Brilliant Betty!

One thing that African women are well known for is their resourcefulness, and Ugandan women are no exception. So why aren’t more women able to pull in an income adequate to support their families?

Part of the reason is that it can be expensive to start something up. And simple crafts that sell well do require skills and training that women may not have the opportunity to obtain. Wouldn’t it be great if there was someone able to teach you not only crafts, but also share wisdom on which types sell well? Step forward Elder Betty!

We’ve talked about the heart that Betty has for the people in our community – and she loves to connect with our brothers and sisters in Bujja Church plant by making the trek over to join them for their Wednesday evening gathering. This time, though, she went a bit early for some time with the ladies.

Betty told us: “I know how to make crafts, and many of the ladies in this church don’t have anything to do that helps them to earn money, so I thought that it would be such a good opportunity for them to learn about crafts, which they could then sell them to neighbours. I am happy to give my skill to my fellow ladies.”

We talked to some of the ladies in the learning group, and they said that it was such a privilege for them to acquire a skill that would help them earn some money, and thanked Elder Betty for thinking about them.  Awesome work, Betty! 

Baptism Bonanza for River of Life!

Baptism. What does it mean to you? We say it's a chance for people to publicly display their decision to follow Jesus. Being immersed in water, and coming back up again, represents people leaving behind a life that's self-focused, and instead entering into a life where Jesus is your compass.

And it was a baptism bonanza recently at Lake Nabugabo, with nine members of River of Life Church getting baptised, including every one of the new White Eagle Home girls!

It was a wonderful day, starting with a stonking praise and worship session lead by Julius and finished off with a soda each. Lake Nab is a special place to River of Life, and to be honest, to most people in Masaka: a great place to have a splash, maybe a relax, and possibly a bit of fish and chips (don’t mind if we do!), but this was a different level of special.

The Day of the African Child has been celebrated on June 16th every year since 1991, when it was first initiated by the OAU (Organisation of African Unity). It honours those who participated in the 1976 Soweto Uprising. It also raises awareness of the continuing need for improvement in the education provided to African children.

Hard to ignore these enthusiastic young people, STILL marching for their right to quality education

Want some backstory? It’s more than a wee bit depressing! In Soweto, South Africa, on June 16, 1976, about ten thousand black school children marched in a column more than half a mile long, protesting the poor quality of their education, and demanding their right to be taught in their own language. It didn’t go peacefully. Hundreds of young students were shot, the most famous of which was Hector Pieterson, and more than a hundred people were killed in protests during the two weeks that followed, with more than a thousand injured.

Marching to remember our fallen brothers

On June 16th every year, government officials within each participating country, NGOs, international organisations and other stakeholders gather to commemorate the Uprising. The theme this year was “PROTECTING CHILDREN’S RIGHTS”

Exercising the right to dance!

We marched around the busy streets of Masaka with two bands, as well as some government officials, cheering along with River of Life and other local, national, and international organisations. NGOs were thanked by the children for trying their best to protect their rights to things such as education, food, and many others. It’s small steps in the right direction…. may there be many more!

River of Life literally flying the flag for vulnerable children

Unity - a blessing when disaster strikes...

We wanted to share an amazing story of what can happen when there is true Unity between fellow Christians – hint: you can overcome some serious adversity!  Just after the big outreach we recently had, as the Nyendo Ssenyange born again churches, something horrible happened to Pastor Sseremba Mark (who heads up Abundant Miracles Ssenyange church plant). He was slashing (aka cutting grass, not Texas Chainsaw stylie, don't worry!) at Kakuto a few days later, and the slashing blade hit a stone, fell off the machine, hit another rock and recoiled back, cutting off his foot.  

Here's an example of a slasher machine in action

He told us that as his foot was cut, he immediately heard a voice inside of him saying, “the Devil has only attacked the body”, and at the time, he smiled (though on seeing his foot hanging by a strand, that smile did fade somewhat).  He bled so much he lost consciousness, but onlookers were able to get him to hospital, where doctors successfully removed the rest of his foot, and stabilised him.  A grim day indeed, yet through the pain, he still smiled and proclaimed that Jesus is Lord.

Don't know about you - but this joy and hope during adversity impresses us!  It's the Holy Spirit, people!

