as he observed the children coming to their new home in Kabale.

Today the children entered the house, you missed seeing the great joy and excitement upon their faces. Some of them it was their first time to know they are going to sleep on a mattress, with bed sheets! Others being sure that they will at least have food daily was too much for them. Some of them have never been loved, your first message of belonging was taken seriously and the point went home. They are sure of love, comfort and protection. Knowing that they have a home is enough for most of them. Yet others knowing that their school fees will be paid on time and they won't have to be chased from school from time to time was great inspiration.

We went in a disorganized way because not much was complete by today. The house was not yet ready, but we said they will finish up when we are in the house. Benson too,had not finished all the furniture, I didn't see him to explain, but the children said they would rather sleep on the floor but sleep in their new home!One by one, they started coming in around 4:00 p.m, with their luggage in polythene bags.

On entering the house they would scream and shout with joy!They immediately helped to clean up the place, some mothers came to give a hand to clean the place. It was exciting, each one being part of the solution. They worked together and made the work easier. They already feel they are part of one family. It has been a tiresome day but I just could not go to bed with out sending you a word or two about the experience of entering the house.

Pastor Johnson's wife Margaret with Issac (left), Bruce (middle) and Andrew(right) as they give their testimonies of God's faithfulness in church after being in the House of Hope one week.