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

For the Love of Africa Ministry's First Anniversary

Please Click on Image for Full View

 Letter of Appreciation from Dr. Gilbert
 

On behalf of Africa as a continent, Uganda as a country, friends of FOLA, members, fellow servants who work with me in For the Love of Africa Ministries (FOLA), all beneficiaries, and church members etc., we want to extend our vote of thanks and embrace FOLA more and more for the work done in one year.

This past year we have seen God working through FOLA, surely me as a person, I have seen Momma Mary becoming more and more a “voice for Africans.” Momma, thank you for pressing on towards the goal of changing Africa. Every stake holder, every volunteer, every board member, every supporter and every member on American side, we want to appreciate you for believing in this big vision and for giving your 100% support. I know all the success that we have achieved is because you are with us and you believe in us.

For the Love of Africa Ministries has blessed many people, especially the marginalized groups, needy people, disadvantaged villages and slums, orphans, HIV /AIDS victims; also in many other capacities such as educational empowerment (through sponsorships and starting of a school); health care improvement (building a medical clinic, sponsoring medical missions, doing surgeries, health education and promotion, nutritional teachings, etc.), safe drinking water initiatives; developmental studies; awareness on different life style challenges; improved farming; spiritual empowerment (through conferences, seminars, and crusades; church building and planting); and psychosocial support to stigmatized people. Great work has been done! Glory be to God.

Some scholars said that the journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step and all this has been done in just one year. This means we still have a lot to achieve. Allow God to use you more for the second, third, and fourth step, until we accomplish this great vision that God has created FOLA for.

God will bless you abundantly, as you continue to support For the Love of Africa Ministries. Let’s take the light of FOLA higher and higher than ever before. Long live FOLA!
 

Dr. Gilbert

Uganda, Africa

Celebrating the First Anniversary 

of “For the Love of Africa Ministries”

It is with great excitement that we celebrate the 1st anniversary of For the Love of Africa Ministries! When I look back at the birthing process of the ministry and how far the Lord has brought us, it amazes me, because God has been so faithful and true to us! I cannot take any credit for it, because it all belongs to God!

I remember my first mission trip to Uganda, Africa in September of 2011, when I became so broken over the extreme poverty I saw everywhere. It had such an impact upon me that it has changed my life forever! I remember feeling that God wanted to use me to make a difference in Africa! About three weeks after I returned to the USA, I had a dream that I was standing on a platform on a busy street corner in the USA and I was speaking to anyone who would listen to me about the many dire needs in Africa. I KNEW that day that God was calling me to be a “voice crying out for the poor and needy in Africa,” but at that time, I did not realize in what capacity. 

After my 2nd mission trip to Uganda in 2012, I again felt the Lord tugging at my heart. I told Dr. Gilbert Birungi, the Ugandan doctor I work with, that I was taking some time off to pray and seek God’s face. I needed to make a decision to move forward into what I felt God might be calling me to. After much prayer, the entity was created on March 18, 2013.

When I look back to the beginning and to where the ministry is now, I am so amazed at God’s goodness and His grace and mercy towards me! I can honestly tell you that by my own standards, I do not feel worthy that He has called me. I remember something Max Lucado said in his book “Outlive Your Live” in that God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called. I have found that to be very true of me! 

All He desired is my availability and submission to His call of servanthood! I am so honored to be the hands and feet He has chosen to reach out into the hearts, souls, and lives of the African people, whom I have come to love so very dearly!

I especially want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for dying on the cross for my sins and for His awesome work in my life!

Also, very special thanks to Dr. Gilbert and Cissy for their selfless love towards me and for adopting me into their African family! They are such a joy to work with! Also, I want to thank my wonderful Africa brothers and sisters in Christ for believing in me and the call of God upon my life.

I want to thank each and every one of you for believing in For the Love of Africa Ministries and for supporting us this past year! I believe the best is yet to come as He has called us to enlarge the place of our tent, to lengthen our cords, and to stretch out the curtains of our habitation (Isaiah 54:2). May God richly bless your life, as you serve Him!

