Clean Water Project 2014

Clean Water Has Arrived in Katanga Slum

 Clean water brings life and health!!

  

Did you know that 70 % of the human body is made up of water?  Without it, we cannot survive more than a day or two! With it, we can have life.  For many people, clean water is something that is taken for granted, but for more than 9 million people or one-fourth of the Ugandan population, it is non-existent or is very unsafe to drink or use!  Many who do have water may have to walk up to 5 or 6 miles one way, carting their dirty contaminated jerry cans, just to get water that is filthy dirty and infested with contaminants. 

Can we imagine what it would be like to not have clean water to drink, cook, bathe, or wash clothing with?   Yet, in Uganda, this is common place.  Even outside of having clean water, most people live off the land,  struggle immensely to even earn a living trying to provide for their families, and many barely survive from day to day even knowing where their next meal is coming from.  Life there is very, very challenging and all seems to trap them in a vicious cycle of poverty and hopelessness.

CAN WE IMAGINE LIVING IN CONDITIONS LIKE THESE?

But even worse is the fact that many of them die from waterborne diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, anemia, malnutrition, typhoid, hepatitis, botulism, etc., all of which could be eliminated, IF they had clean water.  If a little Ugandan child’s body is made up of 70% water, just think how hard that little body’s internal organ system has to fight to even stay alive!!!  It is a miracle he could even live for one day.

       Ground Breaking Ceremony                   Children Gathering Water at Project Site

    

  That’s why many of the children who attend our Mercy Junior School from this Katanga slum get sick over and over again with diarrhea and malaria.  Even many of the people in this village have often come to our Devine Mercy Medical Clinic to seek medical assistance, which stemmed from consuming unsafe water.
 

Because of these facts and the love that God has for the people and children of the Katanga slum area in Kampala, Uganda, For the Love of Africa Ministries chose step in and help make a difference!  In order to help bring sustainability to this area, we chose to partner with Dr. Gilbert Birungi and Mercy House Church to help foster change and bring clean safe water to this area of between 40,000-70,000 people.

We would like to thank all who gave towards this very worthy life-sustaining cause. You are affecting and saving thousands of people’s lives by providing them with clean water! This is truly what life is all about!! 

LIKE JESUS, WE ARE CALLED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

 

COMMENTS FROM DR. GILBERT: “We want to share with you that water projects are one way of sharing the love of Christ with people in communities, demonstrating to them that God cares for their needs and that He wants them to live a healthy life.”

 “The water in the Katanga slum was prone to wastes entering from the community, people used to come and use their dirty containers to dip the water out, some would wash their clothes in this water source, others would urinate or defect in it, and several times we found human fecal wastes in this water.  Also, before we built this water project, children would fall in the water and just step in with their dirty feet, but now you can see the smile of all of them enjoying fetching water.”

“We launched the project in this particular community because of the grave need we have seen there, because it is community based, and is managed by the community themselves. We called the government local leaders, community influencers and leaders, and also other community members together for a meeting and selected out of them a water project committee for continual water management and sustainability.”

“We started building this 2-month water project with good filtration systems and built a 25 foot trench, which takes dirty water away from our clean water source, so that any materials dumped in by people would be carried away.”

“It’s very vital for all Ugandans to join me as we appreciate For the Love of Africa Ministries to thank you very much for standing with Ugandans in improving their lives by giving them clean and safe water for drinking.”

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COMMENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY: On the first day the water project was launched, people from the Katanga slum came to the place of the water project looking very happy.

The water well is near the small mosque, had an interaction with Muslims, as they said, “We have seen many Christians, but they don’t have anything they can be admired for, but for you have done a work that does not discriminate against us, because we all need this water.”  This act reveals to them who we are and what our God can do.

ONE GENTLEMAN:  “Many organizations and groups came here and promised to work on this water source, but they didn’t fulfill their promise and we end up frustrated, just suffering with diseases, due to dirty and contaminated water that we use.” He said, “But for you, we have seen a difference, because when you promised, you have fulfilled.  God bless you.”

