107.8 Musana Fm

October 8, 2010 · 1 comment

in Musana FM Radio,Newsletter

To Shine and Transform (Gwaake Gukyuuse)
By Aaron Kirunda,  Musana 107.8 FM General Manager, NHU Staff since Jan. 2010

Eight months and still counting…the Lord has been good, amazingly good. He has done great things; we cannot tell it all.  Since Musana FM (Musana means light or sunshine) started in January, the station has gotten an excellent reception from listeners. They have owned Musana as their station, Radio yaffe (Ours), and have now formed over 10 Fans Clubs in their communities both near and far.

Individuals

Through our radio programs, people are continuously being challenged and transformed. A lady who had left her husband came back to him after listening to our morning show, Zukuka okole (Wake up and Work), where she was encouraged to return; A Moslem family in Kiwoko tells us they are blessed and strengthened by our late night program Anyiga Emitima (Our Comforter); After listening in to our Sunday morning program, Tusinze (Let us Praise), a man decided to go to church after 13 years of no church; Another family is full of celebrations because a son who had run away from her mother, has come back home following a radio program, Koola ne’ssanyu (Work with Joy). After the program, one of our listeners reached out to the boy, discussed the issue and he decided to return  home.

An elderly Muslim lady says she started listening after her daughter, who is also Muslim and is starting a Musana FM Fans Club, introduced her to the Station. The elderly mother listened in and decided with her husband that will only listen to Musana Fm for the rest of their lives, even though there are Muslim radio stations in the country. She has also committed to start her own Fans Club and has a membership of 30 ladies so far. It is amazing what God can do.

Musana FM Trees for distribution.

A student at a local secondary school wakes up every morning when our morning program, Zukuka Okole starts at 6am. He getsto work in his garden and now his beans are ready. He used to wake up later but the radio reminds him it is time to work.

Mrs. Kateregga tells us that her family was hanging in the balance, on the edge of a break up. “Things were really bad,” she narrates. But since she started listening to godly wisdom and encouragement from Musana Radio and applying it to her life, she says her family stabilized. She has kept listening and joy has returned to her family life.

Several others have given their lives to Christ after being confronted with the TRUTH from our Radio Programs while others are continuing to grow spiritually and also holistically in other areas. Our listeners worldviews are confronted. They are learning to work hard and earn for themselves and their families rather than blaming the government for what it is not doing.

Our listeners perceive Musana FM as their platform for development. In their own words, they call it a “Radio to develop the local person,” a radio set up “to bring unity amongst them,” “an eye opener,” a radio “to build people up,” setting a “God fearing foundation amongst them,” “promoting hard work,” “building relationships and brotherhood and friendships” and giving them “ideas for business.”

We are grateful to God for his wonderful work. He is amazingly using our programming and music to transform lives and change circumstances for His glory.

Community

Musana FM Fan Club

A community, a family is being built everyday. From the beginning when Kafeero Moses (now President of all Fans Clubs) was so blessed by our Program Okozewo Ki (What have you done? or more specifically, What is your contribution to Uganda?) and he invited the whole Musana Family to his home for a feast, there was so much excitement. There were hugs and shouting when people had a chance to put faces to names they had heard on Musana FM. This was just the beginning. Through the outreaches we have had, we have witnessed passionate love for the station. People are literally “drunk with the station” as one observer said at launch in Kibati-Luwero.

Musana FM fan club bicycle racing awards

We have seen people travel over 200km with their own money to just come to a fans club launch event. The love for each other has never ceased. The brotherhood amongst listeners is getting stronger and a family is visible. Listeners flock at each other’s families in case of death, to grieve with those who grieve, becoming a new family for them as one listener said after she lost her father.

God is using Musana FM to build responsible citizens, empowering them with information. We believe he who has the information has the power and the wealth; Musana FM is helping create a biblical worldview and true tangible transformation with the values of LOVE, INTEGRITY and HARDWORK.

We have also started on ‘giving back’ to the community, being responsible and going GREEN. In May, we gave out 7,500 trees to our listeners through their fans clubs, and they did plant them. A big number of the trees are growing steadily.

Comments from listeners.

If you are not listening to Musana, then you do not enjoy Radio.
a listener said on air
…We Musana listeners speak the truth
a listener said at a Fans Club Launch
The radio has built us into a family and a brotherhood of real love, that people can know each other so much more and are committed to each other
Moses Kafeero, local farmer
The Radio is our platform, where we are known and get to know others. It has helped us build a strong relationship among us as listeners. We do not know what we can ever do for the station
Ssemambo Willy, a local musician
Radio that has united us together as a family.
a listener
The only radio for people to listen to, old and young, a radio you can listen to with your in-laws without fear of foul language
a listener

Needs

Musana FM equipment

In the midst of these exciting stories where God is the hero, we have needs for us to be able to run effectively and continue to grow.

Towards the end of August, our Radio console was hit by lightening; we now used a borrowed mixer from Church. This has added to our current equipment needs.

