The Gift of Hope

Happy Passion Week.  We are celebrating the sacrifice of Jesus for us all, and especially His resurrection on Sunday.  We celebrate it in Springtime both because the Passover occurred around this time, and because of the promise of rebirth and renewal.

Click here to see more graduation photos on Facebook

It's funny - Spring happens at the same time here in Uganda, with the new rains and plowing and planting season.  But our Spring follows Summer, with 'Winter' coming in July, and harvest back at the same time as yours.  While we are planting seeds in the ground, let's consider planting seeds in the DCI program here in Uganda.  We are still raising funds to grow the ministry.  And with very great returns!  Let's work together toward the harvest. 

Jesus is _____________.
You may have seen these bumper stickers and billboards lately.  When I saw them my first thought was how many people here couldn't even read this let alone fill in the blank.  But for our literacy graduates, with its positive life changing power - filling in the blank is now possible, both from a literary and spiritual perspective.  

Meet our graduate Gertrude Somikwo.  She is the first person with a disability and the first woman to take a seat on the Kaserem Sub-County Council, with the role of speaking for the disabled. Three years ago she could not even count properly, let alone read. Now with her education, which also includes health, gender and social issues, Christian discipleship and business skills, Gertrude is leading her special constituency and giving them a voice in local government.  With these newfound skills and grounded with the values from God and the church, her voice can now be heard.  The Literacy program enables the people to learn more, and in Gertrude's example, do more for their communities, governments, and families.

Please help me do more for this program.  An extra $500 a month in funding would enable DCI to double the literacy program - just think about the ripple effect that could have here.  Become a supporter (or an even greater sponsor)- all donations big and small are blessings.

-JB

Leadership Growth

Pastors are _____________.  

What word would you fill in here? For many of us, it depends on our personal experience with the church and our interaction with the church leaders.  I believe and have read in the Bible that being a pastor means having a heart of a servant, both to the Lord and to the congregation. But many pastors here have not been fully taught what that actually means.  By not having that clear understanding, folks naturally have different interpretations and traditional cultural expectations- creating some unhealthy pastoral behaviors.  

In His wisdom, last January God sent a teaching servant to partner with our Leadership Development Program to help provide guidance and answers.  Pastor Bob Chin, from Relighting the Fire Ministries in Renton, WA - traveled around the world to teach our pastor leaders on what it means to give up one's life for Christ to really serve Him, how to build church leading teams, and to develop a vision for the calling of the church.  Bob also taught at a joint rally of eight churches, at one of our literacy graduations, and was even featured on a local radio show as part a Family Life program hosted by Pastor Moses Buraimu. 

Bob's constant message was that the heart of a leader or pastor involves sacrifice and commitment.  The daily dying to one's self to gain the Kingdom to do God's will.  The pastors here are still talking about it and discussing with each other how this might look in their own lives.  Bob's visit and teaching planted an incredibly valuable seed and we pray that Bob can return next January to help nurture and enable greater growth.

Sincerely,

Jonathan

Better Together

Thank you to both regular givers and special needs givers. Regular givers allow us to make committments to our people and know that we can start and see programs through, like the 2 1/2 year literacy program, and special needs givers remind us that God always provides exactly what is needed. Current special needs include a generator, a car, and donors to our motorbike fund. 

You can click on the link here to make a special donation, send a donation to the address shown below, or send me an email letting me know that you are praying for us. We take great joy that you are all God's tools in the work that continues here.

Please Pray For...

...a couple of friends here in crisis.

...a leadership seminar in May on the church's ministry in the community.

Thank You from the Development Companions Int'l Board.

Connect With Us 

Click on Jonathan's photo to find his personal Facebook page, or send him an email at jpbeggs@dciuganda.org. Click on these links to visit our website, and go to our Amazon wish list.

Click here to see pictures from some of the recent literacy graduation ceremonies are on Jonathan's facebook page.

DCI Board of Directors
Development Companions International
P.O. Box 2521. Oak Harbor. WA. 98277

360.929.7511