andrea – Page 13 – Harvesters

Mission to Karamoja

We will be taking a team of 12 from Pallisa to Karamoja in late April for a week of training and outreach.

Karamoja is a land with a long history of war and violence. Hostility between tribes, cattle raiding, and distrust run deep in this society. Located in the northeast corner of Uganda, Karamoja’s population consists mainly of nomadic herders. The region suffers from repeated drought and food insecurity. With a very high rate of malnourished children, many are suffering day after day from hunger and have little access to medical care. While many international organizations are working to help the people of Karamoja, there is still so much that needs to be done.

People of Karamoja: The people are stuck in a cycle of poverty and dependency, and are accustomed to being forgotten. Several tribes, rich in diversity and culture, make up the 1.2 million inhabitants of Karamoja. While many identify themselves as Christians, most still practice their traditional religious beliefs. Widespread illiteracy in the area makes it difficult for the people who accept Christ to actually grow in their understanding of the gospel.

Our 2015 Mission

Faith Evangelism Training

Faith training is one of the greatest evangelism tools that we have and has been used in many of the countries and villages where we have trained. Two years ago we trained a group of 34 Christians in Karamoja in evangelism, one of who, Pastor Tom, started a church under a tree. The church still meets today and Pastor Tom is continuing to help change the lives of the people in this community.

Open Air Crusade/Jesus Film

Do you remember seeing your first movie on the big screen? Motion pictures on the big screen are a rare privilege in many areas of East Africa. The Jesus film, available in many native dialects and languages, brings the message of the cross and Christianity to the lives of thousands of people. Viewers learn of a God who loves them immeasurably, cares about them, and wants to walk with them daily through their harsh and often challenging existences. As we host screenings of this powerful film, the audiences are fascinated to hear Jesus speaking in their own language!

Children’s Outreach/Humanitarian

A team will be performing school ministry and distributing school materials. They will also visit hospitals and distribute clothes and shoes in the villages.

How you can help

Please pray for the team of 12 people that will be going to Karamoja.
Please pray for the people of Karamoja that they will be receptive to our teaching.
Please make a donation to purchase clothes, shoes, and school materials that will be distributed to the people in Karamoja. Click here to donate or mail a check to Harvesters International Ministries, P.O. Box 22549, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. Be sure to write Mission Karamoja in the memo section. Our goal is to raise $960 by April 17.

We are looking forward to see what the Lord will do in this mission.

Rev. Samuel Mwesigwa

Pokot Say “NO” to FGM

The Wome becky n of Pokot ministry was started three years ago with a mission to educate, empower, and reclaim the Pokot women’s identity and worth as a beloved and valued child of God. We began with a goal of empowering two women’s groups to have sustainable businesses to generate income for their families.

We are ecstatic to report that both groups have profitable sewing and beading businesses, strong leadership, and have qualified to receive a substantial business loan from the government! They own goats and chickens to feed their families. Many also have side businesses selling honey, tea, and renting guest huts. The best part is that they also unite together as a team to spiritually and emotionally support one another and others in the community.

Now that we have seen the success of economic empowerment, we are tackling a bigger challenge: eliminating the brutal, centuries old practice done to Pokot girls. Women in the Pokot, along with 130 million women in Africa and around the world, live with the consequences of a ritual called Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), otherwise known as female circumcision or “cutting” of the female organ.

This rite of passage is performed on Pokot girls 9-18 years old as a preparation for adulthood and marriage, which is typically arranged by the family to a much older man who could be three to even four times her age. Pokot fathers receive a hefty dowry for their child brides in the form of animals, usually cattle, which culturally is a great sign of wealth.

The physical effects of FGM are devastating. Many girls will die during or after the ceremony due to infections or bleeding, and many more are left with serious medical problems and difficulties birthing children.

The abusive practice of FGM limits the value of girls to merely a source of wealth and has continued for decades, though it has been deemed as a punishable crime against humanity around the globe and in Kenya. As you can imagine, it’s not just their bodies being left wounded and broken, this also breaks their spirits and their opportunities to live out their God-given purpose.

However, we have hope and good reason to believe we can shift this detrimental practice. This ministry has been blessed with a faith-filled and talented Kenyan leader, Rebecca Chebet, from Pokot Outreach Ministries (POM) who is bringing truth and enlightenment to the Pokot through our Anti-FGM awareness campaign. Becky is pictured above with girls that sought refuge from FGM.

