Prison Ministry

As always I love joining Carpenter John for his Bugembe prison ministry services on Thursday or Sunday afternoon. He’s been serving as chaplain for more than 10 years and I’ve been joining him about once monthly for almost 4 of those 10 years. Initially we were allowed to sneak a few photos but as the prison system tightened up, photos were no longer permissible. These photos are from early visits but nothing much has changed since then.

Chrystina did a wonderful job relating the story of Queen Esther to the male prisoners and we even had an opportunity to talk about how to treat their wives (i.e., not as the king did Queen Vashti). Sorry no pix of the girls (sniffle).

Sleeping quarters

My very first visit and gifting Bibles

Bugembe Prison

Film ministry about forgiveness

An apple treat

Skill training - cobbler

Skill training - tailoring

The lunch line

Muhamed became a cobbler after being released
because of the training he received in prison.

The first ever boy dolly and it was given in Bugembe Prison

Skill training- weaving

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Dad's School

A quick peek into Dad’s School on the way to the Sanctuary Children’s Home was all we intended Trapped by the rain, however, Rachel and Chrystina had fun with the kids as we completely disrupted their post lunch class focus.

The girls can always be found making silly faces when there are children around but it was fun to watch the children overwhelm them this time as they ran their dirty fingers through the smooth hairs of the bazungu.

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Sanctuary Children Have Moved

They’ve Moved! I couldn’t stand the idea that all these little kiddo’s were now sheltered and loved somewhere I didn’t know. So, I made the trip to find them happy and healthy in their new home just up the road from the old home. So thankful for “Uncle” who loves these kids so purely. The number of children living here continues to grow…how can you say “sorry I already have six children with no parents, I just can’t take one more”? And so, money is tight but the Lord is good and continues to use you and others to provide for them. Thank you!

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Smart as a Whip!

Spending Thanksgiving Day with the children at The Sanctuary Babies Home – now called Sanctuary Children’s Home – was a joy. I love the warm welcome these kids offer and I love getting to know the little ones who are now becoming big.

The children were never so quiet as when I arrived this day. Why? They were eating. My goodness, you could have heard a pin drop. The children were sprawled around the room, mostly sitting on the floor, as they enjoyed their rice and bean lunchtime. But once they were finished they knew what was in store.

After a three-sentence lesson about giving thanks – with emphasis on giving thanks BEFORE we receive what we ask for – the kids dug into shading their picture. I watched as the various children exhibited differing levels of skill but each making progress as they learn. Most pointedly, LoHire was coloring perfectly inside the lines. All the adults remarked at the shift in this tiny tot from barely making a scribble to full out shading inside the lines.

But where was this masterpiece when we finished? I wanted to show you before and after proof. Instead LoHire decided she wanted to keep her art and hid it away somewhere that even Michael couldn’t find. Ooo…that girl is smart as a whip!

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Routine Can Be Good

Michael always has some question about how to grow and develop this small home full of children and the school he’s using to educate them and their neighbors. I love being a source of wisdom for him to whatever small degree is possible. But mostly I love arriving in the compound and having more than a dozen children run at me with open arms.

They’ve come to know our routine – Bible story, shading, games, and sometimes a song or two. Having spent a few years watching these kids grow, I’m so encourage to see the changes in their lives. They are loving, generous, sharing, beautiful children with “parents” who love Jesus and love them well.

The Sanctuary Babies Home has many friends all around the United States and as someone who is on the ground visiting this group every month, I want you all to know that what you are doing to love and encourage this family is important. Check out their new website too: www.sanctuarybabieshome.org

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Father's Day at The Sanctuary

The theme of the Prodigal Son ran throughout our various Father’s Day activities in the Jinja area. The story is so easily adaptable for people of all ages and stages of life. These tiny tots were no exception. Each having a coloring page, they’ve become quite practiced about what to do with those pages now, I talked to these tiny orphans about the love of their heavenly Father and that even if they make mistakes they can go to him and say sorry and he’ll love them just the same.

As children are children, though, they were a smidge more interested in the new Candy Land game I brought for them. As usual, the eldest boy, Chris, took charge of setting up and teaching the others about colors and how to play. I even got to practice my Luganda colors a bit. Oh how I love these kids and their caretakers. Such a lovely and very large family.

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Father's Day in Prison

The Father’s Day message delivered in Bugembe Prison was taken from the same Prodigal Son story as delivered at Buwenge Blue. But this time the room full of men came to understand that the selfish, greedy, power-hungry son who thought he knew how to do life better alone than with his dad was forgiven when he returned to his father’s house. Not only was he forgiven but his father came running to welcome him home. I tried to help these guys imagine what that would be like for them.

