Nov09 Web Newsletter

THE WORK OF THE ENEMY IS EVIDENT IN UGANDA. JESUS HIMSELF TOLD US THAT SATAN COMES TO STEAL, KILL, AND DESTROY— in Uganda he has furthered his purpose through the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army). Praise the Lord that isn’t the end of the story! WE ALSO KNOW THAT JESUS CAME THAT WE MAY HAVE LIFE, AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL. It is our prayer that the people of Uganda will experience this abundant life Christ came to give; the restorative, healing, transforming, perfect love of our Savior. It is our desire to share Jesus with these people who are in such great need of healing. Uganda has been devastated by the LRA war for around 20 years. It is difficult to comprehend the suffering in this area, where more than 1.8 million people (80% of the population in Northern Uganda) were forced to flee their homes and live in IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps inside the country. In these camps it is estimated that 1,000 individuals died each week. As always, it is the children who suffer the most. With the LRA, that was intensified, as the children were the target. Estimates are that over 90% of the LRA ranks are made up of children who are abducted and forced to serve in the army. An estimated 30,000 to 66,000 children have been abducted throughout the war.

ALTHOUGH THERE IS NOW MORE STABILITY IN NORTHERN UGANDA, STILL ABOUT A MILLION PEOPLE REMAIN IN IDP CAMPS. Because the war has been going on for decades, there is great uncertainty for them in returning home. In most instances basic services such as schools, clean water, and health clinics have yet to be restored. Many parents return to work in the fields but leave their children in the camps to attend school; leaving them at risk of exploitation and abuse. In many instances the police and justice systems, which have been crippled by the war, are unable to address high rates of sexual violence or emerging

disputes over land. The people continue to live in fear because of the brutal attacks and kidnappings they have

Some of the new families on the farm had just come from the war area in the north, thus had very torn and dirty clothes or no clothes at all. The clothes VBB supplied went to these families as well as impoverished children in the nearby Rakayata village. The clothes and seeds were all distributed by the missionaries in the name of Jesus. Through these gifts, team members were able to testify to the love of Jesus Christ. The team was also able to visit several of the IDP camps. Some of the people in these camps are trying to start over after over 20 years away from their land. A team member wrote, “It was a privilege to share the love of Jesus with them while giving out the clothes, sandals and seeds. They were very surprised and humble and grateful. It was pure joy to see the hope in their eyes and faces. They have a little church, but no Bibles. Many are unable to read so we hope to bring some hand-wind tape players next year. The language is Acholi. Thank you for sharing your love…it was a huge blessing.” In addition, we were able to send a large load of clothes and seeds on a container that were given to the people in Entebbe, Uganda and were also sent to Boma, Sudan. While the fighting from the LRA has decreased in Northern Uganda, it has increased in Southern Sudan, as the armies have moved across the border. We are assisting in sending a second container that will be shipped in November and arrive in Uganda in January. This container will contain medical equipment and supplies, as well as books for the children.

witnessed. The length of time they have been displaced alone creates a difficult barrier for them to return. As a result, these people have, for the most part, not been able to plant crops and hunger is widespread.

VISION BEYOND BORDERS RECENTLY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEND VEGETABLE SEEDS AND CLOTHING TO THE PEOPLE OF UGANDA. Some of the seeds and clothes went to the Family Empowerment Uganda-Canaan Farm in Rakayata village near Masindi. The farm is a self sustaining, Christcentered haven for displaced persons, widows, families and orphans who have fled the LRA war. We received reports that the previous year, when teams were present during the dry season, the women delivering babies were unable to make breast milk due to poor nutrition. The babies were dying, and the young children were suffering from malnutrition. All of the crops had died and they did not have seeds for vegetable gardens. Through the work of missionary teams, they were able to implement a simple bucket drip irrigation system and plant vegetable gardens for the 40 family plots involved in the Women’s Empowerment group. They reported the gift of seeds was truly a God send! While the teams were there, they were able to teach the people how to dig and prepare plots, plant, assemble and care for the drip irrigation system and compost. As a result these people will have food, even through the dry season!

THE HOPE OF THE MISSIONARY TEAMS THAT TRAVEL TO UGANDA IS TO HELP THESE PEOPLE REBUILD THEIR LIVES AND COMMUNITIES. They do not want to remain in the camps, but many do not know what else to do. Children that were mere toddlers when the conflict started are now 20 years old and do not even understand how to make a life for themselves; they have known nothing but the IDP camp their entire life. Education is necessary, as well as the tools and skills to make a living. When the team goes over again in January, they will carry more seed with them. Team members had a chance to visit a hospital in Kalongo while they were in Uganda. They found very limited equipment, few supplies, and great need. They put together a “wish list” of equipment needed for the hospital. At that time, we were collecting medical equipment to send to Burma, where there is also great need. After we collected the supplies we were informed that the government would not give approval for these items to go into Burma. With God, whenever one door closes, another door opens. It was certainly no coincidence that the items on the “wish list” were the very items we had secured donation of for Burma! We checked with the donor of the equipment, and were able to transfer the equipment to be used in Uganda. We have seen the Lord’s faithfulness in these ways time after time, yet it never ceases to amaze me to see His perfect plan and see His hand so evident in all this work. To us, it was a great disappointment to see the refusal of the Burmese government to allow these items into their country, in reality God was showing us that He had a plan; He already knew where these items were needed!

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AS I LOOK BACK, I REMEMBER THE FRUSTRATION; seeing all this equipment, seeing the great needs of the people of Burma, and wondering why we were not granted favor to have these items shipped. As we were able to see the “wish list” and realize that the medical equipment we had gathered included every major item on that wish list was priceless! God, in His perfect wisdom, reminded us that His ways are above our ways and His thoughts are above our thoughts. He knew the whole time where this equipment was needed and had a perfect plan to answer the prayers of His saints who were pleading for these needs to be met for the people of Uganda. I pray that God brings to remembrance, each time we face frustrations and difficulties, that He is perfecting His plan; I am merely a tool, an imperfect vessel He chooses to use. He has placed His glory in an earthen vessel so there is no question who receives the glory! I am humbled and pleased as He frustrates our plans to reveal His perfect plan! Our God is faithful!

I pray that God brings to remembrance, each time we face frustrations and difficulties, that He is perfecting His plan.