Keeping the faith-a lesson in humility while being God's helping hand

Sometimes a person needs a hand up not a hand out. In my previously privileged life as a comfortable American I didn't have to worry too much about this stuff. 

I came to Africa 5 years ago to help those in need but somewhere along this journey the table has turned. Lately I have become the one holding out my bare hand. 

When they came to my door hungry I gave them my food; today my shelves are empty and my cupboards bare. 

When they came sick I gave them money to see a doctor; when I became sick a few weeks ago a dear friend in England sent me the money to see a doctor; otherwise I would still be sick. 

When they asked for help with school fees I gave them; now with this upcoming school term I don't have even a pencil to give.

 When they just needed a little hand up, I handed them the little I had. 

I am not sure what tomorrow holds for me but I know Who holds MY hand. I have been praying since December for some help.

 God hears my prayers. THAT I know. I just have to keep the faith.  HE will hold me up. 

 Psalm 18:35 “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.”

Many Mansions of Christ International-Uganda: Everything by Cheryl Derby Okumu

Many Mansions of Christ International-Uganda: Everything by Cheryl Derby Okumu: When I ask myself why I came to Africa, I find I can’t sum it up all in one neat and tidy response.  I have to start by remembering my chil...

Everything by Cheryl Derby Okumu

When I ask myself why I came to Africa, I find I can’t sum it up all in one neat and tidy response.  I have to start by remembering my childhood and the times I gave my time and efforts to charities. I was always a kid who gave. I wanted to befriend the friendless in school. Sit with those the others ignored. I wanted to give my things to other kids who didn’t have things. It didn’t matter what things; just things.  All my life I have been a giver.  I’m a compassionate person. I admit. I FEEL other people’s pain. I sympathize and even empathize at times with other’s hardships. I hurt when they hurt. I lack when they lack. I cry when they cry. 

I became a nurse as an adult because I saw I could help others.  Every day for 17 years I helped others. I helped others so much and for so long that I gave all of myself.  I gave my time, my life, my kindness, my skills, my knowledge, and ultimately my health.  My kidneys failed and I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus, an autoimmune disease with no known cause and no known cure.  Now I was the one being helped. I was the one who needed compassion. I was very ill for a long time. 'In bed every day kind–of-ill'. Except for when I had to sit in a doctor’s office. I had 7 specialists. I used to be a full-time nurse but now I was a full-time sick person.

The pain consumed me. The tiredness and feeling sick to my stomach was constant. The weakness was overwhelming. And then my lymphatic system failed because of constant swelling due to the kidney damage. Then the ulcers came on my legs. Then weekly visits to the surgeon who cut the sores with a scalpel to speed healing. Every Monday they would cut me, then wrap my legs in tight dressings which I could not remove until the next Monday when they did it all again. Eighteen months of this. If I had known during all the suffering what God had in store for me later I would not have felt so hopeless.

When the last ulcer on my leg was still an open wound, I came to Uganda East Africa.  I traded in seven specialists for complete and total faith in God. What did I have to lose? My life? I risked everything and gave all of myself once again to others. I couldn’t do much sick but if I could help just one person it was better than just lying in bed dying.  That wound healed here without any single surgeon or tight wraps.

Since 2013 I have helped one and two and twenty and possibly even 200 so far. I can’t do much physically but when someone comes to my house hungry I can give them food if I have some. When they came for school fees for their kid I gave. When they asked for shoes I gave them mine. I wish I could give more to more but I only have a little money. I often lie awake at night thinking of how if only someone would give me money I would give so much more to people who have nothing.  And when I say nothing, some people just really have nothing.  And they have kids who have nothing. And I can’t give them much of anything.  But I give what I can.

So when I am asked what do I do in Africa? or why did I come to Uganda?  I guess I just have to say I came to give my things to people who don’t have things. I have given all my things over the past 5 years and now my things are running out. In Uganda they would say “they are over”.  My things are over and I can’t give any more things to people who have nothing. But…….if someone gave me something, I could really just give…….something. 

  

“ God?.....can anyone help me give some things?-  because I am still here, still sick, still that kid and still relying on YOU for every. single. thing.”  

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8  (KJV)

3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

² A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

³ A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

⁴ A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

⁵ A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

⁶ A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

⁷ A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

⁸ A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Many Mansions of Christ International-Uganda: MMOCI QUARTERLY REPORT OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2017

Many Mansions of Christ International-Uganda: MMOCI QUARTERLY REPORT OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2017: Quarterly Report for October–December 2017 OUR VISION-To have a community where all children can reflect God and can have access to qua...

MMOCI QUARTERLY REPORT OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2017

Quarterly Report for October–December 2017

OUR VISION-To have a community where all children can reflect God and can have access to quality care and support.