Fast-forward two weeks, and River of Life held a Thanksgiving Service (as part of our monthly Organic Worship programme).  Over 300 people came, and nearly 3 million shillings were raised from the congregation to help Mark to buy an artificial foot, and to support his family during this trying time.  Please keep Mark and his family in your prayers as they adapt to this new way of life.  

Preparing for a different life ahead as a family

Kasirivu really is the business!

If there ever was a story of turn-arounds, Ernest Kasirivu has one.  Here he is with his super-proud mother, celebrating his graduation with a certificate in business studies. 

What a triumphant day!  But life wasn’t always so rosy for Kasirivu.  Back in the day, his mum wasn’t able to look after him, so he headed to stay with some relatives.  As all-too-often happens, he was mistreated, and ended up living on the streets, with little to no hope for his future.  He had days of starving, as well as suffering a lot of abuse from the other street kids, and people around Nyendo.  And that’s when he was found by John Mukiibi, and brought to River of Life.

He tells us, “It would be wrong if I say that I am speechless, because I have a lot to say… but the problem is where to start!  I had seen a lot, and been through a lot, before I joined ROL.  As I was a young boy, it was my own family that gave me a hard time, and when I ended up on the streets, all my dreams were kind of shattered.  But that wasn’t the end of the story, and I’m so proud to have earned my certificate in business studies.  I thank River of Life for the love and care since i joined, and my dear sponsors for seeing me through.  Next stop is a diploma and I can’t wait!”

 

 

Officially a resourceful fella!

The 24^th of March 2016 marked a great occasion in the lives of two of our leadership Academy young men – and therefore for all of us at River of Life!

First up to the plate is the one and only Sserunjogi Gerald, who recently graduated with a certificate in Human Resources.  He’s very special to River of Life, since not only has he been with us for a long time, but he is also the son of Mama Katende, our cook!  We met them after they had lost their father – and as if that wasn’t bad enough, relatives had thrown them out of their father’s house.  Mama Katende was really struggling to even feed them, since she didn’t have a job at the time, so as you can imagine, their arrival at River of Life was a big relief for her, and an opportunity for her kids to study! 

Sseru says: “Thank you so much ROL for running to my rescue during those times of need, it was hard for me to predict back then what the future might hold, but now it’s so exciting that I have made it to this step”.  Mama Kat adds: “a big thank you to this organisation for everything they have done for me and my two sons, and for giving me a chance to work with the young people and the White Eagle Project.”  Congratulations Sseru!

 

Sign to Sing!

Let it never be said that River of Life don’t get involved… and here’s a fantastic event that we were delighted to join in! It’s the Sign to Sing March, which is organised by Guinness World Records. This event was spear headed by Sign Health Uganda (the deaf health charity) in conjunction with Masaka Disability Network (of which River of Life is part).

The day starts with a triumphant march lead by the band, starting from the Post Office and leading through the busiest areas of Masaka town.
 

It’s a great opportunity to spread the word about honouring the rights of children with disabilities, and saying no to violence in homes. In particular, we talk about deaf or physically disabled children, since many parents in Uganda believe that having a child who can’t hear or can’t walk is “bad luck” and wouldn’t bother investing in such a child. These children then miss out on education, and many other essentials of life.
 

According to Elder Emily, “The marching was so good… it was so encouraging that many people came of their shops to see what was going on the streets. Those very people might have a disabled child at home that they treat badly – but hearing our message is the first step in changing minds and behaviours”

River of Life serving Living Water!

Oh for those innocent days, when we had no high-tech machines… our worship and praise sessions were only accompanied by the (sometimes!) melodious beat of the drum!
 

Some people even find it hard to connect with God without things being polished and “just so”. But out in the village of Mweruka, about 50 kilometers from Masaka town, it’s a different story…

We’d gone as an evangelism team, and were able to share God's word – nearly 30 came to faith during that time. The local church members were strengthened by the visit, and the Pastors expressed gratitude.
 

The aim was to serve Living Water Church, and serve them we did! We had a lot of fun, and got stuck into every activity on offer, be it sweeping, cooking, collecting water, or many others.

