Shortfalls, Faith and Enduring

Indeed it is faith, like we have been in hard times these previous few of months, that all we could do was pray for provision and to remain strong to do the work of the ministry. Our Lord has been doing good in every thing going on - not only in me as director but also with staff, the little children and widows with orphans too. - Mukulu Jonathan

Some time ago in the first quarter of this term, we borrowed items and scholastic material on credit for Oasis orphan children. I thank God because things helped out but I failed to make a blog update with pictures at the time when giving out school supplies. Due to great lack (even to the present day) of school materials at Oasis-for kids to complete the term and food needs, we borrowed from others. It is our kindly request from friends who can bless the situation, to help out in this time of trouble by doing what you can for the children and so we can pay back what we owe.

Pictures can say and do more than a thousand words. Orphans and other children in the village were very happy to get these school supplies. Without them they cannot attend school. It is like in a family. The mother can go to a store and charge food and other home items and as it gets to table, the kids can not know it was borrowed, they just feel happiness and rejoice. So it is with the Oasis children. They are happy for the school supplies.

We seek your prayers and if you are able to do something for orphans needs please contact me so we can complete paying back the borrowed credits. Also if you are interested, you can send Bibles, gospel books and kids writing notebooks and any other physical assistance. We also desperately need a laptop computer and ours died quite a while ago.  If you give and support the needy orphans and poor widows surely the Lord blesses your family and open doors for you. Thank you for you continued prayer and support. 

(See our "Support" page above.)

We have posted some pictures of a recent distribution of school supplies for your enjoyment. Please pray for the widows and children.

You can click on the pictures to enlarge.

Happy Children - School Supplies!

Children/widows waiting for supplies

More children waiting for supplies

Some happy orphans with supplies

Mukulu Jonathan with grateful children

Staff passing out supplies

New School Term

TODAY (09/08/2004) school just started in Uganda. There are children hoping and praying to go back to school - many of them orphans.  On average it costs about 25.00 USD for fees and supplies per quarter to send a child to school - a fortune for those living in poverty or those who have taken in orphans in Uganda. I can't think of anything more "sustainable" than a child's education. Please consider a donation to help cover these children's school fees, supplies and other needs at this time. There are well over 70 children this term. We also are behind on our building projects. Thank you and God bless you for your prayers and consideration.  Please see our SUPPORT page for donation information. God bless you!

School Break Kids Party

The children recently started a three week break so we decided to hold a party for them at the OOCM ministry center we are believing God to complete. The children love to gather there on the property and play and share a meal. It is always a time of happiness for the children to finish a school term. The break they are in now is about three weeks long. Then, as we always trust God, we will have the funds and supplies to send them back to school.

As you can see below, at present, we have two buildings that are in the process of being completed. Funding to complete them has been slow coming in but we are confident in our Lord that we will be able to complete them as well as a third building so we can begin to function from the new center.

Please consider prayer support and donations that aid greatly in making quite a difference in the lives of orphans, widows and the destitute. The changes in all these children, many of them orphaned, is beautiful. More information can be found on how to support this work can be found HERE.

Please pray for a colorful future for the needy in Uganda! We have faith that a journey of a thousand miles starts by one step. So we are... 

Click on the photos below to enlarge...

Some of the kids eating with the two unfinished buildings in the background
The one on the left desperately needs a roof.

It's always nice to have a party during their break from school.
Photo taken from the entrance to the property.

Hanging out in the cool grass...

Eating in the shade...

Mukulu Jonathan, the director, with other adults sharing a meal
while the children enjoy themselves playing.

Building Project Needs Help

A Permanent Home and Ministry Base
Besides the everyday needs that need to be met month to month at OOCM, we are endeavoring to proceed with the permanent children's home and other out buildings on the OOCM property which will allow us more stability and flexibility to minister to those around us. In many ways the villagers see this building project as a symbol of the stability of the hope they are beginning to embrace. At this present stage of the building project We have the basic structures of two buildings built (brick) and one is roofed (See pictures below). We would like to have three main wings built for the children and for use as a ministry center as well as several other smaller structures.
This has been a stretch of faith on our part to attempt such a project but God has been gracious to provide for this as well. Perhaps some of you reading this will be touched by God to specifically contribute to this project's completion. Once the main wing and the 2 dorm wings are finished and outfitted, OOCM will be able to move in and proceed with other projects on the property like growing food and teaching more life improvement classes to the widows and other villagers. We will also be able to more effectively do outreaches into the surrounding communities as well. 

