Testing my faith

This is Sharon. She is 8 years old and lives in a very remote area that used to be a camp. I was having an HIV vulnerable group meeting in her camp a few weeks ago when I met Sharon. It was towards the end of the meeting when I was praying with our clients and I opened my eyes saw Sharon sitting on the dirt in front of me. Her little body was so frail and emaciated and her eyes were sunken in and hopeless. My heart instantly broke for this girl. She waited patiently until we had distributed meds and then Bonnie, Tony and I took her to the corner of the church and began to find out her story. Her parents had both died a few years ago from HIV supposedly and left her and a younger brother living with her grandma. Her grandma is an alcoholic, as many people living in these camps, and forced Sharon to dig in her fields and prepare all of the food or she would beat her. I would think that day after day of hearing sad stories would harden my heart but once again I fought back tears. Her voice was so weak and hoarse it was obvious she had tuberculosis. The three of us drew close to her just to hear her as she whispered. Since she was born, everyone had told her she was HIV positive so when she heard we were in the camp and came wanting some medicine for HIV. Two women from the meeting then approached us to validate the girl's story and mention that they had tried to help in the past but the grandmother had refused to allow anyone to help Sharon. We then bought some food in the trading center area and asked one of the women to bicycle Sharon to another trading center the next day for HIV testing. We had to be sure she was positive to know the best way to move forward. As we left her camp on the motorcycle I couldn't hold back tears.

Surprisingly the next day we found her along the way with her grandmother. She said the person who does the testing was gone for 3 weeks. So we asked the grandmother if we could take her back with us to the town where we stay and get her properly tested. She agreed and this scared, frail little girl hopped in the truck with 3 white strangers and headed to town, where she had never been before. To make a very long story short, we spoiled this sweet girl rotten for 2 days and got her tested and SHE IS NEGATIVE!!!!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!! It is only a bad case of TB that she is suffering from. So we registered her at a government health center and placed her on the 6 month schedule of TB meds. She was so thrilled to hear she was negative! There is HOPE! Please pray for Sharon as she is back staying with her grandma. I am seeking God's wisdom as I visit them this week and speak with the grandma and determine if we need to find Sharon another place to live. We cannot leave her in an abusive situation. Also many of you will remember Morris, another orphan who has AIDS that we are providing for. He is doing well and studying well in school.

Our Ugandan staff and I have talked much lately about what true Christianity is. James 1:27 says that, "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

As God opens our eyes to the suffering of many orphans in this area, I am honored and humbled to be able to serve them practically and show them that they have an ALL LOVING FATHER IN HEAVEN who hasn't forgotten about them.

This is where the rubber meets the road. It is a constant test for me if I am actually living out what I say I believe. Whoa!

Please keep praying!

Shaunessy

APOYO TEACH!

(THANKS FOR YOUR WORK!)

We just said goodbye to our 4th and final team from America this year. Thanks to all of the teams for all your hard work, patience and willingness to serve here in Uganda! All of you were willing to get up close and personal and share your life with everyone here and because of that we know God will increase and grow the seeds you have sewn. The Ugandans will never forget you!

Here is a picture of the September team and then Walter and Sarah sharing at an HIV clinic.

Boys are PRICELESS

We were thrilled to graduate 50 boys between the ages of 9-19 a few weeks ago in the first boys PRICELESS class. The first classes were held in Opeta trading center. The boys were so proud and excited! Please pray that these young men will make wise, God-honoring decisions in the future.

Thanks!

Help and Hope

Praise the Lord that the HIV Vulnerable Groups are now running well in 9 camp areas. This last month we were excited to have over 500 people living with HIV/AIDS registered with us. Each month we conduct a meeting with HIV education, a word of encouragement from God's Word and medicine distribution. We are currently distributing Cotrimoxazole (an antibiotic helpful in fighting off secondary infections), Albendazole (a de-worming medication), Multivitamins and Folic Acid for women. I have loved getting to know many of these people suffering with this deadly disease and each month they bring hope and encourage to my heart even in the midst of their pain. It is amazing how that works! Many more who are questioning if they are positive are now encouraged to get tested as they see some help and hope being given. In the area we are working, there are no other groups serving those people living with HIV/AIDS so the people really are desperate for help. They have so many needs but are so grateful for each little thing we can assist them with. Through the education I see them becoming more empowered and knowledgable about thier illness, which is so hopeful. We want to aide them physically, mentally and spiritually. Please keep praying that God will bind these people together so they can truly be the body of Christ even in the midst of intense suffering. Please also pray that God will continue to open up more avenues for awareness, testing and crucial medicine. I continue to rest in El-Shaddai- Our God who is sufficient to meet all His peoples' needs. Thanks for your prayers and support. God is moving!!!

Blessings,

Shaunessy

(Bonnie and I loaded down with meds on our way to a clinic---mobile medicine at its best!!)