I asked them to think about the worst thing they’d ever done, maybe that thing is why they are in prison now…maybe not. I asked them to imagine going to tell God they were sorry, they already knew in their heart they were sorry but now they had to go apologize. I wonder if imagining such a thing is very close to actually doing it in this case because God is ever present. Anyhow, I asked these broken men to imagine that before they even arrived at His estate (for certainly God lives on a very large estate), before they even had to get up the courage to speak a word, He came running at them. He came running and wrapped his arms around them and welcomed them home. Not a word spoken but all the love of the Father enveloping them both.

That’s what will happen, a lot like the story of the Prodigal Son. These men could hardly believe such a wonderful reunion could be possible.

But it doesn't end there. Typically one or two women reside in this prison as well. This day...18. 18 prostitutes were jailed the night before in a pretty major sting. Can you imagine telling all these women – most of whom indicated they had no father or had an abusive father – about the love of their heavenly Father and that he loves them so much they can always go home if they’re sorry. Oh ya, that’s what I’M talking about…not a dry eye in the place. Can you imagine that being arrested for prostitution could end up being the highlight of these women’s lives…the point at which they finally realized their Father’s love and take a step toward him? Thank you, Jesus, for allowing me to be part of this beautiful moment in their lives.

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Teaching Children About Missions

“Muzungu,” some tiny voices shouted from inside the small bedroom where those tiny voices were supposed to be sleeping. The adult caretakers and teachers came running to the door to greet me too. I love the family that is The Sanctuary Babies Home in part because of that freedom of expression and also because the children don’t fear but instead warmly love those who are caring for them.

That Box from My Grandbabies certainly had some goodies inside. I had the privilege of bringing those goodies to these kids and they almost devoured the package. Toothbrushes, toothpastes, crayons, and coloring books. All the things we love to do together – well…we don’t brush our teeth together.

LoHire is still such a tiny thing.
She lacks the proper nutrition to become strong.

The idea, though, is that American children (who just happen to be my grandchildren) learn about and understand what it means to live with less and have need of the simple things…and to reach out and share what little they can. Yet, also understand that we love the same Jesus way across the planet in an entirely different world. I’m so thankful to be the conduit for all of these kids who are so precious to me.

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Prisoner-Student-Pastor Geoffrey

Geoffrey and Carpenter John

The space Geoffrey occupies ends right at the door.

A small mud room measuring 8’ x 10’ is the place Geoffrey calls home. No longer does he reside in Bugembe Prison, sleeping with dozens of other men on the hard concrete floor, but instead he lives as a free man in the town of Bugembe. He proudly showed me his tiny place, where he now sleeps on a mattress set upon the earthen floor, and then announced that his wife stays there too. Oh my.

Twin size foam mattress on the hard floor.

Geoffrey was both the lead tailoring teacher at Bugembe Prison and the in-house prison chaplain. Careful and intentional discipleship by Carpenter John alongside a partnership with Surprised by Hope to deliver skills development programs and ministry led this young man to love Jesus. Read the letter he wrote to me after one teaching that touched his heart.

Geoffrey proudly shows his books,
purchased with your gifts.

Carpenter John found a missionary-based Bible school in Jinja town that allowed Geoffrey to attend for free – all he needed was requirements. Two families stepped up to help Geoffrey – to invest in his future with the hope of saving many lives through him. Mukama akuwe omukisa (God bless you)!

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Sanctuary School

Michael and Silvia have about 20 resident orphans living in their two-room home – The Sanctuary Babies Home – and twice as many attending the small school they started. Most of the children are in what we call “baby class” which means they are preschoolers but as time progresses so do the children. They recognized that so many children in the neighborhood could not attend school because fees were too high and they knew for certain they could not pay for their 20 children to attend. Starting a school seemed like the only answer.

Temporary wooden structures rest just outside the compound gate and are almost ready to be filled with children. Michael also reports that he’s gardening on a few acres of land outside town as well. He’s using what he learned in the Entrepreneurship workshop to give back to his community, though the start is definitely not easy. Michael did report that the children went without food for a few days – and I believe him. I know this man and he is not one to ask unless there is an emergency. He believes in hard work and the blessings of the Lord.

While he is doing all he can to put to good use the assets he has around him, that doesn’t mean the way is easy. Please pray that Michael and Silvia would supernaturally have the resources they need to care for this future generation – that bags of rice would remain full, that cartons of whole milk would never run dry, that those sending their children to this school would have the resources in abundance to enable them to pay their school fees. In Jesus name, amen!

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Bugembe Bricks

Remember there is a "no photos allowed" rule.
This picture doesn't include prisoners or the prison.

