Category Archives: Prayers

Current or immediate prayer requests

Sharing-work Needs many Hearts…

A few years ago when I was changing careers from Business Owner to focusing as a Volunteer Director of Mission Servants Ministry, I chose as my centering Bible verse, Hebrews 13:15-16 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Best move ever.

MSM has been blessed since 2007 to do that (Sharing) with orphans, widows, sick, disaster struck, and poor as well as schools and medical operations. I’ve realized that “Share with others” doesn’t only mean blessings of funds and services to the needy, but also “Share with others” the opportunity to be a blessing. I’m going to do that now with a list of projects and needs on the current plate of MSM that will make a loving impact to the needy children and people we serve in Uganda and Kenya in the next several months. These are all the same sort of things that we have been doing for the last 15 years and funded purely by donations from individuals lead to “Share”. If any of these projects touches your heart and you would love to “Share with us” please follow the links or methods to donate at the end. Money is an incredible tool that we know how to use efficiently. 100% of donations will go to these efforts directly. Thank you for praying about this and to those that have joined with us to date.

Current MSM Projects and Needs

Requirements, fees, clothing, bedding, etc…to bring 6 new vulnerable kids from the Kamuli district into the Child Redeemed Mission (CRM) Home in January.

Expanding work with our older sponsored children from the CRM home in Uganda and Lord’s Servants Home (LSH) in Kenya to assist them to obtain higher education, skill training, or start small businesses so they can be productive adults.

Assist the Kasolwe Medical Clinic (small village clinic) to obtain relatively basic equipment like microscope, and sterilization equipment, to serve the village as well as establish a service for the kids at the CRM Home.

Rebuild a community well in Liyavo district, Kenya and install a hand pump to provide a safe and sanitary source of water. There are several projects like this being requested of MSM. We funded 8 such projects in 2021 and 2022.

Footbridge construction to replace a wooden structure washed away in this years flooding. Three such projects have been completed since 2018.

Purchase 1.15 acres of land offered by a bordering neighbor of CRM Home to serve as garden and animal support property for the children to learn those skills.

Complete the gate, guard house, and fence around the Promise Primary School (PPS) property that was 90% completed in 2022.

Build a dorm building at PPS to house 75 boys and 75 girls which will open up two classrooms that are currently being used for dorms. PPS has rapidly grown to capacity of 550 children due to it’s superior performance and God’s grace.

A solar or grid power solution for PPS to allow the installation of security lights, building lights, and a water pump with a chlorination system. All for the goodwill and safety of the kids and staff.

Church partner projects to build and repair homes for widows or extremely needy families with young children. Six such projects have been completed since 2018.

Repair the fence at CRM Home and relocate the gate, guard house, and playground away from planned road construction access.

Many other smaller projects to maintain the facilities at the CRM and LSH homes as well as cover operating cost and raising of the resident children.

How to Help…

All of these projects can be started immediately and many are simply waiting for God’s provisions of funding. Donations can be made by Paypal, bank transfer, stock transfer, or least cost method by check mailed to Mission Servants Ministry, 4550 Lochfoot Dr., Charlotte, NC 28278. Please contact me with any questions at 704-576-4646 or bob@missionservants.org or learn more about MSM at http://www.missionservants.org or Mission Servants Ministry on Facebook.

Prayer Answered, Trip 36 Report

We found the facilities at Child Redeemed Mission (CRM) Home in good shape except for the Solar Power collection and distribution system. We had to leave it at 50% capacity after our February trip due to battery supply issues and an apparent possible lightning strike/wiring failure in May caused enough damage to disable the system until we arrived on this trip. We brought with us spare parts and upgrades and on our way to CRM, obtained the needed batteries to return the system to 100%.

Solar Power storage and distribution system at CRM
Replaced switch, wiring, and added fuse block

The staff, kids, and church adapted over the last few months to using the generator and solar flash lights but restored power was very welcome. One main area that was especially welcomed was the evening movies the kids enjoy a few times a week using a projector and DVD player. The projector was also broken and we brought a new one. We provided one to Promise Primary for education use and entertainment as well.

This is High Def in these parts.

OK, I’m getting to the “Answered Prayer”……We also repaired a number of failed switches and lights and realized that one of the 8 batteries was in a weakened condition. Our source was unable to find one additional battery and had tried all week long. We needed a 150 amp hour solar duty battery. On my last full day of the trip, becoming desperate to not leave CRM in a less than 100% state, I traveled to the larger town of Jinja to try and make it happen with our source. Finding out that he had given up on us, I did the American thing….Googled: 150 ah solar battery supplier Jinja. Well that was silly and useless! I was with my main helper, 12 year old Joram. I said to Joram, “all I can think to do now is pray for God to lead us to find a battery”. I told God that I had no idea where to go and only have a few minutes to spare to look before needing to begin the 1 1/2 hour trip back to CRM. I’m not sure what Joram thought of that but after the Amen, I drove a few blocks one way, a few another, and saw a small electronics store. Greg had asked me to find a couple battery clips for him and I thought I might as well get them there. After paying, I showed the woman store owner a photo of the battery I hoped to find. She promptly pointed at me. I showed her the photo again and she pointed again. I cought on that she meant for me to turn around. Across the street was a solar store, I parked almost in front of it. Jinja is a big place with a thousand small stores spread over several dozens of blocks. I expect God to answer prayers but this was dramatic….almost really so…the store was out of the battery but called someone and directed me just one block away to someone that had one. This all took 5 minutes total. God is good! I made sure Joram understood what just happened. We left CRM in great shape after installing that battery. Praise God….I love that feeling.

