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!!!!
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| 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 5th 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.
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| Classroom # 5 |
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| 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!
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| 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.
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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 22nd. 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
Oh, to keep that excitement, like Maddie, as we work in
ministry should always be our goal. This past month we have been very busy:
showing, teaching, and sharing all we know….that’s our job! How will
they know if we do not show them? We
sometimes forget we are still working with Babe’s in Christ and many who don’t
know Christ at all. But, we must
continue to teach them and show them with excitement, so they will keep moving
forward toward Christ….that’s our job! We should be caring for them like a Big
Brother or Sister.
We carried Maddie’s excitement with us all month! We had a wonderful month of work in the
village! The school is in full swing
with students filling the classrooms and children working hard. Paying school fees has, and is always, a big
problem at the school. So, for a little incentive, we gave out many book bags
(that the sewing ladies made), to students that paid their school fees. Hopefully more students will go home and
tell their parents that they could receive one too if their fees are paid. Of the 300 students at St. Paul’s, part of
what we do is assist 75 of those students (which are orphans or needy children)
with their school fees each term. They
have to contribute about $2.00 and we pay the balance of about $20. Thank you for helping us with this! Without it many would not have the
opportunity of an education.
Women are busy learning new beading patterns. Sewing ladies are busy with learning how to
make school uniforms. And, Women’s Bible
study was led by one of the ladies who is learning how to lead. 