Let the rain come

We all know that there are storms in life. One of our favorite things in the Lira house is to gather at the front porch if there is a rain storm. We love it when the power goes out and we can stop everything and go to be with the Lord. We watch as the lighting flashes showing the beautiful trees with their distinct leaves and rain before us. The light is so bright and so many details are displayed. The thunder makes us jump at times as we feel the power of the storm. The rain washes the day away, provides for the harvest, and delights our soul. The thunder and lightning display His power, and strength. We stand in awe of His majesty and are humbled before Him. We sing praises to God as the storm wages. We sing to the Lord and tears and joy come to us. We are so small and unworthy before the Lord yet He loves us,and fights for us. The rain storms help remind us who our God is. Sometimes in the storms of life God is glorified. There are so many more things that make us stand in awe, wonder, and delight before the Lord. This is just one of them. Sometimes we just need to open our eyes to see Him.
Becky

Hope in God

This past month has been spent focusing on HIV groups,
teaching HIV education in schools, and working on the
HIV program it self. The ministry with Pastor Walter
continues as well as the Priceless program both for
boys and girls! We have another team coming to help
us this week!

In one of the camps I last went to, there is woman who
we have been helping well before we started our HIV
program. She has been with us from the beginning and
during this time has been tested for HIV, explaining
her poor state of health. The last time I saw her,
her health had continued to decline and she continues
to waste. I do not know how much longer she will be
with us. I know we may not be able to restore her
health but God can if it be His will. I know she has
received help this year that she would not have
received other wise because of what God has allowed us
to do. I know she has heard the Gospel, received
health education and medicine giving her hope, learned
more about God’s Word and was encouraged by it. I
know she is a believer and her suffering will not be
for ever. We have lost some of those we have been
helping but I take comfort that they heard the Gospel
of peace. I take comfort that they felt someone was
there to help them.

I also know her example shows so many needs still to
be met. What do you do? Pray to the Lord Jesus
Christ, do what you can, pray again, and help as you
can. I have seen the health of many improve in
Northern Uganda this past year, to God be the Glory.
We can help only as the Lord wills and we have hope
that the situation will continue to improve through
His provision and grace.

I am amazed at how big God really is. His sovereignty

is incomprehensible at times. His power is nothing

in comparison to the biggest brightest loudest thunderstorm or earth quake. His creation in nature and every different detailed animal shouts Glory to God. His people across the world thirst for Him. I am amazed at the resiliency of the people of Uganda, how they can find joy in the midst of suffering, what they edure and still keep going. I am amazed to know that the Lord always sees the bigger picture beyond my limited vision. I am amazed that He is present even in the darkness, despite what we feel and see. We put our hope and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are so blessed during our time in Uganda. Thank you for continuing to be a prayer warrior

and a support.

Becky

The Race Continues....

Whoa, whoa, whoa! It is hard to believe what all has been taking place here. The medical team last month was a great help and encouragement. Some of the visiting team also helped with the Priceless Program, and some joined Pastor Walter in ministry. Included with the last team was a pastor’s conference for many of the national pastors within camps and villages.

With the help of the medical part of this team we started in our three new camps as planned and continue to establish ourselves in the new camp we added just weeks before. What a blessing to treat so many people, while providing them health education and the gospel. During the general medical clinic we also had a special program for those living with HIV/AIDS. We were able to take them aside and give them more specific HIV education, pray with them, and encourage them in the Word of God. What a blessing this group is! They are so humble and grateful.

As the team has left we continue the HIV program serving the forgotten. Access to ARVs for those living in the camps is limited if at all. We are able to at least distribute some medicines to improve the quality of their life, provide health education, and share the Word of God. We encourage them to continue to meet together and we hope each camp will form a “vulnerable group” or “support group” where they can continue to meet together. Helping them establish community will reduce their isolation with this disease and help others who hide their positive status, to take courage and seek help. Due to the blessing of many of our donors, we are providing each group a Bible to use during their meetings. This is such an encouragement for them in their life as well as a reason to meet together. It is such a pleasure to provide them this treasure to share.

We have also recently taught our HIV curriculum to a school in one of our new camps. It was at this new camp “Aleka” where I was given a song, drama, and dance presentation from the children. They had been preparing for a competition for Oyam district and had plenty to show me. What a pleasure to simply sit and watch the young bright kids show off. It was so impressive to see their creativity with traditional and interpretive dance, dramas, and hear the African instruments and their beautiful voices. I have moments of remembering where I really am and what a rich culture I am able to see. This is one of many moments.

Marianne and Bethany continue to work with the Priceless Program which teaches abstinence and self worth in God. This is going strong and is expanding. Their hard work has really paid off and so many young girls have learned they are worth more than riches. Marianne and Bethany have been pouring their heart and souls into their third edition of the curriculum. They continue to learn more every day concerning the culture and how to best help these girls.
Soon to be started is the boys’ priceless class which Seth and Wes have been working on. The camps have been so excited for this program to start for their boys. They have been working alongside the girls to create a separate curriculum for the boys.

What a blessing to see how the camps have changed from a year ago when I came on GRI’s first medical team. All though there are still many needs there have been improvements and we are so very grateful to God for his grace and mercy and for the current peace. We, too, change as they change. It has been wonderful to focus more on development. We pray this can continue. Wow! So many programs, all helping to share Truth, show love, train/educate, and empower the people!

Thank you for those supporting this work through praying, giving, going, and sending. May God save you, bless you, and use you for His honor and glory.
Becky