Orphans' Christmas Meal

These pictures show orphans from the orphanage run by pastors Moses and Joseph. They are enjoying a Christmas meal provided by donations from the men's group at Molesey Community Church in December 2008.

Pastor Moses commented, "We had wonderful Christmas celebrations. One of the boys told me that this Christmas has been the first when he has had good meals three times in the day, and he told me to thank you on his behalf for that memorable day of his life. I asked him to write and he told me he couldn't write English, as it is with many children in our country and even those under our care. Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Economic Challenges

Inevitably the effects of the current economic crisis will extend well beyond the shores of the west where it originated, to have a serious impact on poorer countries like Uganda.

Uganda's inflation rate is currently running at around 7%. That's quite moderate compared with many third world nations. But when you are already living on the breadline, a 7% reduction in your standard of living has serious repercussions.

Added to that, the value of the pound against the Ugandan shilling has slumped dramatically in recent months. The overall result is that, pound for pound, the value of donations from the UK had fallen by around fifth in the last year - putting added pressure on the various projects that we and others are supporting there.

Please pray that as people and governments in the West look to cut back during the recession, support for people in developing countries will not be a casualty. They should not have to pay the price for the fiscal irresponsibility of the west. They cannot afford it.

Namungoona Orphanage

Gichuru Jeremy reports from Uganda:

As per now, we are maintaining 16 orphans in a rented house at Namungoona. The project is sponsored by Louise and Andy Bowley from the UK. Since the money donated is not enough for the children’s upkeep, Eunice and I have been trying our best to assist as we did not want to overburden our Church members because of the heavy task of the Church construction. We are praying that the Lord will open more doors for the provision of these needy children.

We have rented the house for the last four months and the landlord wants to renovate his house after which he will use it as at the moment he lives in the UK.

That means from December this year 2008,we shall rent another house which should be paid 3 months in advance. The current house rent is about 130 English pounds excluding water and electricity.

The photographs show the current house from the front, and from inside the compound.

Building Project - Plans & Progress

The church in Namungoona has been continuing the building project, raising about £100 a month locally, which is a relatively huge and sacrificial effort by the members.

This photo shows a model of the finished building, based on the actual plans.

The next stage of the project will see the completion of the third and final floor. This will house the youth and children's work, which currently numbers around 150 individuals. The estimated cost is around £15,000.

'Namungoona Cathedral'

The church building project in Namungoona was started in 2006, when the City Council passed a law that all temporary timber buildings must be replaced by permanent structures.

The project has been substantially funded through Discovery Trust, but over the last few months the church has been pushing on under its own steam, raising around £100 a month locally for the work. In such a poor community, this is a considerable achievement.

The next important stage will be the completion of the second storey, above the balcony. This will house a hall and rooms for the growing children's work, which currently numbers around 150. This stage will require a further injection of cash from overseas donors. Some concrete work for the floor support has already been completed, and formers are in place for more.