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 Hands4Uganda, Inc
"Love Differently...."
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Greetings!
Greetings! We are so excited to tell you about all we have been doing since you last heard from us! Hands4Uganda, Inc is now a legitimate organization in the eyes of the State of Idaho! - We have defined our Mission (see below) as well as the goals we hope to achieve on our first project: Support for Rock of Ages School in Mbiko, Uganda.
- We have elected a board of directors and an executive committee.
- The paper work to recognize Hands4Uganda non-profit has been completed and we are waiting for approval from the IRS, which should come any day.
- We are starting to build an organizational infrastructure (web site, email system, online donation capability, financial systems, etc.) to helps achieve the dreams and visions we have to support Rock of Ages school.
- We continue to seek sponsors for the children and have held several well publicized and successful fund raising events. Those of you who are local may have seen our Hot Dog eating contest in November or attended our Christmas Craft fair in December at Grace Lutheran Church
More importantly, significant progress has been made at Rock of Ages (ROA) School. Generous donations from our supporters, have allowed two new classrooms to be built on the present ROA site last fall. As result, 44 new kids started school when the new school year began in January. Betty, the director and founder of Rock of Ages, has moved the oldest kids up to the next grade and started another baby class. God is moving! Our goals for Rock of Ages includes finding sponsors for all the children who attend the school, continuing to build new classrooms to handle the phenomenal growth of the school thanks to our generous donors, and finally, to buy land and build a school that will take the kids all the way through secondary education. It's a big vision, and we covet your prayers. Please visit our web site (still in progress), and consider supporting the various fund raisers we have planned this year. We are so thankful for your generous support and encouragement which has enabled our progress so far. We look forward to continue partnering with in this ministry.
Blessings on your day!
Syd Hair, President Hands4Uganda
Syd hands out blankets to a Mom at Rock of Ages school last June. |
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New Classroom Allows 44 more Children to attend School!
When I traveled to Uganda last June I had no idea what to expect and I definitely had no intentions of making my three week mission trip into a five year plan to build a school. But God works in mysterious ways. As one of my dear friends commonly says "He likes to mess with you.". God "messed" with my heart in indescribable ways while in Uganda and continues to mess with it today as I receive updates on the school Rock of Ages and begin to see the progress in building and expansion that was only an idea five months ago.
Our U.S. H4U team received an email from our wonderful Ugandan partners, Betty and Abdu, updating us on the current building status. Through some generous donations there has been two classrooms added to Rock of Ages. These classrooms will not only provide more room for additional children, but they will hopefully allow us the time needed to raise the total funds for the land and new building.
The new school term will start at the end of January and we are anticipating a little over 140 children! It amazes me to remember what these buildings looked like before renovation. They were old, battered, decrepit buildings that seemed to be useful for...well...nothing except a flat cooking spot on the level dirt. But now they are being transformed into something new; a place where around 100 children will learn about Jesus and His everlasting love.  | | Before...the door at the very end is one of the four classrooms being used to teach around 80 children. |
In Revelation 21 we read-
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"...
No more death, mourning, crying, or pain. He is making everything new.
As I type this there is a catch in my throat and my eyes begin to prickle with oncoming tears. I am overwhelmed and overjoyed. How great is our God? He is making things NEW and I cannot begin to describe how blessed I am to be a part of this "new" thing. It is more then two new classrooms in a crumbling building. It is a new chance for seeds to be planted in fertile soil. It is a new reality for these children as the restraints of poverty are partially broken through their education. It is a new kind of love that they will find, a new Father they will know. It is a new chance for the kingdom of God to be furthered.
 | The New classrooms under construction
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Ariane Drake, Hands4Uganda
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Child Of the Month - Jessica Namubiri
 | | Jessica Namubiri |
In this letter we are highlighting Jessica, who is 4 years old. She started this past January at Rock of Ages in the baby class. Her father died two years ago and she lives with her mom, a peasant farmer. Her mom supports the family hauling water from the community well for people. Jessica is one of our neediest students. You can sponsor her for just $15 a month. Please contact Syd if you are interested in sponsoring Jessica, or another Rock of Ages Child. |
How You Can Help
Hand4Uganda's success is dependent on people like you. No matter your skills, financial well being, or theological knowledge, God can use you to move mountains and change lives forever. 2011 brings opportunities for individuals of all ages to "love differently..." by participate through fund raising efforts, local promotional events at your church, traveling to Africa on a mission trip, praying for the ministry, sponsoring a child or helping promote child sponsorship and becoming a Hands4Uganda Ambassador. Please consider how you can be the difference you want to see in the world. For further ideas on how you can help you can visit Hands4Uganda website or email info@hands4Uganda.org.
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 Our MissionHands4Uganda exists to increase awareness of the spiritual and economic poverty in Uganda; joining together to become the hands and feet of the Great Commission to raise up responsible and fulfilled Christian adults in a village and impact a country for Christ.
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