Joy of a Child

Joy of a child  today

Joy of a child ministry is gaining ground here in the Western part of Uganda. Because of your prayer and support, overwhelming things have been happening, with people in the community, government bodies like the police recognizing the ministry`s work in this part of the country. A few months ago, we were called upon by the police to rescue a mother of triplets who was stuck on where to go after being abandoned by her husband. Today, Jacqueline and her kids have a place they call home. When the staff of JOAC shows up at local police stations, they are quickly recognized as the “the people that help children”. Wow! With this we are saying “EBENEZER” God has brought us this far.

Well, we just wanted to bring to you what has been going on at the JOAC ministry.

David an Esther on holiday:

David and Esther with one of the New Hope Senior Board members

David and Esther had a short holiday at New Hope Ministries in Luwero. New Hope is an organization based in central Uganda that takes care of children, and runs a number of schools in the area. Before starting the Joy of a Child ministry, David studied child care and family at the New Hope Institute. This time around they designated it as a place for their vacation. They went with their one year old son Daniel. At the vacation, they met the New Hope directors from whom they learn t a lot of things like how a ministry board functions. According to David, the vacation was a great time of rest and a self realization that always, after a long time of hard work, the body needs to rest. Esther has fond memories of the hospitality that they received at New Hope, she says it was a great refreshing moment for her. She also loved the family setting at New Hope where, whereas family parents don’t live in the same house with their ministry kids, they still sufficiently carry out their parental roles as they concentrate on other responsibilities such as managing their biological families.

Baby Daniel on his feet:

Daniel running around the house as his fans cheer

We celebrated his first birthday a month back, with goat roasting and a few drinks that were donated by JOAC friends. It was a great ceremony, but the main celebrant-Daniel, commonly known as “Jojo” could hardly maintain the few steps he would start. During the chilly evening, he was throwing a few steps then falling down, and then up on his feet again, for several countless times. He is a darling in the house, seeing him walk as he plays with his dolls brings joy to the JOAC family. He is the tinniest in the home and everyone, including little Afusa carries him around, sometimes mistakenly dropping him to the ground. Baby Jojo loves music, he plays the drum, he cant stand the sound of a guitar or a piano being played in the house. Music gets him up on his feet, and he has the best dancing groves ever. He has mastered his dancing moves which have become iconic in the house.

Asia gives her life to Christ:

Asia (second left) with her JOAC friends

In JOAC we reach out to people from different backgrounds, both Christians and non Christians. Asia has been struggling with her life and that of her little girl Shina. All along, she has been a JOAC beneficiary under the young women`s program. She has been  coming to the ministry for counseling, and sometimes material help for her and baby Shina whom she gave birth to at a very tender age. However, she had never committed her life to Christ during her contact with Joy of a Child, because of her Muslim background which she never wanted to let go. Today, we want you to celebrate with us, for the Lord has finally touched Asia. She recently confessed Christ Jesus and is now a brave girl that yearns to know more about the gospel of Christ and testify against the lies that she has been believing  in her past Muslim faith. Please continue praying that she stands strong in the Lord, and that God will enable and provide for her to back to primary school in order to secure a bright future for herself and daughter. You should also pray for her protection and that of her daughter, because, they have often been threatened by the Father to Shina. He is an irresponsible man that wants to forcefully take custody of Shina, yet he cannot really take care of her. And besides, Shina is too young to leave her mother now. She is only three years old and needs her mother more.

School holidays:

The kids will engage in programs such as this during their holiday

All the JOAC school going kids have been doing their end of year exams for the last one week. These exams will assess their capabilities to qualify for the next class(es) or not. We actually have confidence in all of them. During their monthly tests, most of them have been doing well and improving in their subjects of study. Ruth that just joined school this term is very impressive with her hard work at school. Through her test results, she has progressively proven to be an aspiring academic giant. Tomorrow the St Agnes primary school chaps (six Joac kids go to this school) will receive their last term report cards and begin their holidays. While the St Lawrence and St Aloysius chaps (two and three go to these schools respectively) receive their report cards and holidays on Friday next week. All our kids will have their holidays till the 5^th of February which will see us engage them in constructive holiday programs that will keep them at par with good spiritual, social, physical, and psychological progress.

Meanwhile, the other girls at the JOAC home have began to study English. They are being taught by Joseph (a JOAC volunteer).

Thank you for praying and supporting the JOAC ministry.

Coming up:

Holiday and Christmas program

Blog by: Joseph Ochwo (Communication Department)