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COMMENTS FROM MERCY HOUSE CHURCH MEMBERS:

PASTOR ISAAC:  “Am thankful and praising God, who sent us Momma Mary, as she is really an example to us.  I am part of FOLA because of what FOLA is doing for us Africans.  I have volunteered myself in building this water project, because I love what God is using FOLA to do.”

“On behalf of the church members, we are extremely glad and happy.  We say thank you FOLA for accepting us to work with you in changing our community. We know many other good things through FOLA are to come.”   

Dr. CISSY BIRUNGI:  “Africa and Uganda in particular, has many needs, spiritual, socio-economic, and political, etc.  Among these, the spiritual and social needs are easier to meet. I remember as we walked through Katanga one day, I was stricken by the state of poverty, poor sanitation, and awful living conditions of the people in that area. I so very well remember the state of the source of water that people were drawing water from. It was just a pool of underground water being polluted by wastes from the nearby homes. Today, I see the work that has been done and the clean water that flows from there and when I look at it now, I don’t see it as a well.  I see a picture of God reaching out His mighty hand to meet the needs of Africa and Uganda. May God bless all who have been part of this noble work. May God bless the FOLA team! Surely you have a reward in heaven!

MATTHEW 25: 35-37  

   “For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink…”

JAMES 1:27

   “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

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COMMENTS FROM GOVERNMENT LOCAL LEADER THE C/P L.C. 1:  “We, as the government, want to extend our sincere appreciation for such a great work done for humanity. We know any good work done that is not against the government is for the government. As a representative of the government in this area, I say you are welcome into our community to do even more. We have been facing this challenge of lack of water and many people had come to me for solution and I had told them, that for me, I can’t fix this problem. Now people are going to enjoy good and clean water.”

“As the government, we appreciate and our door is open to work with you whenever you have something that helps our people and the community at large.”

IN CONCLUSION:  WE HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING!  IN ALL THE WORK THAT WE DO, WE NEED TO PRAY TO GOD THAT WHATEVER WE PROMISE AND PLAN TO DO, WE DO IT, BECAUSE THE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING AND WAITING ON US TO BRING THE SOLUTION TOWARDS THEIR LIVES.

His servants,

Dr. Gilbert Birungi       Mary Linette, President
Uganda, Africa            For the Love of Africa Ministries

Urgent Help Needed

URGENT HELP NEEDED

Dear FOLA supporters:

I have just returned from a very exciting 5 week mission trip to Uganda Africa where we held 4 medical missions in very remote villages and saw over 3,000 patients.  We also passed out clothing to the poor and needy and held conferences and crusades, during which about 1,000 souls were saved.  

I am writing you today, as we have a very grave need. For the Love of Africa Ministries and our partner, Mercy House of God has worked very hard to achieve measurable change in the very poor slum village of Katanga in Kampala, Uganda. In the last 2 years we have opened Devine Mercy Medical Clinic which has provided free and low cost medical treatment for over 5,500 patients; created Mercy Junior School that nurtures 60 students who are exceeding all expectations; and we are working on 2 water projects that will provide clean water and better health to Katanga residents.  

These programs are now at risk of being lost, as the landlord who owns the building which houses the church, school, and medical clinic wants to sell the property. Mercy House of God Church is our partner for operating and overseeing our ongoing ministries in Africa.  The landlord has requested they vacate the premises by September 30th.  While this is sudden and seems abrasive, he has also offered a fair price for first option to buy. 

We feel that God has called us to help bring change to this particular slum and within the past two years, this area has been transformed from a place that was considered to be the “worst in the whole city” where murders, rapes, and prostitution, etc. were a common daily occurrence, to an area that is now a supportive community. 

We wish to continue our partnership with Mercy House of God by purchasing the building. The church would continue to use the space they now hold, as well as our clinic and school.  This is a huge step towards sustainability for our work in Katanga, as we would own the property and would no longer be renting.  If the purchase is not feasible, we will use funds raised to move our facilities as close to Katanga as possible.   