Smoke filled the air as I neared Bugembe Prison. Benjamin – the in-house chaplain replacing Geoffrey, and guided by Carpenter John – waved me down before I passed too far. Without supervision, Benjamin worked alongside four other men to hone their prison-acquired brick-making skills. He reported that they’re working to make bricks for the OCs residence and eventually for sale. Brick-making is just one of many skills programs available at the prison. Better yet, the program was initiated by the officer in charge and modeled after the skills programs developed in partnership with Carpenter John and Surprised by Hope.

Though I arrived on official business on a non-visitation day, I was blessed with the kind words of a thankful man. What was Benjamin thankful for? That someone outside the prison, with nothing personal to gain, would care about them. Moreover, that people who haven’t even been to Uganda would care about them.

While not every risk can be eliminated when investing in these (or any) men, we do our best to listen to God before starting, allow him to work through us as we prepare the men for living for Jesus, and release our own control over to God as the men are also released. Please pray for each one of these men as they approach their various release dates. Prison life makes loving God easy; it’s life after prison that is hard.

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Victory Family Center Preaching

I arrived at the town center in Buwenge before Pastor Fred was ready for me. After purchasing a bottle of water at the supermarket I stepped outside. An invitation from Achmed resulted in my sitting on a bench next to him and several other men who were speaking in Lusoga. Had they conversed in Luganda I might have had a chance to understand and participate in the conversation, but it was not to be. Achmed is a business owner who transports produce to and from various places around Kampala. He was quite interested in my favorite meal and then buying me lunch that day before I headed back to town. Although I politely declined, he persisted. I also discovered that he and another nearby man were negotiating which would become my husband. Thank goodness Pastor Fred arrived with his wife Justine and their baby Claudia.

Pastor Fred has been so instrumental in arranging teaching and ministry opportunities in the Jinja area. This week he invited me to preach a church he planted about 10 years ago. Victory Family Center is similar to so many other churches in Uganda. Unfinished brick walls sopped wherever the brick supply was finished. Metal sheets supported by rough timber sticks shielded us from the sun (and half baked us too). Worship had already begun and the sounds of joy filled the enclosure.

I’m not sure God has called me to be a preacher but three invitations could not go ignored. I continue to feel the Holy Spirit highlighting a few key concepts to me, concepts that are somehow engrained in this culture – and to be honest, probably every mind since the Fall. Given the opportunity, I teach about things that have to do with the way we think and what we think about. Battlefield of the Mind and The Art and Science of Thinking contain such essential messages if we are to gain freedom from the oppressor.

Pr Fred's Adorable Claudia

I’ll never really know how I performed as a preacher, and maybe that’s a good thing. Lots of people came to the alter for prayer to be set free from captivity in their own minds. At the same time we prophesied, prayed for healing, and then…all the children started coming. Something happened in the children there. I don’t know how it started but eventually almost every child came for prayer seemingly without prompting from their parents. Maybe it was the muzungu factor but God was showing me that we need to pray for protection over these minds that have yet to be corrupted by the enemy. Please join me in continuing to pray for these children and that they not become gripped by the same generational plagues so prevalent in this country.

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Walk in the Way of Love at Shelemiah

I’m becoming brave in finding my way to new places in Uganda. Though Musita isn’t far from Bugembe in Jinja, “stop at the trading center” is about as generic as it gets. Which trading center and how will I know I’m at the right one? I found it though, thanks to a somewhat helpful taxi conductor and a very kind petrol station guard who made sure I stayed out of the sun.

 Dennis came limping to collect me once I arrived and I cringed at the story he told about his recent boda-boda accident. Without giving all the details, I will tell you how very thankful I am that he is alive. He is the primary caretaker for about 15 children of primary and secondary school age – though during his long recovery his sister, Norah, joined him at Shelemiah Orphan’s Home. Norah is a beautiful young woman who seemed thrilled to have another woman in the house if even for a short time.

The home relocated recently. They moved away from a perfectly situated very large compound to something nice but much smaller. Landlords tend to take advantage of ministries with outside funding by increasing rents and thus the children were all moved to a new location.

This sunny Saturday, 11 students were home after school and I had the joy of spending time with this huggy bunch once again. Though our work together is simply based on love and encouragement, I so enjoy spending time doing simple lessons with this group. Alongside the Easter resurrection message – and the reason for the resurrection – I had the blessed opportunity to wash the feet of these children and teach them about walking in the way of love based on Ephesians 5:1-2. After washing their feet, each child received a pair of Sensible Shoes to help remind them each time they step into those shoes that they need to love their neighbor.

As Dennis walked me back to the stage he shared some of the struggles he’s had with unethical behavior on the part of others and the dilemma this causes for him. I’m decreasingly surprised at the stories I hear but never do I fail to be sad about the human depravity that exists so boldly in this foreign land. The message of walking in the way of love from Ephesians was not only useful in helping those who do not love others as they ought to, but also in reminding people like Dennis and me not to lose that love for even those who persecute us.