What’s new in this last quarter of 2017 report?

• -          Poultry Project starts
• -          Paid volunteers recruited
• -          Mityana permit renewed
• -          Successful Christmas and Thanksgiving for children
• -          Disability supported
• -          Our first graduate got a job

Greetings to all our good volunteers from all over the world and all our good friends. Happy New Year to all of you and thank you for standing with us in all of 2017.

This reports marks our last quarter of the year 2017 and includes activities, challenges, way forward and ministry expenses.

ACTIVITIES

POULTRY PROJECT:

In this final quarter of the year, much of our efforts and resources were put on the poultry project since it is the current hope MMOCI has for the sustainability of the ministry.

In the first week of October 2017 MMOCI Director and poultry staff conducted a poultry training session in the village where the poultry house site is located.  Both the community members and volunteer staff benefited from the training. 

 We were also able to purchase the first phase of the chicks which was delivered on the 5^th October 2017 and the 2^nd phase was purchased on the 17^th November 2017. An outside fence was constructed to allow the chicks to get fresh air, sunlight and exercise.  Each phase of chickens will mature fully in 4 months.  About 459 chicks in total were purchased from an agent in Mbale Uganda and 5 volunteers were recruited for the poultry project.  Two of them, the farm manager and the Veterinary doctor were paid volunteers.

                          Veterinary doctor training the staff about all things poultry                                   

Supplies purchased

                      1st phase chicks when young   (October)                          

1st phase when grown up (December)

2nd phase when young (November)

2nd phase by December

AGRICULTURE:

The maize crops that we planted in July grew this time and were used to feed to the chicks as well as buying feed from town.  It helped supplement the high cost of feeding. Maize seeds when ground can produce maize brand feed which is mixed with other ingredients to make Grower’s Mash Chicken Feed.

Maize grown at the site of the poultry house

EVANGELISM:  

On the 15^th December 2017, we had a Christmas party for the children. Many of those children later trained and participated in the Annual Christmas and Thanksgiving Party in our church-Mityana Pentecostal Church December 17, 2017.  Apart from the children enjoying food and participating in the dance, children who participated in quoting memory Bible verses were given prizes.  Also gifts full of basic essential needs were also given out to the lucky families that were randomly chosen.

Kids enjoying food at our Christmas get-together

Many Mansions of Christ Intl Christmas with our kids

Many Mansions group arriving at church

Our Bible Study kids ready to perform at the Christmas party/Thanksgiving day at our church

One of the gifts given away thanks to the Jamestown New York Women's Bible Study Group who donated money for this event

Many Mansions men performing a thumb piano song

Director Stephen and his wife Cheryl with our Pastor from Mityana Pentecostal Church

VISITATIONS:

On the 29^th December, 2017 we visited Mukisa Foundation Ltd. Ministry and had time with the children and the home. We also had the opportunity to perform a song for the vulnerable children together with friends from the Anglican Church and the group from Norway known as Akoyo Band.

Mukisa Foundation Ltd. children at home 

Mukisa Foundation Ltd. Director Carla (standing)

Gifts were given to the children from Akoyo Band

Tattakume playing the drums 

 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE:

MMOCI has continued to pay school fees for both children in Soroti and Mityana.  Some in Secondary level and the majority in Primary level.  Isaac, the first student we sponsored at University level and Graduated October 2016 was able to secure for himself a job with Vision Fund Organization Uganda.

VOLUNTEERS:

Our volunteers abroad, especially Mick, have sacrificed a lot in supporting us with the building of the Poultry Project.   We thank God for Mick’s long term commitment and love for us here in Africa. We will never forget your kindness.

Mel, Neil and Vanda have also continued to play a big role in sponsoring vulnerable children in our ministry with school fees every term and we do appreciate their effort. We are humbled every time we see a Money Gram reference number.

Jill has always put a smile on the faces of very many children whenever she sends gifts, clothing and scholastic materials for the vulnerable children. Many of them who walked nearly half-naked now have something to put on. The people are blessed so much by her generous efforts.

Anna Grace happy in Soroti to receive scholastic materials from Jill

Parcels arrive from U.K.!

A very happy family after receiving clothing and sheets

Director Stephen happy to bring home parcels from post office

Sam so proud of his gift from Jill

One of many Mityana kids happy to receive clothing sent from U.K.

We held a clothing give-away at our church

A single mother glad to receive clothing for her baby

Kenneth enjoying a new shirt

Soroti kid Enoch happy to receive a gift from Jill

Soroti children also received clothing

She was loving her new dress!

 Ugandan volunteers were recruited to help with the poultry project and evangelism and have always been there on our side and have done tremendous work.  We thank them too!