Note: Building #2 needs a roof desperately as we are heading into the rainy season are concerned for the stability of that structure as without a roof on there is a very real danger of weakening the structure. Please prayerfully consider contributing to this immediate need. It will cost about $800.00 USD to have a roof built on that building. The rainy season is days away!!!

Building #1

Building #2 that needs a roof soon

Pray For The Children

Isaiah 54:1 - "Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, You who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman," says the Lord. - Isaiah 54:1

When we take the time to pray for and support the children, we are participating in building the next generation. We can't even imagine the effect of one child being educated and cared for upon society and we dare not think of the effect of our not caring enough about the outcome. Please consider regular prayer and Support in whatever way you can. It makes a big difference. Bigger than we can possibly imagine. "For eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, the things that God has prepared for those who love Him."

Some of the children helped at OOCM. They were not always smiling like this...

Note: This is one of the unfinished buildings at the new center.

Love Them

This is a short post to let you know that there are many needs at this present time in the villages. Also, school will be starting shortly and the children will need fees and school supplies. Without them they cannot go to school. Would you consider helping? Please pray with us that these needs will be provided by God. If you can help financially, there is an online donation link on our support page to the left of this. There is also directions for sending funds directly. You can also help tremendously by downloading the graphic picture below and sharing it with friends on facebook etc. It will help others to find this website. Thank you for your consideration in this. It will be quite helpful. - Staff

Note: To download the picture, click on the picture a full sized version will appear. RIGHT click the image and choose "Save Image As" You can then upload it to facebook, Google+, etc

A Sense Of Urgency...

God is Never blind to our tears, Never deaf to our prayers, and also Never silent to our plans. He sees, He hears, and He will deliver relief and blessings to His people and to children at OOCM. God bless every one. Always consider to join us for prayers and a support hand to as now with immediate needs. 
We can't wait to see the faces, smiles of little orphans. We are seeking prayers and the Lord's provision. Direct help and support from friends to put needs and food on the tables and dishes of the children. We shall be very happy to see an immediate support. 

May God bless you abundantly

- Mukulu Jonathan (Founder and Director of OOCM)

For the last several  months, donations from friends in other countries has been much lower than usual and insufficient to carry on programs as effectively as needed. There are many, many needs not being supplied at present - some not at all. Presently there is also a shortage of food and school supplies for the children. A donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated at this time. Please go to our SUPPORT page to donate.

It is very difficult to look into the eyes of the children and tell them that some of them would not be attending school this term. We are utterly grateful for the support we received from so many of you just before the beginning of this term and that we were able to help most of them to attend school. However, we are presently lacking additional school supplies for the children....

Political Imagery vs Reality On The Ground

Please pray for us here at OOCM. Support has been dwindling lately but the needs NEVER decrease...

From the Director

From: Mukulu Jonathan director of OOCM along with staff of Oasis Orphans Care Ministry in Kamuli, Uganda

Dancing a little with joy and smiles with orphan children, widows at OOCM in Uganda's poor villages. Most of these children have no families, live in worse areas than in an American or Western landfill. Lack food, poor education facility, poor accommodations, clothes and lack of medical care, long ways to water sources, power.

We are working very hard to get them a better life and hope. We have much to learn from these children. They don't ask for any thing but just praying to God, praise and worship to thank God for visitors and blessings.

School started already although there are still needs for supplies and regular donations. Also we would like to continue on our permanent buildings project which at present is on hold. I would love to thank friends who have donated and still in practice to reach victory, millstones and horizons for orphans to stand a better life... We appreciate any donation small or large.

There is an online donation link and other donation info on our Support page in the menu page to the left.

Children are always happy to know they will be able to attend school

Children's home and OOCM center first wing of 3

Current Needs

Friends of Oasis Orphans Care Ministry in Kamuli, Uganda, here are some of the needs right now at the center. Your prayers and support are very appreciated. Join us in the Challenge for a Better Tomorrow...

Construction:
Construction of buildings for a stable place for the children's home and village care center . We need to finish up the 1st wing and build the 2nd wing. Also the toilet area construction, bath rooms, etc. The buildings will also have to be outfitted with electricity and water storage/plumbing. There is also an URGENT need for fencing around the buildings to stop unauthorized entry to the building site.

