We have been in a village called Kyabakuza, which sits in the Masaka District of Uganda, for more than 2 weeks now. My team and I are staying with Pastor John Walusimbi, and his family; Grace (wife), 2 years old twin daughters, Melissa and Michelle, and oldest daughter Natasha, whom we call “Gifty” who is 7 years old.
Pastor Paul is an extremely busy man and we are honored to be a part of his ministries this month. He is the senior pastor of Liberty Canaan Community Church, which sits on a four-acre farmland, the managing Director of Liberty Preparatory School, overseer of three local churches, and was recently elected chair officer of all the farmers in Masaka Town.
In 1997 Pastor John started Liberty Preparatory School, it is a Christian based Nursery and Primary School that serves boys and girls ranging from ages 4-12 years old, these students come from poverty stricken villages, orphans, HIV/AIDS victims, and children looking for hope and a future. Some of the students at Liberty also stay there throughout the year due to not having family or homes to go to. At Liberty since it also sits on the four acres of farmland, students not only receive general education, but also learn skills in animal keeping, agriculture, handwork and tailoring.
Since we have been here we have done door-to-door evangelism throughout Masaka town and neighboring villages, assisted on the farm with the up keeping of animals and crops. Shhhhh!! I think there is a little bit of a “ranch girl” inside of me! We are also painting and preparing classrooms and boarding rooms for students after they return from the holiday break at the end of this month. We are definitely enjoying our weekly schedule and the ministry opportunities we have throughout the week, bible study on Wednesdays, prayer on Fridays, fellowship with the community on Thursdays and church on Sundays. We stay busy to say the least.
It is a blessing to be with such a wonderful family this month, they love us so well and they are a true example of Christ to this community. They raise their children to follow and walk in the way of the Lord, and they are not afraid to praise and have joy in the Lord. After every meal we sing praises to God and close in prayer, it is such a wonderful time. It really feels like we are a part of their family, they call us their children, we laugh for hours and is definitely a family away from our families back home. This was a great start to our first month in Africa, and a true refreshing and restoration for what’s to come. They said “they are happy and blessed that we are here, but we are blessed and beyond happy to be here.
***** I am still $2,200 a way from being FULLY FUNDED, I need to reach this goal by February 1, 2013 to continue on my race! PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME! Click to your left on "support me" Any amount helps!