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Holey Nets

Thanks to YOU, we replaced then holey mosquito nets for the children and we even provided one for Michael and Silvia. The children were so very excited to get their new nets. Now we just need to pray that these adorable but rambunctious kids aren’t the future cause of those most holey nets.

Thank you to those who gave to meet this simple but life-saving need.

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Shading Jesus

“Shading” is something the children have come to expect when they see my face appear in their compound. I bring simple Bible lessons and corresponding coloring pages for these kids each time I’m in Bugembe. Their caretakers – Michael and Silvia – have done a fantastic job expanding that small home to include some small education for the children even though they aren’t an official school. The children are happy and respond to their loving caretakers without fear.

This visit we shaded pictures of Jesus standing outside the tomb. I love that a tomb can be bright purple or neon blue. Children are so boundary-less! We talked about Easter and Jesus’ resurrection. We talked about how if we believe in Jesus then when we die we can be with him in heaven. The kids’ ages range from 1.5 to 6 years so we keep it short and simple. Seeds. Seeds.

After shading we ran outside to blow bubbles. 20 plus children running, jumping, slapping at bubbles…the joy of chaos.

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Geoffrey Attends Theology School

Almost two years ago I introduced you to Geoffrey, assistant in-house chaplain at Bugembe Prison. He gave his life to Jesus after hearing me preach (undoubtedly following a lot of seed planting that had nothing to do with me). After beginning skills training programs in that prison, Geoffrey became the tailoring teacher there and did a terrific job with his responsibilities. When Frederick, the then in-house chaplain was released, Geoffrey became the lead chaplain and continued his tailoring teaching.

A few short months ago Geoffrey was released, having served his two-year sentence with good behavior. He stays close to Carpenter John and attends church with him at Bugembe Methodist Church. When asked, Geoffrey said that he wanted to get theology training and become a real pastor. What an amazing testimony to the wonderful things God is doing inside those prison walls.

Carpenter John, by the grace of God, received approval to allow Geoffrey to attend a particular school and earn a certificate in theology…at no charge. Geoffrey is responsible for his books and school materials but he can attend classes for free and receive a certificate upon completion. When visiting Geoffrey recently, Carpenter John found him in a handmade mud shack by the side of the road. If I understand correctly, Geoffrey simply found a small space where he thought no one would disturb him and started making mud from the ground to build a little hut.

During that same visit, Carpenter John observed that there wasn’t a single thing in this man’s house…including food. When asked, Geoffrey said he had no food and he had not resorted to stealing food and instead gave God glory for his life. Last week I handed Carpenter John an embarrassingly small shilling note and said he could use that to pay for the fuel he’d used in taking me up to the prison and give the rest to Geoffrey. Instead John gave the whole thing to Geoffrey so that he would not be tempted to steal.

There’s more. A few days after I gave that money Geoffrey called. He said thank you for the money and that he chose to buy one of the many needed books for his class rather than to buy food. People, we have got to do something! Can’t we provide the books he needs so that whatever small money he can scrape up with tailoring or other work can be money for food? Can’t we believe God for even more than that? Can’t we believe him for food? I think that even $50 total will buy his books for the term and give him a tiny bit of money for food for one month.

Please understand that there is risk in such an investment…but the potential reward must far outweigh that risk. Will you join me? If you’d like to help Geoffrey become a pastor and/or eat, please click here.

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Sanctuary Family

Children’s faces peeked through the iron bars that secured their home. Their voices shouted with joy as they anxiously awaited my approach. Tiny bodies piled on mine as soon as I sat on the bench to greet them all. Why did there seem to be so many? Who could ever leave such beautiful children alone in this world? Two additional young ones sat on the floor watching the chaos with veiled interest.

Valentine’s Day offers a great opportunity to talk about the love of Jesus to anyone at any age or stage of life. Even the young ones need to hear the simple story of Jesus’ sacrificial love. Using coloring as a way to help the children engage with the message, we talked about Jesus’ love for children. Specifically we talked about how loving him makes us sons and daughters of God and that we are part of a family in this way.

The children were seated at school desks which gave Michael the opportunity to explain that the landlord wants to sell the house they are renting and so they had to move the school structure outside the compound. So many of the children are old enough for school now and school fees are impossible in this situation. So, Silvia and another woman teach these children from a room about 12x20 just outside the gate. Michael and Silvia are doing the best they can with their growing brood – growing because local officials are recommending their home to the homeless babies in Bugembe.

Michael rarely asks for help of any kind but today he pointed out the condition of the mosquito nets on the 10 tiny beds shared by more than 10 growing children in that one-bedroom house. Not only would replacing those nets keep the children from getting malaria, but they would also keep healthcare costs low for Michael and Silvia as well as keep the children in school. If you would like to replace one or more of these holey nets, please contact me.

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