Even so it is not the will of your father

In Mathew 18 Jesus teaches his disciples not to despise anyone who believes in Him. People in this world pay attention to the rich and prosperous, but God’s people are to care for the least and the lowest among them. Everyone is precious to God. Even more, many great victories in the Bible were performed through the least and lowest. Sometimes God chooses and uses the least to conquer the greatest. David and Goliath is only one of such examples. That is what we have experienced on this mission field a lot.

ESL students

It is interesting to see how God is working in the hearts of our students. Some of them were far away from the Lord when they first came to us. Now they have changed in many regards toward the church and Christianity. We praise the Lord for his slow but steady work. Our continuing prayer is for all of them that the Lord continues to change their minds to see the truth. Pray that those non-Christian attenders would perhaps decide to make a next step to visit our Church’s picnic on May 9th.

Praise and Prayer Points

We had a workshop for our leaders in March. It was a great time where everyone felt led by the Spirit. Please pray that our leaders continue to make disciples in an effective way. Also, pray for our church’s picnic on May 9th. Continue to pray for the preparation for our Summer Family Camp. Pray for our Easter celebration on April 20th that the worship halls will be full on this day. We were invited to attend a conference in early May. Since it’s outside of our budget we humbly pray for some assistance of $300 to make the trip.

Friends and Family

Christina turned 9 last weekend. We had a great birthday party with her unchristian friends. They come to our house and see our lives and that Christians are normal people despite society giving them wrong impressions of evangelical Christians. Pray for us that we continue to have opportunities to share the good news through this channel of opportunity.
Thank you for your prayer and your part of the work!

You can make tax deductible contribution to Ufa Bible Ministries which is recognized by the IRS as a 501c3 non-profit entity. Make checks payable to:
Ufa Bible Ministries
PO BOX 1761, Columbia, SC 29202

Praises & Prayers — Howeths’ Uganda Journey

Praises

Greetings from very rainy Uganda! If not daily it threatens a daily occurrence. It wouldn’t be too much to report from the states because we live with it there, almost everyone has cars but that is not the case here.
Many people rely on the boda bodas/motorcycle taxis and small van like taxis’. You can literally hear the rains approach as it hits the area and banana leaf’s. As the rains come closer, everyone starts the frantic efforts to run from it, or try to get that last customer, and to get to an area for protection. The roads become a bit dangerous because of the risks that are taken and the increased volume impact of everyone scrambling.
But we rejoice with the farmers as the crops have been planted, not sure how but the locals are familiar how to plant in this rain. I’ve started lots of plants in recycled containers that should spout soon that I can transfer to the gardens. The rain also reduces the layers of dust on everything, it clears the skies of the pollution and of course, it reminds me of the US this time of year and is springy to me so I appreciate that aspect too!
Things remain busy, the rain does slow us down a bit for sure! There are some changes coming, but we will share that next time. I sensed that there would be so I’m not surprised and I would also wouldn’t be surprised if there is not more. It seems to me that is the way the Lord will work in my life where He brings a season of change. A bit like the seasons we had in Colorado. We do miss that even now. Stay tuned with me as I wait on Him!!
As you will note, the Early Childhood Development Centre is up and running. The birds/first chickens are on there way from Kampala, and we are on hold for the Vocational Center changes that we hope to institute soon. We can only eat a bite at a time! So Jojo is on hold but hopefully in this month of April we can start at least some planning for when the rains subside.

This the view up by the current Girls Dorm. Not as pretty as the first page view. This was also an older picture, you can see it was in the middle of all the dry and dusty season!

The view from the placement of the Girls Dorm! It is so beautiful this time of the year, the rains bring the beauty!!

More Praises & Challenges! EXCITING!! Girls Dorm Fundraiser!

How do we say thank YOU!!? You all are amazing, thank you to all of you who gave so selflessly and are making this dream come true!! Thanks for praying and trusting all that He has us here doing and the work in and through us!! It makes me think of Prossy, the girl that was taken advantage of sexually. She will be with us at least until next year, she will see this come to being. I’m visiting her every week or so with scripture and God’s promises of His All Knowing, and that He did not approve of this. That He will make a way for her. A few days ago I was there but not for visiting her but dropping materials off. I saw her at a distance at the 2nd block and she blew me a kiss and did the heart thing with her hands. It melted my heart! We never know the impact we have on lives but this gave me hope that this girl that was showing hopelessness and despondency, was now wearing hope and vibrant. She seemed early on to want to ask for provisions but I stopped her, and had to remind or let her know, it’s not my hands, it is the Hands of Him who knows everything, and that He will be the one to heal and provide. We will not be doing any other funding for this since we are so close to our estimated budget. We will be giving updates as things get going. Paperwork is still in the governments hands, waiting, which is okay since the rains are daily and raging when they come! Its amazing how strong the winds and rains come?!?!

