Adjusting

Saturday was a day of adjustments and organization. All of our internal sleep clocks were somewhere between the west coast and Uganda. Wide awake at 2:30am seemed to the be normal with total exhaustion at dinner time. Our first morning brought a new experience for Miles and Caleb as the Muslim call to prayer echoed through our windows at 5:30am. Since we were all lying in bed wide awake we decided to get up. The ladies spent most of the day organizing our 39 suitcases into sponsored child gifts, sports festival items, and school supplies. The boys attended the Fountain of Hope High School parent's meeting and encouraged the parents to continue to be active in the school's operations and their children's education as well as following God in their daily life. After the meeting, the boys then headed into Jinja to purchase paint and supplies to prepare to put the final touches on the FOH kitchen. After spending 538,000 shillings we had what we needed (that's about $220 dollars :) )

As my computer battery is about to die I'll keep this short but look forward to updating you all tomorrow after we complete our first Sunday today. Miles is preparing to preach to one of the bush churches and then we'll be heading to the Nile River for baptisms. Blessings to all of you. We're all doing well and talk to you tomorrow, John

Arrival in Uganda

We've made it to our new home for the next 20 days in Jinja. After meeting up with Emily in Seattle we boarded our British Airways overnight flight to London and tried to sleep as best we could. A few of us dozed comfortably but Vicki, Martha, and others found that they do not sleep on planes! Miles flew non-stop from Vegas and eventually found us half asleep in the London terminal while we passed the time during our 9 hour layover.

At 9:00pm London time we boarded our next overnight flight to Uganda and settled in for another sleepless night on a plane for the ladies while the boys watched movies and dozed. The next morning we finally glimpsed Africa for the first time as we descended over the green countryside dotted with homes, palms and banana trees, dirt roads, and then Lake Victoria as we landed lakeside at Entebbe International Airport. The doors opened and we were greeted by 80 degree weather and sun. For those of us from Spokane it was summer at last - for Miles it was a 35 degree drop in temperature from the Arizona desert!

Our next challenge was collecting 39 bags in baggage claim and amazingly every one was accounted for! We were quite the site pushing our bags out of the terminal looking as if we were moving permanently to Uganda with so many things. Clearing customs we were greeted like family by Pastor Robert and our driver Peter. For me, it has been two years since I've last seen Robert. Face to face time is so much better than the email relationship we have throughout the year.

After loading the bags into a small pick-up they headed off to Pastor Robert's house in Jinja while we climbed into our minivan and headed into the capital city of Kampala. For first timers to Africa the drive to and through Kampala is an eye opener. Non-stop traffic, horns beeping, bicycles, motorcycles, and survival driving skills as vehicles and people took advantage of every opening in the road whether it was going the right way or not. We detoured to a crowded dirt street to pick up the newly custom made cooking pots for Fountain of Hope School's new kitchen. Miles couldn't stop saying "I've never seen anything like this before" and then look at me with a big grin on his face. Kampala is Uganda's capital and most prosperous city that has attracted millions looking for work and trying their skills at the free market economy. The main street from Entebbe through Kampala is a "non-stop shopping market" according to Martha as we passed vendor after vendor selling everything possible. Miles declined buying the electronic bug zapping tennis racket from a street vendor but we did buy a bag of raw sugar cane and let everyone squeeze the sugar juice out. Boda Boda (motorcycle taxi's) sat outside Coca Cola painted buildings looking for fares as we finally left Kampala and continued East towards Jinja. The team had fallen quiet with some sleeping and others taking in the sites.

In Jinja we arrived at Pastor Robert's house and were greeted warmly by Robert's wife Sara and were soon sitting down to a hearty lunch of rice, beans, chicken, chapati bread, and fresh pineapple. Yummy! We've now brought the ladies over to the Nile Guest House where they will be staying and their currently showering and cleaning up after two days of traveling. Miles and I are typing away on our computers. Tonight we'll begin briefing everyone on the itinerary for the rest of the trip and begin to sort through our 39 bags in preparation of "going to work" tomorrow.