PARTNERS:

We are always grateful to partner with Mityana Pentecostal Church in reaching out to the children under the Compassion Intl. program, Mukisa Foundation Ltd., Brother in Christ Ministry, Brian C. Derby Painting and not forgetting our new partners from Jamestown, New York USA of the women’s Bible Study group.  We hope to continue partnering with you in the New Year in reaching out to our vulnerable children.

CHALLENGES

·         Limited funds for poultry project continuation until self-sustaining

·         Limited funds for the daily running of the organization.

·         Lack of adequate amount of sponsors for kids needing school fees

·         Some chicks succumbed to death due to factors beyond our control

·         Lack of a vehicle for ministry use

·         High rent, electricity and water costs

 2018 GOALS

·         Keep on networking with more partners

·         Develop a 5-year strategic development plan

·         Re-register  MMOCI for a 5 year NGO certificate

·         Research  more on breeds of chickens to find best and fastest grower

·         Complete the 3^rd room of the poultry house and increase the number of chickens in each phase

·         Complete the exterior of the poultry house including upgrading the solar and fencing

·         Start planning for a trip abroad in November to share MMOCI’s  vision to help more vulnerable children in Uganda

CONCLUSION

We thank the almighty God for enabling us to cross to the New Year. We applaud all our partners and friends who supported us in the last year.  Your generosity was not in vain.

God bless you all!

Principal Director

Okumu Stephen

_______________________________

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2017

Education            990,000

Rent                  1,200,000

Poultry              5,439,600

Water                   115,000

Internet               510,000

Evangelism          386,000

NGO Permit           30,000

Food                     100,000

Stationary              22,000

Transport             541,000

Scholastic            200,000

Volunteers       1,510,000

Postage                  47,600

Television            201,000

Hotel                    280,000

Electricity            561,000

Grand Total    12,132,600  ($3,466 US) or (2,422 GBP)

Foreign Donations   $1,668

Local Donation          $1798

MMOCI Quarterly Report for July-September 2017

Quarterly Report for July- September 2017

Greetings to all of our friends, partners, volunteers and board members in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. MMOCI registered some activities and challenges in the above mentioned period as noted below.

ACTIVITIES

EVANGELISM:  

In July MMOCI team visited Zion Day and Boarding Primary School and ministered to the children. Gospel tracts were also distributed to the school. Apart from that MMOCI Director Stephen Okumu was invited by Compassion Intl. Mityana Project to talk to the teenagers about adolescence and sexuality. About 130 teenagers attended the conference in the Mityana Pentecostal Church and they gladly received the message and they even eagerly requested that he return again.

Adrin and Joan

 Zion Day and Boarding Primary School Kabule, Uganda

                                                                              

                                            

                  

                                 Compassion Intl. teens waiting for guest speaker Mr. Okumu

 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE:

In the month of July we managed to pay school fees for children under our care; some in primary and some in secondary schools. We do still call upon all those who have a heart to help and keep supporting the education of children.

AGRICULTURE:

In early July new maize was planted due to poor yield of previous crops planted. This was due to drought conditions persisting in the area.

DISABILITY:

In the same month of July, in partnership with Father’s Heart Mobility Ministry and Mityana Pentecostal Church, we participated in distributing wheelchairs to the disabled children, adults and elderly who gathered at the church for one week.

         Many were blessed by receiving wheelchairs or other adaptive aids for their disabilities.

POULTRY PROJECT:

In September 2017 we were able to install a solar system for the poultry house. We thank our friends, especially Micheal Tulk for his continued support.

                                      

      Solar panel installed on the roof of the poultry house and rooms wired for solar lighting

VOLUNTEERS:

We have recruited more volunteers to help with the running of the poultry project.  We have the veterinary doctor, the farm manager, sales personnel and a herdsman for the livestock.  Our friends from the U.K. and U.S. also continued supporting the children in terms of school fees, clothing and other needs.

CHALLENGES

We are still struggling with inadequate funds to run the ministry well. 

The first maize grown this year yielded poor crops due to drought.

WAY FORWARD

Reaching out to more children.

Keep mobilizing resources.

Reaching out to more friends abroad and locally for support.

Manage the poultry project.

Keep praying!

CONCLUSION

May God bless all of our beloved friends for their efforts and continued support of the ministry.

Principal Director

Okumu Stephen

_____________________________

 FINANCIAL REPORT FOR JULY-SEPTEMBER 2017

Education    230,000

Rent            1,200,000 

Poultry          845,000

Electricity     550,000

Water             90,000

Internet       495,000

Scholastic    150,000

Volunteers   580,000

Postage          10,000

Television      201,000

Training         100,000

General Total    4,451,000   ($1215 US) or (898GBP)

Foreign Donations  2,715,000 ($741 US) or (548 GBP)

Local Donations      1,736,000 ($474 US) or (350 GBP)