Some of the FMLK Early Childhood Development children. I just love the uniforms that they picked for the children there.

Prayers

 Please pray for the new staff at FMLK to be honest and upright. Prayer that the unseen is seen!!
 Pray for another couple of streams of funding for FMLK. This is an on-going prayer. We certainly see God providing from these young Spanish volunteers and even in this there are parameters and stops. Please keep the relationship in prayer between the founders of both groups.
 Pray for the fundraiser for the Fencing (not on the docket yet?) needed as the requirement from the government. We are fully funded for the dorm!! Thanks to you!!
 Please continue to pray as Bill teaches and shares and has these new opportunities to speak to not only leaders but the youth as well.
 Please pray as I work with the Remand House (youth detention center), that it is part of His Kingdom building and not just an activity.
 Please continue to pray for the Muslim community. Pray for the Lord to invite these friends into a deeper relationship with the Christian community, dreams/visions, and the Lord Himself. This is the Ramadan season.
 Pray for the Muslim woman I love and having great Spiritual conversations with and that it is all worthy of her considering Christ. We stay in con-tact and she is such a delight!!
 Pray as we serve to see with Spiritual eyes and boldness in these days. Pray that our every effort will make God known and pleasing to Him.
 Join us in prayer, for all of us to see Him as the author and finisher of our days and the desire to fulfill His purpose for each of us!! You too!!
 Pray as Bill works with Robert who is in agreement to work with the FMLK Chapel. He is new to “truth teaching” but is willing and teachable. Praise God that he is there to learn and this will impact many long term!!
 Pray as I address the injury from Princess. I’m I’d say 90% good. I have a bit to go and looking forward to being drug free. So grateful!

Bring them up into the high mountain

Of all the disciples Peter, James and John were the closest to Jesus. He took them apart from the twelve and showed them very deep moments on the mountain. He chose the twelve out of the 72. He saw their desire to be with him. This shows to us the circles of discipleship. God sees our desire and strives for Him and brings us closer. This pattern we can see as we do ministry in the foreign land. So, where do we choose to be today? Among the 72? Or in the 12? Or, maybe even in the 3 with Peter, John, and James? He sees our hearts and our desires to strive to reach him how he has reached us.

For All Club

We’ve had two of our clubs in the new year. Hall was full of both. Some people came because their friends told them about Christians and they were curious to see what it is like. We had a great time both times. Be in prayer for the hearts of those people. Pray that those non-Christian attenders would decide to make a next step to visit our Church’s picnic on May 9th. Pray that the Holy Spirit continues to work in their hearts leading to accepting Jesus as their personal Savior.

Praise and Prayer Points

We are going to have a workshop for our leaders in late March. It is a time where we meet and discuss plans for outreach. Please pray for our church’s picnic on May 9th. It is a unique time where we spend time together with those who are “close to the church”. Also, continue to pray for the preparation for our Summer Family Camp. And of course, Easter. Pray that the worship halls are full on that day. Please pray that our leaders continue to make disciples in an effective way.

Friends and Family

Tim and Christina are a great bridge to Liliya’s Muslim relatives. Sometimes they listen to them more because they partly represent their nation. Pray that they would have opportunities to share the good news with our Tatar part of the family. Continue to pray for Liliya’s father too. It is surprising how long he has been living under his condition. Apparently, because of the prayers of the saints and good care.
Thank you for your faithful prayer and support of this work of the Kingdom!

