Saturday, December 16th, 2023
As we transition into 2024, we are thankful that God’s vision of the Resource Center Project is expanding. As of this writing, December 2023, the Missionary Home on WID’s 5-acres in the Village of Ntenjeru is close to completion. Our hope and prayer is this home will provide a place for missionaries, Pastors, educators, leaders and all faithful servants can serve and stay in the village with our friends. It is within walking distance of the church and school WID planted many years ago, so we feel our roots are well planted in this community.
Posted in Project Updates, Short Term Missions, Uganda | Comments Off on Ministry Expansion
Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019
There was a huge celebration at the Summer Terrace Gardens in Mukono City on October 11th. The city honored through marching bands, school children singing and dancing, and dignitaries acknowledging the Reverend, Doctor Kefa Sempangi for the philanthropic work he has been doing in Uganda for decades. And BTW, turning 80 years old. He is truly ageless.
We are very grateful as a ministry that God has allowed the partnership between the local Presbyterian Church, their leaders and Word InDeed Ministries over many, many years. Even our founder, Stephen DeMoss was a young college school student when he first went to Uganda and was being introduced to the Pearl of Africa. The inspiration for ministry began running through his veins so many years ago.
Pastor Kefa has been instrumental in so many things relative to progress in Uganda following the Idi Amin brutality. The most well know is Pastor Kefa’s leadership and mentoring so many homeless, fatherless children when he started the Africa Foundation and is still today called “Daddy” by thousands of adults in Uganda.
As someone who helped establish the First Presbyterian Church of Uganda, an articulate pastor, author, and father too many orphans, I am thankful for the local church partnerships we have with Pastor Kefa at the helm.
It was through reading his inspiring book, A Distant Grief, that I developed a keen interest in traveling to Uganda and made the trip in 2012 on my first medical mission trip. Fast forward 8-years later, I’m looking forward to returning again and feel extremely blessed to call Pastor Kefa and his wife Olivia “good friendsâ€.
We wish you a very Happy Birthday Pastor Kefa! May God continue to use you and keep you healthy to continue to mentor and preach the Good News in Uganda!
As the year 2019 is soon coming to an end, now is a good time to update all our friends and supporters of the great projects and progress which is going on through God’s blessings and Word inDeed Ministries.
This little girl was with her family at one of our clinic’s this past May, 2019. She reminded me of the James 1:27 scripture and how we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus, wherever we go. PLEASE PRAY for our ministry and mission to live out James 1:27.
We continue to have a total of 64 students in our program and what started with just 2 schools, has now expanded into seven village schools as the children grow older and transfer to high school and vocational training. We have two university students currently being sponsored through WID. Edward K. is pursuing his Bachelors of Entrepreneurship and Project Planning at the Mukono Christian University, with the intention of learning ways to help the local church benefit from projects and expand the gospel at the same time. Another young man, Jonathan B. is seeking a degree in Clinical Medicine and Community Health in Kampala. We have a young man, Deo K. also attending Westminster Seminary in Kampala and he hopes to graduate with his degree in 2020. Should God continue to bless the support of his pursuit of a Bachelors Degree in Biblical Studies (we are seeking more scholarship funds for Deo), he hopes to be planted in a village church when God opens that door. In the past year we have had two young students graduate from hairdressing courses, and they are now working in their field. There are also two young men who are doing vocational training in welding, working as interns and hoping to be self-sustaining in their future careers.
This picture above of Frank was sent to his sponsor, Christina, who has been sponsoring this young student for 7 years. Christina had the opportunity to meet Frank during one of our medical mission trips and has supported him in special ways, like writing a letter of encouragement to him as he’s struggling right now in high school. Our counselor, Jovelet, makes regular contact with our students to ensure they are attending school, hearing about their progress, and letting us know when there are special needs or attention required. Like in Frank’s case, we were able to let him know that there are people caring enough about him and that he needs to continue to work toward his school graduation. WID is thankful for the many sponsors we have who continue to provide the financial resources so these kids stay in school.
WID is in the process of fundraising for the Ntenjeru Covenant Junior School to be properly wired for electricity and light fixtures. Currently the adjacent church has basic wiring, but when the school is fully ‘electrified’ the potential for growth in teaching tools, electronics like laptops to introduce the children to modern technology, and even the possibility of using the school for evening outreach and vocational studies will open many doors for the students and the community.
The school headmaster, Micheal Kaggwa who also helps manage projects for WID, has taken on a huge gardening project on property owned by WID. This property sits across a valley from the school and church, so thankfully it’s not too far away! In an effort to have resources to help feed the numerous children that live on campus in the boarding section and those who attend day school, fruit trees, cabbage and other vegetables have been planted with the hopes of providing valuable, nutritious foods for the children. Our ultimate goal is there will be additional fruits and vegetables to sell and provide income to cover the costs of running the school.
Last year the campus was expanded with a large chicken house. There were a few challenges along the way with the baby chicks and loosing some to a virus, but today the house is full of layer chickens and providing food for the children who attend the school.
Micheal told me once that ‘he cannot turn away a child just because they don’t have money to pay school fees’. All this to say that even though he only has 24 students in Ntenjeru school which are receiving a scholarship through WID out of the over 300 attending, there are still many children who are abandoned or without parents to help provide financial support for the school tuition. Many children have come to find the school campus a place to call “home†because they are getting food everyday, a place to sleep, and an education, not to mention the loving care of the staff and leaders like Micheal and his wife Miriam.
With the new gardening project in the works to help out the school, one resource which is dearly needed is WATER to keep the new plants and trees alive. A borehole was dug on the property a few years back and capped so that it could be available as soon as funds allowed for the pump house and holding tanks to be established.
WID need’s approximately $8,000 to complete this project. Because the borehole sits low on the valley side of the property, the pump house is needed to build and store the solar powered system because there is no electricity on the land. The pipeline needs to be constructed to bring the water from the borehole up to the top of the property where the managers house is, and where the holding tank will sit. We are praying this project can be commenced before the dry season starts and finished so that the property can continue to be a growing, garden resource, and for the immediate community surrounding the land so they can also have access to cleaner water.
