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)

HOME FOR MOTHER AND HER TRIPLETS

David handing over items to Jacqueline

 Paul cites in the book of Acts 20 how it is more blessed to give than receive.

A month back we ran a story about a mother of triplets who got abandoned by her husband of fourteen years after giving birth to triplets.  As a result, she embarked on a journey soliciting for help from Good Samaritans. Together with her oldest boy, Fred, as her baby sitting helper, they moved hundreds of kilometers to Mbarara where they lodged at a church for a couple of days. Upon going to police for help, the Local Police contacted Joy of a Child ministry for help. Because of insufficient space at the JOAC home, Jacqueline and her four children have been staying at a Muslim lady`s house, who by the grace of God accommodated and fed her for about a month beyond the seven days she had previously promised. This is because the house we had earlier identified for her accommodation was taken by someone else and besides, it was so expensive yet we needed to have a long term solution for her. We wanted her to start a small business to sustain her and her family, hence the long wait as we figured out things.

A month at Asiat`s house was not been easy for Jacqueline and kids. They have been battling sickness, and Jacqueline has been fighting anxiety and worry. This demanded much of our prayer and an effort to often visit her. Joseph and David often went to visit, encourage and draw plans on what she exactly wanted to do for a living. 

David, Asiat and Jacqueline doing shopping

Today we have good news for you. Because of those of you that prayed and those that gave financially, Jacqueline and her kids have finally got a home to stay. It has not been easy task getting her a house but we thank God that on Monday he directed us to a house that we rented for Jacqueline. We paid for two months in advance. The two roomed house will have Jacqueline and her kids use one room for accommodation and the other for running a business (most likely dealing in groceries).Yesterday as Joseph and David went to Jacqueline`s new home to help with her shopping, a smile had finally shown up on her face and there was less worry in her speech. “At least I have where me and my kids can sleep” she said, as her triplets shied away at the look of strangers that had come by to have a glimpse at the triplets (to some it was their first time to see triplets). There was a warm welcome from some of Catherine would-be neighbors. Two old ladies came thanking David and Joseph for doing such a good work of taking care of Jacqueline and her kids. Both of them said they will offer whatever they can to help Jacqueline. It was an amazing moment to see that these two elder ladies, who are undoubtedly living in abject poverty were willing to offer the little they can to see that Jacqueline and her kids are happy.

Well; Jacqueline, Joseph, David and Asiat then embarked on a two hour shopping for Jacqueline`s house hold items. We made sure that we minimize the expenditures as much as possible so that we save a reasonable amount for Jacqueline`s business. We bought one mattress, a mosquito net, food, and a few other house hold items. David and Joseph helped arrange Jacqueline`s room and helped her tie the mosquito net.

As we were about to leave, Jacqueline seemed emotional, probably trying to figure out how she will handle her new home alone. She begged us to always come and pay her a visit, something we shall of course always do.We have designated a period of about three weeks for Jacqueline to make a market survey for her business. We shall be monitoring the progress of her ideas and also provide any possible advice to see that Jacqueline comes up with an everlasting business idea that will sustain her family.

Please continue praying and supporting Jacqueline because there are many more needs pending as far as improving her living is concerned.

Joseph handing in items to Jacqueline

David arranging the mosquito net