July 2026 Newsletter
What’s happening?
52 days. That’s how many days we ended up staying in the hospital with Mama Zack. She has now been at the project house for 2 weeks while she continues to recover and build back up her strength and endurance from such a long and tedious medical journey. She’s still getting wound dressing changes and packing every day for another week or 2 at least, then we will assess her home situation and work on heading back there so she can be with her family. She will still have to have another final surgery in February for an abdominal hernia mesh implant, due to having the massive infection and open wound for so long, but that one will, Lord willing, be much less traumatic and an easier recovery than all of this has been. We need to do this so that she doesn’t have further complications in the future. This whole journey has been testing and trying for myself, my team, the hospital staff, doctors, and nurses. We have all learned a lot, grown closer together, went through all of the emotions, surrendered mama’s life to God every day, and bonded in so many new ways over this. It has been a team effort all day every day, and I’m so grateful for the team God built! At the end of the day, I’m so thankful for God’s grace and mercy on Mama Zack’s life, for the team I have at the project and at the hospital, and for the many lessons and teaching moments we’ve all had through this ordeal. We were able to bring Zack home from school last weekend to see mom and dad as well, since he didn’t have any school programs. They all sat and cried for a long while, praising God, thanking God, and praying for God to bless those of you who helped to make this whole process possible. It was a sweet moment of rejoicing and appreciation for all that God has done over the last 2 months. Zack went back to school that evening with his head held higher and ready to focus on his mock exams that start next week, in preparation for his big 3rd term promotional exam. We all know and understand that Mama Zack’s life was spared only by the grace of God, because no one should have ever survived all that she’s been through, especially here.
Joy and Ben divided and conquered 2 more school visitations in July as well. Ben and Moses went to primary school and spent the day there, while Joy went to Edwin’s new special needs school to check on him, and Mama Morris (our project cook) stayed with me at the hospital incase Mama Zack needed something and we couldn’t communicate, since she speaks her primary language. It was all hands on deck, but everyone is doing great, Edwin is thriving at his new school, learning many new skills and crafts, and all of our primary kiddos have improved on their performance so much this term. We are so proud of them all and can’t wait to see them in a few weeks for their 2nd term holiday.
Being back to the regular programs has been so sweet. We have so many new kids coming, fairly consistently even, and even volunteering to teach something during bible studies. We love when God gets ahold of their heart and we start seeing such positive changes. Joy told me that 2 of the young men who have been coming while I’ve been in the hospital, used to come very high, but by the time I came back, 2 months later, they had stopped doing drugs, at least on days they come to us...and that’s 3 days a week. It’s been fun getting to know the new boys, learn their stories, and listen to their hopes and dreams for the future. We may not be able to put them in school this year, since this term is over in 2 weeks and then it’ll be the last term of the year, but as long as they stay consistent in coming and progressing they will be eligible to start school in January when the new school year begins. Most of them have been out of school for several years, if they’ve even ever went at all, so putting them in a class at the end of a year isn’t really beneficial for anyone. We’ve enjoyed a lot of laughs around the family table and are really starting to break down some walls and build important trust with them and pray we can continue to do so as the weeks and months progress.
I was able to leave the hospital for a few hours one day to go register for my Alien ID, without going all the way to Kampala. One of the big organizations in town organized for the NIRA officials to come to their place and invited all of the foreigners from Jinja and surrounding areas to be processed from there. It was much less painful than Ugandans say their National ID process is, but we also have to pay for ours and they came to us. We won’t get these back for who knows how long, but at least it’s in process and that’s one more thing I can check off my to do list for this upcoming month.
The week after coming home from the hospital, the NGO directors of Jinja had a meeting with a group of lawyers from Kampala regarding the Sovereignty Bill, the other upcoming change I’m trying to navigate here. We still don’t have great direction and answers regarding how it will affect day to day ministry, but we are waiting on the process to be released in order to register. These lawyers have seen the proposal for registration and while there are many things that won’t affect us, there are still many things that can. Since the majority of our funding is for medical care and education we fall into a different bracket than some faith based NGO’s. We will continue to research and follow what the government requires for these things, so that we are in compliance the whole way and don’t have any issues come up down the road. Navigating government policies and procedures is always quite tricky because many things aren't just black and white. There’s always a lot of gray area to make room for their personal bribes and problems they come up with that have to be navigated each step of the way. And just when you think you have it figured out another twist gets thrown in.
We have also been continuing to have an influx of new medical cases at the project. Luckily most have been minor and have just required some basic meds and followup. Every day there’s someone new at the gate that was sent to “Auntie Tara’s for treatment”. We are always thankful that God has given us this platform and can be a place of respite and healing for these young men, in so many ways.
Morris started Nursing School this month too! He’s now been there for 2 weeks, 1 week of orientation and settling in, and 1 week of classes. He’s starting to find his way and is so excited for what’s to come. Please continue to pray for him as he starts this journey for his future!
What’s to come?
August is going to prove to be another busy month, in other ways than we’ve been dealing with.
Mama Zack will continue to be with us until she’s healed, with daily wound care and therapy.
Edwin has a prayer day at his Special Needs School on the 8th that’s an all day event.
Primary students come back for 2nd term holiday on Aug 14th and 6 candidates report back the following Monday, 17th, for a 3 week holiday program.
Joy, Kenneth, and I are heading to western Uganda, over 9.5 hours away, to take him to University on Aug 20th. Joy and I will be gone for 5 days while we find him an apartment, get everything set up, get everything cleared and situated at school, and 2 days worth of driving. It’s going to be a new adventure, but we are so excited for him.