Becky and her team began this campaign in August 2012 to debunk the FGM myths and impart facts about its physical, spiritual, emotional, and legal impacts. It is grounded in biblical principles and a rights and values based approach from the United Nations, who also has declared ending FGM a top priority around the globe.

Our Successes

7,000 Pokot community members and influencers educated on the negative spiritual and physical impact of FGM
50 community leaders trained to advocate for girls against FGM and early childhood marriage
Hosting rallies attended by thousands of Pokot observing UN’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM
Launching of the first ever “Alternative Rite of Passage” for empowered Pokot girls that say NO to FGM

To learn more or join the empowerment movement, visit www.womenofpokot.com.

Equipping the Saints

Last month, more than 100 pastors, teachers, and church leaders converged in Kapenguria, Kenya for the annual pastors conference. The theme of the conference was “Service that Produces Results” based on the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.

It was exciting to look back over the crowd that was intensely focused on varied topics such as “Using Your Time and Talents for Ministry” to “Developing a Strategy for Church Growth” to “The Importance of Discipleship within the local church.”

The dedication and willingness to learn of the attendees was inspiring, especially when I thought of the untapped potential in that room and the capacity to impact the kingdom of God.

The annual gathering is meant to equip and inspire church leaders to effective leadership, strategize how we can be more effective, and celebrate what God is doing in and through the ministry.

In the past, this has been done with primarily Pokot pastors, ministering in Pokot. This year, it was encouraging to see the vision of the conference organizers extend to church leaders in Uganda, South Sudan, and DR Congo. The international flare of the gathering was a great opportunity to share ideas and learn from each other.

Pictured above are Habimana from DR Congo, Festus from Kenya, and Reuben from South Sudan – three of our African partners.

Expanding Our Horizons

The Lord continues to expand Harvesters’ reach around the world! After much prayer and discussion, two very important votes were taken at the December Board of Directors’ meeting. We are excited to introduce you to the newest additions to Harvesters.

The Board of Directors unanimously approved the addition of a new ministry partner, China Sees, which is led by Steve and Katie. (Their last name and location are withheld to protect their safety.) They have ministered to the underground church in Asia for the past fifteen years. The Gospel has multiplied exponentially in this part of the world creating an insatiable need for qualified leaders. As a result, the focus of their ministry is to encourage and equip nationals to reach nationals.

They draw their purpose and inspiration for ministry from the Apostle Paul’s instruction to the Ephesian church leadership to use their spiritual gifts “for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” In both rural and city settings, Steve and Katie are equipping house church leaders and encouraging church planting efforts “in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and the ends of the earth.” By God’s grace, many Asian nationals have been trained and deployed in lay leadership roles — and are now training others to be disciples who make disciples.

Before the decision to add a new partner was made, the Lord foreknew (before we even asked) that Harvesters would need additional help as He prepared to increase the number of our ministry partners. He led David and Helen Stansbury to meet with us earlier in the year. After meeting several times and through much prayer, they expressed their desire to work with Harvesters. The Board of Directors was unanimous once again in their decision to have David and Helen join our staff.

The Stansburys have two married children and four beautiful grandchildren. They live in Falling Waters, West Virginia, and attend Independent Bible Church. Both have worked with another missions organization for eight years, so they are well prepared to help us at Harvesters. They have made a number of short-term mission trips to Myanmar and are very familiar with our ministry partner there. Helen will assist J. Lucarelli in the financial area and Dave will assist Ed Hirshman in coordinating with our Asian partners.

Please remember both of these couples in your prayers! We are excited to see how the Lord will use them to reach the world with the gospel.

This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Psalm 118:23

Finding Freedom

Women carry the heaviest burden of poverty in Uganda. Women’s empowerment is key to ending that poverty, and that’s why it is one of the top priorities of Kerith Ministry. The church stands out as a grass roots institution through which change and development can be realized.

Rather than giving women food or money, Kerith Ministry focuses on training and educating women to find lasting solutions to the challenges they face – hunger, poverty, and disease. They have created a nurturing environment that gives a voice to women and helps them discover who God created them to be. Weekly Bible study and fellowship encourage the women to grow in their faith. Sometimes, it can be challenging for the women to step out in leadership when don’t believe they are capable, but through these meetings many discover that they can effectively minister to others.

Kerith Ministry created the Bugaga foundation with the objective of encouraging economic empowerment for women by providing financial loans to create or boost small businesses. To date, 12 women have benefited from this program, with many already earning enough to repay their loans! In 2015, they hope to extend interest free loans to 50 additional women totaling $2,125.