  • Radio Console (to replace the one damaged by lightning): $6,041
  • Automatic Switch: $1,350
    • so we do not go off the air when grid power stops and we switch over to the generator.
  • 4 Microphones (professional quality): 4 x $250 = $1,000
  • 4 Voice recorders (for news and documentaries): 4 x $233 = $932
  • 4 Computers: 4 X $700 = $2,800
  • 2 Sound Card: 2 x$1,620 = $3,240
  • Notch Filter (as required by Communication Commission): $ 5,082
  • Phone Hybrid (to adequately sort listener calls): $3,257
    • presently have only one line.
  • Radio Van: $10,000
  • Staff salary support: $1,250

About the author

Aaron Kirunda, 25, is the General Manager at 107.8 Musana Fm. He is passionate about working with young people to bring about real-net-impact and transformation in communities. He has been engaged in several youth-led development activities and has also started two social companies working across the globe linking small scale producers to global markets.

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Using God’s “Kasana” to bring water to Kasana – God’s Solar Story

October 8, 2010 · 0 comments

in Newsletter

By Caleb Raber (with contributions from Dad)

Caleb and Nathaniel

Caleb Raber is 16 and lives in Woodburn, IN. He recently visited New Hope’s Kasana Children Center with his family. Along with using his writing skills to recount life experiences, Caleb enjoys playing the alto sax in marching band, contemporary Christian & jazz music, riding his four wheeler, and serving with and around children. 

A few months ago, when God called us as a family to serve half way across the world at New Hope’s Kasana Children’s Center in Uganda, we had no idea that we would be bringing water to over 500 people. Between six months and a year prior to us coming, God spoke to my dad about beginning to prepare his family for a mission trip. So Dad kept praying and God led him to New Hope. 

Just a couple short years before, we had helped our church, Blackhawk Ministries in Fort Wayne, Indiana, send Caleb and Alair Mitchell off to the ministry of New Hope Uganda. 

Just about the time we started really knowing that this was what God wanted us to do, New Hope had been without power for six days, and without power, water becomes a difficult problem. So my dad, Rick Raber asked Caleb, “Have you guys as an organization ever thought about solar powering your well?” 

“Yes,” he replied, “But even if we had those resources, to design and coordinate it and get everything put together to work the way that it would need to work here is still a difficult task.” 

At the time Dad had been working on solar power things for his vocation, so he just looked into it a little more and said to our family, “I think that we, along with help from God, can give them solar power to run the well.” 

So he told Caleb and asked him to discuss it with the New Hope Leadership team, who said, “Well (no pun intended), if you can design it and get the materials here, we would be very excited that we would have water even when there is no grid power.” 

Solar assembly

So the chaos began. Contacting different companies for the solar panels which would fit onto British Airways as checked baggage, obtaining the right pump and controller combination, running to stores to get the nuts and bolts, and getting the boxes custom built to fit the solar panels in for shipment. God provided a contact with Leon Bontrager, a Christian man from near us in Middlebury, Indiana, to sell many of the solar components for the project at cost, saving thousands of dollars. One of my Dad’s packaging suppliers, Covington Box, donated a custom designed box to protect the solar panels during their flight to Uganda. With provision from God, the gifts of different people, the finances and everything came together. 

We were on our way to Kasana to provide water powered by the sun to a ministry who was providing the Living Water of the one and only Son. It is very interesting that “Kasana” means sunshine in Lugandan. 

The time came to head to the airport. Thanks to some of our friends, we loaded up one of our churches mini-buses (thankfully everything fit) and set off some four hours to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. We got everything into the terminal and got the bags checked. But the solar panel boxes had to go to another loading place. That is where God’s hand had to completely take over. We would not see those boxes again until we arrived in Entebbe, Uganda. 

When we arrived in Uganda, God’s favor on our trip became even more evident. There were multiple lines to get our visas and out of nowhere a lady, appearing to be the manager, came up to us and told my dad to come with her. She took him to the front of the line and bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, five stamps later, much to the surprise of those who remained in line, we were in. 

Next, we had to go to baggage claim. The solar panel boxes counted as checked bags and that was what we were really concerned about. Around came all our suitcases and then came the big stuff. “It must be coming now,” we said. Sure enough around came the big boxes. We got them off and saw that there was “Security Transportation Administration, INSPECTED” on the boxes. Yes, airport security had opened them but, praise God, they did not cause problems or any issues. That was one thing dad had been praying for. 

When it came time to go through claims, the man stopped us and said, “Do you have anything to claim?” 

“Like what?” was dad’s reply. 

“Like THAT!” he said firmly and pointed to the big 63”x 29” boxes. 

“It is solar panels and the other box is control mechanisms for [the panels],” Dad said. Dad then mentioned they were for New Hope Uganda and Jay Dangers. 

“Oh, okay, I see… welcome to Uganda.” 

YES! We made it! Well almost. The boxes were so long didn’t want to go through the door! But with a little pushing and shoving, twisting and turning, they went through. Waiting at the next door was our good friend Caleb Mitchell. Welcomes and Thank You’s were exchanged and we were on our way to Kasana and New Hope Uganda. 

Solar holes

The first two days were spent adjusting our bodies to the new time zone, doing tours and orientations. Then the work began. First, the holes for the support post and grounding rod were dug. It is a good thing we worked as a team with our new Ugandan friends because my brothers and I would not have been able to dig that hole by ourselves as Dad had indicated to Uncle Gabe that he thought we could. The ground is so hard shovels don’t work. You must use pick axes and shovel size hoes to dig into the ground. 

