September 2024 Newsletter
What started as a counseling session, with one of my boys, ended with a new appreciation for what goes into the daily work of Experience Hope, and what I deal with personally. “Mama, the shoes are too heavy!” That’s what he said, with a deep sigh and his head hung low.
Amiri had just come home from school for his 4 week break, when we found out some things he had been doing, that went against our rules and also the school rules. It was his first offense, so we turned to daily counseling and consequences to see if he would respond positively to keep his opportunity of attending school. Throughout the course of the next 4 weeks, myself and my staff, would biblically counsel him every day. One day Joy decided to tell him a story and allow him the chance to seemingly make decisions along the way that could not only effect him, but others in the organization, to basically prove a point of what goes into decisions around here. The story went something like this, “Once upon a time there was a woman from a far away land. She had everything she needed in life, but God called her to travel around the world to work with boys like you, who were from the streets. She obeyed because of what God had done in her life, and because she knew she needed to tell you that God loves you.” Very quickly we all knew who she was talking about, me. She took my shoes from me, placed them in front of my boy, told him to imagine he was the one in the shoes, and then proceeded with the story. At first the decisions he had to make were not so terrifying for him and he could pretty quickly give his response. Things like food, housing, etc. But as the story continued, he had harder decisions to make. “Why does this one get another chance and not this one?” “This one has had more than one chance, and he did something wrong again. Does he get another chance or you wipe your hands of him?” With every answer he gave, there was a cause and effect discussion and a question of if he made the right decision or the wrong one. Some days would end with “homework” or hard questions for him to pray through and think about for the next session. Each day he would come back, the story would pick up where it left off, and he would have another series of questions and decisions to make. Scenarios from things I deal with daily were thrown in on top of the decisions that had to be made, like how my skin color gets me harassed for money and things all the time, how many cultural things are just baffling to me and I’ll never get used to them, how I miss family, friends, birthdays, and big events. Things like daily processes, struggles, and just Uganda things I’m not used to. And, oh by the way, there's a tight budget, school fees, medical needs, food programs, room rentals, etc. By about week 2 of this story growing bigger and deeper, Amiri was asked a hard question and he just slumped down in the chair, hung his head, and sighed, with no response. I told him to forget the question for a moment and tell me how he’s really feeling. “Mama, the shoes are too heavy” And for the first time he truly appreciated what he had and felt the weight of what goes on behind the scenes to care for him and his brothers. It’s such a great analogy though. The shoes are heavy more times than not, but they’re mine to wear, and I’m thankful God gives me strength to do so, for these young men, every day. Even on days like this, the weight of my shoes is still nothing compared to the weight and burden that Jesus carried for you and I. And for HIM, I’m forever grateful!
What’s happening?
We officially have a NGO!!!! This is HUGE!! I know many people don’t really understand what this is, so let me just try to give a little explanation. We have been a registered CBO (Community Based Organization) since 2021, however there are many limitations and restrictions as to what one can do with that, one being we are only recognized in the district we are located in. As a NGO (Non-governmental Organization) we can do outreach even outside of Jinja, we are nationally recognized, we can expand housing and helping more of these young men, and I can finally get a work permit so that I don’t have to leave the country due to visa limitations, so frequently. It’s a huge answered prayer! So thank youou for those prayers, it’s a huge relief!
We got all of our primary and secondary students back to school almost 2 weeks ago and it was a bit more of an adventure this time. My car got so bad that it was extremely unsafe to drive long distances, so I loaded up in the taxi with my boys and staff to make our journeys to all of the schools. I rode 4 different taxi’s in 2 days, and I’ll just say it was more than enough for me! Ugandan taxi riding is not for the faint of heart! I’m very thankful all of our journeys were safe and uneventful for the most part, but I hope I don’t have to do that again for a long time!
Shortly after taking the other students back we had a visitation day for our Vocation boys and got to see what they’ve been learning. One of the boys is in catering and made us some delicious snacks and juice, and the other one is in Mechanics, so he showed us the engines he’s been working on. It was a sweet time to share a meal with them and see how hard they’re working. Both of them are in their final term of school and will be taking their national tests in October then soon after graduating! We are so proud of them.
Several times a year I get to join a 7-10 week bible study with some other missionary ladies who are here. We started a new study last week of 1, 2, & 3 John and it’s been so sweet to be back in this routine with these ladies. Community can be challenging here for many reasons, but I am always excited when we get to meet for Bible study.
Nicholas, the young man who came to me with the serious injury about a month ago, is doing amazing! Thank you for praying for him. The other day I got to the project, where he’s been staying for recovery, and he was all smiles. He had one of the boys translate to me that he feels better than he ever has. He’s getting nutritious food, sleep without fear of being found by police or other street children trying to steal from him, daily medical care, and discipleship by the boys who live at the project house, every day. He’s been “preaching” at our weekly bible studies and each week volunteers again for the next week. He’s been totally clean and off all drugs for about 3.5 weeks now and is doing so well. We thank God for his provision and love for Nicholas. He shouldn’t be alive today because of the severity of his injury and major infection, BUT GOD! Nicholas tells us every day that he feels so loved, but it’s because he is. He is my why.
We have 7 young men graduating this week from another Vocation school in town. This is the first true graduating class we’ve had from vocation school. (We have had some graduate from Bible school and short business courses, but this is the first school graduation.) I’m interested to see how Uganda graduation will be, because typically things like this are VERY different than I’m used to, but Joy tells me it’s going to be a LONG day of sitting and listening to someone talk about nothing! I’m excited that these young men are graduating and starting a new chapter in their lives though! Most of them already have successful jobs and are doing very well! It reaches a point when they’re on their feet and making money that we let our little birdies fly. They begin paying their own rent, food, etc, but are always welcome to come for bible study and medical care for an extended time. It’s so sweet watching them transform into young men that soceity now sees as worthy, because they are.