WID is truly so grateful for the partnership with the Palm Beach Atlantic University, Gregory School of Pharmacy. Next May we will embark on our 8th year of doing medical missions in the Mukono District of Uganda. God has richly blessed this partnership as we have had the opportunity to provide quality medical and dental care to the people in these remote villages. Also, with the partnerships over these years with other NGO’s, like Hope Smiles (https://www.hopesmiles.org), Sole Hope (https://solehope.org) and Wings for Women (https://www.wings4women.org), our capacity to facilitate such a variety of needs is only because God continues to bless these endeavors.
In a follow-up outreach event in September, Wings for Women sponsored and empowered the local Uganda female leaders. These were women who helped in May’s clinical outreach to return to the four villages we visit to reeducate and reaffirm the support for the women through medical services. This is an inspiring thing to see happening.
We are also forever indebted to the numerous individuals that make sacrificial giving toward these medical mission trips. Part of our outreach and evangelism allows for educating young girls and boys in best practices to keep themselves safe and healthy because the statistics of HIV and Aids is still very oppressive in Uganda. We consistently have the opportunity to share the Gospel through handing out Bibles in the native Lugandan language. We provided 500 pairs of shoes to school children made by Sole Hope. AfriPads were given to school girls to help them stay in class, and 500 mosquito nets were handed out to families in need. I can also say from first-hand experience since 2012, these medical clinic’s have saved lives. There are young children today that are thriving and attending school because they got medical attention they needed during these clinics, where otherwise they would not have survived. God has ordained these by healing, changing and transforming many lives.
Your support both financially and prayerfully is sincerely appreciated. We cannot do what we do without both, so thank you for taking the time to read our update.
Blessings,
Lisa Sorensen
Word inDeed Ministries.
Posted in Project Updates, Top News, Uganda | Comments Off on Guess Who Turned 80?
Wednesday, October 18th, 2017
Acts 22:16 Have you been Baptized?Â
Below is a very personal account of one of our missionaries who joined us in May, 2017 for the Palm Beach Atlantic University, Gregory School of Pharmacy Medical Mission trip. Â This is another beautiful testimony of why mission trips are so valuable.
****************
For those who don’t know me, my name is Chelsea Harlan and I am here to tell you about my experience on the Uganda Medical Mission Trip. So I could probably talked to you guys for hours about all the experiences that I had in Uganda that I will never forget, but one big one that really stands out, is how I got baptized in the Nile River on our fun day. I wanted to start by giving you a little background.
I grew up in a Christian home, with my grandfather being a pastor and going to church every Sunday. But in my church getting baptized was a personal choice. I remember accepting the Lord into my heart at a young age (I believe at church camp), but I never made that next step to asking to be baptized. I’ve always believed and had faith and I remember watching my friends in the church and my cousins getting baptized, but for some reason I never really felt to desire to and my parents never forced it.
So this is what I wanted to point out with going to Uganda; I was going on 25 years, my whole life, of not really having that desire to “EVERYTHING†up to the Lord, to put it all at his feet, have him wash away my sins and fully accept him, but within six or 7 days, so a week in Uganda I had that desire.
And it probably was because when you ask me about Uganda, the first thing that comes to mind is LOVE.
Love and joy and gratefulness for the things that the people do have, because they give EVERYTHING up to the Lord. These people have so little, but are living like they have everything they could ever need or ever want in life, because they put all their trust in the Lord, because they have so much faith.
I saw how these people have so little, yet still exert love and joy. They were always happy, always singing/dancing and praising. I saw this and knew that that’s how I want to live. I want to be happy and exert love and joy in any situation I’m in or no matter where I’m at in life, because I have enough trust and faith in God that it’s His will. That no matter what happens He will take care of me, but to live like that I knew I had to give EVERYTHING up.
When I say my decision to get baptized was quick and unexpected (I mean you guys know Dr. Marrsingh, I said one thing and ten minutes later we’re all standing in the Nile River), it was… but it wasn’t rash. I knew if I wanted this I had to hand everything over to HIM. It may have been unexpected, but it was the right decision for me.
And of course, nothing you experience in Uganda can be expected. I sat in your same seats year after year, listening to past students come up here and talk about all their amazing experiences and how you always leave a piece of your heart back in Uganda, and what you get out of the trip is worth more than anything a simple medication could do. But, words can’t describe how Uganda works and changes your heart for the better. No one can prepare you for how the LORD can work on your heart if you are open to HIM.
So I encourage you if you are thinking about going, keep your mind and your heart open to the Lord, and you will be surprised at what work the LORD does. It may sound selfish, but the countless medications we dispensed, the numerous patients we counseled and the crazy amount of kids we played with was astounding, but the work the LORD will do on you is eternal and will always be more powerful than any kind of medication dispensed.
So with that I would like to end in a bible verse Acts 22:16 –
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.
******************
Posted in Project Updates, Uganda | Comments Off on May 2017 – Nile River Baptism
Wednesday, November 25th, 2015
As we prepare to celebrate our Thanksgiving holiday here in USA, we wanted to share the many things we are graciously thankful for in Uganda also.
Our partners at Palm Beach Atlantic University, Gregory School of Pharmacy have committed to another trip to Uganda, after the wonderful experience everyone had in May of 2015. If you haven’t read pharmacy student Melissa Hubbard’s Reflective Essay (http://wordindeedministries.org/uganda/medical-missions-2015-reflective-essay/ ) please take the time. She shares personal, heartfelt, life-changing ways the trip to Uganda had on her life.
This month we will be ‘breaking ground’ on our production well in Ntenzi. The 5-acres WID has acquired for the Community Resource Center is now actively a project we are trusting God to take from vision to reality. Infrastructure barriers (really bad dirt roads and washed out paths) made the company’s first attempt to drill impossible. So please be in prayer as this well drilling project is continued. It will be a much-needed resource for our many neighbors.
