For generations the  U.S. Coast Guard has held a motto for generations "to save a life". While they quite literally do on a continually basis, it is also a motto that fits perfectly into the mission of Hands 4 Uganda. Hands4Uganda (H4U) is built and based upon a shared vision of letting the power and love of God permeate the village of Mbiko, beginning with the children.  We desire to see God change the future of an entire village, not just for a few years but in a sustainable manner that will impact generations to come. As teams have traveled  to Uganda in recent years they have poured their hearts and efforts into  Rock of Ages School while keeping an eye on what God has planned for the future of this ministry.  While the school has always been the primary focus of H4U efforts, with the growth and sustainability of the school increasing H4U is feeling the pull of God to look beyond operating a school to the possibility of opening up ministry to the entire community of Mbiko.  We still have plenty of work left to do at Rock of Ages (new classrooms, textbooks, new facility, medical coverage, etc.) but the leadership team of H4U is realizing that God's vision for what can be done in Mbiko is much larger than what was previously believed. 

So where do we go from here?  How do we continue to witness the power and blessing of God throughout the community of Mbiko?  We are on the edge of exponential growth in the ministry.  We are at a tipping point where from a humble grassroots beginning,   this outreach is catching fire and spreading throughout the hearts of believers starting in Idaho but expanding rapidly.  Grants have been received,businesses are stepping in to lend support, and every week our base of individual support is increasing. Now is the time to act.  It is the time to move as God is moving and we are asking you to join us as together we join God,  in taking H4U to the next level. Joshua conquered the Promised Lland, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, Peter started the church, and Paul lead mission trips to the known world - what do all those stories have in common with H4U?   They began with an idea, an idea that God chose to bless.  The idea led to action and the action garnered so much support that nothing was able to stand in the way.  Changing the future of Mbiko is possible and it will happen as God moves us forward.  We want you to be a part of this movement, to join us in changing the future of a people group half-way around the world.  A group of people that will grow to be closer to your heart than those you meet and pass by every day. Here is what we are asking you to do as we look toward the future of H4U and here is where we see God moving and taking the ministry.

Future Possibilities:

1. Expand two new classrooms (4th and 5th grade) - we are already 50% toward accomplishing this goal and having the classrooms up by the start of next year.
2. Textbooks for Students - Currently our students have no textbooks but we have an immediate opportunity to provide textbooks for every other student.  We will talk more about this next month.
3. Medical Coverage for Students - We are working out the details of providing ongoing medical coverage for all of our students with no expense to the students.  We are shooting for the beginning of next term to have this addition to our school program in place.
4. New School Facility - We are seeking to raise $25,000 to establish a permanent school facility.  This would release H4U from its current rental property and allow the ministry to expand to 8th grade.  Several fundraisers have already been slated to help reach this goal.
5. Medical Outreach to Mbiko - Partnering with St. Francis (local clinic) we have H4U team members seeking to bring over a portable Ultrasound machine for the birthing center as well as other possible upgrades to current medical care.  We are also looking into running a week-long clinic staffed by a team of doctors from H4U that would fly in and provide free treatment and care to the village of Mbiko.
6. Job Creation - Since many of the mothers in Mbiko rely on prostitution as a source of income or are unemployed we are exploring the possibility of purchasing sowing machines for women and giving them the means to create a livelihood while also helping to supply Rock of Ages  with school uniforms, etc.
7. Ministry to Mbiko - A local Pastor (Jimmy) currently comes in once a week to minister to the children AT Rock of Ages but the community of Mbiko does not have a  full-time pastor ministering to the needs of the people.  H4U would love to help establish a permanent presence for Christ in the community, which may someday even lead to utilizing the school for church services.

How you can help:

1. Prayer - In America we tend to undervalue the power of prayer, unless we are in crisis.  But in Uganda the people live and survive daily through prayer.  When they pray they believe God is going to act and we would like to join together with you in such a level of reverence and confidence - asking God to have His hand upon H4U and to continue to bless the ministry and those being ministered to,  as H4U steps forward in expanding the ministry.
2. Spread the word - The more people who come to see the need in Uganda and develop a heart for reaching out to these children the more impact H4U will be able to have.  Share about the ministry, show others the website/newsletter/photos, get people connected with the H4U leadership team.
3. Financial Support - We are blessed to the live in the wealthiest society on the planet,  and from that extreme blessing comes the inherent obligation to help meet the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves.  The U.S. dollar goes extremely far in Uganda and for a minimal sacrifice (cost of going out to eat as a family once) a child can be supported for a month.  As God leads you to give please give.   The reward seen in the eyes of the children that your sacrifice will benefit is priceless.  You can give directly at hands4uganda.org to any of our upcoming projects or just earmark your gift to our general fund and it will be immediately allocated to the most pressing current need.