A couple of thanks. Firstly to our fantabulous team who went with open hearts and open arms. And then, to those of you that support our ministry. None of this work would have been possible without you!

Great news and a golden opportunity! The ROL Newsletter is out

Our latest Newsletter is out!

We lead with a golden opportunity for you to 'wear a new hat' and join our UK Team, and follow up with exciting news of a New Church Plant out in Uganda. Then there's fantastic news of a court victory in the battle for Prayer Mountain, visitors from the UK bringing a mountain of school equipment, a brand new ministry - 'Organic Worship' - and an update from one of our Leadership Academy members, Daniel, who has done rather well...

There's also news from the farm, our discipleship groups, Synergy and the Baby Unit, and a chance to help fix our awesome minibus, which has momentarily lost its battle with Uganda's potholes and needs new shocks and steering rack!

Please enjoy and download the newsletter, and spread the good news by sharing it with all your friends and family!

More great news from River of Life!

Packed full of the latest news from River of Life, our Autumn Newsletter is sure to lighten up the dark nights drawing in!

We've had a wonderful time with Visitors over the last few months, including our Summer Short-term Missions Team, the White Eagles have got a brand new playground, there's the chance to quadruple your Christmas Donation (if you were thinking of making one!), and there's an update on the Gideons.

Our feature article looks at the hope and perseverence that we encounter through our Community Outreach work, whilst there is also news of a brand new computer lab at River of Life. There's the opportunity to donate to our building fund as our rented offices are no longer safe to stay in, and there's a brief update on the Prayer Mountain, Synergy's successful start to the Big League and a lot more besides.

So, please enjoy and download the newsletter, and spread the good news by sharing it with all your friends and family!

Strength Will Rise!

We all know that we have some spiritual warriors amongst our women at River Of Life church, but last Saturday they proved themselves to be physical warriors too. We had a great turn out at our first Aerobics class – strictly women only!

When the women discovered that our visitor Katie was doing some football training with our young Synergy boys, they wanted to make the most of her stay for themselves. And so a women’s fitness class was arranged for Saturday afternoons. All the men were shewed from the hall and the women flowed in ready to work out.

Everybody took part in some way, and everybody had a great time. I think as much energy was burnt through laughing as was through running around. Katie said, “That was the most fun I’ve had doing exercise in a long time, and I Iove exercise! Everyone should come, I’m sure they will find it uplifting in all manners of the word!”

Rumour has it that a Thursday class has been requested as well as a Saturday class now, and when Katie leaves us in three weeks the ball will be rolling, and the classes will continue… let’s hope!

Operation ARK hits the streets once more!

May saw Operation ARK reach its fifth anniversary, as Tim and Gerald ran around like headless chickens organising over 100 youth from local churches, hitting the streets of Nyendo and Masaka...

Ready for action!

The point? To clean the filth, spruce up people’s houses and shops with a lick of paint, and give out boxes of food to some of the neediest families. Once again we were very well received, although having arranged with the Masaka town clerk to clean the centre of town on one afternoon, we discovered he had become worried about the possibility of publicity about “local volunteers doing what paid street cleaners should be doing”, and in a fervour of activity organised his staff to sweep, scrub and polish as if the Queen was about to visit, on the very morning before we arrived!

We have since decided that any time we feel the town is looking a bit shabby, we will simply tell the town clerk we want to come the next day with our army of youth to clean, safe in the knowledge that in a fit of panic he will then quickly mobilise his street cleaners to do it instead!

River of Life's March 2012 Newsletter is out!

Hot off the press with news from the Roots Ministry Team, the graduation of four of our young men from the White Eagle Home, our Farm Manager Kayima's undefinable logic which has seen us get a cow and news from Synergy Sports Strategy, a new initiative to see young people realise their God-given potential - it can only be the River of Life Spring Newsletter!

You can view all these stories on the blog, or you can download a print version here to print off and share with all your friends and family...

Or download an online version here to email to everyone you know!

We've also got the October - December 2011 White Eagle Report - a little tardy on that one, sorry! - ready for you to download and share - click here.

Breaking the bonds of violence in Uganda

Domestic abuse in Uganda is at absolutely shocking levels. Figures obtained by the Uganda Law Reform Commission show that 78% of women experience some kind of domestic abuse. River of Life’s Roots Ministry Team goes out to villages to try and begin to put a stop to it...