We also have a prayer day for our S4 (think 12th grade) candidates the day after graduation. These young men will be also testing in October to see if they can continue through S6 then on to University one day. Lots of big, beautiful, things happening around here!
What’s to come?
October has turned out to be an extremely busy month for me. Between graduations, school visitations and home visits, every weekend is packed, and every week is full of our daily programs. God just continues to show me an abundance of fruit happening all around me.
I’m excited to have a few of my GSM family coming next week! Please pray for their safety in travel and our time together. We have a few things planned, and also a time of respite and refilling planned. I can’t wait to have them here in Uganda with me.
We are now all in planning for Teen Mission that’s supposed to happen in December. This is an 8 week bible boot camp for local youth. They spend the first week together at base camp where they literally do a physical boot camp, with Bible scripture and teaching intertwined. After they complete this part of the training they spread out throughout Uganda into local villages to do evangelism and community service projects. Last year we sent 30 students and every single one of them came back changed for the better! Some finally stopped drugs there, some finally surrendered to Christ and also got baptized, some became more bold in their faith, but all of them came back on fire for the Lord. Our goal this year is to take another 30 students at least. Each student’s cost will be $30, so $900 total. This includes all food, housing, transport, and camping and hygeine items for the duration of the 8 week program. If this is something you would be willing to sponsor or help out with, please reach out to me, I’d love to chat! thens1213@gmail.com
We also have a new group of students preparing to start school in January, Lord willing. God is working miracles here every day. It’s beautiful to watch!
Thank you
Thank you to both our new and our faithful partners and friends who have joined us on this journey! We continue to follow the lead of God in this ministry and he continues to bless us beyond measure. But, the reality is, we can‘t continue doing the work we do without both prayer and financial support. We try to make sure that basic needs are provided for these young men so that they aren‘t tempted to continue living the life of survival, theft, fighting, etc that they‘re used to. As we rehabilitate them and help them come off the streets we also help them to reintegrate back into society with financial counseling and slowly start introducing them to paying their own rent, food, etc. The goal is not for us to support them forever, but to meet them where they are and help them be successful in the future. As some of the boys graduate we continue to bring in more street connected children to rehabilitate. Jinja, alone, has over 1000 street connected children documented, and many more undocumented. This is a continuous effort right now to rehabilitate and restore hope in the lives of those we serve. We provide safe housing by renting rooms with basic necessities, as well as food, medical/dental care, schooling, counseling, routine hygiene items and medical checkups, and so much more as these young men continue to show us they want to change and be better. None of this is free to the citizens of Uganda, so to be able to provide these services to the young men, as they rehabilitate, is huge! My amazing team of Ugandans, some of which are boys who have graduated from the program, are given a salary so that they can also provide for their families and theirselves as they serve with us. We would love for you to pray about how God can use you to partner with us in these very tangible ways. If at any time you have any questions please don‘t hesitate to reach out to me! Email is the best option due to the difference in time zones. (thens1213@gmail.com)
Lokaye Michael’s Testimony
The following is a written testimony of Lokaye Michael, one of our, now, very successful young men. He wanted to share with you his story as a testimony of what God has done in his life, through Experience Hope. I have adapted some of the spelling and grammar so you can better understand the story.
“I greet you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. My names are Lokaye Michael. Before I came to Experience Hope I was on the street for many years. I lacked where to get shelter, food and many other things to survive. Life was difficult and many days I could not get enough money for even a small bite of food. I got addicted to drugs and alcohol and I thought that it was totally the end of my life. I did not think anyone could care or be there for me and I did not know God. One day my friend from the street invited me to go play futball and get food because a muzungu was there with a team of people. After we played for some time they sat us down and told us the word of God before giving us a big meal. After hearing the preaching I felt that the preacher was speaking to me and I needed to change my life. I asked how to be a part of the organization and got the details that day to come the very next week. When I first went to the project Auntie Tara gave us many rules and I did not think I could manage, but after hearing bible study and having food, God began to change me into who I am today. I eventually was able to earn a room and no longer sleep on the street. This was when I knew God was changing my life totally. Some time later, I also was able to go to a business course, where I learned more about how to manage a business and finances. After graduating I got some small capital so I could start my clothing business, which was my dream. As I was changing I believed in Jesus and accepted him as my savior. I stopped all drugs and stealing and really changed my life totally. Now my business is successful and I am doing well for myself. I also pray for my brothers who are still on the streets to accept Jesus as their savior and to open their hearts to change. I pray for more donors to support the project so Auntie Tara can keep doing the work with me and my brothers here teaching us about God. In the book of Psalm 18:2 the Bible tells us that the Lord is my rock. He is my rock for sure, as me Lokaye, and I am so thankful I know Him now.
May God bless you and keep you,
Lokaye Michael”
How can you help?
Prayer requests:
Pray for the team from GoSendMe Global as they travel to Uganda next week! For safe travels and a fruitful time together!
Pray for our boys. That they see hope and love in Jesus and flee from the years of bondage they’re trapped in. There’s a lot of temptation they face daily and some resistance to change, but we believe they can.
Pray for wisdom for myself and my staff as we manage these young men and try to guide them and counsel them. Some days are way more difficult than others.
Pray for our primary and secondary students as they are in their final term of this school year, and for the 9 who are soon graduating.
Pray for financial donors 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 tell them.
Pray for funding to finish purchasing a “new” to me more reliable car for safety of myself and those who travel with me. It became a necessity to sell the other one recently but it didn’t bring much money since it was so terrible.
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 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.”