We are also praising the partnership with eMI East Africa (http://emiea.org ). What started out as a conversation with a stranger in Bolder, Colorado in 2014, turned into email introductions, followed up with face-to-face meetings in Kampala with eMI’s Uganda Director, John Sauder. Their team of interns and experts has made their first site visit to the Resource Center property and now their work commences. Please be in prayer for this team as they create design and site plan drawings to turn this gift from God into a blessing for the people in the Mukono District.
On Friday, November 20th, as a ministry we were able to facilitate the showing of the Jesus Movie at the Mpunge Covenant Primary School. We are humbly grateful for the sponsorship to show this movie to the students from the school and invited the surrounding community to the event. Chairs were rented, drinks and popcorn were provided for the children. Here is a brief summary of what we heard from our team in Mpunge after the movie –
“Started on a low note, when we got to the venue, hired chairs hadn’t been delivered. Announcements on the community radio have been running since Wednesday evening BUT no sign of an event. Anyways, I called the guy and the chairs were delivered in a few minutes. Fast forward- movie starts showing and the crowd is mostly children. About 10 minutes later, I don’t know where people – adults came from. You could literally see them running to the venue. Chairs got filled up, brought in benches from the school, and others were left standing. The eats were an icing in the cake. Roughly, we had about 250 people. When Jesus call was made (invitation to accept Christ as your Savior), besides majority kids, about 10 adults raised their hands. Thank you very much.†Rachel Kabejja
“I looked at the chairs being delivered and asked myself who were the people going to occupy them? (Than later)… Can’t believe some people missed seats.” Pastor Kefa Sempangi
This is another example of one person making a difference and what one introduction can make. A supporter of WID living in Florida made the introduction of a young woman, who works for the Jesus Movie. Her role is assisting in translating the production into local languages, so more people can see and understand the movie. Through Amanda we got connected to their Ugandan ministry partners, Life Ministry, Uganda, a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ Intl. We met with Pastor Francis Kyotabona in May and through their partnership, WID has now been able to show the Jesus movie in both Ntenjeru and Mpunge schools. Praising God for making introductions and opening doors. Lives are being transformed.
Today we are hopeful that God’s blessings will continue on the many other projects WID is working one. One of our top priorities is the Ntenjeru Covenant Primary School. After our medical mission trip in May, and with the joint generosity from the Palm Beach Atlantic University team, funds were given to finish putting a roof on part of the schools’ classrooms. The needs there are still many. Given the number of students (300+), there are certain health risks now because they lack sufficient water and latrines. Additionally, several of the classrooms are still dirt floors, which can be problematic when the children sit on the dirt. Parasites and bugs in the ground make their way into the unsuspecting child as he sits on the ground. Lack of desks, benches, and educational material, all weigh on the successful chances these students have to obtain a proper learning experience. Please be in prayer for this school as they are seeking God’s provision for these precious kids.
More good news about God’s divine providence. One of our ministry partners, a young Uganda woman who I met 4-years ago, has recently completed her training on health counseling and now holds a certificates in HIV/Aids counseling. Jovelet Kabasinguzi has a passion for these young school children and giving them guidance and counsels to keep them free of this terribly deadly disease. She has worked alongside us when we do our medical mission trips and through additional financial blessings, we have been able to hire her for the next 3-months to do counseling and educational seminars for the schools. She is able to teach and talk to these children on a level they can understand and learn how to keep safe from that which has taken the lives of most of their parents. One person made a financial gift wanting to help the school children. One person followed the passion God gave her to help others. One person’s care can have a multitude of effect.
As if this isn’t enough to be crazy, excited about God’s provision, here’s another example of open doors and one person making a difference. A friend of Pete Lytle (WID Board member), who happens to be a well-known orthodontist from Denver, Colorado, shared his desire to travel to Uganda. Dr. Anil Idiculla traveled this past October to Jinja, Uganda to work with a ministry doing dental work. Through Dr. Idiculla, WID was introduced to Hope Smiles Uganda (http://www.hopesmiles.org/programs/uganda/ ) and Dr. Ryan Shimska. We are praising God even more now as Dr. Ryan has agreed to participate with our medical team this upcoming May, 2016 so we can now offer dental treatment to the orphans and families we serve in the Mukono District.
So, never be dismayed that you can’t make a difference, you’re just one person…just believe…God makes a difference and so can you. One person at a time.
Briefly, regarding our Student Scholarship Program, please check out our FaceBook page and the photo album of students still needing sponsors. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.549609375149923.1073741828.178194625624735&type=1&l=700b3230e2
A young mom in Mpunge recently contacted us asking for help with her 3 young boys. She is at the end-stages of cancer and her wish was to find scholarships for her children. A dying wish was that her boys were going to get to school, she could be more at peace. At this writing, two of the boys have scholarships for boarding school. The annual cost of $275 is doable for almost every American. Less than $1.00 a day! Yup, that’s all it cost to help change the life of a child in Uganda.
So, how about giving the gift of a scholarship this Christmas instead of some random, unwanted ‘something’ that will be thrown in the back of a closet or in the garage. Or for you parents who have children and want to teach them about true giving this Christmas, tell them they will be supporting a child going to school next year. What a gift this truly is. In the name of Jesus!
We are thankful. May God’s grace, peace, mercy and hope be with you this Thanksgiving.
Tags: Gregory School of Pharmacy, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Short Term Missions, Student Scholarship Program, Uganda
Posted in Project Updates, Short Term Missions, Uganda | Comments Off on Thanksgiving and Praise – 2015
Monday, June 23rd, 2014
As a ministry, Word in Deed offers up prayer and financial support to local pastors in remote villages, to spread the gospel and plant churches. Pasto John Nathan is one pastor who has been working diligently to serve the rural poor where he lives.  He contacted us to share the life-threatening situations their congregation was experiencing.
Below is a chain of emails (unedited so you can see the flavor of our communications) regarding a tragic situation going on in Kenya today. People (Christian brothers & sisters) are being rounded up and placed into these ‘camps’.  As a ministry we are doing what little we can to help get a few of Pastor John’s church members out of the camps. We hope and pray that by reading these, you too will be inspired to help by financially supporting what WID is helping with in Kenya. Blessings to you and please keep these people in your prayers.
