After almost nine months of consistent rains, the dry season has finally come. It is
dry, hot (mid to high 90s) and dusty. While this can be uncomfortable, it’s clear to see that God has his purpose for this time as well.
The maize has had time to dry and Thursday was time to harvest. Each harvest (there are two a year here) all available Kasana staff and kids of all ages head down to Enterprise Farm and pick maize together. It’s a fun time of fellowship and the free labor allows the Farm a better opportunity to make a profit to help the ministry. The maize will be stored in our maize crib for a number of weeks before being sold and turned into maize flour.
We thank God for His provision in times of rain and times of sunshine.
Uncle Jonnes and Uncle Jay open Envisioning 2012.
As the Ugandan school year runs Feb. – early December each year, December and January serve as “summer vacation” for the kids.
Our Envisioning band has led wonderful times of worship.
We reported back to work on Jan. 4 and we have been busy hiring new staff and preparing for the year ahead. Most of our sons and daughters who live with us full-time at Kasana Children’s Centre are visiting relatives for three-four weeks before returning to us, their Kasana family, next week.
On Wednesday, we began our annual Envisioning week. It is a wonderful time to join together with New Hope staff from each of our sites and be reminded of the calling God has for us. With nearly 100 staff, their spouses, 30 Investment Year sons and daughters, a number of S5 and S6 sons and daughters, and ten Kenyans from the first Kenyan Institute of Childcare and Family class, this is our biggest Envisioning gathering yet.
This year’s theme is based on Matthew 1:23 – Emmanuel – God with us. We are focusing on the primary purpose God has for us, relationship – first with Him then with others. In our first two days, we have discussed the Biblical foundations of relationship, what deep relationship looks like, barriers to relationship, our own orphan hearts (and how that affects relationship), and relating with wounded hearts to others with wounded hearts.
There is much more to come (three more days of Envisioning). We would appreciate your prayers that we will all be able to receive all God has for us.
- Tal Anderson
BY CONSTANCE DOBBS
Eight years ago, one of our Kobwin daughters was abducted from her family in Amuria by the LRA. At nine-years-old, she became one of “Kony’s” wives. This is the name abducted girls are given. She continues to struggle in almost every way, academically, spiritually, and physically, especially in regards to her health. She still wonders what is”"wrong ” with her. BUT after being with us for almost two years at Kobwin, she now smiles. She now has a glimmer of hope, because of Jesus.
Another son we work with in Amuria, just escaped last year from Central African Republic. Eight years, four countries and five languages later, he has been reunited with his twin brother and is helping to care for his mother. We will bring him to Kobwin in January to be part of our second family group. He is already saved and trusting God to provide care for his ailing mother so he can begin building his future, the future the Father has always had for him.
Who is that? Simply put, family, by God’s grace and blessing. Ask anyone who visits Kobwin even for a short time and they will tell you that there is something very special going on with our family there.
Our Kobwin family in their new school uniforms.
At the age of seven, one of our sons now at Kobwin, witnessed the brutal torture and murder of his mother. The LRA rebels then took his father and until two months ago, our son never knew if his father lived or not. For the last eight years, this young man has had repeated nightmares reliving his mothers death and grieving the unknown fate of his father. We recently received a call that his father was living only an hour from Kobwin! What a joyful, yet tearful reunion it was!!! God, our Father does work in mysterious and amazing ways.
This is just a snapshot of what the Father has carried our Kobwin children through to bring them to our care. Each one has a story of loss, trauma, and heartache equally as astounding and amazing in the depth of need. Yet, we are so thankful that their lives are being transformed in His perfect timing. Most of the children at Kobwin have been with us for almost two years now and the newer ones that joined us this year have been enfolded into the fabric of who we are.
