A Season of Building

Lately around here, stumbling across a hammer or a bucket of nails is commonplace
as we have had quite a few building projects going on at our property in Buziika.

With all of the new farming projects, the need for water quickly became apparent.  
The decision to dig a borehole was made and the digging began with a 170 foot hole in the ground.

3-foot deep trenches were dug over 220 yards to run the water lines. Men from the community
were hired to do this and it only took them three days to dig it by hand!

The borehole uses 6 solar panels and two 200amp hour batteries to pump water out
at 85 gallons of water an hour. We are able to pump water around the clock,
ensuring our many water needs are met.

For storage purposes, there are now two 2,640 gallon water tanks holding water
for anytime it may be needed.

We are also proud to announce that we are building a small nurse's office on our Amazima 

ground in Buziika.  Ground was broken only several weeks ago and they are moving along quickly!  The office will be a wonderful place where we can fully assess all of the sponsor children and 

staff members of Amazima for any medical need they may have.  Soon we will be hiring a full-time Ugandan nurse to staff the clinic as well as an overseeing Ugandan doctor.  

We are so excited to see our Amazima team grow! 

Towards the back of the land, an even larger building is starting to form - a grain storage warehouse. Here in Uganda, due to lack of storage, local farmers are forced to sell their crops at the time of year when prices are lowest.  Our warehouse will offer farmers a balanced (higher) price for their crops during these times when crop prices are low.  The food purchased from local farmers will then be used to support our various feeding programs.

Due to the new farmland, we decided to build a house for our Farming Supervisor, Andrew, at
the tail-end of the property. Not only will this allow him to be closer to his work, it also serves
as extra security for Amazima property during the night.  He acts as an unofficial guard!

His home is 360 square feet in size and was set up with electricity via a solar panel on his roof.

This is the first time that Andrew has had electricity in his home. He was grinning from ear to ear when he found out that his home was complete with one outside security light, one interior light, and
a small cell phone charger. Living so close to the equator, the sun goes down around 7pm every
single day. One of the main benefits that Andrew pointed out was that his children would be able
to do their homework more easily now at nighttime.

Andrew is married with one biological child.  He also has taken in his niece and nephew after
his brother passed away. Most recently they have taken in a child from our program who, due
to tragic circumstances, was left without a guardian.

Andrew is truly an inspirational man who offers wisdom and guidance to all of the men he supervises.  It was a joy for Amazima to provide him with a new home!

We are thankful for the provision God has given Amazima and for the ability to build these buildings.
We believe they will help us to further our ministry and continue sharing the Gospel with many
in the community of Buziika. Yet as we mix cement and hammer nails and smooth edges we
are reminded that all we build with bricks and mortar will one day fade away and only that 
which is built on Jesus Christ will last. It is our prayer that we would each be reminded daily 
of our true work in Uganda and in life, the making of disciples. We pray that because of our 
work in this community many would hear and know the Gospel, and turn to put their hope in Jesus. 

Thank you for praying with us.