For the 200 odd men and women crowded under a make-shift shelter waiting for the Roots Ministry Team, violence is just part of every day life. Across Uganda, armed conflict, alcohol abuse, poverty and cultural attitudes all help account for the pervasive, destructive acceptance of abuse in communities. And so for many men and women thinking of a life without violence is almost impossible.

Different studies tell us different things - but they all point to the same ticking time-bomb. One 2006 study tells us 66% of respondents, men and women, had experienced violence, another 2007 report claims 68% of married women aged 15-49 had experienced some sort of abuse from their spouse.

Perhaps most worrying of all, 77% of 15-49 year old women feel that violence in marriage is justified for any number of reasons - like burning food or refusing sexual relations (according to a UNICEF 2008 Report) - whilst another study claims that 60% of men and 70% of women condone wife beating.

In some areas, violence is at the heart of a new marriage. A prospective husband is required, by stealth and strength, to steal in to his bride-to-be’s village and physically over-power and subdue her, with her brothers and uncles watching to make sure he is sufficently macho.

It’s all a depressingly long way from God’s ideal: “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph. 5:25), which is why the Roots Ministry team was established. With Mary back, the time was right to do the first Roots Ministry of 2012. So in the last week of January we got ready to go, with prayer, teaching and planning!

Then for two days we were out, deep in the South Ugandan countryside. Through personal testimonies, teachings on ‘Love Languages’ and ‘How we learn’, specially planned children’s sessions, praise and worship and ministry time, Mary led us as we carefully peeled back the culturally accepted norm that ‘violence is ok’ and exposed it for the destructive bondage that it is.

Many, women especially, responded to the sessions, and came forward for prayer ministry to be set free from the bonds of violence. The vision of Roots isn’t to leave it there though - we’ll be back to help them continue walking in their new found freedom.

The Roots Ministry Team

Meeting together for teaching

Ministering to victims of abuse

Responding to Uganda's blood crisis...

Rob, Development Director at River of Life Uganda, tells us about confronting his fears...

For some reason, I've always been afraid to give blood. Fortunately for me the UK Blood Service has never wanted my blood, as I've always been just back from a malarial region. But I'm one of those people that embarrassingly faint when having injections anyway, and the nervousness of someone taking a pint of blood out of me has always trumped the obvious need for donors.

Dr Sarah gives blood

That was until yesterday, when we got the call from Dr Sarah, River of Life's long-term missionary seconded to Kitovu Hospital: "Rob, we need blood donors. Three children died on the ward over the weekend, simply because there is no blood. Can you round up some of the White Eagles and staff and come and donate?"

Now, although the Ugandan Blood Service is as diligent in screening blood as anywhere else, the whole "I've just got back from a Malarial region" wasn't going to wash. We're in a malarial region. And anyway, children were dying.

For you blood donors out there, you know this is not a big deal AT ALL. But for those of us responding to that call for the first time, it's fair to say we were more than a little nervous. Uganda has a blood crisis at the moment - it's school holiday time and the whole nation is running very low on blood. Why? Because the main donor-base are older school children, who love the opportunity to get a free soda and a biscuit, and to miss an hour of lessons. The great news is that there is a generation of young Ugandans growing routinely donating blood. The bad news for me was that I was going to have to face my fears. But doesn't the bible say we are more than conquerors?

So off we went. And because Elder Betty had inspired us with a word of encouragement earlier in the week that as leaders, we were to lead by example, I gave blood straight after David, one of the other ROL Directors.

Beth giving blood 

And yes, I fainted. Not at actually giving blood you understand, but at the little finger-prick thing they do first to test your blood group. And yes, they had to set up a special bed for me outside. And yes, I had to hold Dr Sarah's hand whilst they took the blood. But, do you know what? It was absolutely fine. And today I woke and could say for the first time in my life that I've donated blood, and will probably save a life.

Gerald, Beth, Kayima and Sarah followed suite with far less fuss - although big respect to Beth also donating for the first time! (she managed not to make as much of a fool of herself as me)

In the next few weeks we'll invite the mobile blood bank down to church, and encourage as many as possible from the community to donate. We'll let you know how we get on...