During my recent visit, I had the privilege of leading a number of the nightly devotions as we examined the book of Acts. In just one week, God met us and spoke to us profoundly. We saw how the early church came to be and how they lived and worked together. WE realized that that was us! Young believers, in general, living as family, praying and sharing the word daily, breaking bread together daily – having everything in common with no one in need. The kids were amazed and challenged. The challenge is to go on in the same way and to go out into the Kobwin community and even return to their own community to share the Gospel – to bring life to those who know no life and share the hope they now have. In December, the opportunity is coming. Our kids all go back to Amuria for the holidays and to be with relatives and friends. Please be praying with
us for these young ambassadors!
The fact that our Kobwin children are growing is a real testimony to the Father’s amazing ability to change lives. But there is still much work to be done, much healing that needs to take place. And for this, we also need your prayers! As staff we need wisdom and strength to pursue these special children to the depths of their need. Some of them will be “repairers of the breech” (Isaiah 58:12) for their people and their community. Others, I believe, will go to our local community in Kobwin, and beyond.
We are thankful for our current partners and all that have come alongside of us in one way or another, very thankful! We trust that the others who will join us are on the way!
Digging in the garden. The harvest this year provided a couple of months worth of food.
If you feel the Lord calling you to this area of our ministry, please contact us.
cooking!
Note: The following was written three weeks ago.
Investment year 2011 is coming to an end. We still have two weeks to all have to finish before the 25th (of Nov.) which is going to be the baton hand over to the new incoming I.Y students. This is always a hard time mainly to our leaders because they had gotten close with those going out and at the same time they are excited to have those coming. In it is all a period of mixed emotions.
zam Zam, Fiona, Joanna
For us students it is hard since we were all used to being together. This marks our time to separate as different ones of us join different institutions and those taking the same like a’ levels seldom go to the same school. It is a time marked with testimonies which are a great inspiration to those about to start IY.
The incoming students get their first assignment on the same day they are acknowledged as the next I.Y students. They are asked to read the Kasana story called the LONG ROAD TO HOPE by Jennie Dangers. The book clearly narrates the days of small beginnings to all the achievements reached. All of us children need to hear this as it is the roots unto every thing we are enjoying now.
Zam Zam (IY 2011)
Praise God that we have almost completed our Standard of Living Matching Funds grant. This grant is already starting to be used to help in providing some much-deserved raises for our national staff and to do some home improvements. Unfortunately, we have had to go very slowly on the home improvements simply because we currently have a serious shortage of construction staff.
While we continue to look in-country for construction help, we could really use construction experts and handy-man types help over this next year. We have 40+ solar units to install (this reduce our reliance on the unreliable grid system here) and a number of water tanks and indoor plumbing to install. If could help us install these items or do general maintenance and would be available to volunteer here for a week, one month, three months, six months etc., we would love to talk to you.
Please contact us through our website.
I am a recent graduate from Seattle, Washington with my BSN degree. This is my first trip to Uganda, as well as working with New Hope Uganda. I heard about NHU through my cousin who went on the trip a year and a half ago. I decided to come on this trip in hopes of supporting the staff, building relationships with the children, and spending time in the clinic. I have a heart to serve others and I am extremely passionate about caring for others, especially children.
This week I was invited to make dinner with the Jonathon Family! I had the opportunity to learn and spend time with Auntie Constance and many of the children in the family. I was able to work alongside Sarah and Clair making chapate! It started with measuring the flour, water, and oil (no measuring cups, all by hand and feel of course!) to making balls of dough and rolling them out to the right consistency and size. I was able to see another son, George, fry them in a pan. He loves to help cook! Our team ate with the entire family after sharing a time of worship and devotions! It was amazing to see each of the children do their part and take pride in their role in preparing our meal.
During the night I was able to talk with the children and find out what they enjoy studying, if they like cooking, etc. They were so welcoming and hospitable! It also gave me
the opportunity to practice with their names and connect with them on their level. This was their area of expertise and they were able to share it with me! I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to cook with Clair and Sarah and learn from them! I believe cooking is important in all cultures and brings people of all ages together!
