His Voice Global September Newsletter
Shine!
The Shine Program continues to be one of the most impactful parts of our ministry in East Africa. In northern Uganda alone, the Shine Program serves over 1600 people by providing integrative care to those with identified needs. This care includes the provision of food, clean water, and medical help for just $.36 per day per person. In addition, housing needs are addressed in conjunction with help from community members who provide labor and brick manufacturing help. Last year alone 20 houses were constructed along with 18 new thatched roof additions. After an area survey was conducted, it was discovered that a large part of the population in the area around the Arise Center was composed of handicapped people. Out of that reality came the Shine ministry of providing physical therapy and handicapped assistance to those in need.
We are so grateful for the leadership of this program by our full-time missionaries on the ground in Uganda and for our faithful donors who support them and this important ministry.
A Story of Impact!
Haley Chapman (pictured above, far left) joined our June team from Fredonia Hills Baptist Church in Nachogdoches, TX. She shares a story of impact from her time in Uganda.
There were a lot of moments during the first Shine Ministry day where I felt emotionally reserved - unable to fully lean in and love others, despite Mike Elkins' encouragement to our June Team to expect to feel that way, yet lean in anyway. (Sorry, Mike). After processing with the Lord, I realized so much of that reserved feeling was stemming from a grief response. At its root was the fear of loving people too deeply, and welcoming the ensuing grief that would accompany that choice.
Then on our second day of Shine visits, we met Wadiko Janet (pictured below telling her story). Immediately, she welcomed us in without reservation, going so far as to remind us of our kinship belonging to the family of God, bestowing upon us familial titles as her spiritual grandchildren. She was adamant to share the story of how the same God had been faithful in her life – how He had met her and provided for her and carried her family through every trouble. Of course, giving God proper praise and honor should be accompanied by songs of thanksgiving - she insisted - and led her daughter and the rest of the Shine Staff through a hymn sung in Lugbarati. Janet had closed our visit by encouraging our team not to grow weary in doing good, and remarked that she would like to visit the US to see us, but would humbly settle for being reunited in Eternity.
I don't think I could ever forget that visit if I tried.
The Lord used my newfound friendship with Janet to counter my grief with the reminder of our hope in Christ, who holds all things together and will one day restore creation.
Over the span of our lunch together, my gaze was set back toward that coming Kingdom, the true & better country to which Janet, and I, and all in Christ will belong, where the sun never sets. Until that day, I'm reminded to not grow weary in doing good, as a friend once encouraged us.
Thank you Haley for sharing your experience. We’re so thankful for her support and the partnership we have with Fredonia Hill. Doing Kingdom work together is a joy we share on this side of Heaven.
How Can You Help!
The plain truth is that none of the work you've heard about in this newsletter gets done without financial support from partners like you. As the Lord leads you, would you consider making a gift today to the Shine ministry? Your gift of $100 a month will provide food, clean water and medical attention for an entire family for a year. If you would like to help with providing badly needed housing for some, a new, handicapped accessible home can be constructed for about $6,000. If you would like to donate stock or cryptocurrency, we can help!
Thank you for your support of His Voice Global! It is a joy to serve those God has given to us with you!
Thank you for your support of His Voice Global! It is a joy to serve those God has given to us with you!