Sharon Amony

Sharon Amony

Sharon was born on January 3, 1995. She speaks Luo and English and has two siblings. In 1998 she lost her dad to AIDS. Her mother is alive, but sadly, is slowly dying of the same disease. Despite her condition, Sharon’s mother survives by brewing and selling a potent, local, alcoholic beverage.  Sharon helped her mother most of the time and could be seen also selling it on the local streets.  She lived in a densely populated slum of drunk and sickly people. It was no place for a child to grow up.

 By 2006 her mother’s illness had progressed to a serious state and an aunt brought Sharon to live at her home. The aunt is a school teacher and although she was already caring for many other orphans, she welcomed one more. She made sure that Sharon attended school. During this time Sharon was put on the list to enter Otino Waa.

When space opened up in 2007, Sharon was admitted and now has a new family, home and school.  She is so happy to have a bed, clothes, food every day and to be able to attend great school. She likes her studies, especially Science, English and Social Studies. She wants to be a nurse for elderly people. She enjoys church, praying and loving Jesus. Sharon has lots of friends and enjoys playing games and netball (volleyball) with them.

She is very grateful her sponsors care about her and continue to support her and is looking forward to hearing from them. She wanted to tell them that she sends her prayers and blessings to them.

Send Someone Other Than Me

Years ago as a young adult, a missionary from Africa came and spoke at our church.  My heart was stirred as I heard of the love he had for the people and the numbers that were coming to know the Lord.  I also remember leaving church that day praying and asking God to send someone other than me to Africa.  That prayer has haunted me for years as I saw myself unwilling to serve God in whatever capacity He desired.  I now appreciate how He understood my prayer and had so much more for me.

I am much older now, but God and I have not forgotten that prayer of so many years ago.  Instead of chastising me for my unwillingness, God chose to bless me through the very thing I was unwilling to trust Him in.  He didn't physically send me to Africa - He did it spiritually!  What a wonderful and gracious God we serve!  

A few years ago my daughter and son-in-law, Darci and Sam, had their first opportunity to visit Otino Waa on a mission's trip.  Since then my heart and life have been changed by the stories they have shared about their time with the children in Africa.  They tell of the kids' infectious smiles (in spite of the tremendous hardships most of them have endured), their joy and thankfulness in receiving 3 warm meals a day, their enthusiasm singing to the Lord and learning of His unconditional love and their hunger for learning.

Through the eyes of Darci and Sam, I have been able to see that though these precious children have little (from our "western world" viewpoint), they have found true joy - the joy that can only come from our Heavenly Father.  We, in America, think we are so blessed because of all our material "stuff", but in truth it usually gets in the way of worshipping and loving our Lord.

My joy no longer comes from material things; instead it comes from sponsoring these little ones in Africa.  I have now found a way to invest my money in God's kingdom.  Our refrigerator door is filled with smiling faces and heart-felt letters from the kids.  I count it a privilege to get to know each one of them, watching them grow spiritually and intellectually.  They have brought so much joy to my life.  I look forward to one day meeting these little ones face to face in heaven!

S.M. 

Prayer Requests

Please pray the Lord directs us to that special "go to" person 

Pray for finding a volunteer computer tech who;

            -Will patiently listen to low tech questions and have high tech answers.

            -Can offer advice / help on web site and general communication issues.

            -Has an eye/ear for current technology.

            -Has the ability to offer fixes to web or computer malfunctions.

            -Already knows and loves our Otino Waa kids.

Sound like you?

Please pray about how you might help with Gabriel's loss

Gabriel graduated from Otino Waa two years ago. Via correspondence school he then prepared himself for law school and was accepted. He packed his meager belongings last fall and moved to Kampala to start school. One night last month his room was broken into and among other things, his laptop was stolen. He does not have the funds to replace it, but desperately needs it to keep up with assignments. 

Action

Please pray for the perfect volunteer

Who has a heart for our Otino Waa kids and a little time to assist with the sponsorship program? Needs computer skills including Word, Excel, Publisher, photo editing and basic editing.

Want to volunteer?

Wasting the Word

Wasting the Word (from Ryan Duncan -Crosswalk.com)

"But the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you."
1 Peter 1:25 

Not long ago, a friend sent me a funny message over Facebook that went something like this:

"Question: If someone from the 1950’s suddenly appeared before you, what would be the most difficult thing to explain to them about life today?
Answer: I possess a device, in my pocket, which is capable of accessing the eternity of information known to man. I use it to look at pictures of cats and get into arguments with strangers."

