Dear friends & family,
This update is long overdue, and I apologize! The last time you heard from me, I was thinking I would be finished at Zion around March or April. In February I was seriously considering moving to Juba, South Sudan to work with Confident Children Out of Conflict. I would have been doing similar work to what I am doing here in Gulu. God eventually made it clear that I was not to move to Juba, and I applied for a few jobs in the states with anti-trafficking organizations but no doors opened. In addition, the girl who was supposed to come in March to take my role at the kids home ended up not coming. So, in March I ended up remaining in Gulu. I am here until God opens a door and makes it clear that I should move on, possibly just until I get the Zion children’s home approved under the local government.
Updates:
My role has looked a little bit different since I came back in January. Our children’s home has been short staffed since then, so I began taking on shifts as a caregiver. This has given me the opportunity to get to know the girls even better, and also involved me in things such as discipline and correction (whereas before I just got to be the fun aunty who came in the afternoons to tutor!) There are three of us: Joyce, Harriet, and myself. I am the oldest right now, so Joyce and Harriet often look to me for the answers, and I often don’t have them! Four of our girls are now entering their teens and they are making sure that we are aware of the fact. We need prayer for wisdom and patience, and especially for another caregiver that will truly love the girls and be willing to stick around for a long time. I am so thankful for the years I had growing up at Bancroft and working as a camp counselor… I don’t think anything could have prepared me better for being an “aunty” to 17 girls. Even though the environment and the culture are different, you still run into many of the same issues – when a girl is sick and you have to decide whether to take her to the doctor or wait it out, when somebody steals somebody else’s shoes just as you’re trying to get everyone out the door, when girls get in an argument and you just want to make a fair judgement… thankfully my experiences at camp prepared me for many of the issues we face each day.
I didn’t understand why God wasn’t letting me go to Juba, but over the last few months it’s been clear that He wasn’t done with me here at Zion. I’ve been here long enough now that the Zion girls have really begun to trust me, and I’ve had the opportunity to really speak into some of their lives. I would have missed out on that and the opportunity to continue building on the relationships that were already there if I had left and gone to Juba to start from scratch again. I’m now thankful that He kept me here and that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts! (Isaiah 55…see the end of my email).
Last month we took in a new girl, Lakisa Lucy. She is a total orphan and had been living with her step-mother, but she was not receiving the care that she needed, and one day her step-mother even tried to strangle her. Much like Nancy, from last year, it was a tough decision because Lucy is already 13 years old, and it’s difficult for girls of that age to come into a home. Most children’s homes will not accept children over the age of 10 or 11, so when we hear about someone like Lucy there is really no way we can help her, other than taking her in ourselves. Please remember her in prayer as she adjusts to life at Zion, living and getting along with 16 other girls, and being back in school.
Lucy:
Last week we hosted a Youth With a Mission (YWAM) team of 11 people. I really enjoy hosting visitors and showing them around Zion Project and Gulu. They were a huge blessing to our women and the girls, especially since they helped us with moving day for our girls’ home last week. They really worked hard. Unfortunately the landlord of the house that we moved into has now changed his mind and asked us to move the girls out again, so please pray with us that God would provide the perfect home for them (and help for moving day since the team is now gone).
Moving Day:
I have a friend named Peter who is a young man that used to be a street kid. He is in his last year of primary school, and in the past he was sponsored by the Mormon church. Thanks to the friendship and ministry of some of my good friends, Peter realized he needed to leave the Mormon church, which would mean giving up his sponsorship to school. He did it anyway and at the same time rededicated his life to Christ. He is now trusting God to provide his school fees, a place to live, and food to eat. If you are interested in helping to sponsor him or help with his living expenses, please contact me for more info.
Peter:
Finances:
I never cease to be amazed at God’s provision for all of my needs, and He uses many of you and your generosity to do so. I am thankful for your giving hearts! I do have some ongoing needs which are not covered under my current monthly budget, including medical insurance, visa renewal every 3 months, and airfare when the time comes for me to return home. If you are interested in joining my monthly supporters or giving a one-time gift, the information is here:
I am still a missionary under Ripe for Harvest, and they offer several ways to donate to my account (#318). You can donate by credit card or set up automatic recurring donations at their website by clicking here, or mail checks to:
Ripe for Harvest World Outreach
P.O. Box 487
Monument, CO 80132
(Make the check out to Ripe for Harvest. Include a note with my name & account #318).Contributions are solicited with the understanding that Ripe for Harvest has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds.
Prayer:
+Praise for good health over the last several months
+Praise for God’s provision and guidance
+Lucy, our newest girl, as she adjusts to being in our home & a new school.
+The right house for our girls’ home, and help for moving day.
+A new caregiver at the children’s home – the right person!
+Our oldest girl, Nancy, is worried about her younger sister who is being used as a full time baby-sitter by a police officer in the village. She is not in school. We would like to bring her into our home but it’s a tricky situation since we’re dealing with a police officer who is using a child for labor.
+Favor with the district and child probation as we try to get our children’s home approved, as well as for an adoption we are trying to help with.
+My parents & grandmother and the rest of the staff & counselors at Bancroft as summer camp is now in full swing.
+Peter as he trusts God to provide for everything he needs.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my update, and for your prayers, encouragement, and financial support. I couldn’t be here without each of you participating and taking an interest in how God is working in Uganda.
Much love,
Sarah
ISAIAH 55:8-12
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace…”