I love the song by Matthew West called “Do Something.”  None of us can do everything but each of us could do something!  Would you be willing to partner with us to help purchase this building, so we can continue to help bring lasting change to this area?  The cost for the land and building is $160,000 US dollars. Would you please help us make a difference in the lives of the very poor people in the slums of Katanga?  By doing so, you’re giving them a hope and a future. Please remember that no amount of gift would be too small. 

It is with great excitement that I announce that For the Love of Africa Ministries has received their 501 C 3 tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service.  This means that all of your gifts to For the Love of Africa Ministries are tax deductible. Please make your checks payable to For the Love of Africa Ministries and return it in the enclosed self-addressed envelope or you may give on-line through our crowd-funding website: www.youcaring.com/fortheloveofafrica. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 812-430-6048.  

His servant to Africa,
Mary Linette, President & Founder

Below are the plans for remedying this impeding situation:

Plan A:
We feel our best option is to buy the property, because of location and lack of other suitable properties available near the area served. When purchased, the property would be owned by For the Love of Africa Ministries, Inc.  Mercy House Church would still reside in the building and continue to oversee For the Love of Africa’s programs in Katanga.  

If funding exceeds the purchase amount needed, For the Love of Africa will make improvements to the building to expand the school, take in more students, and incorporate higher grade levels.

If the full amount of funding is not collected by the due date of September 30th, For the Love of Africa will seek a loan for the remaining amount due.  If funding falls too short and/or loan options are not feasible, Plan A would be taken off the table.  

Plan B:
Dr. Gilbert is continuing search for other properties available near the Katanga village. All options will be sought out and weighed for purchasing a different property with funds raised. At this point, there is an empty lot for sale at $120,000 in the Katanga village area that we could build on. We feel the current building is a better deal than new construction. In the coming days, we hope to find something within a short distance from Katanga, so the children would not have to walk very far to school.  

Plan C:
Our last resort would be to disburse the programs and rent multiple smaller locations as close to Katanga as possible. If this becomes the only option, funds raised by this campaign would be used to get the programs settled in their new locations and then any remaining funds would be held in an account to be used when adequate housing/funds are reached to find a permanent home for our missions. 

Below are a few pictures of the projects we currently have under way:

                

Bill treating a patient
at Devine Medical Clinic

Worship at Mercy House

Mercy House Courtyard

Mercy Junior School

June/ July 2014 Mission Trip

 

For the Love of Africa  Ministries

Mission Trip: June /July 2014

Special Appreciation to You

Praise God everyone! We have another great testimony about the amazing things For the Love of Africa Ministries has done during their one month mission trip to Uganda, Africa.  Special thanks to those who participated in prayer and financial giving and to Momma Mary, Bill, Wendi, and Jena, who made up the FOLA mission trip team. I know it was not easy, but by faith and because of your love for Uganda, you have allowed God to use you. Surely our living God, who is faithful in all circumstances, was on our side and I am so very proud to say, that by God’s grace, you did a great work and it was a huge success.
 

Kampala Mission:

From the time Momma Mary and the team arrived in Uganda, we saw God moving.  We held a women’s conference in which they empowered women in different areas. We did cervical cancer screening, awareness, and treatment, as here in Africa it’s one of the leading causes of death in women. Wendi Nelson taught them physical exercises to help strengthen different parts of their bodies. Momma Mary empowered them on how to handle their families, taught about work ethics, and helped the single mothers to know that they can make it in life and shared her own experiences of God’s grace and mercy in her life.

Momma Mary preaching



 

We held a 2-day medical mission in Kampala, whereby 800 patients received free medical and dental care, as most of them are very poor, live in slum areas, and had never seen a doctor or dentist before. We also had very many complicated medical and dental issues, which needed referrals to other facilities.

Among those needing emergency care was a man from Congo who came to the medical mission. He suffered with urethra strictures which he has had for 5 years. He had sold everything he had to get treatment, but has been unable to do so. Later when he could no longer  pass urine at all and was in so much pain, he went to the hospital and they put in a supra pubic catheter (tube) to collect urine, which he has now had for about two months. We prayed with him, counseled him, and gave him strong antibiotics to help treat and prevent infections. AFRICA BILL AND MOMMA MARY talked with him and found out he needs four to five surgeries to correct the problem and each surgery costs around $1,400. Please keep him in your prayers.