Next, we replaced the water pipe to make it all the same size. Those in the carpentry shed, found great joy in watching us try to roll the large 100m coils of pipe from the barn. Replacement of the pipe took the better part of two days. Then we had to orient the pole and the frame where the panels would be pointing to the south. That was interesting and none of our guesses were close. Thanks to some sun tracking sites which we found through Google, we figured out which way was south. 

After that, we exchanged the old pump and controller with the newer, more efficient pump and controller. This went fine and when it was back in the well, we were pumping water with the new system being powered from the grid. Finally, it was time to raise the pole. Only one problem, when we went to put it in, one of the braces broke. So we took it to “the fix it man”, John Biedler. He not only welded the one brace back on but put on more for extra support. We had some difficulty putting it up the second time but once we did we were quick to tie it down. 

Raising the solar post

Now for the cement, we had to fill hole 4.5’ deep x 3’ in diameter. In Uganda, we discovered , mixing enough concrete to fill the hole is as big a feat as digging it. We used shovels and wheelbarrows to hand mix and pour over two cubic yards of concrete. By the end of the day, we had a hole full of cement. 

Now for the tricky part, getting the panels up into the frame. We were not entirely sure how we were going to do it. But finally Uncle Gabe Williams (NHU’s Construction Manager) scaled up the ladder to end up perched atop the center of the frame to receive the panels from Dad who was hoisting them up the ladder. Once we got the panels in place, we needed to bolt them down. But the frame is 116” (about 9 ft. 8 in.) long. Here came an example of why God created us all different. God didn’t give my dad the gift of height or long arms, I don’t know what I’m doing when it comes to this engineering stuff, and my little brother Josh Raber is also vertically challenged and doesn’t know what to do either. So God gave us a little gift, more like a big gift, in a man from another team named Josh Fennema. He was able to use his God given height and long arms to screw in the bolts and secure the panels to the frame. 

Finally the only thing left was the wires. First, we wound the grounding wire around the grounding rod and covered it with sand and charcoal. We were now so close to being done we could feel it. We hooked the solar panel wires into the control box, flipped a switch, and…it was too late in the day; the sun wasn’t high enough in the sky to produce the energy to get the pump started. We had to wait until the next morning. 

Now, our family was scheduled to go on a safari the next day so we wouldn’t be able to switch it on. So Caleb Mitchell went down to the pump that next morning, very excited and flipped the switch, but when he listened for the water there was none moving! So he stepped back outside the pump house and realized that the sun was coming up but the morning was cloudy so it would not work. So he switched back to grid power and later in the morning. God must have decided it was time to let us find out that it was going to work. So Caleb went back down and flipped on the solar panels and, sure enough, a few seconds later he heard the water coming up and running to the water tower. For the last four days of our time at New Hope, Kasana’s primary bore hole (well) was pumping on solar power. 

And that is how God used our family, the Raber’s, from a small town in Indiana, USA to bring water pumped by God’s “kasana” to Kasana, the village of New Hope Uganda and a community of surrounding Ugandans. We have had the privilege of observing God doing something only He could do. While using people surrendered to the Son of God and their gifts, God gets glorified. 

About the Rabers

The Raber Family

Rick and Diane Raber reside on small farm in Woodburn Indiana, just outside of Fort Wayne. They celebrated their 20th anniversary in May and feel blessed to serve regularly alongside their sons – Caleb(16), Joshua (14) and Zachary(11). They serve in various ways at Blackhawk Ministries, the same sending church of Caleb and Alair Mitchell, New Hope staffers @ Kasana. In addition to their passion for shepherding and the kingdom, they enjoy their beef cattle and other animals on the farm. Outside his responsibilities as CTO for Northern Apex , Rick and the boys love fishing, hunting, American football and many any other activities where high levels of testosterone are released. Diane loves to be with her family and excels at canning & gardening as well as making her house a home and haven of rest for “her 4 men” as well as her mother Jackie, who also lives with the family.

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God Amazingly & Abundantly Provided for the EEVPS 2010 P.7 Study Tour

October 8, 2010 · 3 comments

in Newsletter

By Katabazi N. Simon, EEVPS (Primary School) Headmaster, NHU Staff since Nov. 1995

As I begin to write this testimony, my heart is resonating with these words of  Psalm 145 : “ The Lord is faithful in all His words and kind in all his works… the eyes of all look to you and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.”

The P.7 class together with their teachers pause at the top of the Mighty Murchison Falls.

Every year since 1995, each of our P.7 classes have been blessed to go out on a study tour during which they have always visited at least one of the National parks and games reserves in the country and also toured some factories, the Uganda Museum, the Zoo and the International Airport.  This year’s p.7 trip was no exception as the group of 33 students together with two teachers and two childcare staff toured all the above places on August 11 – 13.

Some of the P.7 students observing the first Ford car to be imported in the country at the Uganda Museum in Kampala

Over the years, God has been using Calvary Chapel Downey church ( CCDC) to provide funds for these trips. They (CCDC) have been sending a mission team to accompany the P.7 students together with their teachers to go on these trips. We are so thankful to all our brothers and sisters at this church for partnering with us to enable our students to go on these incredible and memorable educational trips.

Some of the p.7 members enjoying a delicious meal at Entebbe Sunset View Hotel.

Raising funds for these trips has become quite a challenge in the recent past for CCDC with the credit crunch that hit the US and the world over.