Chelsea Van Dalen, Lynden, WA, member of the Alexander team
The Moorpark team working with the Kobwin kids to fence the property.
Recently, a team from Moorpark, CA spent a week serving at our Kobwin Children’s Centre. The team worked alongside the kids to help fence the property. This helped in developing relationship. As our week at Kobwin progressed, I saw hearts open and real transformation happen. Each day that we were there, we covered a certain topic. Faith, Hope, Forgiveness and Love. In the mornings, small groups would assemble to pray and discuss how we see fruit from each of these issues. Then, in the evening, each of the men from the team would reflect on it with a story from the Bible and personal illustrations.
One night that really stand out to me was the night we spoke about forgiveness. Many of the kids, especially boys, came to a point where they faced the fact that they hadn’t forgiven someone for taking their childhood and forcing them into a war driven society.
Their stories and testimonies were heart-breaking, but in the end they were thankful the Lord brought them through those times. For without turmoil, they may never have turn to Him for strength!
-Mallari Page, Assistant Teams Coordiator
Thanksgiving marching!
Every moment is a moment to be thankful, but once a year, we are reminded of the blessings that surround us and celebrate the goodness of the Lord. No, we did not baste a turkey or mixup the months on the calendar. For this kind of Thanksgiving, the traditions are to walk around the compound with your family (I am a member of the Ebenezer family) waving flags or palm branches, followed by a church service that was filled with more excitement than I could describe. We sang in 15 different tribal languages from across Uganda, dancing and jumping, clapping and shouting. It really was a joyous event!
During the service, then, we had the chance to walk around the compound and actually see what everyone was thankful for this year. Each family and department constructed a booth, as an example of Leviticus 23 during the festival of booths. Some people, like me, are visual and to physically see a hut made out of branches and banana leaves that houses the thing we are thankful for brings life to testimonies. As for the Guesthouse/Teams staff, we placed under our booth the photo album of the teams and visitors that have come to be part of the New Hope family in the last few years. We are thankful for their time offered to be here, their skills and talents they share, but most importantly their love and support to create a worldwide family.
Even if its not the end of November, take some time to search your heart. What are you thankful for? Thank God for how He has blessed you and for His grace in your life.
-Mallari Page, Assistant Teams Coordinator
GLORY TO GOD!
Our God does the impossible and I want to share with everyone, the impossible thing that He has done in the life of my wife Sarah and I. We have been married nearly eight years and have now been part of NHU (overseeing Hope Family) for just over a year. We had been told quite some years ago that we could not have children, due to Sarah having a very early menopause. Sarah was told by various consultants that she should take HRT (Hormone Replacement Treatment) and get on with her life. We asked God to help us with this difficult news that we had received and to really trust Him with our hearts desire! Our Church, family and friends supported us and prayed for us and encouraged us as we moved forward into Gods plans and purposes.
Last year we came to Kasana and attended the Institute of Childcare and Family, which was an amazing time and just as we came to finish this course Sarah fell ill (or so we thought). The impossible happened and God by His amazing grace, chose to do the miraculous and make us pregnant. How we have rejoiced with so many over these past nine months both in Uganda and here in the U.K, for that is where we are right now. I am so pleased to announce that on 15th July 2011 Thomas Peter Dendy, the miracle, was born and it is all for the glory of God! Thomas is our constant reminder of the love of an all powerful God. THANK YOU LORD.
- Stu Dendy
By Sandi McMordie
Padraic came over to my table in the foyer of our church, just browsing around. I’d never met him before. I saw him looking at my list of Fundraiser
Ideas for the New Hope Uganda Hope Family House and asked him if he would like to grow a beard for the new baby house. He looked at his wife and she said, “No!” So, for a laugh I asked him if he would sit in a bath of baked beans? Again, he looked at his wife and this time she said, “Yes”! I asked why no to the beard and yes to the bath of baked beans and she said because he would love to grow a beard!
