Every Saturday over four hundred children gather in Buziika to sing songs of praise and worship and hear the Gospel. With the help of our amazing staff, we have recently restructured our Saturday program to include more time discussing the Bible teaching and spending time with the mentors.
Amazima has been blessed with nine wonderful mentors who spend time daily in the homes of their assigned sponsored families. They provide counseling and encouragement, and a direct line of communication between Amazima and the families we serve. All of the children in our program love and admire their mentor and many even view them as part of their own family.
Due to the talent and passion of our mentor staff we have been able to change the way our Saturday program flows to ensure that the children are being discipled and are provided with a safe place to discuss issues that arise during the week.
The children gather in a large group for praise and worship. The more the merrier is our motto when it comes to singing and dancing! Then they receive a short bible message and are divided into groups of 20-30 children. Our mentors lead these groups, and we believe it has greatly improved our Saturday program.
"We do it this way because now we have an opportunity to talk to the children one on one about the lesson," starts mentor Naomi, "the children are free to speak out and they can help each other learn this way. They really feel more free and are encouraged to participate."
"They come for bible study, but the small groups allow them to understand the message. You can really grab their attention and allow them to understand more," adds mentor Vicky.
We have loved seeing the children open up to these mentors and feel more like they are part of the group. During group time they sing songs, answer questions, go deeper into the Word, and develop strong relationships. It is also a time that allows us to pinpoint specific children who need extra attention or help.
"You get to introduce other topics and behavioral issues. We talk about how they are to behave here, how they should be behaving at home...it is a really good time to address many issues," says mentor Vicky, "We really have an opportunity to get to know the children. We have great hope that this will positively affect our children. We really have great hope for them."
We really do have great hope for these children.
This makes my heart so full :)
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful. Praying for your ministry. Wondered if you have heard of Child Evangelism Fellowship and their wonderful materials that they have. Mara
ReplyDeleteSo great to hear that you are mentoring these families and the kids. Reaching the whole family is where there will life long changes. Praying for all of you daily. Thanks for the message.
ReplyDeleteLove what you are doing! I also love the pictures and "seeing" what you're doing!
ReplyDeletepraise God and so thankful that you are leading these sweet children to the Savior every Saturday so that they will come to know Him and love Him and serve Him
ReplyDeleteI just love love love Amazima!!! Not only are you helping those there, but are encouraging and making us want to be better here.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations what you are making is an inspiration, God bless all your projects.
ReplyDeleteAlso I want to thank Mara Byrd for sharing about Child Evangelism Fellowship, I am working with a native group of childs in Costa Rica and I think that this resoureces are going to be very usefull.
God's Kingdom is growing!!!! Halelujah
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! The images really say it - they are learning at the tree of life.
ReplyDeleteLove how these mentors and workers are showing the children and their families Jesus in such practical ways!
ReplyDeleteLook at those beaming beautiful smiles! The work you are doing for Jesus is awesome!
ReplyDeleteMy heart overflows with joy and also love for these beautiful children and the mentors that have the privilege of teaching and leading them! Praise God for the mighty work you are doing. I pray for you and your ministry everyday.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's fantastic! I love how the mentors are thinking about ways to allow the children to be in a comfortable atmosphere so they can open up and share experiences in their daily lives. I hope the mentors know what a difference they are making in the lives of these children! Great job! Lifting you up, and as always the children too, in my daily prayers!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing how the children are growing and their smiles! Makes my heart sing!
ReplyDeleteyou are doing an amzing work, thanks for feeding those kids in kikaramoja, what you did has solved the issue of street kids in jinja by 80 percent since they are assred of a meal. God bless you woman of God!
ReplyDeleteI am so encouraged by this and your heart Katie! Your not only making a difference in their lives, but in so many lives all around the world by hearing about all that God is doing through you! I am praying for you!!!
ReplyDeleteKatie Davis what a blessing you, your book, and your organization has been to the world and me by getting to read about you. You are such a blessing at such a young age. The way God is using you is awesome. I have been changed by your testimony and labor for the Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for you and the kids.NC friend
ReplyDeleteI am a teacher at the Christian School and I have been reading your book to my students. It has been such a blessing. Your ministry is making an impact on my students! I would like for them to write to you and your girls. What is the best way for this to happen? Old fashion snail mail, through facebook, your blog??? Thank you for helping me work out a way for my students to express their appreciation to you and your family for sharing your life with the world.
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteI have friends leaving next week to come to Uganda. Do you have any advice for some fellow missionaries that will be working in orphan care? They have 2 young children and anything can share to pass on would be great. We keep you and them in our prayers.
Katie,
ReplyDeleteYour book and blog with photos give those of us far away a window on the wonderful work the Savior is doing through you and your helpers there in Uganda. So much history behind this ancient land and peoples, it is like He was preparing hearts for just the right moment to pour out His love and blessing in a new and special way in our day: I stand in amazement at His timing, His wisdom, His passion for surprises. Some see only bad news in the world, but if we will just open our eyes the good, the gifts and beauty will make us overflow with gratitude to our God. Thank you Katie for being a willing and obedient vessel of Jesus' peace.