However, God is so amazing and faithful in that He was more than able to generously provide for this year’s P.7 study tour. Despite the fact there was no team could come from Downey to bring the funds and to accompany the P.7 class, we were able to use the funds that were left over from last year’s trip to pay for this year’s trip. We actually had more than enough for we had even a balance of slightly over Shs. 2,000, 000 ( About  US $1000.00) which we saved for next year’s trip.

The P.7 class receiving a talk about wildlife from the tour guide at Murchison Falls National Park

So, I am so thankful to God for His faithfulness in providing for His children. We really had a wonderful of time relationship building, having fun, and learning together about God’s wonderful creation during this trip. I believe that all the kids will remember this incredible tour of some of the most beautiful parts of their country for many years to come. The trip is indeed a wonderful gift to each of our students. Please keep praying that God will continue to provide funds for these trips for they really enrich our school curriculum and are a real blessing to all our kids.

Thank you.

About the author

The Katabazi Family

Simon Katabazi, Headmaster Essubbi Eppya Vocational Primary School. Uncle Simon has served at NHU for 15 years and lives at Kasana Children’s Center with his wife Noelina, who teaches tailoring at the Vocational School. The Katabazis have four biological children Sammy (7.5), Solomon (6),  Sarah (3.5) and Shalom (18months).

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Teachers, Mechanics, & Media Production Coordinator Needed

October 8, 2010 · 0 comments

in Newsletter,Volunteer Needs

Teachers Needed

New Hope needs teachers for its foreign staff children in in 2011. We would love your help in finding them. If you know someone who would be a good candidate for either of the positions below, please encourage them to contact us through our website for more information.

Lower Primary

  • Jan. 2011 – June 2012 (preferred)
  • OR Jan. 2011 – Dec. 2011
  • OR August. 2011-June 2012
  • when available (minimum of six months)

Middle school/High School

  • August 2011 – June 2012 (preferred)
  • OR August 2011 – Dec. 2012
  • OR starting August 2011 – when available (minimum of six months)

In each of these teaching positions, the teacher will be working with the children of foreign staff. In many cases (but not all), the curriculum will be provided by the families of the children being taught.

Groups will be quite small but subject matter and age will be diverse. Each applicant will be asked to fill out a New Hope Staff Application and is expected to raise his/her own support. If this sounds interesting or if you have questions please contact us for more information. 

Mechanic/Workshop Supervisor Needed

Are you a skilled mechanic wanting to put your skills to work for the Kingdom of God? Then we want to talk to you. We are looking for a skilled auto mechanic to manage our fleet of vehicles. Requirements are excellent mechanical know-how, creativity in diverse situations and a strong Christian character with a heart to serve. No formal education is needed, but experience is key. You will oversee the repair, maintenance and scheduling of our vehicles while working with local mechanics and students alike. Each applicant will be asked to fill out a New Hope Staff Application and is expected to raise his/her own support. If this sounds interesting or if you have questions please contact us for more information. 

Media Production Coordinator

New Hope Uganda is looking for a person skilled in audio, video, web and print production. Jobs will include production of both audio and video for the Institute of Childcare and Family, promotional video and print for various New Hope ministries, maintenance of the New Hope website, production of a bi-annual print newsletter, and Musana FM radio promotional production. Each applicant will be asked to fill out a New Hope Staff Application and is expected to raise his/her own support. If this sounds interesting or if you have questions please contact us for more information.

Job Options

  • Jan. 2011 – June 2011
  • OR July 2011 – Nov. 2011
  • OR July 2011 – June 2011

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    Musana Camps offer a setting for God to change lives

    July 22, 2010 · 2 comments

    in Musana Camps,Newsletter

    By Dave Bouffard, Executive Director of Musana  Camps, NHU Staff since Jan. 2010

    Every time I travel and am away from my children for a few days, I notice subtle changes in their growth.  One will seem a little taller, the youngest looks a little older, and the other has mastered some new skill.  It’s not something I always detect when I’m with them everyday. Growth in ministry is often similar.  When you are in the trenches day after day dealing with the ups and downs of successes and challenges, it can be hard to see progress.  However, when you take the time to look back, it can be amazing to see how much change has taken place.  This is definitely the case at Musana Camps.  In a very short period of time, we have seen God take a vision he gave Jay Dangers and start turning it into reality. It is absolutely incredible to see what God has done, how He has done it, and who He has used to do it with.  All of it is has been according to His plan unto His glory. We are so blessed to be a part of it!

    My family and I joined staff at New Hope on the first of this year as I came to serve as the Executive Director of Musana Camps.  After my wife and I spent our first five months here as students in the New Hope Institute of Childcare and Family, I began focusing full-time on my responsibilities for the camp.  I am very excited about what God is doing at Musana now and for its future.