Momma Mary, Dr. Gilbert, patient, Africa Bill

 

Dr. Cissy and Africa Bill seeing patient

 Kampala pharmacy
 

Wendi taking blood pressure

 

We visited our Mercy Junior School which has 60 students.  The children performed well for our visitors, shared with them, and they had fun together. We also had children’s ministry time with the children in Sunday school children’s church. The team did an awesome job with them and presented them with cross necklaces and candy and also passed out clothing to children in the Katanga slum area. 

 

Presenting school supplies, etc. to Mercy Junior School

 

Passing out clothing to children in Katanga slum area

We also held a marrieds, leaders, and pastors workshop at a Kampala hotel, where we shared about family planning, budgeting and finances, family/marriage, and work ethics.

We celebrated the graduation of two girls who have been sponsored through FOLA’S sponsorship program. Shamiim and Monica have just completed their studies in business administration and nursing. They were thankful for what FOLA has done in shaping their future.



Celebrating FOLA sponsored college graduations



FOLA presented a wheelbarrow and tools to the local government leaders in the slum area of Katanga to help them clean out the water trenches that pass through this village of 70,000 to 80,000 very poor people.  It is located directly behind our church, medical clinic, and school. We visited the places where we are planning our water projects that will provide clean water to the people in this community. Currently, many of them come to our medical clinic for medical assistance because of typhoid and malaria caused by infested mosquitoes that are breeding in the contaminated water.

Momma Mary presenting wheel barrow/tools

 

Katanga water project





Masindi Mission:

In Masindi, most houses and churches are covered with grass, have no water source in the whole village, and walk about 5-6 miles to one dirty small source of running water which supplies the whole village. We held a 2-day medical mission in this area where 850 were treated, and also had crusades and conferences with different teachings, garden seeds were distributed to pastors, held children’s ministry, and ministered to government leaders. It was a huge success and hundreds gave their lives to Christ.

Hardworking Masindi team

 

Patients waiting in line to be seen by doctor
 

Dr. Alex & Jena working in dental clinic

 

Dr. Gilbert preaching at crusade
 

Momma Mary passing out garden seeds to pastors

Kanungu Mission:

ANOTHER THING TO SHARE ON THIS TRIP IS WHEN MOMMA MARY TOLD ME THAT GOD HAD PUT A BURDEN UPON HER HEART FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE KANUNGU VILLAGE (DISTRICT) WHERE I GREW UP. THIS WAS NOT PLANNED FOR IN THE BUDGET, BUT SHE KEPT ON SHARING HER HEART WITH ME.  I also believed God and I was full of joy that Momma Mary and all of you could think of such a thing to bless the people in my village. Later she told me that someone gave money and she felt she was to keep it for Kanungu. This made my day and I felt loved more than ever before. I am so grateful and humbled.

We held a two-day medical mission in this village of Kanungu with over 1,100 people receiving treatment, of which a large number of patients traveled on foot for more than 25-30 miles to this clinic. Many of them had never seen a doctor and a dentist in their whole life. Many patients had emergencies and needed referrals. During this medical clinic 175 people gave their lives to Jesus Christ.

Kanungu pharmacy
 

Dr. Charles seeing patient
 

Dr. Derick working on dental patient
 

Momma Mary taking blood pressure
 

Pastor Michael sharing at spiritual clinic

We also held conferences and taught pastors and leaders about principles of successful ministry and also held crusades, preached the gospel, with many people receiving salvation. This village was in bondage to poverty, witchcraft, and other things which were torturing them, but God delivered them. We were amazingly able to open church in one town called Katojo, which had no church at all, as people would travel long distances of up to 25-30 miles looking for somewhere to pray. The day we opened the church, we had more than 350 people in attendance.

Kanungu worship

Momma Mary & Dr. Gilbert teaching

 

Dr. Gilbert and Momma Mary sharing at crusade
 

Pastor Michael preaching at crusade

The team visited my parent’s home, shared a meal, and ministered to many of them. We also gave over 100 children and some adults clothing in that area also.