Hope you enjoy the post and we're thankful for all your prayers. Tomorrow the work begins!

Blessings, John

Uganda Mission Team Makes it to Seattle!

The trip has started. We've managed to check in 34 bags for 6 people in Spokane without any problems except for the nice credit card charge for the extras! We've landed in Seattle and will meet up with Emily in 45 minutes as she has driven from Portland. Miles in Arizona is on his way to the Las Vegas airport and will meet us in London.

The team in Spokane (picture below) is off in search of lunch as I write the blog. Since we're in Seattle, I'll share a fe

w good pictures of Seattle culture and let you all vote on which fish eatery is better! Enjoy the photos and look for more in

about two days when we settle into Uganda.

Cancer Update on for Pastor Robert
Earlier this month we shared the news that Pastor Robert had been diagnosed with Kaposi Sarcoma cancer. Although the cancer is common in AIDS patients, it is now spreading throughout Africa in non-AIDS patients like Robert. We also initially told you that a team from Oregon traveling to Africa would be carrying medicine that is unavailable in Uganda. Well, things have changed.

The oncologist in Idaho who supplied the medicine determined that the treatment was not appropriate given the circumstances. Researching a bit online reveals that this treatment requires the patient to be closely monitored and can have severe side affects. If Robert were here in the U.S. the treatment may have been a safe option but not so in Uganda.

Simultaneously, GGI Ambassador in Spokane, Beth Eitriem (who will be joining the 2011 Mission Trip to Uganda) began to advocate for Pastor Robert. Her determination was relentless as she spread the news of Pastor's cancer situation and how he has given so much of his life for others that it's time others give back to him. An oncologist in Spokane answered the call and volunteered free treatment to Robert. A new plan was developing.

Beth relayed the information and added that her family would house Robert and Sarah should they make it to the U.S. Grace Giving offered to be the financial sponsor and pay for airline tickets and expenses. In Uganda, Pastor Paul Hunter (from Oregon and leader of Next Generation Ministries who is also involved in ministry in Uganda and with Pastor Robert) volunteered to help Robert with the US Embassy visa process and payments. Within days God had developed a new plan and surprising to most of us within one week the US Embassy granted Robert and Sarah visa interviews for June 28th!

For now, Robert is hobbling along with a painful left foot and leg but is confident that the Lord has a plan and to not worry. Beth, myself (John Kimsey), and the rest of the GGI team will be in Uganda when Robert heads to the Embassy for his interview. With a bit of luck and a lot of prayer, we hope he will receive his visa and just maybe fly back to Spokane with the team.

For now, GGI is getting ready for the anticipated $4,000 in airfare costs plus any associated expenses incurred during their stay. If you would like to help Pastor Robert receive his cancer treatment please consider making a financial contribution to GGI in his name. As always, all designated donations go 100% to the designation and are tax deductible. Thank you for considering this request, it's well worth it and I believe Pastor Robert will continue to make a difference in the lives of thousands - just read the next story!

A New Church!
A mere 7 years ago the village of Bukeeka had no interest in Christianity or being a part of a Christian church. 5 years ago they were making death threats against Pastor Robert and those who supported the small church or Fountain of Hope School. Today, Bukeeka sent a team of 40 people and a new Pastor to another village to evangelize and open their third church! Amazing.

GGI is so proud to be a small part of the success that Pastor Robert, his wife Sarah, and all those involved in the church and Fountain of Hope school have had. Not only have they impacted the lives of thousands of people in Bukeeka both spiritually, physically, mentally, and academically, they have inspired the people to reach out beyond their village to those around them. It's amazing what love can do. It can change a person's heart which in turn changes a family's heart which in turn changes a community's heart which in turn changes another community's heart which in turn changes a nation which in turn changes the world!

Pastor Robert shares best in his words the recent outreach.

"As planned, we went to Ndolwa with a team of 40 people from True Worship Center Church Bukeeka and spent 7 days evangelizing this village through door to door preaching, open air Crusade and Jesus film showing. I can say this is the most successful mission we have ever done as a church.

