Solid Foundation

Together, we are his house, built on the Foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the Cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.       Ephesians 2:20

 Everyday Life here in Uganda

Here at the Coker compound, We, Simon and his family, and our security guard feel we have built up a safe zone inside the compound where we live.  Yes, we do feel safe. Yet, there are times we get the occasional intruder. We have had quite a variety of unexpected guests over the past year and a half here.  Our two Labrador retriever’s have attacked everything from Palm branches to stray dogs that have made the mistake of sneaking into our compound.

The other night we were sound asleep after a long day.  We always feel a little safer with a security guard on the premises.  Around 12:30 in the morning we both were panicked when we heard what sounded like a person or two running through the bushes just outside our bedroom window.  We both struggled to get out of bed fighting the mosquito net, which was holding us back.  We made it to the window just in time to spot the two dogs in hot pursuit of some kind of a smaller animal.  The animal was just about to be caught when it turned 180 degrees and headed back towards the gate and into the bushes.  One of our dogs went towards the critter and the other snuck into the bushes to make a sneak attack. 

We quickly found a stronger flashlight to try and figure out what this ferocious animal was. Pointing a light towards the area where we thought the critter was hiding; we hear a thud, which came from our security guards primitive bow and arrow.  There the critter was, struggling to breath.  We weren’t sure if it was hit by the arrow or injured by one of the dogs.  The security guard yells out, “Did I get it”?  My heart sank and I said, “I hope not because it’s a cat.”  The guard says, “No it’s not, it’s some other animal.”  I looked a little closer as the cat moved deeper into the bushes and said, “I’m pretty sure it’s a cat.”  He then put the dogs on our porch, which gave the cat time to run and climb a tree and escape after making one of the biggest mistakes of its life.  The cat survived an attack by two large dogs and the keen shot of our night guard.  With the compound back to normal, it was now time to settle back to bed for a quiet night of sleep.  NOT!!!!
                                                                           
                 

The New Rain Water Tank

Now seriously                                      The Ministry

Building, building, building!  That is what this month has been; Physical building and Spiritual building. 

The 5^th classroom has been completed!  A rain collecting water tank system has been installed at the school.  Water will not have to be hauled and carried everyday to the kitchen area.  Cooking for the school and washing hands for lunch has just become a better way for them. The foundation for the next 5 classrooms has been laid and the money for 3 new classrooms on that foundation has been given.  

Classroom # 5

Building a Solid Foundation

A giant Thank you goes to many of our friends and church families in West MI.  Because of you, your prayers and financial help, building is happening!  Men of Naigobya are being put to work earning an income for their families. Some are learning new skills for the first time, others are skilled and able to use their gifts on this project!  Approximately 20 men have been digging and preparing the foundation; meticulously laying brick by brick without any modern line lasers, tools, etc.  They are building a foundation for future generations, a place to learn general education such as reading, science and math, a place to learn about God and His love for them, a place where they are taught that their foundation is found and built upon the rock, Jesus Christ.  For these people to see buildings going up and changes happening, it gives them HOPE.  They are not forgotten!  What a true blessing it is to be a part of this work God is doing in Naigobya!  Thank you for being a part of this work with us! 

 Pastoral Students were gifted with Study Bibles! 

The first Pastor Training class started this month.  Seven men and one woman completed the first part of a yearlong course study.  They met the difficult challenges given and discovered ways to Study Scripture thru: Observation - What does the text say?  Interpretation – What does the text mean? Application – What does the text mean to me?  Most of the students in this class have had very little Bible training, yet most are in positions of pastoring or leading in a church.  So, training like this is a valuable tool that will build a Solid Foundation.

Sarah just got fitted with Reading glasses.
She was so excited to see her sewing projects Clearly!

Ten Advanced Sewing ladies have been sewing tirelessly, in full gear this whole month.  The women have completed 100 drawstring book bags to be given to students in the higher grades at St. Paul’s when the new school year begins in February.  They will be filled with pencils, paper, and rulers etc. that have been sent from YOU!  Students will be, as we say in Uganda, “Smart.”  They will be so proud to carry their papers in a “Smart” bag made just for them!

Prayer Needs

·       Bruce came down with Malaria this week.  It is like the flu, with fever, severe body aches and weakness.  Getting rest for a few weeks is needed for a complete recovery. 

·       Safety during elections this month.  We will not be going to the village or leaving our home for at least the week of February 15 th and the week of the 22^nd. We are advised to stay low, away from crowds or travel during this time.  So pray for the right leadership to lead Uganda and for safety for all, Ugandans and expats, during this time. 

·       Pastoral Class’s Students - they have field assignments to complete which involve a lot of reading and writing.  Not the easiest for them because English is a second language for them, not their first. Pray for Wisdom and Understanding

·       Vision in ministry – during our staying low time this month, it will be a good time to prepare our hearts and our plans for upcoming teaching and ministry. Pray that our plans and God’s plans align, that we listen for His direction and leading for building His Kingdom.

Serving the Savior with you!

Bruce & Janine

It’s a New Year, with New Beginnings and fresh Excitements!

With each New Year we like to look back on where we were and where should we go from here.  We ask ourselves, “What things did we do right, what things did not work, what things do we need to do differently, and how can we serve God better and make an impact for His Kingdom?”

We are not going to lie.  This past year had its share of hard times and struggles for various reasons.  The road ahead had many unknowns and the directions weren’t always clear.  But we have learned, we tend to forget how far we have traveled until we take a look in the rear view mirror.  The road traveled was filled with beauty, with successes, new lives born, and hearts that turned to Jesus, So, without a doubt, God’s blessings this past year, surpassed the bumps we received along the way.

While we were home in the US we shared our excitement about the Actis family joining us and our ministry.   A few weeks after our return to Uganda, it became obvious their visions and our visions with The Afayo Project were not the same.  This was a huge bump and pothole we had to travel through.  Finally, they decided to go their own way and start their own ministry.   We were thrown a bit off course.  This was not the direction we envisioned.  Our excitement turned into doubts, feelings of inadequacy, failures and asking ourselves “Why?”

We had a combined Men & Woman's Bible Study on
Communion.  15 men and 28 women learning God's Word
together. 4 received Christ and most took communion
for the first time.  Praise be to God!

Immediately, God started changing those doubts and gave us confirmations! Finding good sewing machines here is a very difficult task and can take months to find a contact.  But God, in his wonderful way, led us to an organization, with the last of 5 sewing machine sent from the UK, for a ministry such as ours.  With each day and each doubt came a new conformation: money for the 5^th classroom came in from a couple we had never met, unexpected donations and personal supporters were coming in, people with similar ministries were sharing insights and helps, people in the village who had heard the message of Christ many times finally gave their lives to Him!  Physically and Spiritually God was showing us He is our Road map!  Just keep the course and keep following!  

We are very excited with what God has for us this coming year!  Physical changes and additions will be happening at the school with the foundation for 5 new classrooms and 2 classrooms getting built.  A water tank will be installed.  Books and educational resources will be introduced in the school.  Spiritual awaking is happening and hearts and ears are opening!  Lives are being changed! 

God never promised the road would be easy.  Struggles and difficulties are a part of our journey.  But, like I tell my sewing ladies (and our verse for the year) Phil 4:13 “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

  “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead us to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God loves us…..” Romans 5:3-5

 Christmas Clothes for many!

Moms came and did some Christmas shopping for their children.

These two little girls on the left lost their momma a couple months ago.  They were so happy to get new dresses and not be forgotten!

Representatives from the Busoga University and the Anglican Diocese visited St. Paul's School and loved the New Library and were excited to see the growth and the Pastoral training starting this month!