Wordless Wednesday

Colorado Team Led by Dr. O'Connell

For several years, Dr. Larry O’Connell and a team from Colorado have come to Uganda on a mission to advance the work of Christian Life Ministries and more importantly the work of His Kingdom. His Kingdom has not only been advanced by the acts of service, but also in the lives of those serving. Dr. O’ Connell has witnessed the growth and maturity in the lives of those who have served with him and in his own life.

When asked what the Colorado teams main priority is during these trips, Dr. O'Connell said:

To assist CLM and the ministries of CLM to become self-supporting and self-sustaining. This process will take years and will only be accomplished through God’s grace and the fulfillment of His will. [He] believes that this will be accomplished through the educating of the next generation of young Ugandans and by providing mentorship to them through this process. [He] is excited and believes in [his] heart that the young men and women of Seeta and Lira will be the next generation for the community and state leaders. This can be facilitated by starting educational and vocational training to both the orphans and the house moms in the care of CLM. The true landscape of Uganda will only change when Ugandans are leading the change, not relying upon outsiders from the community.

The Colorado team along with team members from UKIDS, put some finishing touches on the lavatory they started building last summer. It is looking great and we are excited about being able to use it very soon. The plumbing is completed, sinks hung, natural lighting arranged, and the water towers erected and connected. There are a few kinks we need to work out before it’s in full running order, but we look forward to what a difference this facility will make in the village.

In Seeta, the Colorado team replenished the medical clinic with all the supplies that were needed. New mosquito nets were hung for those children who did not have them and nets that were damaged beyond repair were replaced. The pediatrician, Dr. Cathy Cupp, from Mississippi, spent a total of three days mentoring the clinic staff in the physical assessment of children. Dr. Douglas Clark from Colorado springs, spent the same amount of time reviewing and strengthening clinic policies, particularly the Malarial Prevention Program. The Colorado team also hosted optical, pediatric, general medicine, gynecology, and physical therapy clinics at the Ayira Hospital, which is where the Lira orphans go when needed. Not to mention, they were able to accomplish 35 major surgeries during their time at the hospital.

Something else Dr. O’ Connell is excited about? That they now have supplied the dental clinic. Two dental chairs are to arrive in Uganda later this month and upon getting these they will be ready to provide not only extractions, but restorative care. Their hope is that dentists will now come and work for a week or two at Seeta Village helping to provide and restore dental health to the children.

Christian Life Ministries was so blessed to host Dr. Larry O’Connell and his team in Uganda. We are thankful for the love and dedication they have shown our children and ministry. What a blessing they are to us!

Because of Calvary,

Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

Scripture Sundays: Rejoice in Contentment

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philipians 4: 4-13

Because of Calvary,

Jackson Senyonga

Christian Life Ministries

Healing!!

In a lot of our prayers, the word healing is used. It may be used for a family member, a friend, or even one’s self, but we are not only asking for physical healing, but also for supernatural healing! This type of healing can only come from our Lord and Savior! In sweet Sylvia’s case, these prayers have been answered in a truly supernatural way and has been a testimony to others. She has had cerebral malaria since she was a baby and has never walked until now!!

Because of Calvary,

Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

Wordless Wednesday

Visitation Day

Visitation is a common occurrence in Africa for children who attend schools where they live on site. So every once in awhile the children get a chance to see their parents, in your child’s case, their house mothers, other Christian Life Ministries’ staff members, and this year they got to see Ukids!

A brief visit was made to the London College campus and the rest of the day was spent at the Crown City Campus where most of our orphans are. Due to the overwhelming number of students and visitors, the school availed a main hall for Ukids and the children. The kids were able to have the visitors all to themselves which is such a big treat for them.

Pastor Eve Senyonga spoke with the children and commended them on their hard work and discipline. She also reminded them that they are the future leaders and encouraged them to stay focused.

Then came the fun part! For lunch, the kids were served by Ukids which acted as the ‘waiters and waitresses’. Ukids provided a great example of servitude and generosity as they not only served the children food, but also made sure they were well taken care of in other areas.

The children got time to really interact with the visitors and they were thrilled that these visitors took time to come and visit them. Every child was also given a pack of clothes that was pre-selected according to size. The students enjoyed receiving their new clothing as it is such a special privilege to them to get new clothes.

The children were also ‘re-filled’ with ‘goodies’ and other school items. The CLM students felt the love that every other child feels on visitation day. It was nice for them to not feel left out because of their circumstances.

The students were in awe of how much love was shown to them and the acts of kindness that were shown on behalf of them. This visitation day will help the students to get reenergized and refocused for their future school work.

Because of Calvary,

Jackson Senyonga

Christian Life Ministries

Sponsorship Sunday: God's Love & Ours

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

1 John 4: 7-16

Because of Calvary,

Jackson Senyonga

Christian Life Ministries

Unity

In your relationship with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had.

Philippians 2:5

Starting in Philippians 2 verses 1 and down, the bible teaches about unity through humility. This is something God has been teaching me and I am discovering that you have to make adjustments about a lot of things in both your head and your heart.

True humility and true love comes through preferring others over yourself, through not looking out for your own interest but the interest of others. It is when you make these adjustments that you can have true unity.

For example, Jesus was equal with God and yet decided to come down to die for us. God had a vision to unite us back to Himself, but the only way He could unite us was through adjustment. He chose us above himself, His comfort and His glory so that we can be united with Him.

The minute He became like us we became like Him. And now He’s asking us to do what He did, to lay down our lives, to prefer Him to ourselves, to put Him ahead of our own interests and this is how we become like Christ.

Because of Calvary,

Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

Wordless Wednesday

Made New!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

2 Corinthians 5:17

One of my favorite parts of going back to Uganda each summer is baptisms. I along with our partners, UKids, have the oppurtunity to baptize tons of children and staff. It is such a blessing to be a part of it each year. This year many wonderful photos were taken thanks to the team and I wanted to share with you these photos. God is doing mighty things in Uganda and am thankful to each of you who have been part of it. The Kingdom is growing!

Because of Calvary,

Jackson Senyonga

Christian Life Ministries

Scripture Sundays: Supremacy of the Son of God

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Colossians 1: 15-20

Time With Our House Moms!

The team from Colorado did many things during their stay in Uganda. One of these being teaching the house moms how to sew, a skill they need in order to be more effective in the villages.

Under the supervision of Bonnie Clark and Ricky Kereszturi, the moms learned how to repair/mend the children’s clothing when it tears or gets worn out. This is going to be very beneficial for our children as they often need minor repairs to their clothing. Not to mention our house moms will now be able to make the children’s school uniforms which will be helping cut down on cost for the ministry.

The house moms were very excited and eager to learn this new skill. They learned very quickly and produced garments within the first week. At the end of the second week we hosted a fashion show, so they could show off their creations. We believe this is something the moms can really enjoy doing as they continue learning new sewing projects.

With learning to sew under their belt, we feel as if this has helped in fulfilling their role as a house mom. It has also allowed them to put one more thing on their list of accomplishments. We are blessed to have them and we are excited to see all of their progress as they take on new projects.

The team also blessed the moms with bath robes. They wanted to show the house moms that they are appreciated and deserve this blessing. The moms were overwhelmed with the generosity from the Colorado team!

Because of Calvary,

Jackson Senyonga

Christian Life Minsitries

Wordless Wednesday

Secondary School Students Soaring!!

We are very proud of our secondary school students and the academic success and improvements they have made. We take pride in being able to say that almost one hundred of our children have passed the entrance exam into secondary school and have been making great progress in their education and grades.

Some of them are holding positions of responsibility as student leaders and prefects; one of the girls, Sylvia Nabuuma is the Assistant Head Girl at the London College campus (St. Johns). Teddy Nalwanga is Assistant Head Girl of Crown City (St. Lawrence). Morris Ojuko is Head Minister over Religious Affairs and nicknamed “Pastor” as he preaches to anyone who will listen.

Ann Powell and Mark Gosvener, on behalf of the Ukids, prayed for these children for higher levels of excellence and God’s protection. Nine of our children placed amongst the Top 10 students in their school:

Nabukeera Irene (2ND),
Okenyi George (3RD),
Okello Ronny (4TH),
Mukasa Joseph (5TH),
Kamukamu Florence (6TH),
Mukisa Edgar (7TH),
Lugonda Joel Gerald (8TH),
OJjuka Richard (10TH).

Our dream to raise them as leaders is coming true. Continue to pray for these children and their achievements. We are so proud of them!

Because of Calvary,

Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Minsitries

Scripture Sunday: Saved in Order to Do Good

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Titus 3: 1-8

Because of Calvary,

Jackson Senyonga

Christian Life Ministries

Soccer Team

Soccer, football in Uganda, is a favorite sport among most of our boys. Many of their breaks are spent on the field or kicking a ball around the orphanage. They not only play because they love it, but many of them are good at it too.

In fact, one of our teams has gone on to the district level in soccer. This is a great accomplishment for our boys and exciting news for us.

We also are proud to announce that two of our secondary students have entered the National Soccer League. They are Michael Kiyimba and Brian Mukwaya. Congratulations boys!




Becuase of Calvary,

Jackson Senyonga
Christian Life Ministries

Wordless Wednesday