We had 264 people who gave their lives to Christ although there are others that were not recorded. God was so good to us that the local council Chairman gave his life to Christ, the Mayor of the trading centre also gave his life to Christ and two of the known witch doctors in the village also received Christ. On Sunday we had over three hundred people who attended the first service and after the service we baptised 74 new converts. It's the distance to the Nile River where we baptized them that limited some people from being baptized otherwise we would have even 200.

God delivered people in different ways, those who were demonically oppressed were delivered, many healed of different sicknesses and the whole village was filled up with joy on Sunday. Although it was not easy for me because the foot was paining me very much, it refreshed my life to see God at work through the people I know and serve. The devil tried to attack me through a car accident but God protected me with the two new converts I was driving with. Our car turned over but none of us was injured so I praise God for that.

All this big testimonies would not happen if it was not for your financial support. There was no way we could feed over 50 people for seven days but because of your financial support, we managed to evangelize this village and hundreds were drawn to the kingdom. On behalf of the entire team, allow me thank you so much for supporting this mission. May the Lord bless you so much. It was a good experience to watch the people of Bukeeka turn another village for Christ. That was my greatest joy.

Finally reach our appreciation to Pastor Ken for the Bicycle donation to Godfrey, it will help him follow up on those people who have accepted Christ and help him connect to different places because transport is so hard in Ndolwa but now he can go any where he want at any time. Both Godfrey and Annet are so thankful to pastor Ken for the bicycle and sponsoring their son Job. (Pastor Godfrey was a long time teacher at Fountain of Hope School as well.)

I will be sending some more details later on but I hope that the pictures attached to this email will give you a glimpse of what happened. Thanks and may God bless you. Robert."

With that enjoy the photos and may God bless you and keep you safe. John and the GGI team.

Outdoor crowd gathers to hear the message and worship team.

New congregation outside church Pastor Robert in middle blue and white shirt and Pastor Godfrey on right side with light blue shirt and tie.

Pastor Godfrey and wife Annet with his new bicycle.

Cancer Worries for Pastor Robert
Recently we received an email from Uganda that we never thought we'd receive. Pastor Robert, our trusted brother who's vision for Fountain of Hope School has inspired us and changed a community, had been diagnosed with cancer.

Robert first experienced problems with his foot in 2008 before having open sores the next year. Like many Africans, Robert's limited financial resources deterred him from paying for a medical exam until recently. With the pain increasing and the swelling moving up his leg, he finally visited a doctor. The result showed that he has cancer by the name of Kaposi Sarcoma.

Immediately, internet searches began and Robert visited a cancer doctor in Uganda's capital Kampala. Kaposi Sarcoma is common in central Africa in older men so it's unusual that Robert, in his mid 30's, has progressed this far at such a young age. It's also a common cancer among HIV positive patients but Robert has tested negative for HIV. After further tests, it looks as if the cancer is localized in his lower left leg and the rest of his body seems to be okay. The problem lies in treating the cancer. In the U.S., his options would be plentiful but in Uganda they are limited. In fact the prescribed chemotherapy drug from the doctor isn't even available in Uganda. Luckily for Robert, the Lord has touched the hearts of many people around the world to help.

A team traveling to Uganda this week to do outreach and humanitarian work is carrying the medicine Robert needs to begin treatment. We're praying for his healing and that the medicine from America will be successful. GGI's team traveling to Uganda in seven weeks will take a second dose of the medicine if needed. For now we ask that you stand beside Robert has he faces the next challenge in his life.

Robert's foot and cancerous sore.

It's in the Eyes
Frank Kato and Ronald Wasswa, twin brothers with an empty soul. Look into their eyes and you'll see poverty, hardship, hopelessness, sadness, and bitterness. Children like this exist throughout the area in which GGI works. Fortunately, Frank and Ronald came to Fountain of Hope to have better life. Their story was told to Sarah Sityo, Pastor Robert's wife, who oversees the sponsorship program.

