After traveling to Uganda and participating in ministry there, each of us came home with an overwhelming sense of the needs that remain in that country.  During our brief time in Uganda we participated in ministry to prisoners, to orphans, church ministry, medical outreach & HIV diagnosis, and facility improvements to a ministry outreach compound.

 

Working with missionaries Scott & Brenda Volz exposed us to their passion to see God's love permeate the culture and His Spirit to miraculously transform lives and communities.  Under their over-sight, ministries reach throughout Uganda and even into neighboring countries.

 

Here are the notes of some of the Clean Water '09 Team members reflecting their desire to expand the influence of our missionaries in Uganda.

 

 SARAH BENTLEY with a young student at the Kyamalinga Orphan Home

There is a great need to help children in Uganda to receive an education. Education in Uganda is not free. The costs are between $30-$50 per trimester (every 3 months), depending on age. For many parents and families, this amount of money to pay for school is not attainable and the child must stay at home to work. By committing to support one child in their journey through school would only cost $10-$16 per month. Through the missionaries Scott and Brenda Volz in Uganda, we can connect you with a student who needs support. They will let us know the exact amount needed to support that particular child. We will have more details about child sponsorship in coming days.  If you are ready to get the ball rolling right now, send an e-mail to epic.info@gmail.com.  Thank you for praying for the children of Uganda, and if the Lord leads you to - for sponsoring a child."  Sarah

 

 

     Before leaving for Uganda I knew there was a need for clean water.  About 6000 people worldwide (mostly children) die every day from water-borne illnesses.  When I got there I quickly realized that I didn’t have a clue about the scope of the problem.  Most people in the country are getting their water from contaminated water sources such as creeks, swamps and stagnant pools.  In the dry season, the water sources get even worse as natural springs dry up and contamination levels become more concentrated. Everywhere I looked people were collecting and transporting water in yellow jerry cans.  Sometimes I thought that the only viable industry in Uganda is jerry can manufacturing. Even the capital city of Kampala had limited water and many people were forced to collect water from puddles and swamps.  After seeing the scope of the problem I am surprised that more people are not sick and wonder if the problem is underreported. The Ugandan people spend a lot of time collecting and decontaminating their water.  Time that could be better spent lifting themselves out of their poverty.  The well that we installed was a critical step to alleviate the problem and will drastically change the lives of the 3000 members of the Makoomi.  That village just became a potentially rich village (relatively) because their production efforts can be focused to enrich their lives.  No matter how important the well was to those people however, it’s just a drop in the proverbial bucket.  The need is everywhere.  Basic infrastructure is virtually nonexistent in Uganda.  There is also the potential to expand our project in Makoomi. When we built the well, the hole was drilled big enough for not only the hand pump that is there now, but also to supply a solar powered pump (there is no electricity in most parts of the country) and water tower.  For the first time Makoomi can have clean running water.
     Another important issue is the condition in the prisons.  The prisoners are only fed what they can grow.  If they have a bad crop, they don’t eat.  Even a good crop does not guarantee adequate nutrition. Signs of malnutrition were evident at every prison that we visited.  Prisoners were lethargic, emaciated and many were sickly.  They also have no access to health care other than that provided by charitable organizations. I saw many prisoners with obvious signs of malaria and they were not getting any treatment at all.  Simple antibiotics go a long way to preventing illness or death.  Conviction of petty crime does not warrant the death penalty but the conditions in the prisons can mean just that. 

     Well donations can be made to epic Church and will be sent to our missionaries through World Outreach Ministry Foundation.  Wells in outlying villages generally cost in the realm of $8,000.00.  There are other clean water projects you can find on-line for many African nations.

    Donations to Uganda mission at epic will ge sent to our missionaries there and will promote more ministry to the prisons.  If specified, we can guaratee that your funds are directed toward prison ministry.

    Please pray for these prisoners and for the health situation in this country.  Pray for God to make Himself known as He meets these needs.  Tim

 

 

     After spending time in Uganda and seeing the desperate situation there, I cannot begin to express all the areas of need.  I did sense that God's presence was powerfully working at the health clinics we provided.  For only $350.00 this missionary crew is able to serve an entire village.  Once there were funds for nearly 40 clinics per year.  Now there are funds for only a handful.  The patients we saw had not had a clinic come to their community for nearly 2 years.  If they want medical help, they have to walk as much as 20+ miles to find it at the institutionally funded hospital/clinics We saw how many serious concerns were left untreated because of that barrier.  Only medical missionaries are taking clinics into remote villages.

     It is my heart's desire that we would band together to send enough money for monthly clinics if not more.  Not only were people ministered to with health care, they were born-again through this ministry.  Please pray and give.   Rico

 

 

     Like Rico, I felt God work in many mighty ways through the medical clinics.  I would like to see us support the continuation of that ministry through our prayer and our financial support. 

     But I have also felt God leading me to share a call to intercessory prayer for Uganda and it's people.  I think we need to do more work right where we are at, praying for God's powerful work around the world.  My experience in Africa truly awakened me to the reality of God's global mission.  I recently read this quote about intercessory prayer that resonates with where my spirit is in this regard.