Amagoro Eflance received a 100,000 shilling loan – about $35 US – to boost her business of selling spices and onions at the Pallisa Central Market. She was able to purchase additional supplies and increase her sales. She now earns enough to meet all of her needs, as well as some to save.

In November 2014, women’s ministry leadership created SACCO, a saving and investment entity for women. The required weekly savings contribution is 5,000 Ugandan shillings – about $1.75 – per week. They intend to invest the money in income generating activities like piggery and poultry, all geared towards increasing earnings for the women. To date, 23 women are participating. They expect that number to grow as more women become financially stable.

Kerith Ministry also provides health education including instruction in the basics of caring for children and personal hygiene. Free or reduced cost medical care is offered at their recently opened Health Centre.

Women are trained to become volunteer community health experts allowing them to work with families in their communities to improve health. They are able to share their knowledge and encourage others to seek appropriate medical care when needed.

Women in Uganda are experiencing the freedom that comes with knowing that they are able to provide for the financial and physical needs of their families. It is our prayer that they also find freedom in a relationship with Christ as a result of the care and attention they experience at Kerith Ministry.

Goals for 2015

Provide additional financial education to help women make informed financial decisions
Extend interest free loans to 50 women enabling them to build their businesses
Encourage women to participate in SACCO
Provide health care training and encourage women to utilize the health center

Hope In The Darkness

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have suffered for years with war and ongoing violence. War has made many men aggressive toward each other and against defenseless women. Girls are taken from their families and forced into marriage, wives are taken from their husbands by evil men, and many others are tortured and raped.

Victims are abandoned by their families, often leaving them with no means to support themselves. Others have fled, abandoning their homes and jobs, and live in camps without any source of income.

Women and girls have limited educational or employment opportunities due to the societal preference for men in these areas. Girls are forced to stop their education because schools prefer boys to girls, and they are denied enrollment. A large number of girls over age 16 have not completed primary school.

While the church is unable to prevent the violent attacks or quickly change culture based discrimination, it is called to offer hope and support to victims by providing medical care, food, clothing, education assistance, shelter, and counseling to these women and girls. In response to their plight, the Union of Baptist Churches is working to provide skills training, educational assistance, and material support.

UBC provides training in sewing and tailoring and basket weaving, as well as agricultural training for farming and raising poultry. Thes congo2 e programs allow women to obtain skills than enable them to provide services or produce goods to sell to earn income for their families.

UBC also operates 14 Christian primary schools and 4 Christian secondary schools allowing boys and girls to receive the education they need to be successful, all while learning about the love of Jesus.

Their goal is to enhance the spiritual, economic, and leadership capabilities of women and girls, to facilitate economic self-sufficiency, and to build self-esteem and self-worth among the abused women of the DR Congo and Rwanda.

Pokot Outreach Ministry Update

Greetings from all of us in Kenya!

CHURCH PLANTING & EVANGELISM

We need prayers in East Pokot especially filling up where pastor Job Rutto left. His absence is a big hole to fill. Pray that God will bring us a preacher for Chepturu and many other new places. The preachers from the west have offered to make frequent visits to help them. Miriam, Job’s wife, and the kids are doing fine apart from loneliness for her and being all alone in parenting.

The churches are doing well where we have boreholes and a good settlement, while we are facing challenges with people relocating where there is no reliable source of water.

We continue to push with preaching of the gospel to areas like Lotongot, Akitiamet, and Amaler in the northern part between the East and West.

The 23 churches so far established in Uganda are going great. This area remains relatively peaceful hence giving us a good base to present the gospel. We have seven men undergoing trainings to be pastors from the area.

WATER DRILLING

Moving stories of miscarriages, Typhoid sickness, bee stings, stresses in looking for water, and carrying it after finding are tales we hear told by the
people whenever we are establishing borehole committees. As we go from village to village hearing these testimonies, we see a lot of joy and hope in God’s provision for water. Borehole water completely eliminates waterborne diseases and we have seen a lot of healthiness after a borehole has been installed.

As village settles it is so encouraging to see how they embrace the gospel and many other places are so happy and joyful to have clean water, Cheponyoryo in Chemarel could not hide her joy when she said that she never thought she would see water in the desert of Chemarel.

We thank God for gifts and sacrifice made by people for the water that now goes hand in hand with the gospel and church planting.

