DLM Newsletter January 2024
2023 EOY Campaign Update
Through the faithful, generous giving of each of you, Delight in the Lord Ministries reached our 2023 EOY Campaign goal. All the glory belongs to the Lord for His abundance!!!!!
Delight in the Lord Ministries is blessed by 36 monthly partners, seven quarterly partners, seven monthly building partners, and many, many individuals who give so generously to DLM throughout the year!
New DLM Employees
Sam and Sisco, my Ugandan friends, are now working with DLM and living on the property in the building near the house gate. Sisco is housekeeping, and Sam is the groundskeeper and driver for me when I need to go to Kampala. Having Sam and Sisco on the property is security for me and the compound. This was definitely God's perfect timing!!!! They have two sons: Galen, a 5 year old and Gabe, a 2 year old. I was given the honor of naming both of them.
Outreach at the DLM Home
I'm blessed to be able to share Biblical truths with Galen and Gabe and to help them with memorizing scripture. Galen who is five years old can recite Genesis 1:1 and Luke 19:10. He is now learning Romans 6:23. I love having the opportunity to have daily outreach with them and teaching them more of the Truth.
Teacher Auntie CiCi
Many days of the week, Galen and I have "school time". My name is Teacher Auntie CiCi during class time. :) We start our "class" with a prayer led by Galen. Then he practices his ABC's followed by writing and even coloring for our art class! It's been fun! I always wanted to be a teacher! HaHa
Bible Study
Here in Uganda, the school year is based on the calendar year so our sponsor children completed their 2023 school year around the first week of December. The holiday extends until late January for Primary kids and early February for Secondary kids. During this holiday time, I have not been hosting the weekly Bible study but look forward to being in the Word with the kids in the coming weeks.
Landscape Project
Our landscaping project is coming along nicely. Just recently, we were able to extend the water retention wall all the way to the house gate. It won't be long and the yard will be completely covered in beautiful grass. This project will help to avoid erosion during the rainy seasons. I am so thankful for Mr. Katamba and his landscaping team who continue to make our compound more beautiful! We praise the Lord for the financial support of so many individuals. Glory to God!
Frequent Power Outages calls for Solar Power
Night time power outages in the village means absolute darkness!!! Power outages are very common here in Uganda, whether in Kampala or in the village. To put it in perspective, I was without power for a couple of hours almost daily for a week, and within that week, the power was out for over 24 hours. We have been blessed with the funds to install solar panels and the solar system in December. The refrigerator and water heaters are now completely solar. It's nice that food doesn't spoil anymore, and it is especially good to have outside security lights, inside lights and the ability to charge devices. Oh, and hot water! The solar system will likely save us on electricity costs but for sure it is great to have power when Umeme, our national supplier, goes out. I am so thankful for the solar system!
Security is Top Priority
Security is always a top priority! We have newly installed security cameras both outside and inside the house. The cameras are great!
Goat Herd continues to increase
We have new baby goats on the DLM property! Back in 2022, we purchased three goats. On January 14, one of our goats produced twins but unfortunately one passed away. Last week, another one of our goats produced twins. There is still another female goat that is pregnant. Now, we have 11 goats.
Wednesday, January 3, 2023
Happy New Year!
Mama and Ashley left Uganda on Tuesday and reached home safely on Wednesday! We thank the Lord for their safe journey.
Check out the progress of the landscape project happening at the DLM ministry home compound! The DLM ministry home is my permanent residence but will also be the lodging for mission teams.
Glory to God!
Thursday, January 4, 2023
I always enjoy walking Shadow and waiting for the beautiful sunset! Look how quickly they are working to construct a water retainer wall to the main gate of the ministry home compound. May God receive all the glory!!
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Today, I took Sandra back to the International Hospital for her review appointment. It has been 4 weeks since she was released from the hospital. She has improved so much. The physiotherapist taught Sandra's mom new stretches for Sandra to do multiple times a day. These stretches will help her muscles grow stronger and prayerfully be able to fully walk again one day. We trust God in the healing and recovery. Sandra continues to take medicine for TB and will continue this medication for the next 8 months.
Friday, January 12, 2023
The landscape project is coming along nicely as they extended the water retention wall all the way up to the main gate of the house. This will help prevent erosion from all the heavy rains during the two rainy seasons.
More Landscape Updates
Four truck loads of gravel stones were brought to the compound. Then one man, using only a wheelbarrow and a shovel, dispersed the gravel stones around the entire house. He then dispersed the gravel on the long driveway.
Friday, January 19, 2023
Arnold and I were busy making homemade bread and pasta noodles with our sourdough starter that Ashley brought to me over Christmas! It was so tasty!!
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Delight in the Lord Ministries held its first parent meeting for the 2024 school year today. The parents who arrived on time were rewarded by playing a game as we were waiting for others to arrive. We had two teams and played Bible trivia. Members of the winning team got a lollipop! Boy, do they enjoy a good competitive game! :)
During this annual meeting, Brian Epechu (DLM Uganda team) and I shared expectations of their involvement in their child's education and had the parents sign waiver and liability documents. We thanked the Lord for all of the sponsors, and I also shared the Gospel with the parents. Brian translated the entire meeting in Luganda, as most parents are not educated and do not know the English language. Several of my older sponsor boys helped fill out the forms for those parents who can't write.
It was a rainy day which disturbed many parents and delayed them from reaching the meeting on time. Only half of the parents came to the meeting so we will now have to schedule another meeting for those parents who didn't make it. This meeting will be held on Saturday, February 3rd.
At the end of the meeting, one of the parents brought me many bananas as an appreciation. It was very sweet and kind of her to do this act of appreciation!! The parents are very grateful for all of the DLM Educational Sponsors!
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Today, Mama Fab (DLM Uganda team) and I distributed some school supplies to the primary children who have reported to school on time. Yesterday, January 29, was the official reporting day. About half of the children came and more will stager in throughout the week. We are so very thankful for our educational sponsors!!! May God bless each of you!
Soli Deo Gloria ~ Glory to God Alone