    But first, a bit about how it got to this point. Syd & Andrea Sparks have been a part of Musana Camps from the beginning serving as the only full-time staff until my family arrived.  They have experienced both disappointments and joys in the process of establishing the camp.  Pioneering a ministry like this out in the African bush has not been easy, yet they will be the first ones to share about how God has blessed the development of the camp as well as their personal lives in profound ways.  Our Ministry Coordinator, Uncle  Jonnes Bakimi, recently said that Musana Camps today is similar to what Kasana Children’s Center was like 20 years ago!  Clear progress has been made and it is nothing less than evidence of God going before us and establishing this ministry

    Here’s a short list of some of what has been accomplished in the past two years since the inception of the camp:

    • There are now three full-time staff families from the USA and one full-time Ugandan staff person serving with the camp: Syd & Andrea Sparks, Dave & Andrea Bouffard, Nathan & Kendra Jackson, and Medie Kanyike.  Pastor Nswemu Nathan, an Estates Officer for NHU has been instrumental in the establishment of the camp as well.  Five full-time Ugandan security guards watch over the property as well.
    • Approximately 74% of the purchase agreement price has been paid for the 713 acres of land we have acquired, including the squatter compensation that is applied to the balance due for the property.  Most of the squatters have been compensated for their homes and gardens and have now moved off camp property.
    • A detailed site development plan was completed by EMI (Engineering Missions International) and volunteers from North America also completed surveying of the property.
    • A basic rustic camp site has been built including: a duplex cabin (has been used for staff housing thus far) w/water tower and ground cistern, a storage shed, a composting latrine, two shower stalls, three safari tents w/concrete pads and anchored canopies, a volleyball court, and swing set.  These basic facilities can currently accommodate approximately 30 people.

      Two of the three safari tents set up as a basic shelter.

    • Several short-term missions teams have come from the US and Canada and provided essential equipment and manpower for the camp.
    • A team from Bellingham/Lynden, WA  conducted a medical clinic and treated nearly 750 people from our surrounding communities.
    • Three out of the seven Family Groups from Kasana Children’s Center have now come to the camp for a retreat and the remaining four are scheduled to come over the next two school holidays.
    • The first retreat of people from outside of NHU was held for a group from Kampala Deliverance Church.
    • The Sparks have nearly completed the construction of their home and are now living there.
    • We have partnered with community members to improve the public access road leading to the camp.  Much roadwork has been done and much more still remains.

    We are very grateful for what God has done and for those He has used to do it.  Our greatest priority now is to finish the process of purchasing the land, including compensating the last few squatters.  We are confident and trusting God to continue to provide the remaining $50,000 needed to finalize the transaction. Would you make a donation to help us meet this goal and finish the purchasing of the land? Please prayerfully consider if He is calling you to be a part of meeting this need!  Though it can seem a bit daunting, when we consider what God has already done, we are encouraged that He will continue to faithfully provide for  Musana Camps.  We are also very glad land is so much cheaper in Uganda than it is in the U.S.!

    Please pray for us as we go through the process of compensating the last few squatters.  The few who are remaining have been challenging to work with and we hope the compensation process will be an opportunity to build deeper relationships and reflect and reveal the glory of God to them.  This has been our heart from the beginning.

    It has also been our heart to offer a setting that God would use to change lives. As we have begun using the camp, we see that God is doing just that. During this first two years, over 275 people have come at different times for retreats, family holidays, volunteering, and more.

    When we run into other organizations which are ministering to children in Uganda and we mention the camp, there is almost always an immediate interest and excitement. It confirms that there are currently very few such options in the country. We are currently working out the details for a ministry in Jinja to bring the street children they work with to the camp in August. Although the beginnings of Musana are small, our God is big and is powerful to transform lives.  The following comments show how the Lord has already used Musana Camps to influence the lives of some of the recent guests.

    The best thing about my time at Musana Camps was sitting alone thinking about my life.  I learned to talk to God in my own free time and to depend on God only.
    Dinah, a secondary school student
    The best thing about my time at Musana Camps was resting from work, going to swim, and spending time with God.
    Annet, a primary school student
    My time at the camps taught me how to make good decisions and to ask for help when needed.  It also taught me to be real in everything I do.
    Aziza, a secondary school student
    We had an amazing time there and the team is still talking about it. It was hands down the most refreshing, relaxed, hassle free and effective retreat we have had to date and we definitely plan to be back sooner than later. Some of the pics are up on our facebook page and we have got a lot of response from people who would love to hold their events there.
    Enock, a Kampala church leader

    As we look back and see all that God has done and is doing at Musana Camps, one word comes to mind: Faith. Faith that God will accomplish his purposes through Musana Camps and through us.  In the challenging times, it is faith that produces joy as we look not through our own eyes at our circumstances, but through God’s.  In the times of celebration and joy when we count our blessings and see what God has done, it is faith that gives us the proper perspective of giving him the glory for it all.  Perhaps you will appreciate this excerpt from a devotional that God recently used to encourage my wife and I as we look to the future at Musana Camps.  It is taken from Come Away My Beloved by Frances J. Roberts and is entitled, “I Will Bring the Victory:”

    “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
    1 Corinthians 15:57.

    O My child, have I ever failed you?  Have I ever turned My back on you, or forsaken you?  Have I not been your refuge and your strong defense?

    I have protected you and kept you in sickness and in health.  Yes, I am with you to help you now.  Fear not.  My purposes will be fulfilled in spite of your weaknesses, if in your need you rely on My strength.

    My will shall be done regardless of the flaws in your life, if you count on the power of My righteousness.  I do not work only in cases where there are no obstacles; but I glory in overruling the prevailing circumstances, and I take pleasure in bringing victories in those places where no victory is anywhere in sight.

