Mission to Uganda: Orphanage And School

Andrew and orphans (Click to enlarge)On Saturday we drove from Kampala to the Divine Secondary School and Orphanage in Entebbe. This program is special to Andrew and his partners. They have supported it for seven years. It houses and educates 80 orphans and an additional 50 students from the local community. The program is run by Remy and Molly, Leland Shores mother and father-in-law.

Molly and Remy (Click to enlarge)Our relationship began when Don Krow made official visits beginning in 2003. He used ministry funds to install electricity in dorms, build bathrooms, purchase bunk beds, and fund other projects for the resident orphans. When Andrew first visited, two years ago, Remy and Molly were preparing to start a building program. He was touched by his visit with the orphans, and made a  donation to the project. During his visit a year ago he was able to see the foundations for a new school assembly building being prepared. Again he gave toward the building. During his visit this year, he could see that they had completed the first story and are preparing to add another level on a planned three level facility.

We met for hours with the orphans in the newly completed main room of the building. The children led praise and worship, then performed their tribal dances, which were very energetic and amazing. A tribal dance tells the children who they are, and where they belong in Ugandan culture. (Unfortunately I got carried away with video taping the dance and forgot to take any still pictures. So, as the sun was going down I suddenly remembered the need for still shots and snapped the few pictures you have with this report. Perhaps we can show the dance on a video later.)

The new building (Click to enlarge)Then  Andrew spoke. He told the children the story of his own mother, who was abandoned and adopted. He wanted them to know that their position at the orphanage was special because Remy and Molly had chosen them and provided for them. He then addressed them about finding their purpose in God’s eternal Word, and seeking to know Him through prayer and the Scriptures.

Before leaving, the children gave gifts to each of us; Ugandan shirts, personal notes, and an African map made of malachite.

On roof, preparing second story
(Click to enlarge)A half dozen children testified about the way Andrew’s teaching is changing their lives. One girl’s story was especially poignant; telling about how she had been so sad, angry and self-focused when she first came to the Divine Orphanage, but through reading Andrew’s books in the library, she had abandoned self-centeredness and now enjoyed her blessed life.

Andrew was so impressed with the fruit of this outreach that he determined AWMI's support of the Divine Orphanage would increase.

Filed Saturday, June 5, 2010, 11:30pm, Uganda time, AWMI Media Manager, Stephen Bransford