Jesus and Me Children’s Ministries

JOEL & THE BOYS

Joel and the boys are still enjoying the Christmas gifts from both Carrie and Jennifer. They love the gifts so much and are very proud of them.

CONGRATULATIONS LYDIA!

Thank you for praying for Lydia’s graduation.  Satan wanted to spoil the day. Just as they had finished setting the tent, there was strong rain with hail storm that blew the tent away.  I was away to pick up the cake so when I got back, the tent was down and the guys had taken the broken parts for welding! 

Electricity also disappeared during the storm. People had already gathered so we started running up and down looking for a generator to hire and finally we got a generator. Things went perfect afterwards and people enjoyed the function very much. They were excited as some had come thinking the party would take the whole night but it did not. One gentleman who is a friend to my dad told me that whenever we are having a function, he will be helping with a standby generator free. 

During the days leading to the party, all the children and I were involved in painting the place. Every one participated and the result was beautiful. 

David Knowlton

JMCM 2009 UPDATES by David Knowlton

Some of the children who attend JMCM bible club went back to Rwanda last December and will be coming back in late January 2010.  Currently, we have children from Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. In the near future, I will travel to Rwanda and maybe, DRC and Kenya because I also keep on getting mails requesting me to go to Kenya but I am not ready to travel. 

You can pray with me, in 2010 as I plan to go for driving lessons. This will enable me to just rent a car and drive the children to any destination instead of hiring a car plus driver which is more expensive. I also plan to start to study music as career so that I can be equipped with skills to teach children professional music especially keyboard and guitar.  

We thank the almighty God for having taken us through the year 2009 very successfully. We are also very grateful for all our friends /sponsors and partners. Each and every support has added a lot to shape a good future for the children under the wings of JMCM. 

On a more personal note, I lost my only remaining grandmother last December. She died at 115 years. She was still strong but could not see well.  She fell ill and within 2-3 weeks, she passed away.

Academics

Our academic performance for 2009 was great. All children were all promoted to the next class. Each and every child in JMCM knows the value of education and they are doing their best in their studies. 

Spiritual

At least 85% of children memorized bible verses, participated well in bible lessons, singing songs to Jesus and Bible reading.  35% of children can share the word of God with their friends and other people.  70% can pray and lead others in prayers aloud. 

Spiritual Challenge

Most of the children do not have personal bibles. Last year, we had anticipated to buy a bible for every child but was not possible. Therefore, we pray and look forward to buying Bibles in 2010. 

School fees

We thank the Lord so much for enabling us to clear all children’s school fees in 2009. 

Opportunity to Serve

If you feel in your heart that you have time and commitment to serve the children in Uganda to further promote helping the children of Uganda in dire need of clothing, education, shelter, food, medicine and water, you are welcome.

Baloons, great decorations, fun activities, photo taking, food and drinks made JMCM’s  Christmas  party on 12 December 2009 from 3 to 5 PM very exciting and memorable.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEPHEN BATTE!

This time, children from nursery to primaryone went through their graduation in their blue and white gowns. Children who finished their primary living examinations [PLE] also had their red and black gowns during the remarkable graduation. Certificates were later handed over to both of the two groups of children.

Parents/guardians, and other children, who were in the congregation looked on in amazement. Some of the children who have been performing and excelling in education and cleanliness also got gifts. That included Matovu Ronnie. Matovu is now a very active in both academics and music. He loves singing and leading others in songs.

We are all here to play our part and encourage the children to develop and shape their characters and help them become fruitful adults.

Children learn from adults and that is how their characters are shaped. As people gifted with ability to work with children, we can only do our best by teaching the children, motivating, inspiring and encouraging them through real and meaningful Christian leadership and as well teach parents/guardians on how to handle children best.

We are serving the King of Kings. When Jesus lived on this earth about two thousand years ago, he was always interested in people and he was always with people.

I do not know whether you are converted to Jesus and “born again”, but when it happened to me, a whole new world opened up. Although I know a lot about the Bible, up to that point, it had never meant very much to me at all.  It had not come alive. But when I came to know Jesus Christ personally, I entered into a new world where I had become aware of others who had come to know Him.  

So the desire to live with Him in the same way was born in my heart. I saw I could enter into an eternal union with Jesus, and that is what I did, which meant I started a new life together with Him. And that should be the love and desire for all those seeking Him.  

Back to our example of Jesus and His followers, He never forces them, and He always has in mind their level of understanding. He doesn’t overwhelm them with deep mystic experiences or impressive revelations. Nothing was forced down their throats against will.

He waits for an invitation, while continually making sure that in them the desire for all things is aroused. In the same way a man/woman should adjust to pace to serving God, but rather see it that the desires are aroused.

It was Saturday, 19^th of September, 2009 at 1900 hours. I had just finished with the children’s Bible Club and was on my way home after escorting some of the children back to their homes.  I noticed a boy walking beside me and he asked me where the road was leading. I became very suspicious and realized that the boy was from a far place.  So I asked him and learnt that he was from another district called Kamuli.  I was glad that he was safe from people who sacrifice children. 

After asking several questions, I took him to the nearby  Kasawe Police Post  which is located in Nsambya  Railway Parish  Makindye division . On arrival, I narrated the story with the intention of leaving the boy, Nume Michael, under police care.

The police officer at Kasawe police post, Madam Grace requested me as a child worker to sign for Nume Michael as a missing child and take him with me until the following day. Nume was in a very filthy state that without passionate heart, it would not be possible even to sit next to him or even touch him. His clothes were extremely dirty and as well as his body. The smell that was coming from him was terrible.

I took him by his hand and looked at his eyes and we both smiled.   I took him home, cleaned him up, cut his hair, boiled warm water and scrubbed him and as well washed all his clothes.

On 22 September,  I handed Nume Michael over to Child Protection  Officer at Katwe Police Station so that he could be reunited with his relatives . The police boss Madam Sarah of Child protection unit Katwe commended the work of JMCM.

Working with children is the greatest gift in life. Conventional wisdom tells us, “A man s reach should always exceed his grasp. A commitment to excellence, to service to personal purity should keep us reaching. We are by nature pursuers and we live in a state of chronic frustration because the significant others in our lives do not measure up or can not measure up but thanks to God’ s grace and mercies.

Children are special and we are thankful to God for calling us to be here for them, to protect, advocate, care and offer them all our love, prayers and support. I enjoy mainly the life of the three boys who are full time with me. The harmony among them in is very beautiful and encouraging.  Actually, they influence one another very much. Sometimes, when children are brothers they do not get along, but this is not the case with the boys. They always look happy and full of smiles. They like making fun with Ronnie as the greatest fun maker. It also seems  every day they are getting more handsome. 

I pray that we will find more insights in working with children not only being creative and practical but also drawn from unending well of heaven s wisdom.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Please be informed that Legacy World Missions USA, headed by Pastor Gary Warner is no longer in partnership with Jesus and Me Children’s Ministries (JMCM), Kampala, Uganda effective 25 August 2009.

All those people who have been giving financial assistance and gifts to JMCM or expecting to do so through Pastor Gary Warner of Legacy World Missions and associates are advised to contact JMCM directly through the address and telephone numbers provided in this site.

Anybody/company/associates who have JMCM at heart and would like to help can now deliver any help directly to JMCM, Kampala, Uganda.

MANAGEMENT