Category Archives: Updates from Uganda

Update 2 about Kenyan and Ugandan Child Missions under Covid19.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for the Children’s ministries in Kenya and Uganda supported by MSM.

Earlier this week the President of Uganda updated the Covid19 plan in effect.  The widespread shutdown of transportation, borders, churches, schools, and other gatherings is still in place.  The major change is for schools to open on a limited basis on June 2nd.  The limitation is lifted only for the last year of Primary (Elementary) and the last year of High School.  This affects some of the kids at Child Redeemed Mission Home.  The plan is to bring these kids back to residence at CRM and leave the balance yet with extended family.

The welfare of the kids that are staying outside of CRM is a matter of focus and concern for the staff.  In several cases, food supplies are given to the families hosting the kids.  All children are contacted regularly by the CRM social workers.  This period is a real struggle for the community.  Food is scarcer and more costly and the ability to obtain other goods and services are difficult.  The good news is that the number of confirmed Covid19 cases in Uganda are very low.

The kids at CRM are doing great.  They are able to study, read, make music, and garden. Many have learned and practiced crafts such as knitting and sewing…..

…and have helped in a recent project to build a new firewood storage shelter.

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Promise Primary School in Kamuli, Uganda, sponsored by MSM, has been taking advantage of the shutdown to work on the school grounds and buildings.  Repairing storm and termite damage for instance.   A major project to build a new kitchen has been moving forward and nearing completion to be available when school resumes.  I will have a separate post about this soon.

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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.

 

Trip 30 to Uganda

9 of the 10 of us (Aaron left two days ago) and our 36 bags with over 1,000 pounds of tools, medicine, clothes, soccer cleats, Bibles, Jesus Film projector, audio Bibles, and other supplies, started out at Charlotte Airport at 4:00 am this morning.

The first crisis of the trip was a failed zipper on our largest duffel bag. A number of not great options rolled through my mind. No problem….we have Chandler, an Eagle Scout with spare paracord and pocket knife in his bag to check. The duffle was made of ripstop fabric so we stitched it closed. Hope the security check is OK with it.

We are excited to see the kids and the community and be inside God’s plan for this trip. Thank you for your prayers.

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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