    Count on My coming.  Know that whenever faith brings Me on the scene, everything is changed.  Darkness is turned to light.  Grief is turned to joy.  Sickness to health.  Poverty to My sufficient supply.  Doubt to faith.  Anxiety to trust.

    No negative force can occupy the same place as My Spirit.  When My Spirit comes in, all these things must go.  Yes, they shall go!

    Ask for the victory.  I will come and bring it.  Don’t look for the victory – look for Me, and you will see the victory that I will bring with Me.  After I have come, you shall behold the miracles I will do.

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    Relationship – Josh Craner’s year with NHU

    July 22, 2010 · 6 comments

    in Newsletter,Volunteer Testimonials

    By Josh Craner

    Josh Craner is 29 years old and resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. He worked as an elementary school teacher for six years prior to his year at New Hope Uganda’s Kasana Children’s Center and will be returning to the classroom this fall.  Along with a passion for helping kids he enjoys playing and writing music and has produced two albums that contain songs written and performed by him.

    As I sit here at my brother’s house in Denver, reflecting on this past year at New Hope Uganda, my heart is full of emotion and awe. I’m in awe of all that God did in and through me over the course of this year. I can honestly say that I have no regrets; each and every day was incredibly meaningful. If I were to sum up my experience with one word it would be “RELATIONSHIP”. My relationship with God has developed in incredible ways and my love for Him is deeper than it has ever been. I trust Him so much more than I did a year ago. God is so good and His ways are best. He has proved Himself over and over again to me. I went into this year with some expectations but God far surpassed anything I could have dreamed up.

    If I were to sum up my experience with one word it would be “RELATIONSHIP”

    In addition to that, I am amazed at the many relationships that developed.  My heart is so full of love for my Ugandan family. I am thoroughly enjoying being here with my American family and I know this is where God has me right now, but I also miss those I had to say ‘see you later’ to. It’s an amazing feeling knowing that I have family around the world. I don’t use the word “family” lightly. As Christians, we are part of a huge family of believers where God’s love is what connects and unites us.

    Now the question remains – How do I summarize my year at NHU’s Kasana Children’s Center? I must give a little history before I answer that question. I first came to Kasana in June 2008 for three weeks. I had the awesome opportunity of helping Constance Dobb’s in her remedial class and becoming a  part of the Jonathan Family (20 children who live on-site at Kasana with Family Group parents) . Those three weeks were incredibly full and God started planting the idea of coming back to NHU for one year. When I heard about the New Hope’s Institute of Childcare and Family (a five-month course), I felt God was telling me He wanted me to return to take the class. This is all to say that God had a plan and I’m amazed at how He brought it to reality.

    Jonathan Family

    I applied to be short-term staff with NHU and I was accepted as the foreign staff schoolteacher. I also applied to the Institute for the January 2010 class and was accepted. So when I left America to join NHU’s team in June 2009, this is all I really knew I would be involved in, along with being a member of the Jonathan Family. I also knew I would be teaching a few guitar lessons to some of the foreign staff kids and a few of the teens in my family group. As I look back now, it’s amazing what God had in store. The above-mentioned involvements ended up being a small piece of the puzzle.

    Before I explain some of the wonderful opportunities God provided, I want to say that all that transpired has everything to do with Him and has nothing to do with my abilities and strength. He showed me time and time again that in my weakness He is strong. I was only able to accomplish that which He planned and purposed and gave me the strength and grace to do. I say none of this out of pride but in humility and awe. I am totally blown away that God blessed me in such incredible ways this past year while also blessing others through me.

    My involvement with the Jonathan Family was so incredible. God taught me a lot about parenting through this experience. From the very beginning, I felt like a member of the family. I was able to be involved in multiple ways: teaching devotions weekly, tutoring one of the older boys several evenings a week, encouraging, correcting, laughing, teaching two of the boys guitar, baking cookies with the kids, playing football (soccer) with them, having the kids over to my house for dinner, going to Musana Camps for a family holiday, swimming in Kampala, and so much more. God showed me that I don’t have to have biological children, nor be married, to be able to be a ‘father’. The kids in Jonathan family are and always will be near and dear to my heart.

    Foreign staff students

    The foreign staff students I taught were also great. I enjoyed getting to know them and their families.  This experience was very different than all my other teaching experiences. I really enjoyed the challenge. During my five months I taught a variety of subjects and ages at various times during the week. I taught all the older kids drama and art. One of the highlights was working with the drama class on a play. We wrote it together and they performed it at our parent night. I also taught math and science to five of the older kids in the afternoon. I taught the younger kids (ages 4-9) math, reading, writing, science, and PE. It was a large age span but I enjoyed the challenge. Most of my teaching time was devoted to four students who ranged from 5 to 7 years of age. One student in particular made huge progress in reading, writing, and math. Another highlight of my teaching experience was working with Julia Dangers, Jay and Vicki Dangers’ youngest daughter. She was such a joy to work with. I praise God for the opportunity to get to know her. She brought so much joy into my life. Because of Julia’s amazing sense of humor, it’s not hard to find yourself laughing with her.