Email from June 12, 2014
From Stas Nicholade:Camp Dadaab is a refugee camp near the border of Somalia, 500 miles away from Pastor John’s church.  When Somalis  were rounded up and put in detention camps because of recent terrorist attacks they complained they were being singled out. So apparently they began to target all displaced peoples, including his (John’s) church members as well as those in sister churches. The gov’t came and loaded them into trucks presumably to check their papers, but they never returned. Pastor John told them not to hate the officials but forgive and pray for them. Others from Burundi, Congo, Rwanda and from his sister churches were taken too. However, they can’t provide for themselves. Though a UN HIGH Commission for Refugees exists his congregational members are not yet recognized as part of their program.
He visited them last weekend and discovered they had not eaten in 3-4 days. When they do it the food is quite meager.
While they are in the camp they can be taught because they are not slaves. UN encourages help from other sources. John advised us it was  too dangerous for non-Kenyans to go b/c terrorists can interfere. He can send food in a truck. It would take $3,000 to fill it with necessary supplies that would last for one month. Along with  this, locals can provide some limited food temporarily for less. Eventually 100 of these people may be resettled in the US though it could take up to a year.
We are currently raising money to send to Pastor John who will buy food and daily necessities for the men and women there. He has an account at PNC bank that donations can go to. Please pray and consider donating. Thanks
All Hallows Church, our home church, is sending $1,000 next week. $400 was put directly into his account yesterday to help with immediate needs. So you can send it in Pastor John’s name or I can check if it is possible to funnel it through our church
Email received June 17, 2014
Dear Sister Sharon, greetings once again in Jesus name. I kindly wanted to say thanks to you, to Apostle Steve and great friends in Christ like brother Stasie, David and all the Word In deed brothers for their quick response to this Ugly Satanic attack on our church members.
I wanted to travel to the Camp this week as I here that even the little food they were being offered has been cut off. They have been calling me every other hour to know how soon I should be there. I checked on my account today Monday morning and saw that the donation you offered is not there yet, hopefully it will be done today so that I can move to the Camp tomorrow.
I have scanned herein, an advertisement from the main nation magazine paper talking about the conditions leading to this situation which have affected our members and how they have been separated from their children. We still need to do something for the children who have been left behind, besides supporting those at the Camp.
Please continue remembering us in prayer and all you can possibly do. You are our parents God has provided for this period of live. Pleas do not get tired of doing good for this is our heavenly reward. The nation of Kenya is getting attacks on weekly basis, although they are isolated cases. Yesterday there was an explosion attack in the coastal region, close to Somali boarder causing much panic. More than 50 people died and many injured. The political and economic situation is not good as the current president is trying to pull away from the good relationship which was there with the Western countries ( US, Canada and Europe ) and liaising with Eastern countries ( China and the Arab world ). We know that there is nothing the country can possibly benefit from such. We are 80% Christians and what he is attempting can cause trouble in Kenya.
I hope I will be able to travel to the Camp as soon as I have any little funds.
May God bless you., Pastor John
Email received June 19, 2014
I am trying to change your title from Sister to Mom because you are honestly a mother to me and my ministry members. This is for spiritual purposes!
I have received the funds from the Word In deed account and right now I am almost at the Camp. I started late from Nairobi and had to spend a night on the way but today Thursday morning I am back on the road which will take a maximum of 5 hours before I arrive.
As you advised, I would like to divide the funds( $400 each week) to purchase food that can last one week each for a whole month. That means we shall be buying food every week. It will mean that I personally stay at the Camp for a longer period or else I should be traveling back and forth to make sure there is a better supervision of the purchase and distribution.
I will try as much as possible to send a report inclusive of some photos as we do this exercise.
We also also doing an advocacy to the government to consider the case of these brethren as they are totally victimized for no apparent reason. I know that the government is also under pressure considering many terrorist attacks which have been witnessed in the country. The last one was last Sunday which claimed many lives in the Coast.
To explain a bit on why terrorism has become a big issue here, let me summarize is that it is an aggression against the Western influence in the African countries based on Christianity. The country of Somalia is 95 % Islam while Kenya is 80% Christian. We are immediate neighbors. Somalia is influenced by the Arab world while Kenya has always been influenced originally by the British and now America. Religion is playing a major role here.
America and some European countries have been using Kenya as a base for some interests in Africa and middles east regions. There have been many international organizations running projects in Kenya. This has not been going down well with Extreme Islamist movements which have always tried to control Africa ( China and Russia backing them ). One private mission Muslims have been targeting Africa to make the whole continent Islamic. They could not succeed this as the Eastern influence has been strong for them. Thus, Terrorism has been one weapon for them to achieve their goal.
It begun by the Terrorists kidnapping western tourists, missionaries and NGO workers in Kenya. This became a problem because Kenya earns much income from tourism and NGO projects. Kenya government decided to control this y fighting terrorists into inside Somalia, the base of Alshabab terrorists. Kenya has a large military force inside Somalia to fight and neutralize the outlawed militias. As a way of retaliation the terrorists have resorted to guerrilla ( including suicide bombings ) and mass kings in Kenya. My country has not been well prepared or experienced over such wars. They are taking desperate steps which have affected innocent people and affecting the economy in general.
The president of Kenya who was not favored by Western countries has also erred by turning or support and investment from the Arab and China countries which has affected good relationship with Western thereby cutting down donations  (from Western countries) which were main sources of the country’s economic growth.
All these factors have played roles to what we are facing now. Maybe his can briefly explain why we are getting into this situation. We shall discuss more with time. I am in hurry for my bus now.
Thank you again. Pastor John.
Email received June 22, 2014
May I kindly take this opportunity to share my brief experience of my tour and the feeding exercise at the Somalia Kenya boarder. These photos will explain more of what I may forget by words.
Below is the budget as we discussed with the refugee leaders at the Camp.
The simplest food for one person in a day will be costing about Kenya shillings 50 (an equivalent of  $ 0.588). That is about 50 cent of a Dollar.
