Creative Blessings

Thanks to some generous and creative ladies in Canada, a whole school here in Uganda was blessed with dresses for the girls.

Grace Learning Centre is a nursery and primary school near the Timothy Centre.  It was founded by Judith, one of our former teachers from Kibaale Community School and has grown from a very small school of 5 students to a thriving school bursting at the seams.  The facilities are very basic and it is built on a small plot of land that Judith’s grandmother left her when she passed on.  In spite of the humble conditions, parents are happy to bring their children to the school because of the quality of care and teaching the students receive. 

When we received a donation of ‘pillowcase dresses’ from ladies in Canada we decided that these students should benefit from their generosity.  The ladies from Living Waters Church in Fort Langley and Broadway Church in Vancouver made dozens of simple dresses from cast off pillow cases—a very creative way to recycle!  They are lovely gifts for little girls here who sometimes have only one good set of clothes (their school uniform). 

Thank you, ladies, for your work and your gift of love to these children!

 

Young Leaders with Integrity

At present we have two young teachers completing their practice teaching at Timothy Girls’ High School.  Both of these young men, Joseph and Julius, are products of Kibaale Community School, so we have known them for many years.  They were young orphaned boys who struggled to succeed with the help of sponsors from Canada and the mentorship of their teachers in Kibaale.  Both stood out as diligent students who were willing to work hard in their studies and also work with their hands in the gardens and school farm, doing whatever they could to provide for themselves and younger siblings. They know the value of honest work and faith in God… and now are growing into fine teachers.  They have a real heart to teach with biblical integrity and make a difference in the upcoming generation. Julius also had the distinction of being chosen as a Ugandan representative to attend the 3-day East African National Youth Gathering in Nairobi.  This was organised by the Africa Youth Leadership Forum, and organisation that works with young leaders in various universities.  Julius was the coordinator of their activities in Kyambogo University where he has been doing his studies.

The supervisor from their university has made two visits to the school to observe and evaluate them and has given them very good reports, encouragement and helpful feedback on their lessons.

He also has expressed that he would like to come back soon to Timothy Centre as an unofficial visitor to learn more about our high school and teacher training program.  He left with a handful of school brochures so hopefully this might result in a few more girls registering with us!
When I was down in Kibaale last week facilitating a workshop for our nursery teachers, I also visited some of the classes that had received donations of Bibles last year.  We try to make it a point to provide a Luganda Bible to our Primary 3 students when they have learned to read fluently enough to read them for themselves. 

I thought of Joseph and Julius and the impact the Word of God has had in their lives as they have embraced its truth and applied it in their lives.  They have been transformed from fatherless boys with little hope and direction in life into strong servant-leaders leaders with godly vision for their country.  That is our prayer for all of these young students in Kibaale.

Farewell to the Friesens

Today we said good-bye to Mark and Sue and their children, Ben and April, who have been our next door neighbours for the past year and half here at the Timothy Centre.  Sadly, their time commitment here is finished and they will be missed as friends and colleagues…and we wish them well as they settle back into life and ministry and studies in Canada.

Mark has done a marvelous job of getting the finances and accounting in order for both of our projects in Kibaale and Masasa—no small task for a growing organisation that has so many departments and staff members! He leaves behind a trained team (Ugandan and American) that will be able to carry on and keep us afloat!  Sue has worn many hats – science teacher mentor, library coordinator, school outreach program leader, guest house administrator, home school mom, chief cook and bottle washer…to name a few!  Well done to both of them!

Ben and April have brightened the place with their creative play, sharp wits and ready smiles.  Life is always interesting with 6 year olds around and we never quite knew what to expect when we heard their voices outside our window…

Good-bye…thank you…God bless!