Secondary students come back for their 2nd term holiday on August 21st, and 5 candidates will report back for their holiday program 2 weeks later.
Everyone being home for holiday means daily programs at the project, including bible studies, meal distribution, craft making, and holiday packet revisions. Never a dull moment around there on holidays.
We also have another University student who reports back to school Aug 24th in Kampala, who is starting his final year of his IT program. He’s currently doing an internship and is doing amazing!
August is also yearly audit month for the organization, renewal of several certifications we hold, and fiscal preparation and filing for the next year. I always have to dedicate a lot of work, time, and effort into this after project hours, to make sure it’s done properly while navigating what has changed over the last year, to be in compliance with everything. It’s a headache, but necessary and worth it! We check the boxes we have to check to stay active and out of the government hot list radar.
In the middle of all of this we will also be purchasing and preparing everything for 3rd term school. We will be taking everyone back the 2nd week in September and I leave 2 days later to head to America for my annual visit and fundraising trip. So, rather than waiting until the last minute as I’m preparing to also leave, we try to get things done in advance so that the last few days can be spent getting everything together for my time away.
Thank you!
Thank YOU! Thank you for praying for us and with us! Thank you for donating, so that we can provide the great needs to these young men, and families, that otherwise aren’t available to them.
Thank you to those who donate to help us keep our boys in school, and add new students every year. Something that the students and families have given up on because of the great expense, but something so important to better increase sustainability in the community and lives of these young men..
Thank you to those who give faithfully to help us continue to do daily bible studies and feeding projects, keep boys housed, and provide both basic and life saving medical care for each and every street connected child/young adult we encounter. Something that they can’t access otherwise.
These seemingly simple acts of love are life changing for the guys we work with. They now have a hope and a future in Jesus and in life in general, and for that we are grateful.
And, thank you. Thank you to those who help to support us for such a time as this and to those who pray for us regularly. God is working in mighty ways here in Uganda, and we strive to answer those calls as He leads us. Whether it’s new territory or something we see day in and day out, we continuously pray for wisdom and discernment to go where God leads, prayerfully trusting that when we step God will provide everything we need to take the next step forward.
Katonda Mulungi! (God is so good!)
Home for 52 days... Finally broke out of the hospital!
Mama Zack got her hair done and wanted the lady to do mine too, while we sat in the park!
Karamajong toothbrush! Mama had her husband find me one, and honestly my teeth feel like I just left the dentist every time I use it! I love it!
OR trip #6 before finally going home. Secondary closure for the largest wound.
Morris started nursing school!
While we were in the hospital my friend’s baby also needed to be checked. Since baby Ama calls me mama and always wants to be with me, Dr Derrick and I worked on her together, also
Finally back to baking and mowing since we are out of the hospital! 2 of my relaxing, happy places!
Zack praying over dad when he got to see him again
Passed a lot of time in the hospital by making paper beads
Friends helping friends navigate the bible
New boys sobering up and wanting to learn to teach
Family meals are the best!
Max is so happy to have me back home! He never wants to be away from me.
Coming to America....
I’ll be heading to America Sept 16-Nov 10, then my dad will be coming back to Uganda with me for a 2 month visit! I’ll be mostly in TN during my time there and will be in Jacksonville, FL for 2 weeks in October (7th-21st).
If anyone wants to schedule time or a fundraising event with me to learn more about the ministry, please send me an email (thens1213@gmail.com) and we will work out the details! I’m willing to also travel to other places, but would need to discuss travel arrangements and costs as well.
How can you help?
Prayer requests:
Continued prayers for mama Zack’s healing and recovery. We’re so much closer than we were, but still have a ways to go!
Pray for God to continue to give us wisdom and resources to help the many many medical cases we continue to have dropped at our gate. For both physical and spiritual healing for the boys and strength to not go back to the streets.
Prayers for our students as they come home for their 2nd term holiday. For them to make wise choices and work hard to continue to grow.
Prayers for our new and current university students who are all reporting to school. That they don’t take this opportunity lightly, work hard, and become successful and independent young men in the future. (Morris-nursing, Kenneth-Innovative Agriculture, Paul-IT)
Pray for more seed sowers who can help partner with us to do the work that GOD has called us to. It’s only by HIS will that we are here doing what we are doing and we need financial partners to do this work. Tangible things such as a safe room, food, school fees, and medical care show these young men that they’re not given up on, like so many people here tell them. Education and Medical are typically our biggest expenses and both are life changing for these young men.
How is God calling you to partner with us?
Through prayer? Through financial giving? We believe that even as just one of these young men changes, there’s many more ready to start a new life also, due to the testimony of the one. God calls some of us to go, some of us to stay, some of us to give and some of us to pray. Where do you fit in? Please consider joining us in bringing hope and healing to these precious young men! So many in their community have given up on them, but we know that God has called them to more!
TAX DEDUCTIBLE CHECKS mailed to:
GoSendMe Global
PO Box 913106
Sherman, TX 75091
(Make checks out to “GoSendMe Global” and include a note with the check- but not written directly on the check- that it is for me, Tara Henson, Uganda)
VENMO: @Tara-Henson-1
PAYPAL: @TaraHenson
ZELLE: thens1213@gmail.com
How to Connect
EMAIL: thens1213@gmail.com
Isaiah 1:17 (CSB)
“Learn to do what is good.
Pursue justice.
Correct the oppressor.
Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.”