For a total of 235 people at the Camp, the cost will be Ksh 11,750 an equivalent of ( $ 138.23 )
The total cost for one month feeding will be ksh 352,500 an equivalent of ( $ 4,147 )
Thus, the simplest food (Just for survival) that can support people at the camp is costing $ 4,147 in a month.
We are indeed grateful for the donation we have received from you amounting to $3500 (Word In Deed $ 1200, From New Life Church $1000, Â All Hallows Church $ 1000 Â and $200 and $100 deposits not sure who sent).
We only lack $514 to have enough food for the Camp lasting for one full month. This is contribution for food a lone, leave a side other basic needs like Soap, Tooth paste and brushes, basic medication, telephone calls and other communication, Ladies pads etc. (this should be contributed from other well wishers).
We have tried to source for Children food from the local community and churches and have so far managed but still will need an amount of $2000 which could help in extreme cases like children who have health problems. This is an approximate for one month.
We are also doing advocacy to persuade the government to move quickly and reconcile especially parents with children left behind. So Far we have managed to convince them to reconcile about 16 parents who are in the process of being transported back in the course of one week. We are seeing a situation where about 60 people who have extreme cases to be considered for reconciliation back with their families in Nairobi in one month period.
The rest, 175 people, will be left in the camp for as long as they will be resettled by the United Nations High commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
Accoring to UNHCR, It will take more than 3 months to have any structures that can support extra refugees at the Camp. They are already overloaded and cannot do anything for refugees whom they did not plan for, as they were forcefully brought here by the Kenya government without their prior planning. There is a stand off between the government and UNHCR at the moment. Remember it was not only my church members who were forcefully moved to camps (Over 50,000 Urban refugees were moved suddenly. Many of them of Somalia origin, South Sudan and Ethiopia. My Church members are Congolese, Rwandans and Burundians.
Meanwhile, the UNHCR is working to resettle one person (family) after another in developing countries including USA. This has been an ongoing exercise for those in and outside the Camp. So far, one person has been sent to settle in USA from my Church refugees at the camp since they were taken there.
God has done much through you to sustain his children in this condition. We are sure this situation will not continue beyond this year.
Please receive our thanks once again in Jesus name.
Pastor John M Nathan.
Email from June 23, 2014
I have taken pics of a few extreme cases we are requesting the government to consider. Two cases were so serious that I had to travel with them and pleaded on the way for their cases. Charles Ntebutse has an acute heart condition and would easily have died at the camp. We brought him back with his wife Jemima and they are now reconciled with their small kids. Another Sister, Dianna would not let me leave. Eric, her husband strongly believed that we could go through security checks even without proper traveling papers from the Camp. We believed God and with prayers, we argued strongly with Security officers ( more than 20 road blocks ) who finally let us go. Thanks to your donation for their transportation on the way back.
The few cases of sisters herein need such urgent attention.
Generally the brethren here can’t thank you enough. Those who may be resettled in Pennsylvania in future, will make a point of visiting you and give you their testimony.
May God bless you your great sacrifice for us here.
Pastor John
Posted in Kenya, Project Updates | Comments Off on UPDATE FROM KENYA-WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING TODAY
Friday, March 28th, 2014
Posted in Kenya, Newsletters, Project Updates | Comments Off on Kenya Communications – Support that changes lives!
Friday, November 29th, 2013
“Mzungu, Mzungu!†you hear them cry. They are excited because you, the Americans, have arrived. Children surround you, drums start playing, shouts of joy and exhilaration exude from their mouths as you walk towards a gathering of people. The men and women come and greet you with songs, hugs, and best of all smiles. You are welcomed!
You look at the people there and quickly see that many of them have worn their ‘Sunday best’, just to greet you, but you still see bare feet, tattered dresses, half-clothed children, pants a few sizes too small. You see dirty feet. You see bellies, which have not been filled and are distended with hunger. They see a pot of watered-down porridge, which will be that day’s meal, no taste and lacking nutritional value, but it will fill the stomach, only to remind them a few hours later that it’s all they’re going to eat today.å……æ°”åŸŽå ¡
As you arrive though, they see hope; they see a chance; they see love. They see your smile.  All things bad go away. When you spend time with them, they cherish it. When you sing for them, they clap and cheer, no matter how badly you keep a tune. When you pull out a soccer ball to play, they quickly throw aside the plastic bottle they had been kicking and patiently and joyfully wait their turn to show their skills with a round ball. When you pull out a new t-shirt, or outfit, they dress quickly, anxiously waiting to view their new look. If you take a picture of them in their fashioned attire and show them, this is a sweet blessing of modern technology in a place where it is seldom seen.
When you paint their school classroom, they watch in amazement as the plain walls change into a new world, where brightness and vibrancy exists. Their faces change, like the color of a chameleon, reflecting the new environment they now are in; they smile, and smile, and smile, quickly matching the effervescent color of the walls with their exuberant faces, filled with the joie de vivre (joy of life).
This is the difference that can be made. Even if for only a short while, the joy of their hearts is lifted, their fears relieved, their problems gone and they have hope and peace. The children cling to you and soak up all the love you can give them. They want you to know they exist. They live each day as you do, with the same sun rising over their heads and the same moon keeping watch over them at night.
Thank you for being a part of the adventure that the Lytle family and a great team from Word in Deed Ministries took, working in Uganda during the month of September 2013.
The delight that you could see on the children’s faces as they received soccer uniforms for the first time ever. Shoes, socks, clothes, school supplies, balls, and most of all the love that came with each of these material gifts that was given was felt and received. Know that you have changed the perspective of a child’s life, as they saw love in action. They felt cared for because of your gifts. They felt important. They felt noticed.
To recap our stay, our first day was spent revitalizing the church and clinic grounds at Ntenjeru Presbyterian Church. We painted the lower half of the 30-foot walls of the church with a beautiful deep green where handprints and dust had overtaken the light-colored paint, which had originally been applied. We planted 50 trees, varieties of fruit and medicinal, all around the clinic. In the years to come, this will serve the clinic and community as a resource for herbal medicine. Some of the team also helped to plant corn, which will feed the pigs. Later in our stay, a few helped plant beans at this site, as well. These will be sold to help support one the local ministries of the church and the Elder-lead care for the orphans, widows, and seniors. The clinic also got a facelift with a good cleaning and a new coat of paint on the lower half. A bed was also purchased during our stay, so now there is a place for patients to actually lie down during an exam.