ORPHANAGE

Kodich orphanage excelled again in the national music festival. They topped in western Kenya and became second in Kenya overall. They also did well in the Kenya national examination and a good number of them are now in high schools. We prayerfully hope that more will pass the national exam in November.

Kauriong has not been a good performer of either the academics or the social activities. We have had to change the headmaster and now have a new pastor. We are seeing good signs now, and the school kids have a choir that sings in the church. The Pastor has started discipleship steps for the kids and also devotion time for the orphanage community. He and Luke have cultivated a good relationship with the teachers, which has really harmonized everybody.

MEDICAL SERVICES

We continue to touch lives through the services we give through medicine. Some of you may have had the opportunity to come over on one of the medical trips. The facts about a medical trip is that people see and perceive love from the person giving the service, then God’s love in the willingness of the individual to come over and give the service. Every time a medical team comes there is restoration of health in such a way that it really touches the people.

In November we shall start mobile clinic to villages. We had temporarily stopped because of transportation shortage. We are hoping and praying for God’s intervention for need for another vehicle.

FGM

Rebecca Chebet has very successfully headed our fight against circumcision of girls. For those of you that don’t know the pain that Pokot girls go through, it is very brutal. A Pokot girl must be circumcised at the age of 12-15. The crusade is on and local leaders have complemented us for facing it head on. I have personally confronted leaders and have been complemented in meetings for bold speaking against this practice.

On U.S. side we thank Jen Todd of Kensington Community Church in Michigan for standing with us and raising the funds we need in fighting this inhumane practice against girls and women.

December is coming and we will have a youth conference that we shall have about 2,500 young people coming to hear the word of God.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• For Reuben in South Sudan, for the peace of that country

• Loice’s pregnancy and child birth to be safe

• For the work in Uganda to be rooted in the word even as it spreads like wildfire

• For safety for our Pastors as they face the spiritual battle so they will be safe yet bold.

• Pray for our children so that they can be wise in making choices

A Heart for Orphans – Giving Hope for Life

God has given us a special burden for hurting children in the world, many of whom may never have the chance to hear the gospel. Our story began in our early twenties when Joye and I both lost our spouses – Joye’s husband in a plane accident and my wife to leukemia. After our personal losses and pain, God brought us together in a divine way that could only come from Him! Our hearts were tender to God’s calling. What if someone would have never shared the gospel with our spouses? What if they would have never grown up in a Christian home with godly parents? Could we close our eyes and hearts knowing that there were millions of hurting kids living on the streets?

For months we prayed and asked God for wisdom, all while having a burning desire to provide a safe haven for as many children as we could. God led us to a missionary couple in Vladivostok, Russia. We took our first trip there in December 2003. The needs were overwhelming and our plan of action became very clear. Equipping Christian couples in Russia to care for abandoned children became our mission and Hope for Life Homes was born.

Russia’s orphanages are full of children waiting for a home. Alcoholism and a high divorce rate have put many children in orphanages, living on the streets, or wandering from one place to the next. They are “social orphans” — a child that has one or more living parents that can’t or won’t care for them because of drugs, alcohol, poverty, or incarceration. Statistics only give them a 10% chance of ever becoming a functional member of society. In some cases, the street life is easier than living in a government orphanage. God has allowed us to open three homes, creating Christian families. Our national team consists of three full time house parents, a full time administrator, and orphanage worker, as well as a working relationship with ten local churches.

Placing a child in a Christian home has been a proven method of evangelism in Russia. Our house parents have built relationships with local government officials, which is crucial in placing the children in homes. They often come from hospitals where they have been “in transition” before going to an orphanage. They come to our homes in fear that they could be returned to the orphanage or rejected. Little by little, God opens their hearts as they experience a love from their new family like they have never experienced before. Each home has the support and encouragement of a local church. It has been the backbone of the ministry in Russia.

Tanya was abandoned by her mother and left alone for weeks at a time with her younger brother. She walked to the next village in hopes of finding her grandmother. Her grandmother rejected her and she began to live on the streets. She was put in the hospital for several weeks before coming to the Hope for Life Home. Although it has not come easy for her, Tanya accepted Jesus as her Savior and has grown into a beautiful young lady with a heart that glows with God’s grace!

Our hearts were still heavy for the many children in government orphanages that we could not help. This led to us partnerships with local churches, which are able to minister inside the orphanages. Summer camps, Christmas programs, one-on-one visits, and hiking trips are some of the ways we are building relationships, which are crucial in helping the orphans maintain stability. Many orphans have come to Christ during the ten-day summer camps. The most encouraging part is to see these orphans lead others to Christ and evangelize their orphanage!