Giving clothing to the poor and needy

Sharing a meal at Dr. Gilbert's parents' home

 

Mbarara Mission:

The last week we held a 3-day conference in another district called Mbarara and held a 1-day medical clinic there in which 300 patients were given free treatment. Many people were saved, either in the medical clinic or in the crusades we held.

Patients waiting in line to see doctor

Doctor seeing patient

Passing out clothing to poor and needy

Pastor Elia preaching at crusade

Mbarara crusade

Conclusion:

·        In total, about 1,000 gave their lives to Jesus and more than 3,000 people were given free medical treatment, many were clothed, Uganda has been impacted, and we have seen a lot of spiritual fruit.

·        Urgent need: we are praying and believing God to provide finances to buy the building where the church, medical clinic, and the Mercy Junior School are located in Kampala.

May the Almighty God bless you mightily for supporting FOLA, Momma Mary, and Africa.

Yours in Christ service,

Dr. Gilbert Birungi

Uganda Africa

 

 

Upcoming 2014 Mission Trip

Beloved, greetings in Jesus’ precious name! Thank you very much for supporting and praying for us concerning the work For the Love of Africa Ministries is doing in Africa. It is a great privilege to be counted worthy as one in the army of the Lord, which He is raising in this end-time, to stand in the gap with For the Love of Africa Ministries’ work in Africa.

This is another time to call upon you in whatever part of the world you live in. We ask you to join us or stand in the gap by fasting and prayer.  We serve a faithful God who will continually renew our strength as we wait upon Him. We want to see God doing great and mighty things on this trip, more than ever before.  

I request you to meditate on your brothers and sisters, more especially those who are needy and suffering, and also for what we are asking the Lord to do in this season of our mission trip. Think about what you can do to make a difference by praying for us, the success of the trip, and by becoming a blessing financially, etc.  The mission trip is scheduled for June 13th through June 29th.

The major focus now is SELFLESS GIVING

The Bible says “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 [NASB] 

Our heavenly Father gave us His only begotten Son, to pay a great price for our salvation. Today, we are set free; though the Bible declares that it’s only those that received Him, that He gave the right (power) to be called children of God. (John 1:12) – Paraphrased.

The question to us this season is:
How much of ourselves are we ready or willing to give to God?

Let us look at some examples of those who gave selflessly to God in the Bible.

In John 12:1-11 we read on how Mary the sister of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, anointed Jesus’ feet with a very costly perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, as a sign of worshipping Him with all she had. Also, we read the account of the widow’s mite in Luke 21:1-4, where Jesus noticed the poor widow as she gave the “two mites” she had into the treasury. 

Jesus declared that the poor widow gave more than all who also came casting their gifts into the treasury out of their abundance as stated in Luke 21:4. “For they all, out of their surplus (abundance), put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on” [NASB]. In the two examples cited above, we see that Mary and the poor widow gave all they had to worship our Lord Jesus in Spirit and in Truth.

Please take time to meditate and ask yourself, “What is the “little mite” you want to worship God with? How much of yourself are you willing to give in whatever form He wants you to sacrifice it to Him?” Listen to what God has to say to you personally and whatever He tells you to do, just obey and do it. To some:

    •   It could be your selfless commitment to put smiles on the vulnerable children wallowing in anguish and poverty, living in slums and remote villages, and sick orphans who For the Love of Africa Ministries and Mercy House of God Church have tried to rehabilitate by giving them a home and basic needs. There are many others who we would love to stand with, so that they might have a future.

   • To give towards Water Projects in the slums of Katanga Kampala or Masindi, or other places which gravely need clean drinking water. 

    • Give towards Mercy Junior School by helping these young needy children with an education. You can also sponsor one child in this school at a cost of $30 per month.

    • Sponsorship of students under FOLA sponsorship program.

    • Pray and support the seminars, teachings, and conferences that we going to be doing to help bring lasting change in Africa.

    • To give towards the purchase of medication for FOLA MEDICAL CLINICS WE ARE HOSTING IN DIFFERENT VILLAGES HERE IN UGANDA.

 

    •  Go on a mission trip with FOLA to touch the lives of those Jesus called “the least of these My brethren” in Matt. 12:31-40 and help to make a difference in their lives.