We spent the remaining part of our first week painting the Mpunge Covenant School, which is located in a small village further down the road, in a remote area bordering Lake Victoria. This new school provides these local children (beyond the education they receive) with a place that is dry from the rain and allows their feet to stand on cement floors rather than the dirt and mud. There are desks for them to sit at and blackboards on the wall. There is a new dormitory that is almost completed, which eventually will be a place for children to live (both boarders and orphans). We also installed two 10,000-liter water tanks for the rainwater collection system while we were there. Soon, grass will be planted on a full soccer field, which has been cleared and prepared. This will be the site of many local games, with the hopes to also hosting events and exhibition with national soccer clubs; a community-gathering place that will be an evangelical tool to share the gospel also.
The school was given new basic supplies, allowing some kids to continue to go to school, as their parents will not have to struggle to find the money for these simple materials. My son, Tucker, had fun every day making new friends, and playing soccer with the children during their recess. He also spent many of the mornings helping in the outdoor kitchen, stoking the fire and stirring the porridge for the children’s daily meal.
The second week we went and reached out to a new village called Bunakijja, and enjoyed a time of singing and fellowship.  We provided some clothing for the children and played games like musical chairs and Frisbee. A full lunch was served, which fed the 150 or so women, men and children that had joined us. Here I played a game of soccer with the locals, who had an organized college-aged team. A few of us Mzunga’s (Americans) joined, as well as some of our Ugandan friends, and we played against them. They were surprised at how well a big American man like me could play defense! It felt good to be out there and I look forward to now joining the adult league for UMSC someday, although I will need to work on my endurance for sure.
During the second week we also visited the Ugandan Baseball Little League Headquarters and Tucker (who is 9) was able to practice with the 12-year-old team after they finished school. They practice every day for about 4 hours after school. God willing, if we are living here in Uganda in the future, Tucker may have the opportunity to play on their team and I may have the occasion to volunteer at a coaching clinic which they offer every February. The headquarters also have a soccer team at this school, which is specifically set up to assist the most athletic children of the country, providing them not only with the outlet of sports, but the opportunity of a good education.
We week finished with my wife, Kim, leading a time of teaching and having fun during Kid’s Camp, which included religious education, crafts, and songs. On the final day we had a huge party of dancing and singing which the whole community participated. We had a loudspeaker system and played Ugandan karaoke. We also provided two schools with Upper Moreland soccer uniforms, which they can use as their own. These kids were ecstatic to don these new clothes and could not wait to have their next game where they could show them off.
Thank you again for the support you gave helping make this mission trip a success. But more importantly for the opportunity to help put smiles on these children’s faces, a joy in their heart, and a brief moment away from the depravity they live daily.
If you would like more information on how you can continue to help with these children and the communities we are serving in Uganda, please email me  (Peter Lytle) at –  plytle28@msn.com.
Posted in Project Updates, Short Term Missions | Comments Off on Ministry in Missions – Why We Do What We Do!
Sunday, November 24th, 2013
This story comes from a missionary, teacher & supporter of Word In Deed (Cecil Walker) who came to Uganda in 2012 with his wife & son. This recent experience Cecil had gives a very unexpected reason to share missions experiences. Thank you Cecil for sharing this story and for listening to the Holy Spirit by sharing Uganda with Bob.
******
Hello everyone. I thought I would share this with you.
We have a guy in our neighborhood named Bob. Bob is in his 70’s and he lives alone. Monty (who also lives next door with his wife Sallie) has really been working a lot helping Bob, taking care of him, as his mind is beginning to fail. Bob has three different degrees from Florida State University in history. He retired as a professor at Rollins College.
Anyway, as you guys all know, Monty and Sallie left to go out of town. Last night I was taking out the garbage and noticed Bob knocking on Monty and Sally’s front door. As I walked over to the front yard I could tell Bob was crying and he was agitated. Â Bob’s short-term memory is very bad and when Monty is out of town, it really throws him off.
I started talking to Bob trying to get him the calm down. He couldn’t understand why Monty wouldn’t answer his door, despite the fact I repeatedly told him Monty was out of town. So, in the middle of ranting, Bob reminded me he had three college degrees in history and had been a professor at Rollins College.
For some reason the Lord laid it on my mind to bring up having gone to Uganda on a mission trip.
As soon as I did, immediately Bob’s demeanor completely changed. He looked at me and said, “Do you realize how special you are for having gone to Uganda.” From that point on I was able to share about our trip, which had a calming effect on Bob. He went home in a much more peaceful mood than when I first found him.
God is great and His love continues to work through Uganda…even here in Cocoa Beach, Florida, when ministering to our friends and family…we can thank God for our experiences doing missions in another part of the world. You never know what will happen when you share them; God will bless you in surprising ways. Praise God, Amen.
Posted in Project Updates | Comments Off on Unexpected Reason – Why Do Missions?
Monday, August 26th, 2013
Praising God & Thanks Be To You! Â A note of thanks to all those to helped make this trip a reality.
We have returned from our medical mission trip with the Palm Beach Atlantic University pharmacy school students; the Ugandan dust has settled, but will forever be indwelled in us. You have been instrumental in supporting the Word In Deed Ministry we have been partnering with, and we wanted to share some stories with you. A picture is worth 1,000 words, so hopefully these photos can give you a flavor of what we got to experience airblown inflatables canada.
Our team of 15 was certainly hand picked by God, because we had such a great flow of teamwork and the spirit of the Lord was upon us. Over the course of 3-1/2 days, we saw 439 patients. We arranged to have 2 Ugandan doctors assist us in the two remote villages (Ntenjeru and Mpunge) during these clinic days. Most of the people in these areas do not get any medical attention for 2 basic reasons. They cannot afford medical care and the clinics or hospitals are too far away. Our goal was to be the hands and feet of Jesus by serving them and bringing medical care to them.