His servant to Africa,
Mary Linette
President & Founder

Mercy Junior School

Mercy Junior School has now been in existence for one full year and has 60 little adorable children! Just the thought of being able to invest into and changing the lives and destiny of these 60 children, who did not have hope of a future, is mindboggling! They are disadvantaged, at risk children from a very poor city slum area called Katanga. I walked through this village with Dr. Gilbert on my last trip and what I saw was heartbreaking (view video)!




Normally, the income in Uganda is about $365 per year and the yearly school fees per child is $300 for tuition alone, literally making a child’s education an impossible feat. Since the income level is so low in Uganda, they do not have a tax base with which to fund the schools, as we do in America.

Therefore, most children end up illiterate and the cycle of extreme poverty, despair, and hopelessness continues from one generation to another. In order to break this cycle and bring change to this area, we felt called by God to open Mercy Junior School, where the children are able to get an education for free and are provided a hot lunch.

It was in the early part of February 2013, that one week 5 children showed up for school (even though we did not have an official school yet at that point), the following week 5 more children came, and the week after that, 10 more children came. God did NOT need our help to start the school! He started it all by Himself. 

It is through our faithful monthly supporters that we are able to run the school, employ the teachers and staff, and provide most needed necessities. We want to extend thanks to all of you who have helped make this possible with your support! We can change the destiny of a village, a city, and a nation, one child at a time and that is through education. Thank you for being a part of this change!  

 Mercy House Children’s Home

Dr. Gilbert and Cissy Birungi are doing a wonderful job of overseeing the children’s home, are bonding well as a family, and are teaching the children Christian values. The children are well-adjusted, blossoming young individuals whose lives are being transformed from one of hopelessness into ones that are very bright and full of potential!  

I have visibly seen these children’s lives change drastically during time they have been in the children’s home, from little faces that had NO smiles at all, to ones that now beam from ear to ear!

We are very excited for what the Lord has for the children’s home! He has shown us great and mighty things and has moved mountains to bring us to the place of where we are now. A special thanks to those who sponsor this great work!

The Beginning of Mercy House Children's Home
 
We began Mercy House Children’s Home in October 2012 when we took in Denavensi, who had been brought to one of Dr. Gilbert’s medical missions with part of her intestines protruding out of her abdomen.

DENAVENSI went through a sponsored surgery that saved her life. She is a double orphan, as her mother had passed away and her father had been killed in a car accident. The first year I met her, in a two week period of time, I NEVER saw a smile on her face. Not even once!

She is now becoming a beautiful young lady, who is always smiling and full of life!

DOREEN, who is timid and shy with big beautiful dark brown eyes, came to the children’s home in December 2012. She comes from a very poor family and has adjusted to the children’s home very well.

After only being in the children’s home for about a week, she begged Dr. Gilbert to be able to stay. She is such a sweetheart, who loves playing and interacting with the other children!!!

COMFORT, is a double orphan, who had lived in very harsh conditions with relatives in a camp after coming from the Congo. She has suffered ongoing health issues, but has been improving. She is a lively young girl, who always walks around with a smile on her face now.

On my trip last year, she loved playing in my make-up and spending time with me. After I had come home last year, she said to Dr. Gilbert, “Our white grandmother, I want to be with her playing, singing, and also sleeping with her when I am sick.”

RONALD,whose parents died of Aids, is a double orphan also. He is a very sweet young boy who has struggled with a lot of health issues, but through Dr. Gilbert and Cissy’s wonderful care, he has been able to continue to fight these health issues. He has come such a very long way and we continue to believe God for His life.

MAGIDU, who the newest member of our children’s home, came to us after having fallen into a pit, and after six months of living in excruciating pain from having two broken hips and being full of infection, was carried on his mother’s back a mile to one of Dr. Gilbert’s medical mission. Through sponsorship, we were able to perform surgery to save his life. He has come such a long way and we are so proud of him!