Tuesday, August 25, 2009

This week at New Hope

I just wanted to let you all know of some of the great things that are happening this week here in Uganda. We have a number of outreach teams going this week to different parts of the country. For us, the only sad part is we did not to go with any of them, but stayed back to support from this side.

One team is in the North working again with the kids from Amuria. If you remember last year I (Geoff) went to the North to minister to a village that was hard struck by Joseph Kony and the LRA. We have seen great results and a lasting relationship with that village and the young people that had returned from captivity with the rebels. This week we are doing a youth camp with over 60 people that once were child soldiers but are now free. In addition, the entire area is suffering from a famine at present. We were able to take more than three tons of food for distribution to the needy. The amazing thing is that all the money required for this outreach came from our local church here. God's people helping God's people, even the poor helping the poor. Praise God!

Another exciting outreach is happening this week also in an area called Rakai in South Eastern Uganda. Our EYO group (Emmanuel Youth Outreach) had headed up this effort. One of our young people was brought from that area 12 years ago and has longed to go back and take God's love to his people. The area has been especially hard hit by AIDS and poverty. They will be working for people in their gardens and doing open air meetings in the evenings. This outreach group is led by 3 of our older boys who have such a heart for ministry that they organized this group, raised the funds and have become excellent role models to all our young people.

And last but not least we will be having a seminar for all our 90+ staff members beginning on Monday on the authority of the Word. There is such a strong cultural spirit here that very often the Word of God is competing with cultural beliefs. Even born again Christians will often argue biblical truths with cultural views. It will be four days from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Please keep us in prayer that God will move mightily.

2 comments:

Beto and Laura Perez Speaks said...

will she keep the snakes away?

Beto and Laura Perez Speaks said...

oops, that was from mom....don't know why their names keep popping up on this computer, but that's ok.