Max is 12 years old and has lived in an orphanage for many years. Three years ago he came to Christ at camp and has lead four other orphans to Jesus! He faithfully reads the Bible each night to one of his friends. This has also opened the door to share the Gospel with the orphanage directors. In one case, the director has been so touched that she has allowed the children to go to church each Sunday! It is our prayer that as the children graduate from the orphanages, their mentors from the local churches will be able to guide them and help them find God’s call for their lives. Many of the orphans long to go to church and cry out for it, but in most cases they are not allowed. Please pray for churches as they “take church” to the orphans and that God will continue to keep the doors open for evangelism and discipleship.

Much has been accomplished and the door is wide open for us to continue to equip our national team in Russia. For the orphan living in an orphanage, camp vouchers, Christmas gifts, Bibles, and a birthday gift are all means for us to encourage and share the Gospel with these precious kids. For our houseparents and those caring for orphans on a daily basis, a home or addition to a home, clothes, food, and daily needs have been instrumental in helping them bring orphans into their homes and care. Please pray for the orphans, houseparents and national workers. They are in a position to do what we can’t, but are in need of our prayers & support.

The HFL Home in Spassk is in great need of an addition. There are currently 13 people living in a 900 square foot home. An addition will not only benefit the family, but the village as well. Each week they hold Bible studies and host poor and deprived children from the village. They regularly help a single mother of three young girls who spend time at the home. All of them have come to Christ and are growing in their faith. The addition will cost $25,000. We are praying that we will be able to break ground in the spring.

If you would like to know more about the ministry in Russia or have the Ballards share at your church, you may contact them directly at jeffballard85@gmail.com or by calling them at (843) 368-9580.

Girls in Kauriong Move Back In!

This may be hard to believe, but the fire in the Kauriong dormitory was actually a blessing. It caused the leadership to take a hard look at the safety and security of the two dorms for the girls. The dorm window openings were covered with a strong mesh wire and screen making it difficult for the girls to get out of the building except for the doorway. Fortunately, the fire occurred during the day and that was not a problem. The funds raised to complete the roof repairs were sufficient to install all new window frames that swing open and have glass panes to keep the cold weather out.

The other great blessing that you can see in the picture is that we were able to build two walls with gates connecting the two dorms. This provides the girls extra security at night. The staff is excited about the new additions and praise the Lord with joy and thanksgiving! Thank you for responding so unselfishly to meet the need for the dormitory repairs! To Him be the praise, glory, and honor.

Destined for Leadership – Meet Eliazar

Eliazar is the youngest of seven children and was born to parents who were both suffering from AIDS. When Eliazar was only two months old, his father passed away due to AIDS, leaving his mother to care for all seven children by herself. Because she was also very sick with AIDS, almost to the point of death, she was unable to work and not able to provide for the children’s basic needs. Because of their poor living conditions, Eliazar and two of his siblings were placed into different children’s homes around Jinja. The rest were scattered throughout several cities living with different relatives or friends who were willing to take them in and care for them.

In 2008, Eliazar reached the age of 18 and he was asked to move out of Canaan Children’s Home. He had no job or place to live. Pastor Samuel Mwesigwa and his wife Mercy, of Kerith Ministries in Uganda, heard about Eliazar’s situation and agreed to let the teen live with them in Pallisa. Pastor Sam and Mercy were able to find a sponsor to help pay for Eliazar’s school fees so that he could finish his remaining secondary school classes. Then they were able to find another sponsor who has helped pay for all of his university classes. Eliazar is currently in his third year at a university in Kampala and is studying to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

Eliazar has proved to be a good steward of money, time, and resources. He is a hard worker and very dependable. He is also an up-and-coming Bible teacher and enjoys teaching the youth group at River of God Church in Pallisa whenever he is home on school breaks or holidays. In addition to this, Eliazar also serves in the music ministry at church as a pianist,. He has taught countless others how to play the piano as well.

Because Eliazar is a spiritual leader, trustworthy, and has a passion and heart for helping the needy, he has recently been voted onto the board of Kerith Ministries and is considered to be one of the future leaders of the ministry. After he graduates with his Bachelor’s Degree in 2015, Eliazar will move back to Pallisa to take up the position of Project Manager for Kerith Ministries.