    The institute class, "on a Journey of Transformation and Relationship"

    The institute was a life changing experience. I thought I understood God prior to the class, but I came to realize how little I actually knew. His Word has become alive for me and I know that it is TRUTH. Through the course, God healed me of some hurts from my past that I thought were dealt with. I finally accepted, for the first time in my life, that I am made perfect in His image. He showed me His love in so many amazing ways. Like the institute principal Keith McFarland said so many times throughout the class, “We are on a Journey of Transformation and Relationship”. This is exactly what it was. To go into details would take too much space but let me just say that I have such a better understanding of who God is and who I am in Him. With this knowledge, I am better able to love others.

    Back in August, God allowed me to go on an outreach to Kobwin, which is NHU’s site for kids who have been impacted by Joseph Kony’s LRA rebel group. We brought 60 teens from Amuria for a five-day retreat. It was an incredible time of healing and freedom. Those who came were either abducted by the rebel group or lost parents during the senseless violence that occurred in 2003 in Amuria. Over the course of the retreat, there was singing, playing, small group activities, prayer times, and teaching times. We saw a lot of healing take place. Kobwin site is currently caring for 21 teens full-time. This has been a dream in the making for a long time and is now a reality.

    The music group that met at Josh's home once a week grew into a team that led worship once a month.

    Now on to all that God did in the area of music during this year. As I said, I knew I would be teaching a few kids guitar but I had no idea that this would blossom and develop into an amazing adventure. When word got out that I played guitar and sang, a few teens came to my house wanting to learn new worship songs and to learn some new guitar techniques. These were not the same boys that I was already teaching guitar to. Soon the numbers grew and God told me to open up my house on Sundays after church. Before I knew it, there were 10+ students at my house every Sunday afternoon. I was teaching guitar, singing, new worship songs, and truths from the Bible on worship. After a few months of meeting, we decided to start a worship team. We started by putting on a worship night once a month and were then asked by the church to lead Sunday service once a month. By the time I left Uganda, the group had grown to nearly 15 members consisting of a keyboardist (who learned to play in about two months), bassist, several guitarists, and quite a few vocalists (some of whom are able to sing beautiful harmonies). These are amazingly talented young people who learn music very quickly. Some of them already knew how to play before I came and others started learning for the first time. It was amazing to watch them grow and develop their talents and abilities and gain a real understanding of what it means to worship God with more than just music. Several of the boys have written songs that Shawn Zimmerman and I were able to record. We are still working on this project. God is raising up a new generation of worship leaders at Kasana. I’m so excited to say that the group is continuing even in my absence. God brought another adult leader to take my place and it has given me so much peace knowing that the group will continue. I know God has great things in store for this team. It’s amazing to be able to say that I was not only their coach but I am their friend. We formed very deep bonds with one another. Their hearts for God are so inspiring and I look forward to hearing all that transpires this next year and in the years to come.

    God also allowed me to be a mentor/counselor for several of the boys in the group and some who were not involved. I was able to see amazing growth in their lives and privileged to watch God restore relationships. I had no idea what to do most of the time but God is faithful and He guided me through these wonderful experiences.

    These are only some of the highlights of the past year. To tell of everything would take far too much time. I am in awe of all that God did during my year in Uganda. I’ve never felt so connected with a community away from my Utah Home. Like I stated at the beginning, this year could be summed up with one word – RELATIONSHIP. I have been so blessed by the incredible relationships that were formed during my stay. Saying good-bye was very difficult and there were many tears. I have hope that my connection with NHU is far from over but it’s all in His hands. God has created a very special community at New Hope Uganda’s Kasana Children’s Center and I’m so thankful that I am a part of the family.

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    Chronological, Historical Change Through Reading

    July 22, 2010 · 3 comments

    in Newsletter,School

    By Nabagesera Jessica, Investment Year Coordinator, NHU Staff since July 2005

    Keep reading, keep reading…

    This new slogan, which has recently replaced the traditional “they say”, is now the talk of many of our secondary school students. I have picked it up myself because it is a mark of history in our nation.

    This is the result of the ongoing campaign here in the New Hope community to all read through the Bible chronologically over the next year and a half. When it clock strikes 10:30, a reminder bell rings and all work and school comes to a stop; its Bible reading time… Amazing.

    Children and staff all get out their Bible.

    I mean, everyone gets down to serious reading of the Word. Even the pre-schoolers look out their classroom windows waiting for who is coming to tell them the story of the Bible for that day.

    You may wonder how and why this a big deal and worth of sharing. Culturally, as Africans, we are not so keen with reading. I mean, we read maybe for exams and things like that, but it is much easier for us to sit and listen to a speech or sermon for three hours than to sit and do focused reading for 30 minutes. Secondly, we usually get facts of life and truths (even the Word) passed on to us through other people, like elders.

    It is easier to believe something because “they say” than to take the trouble to find out for oneself.

    But this is not the case anymore here, especially with the children. They are now eagerly digging into the Word and getting amazed by the truth they are discovering for themselves. They are so proud about the new venture whereby they do not have to believe something from the Word of God because so-and-so said so… but because they have beheld it themselves.

    Please pray for us that the Word of God does not stay in our heads but gets to our hearts; pray for a Godly people in a Godly nation as we keep reading, keep reading…

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    New Website!

    July 22, 2010 · 2 comments

    in Newsletter

    We are happy to announce in our first-ever “E-Newsletter” that we have a NEW WEBSITE. In general, the site offers a much more comprehensive view of New Hope Uganda. We believe the new site will give a clear picture of who we are and what God is doing here. We are also want it to be a tool to keep our friends and partners informed. We are committed to keeping the website updated and providing consistent and timely new information. We encourage you to check in on the website frequently and tell your friends about it. We would also love your feedback and suggestions.