I can remember laughing after I read this. It really was true; I mostly used the internet to watch reruns of TV shows or recommend new music to friends, pretty trivial tasks for a device that contains all the world’s knowledge. After I signed off however, I was struck by a sudden thought, “Am I wasting God’s word the same way I waste the internet?” It was a sobering question. I picked my Bible up off the coffee table and for a few moments just stared at it.  

Here in my hands was a book that recounted the days when the Immortal, Eternal God of all that was and will ever be walked the earth as a man and spoke to humans. How was I using this gift again? Last I could remember it was to find a prayer that would keep me from going bald. To tell the truth, I think all Christians (me included) have a serious problem with wasting the Gospel. Just look at how we’ve used it in the past: 

• To argue why one political party is better than another,
• To tell divorcees, and homosexuals, and people from checkered backgrounds that they’re not good enough for God
• To justify why we don’t help the broken and the needy.

The Bible is a precious gift and a valuable resource; it should never be used lightly or frivolously. So the next time you sit down for a quiet time or look up a favorite verse, remember that what you see is more than words on a page. You possess, in your hand, a testament to God’s love for humanity and his desire to be a part of our lives. Make sure you don’t waste it.

Emmanuel Obua

Emmanuel Obua

         Emmanuel was born on 12/4/98.  He speaks both Luo and English and has a twin brother. In 2003, his mom died of malaria and in 2006 his father died of AIDS. His grandfather took over the care of the boys, adding them to the six other children he was already caring for.

 Life was challenging with so many mouths to feed. All of the children were required to help find food and generate income if possible. Emmanuel sold vegetables and candy on the streets of the local town. He also found labor at a local brick making business where he earned twenty cents a day. Sadly, he remembers times where he wasn't paid and there was nothing he could do about it.

 In 2007, his grandfather learned of Otino Waa and made arrangements for the boys to be put on a waiting list. Early in 2010, they were both admitted and found new homes and a family. Emmanuel loves school and especially likes math. He is fascinated with flight and his dream is to become a pilot someday.

Delights & Promises

"The overwhelming theme of every stage of preparing for this trip has been that God is faithful. In that, I have come face to face with my complete dependence upon Him. So it shouldn't have come as a surprise that He would show up in the same way and teach me the same lessons at Otino Waa. 

Amanda Mae Images

  His presence has been so real and tangible over the past few days. I know it seems obvious that He would make Himself known among our team as we prepare to go to Uganda, but I was just reminded that God doesn't wait to show up once you've flown across an ocean or crossed a border. He's not limited to working in me in East Africa. He is the God of the universe and somehow - in a way that completely blows my mind - manages to be present everywhere at the same time. He delights in making Himself known and promises to be with us wherever we go. 

And it is in this power that my teammates and I go in. As a team, we've been praying Isaiah 61 and trying to wrap our minds around the fact that the Lord has anointed us to proclaim the Good News through our lives. He has equipped us with everything we need for ministry, and sent us out in His power.

As hard as it is to admit that I'm not in control, God has shown up and broken down everything in me that thinks I can accomplish anything in my own power and strength. We can plant the seeds and water them with projects and relationships, but He will make them grow. 

And based on what I've sensed and known these few short days, I'm pretty dang excited for what He is going to grow in the next few days."

~Dana (team member, 2012)

New Kids, New Year and transitions

This month Otino Waa will welcome in 13 new children.  

At first, most new children are fearful of the unknown as they are introduced to a new family and home. They will start school, perhaps for the first time. Common fears and questions are, "What will it be like to have a new mom? What if I can't speak well?  What if they don't like me? Will I get to eat?"

Pray for peaceful beginnings that quickly bring hope and joy to these new children.

New School Year

Pray that Otino Waa schools continue to be ranked among the best in Uganda. Your support has already laid the foundation for excellence! Your prayers protect that.

Transitions

This year could bring important changes to PATH Ministries as we search out new directors in Uganda. Bob & Carol Higgins have been in Uganda for 14 years and now look forward to the next chapters in their lives. Please pray for wisdom as we carefully form plans, work through interviews, determine the future & always ask the Lord to lead in everything. We covet your prayers in this area!