It is because of these reasons that we ask you to join us again this season, as we raise the altars of prayer that God may work and bring more fruits and testimonies from this trip.
 
Yours in His vineyard,

Dr. Gilbert
Uganda Africa

Delivered from Death

Today, we want to share another testimony of a Ugandan woman named Robinah, who was delivered by the Lord from a serious two month post-term pregnancy situation.

She has undergone a lot of challenges in her life, including persecution from a Moslem husband who sold all her belongings and left her with nothing. She was forced to run away and started a new life in Kampala, Uganda.  While in Kampala, she fell into the wrong hands of mentors and pastors who did not help her to grow spiritually and instead caused her more harm. 


It happened that one of the ministers who was helping her instead lead her astray and she became pregnant by him. When this pastor came to know that Robinah was pregnant, he started abusing her, so she ended up coming for help to the church I pastor. We thank God that God has taught us in our church how to show love to everyone, to restore life to those in hurting situations, and above all to minister God’s mercy.



We welcomed Robinah in our church with care and love and made her feel at home. She took a long time healing, as God helped her to forgive those who had hurt her and she became free spiritually. This is when she shared with me her story and what had happened. I encouraged her in God and helped her to know that God’s grace is still at work, that God does not dwell on the past but instead forgives and forgets. God gave her peace of the mind and she became a strong Christian. We continued teaching her the Word, shared Christ’s love, and cared for her needs. 



Meanwhile, the pastor who had gotten her pregnant feared that he would be shamed, denied being the father, and tried to put pressure on her to come back. When she refused to go back, she was taken to the police. We believed God and made an agreement with police that we would wait for her to deliver and then we would do DNA testing to confirm if he was the father or not.

MEANWHILE, DUE TO THE STRESS AND SUFFERING AND THE FACT THAT 

SHE FELT GOD HAD LEFT HER, SHE DEVELOPED HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.

We continued to show her love and care and met all the hospital requirements, until the pregnancy was post term. We did an ultra sound scan and the fluids were already used up.
I love the way that God has a way of working in His people, as I felt that God wanted me to share with Momma Mary about what Robinah was going through. 



AS USUAL, God put a big burden for the Robinah on Momma Mary’s heart and she was moved with compassion. SHE SAID “I CANT SLEEP WHEN THIS WOMAN IS LIKE THIS. THE ANGEL OF DEATH HAS COME TO STEAL ROBINAH AND THE BABY, BUT GOD HAS HEARD HER CRY AND THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN. LET’S PRAY AND BELIEVE GOD FOR A MIRACLE.”



An emergency C-Section was the only option for her. ROBINAH DID NOT HAVE ANY MONEY TO DO ANYTHING, BUT GOD DIVINELY PROVIDED. GOD USED YOU AND ME TO DO SOMETHING MIRACULOUS! Thank very much everyone who prayed for her and more so to the people who contributed financially to cover all the needed ends.



My wife Cissy and I rushed her to the hospital and did all that was necessary, but they were not able to work on her for the whole week, as she developed many complications, including increased high blood pressure. After being hospitalized for a week, we booked the C-Section and Robinah gave birth to a baby boy. Fun enough, before they even go to do the DNA testing, YOU COULD SEE THAT THE BOYS FACE RESEMBLED THE FATHER.  I saw a smile on this woman, which I had not seen in a long time and she began to praise and thank God and recommitted her life to be used by the LORD.

ONE THING I KNOW ABOUT THIS SITUATION IS THAT GOD USED YOU AND ME TO SAVE THE LIVES OF THIS MOTHER AND THE BABY. ROBINAH IS NOW HEALING VERY FAST AND THE BABY IS HEALTHY. GOD IS STILL FIGHTING HER BATTLES AND HE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.

You never know, this boy and his mother may save the whole country.

I believe this is a big investment in the kingdom of God as each and every life is worth saving. When you save a soul from death in the name of Jesus, you are building the kingdom of God, so let’s keep working hard. 

Yours in Christ,

DR. GILBERT 
UGANDA AFRICA