Joy of a Child

Joseph graduates, Sunday streams hope

Joseph and David after arriving for the graduation ceremony

Joseph (our volunteer in the communication department) graduated from Uganda Christian University with an Honors degree in Mass Communication on Saturday. Uncle David was one of the people together with Joseph`s family that attended his graduation ceremony in Kabale. It was an amazing and inspirational moment when the kids came to learn that Uncle Joseph had graduated from university. Most of them vowed to work very hard in their education to attain a university degree as they looked at Joseph`s graduation photos. Ruth the girl that just resumed her studies and was leading Sunday service, wished she was the one that had just graduated. “I wish I was the one that had just completed my studies like Uncle Joseph” she said.

 Sunday streams hope

In God there is a place to hide, a shelter that is a stream of hope to the hopeless, down-trodden, weak, and poor. Last Sunday`s worship at joy of a child was just that-it brought hope to the congregation. Worship was fantastic, led by the kids and Uncle David. There were three visitors one of whom came from Kampala and was the days` preacher. Harriet shared from Roman 8:28 (Everything happens for good to them that love God…………………..). There is nothing that triggers hope when we are in love and fellowship with God. For when anything happens in our lives, we look at it as an opportunity for God to manifest his glory in our lives and the lives of others. Sometimes when we go through tough situations, we tend to curse, regret, complain, and forget about God. But God requires us to know that he is with us in all situations, and he still knows us as his children. There is hope in Christ and thus we need to thank him for whatever situation that we are going through. The JOAC church members from around the community are bonding to the church than never before. They are slowly holding onto the grip of the church`s activities. For instance, the girls from the Nyamitanga Business and Secretarial Institute have got themselves involved in the Sunday worship. They last Sunday came for worship rehearsals, and are also very excited for next Sunday`s rehearsals, these always take place on Saturdays prior to Sunday worship. Natukunda Lillian the lady we talked about in the last blog, also attended church last Sunday with her two children. However, her situation has worsened, she got kicked out of the house she was previously staying in, and is now braving the cold in one of her village`s dilapidated church building. JOAC conducted a charity drive after Sunday service, asking church members to contribute anything they could towards her welfare. Their contribution was very little but significant. Some gave money, and others gave clothes. Remember most of our church members don’t really have enough for themselves but they were able to share the little they have. JOAC has become a stream of hope and love to Lillian and her kids. We are praying that our church continues to demonstrate love and give hope to the hopeless and hurting world.