This was a large amount of content for one newsletter but we wanted to take a moment to let you know just how much is going on in this organization  and how bright the future of H4U's ministry is looking thanks to your support and partnership.  In the coming months we will focus more purposefully on individual goals, letting you know the details, answering questions, and putting specific plans into action.  For now simply be encouraged, "he that has begun a great work in you (or through you) will bring it about to completion."

Your H4U Team

Sore throat, cold that won't go away, swollen lump on your neck, cut that needs stitches,  or a simple cavity - all easily fixed with a quick visit to the doctor, some medicine and a few days of rest.  In America we often take for granted the incredible freedoms and liberties we are afforded and granted access to obtain.  Seldom do people die in this country for lack of medical care.  It is rare that something as simple as a sore throat develops into Rheumatic Fever (we usually treat it while it's still called Strep).  However, it isn't until we venture across the borders of the United States that we begin to see what "life" really is like for the other 90% of the world's population.  When the H4U team went to Uganda in April one of their primary purposes was to assess and treat the medical needs of the Rock of Ages Students. 

Jennifer Robinson, PA-C., traveled to Uganda with the team this spring and spent the entire week performing physical examinations of the students.  While many of the students were hesitant at first, (mostly due to the language barrier as many of the younger students still do not know English), but after seeing their friends go through the exam and "survive" with a lollypop in hand, they quickly warmed up.  By the end of the week students were looking for reasons to see the "doc" whether it was a scratch they just earned playing soccer or a wound they had kept hidden and were finally willing to show Jen.  With the combined efforts of Jen and Maurine, local social-worker (more like health care advocate), they were able to acquire medicine for many of the illnesses diagnosed and establish a treatment plan with St. Francis, the nearby clinic.  Not all of the health disparities could be addressed in one week though. Many of the children exhibited signs of malnutrition such as sunken eyes, irregular heartbeats and poor wound healing. But with the hope of additional meal assistance during the month off school in H4U's holiday meal program, these health problems can also improve.  H4U hopes to continue to extend medical help with your support.

I traveled with H4U in April to provide whatever medical advice I could to the children at Rock of Ages and anyone else we may have encountered on our travels. After taking 40 hours, four planes, two cars and one shuttle to get to our destination, I already felt fatigued upon arriving in Jinja.  The very next day, our hosts were able to take our team around the city, including a visit to Masese (a very poor suburb of Jinja), the open marketplace, a lakeside community of fishermen and finally to downtown where we met with "street" people.  And that's what struck me - all the people! There were faces everywhere and they were mostly young people. But even the young faces all looked worn, weighted with the task of surviving in such a poor area of Uganda. Despite their individual trials, many of the people I met made great effort to welcome me, a stranger, to their home (whether that home had a dirt floor or not).  

One of the most striking aspects of Ugandan culture was that each individual was greeted, acknowledged and given proper respect with polite conversation that didn't ever seem to me to be forced. I was asked how my evening was, how my family was even though they were thousands of miles away. My solitary extended hand was shaken by two African hands, or I was embraced in a hug, by those I met. An individual was important here. And when I took the time to look into the eyes of another in the African way, I found that I received wide smiles in return. We Americans don't have a problem with making eye contact in my experience, but I think we do have a problem keeping our eyes on individuals as we can get so consumed with our daily agendas. But in Africa, I learned that the individual that is seen is an individual that becomes your friend, your neighbor, even your brother. Jesus calls us to love others, but we can't love them if we don't see them. Africa not only opened my eyes to see the individuals Jesus calls me to love, it captured my gaze so that I can't look away.

Hope will turn 5  on September 7th. She is in the Baby Class (youngest preschoolers)  at the Rock of Ages School.   Her father is deceased and like many of the young children attending ROA she lives with her grandmother.  

Your $20/month sponsorship guarantees a spot in the school for Hope and enables her to continue receiving an education by qualified teachers, a meal  each school day, and a school uniform. Please consider upgrading to a premium sponsorship of $40/month and a monthly food pack of rice and eggs will be provided to Hope's  family the first of each month during the school term.

Please prayerfully consider sponsoring Hope  or making a one-time donation in her  name. A one-time donation in any amount will help offset her tuition or if you like, you can specify your funds in Hope 's name for support to her family. Learn how by visiting Hope's Hands4Uganda website page now.  

Update: Caroline Nabwire , the child we highlighted in June is still waiting for a  sponsor.