You can make tax deductible contribution to Ufa Bible Ministries which is recognized by the IRS as a 501c3 non-profit entity. Make checks payable to:
Ufa Bible Ministries
PO BOX 1761, Columbia, SC 29202

Praises & Prayers — Howeths’ Uganda Journey

Praises

Greetings from a still very dry and dusty Uganda. We are seeing some hints of rain, did I say that last time too?! Maybe more hints now but my goodness it is dry! I wonder about the farmers and those that really need to get the crops going.
I planted some seeds believing that we would see rain to no avail. We did get just a smidgen of rain last night and you had to look hard to be sure. When it does come it is usually in buckets after such a length of time!
February was busy with schools starting again, the volunteers here and Bill finding a person to help translate some of his material, sitting in for Calvary & starting the FMLK Chapel again. Both of us have been struggling a bit from health challenges on top of a busy schedule. I’m finally now getting some traction from hitting the ground when Princess pulled me down.
Bill just returned from a trip to Kampala, I did not join him this time. He saw the chiropractor and is using PT here for his sciatica. We are both grateful that we are still moving and doing pretty good!
We also visited our two sets of friends in Mbarara south of us about three and half hours. The roads were bad. AND I forget to get photos. Our American Missionary friends that have been here forever, have a lot to look forward to in retirement. They are moving to northern AZ. A life of service in a Bible School! We hope to see them again before they go mid-year. Skip was a close partner years ago with George who Bill now partners with.
The other American Missionary couple are really busy with life changes as their children start to become college age. One child will be with them after they travel back later this year. They take there twin daughters to college this summer and a son that is in Greece now studying, will join in the US college somewhere.

Above: You can see the dryness in our yard and the smokey skies. They will burn a lot and unfortunately they also will burn toxic trash. It makes it difficult and we have to close up and not go out for a while. Its helpful that it mostly end of day or into night so we can just go in. It is also when you want open your windows to cool down. This was a morning shot so the previous evening burn is more prevalent.

More Praises & Challenges! — Girls Dorm Fundraiser!

Again we are so grateful to everyone who has given & prayed for the girls dorm fundraiser. We accomplished the grading so the authorities will know we are working on it!! We have someone local that will has started on the gathering the paper work and submitting it to the governmental offices so once we are in a position to start the build we will start updating everyone again. The numbers are the same so we will update you as we start and get some accomplishments going.
We are excited to start but a bit overwhelmed with school starting, the volunteers here, the hiring of many new teachers and some other exciting things going on. Timing is everything!

Exciting!! FMLK now has a well and several taps on the property at the school. We are attempting to add for the Early Childhood development Center. Many thanks to KUKURA the Spanish Group that keeps coming!! The well is at the bottom of the property down by the ponds. The well, top left, the pump and electric runs go all the way up the hill to the boys dorm . We are looking at getting solar to help with that repeated expense.

Prayers

 Please pray for the new staff at FMLK to be honest and upright. Prayer that the unseen is seen!!
 Pray for another couple of streams of funding for FMLK. This is an on-going prayer. We certainly see God providing from these young Spanish volunteers and even in this there are parameters and stops.
 Pray for the fundraiser for the Dorm & Fencing (not on the docket yet?) needed as the requirement from the government. We are so close to the dorm being fully funded!! Thanks to you!!
 Please continue to pray as Bill teaches and shares and has these new opportunities to speak to not only leaders but the youth as well.
 We met with another couple (see pic) on partnering in another youth activity. More on this later, pray I have the Spirits Guidance as I minister to these youths. Bill may step in at some point as well?
 Please continue to pray for the Muslim community. Pray for the Lord to invite these friends into a deeper relationship with the Christian community, dreams/visions, and the Lord Himself. This is the Ramadan season.
 Pray for the Muslim woman I love and having great Spiritual conversations with and that it is all worthy of her considering Christ. We stay in con-tact and she is such a delight!!
 Pray as we serve to see with Spiritual eyes and boldness in these days. Pray that our every effort will make God known and pleasing to Him.
 Join us in prayer, for all of us to see Him as the author and finisher of our days and the desire to fulfill His purpose for each of us!! You too!!
 Pray as Bill has his sciatica addressed. We’re praying for no surgery and the chiropractor to treat him long term. It is promising, yet she is all the way to Kampala. He does have a PT here in Fort Portal that he is seeing.
 Pray as I address the injury from Princess. It is slow and I’m not great at being so slow. Nor at taking pills. The material stated 2-6 months for healing, at 2 months 1 week I was much better, but not completely healed yet. Looking forward to full healing now doing 1/3 of the pills!! So grateful!