Pastor Jackson Senyonga: Visiting Sunday for Secondary Students

It is tradition at the secondary school campuses throughout Uganda to invite parents and guardians to visit their child at school and talk to their teachers about their child’s current areas of praise and improvement once each month, called Visiting Sunday. The support of family can really aid a child in being successful in boarding school. Just because our children don’t have parents to visit them does not mean that Visiting Sunday wasn’t special. On the contrary, our ministry goes above and beyond to treat our secondary students to a very exciting, fun, and encouraging Visiting Sunday. After all, we are one big family. Staff from the church, a few house moms, and volunteers from local universities planned Visiting Sundays for the children, from St. Lawrence (London College and Crown City) to St. John’s to Namilyango. Because Visiting Sundays vary from school to school, for these volunteers, these events are spread out through most of the month. We are so grateful for their service. One thing is a must when we visit: great food! The house moms got together at the Seeta orphan village to prepare a great meal to go. We delivered the food to the children, who were happy to have a reminiscent meal from the place they have called home for so many years. We also delivered some school supplies, miscellaneous snacks, and spending money to the children to last them until next months’ Visiting Sunday. In addition, our staff was able to visit with the teachers for each student, getting an update on how they are doing in their studies. The university student volunteers helped us greatly in this area because they could encourage students to improve weak areas. The children are so receptive to the university students because these young men and women have been in their shoes and have succeeded in making it to university level, which is a goal for each of the secondary students. They are able to share experiences, and how their faith in God and devotion to His purpose have led them to where they are today. We were able to pray with the children for their success and comfort. In addition, we were able to hear any concerns or questions they have had since living in this more independent setting for the first time, from hygiene questions to spiritual guidance. One thing that was particularly touching was seeing how much the students support each other. It is clear that they are each others’ support system and that their relationships are growing stronger and stronger as they fellowship together during this journey. Outsiders may have initially pitied our orphans when it comes to Visiting Sunday, thinking that it would be a day to remind them that they are without parents to encourage them. However, it is exactly opposite. Our children have grown up in a close-knit village, with more supportive role models and a bigger family than most can imagine. And, Visiting Sunday shows no exception to that. We were there in full force, ready to provide as much support as asked from us for the children. Our children felt the love of a family in a huge way, and it was evident how much this support means to them in the smiles on their faces. All in all, Visiting Sunday was a full day for our secondary school students, a day to fill their bellies, backpacks, and pockets, but more than that, a day to fill their hearts and souls with encouraging words and a magnitude of support. Please continue to pray with us for these children, as they are at a pivotal point in their education. Please pray that they continue to learn and grow in Christ, and that they don’t feel sad when they miss their siblings and house moms, that they continue to adjust to their new environment without homesickness. Pray for them to remain healthy and that they take care of themselves well. Thank you for your prayers!