My main “Handyman Apprentice” Joram.

Update 4 about Kenyan and Ugandan Child Missions under Covid19.

Since my last post in June, all plans to open schools have been delayed. Last week Ugandan President Museveni announced plans for limited openings in October for those students in grades that are transitions to higher levels such as the last year of Primary School and High School. Also churches can open with reduced capacity. Roughly 15 kids from Child Redeemed Mission Home (CRM) are excited to get back to school.

Worship at Bwase Redeemed Church (at CRM Home)

The Bwase Redeemed Church partnered with MSM to build a home for a family that lost the mother during childbirth. Twins were born and are doing well and about 3 months old. This family is related to one of the older CRM kids, Julius and cares for him out of school. They are doing a great job.

Most of the children from CRM are living there and receiving some tutoring and refresher lessons from the idled teachers from Promise Primary. Everyone seems happy being productive.

The children at Lord’s Servants Home in Kenya have been placed with extended family guardians and are awaiting school to reopen in January. Most colleges and Universities have opened in September and a number of our sponsored children are college students. Sharon is starting a Business degree program, Fidelis in Engineering, and Bridget in Teaching, while Ken and Mika are continuing in Nursing and IT respectively. Brian just finished truck driving school and is employed. MSM is blessed to help these kids reach their potential in a fulfilling career.

President Museveni also announced that the Airport will open to international tourists (not mission workers yet). I am hoping we can make a mission trip in January.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. The Covid shutdowns are very difficult for the general Ugandans and Kenyans. Many are struggling to survive without work and services.

Update about Kenyan and Ugandan Child Missions under Covid19 Threat.

Nearly every corner of the world changed dramatically in early 2020 with the rapid spread of Covid19.  Most countries have responded with travel restrictions, shut downs, and quarantines.  East Africa did as well.  The regions around the children missions funded by MSM are a world of centralized (roadside and trading center) commerce, public transportation, no freezers or refrigeration, often barter commerce, large schools, few government support/welfare programs, and very very few hospitals and medical facilities.

Where many of us enjoy personal vehicles, ability to work at home, on-line schooling, Amazon delivery, government assistance (stimulus checks, unemployment, SBA loans, etc.) and food pick-up options.  People in rural areas of Africa are experiencing food shortages and high prices and lack of work and commerce.

Here are specific updates on the children that are MSM sponsored, funded, educated, and cared for at Child Redeemed Mission Home, Promise Primary School, Rock View Primary School, Lord’s Servants Home, and Bridgeway Hope Academy.  Following government rules:

  • The schools have been closed beginning in the end of March which includes PP, RVPS, BHA and all High Schools the kids attend.
  • Teachers salaries have been reduced but supported as much as possible.
  • The churches at LSH and CRM have suspended worship.
  • The children at LSH have all been able to be placed in homes of extended families.
  • All but 12 of high risk children at CRM have been placed in homes of extended families.
  • Shut down and shut in rules will remain in effect until at least May 5 when updates are expected.  Schools have tentative plans to reopen in June.

This situation is a serious cause for struggling in an already day to day existence for most people.  I have simplified things quite a bit and our prayers are needed.  I do find it interesting to think that we are all in the same STORM.  However, we are not all in the same boat.  May God have mercy on those of us affected most harshly.

On the positive side, several projects that were funded and begun in February have able to be completed or nearly so.  Updates on these to follow.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.  Here are a group of the 12 from CRM and a song they made up during quarantine to praise Jesus.

 

Merry Christmas from MSM and All

My Christmas thought this year……Our heavenly Father gave us a Christmas present that was just what we needed and a perfect fit.  We can’t top that gift or reciprocate equally.  Jesus was given for us out of pure love and grace.  John 3:16-17, Heb 2:14-18.  MSM is a means for us to give out of love and show grace in a symbolic way of appreciating what Jesus has done for us.  What a privilege it has been this year thanks to your prayers, generosity, and love.

Here are just a few pics representing the 100 kids living at two sponsored Children’s Homes in Kenya and Uganda, 600+ kids attending three sponsored schools, roughly 500 people served at a sponsored medical outreach in Uganda, literally thousands of people hearing the Gospel by means of the Jesus Film and native language Jesus Film and Audio recordings, four mission trips to Africa, and many other projects and efforts showing the love of Jesus in a practical way in Africa and in the US.

We do all these projects with what has been provided to us.  Thank you for your prayers and faithful giving in 2019.  We look forward to continuing with your gifts yet in 2019 and ongoing.  I have been asked to pass on the greetings and thanks from the many people whose lives we have been blessed to contact.

Merry Christmas from Bob and the MSM team.

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