Part of the philosophy of Word In Deed Ministries is first attending to the apparent felt needs of the people in the Mukono District of Uganda, we are doing ministry. When you meet a ‘felt need’, then their hearts are more open to listening and receiving the gospel message. It’s like building a relationship and trust first. Once they see that you care about them by helping with their health and the education of their children, they are willing to listen to what you want to share about God.
Meeting Moses - We first went to the school Word In Deed has been building to meet the children, and even though they were on vacation, they came to school and had prepared a wonderful presentation of songs and dances. Our PBAU students also did a small skit for them about Noah. It was great fun.
As we toured land, having Pastor Edward Kasaija guide us through where the new dormitories are being built and the soccer field (which will be a great outreach tool for the community), we met a little 6-year old boy named Moses, who lived in the Mpunge community. Professor Sourial initially picked him up to say hello and noticed a really bad odor and that Moses had a cloth wrapped around his belly. Moses’ dad was also with him and told us that Moses was very sick and really needed our help. We were not prepared for anything that day, as our scheduled clinic day with the doctors was on the following Monday.
We took Moses back to the church and upon examination, it was determined that after a previous surgery, the incision had not healed properly and his intestines were protruding from his little tummy and excrement was draining out. They had tried to take him to a hospital months before, but were told it was not a life-threatening emergency, and he was sent home. This poor little boy was living like this and would surely die if his stomach wasn’t surgically restored.
After evaluation by one of our doctors, who also happened to be named Moses, we agreed that he needed to go into the city of Mukono (where we were staying) and get admitted to the hospital. As a team, we collectively put in $20 each and for $300 Moses had his surgery and within 2-days was smiling (he’s the one smiling in the pictures) and he could look forward to being a playful little boy again. We have since heard that this ‘deed’ has been talked about throughout the Mpunge village. Through the love and caring for the least of these, a little boy was saved. We want to give God all the glory and feel that we are the ones who have been blessed by being a small part of a life-transformation for one little person.
Sharing God’s Word
One of our goals for this mission trip was to fundraise to purchase Bibles for the 2-village churches we would be visiting. For $10 we could purchase Bibles in Kampala in the native Lugandan language and share God’s truth with people who did not own a Bible. Our hope was to raise $1,000 so we could purchase 100 Bibles. Between the PBAU students and Word In Deed fundraising we did, God graced us with the joy of providing 160 Bibles. We give out some of the Bibles during church the on Sunday we attended service in Ntenjeru and left extra Bibles for the church library, so that they can be used during Sunday service. The Elders also agreed that they would ‘sign out’ Bibles to anyone who wanted to borrow a Bible, if the need should arise.  This is a testimony that when we ask, God provides immeasurably more than what we ask or imagine possible.
The last day of the clinic at Mpunge School, I took with me several English versions of the Bible, hoping to find someone who could read English and would enjoy a new Bible.  I was sitting in the classroom we had set up the pharmacy because it had started to rain. A young woman with a little baby sat next to me while she waited for her prescription to be filled (Steve was very busy). She was so beautiful and had an amazing smile. She spoke softly in a very low voice and asked me if I had extra Bibles.
I was so excited that she spoke English and told her “yes†that I was praying God would bring someone who could read English. She was very grateful and I too was thanking God that we were able to provide for her little girl with some needed medicine, and for the Mom, with God’s word. It was a double blessing.
Some More Stories
While at the Mpunge School, some of the PBAU students were doing VBS with the children while the clinic was in operation. A young girl named Faustine Mamakula (in the blue & red stripped shirt), whom I met last year as she participated in a Ruth Bible study, was there again and we got to reunite. It was during the kid’s fun time I heard some commotion and I popped into the classroom to see what was wrong. Faustine was lying on the ground with an apparent seizure. As it turned out, she is epileptic and on medicine for this condition. Unfortunately, in this part of the world, it is considered a devil’s curse to have these kinds of seizures and children are treated badly because of this condition. We were able to have Faustine see the doctor and after a short while, she came out of her seizure, slowly getting her bearings back. We had to fire one of our interpreters that day because of this incident. He was trying to tell everyone that Faustine was filled with the devil because of the way she was acting. We quickly told him how wrong he was and that the seizure we witnessed was a medical condition and was being properly treated with medicine.
Steve also met with some of the men he did a small group with last year. One of them came and shared how thankful they were for all we were doing, bringing the mobile clinic to the Mpunge Village. He and his wife wanted to show their gratitude and told us they were going to bring us some chicken the next day. Of course we thought they were going to bring a couple of pieces of fried chicken for lunch – but much to our surprise, we received 2 live chickens as gifts. And you cannot refuse a gift like that… so they were put on the bus with us and traveled back to Kampala in plastic bags. We were able to bless 2 of our Ugandan helpers by passing on these live animals for them to have in their own yards to provide eggs for their families.
At the clinic, we did triage and one part of that was taking everyone’s weight. Most people had never stepped on a scale before, so the reactions to being asked to do this were quite amusing. Some of the little children were so fearful, they would cry when being asked to step on this flat box.
The Mpunge School Headmistress, Resty, was very thankful to receive some educational tools, school supplies and books for her students. We are also in the process of providing a set of Encyclopedia Britannica for the Covenant School in Kampala where the children are more dominant in English. We delivered the first 6-volumes to Pastor Edward. This September a team of Word In Deed missionaries are traveling back to Uganda and will be bringing with them another 12-volumes.
During our clinic days, our team administered 200 HIV tests. There are many stories that go along with this, but the hardest was having to tell a 13-year old girl she tested positive & a young woman who was concerned about passing the disease onto the baby in her belly. But this is life in the rural villages of Uganda. There is much need, little resources, but a hunger for God.
WATER-Next Steps
The Mpunge School is expanding; Word In Deed is building dormitories for the students to live and the teachers also have their own housing, so that this remote village can educate their children. One of the goals for Word In Deed Ministries is to provide the school & surrounding community with a water source. Currently there is a shallow borehole that is unreliable and very unclean water. The Ntenjeru Clinic & Church have rain catchment barrels, which provides water for the community, and is the cheapest method (deep-bore wells can cost $12-25k to dig). The rain-catchment method can be done for about $4,000.  We are asking for continued prayers for the resources to be in place by the time the September team arrives so that the men going on the trip can help with the construction of the system.