School Term Beginning VERY Soon:
Need donations for fees, school materials and uniforms for orphans, and other disadvantaged children in the village.

Supplies:
Basic resources, meals, food supplies for widows, needy families, and the elderly is welcome.

Any area that you may choose to support will be a blessing to OOCM's efforts to improve the lives of orphans and the disadvantaged. Donations (or regular donations) of any size will be appreciated greatly. You can make a secure donation online from the page link SUPPORT. You also specify your preference as to where you would like your donation to go in the text box provided on the online donation form. OOCM is registered in Kamuli District, Uganda as a non-profit CBO (Community Based Organization).

God bless you

Showing a brother from Oregon, USA around. We had a wonderful time...

Visitor From Oregon, USA

WHEN WE PRAY GOD ALWAYS ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS! THANKS!

The below pictures were taken during a visit to OOCM in Uganda by friends of ours and a dear brother and sister in Christ Buck Eichler from Oregon, USA and his wife Sarah who is Ugandan. Buck and Sarah have been an encouragement to us over much of this last year as well as other friends in the West. This was a long awaited visit and there was a great deal of excitement and joy in the village over their 2 day visit to our village in Kamuli District. They gathered with and met many villagers, widows, two elected officials and an agricultural inspector and the 7 staff members at OOCM from Jan 7th through Jan 8th. The children were very excited because many of them had never seen a muzungu (white man). Buck and Sarah were dearly loved by all who met them.

The first day, they moved about from house to house meeting with the children and widows after being greeted by many who had assembled together along with the elected officials and an agricultural inspector (we have an ongoing agricultural improvement training sessions sponsored by OOCM). On the second day they moved about house to house giving out gifts to orphans, disadvantaged families and widows of salt, notebooks, soap, toilet paper, etc. Their visit brought about much hope among the people. 

May the Lord guide and continue to bless this brother and sister and all our friends in prayer and support to Uganda. Amen


Below are pictures from their visit. Captions are written from input by Buck Eichler.
 

Buck Eichler and Mukulu Jonathan surrounded by children. They were delightful. Some are wearing the only clothes they own. When I return I'll hope to be able to share some articles of clothing.

Some of the villagers gathered to meet our visitors. The woman seated on the right is an "LC", a local elected leader. There were an amazing number of people there to greet us.

Yes! It's a real icebreaker with the kids to take and show their pictures. Some of the children have never seen a Muzungu (white person) before, and it's really traumatic for some. This helps us focus together on something else!

When one sees the scope of the need here and in so many villages across the land it at first feels overwhelming. But as you get to know these people, you learn of their deep faith and sense of responsibility to care for one another. The economic conditions are fragile. It can be very difficult to get back on ones feet after a financial blow. Many of these households lost their only wage earner when their husbands died. Mukulu and his team are working to help widows learn crafts and/or for those with garden spaces to improve their crop yields to get them on track to achieve financial independence. If that is accomplished, those with disabilities or who are too young to fend for themselves will be cared for by the others, a value deeply ingrained in their faith as well as their tribal codes.

Meeting a widow and distributing some supplies. It should be noted that there is no electricity or running water in the Kamuli Villages. There are a few community wells scattered throughout a large area. People have to fill jerry cans with water and pack them to their homes.

This lady is widowed, has a severe disability and cannot walk or balance without that stick, and has three school age children. The little notebooks you see are required for students to have, then there were just small gifts of salt, bars of laundry soap, toilet paper, etc. It was very moving how such small gifts were received with great joy.

This sweet lady is widowed and caring for small children, and had some type of nodule growths all over her.
It is an age old custom for women and children to kneel as they greet a guest, but its not as common in the more urban areas now. Even though I was advised this would happen, it was still pretty shocking to me. It should not be misinterpreted however. It is simply a sincere expression of respect and treating a guest with honor.

Two staff members with Mukulu and Buck. This is Nabbona Rose with the thing around her neck. She is a local schoolteacher, and they are paid very little. She also directs the school choir and the Oasis Children's Choir. She has several orphans and three very old women sharing her tiny place with her. She radiates kindness and joy, despite the hardships. The younger woman is Nangendo Jamila, who I believe is Rose's niece, and she helps with many things and serves as the Treasurer for the Oasis ministry.