Bicycles and Sewing Machines

One of the projects that we decided upon as a group was to use the additional project money we had raised to help pastors and widows to do their jobs more efficiently and help them create an income to support themselves.

As I spoke to pastors in a conference our first day in Uganda, I learned that one of their greatest challenges is transportation. So we were able to purchase 16 bikes for pastors who are also district supervisors and keep up with dozens of churches. We were able to personally present 2 of the bikes, which was exciting. Especially watching one of the pastors jump so high with excitement that I think he could have jumped over the bike!

Tim and Colleen have also helped start a program with the local Church of God leadership to equip widows with sewing machines and training in how to use them so that they can earn an income and provide for their children, which are usually many in number. Our resources enabled us to purchase 15. One of my desires is that we will be able to present some of these personally over the remainder of our time here in Africa.

Along with being able to pour 3 cement floors at a school in the village, and starting the roof (which we have since learned is now ready for metal sheeting), we were able to provide funding for the floor, roof, doors, and windows for another church. And finally, for the church that was devastated by the mudslide, we were able to provide the money to purchase a good sized chunk of land where they can rebuild in a safer place.

We originally thought that we would be physically building that church while here, but because of the fact that you still have to walk many miles due to washed out roads, it is not physically possible to get to where they want to rebuild.

Visiting the displacement camp where survivors are located was a very humbling and sad experience. Though they have very nice tents and are being fed, it is also a haven for bad things to happen because of the idle time these people have. AIDS is such a rampant problem even still, and when little girls discover that they can purchase things they want by giving sex to men who have some money, it just perpetuates the problem and brings more heartache to families and communities.

We have met face to face how overwhelming the need is everywhere we've been and have spent much time asking God what He is trying to show us and teach us through all that we've seen. It's amazing how often we drive through our respective towns and don't even see things that are right in front of our eyes. But when someone else is driving, as is the case here, and all you have to do is look and take in all that is around you, we see so much more. It is humbling to say the least.

God, please use us in whatever way you see fit, and help us and our friends and families to see what you want to show us even in our daily, routine lives.

Love to all,

P. Roy