"Out of the Mud and Into Joy"

 

Sunset at Kingdom View

Remembering, Reflecting and Rejoicing at Kingdom View Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Greetings!   What a great trip to Uganda! The month went by in a flash. As we drove up to Kingdom View the road was bad due to the rain. We started up the hill and the car was stuck in the mud. Quickly the staff moved into action carrying our luggage and bringing Margaret's Crocs, so she could walk uphill. Thank God the road improvements were completed during our stay and the drainage and erosion problems are solved. Upon arrival at the compound, the house and pavilion looked better than before we left 13 months ago. Elijah, a student we mentored,who is now working as an engineer for Uganda Roads, volunteered with an erosion plan. The comprehensive plan solved the drainage, water velocity downhill and stabilization down to the main road.(see pictures below) Once we got settled we had visitors coming and going and it was like old times. Three couples recently got married during COVID and we couldn't wait to catch up with them. Each couple visited on a Saturday and spent the night. They participated in Saturday night activities and the students loved hearing about their experiences planning a wedding and helpful hints about navigating the culture. Each couple had different perspectives. One student mentioned, "it was so great to have people who were like us come back 'home' to share life with us. Most don't want to return to university." We felt like our role was to encourage and appreciate the team. During our morning devotional some staff members shared their fears of dying at the beginning of the pandemic. It was surprising to hear this but wonderful to see the growth and confidence they had. Everyone stayed safe and no one got sick.  As we walked around the compound we were reminded of different donors and how each person has made such a difference in the development of Kingdom View. The staff expressed their gratitude for continuing to employ them during the pandemic. They did a great job maintaining Kingdom View.  We are grateful because many non-profits in Uganda closed down, but the Lord allowed us to persevere. God has done amazing things through all of you supporting The Rock. With appreciation and joyful hearts, Mark and Margaret Recent Pictures From March and April 2021 New road with stone pitching and steps to control erosion and velocity of flow of water. Chef Patrick, a bi-vocational pastor, teaching the team to make chicken lollipops to sell on Saturdays at movie night. One of the projects to generate income at Kingdom View. View from the balcony of the ministry house as a fellowship group concludes their meeting. We love being a light on the hill for Jesus. Morning devotionals with the staff at Kingdom View.  This has become a wonderful time of Bible study, discussion, prayer and sharing concerns. Newlyweds Jesse and Pam Mugero sharing with students at Relationship Forum how to navigate planning a wedding and staying out of debt. We have a time for anonymous questions the students ask and put in a basket. Mark was reading one of the questions. Jesse is a lawyer and Pam is a business professional. Both of them recently published books. I read Pam's book recently called Running in Heels and I couldn't put it down. Resty and Joseph visited us one weekend. They are newlyweds and we have known Joseph since 2005 when we first visited Kabale then later started a home in western Uganda. He later received a scholarship to Uganda Christian University from The Rock Outreach, graduated and went to work with a sub-contractor for Google. He also founded a ministry with a female friend who was a social worker to help teenage mothers. Resty and Joseph both have careers but also have a heart for ministering to the young girls needing encouragement, skills to start businesses, and a plan to support their children and return to their village communities. We were so excited to meet Irene's husband, Wycliff. They recently got married and are delightful to be around. Irene served on our advisory committee while she was a student at UCU in Honors College. She has had a career in banking and accounting and is currently finishing her CPA. Wycliff is a commercial lawyer. Both are active in their local church in Kampala. Mike Reid, our architect for Kingdom View and his wife Kris paid us a visit to see the new construction. The last time Mike was on site we were beginning the pavilion. He was so pleased to see his creative planning come to life. Both of them have worked for UCU. Kris is a doctor and has been teaching at the Medical School. It was a bittersweet time for them since they are leaving Uganda in June after living there many years. God blessed the ministry in so many ways by bringing the resources to develop Kingdom View.

"UCU Students Returning to Kingdom View"

 At Kingdom View we are ready for students returning to Uganda Christian University in Mukono, Uganda. The Noblins return after being away for a year and are ready for the new normal.

Everyone is excited about being back for fellowship meetings, and movie nights.

Our construction team has been working tirelessly to prepare the pavilion by installing the TV, finishing the concrete floor, building a big barbecue pit, road improvements due to serious erosion problems, finishing the pavilion kitchen and creating a picnic area by the barbecue pit. 

Last week around 45 students participated in activities such as Bible Study, Christian movie night discussions and cell group activities.

 

"Jesus is the Same Yesterday and Today and Forever"

Mark and Margaret

This Christmas season, so much has changed. Except what matters most:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Heb 13:8)

Now it seems so hard to make sense of things. Unless we remember this:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  (Isa 55:8-9)

And even in a season with a joyful tradition it is tempting to lose heart. Except when we recall:

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor 4:16-18)

At The Rock Outreach, we are embracing God’s Word and fixing our eyes on Jesus so that His light can continue to shine forth at Kingdom View in Uganda.

While we have not been able to be In Uganda for most of the year, we have been able to maintain our entire staff of six people there. We have been blessed to see our Uganda leadership take more responsibility. Activity is now increasing with movie nights, fellowships and day retreats taking place. Some restrictions such as curfews and limitations on visitors remain, but we are hoping to return to Uganda in the next few months. Even from a distance, we have been able to continue online with career planning for Uganda Christian University graduates and with Biblical counseling.

The future is bright because Jesus lives. It reminds us of the hymn “Because He Lives” with the chorus:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future,
And Life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

Merry Christmas,

Mark and Margaret

 

Memories from Uganda and Kingdom View 2020 (pre-pandemic)

                  

In February before the pandemic we did leadership training with two teams in the pavilion. Leading and problem-solving God’s way was the focus. Students were figuring out the Einstein Puzzle and how to survive a disaster with a Lost At Sea problem. Our staff has continued to take care of Kingdom View under Christopher’s leadership. He reports, “the place looks the same and everything is maintained and working well.” Several online activities have continued including cooking class guidance with scripture references by Chef Ben, a bi-vocational pastor and Kingdom View volunteer.

Students are returning in limited numbers for Saturday movie nights and cell group meetings. Late last month we hosted a retreat for 40 future lawyers and a small group for a movie. We meet government guidelines for meetings and the pavilion makes it possible for cell groups and fellowships to meet safely.

Immediate Pavilion Needs:

Completion of audio/visual system: $500
Pavilion floor finishing: $1,300
Secure storage space for a/v, etc.: $500
Signage for new visitors: $200

Pavilion Post Pandemic Needs:

Kitchen plumbing, cabinets, fixtures:  $2,900
Kitchen utensils and appliances: $2,000
Road, grading, retaining wall: $5,000
Tables and chairs: $2,000