"They don't have any other relative apart from their grandmother who is too old to provide for the needs of the home. These boys go out to look for food everyday and work to make money to buy school books. They find wild grass to cut and then sell it to people with cows. With this little money they buy food. Someti

mes they make brooms from the grass to sell and earn a living. If everything fails that means they will go without food. They said they had to earn money to enable them to buy books to use at Fountain of Hope School but also needed to buy some clothes. They told us their favorite food is rice and beef but they rarely have it because it's too expensive."

Sarah emailed us Frank's and Ronald's story and fortunately the Lord was simultaneously preparing a sponsor's heart to sponsor the boys so they could attend school and live in the school's boarding house where they will receive their meals, companionship, and hope for a better future. Sponsorship is making a difference. I hope to share photos of Frank and Ronald at the end of the year when a sparkle returns to their eyes and a smile to their face.

If you'd like more information on sponsorship visit our website Sponsorship tab. You could change the life of a child and their family forever! For more information you can also email John Kimsey at john@gracegivinginternational.org. Blessings to you and thanks for reading the newsletter!

Frank's first sponsorship photo

Ronald's first sponsorship photo

Full Gospel Church of Burayu Update
Seventy percent of the people in Northern Ethiopia have not been exposed to the true gospel of Christ. GGI's work in the village of Burayu aims to share the love and hope of knowing God with those people. Every Sunday hundreds of people are worshipping God at the Full Gospel Church of Burayu. In fact, the church is literally bursting at the seams with people having to stand outside to hear Pastor Emmanuel preach and to praise the Lord. Many of these people are realizing their need for a Savior and are coming to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord!

There are still so many souls that need to be reached in this area and our new Outreach Center will provide a training center for our ministry. Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support to the ministry that God has called us to do in Ethiopia.

In partnership with the Full Gospel Church, GGI also operates a sponsorship program in the area that gives assistance to poverty stricken children and assists them with their schooling, meals, and care. Bringing the full gospel both in words and deeds has touched the hearts of hundreds and allowed them to see and receive the gospel first hand.

Outreach Center News & Progress
The building foundation is complete, and we are presently working on the support beams for the walls and roof of the building. Your financial support is needed to purchase the materials to complete the walls and roof of the building.

Laying the Outreach Center Foundation

Raising the Center's Walls

School Book Drive

Every school needs school books and Fountain of Hope in Uganda is no different. Through the years we've been purchasing books to ensure the teachers have at least one book per subject to teach from. Students would bring composition notebooks and copy everything the teacher writes on the blackboard to recreate the teacher's school book in their own composition book. It's a tedious job that has met the requirements until recently.

The government of Uganda is actively increasing the quality of education in the country through increased teacher salaries, increased school standards, and a requirement that school books must now be available for all students not just teachers. For many schools, the expense will be hard to handle but luckily for Fountain of Hope, people like your self are helping out.

Southside Christian School in Spokane Washington recently selected Fountain of Hope as their international partner school. Every year, Southside will choose a special project to benefit Fountain of Hope. Just recently they completed a student led fund raising drive to help purchase solar panels for the school while simultaneously teaching their students the benefits of serving others. (We'll share more about the solar panels in a later newsletter.) For 2011, Southside has chosen school books. The timing is perfect. To help their efforts, our staff in Uganda has outlined the amount needed for each grade as shown in the graph below. From generous contributions already received, the school has completed the purchase of 7th grade books and is on its way to completing the 6th grade. Southside's efforts will help Fountain not only comply with the government requirements but also show the community of Bukeeka just how much God and a bunch of foreigners in America love them.

This past month, another committed group of people from Fairview Oklahoma traveled to Bukeeka to show their love to the people there. They graciously presented the school with $2,300 towards school books! The Lord is good - all the time! The journey in Uganda continues - we can't wait to see what's next!
If you'd like to know more information about Southside Christian School or their Benefit Breakfast and Tea scheduled for April 29th, visit their website at www.southsidechristianschool.org or call 509-838-8139.

Students Creating Their Own Note Books

Newly Purchased School Books

Book Funds Needed and Raised so Far