I could go on & on . . . as these are only a small flavor of the many wonderful things we experienced. Steve & I are praying that with God’s favor and provision, PBAU will join us again next year for another mission trip. But that of course, is in God’s hands. Please know that your support is something we dearly cherish. Thank you so much for being part of this God-sized adventure. In awe & humbly grateful, Lisa Sorensen
Posted in Project Updates | Comments Off on Action in Missions – Loving Out Loud
Monday, August 26th, 2013
Uganda Trip Reflection
My chance adventure to Uganda was made possible by no more than a lucky coincidence, rather than an actual interest in going. After initially being “chosen†to go on the Costa Rica mission trip, which I had no interest in going on, I was casually walking through campus when Dr. Chahine made me an offer that would soon change my life forever. The proposition was to go to Africa to begin my rotation. To say I was uncertain about whether or not to spend time in Africa would be a dire understatement of my actual skepticism. Not only was I unsure if I wanted to expose myself to potentially very sick people, but I was even more weary of whether or not my own health problems would drastically hinder my experience. However, my inhibitions and fears were far outweighed by the excitement I felt and the prospect fulfillment from helping those who need help the most.
The next step was to get the opinions of my doctors and the people closest to me. So I began with my parents, who expressed their doubts, and my doctors were no more promising. So even though that is where many thought my adventure should end before it began, I had a different notion. The very next day I woke up knowing that I would be very disappointed in myself if I let my health issues control my life and steal such great opportunities that were in my grasp. Now that my mind was made up I had almost an entire semester to look forward to the trip. However, my excitement was short lived and quickly turned to fear and second guessing my decisions. I began talking myself out of going to Africa and often tried to manufacture excuses to get out of my obligation. Nonetheless, my fear was overcome by courage and a desire to help those who need help the most.
After returning I realized God has a plan for all of us, and the path laid before us is never perfect but rather a rough one filled with fear and doubt. However, it became clear that the dark curves of my path made the light shine brighter, and the weakness I faced along the trail made me stronger, and showed me the meaning of faith. Similar to Katie’s experience I took a leap of faith by trusting in God and it changed me forever. I was able to draw my inspiration from Katie’s words and experiences by letting go and acknowledging that “Every day, we have a choice. We can stay nestled in our safe comfortable places, as I did when the rat was in my room. We can let fear of something that really is small compared to the greatness of God cripple us. Or we can take a risk, do something to help someone else, make a person smile, change someone’s world. Life to the fullest exists. It’s available. All we have to do is decide to get up and embrace it.†Regardless of the immensity of the decision I always struggle taking the next step because my faith often lacks the strength needed to let go and embrace the world around me. Yet, I took a big leap forward and allowed faith to carry me on an adventure to Africa, and became a stronger person along the way. By choosing to go on this mission trip with the group that was selected I know I made one of the best decisions of my life, so far. Leaving the United States, though still quite nervous, I reflected on how blessed a person I truly am to have such an opportunity, little did I know I would return a much better person. Though my suitcase and wallet were much lighter upon my return, it did not matter. I saw things clearer and the world was put into perspective for me and I came to the realization that money and objects do not bare the weight to happiness. Many Ugandans had close to nothing in belongings compared to many Westerners, but had everything in happiness compared to many people who desperately try to buy their way to happiness.
My experience in Uganda was overwhelmingly magnificent and eye-opening that I cannot wait to return, and I am more than willing to go back next year if given the opportunity to do so. One of my favorite things to do while in Uganda was to sit with Dr. Moses for hours on end where I was able to learn more from him in those couple of days than I could in any classroom. I have never met anyone as passionate and fun to work with in my entire life. My time spent with him and the experiences I had with him opened my eyes to the possibility of maybe one day becoming an MD….but that’s an entirely other story! Another fun and memorable day that I had, was going to the school on Mpunge in the afternoon and being greeted by all the students with singing and dancing; it almost brought tears to my eyes. It was truly an unforgettable day that spanned from seeing the singing and dancing and treating a little boy named Moses who had an open ileostomy and fecal matter coming out of him. Just meeting this child and seeing the picture of him smiling a few days after his surgery was worth the entire trip by itself. This little boy went home with a new “normally†functional intestine which is a great blessing, and I came home with a new brighter outlook towards life in general. In the end I was the one who was truly blessed more than Moses or anyone could ever imagine. It is crazy to think how I went to another country to help others and change their lives and it turned out that the Ugandans helped me far more than I could have helped them, and I was the one who was changed.
When it comes to tangible objects I am way more blessed than most people in Uganda, but I now know that blessings come in different ways and most of the time the tangible goods are often the least important things in life. Children running and playing barefoot in the sun yet smiling and thankful for what God has provided for them. I have returned from Africa a better, stronger, and more mature man, and for that I am eternally grateful. If I could do everything over again I would not change a single moment of the entire trip. The way the trip happened could not have been scripted any better than the way it unfolded. We saw some amazing cases that we are likely to never see again. After coming back and talking to many of the other mission groups there is no doubt in my mind that this trip was the best one as a whole and for me personally to go on. When selecting a mission trip earlier in the year my goal was to go on a trip with my friends, but it was a blessing in disguise that I had the opportunity to go on the trip with the group that we went with. I built relationships that will last a lifetime. The leaders on this trip, Dr. Nornoo and Dr. Sourial, were great because they allowed us to do what we needed in order to get the job done and trusted in the rotation students. This reflection is best summed up with a bible verse which I feel expresses the entirety of this trip, and why I was chosen to go. “For I know the plans I have for you,†declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future, Jer. 29:11.
Emile Abdo
Gregory School of Pharmacy, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Tags: Gregory School of Pharmacy, Kisses from Katie, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Uganda
Posted in Kampala, Project Updates, Uganda | Comments Off on PBAU – Uganda Missions
There has been a critical error on this website.