Oh baby!

I found this article today, and thought it was… interesting. In Uganda, high schoolers just took their exit exams. Last Monday, a girl went into labor during exams. She birthed the baby, then returned to finish her exam. Talk about dedication, and I don’t quite know if that is a good example or a bad one… Then, Tuesday, it happened again at a different school during exams. Don’t you kind of wonder if the stress from the exams induced labor?? How strange!

Just thought you might find this interesting.

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

New Toll Road to Reduce Traffic in Kampala

I don’t usually get excited about roads, but Kampala is so trafficky. The city was designed for less than 100,000 people, but now it is populated by well over that. So, needless to say, there are too many cars in streets that aren’t meant to hold that many cars. There is plans for a toll road to connect the airport and Kampala which will help tremendously because that road gets very congested.

Applauding Asphalt,

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

Sweet Potatoes to the Rescue

"The International Sweet Potato Centre has launched a $21.25 million research project in Uganda that will develop nutritionally enhanced sweet potatoes, in a project to reduce health problems related to vitamin A deficiency and improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa."

I am thankful for this work, as it can help meet the basic needs for the people of Uganda. I do laugh a little however. I didn't know that there was an International Sweet Potato Center... one may laugh at such an organization at first glance, but in reality this organization could save many lives in Africa. Thank you God for sweet potatoes! Who knew that a sweet potato was a part of his master plan! :)

God bless everyone!

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

Ugandans facing extreme hunger to decrease

"The US-funded Famine Early Warning System Network (Fewsnet) has predicted that the number of Ugandans facing extreme hunger will fall over the next six months, from 2.11 million to 1.38 million."

Praise God! So many people have suffered from hunger, a need that is hard to imagine if you have never experienced it. I pray that Uganda turns their eyes to God for lifting this burden from them. There is still much work to be done before everyone lives comfortably, but this is a major releif for almost 1 million Ugandans.

Thank you for your prayers.

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

Videos on YouTube

I just stumbled upon some videos online from UKids trip to Uganda this last summer. I think they are very powerful, and a pretty good representation of our short term mission trips. Please take a few minutes to watch them. You can get to them at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/user/adamneil82

Thank you, UKids, for posting these. The children are so excited to have you back again this year!

If you would like to explore the option of attending a mission trip to Uganda in July, please give us a call at 972-307-5433 or email us at info@christianlifeministries.org.

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

An Article About Me Makes the Raleigh Top Ten

I know this is silly, but I get excited when stuff like this happens because I feel minutely like a movie star. And, when my message gets out, awareness is raised for our cause! Check it out: http://raleigh10.cityspur.com/2009/10/20/what-a-difference-advocacy-makes/comment-page-1/#comment-3786 Make sure to comment!

God bless you all!

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

Mulago Hospital Gets USA Grants

This is exciting news. If you recall, when I brought Dr. Haglund from Duke University to Mulago, ventilators were a stretch for Mulago Hospital. Now, the Mulago Hospital has a cancer treatment center and has just received grants from the US to run it! “What A Difference Advocacy Makes!”. Praise the Lord!

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

Thousands of Jobs Created in Uganda

The UIA (Uganda Investment Authority) is starting a project in Uganda that will create over 12,000 jobs. This is great news. More exchange of money the better for Uganda’s economy. Click here to read more: http://allafrica.com/stories/200910191358.html

I think this article is exciting. We always hope for Uganda’s economy to improve considering it is into this economy that our children will embark when they are older. We are creating job creators more than job seekers, and any improvement of the economy makes this even more possible! Please pray that we see an upward trend in the economy.

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

Bill Gates Donates to Uganda’s Farmers

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to help farmers around the world, including in Uganda. “Helping the poorest smallholder farmers grow more and get it to market is the world’s single most powerful (switch) for reducing hunger and poverty,” Gates said in a statement released ahead of his speech at the World Hunger Symposium. He plans to connect farmers to valuable information on sustainable farming and connecting farming education to schools.

Thank you, Gates Family! This is a valuable contribution that works from the ground up!

Pray with me that Uganda continues to be blessed with meaningful contributions such as this!

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

Straight from the mouth of Natalie on the Uganda Experience

Hear what Natalie Caminiti has to say about her time in Uganda:

I went because of the overwhelming need broke my heart. The idea alone of a 20 year war broke my heart not to mention the atrocities that Ugandans are living with as a result of the war. Poverty breaks my heart, and so does 10 percent of the world's orphans living in a country the size of the state I live in.

I thought to myself, hey I'm single without children why can't I take care of some kids who need love? I can only imagine what it must be like to bare a child, but it must feel a lot like being vulnerable enough to feel as if you would do anything to protect life and that's how I feel when I think of the orphans I've met there. I just can't fathom the hurt they have felt in their short lives.

I Ultimately went with the intention to "do good works by my faith," but instead of only being broken for the people of Uganda, I instead became broken for people back home (or in the Western world) because we are so caught up in materialism and schedules and selfishness. We miss the feeling of true community, the blessing of a simple life and the feeling of gratefulness, especially for the small things.

I've been forever changed by my experience and will continue to return as long as God allows.

Consider joining Natalie to Uganda for our summer short term mission trips, “Transforming Uganda 2010.”

Let me know if you are interested.

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

Food shortage looking better in parts of Uganda

The region of Karamoja has experienced heavy rains, which is great news considering the drought that they have been having previously that has given them intense food shortages. When basic needs like food is taken care of, the people can concentrate on cultivating their youth and growing into a more productive society.

Thank God for this! Please help the rest of Uganda!

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

Museveni Pledges to Build Technical Schools

The timing is impeccable! Just as we start our project to build our graduating campus, Museveni pledges to build more technical schools, as well. This is great news. A better educated and trained generation will go a long way for the improvement of Uganda. To read more, check out this article: http://allafrica.com/stories/200910120535.html.

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

Solar Power for Schools in Uganda

The company, Kyocera, has pledged to donate and install solar power systems to 15 schools in Uganda over the next five years. You know how I am about Uganda children and their education, so it is no shocker to hear how exciting I think this is. With the adult literacy rate in Uganda at about 65%, I think it is vitally important to improve the children’s education system. Many schools in Uganda do not have electricity. This will enable the school to bring in educational tools, including computers, televisions, radios, and lights! It is hard for most people in the United States to think of a school with no lights.

Thank you Kyocera for helping educate the children of Uganda, the children who carry the future of Uganda on their shoulders!

We would love the opportunity to bring solar power into our orphan villages. Maybe this is something we should think about for future projects…

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

Dormitory Burnt at Homisdallen Primary

Please pray with me as the staff, children, and families of Homisdallen Primary school in Kampala, very near our Seeta orphan village, recover after a fire tore through one of their boys’ dormitories, eating away all of the boys’ assets. Luckily there was no one hurt as the P5 boys that resided in the dormitory were out to dinner and the P7 boys were out studying for their final examinations coming up. There was one boy in the dorm for the fire, but he managed to escape unharmed, Praise the Lord! It is suspected that the fire was caused from a hot iron being left plugged in, sparking fire on a nearby mattress.

Please pray in thanks that no children were injured in this fire, and pray that they will be relocated soon so that they can have a place to live and continue their schoolwork.

Pastor Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries