In December we will spend our first Christmas in Uganda. Even when we
lived in Uganda we returned to Texas for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Actually we arrive on Margaret's birthday and look forward to
celebrating. We are grateful for many things during this unusual time in
history. Personally we are healthy, our leadership teams in the U.S. and
Uganda are doing well and keeping things running smoothly. Recently we
were told the university will open on November 1st for on site classes.
Plans are being made to resume movie nights and relationship forums in
person at Kingdom View.
COVID-19 has brought some challenges but God has encouraged us to be
creative in our ministry opportunities. We are grateful for technology
which has borne some exciting fruit. UCU students and graduates have been
mentored remotely on WhatsApp. On an average Margaret has been developing
resumes online with 5 Ugandan students a week. Part of the career
planning is knowing your God-given skills and being grateful for
"the far God has brought you." (as they say in Uganda). Writing
thank you notes is one of the things the students do as part of their
career training. Thank you notes honor God and they encourage and reveal
a grateful heart. Margaret has found if they pray to God to bring people
to mind who have been kind to them, do this sincerely and share their
resume, amazing things happen. Often people don't know we are available
to work, so communication is key to getting the word out. Law, business,
and social work students have gotten great jobs or promotions in the last
few months because they were offered unadvertised jobs or they were
recruited when a position opened up. The excitement in their voices as
they report the results of their journey from fear to confidence is more
rewarding than we can describe. Congratulations Joan,
Patience,Tabitha,and Phiona! God really has a plan and a future for each
of you and He blesses a grateful heart in surprising ways. Especially
during this time, people are so encouraged to be appreciated. We can each
do this and put a smile on someone's face.
God continues to multiply the discipleship being done even in the midst
of COVID-19. WhatsApp and Zello apps have been special tools to allow us
to communicate with individual students, discuss relationship questions
from guys to Mark about long-distance courting, and encourage them during
this time.
We appreciate your financial support, prayers and standing with us as
always. More news to follow from Uganda in December.
With grateful hearts,
Mark and Margaret
For daily reports on news in Uganda you can follow the link below:
https//www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national
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