    We hope you will take the time to explore all of the website but there are a few key features to point out for now.

    Online donations:

    We are very excited that online donations are now possible. It is both user-friendly and secure. When you go to the donations page, you will notice that there are three options: one for U.S., one for UK, and one for Canada. Each could be used by any person but typically we think that a person would use the option from their country for tax purposes. The U.S. donation button is unique in that there are ZERO FEES for Visa or Mastercard. This is really exciting. The Paypal accounts for UK and Canada also offer low fees of just over 2% for credit card use.

    Contact us page:

    You will not see any email addresses on the site. This prevents us from becoming part of internet spam searches. However, if you go to the contact page, you will see the ability to get in contact with the area of the ministry you have a question or comment about. As we have already been testing the website, this feature has been working very well. If you know someone who wants to get in contact with us, please direct them to this page.

    Blog:

    Our blog will explain how God is working here and little “slices of life” on a consistent basis. We hope to have entries from a wide variety of staff and to update this every few days. The blog also gives you an opportunity to comment. This could become a fun “meeting place” for friends of New Hope. You can also sign-up on our RSS Feed button ( little brown square with a white dot and two curved lines at the bottom right of the website) if you would like to receive an email each time there is a new blog entry (more information about that below).

    E-newsletter:

    This information was originally sent out in our e-newsletter. If you are not already receiving this, please take a minute and sign up by clicking the “Email Signup” button in the website header. We do know that some of our New Hope family do not have email or easy internet access. We are still considering ways of keeping these partners informed. However, for the most part, the e-newsletter will take over for our paper newsletter. There are two reasons this is exciting. First, this will save us quite a bit in costs, enabling us to use even more of the resources God is providing directly in Uganda. Second, because of both the much lower cost and ability to communicate instantaneously, it will allow us to be in contact much more often than previously. We are planning on publishing bi-monthly and perhaps more often as needed.

    Video:

    We are trying to put all New Hope videos on the site. There are probably some that you have not seen before. Check them out. At this point, we do not have the full-length New Hope video partially due to the limitations of bandwidth here but hope to soon. We also hope to have a new Kobwin video in the next couple of months.

    Audio:

    We are experimenting with putting some sermons and other talks online. It does take some time to do this, so we are interested in the interest and use of these talks. We encourage you to download or stream one of these talks and let us know if you would like to see more of them posted.

    Staying Informed:

    If you want to keep up on the very latest from New Hope Uganda, you can. At the bottom right corner of the website, you will see a . Using that link, or by typing our web address into your favorite RSS reader, such as Google Reader. Doing so will bring NHU into a list of all the other web sites you like to keep up with. See a short intro to Google Reader. Or, watch a step-by-step guide to how Google Reader works.

    Expandable:

    Our website is infinitely (not quite) expandable. The only real limitation at this point is finding the time to make additions. So if you think there is something that is not on the website that should be, please let us know. We hope you enjoy the website!

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    Sponsorship Update

    July 22, 2010 · 1 comment

    in Newsletter,Sponsorship

    We praise God for the many sponsors who God uses to help New Hope bring the Fatherhood of God to the fatherless each day. There are still sponsorship opportunities available.

    If you are a sponsor or are considering becoming one and have questions about how the sponsorship funding is used in even more detail than is on our website, please contact us and we will be happy to answer your questions.

    Kasana Children’s Center Basic Child Sponsorship

    We praise God that 372 of our Kasana Children’s Center children are sponsored. We have 23 who do not yet have sponsors.

    Kasana Children’s Center Post-Primary Child Sponsorship

    We praise God that 31 of our secondary and post-secondary children have second sponsors to help meet the higher costs of post-primary education. 117 do not yet have second sponsors. We have an especially large need among our sons and daughters who are currently attending university or vocational school or will be starting this September.

    Kasana Children’s Center Hope House (Baby House) Sponsorship

    We praise God that we have 17 regular sponsors of Hope House.  13 more sponsors are needed to fully fund our current operating costs.
    Note: These costs can and do change as we take in more babies and when we move into our new Hope House (currently under construction) this number will increase as we will be able to care for more babies.

    Kobwin Children’s Center/Amuria Child Sponsorship

    We praise God that 19 of our children at Kobwin Children’s Center are sponsored. We have 2 children who do not yet have sponsors.

    We praise God that 11 of our children in Amuria are sponsored. We have 3 who do not yet have sponsors.

    New Hope Uganda Staff Sponsorship

    We praise God that 19 of our staff have sponsors. We have 65 staff who do not yet have sponsors.

    Family Group Sponsorship

    We praise God for our seven Kasana Family Groups. Child Sponsorship primarily covers education costs, and that even with growing much of our own food, there are still significant costs to raise a family of 16-20 kids. In light of that, we have recently started our Family Group Sponsorship program. We would antipate that this would typically be taken on by a small group, missions committee or church, but is certainly open to individuals as well. For more details, visit our website or contact our sponsorship office.

    Each of the 7 Kasana Family Groups are in need of sponsorship.

    We praise God that our Kobwin Family Group has had a recent commitment for half sponsorship. We have a half sponsorship remaining.

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