This threw me into a real dilemma – how on earth was I going to do this? I hadn’t a clue! but again God came to me rescue and I was amazed at the way the bath, the beans, the venue all came together. Totally, wonderful! Padraic sat in the bath for ages whilst the children spooned beans all over him and his little dog sat at the side of him licking the beans off his face. It was great fun! There are many more things on my list to raise money for the baby house and one or two really big challenges I will pray about. I feel as though, God is really stetching me and blessing me at the same time – so WAATCH THIS SPACE!
Note on UK Partners Raising Funds for the Hope Family House:
Just last week, we received a call that an abandoned baby had been found. As the only organization offering care for such infants in our District, we were happy to be able to offer a place for Jebez (as we have named him) to be cared for. Sadly, in recent months we have not always been able to say “Yes” as we simply have not had room. However, our new Hope Family House will change that. The house is now needing only $15,000 to complete. Sandi McMordie and others in the UK are doing everything they can to raise funds for the complete. So far the our UK friends have hosted a large “Tea Party” that raised £870 ($1400), an “Open Farm” event that raised over £1300 ($2100), and most recently the unique fundraiser described above!
Other Fundraisers for the Hope Family House
- Steve and Stella Spencer ran a half marathon in aid of Hope House.
- Neil and Judith Reynolds had a strawberry tea party with a jewellery and plant sale.
Sandi McMordie’s Testimony
My name is Sandi McMordie and I am 64 years old. I was born in Belfast, N. Ireland and lived in a protestant area of the City and was taken to be confirmed at the age of 13 but was a bit of a rebel and didn’t see why I should be confined just for the sake of it, surely it would have to mean something to me?
I left Belfast at the age of 17 married to my childhood sweetheart Eric, who had signed to play football in England for Middlesbrough in the North East. We lost our first child, Mark, who died at three months old. A couple of years later we had a daughter Tracy. when Tracy was small I went to college to learn shorthand and typing and got a job in the legal department of a big engineering company over here.
My life looked good on the outside but inside I was desperately seeking but didn’t know how to find that “something” that would fill the deep void inside of me. Then I was invited to church and I went knowing no one apart from the people I went with and as soon as I walked through those church doors, I felt this amazingly strong love directed at me!!! I could have just broke down and wept, but I didn’t. I thought maybe I was just in such a state inside that things might just be coming apart. There was a crusade on at that church and I went by myself every night and listened the following Sunday, alone in my kitchen, I asked Jesus into my life, that was in 1978 and I was baptised the following year, still weeping and weeping, but with a fantastic, grateful weeping, to think that this could happen to me!
God filled me up and I wanted another child and He blessed me with a second daughter, Lindsay.
I work from home doing the wages and paper work for our small supermarket and am kept busy with family and work. Life has not been easy and over the years there have been many trials, fears and worries and for a while I backslide in my faith but God has never left me, and I came back to Him in another very emotional way when my daughter, Lindsay, was caught up in the tsunami of 2004 and I didn’t’ have any news for more than 36 hours. I prayed and praised God for His wonderful gift of Lindsay into my life, I said “she is Yours to give and yours to take, please give me the strength to get through this” then as I stood up from that desperate prayer and within seconds, the phone rang and it was my daughter, she was injured but alive! Praise God!!!
Then, after my trip to New Hope in 2009 I asked god “what can I do?” and the answer God gave me was to fund raise and I have “had a go”! ever since and God has blessed me over and over and I feel privileged to do His work and to show my love for Him and for the people of New Hope especially the children, who I care for deeply.God is expanding my heart all the time and showing me, that one simple person, without any particular talents, who trusts in God and asked “what can I do”?
HE WILL ANSWER HE WILL USE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US of that I have no doubt.!
So whatever you are going through be confident in the Lord, hold fast to Him, Praise Him for He is Worthy, He loves you and will NEVER let you down!
In Christ
Sandi Mc
