Once a year, we travel to Uganda for the primary purpose of team meetings, strategizing, encouragement, and prayer with the staff working in Uganda. The team is growing, as we now have 10 Ugandans employed by Arrows + Hope! We also visit with the children and young adults to see how things are going from their perspective.
Some of these children, who are now young adults, have been part of this ministry for 10 years now! Building relationships and trust takes time and intentionality. Each and every day, our Ugandan team speaks life and hope into the lives of these children with the intention of one day launching them as arrows – to bring the light of Jesus to their communities and workplaces.
Sandy and I (Michelle), who are part of the volunteer US team, traveled to Uganda at the end of October. Our first day was spent with Dennis, visiting seven of the University students who are staying far from home in Kampala/Entebbe for their studies. Dennis is the Entebbe center social worker and also a pastor at our partner church Emmanuel. He is also now regularly meeting each of the University students to encourage and disciple when they are at school.
While in Soroti, we visited several of the schools Arrows + Hope students attend, and met with each school director. The school leadership had wonderful things to say about the children of Arrows + Hope. They are also grateful for Deborah and Miriam, who come each week to hold discipleship gatherings during the school year for children who are boarding. The discipleship programs are open to anyone at the school. It was an encouragement to have the opportunity to sit in on a few discipleship gatherings during our visit!
We also visited several of the Arrows + Hope graduates at their workplace and homes! We heard time and time again how thankful they are for the support and love they received from Arrows + Hope. We always reply, “It is God who gets all the glory! He is the one who provided and has continued to do so – through the giving and prayers of so many people, and the commitment of the team in Uganda on the ground.”
Finding a job is difficult in Uganda, and many are unemployed. Arrows + Hope has brought hope not only to the children, but also to those we employ. During our recent visit, we had the opportunity to visit the building site of the new home for Sarah, who works as the office assistant at Arrows + Hope. She has been renting a small room, which is much too small to house six people. Her husband passed away a few years ago, and she is the only one providing for herself and her five children. She is so proud of the home she is building for her family!
Thank you to each prayer warrior, donor, and sponsor for your continued support for 10 years now! These families we get to come alongside of are precious to us and to God. What a gift it is to have the opportunity to point them to hope in Christ through the ministry of Arrows + Hope. We believe it is a gift that will continue giving for generations to come!