Introducing Synergy Sports Strategy - changing gear for a new year!

Synergy Sports Strategy is our new Community Sports Initiative. It’s all about enabling young people to reach their God-given potential, in sport and in life, through training, life skills coaching and Christian teaching and mentoring. Sounds good eh?

Over the years we’ve been involved in various Sports Initiatives, believing with Mr Nelson Mandela that “Sport has the power to change the world!”. Most recently we were working with a local Football Academy, Ball Line, but when that relationship came to an end last year, we decided to change gear and ramp things up a bit! It’s been an exciting few months, with a tournament (which the Synergy senior team lost in the finals on penalties - agony!) new training and discipleship programmes for over 60 boys and building relationships with schools. We’re also very proud to be able to say that 21 of the lads have won education bursaries on the strength of their sporting ability! We need funds to keep up the work - can you help? Get in touch by email!

To read all the latest stories on Synergy Sports Strategy, just click here

Onwards and upwards with River of Life Church

The end of this year marks a 'coming-of-age' for River of Life Church, as we're turning 18! Some of us have been around since 1994, when Pastor Duncan and Aunt Mary responded to the call to leave their work with the homeless in London, and come to Masaka in Uganda to plant a church. Since then we have grown in response to God's call, trying to keep our vision always in sight:

To see the Glory of God cover Uganda and the Earth through Church Revival and Community Transformation in the name of Jesus!

The White Eagles enjoying
the Day of the African Child

Over the years, various activities and ministries have been piloted, established and developed to help us realise this vision, from Schools Ministry (visiting 9 schools a week to run Christian Fellowships) to Street Evangelism, Operation Acts of Random Kindness (social action on the streets) to the White Eagle Project - supporting orphan and vulnerable children, particularly street children through resettlement, quality education, intensive mentoring and ensuring a safe and secure home. There are many more - we currently have 24 separate ministries either fully operating, or in pilot stage.

It's fantastic that, even in the face of grinding poverty, ill-health and the general challenge of living and working in a developing country like Uganda, the River of Life Team are plugging away with courage and determination to help some of the most vulnerable and destitute people of our Community.

Over the last year, the River of Life Board have restructured our work into four distinct departments - 1) Community Outreach, 2) Training and Discipleship, 3) Prayer and Healing and 4) Operations and Mission. We've brought on a new Operations Director, Mr David Nyongesa, who is ensuring we have the capacity and the expertise to do the work we are called to do, and so, as we 'come-of-age', we are excited by what lies ahead.

We've designed a leaflet that introduces you to all the ministries at River of Life Church. Do download it, and share it with your friends, family, church or whoever you please!

We're building again! The White Eagle Project goes up a gear...

It's been over 2 years since we completed the second phase of the White Eagle Centre, back in 2009. By then, we had six simple rooms for the White Eagle boys, a lounge, dining room, kitchen and toilets. Throughout 2009 and 2010, fundraising for the building work has continued, most memorably with Tim and Sarah Crow's Wedding Gift List, and the maddest cycling challenge ever - non-stop from Manchester to London.

 The new WEP Centre with Church
behind and Offices on left

At the same time, we've been working with Local Government and the Police here in Masaka to ensure that what we are building is absolutely perfect for the needs of our community. We've now had a new plan agreed, which includes building four, purpose-built 2-bed apartments so we can give more family-based care to children. We will be keeping our lounge and dining room, but converting the 6 old rooms into one of these apartments, and then building three new ones.

Front of the Church with Offices and
Rooms above on the right 

The plans also include development of offices (because our current offices are falling down!), an extension to the church, and some independent accommodation that can either be staff-quarters, or be rented out to provide a small amount of income.

The plans have been agreed by the local Planning Authority, and we are in the process of getting the "Permission to run a residential Children's Home" approved by all the relevant authorities - Local Councillors, Health Inspector, Police and Probations Office. In the meantime, we've received permission to proceed, so today, August 6th 2011, with Pastor Duncan and Mary skype-ing in from the UK, we have laid the foundations for the next phase! Hallelujah :)

With Julius leading worship, Duncan and Mary with us through Skype,
we pour in the footings for the next phase of building