September 2025 Newsletter
Mom-maybe you should skip this page....
As I was locking up the house for bed the other day, it really struck me how different things can be here sometimes. How much more I have to do for safety and security, for peace of mind, for protection. And, how much more I think about how I rely on God for the ultimate protection. I have 4 doors leading into my house from the outside. Each door has a wooden door on the outside, and massive thick iron doors on the inside with multiple locks and bolts and security measures in place. Each night I go through the routine of locking the outer door, that can easily be kicked down or pried open, then I proceed to lock the iron doors, one latch and one padlock at a time. It’s a process, but it’s a safety measure that’s necessary here, unfortunately. Then, each morning I go through the process of unlocking all of the many padlocks and bolts, to leave the doors open for fresh air and circulation. Because, here, much like the bible says, the light is not dangerous like the dark is.
There have been many break-ins around town lately, even as close as my 2 neighbors. People come into the compounds at night, steal what they can find, and then break into the houses if they’re able to. My immediate neighbor was woken up by theives at her bedroom door trying to kick it down, after they had already stolen everything in the house leading up to her room . Luckily she was able to push a heavy dressor in front of the door and make enough noise to alert her guard, who was admittedly sleeping, and the thieves ran. This incidence led us to hire an armed night guard to patrol along with our unarmed night guards. Less than 1 week after he started, I was abruptly woken up by a gunshot at 4am, as someone was attempting to break into our compound, as well. With so many extra security measures in place; armed guards, razor wire around the perimeter, security lights, cameras, locks and bolts, people still try.
Election rallies are ramping up in a very chaotic way, I got stuck in one driving to the project the other day and it was terrifying. The economy is worse than it’s been in a long time, people can’t afford basic needs. People are desperate for something, anything, to make money off of. And the world needs Jesus more than ever. Please pray with us for protection, safety, wisdom, and alertness for myself, my team, and my fellow missionary community as things seem to be getting worse and worse around town right now. Pray for revival and Jesus to be seen. Pray for heart change and healing for Uganda.
What’s happening?
My Work Permit FINALLY got approved this week!!!! Long story short, the lady who’s “been working on it” for a year, never actually did anything except steal my money and give me fake receipts. This was all revealed last week to me. So, I got someone else involved that a friend uses, and he was determined to get it for me before I leave so that I don’t have to purchase another visa to come back. Basically I had to pay for the same thing twice, because the first lady refused to give me back my money, but it’s finished now and good for 3 years, which is the maximum time they’ll approve them for. I went to immigration today and got the official sticker in my passport! It’s finally real! Corruption is exhausting. Pray for the hearts of those who love deceit so much here.
We got all of our students back to school for their 3rd and final term of school this year! We had a great holiday with them and we pray they all work hard and do great this term, and make wise choices! The 2 boys who started their vocational school internship also have already been promised jobs when they complete this 4 month internship! That’s a huge praise as well! To have a guaranteed job lined up right out of school is hard to obtain here, so we thank God for the change he’s done in the lives of these boys so that their hard work and character earned them this great opportunity! Our University student is also settled in and started classes the day after he arrived in Kampala. He gives us frequent reports of how things are going, and while the classes are tough, he said he’s doing his best and working hard to see that he’s successful. We are so proud of him and miss him around the project.
As I mentioned above, we have been adding a lot of security around my house and also around the project, as tensions rise around Jinja. We added more lights, cameras, and razor wire to the project as well, in hopes that it will deter thieves from breaking in there as well. We had one incident about a month ago there, but they only stole a large saucepan from outside as everything else was locked inside. In the middle of adding all of this stuff at my house, I was also graced by the presence of a snake inside my house. Not the best way to jumpstart a heart, but at least it was non-venomous. Still searching for the way it came in though. Apparently locks and bolts don’t stop snakes! We have more venomous snakes here than non venomous, so I’m very thankful it was the latter for sure! Hope he doesn’t bring friends back to play!
Swalic is doing amazing with recovery! He continues to do well with weaning off of seizure medicine, not having any seizures since just before his Craniotomy last month. He’s made a new friend with a young man who stays with 2 of my missionary friends and enjoys getting to spend time with him a couple times a week. We have also been doing a lot of puzzles, 1000 piece puzzles at that! Great brain work for us both! Swalic has been a champion tagging along with me as I run around, too. He’s very grateful for his life and truly understands how his injury could have killed him. He’ll be alternating staying with both Joy and Ben while I’m gone to America, and is excited to beat them in Ludo, a board game here, as much as he’s been beating me! He also starts classes next week with a teacher friend of ours. He’ll be going to her house M-F, 8-noon, so that he can hopefully catch up in school and not have to start in such a low class when school starts back next year for first term. He’s a smart boy, so I think he’ll catch on quickly.
Along with finding out about the work permit fiasco, I also found out that my NGO, here in Uganda, had a lot of discrepancies, thanks to the lawyer who helped me register, choosing to do things poorly. Things not registered correctly, things falsified, reports given to me, yet finding out that she submitted other things, etc, the list goes on and on. Again, the level of deceit here can be draining sometimes. The same guy who helped me get my work permit quickly is also helping me to get the organization on track the right way now. We are having to do a lot of paperwork and writing of letters explaining things but things are slowly starting to be corrected. We won’t be able to finish everything by the time I leave, but hopefully by the time I’m back we will be in a much better place! Thankful for the honest people who do truly help in the right ways.
What’s to come?
One of the top contestants in the presidential race came through Jinja today, so it’s been crazy around here. Between street kid round ups, beatings, tear gas, chaotic crowds, increased numbers of thieves, road closures, increased military and police presence, and just general chaos, Presidental campaigns have officially kicked off. We have 2 other presidental candidates coming to town later this week on different days also. The season is upon us and we pray for protection and safety for our boys, my team, myself, and our community.
2 of our students start their big tests on October 10th and will finish around November 7th. The other student will start his around November 7th and end December 5th. These are make it or break it tests for students here in Uganda and they have so much pressure put on them to succeed. Please pray for our 3 boys who are testing this year to just be able to breathe and to do their best to pass according to the standards here.
I’m heading out very soon to America and am trying to get everything sorted out and scheduled out here for my team. I know they will handle everything, as they always do, but it’s still always hard to leave, especially now that I have a kid I’ve been personally attached to and a new pup who’s attached himself to me. Please pray for all of them and for me while I’m gone and while I travel.
Thank you
Thank you is only a small phrase that we can say to all of you who pray for us, support us, and help us to continue the work we do with these young men. We have many challenges every day, but God continues to give us wisdom and discernment to pour into the guys we work with. Sometimes we see failure and it’s easy to get discouraged, but then God always shows us a wink of success and renews the hope we have for these young men. While there are still many who are not ready to change, there are many who can’t turn back to their old ways. We count each successful transformation a great blessing from God. Thank you for standing with us in this gap as we serve those that God has called us to work with here in Uganda. May God bless you!
Adding more razor wire and security lights
Back to school for Primary Students- secondary refuses pictures these days
We have been doing so many puzzles!!
Swalic and his new friend Nelson, who’s been a wonderful infulence for him!
Monkeys!
Love this tree on my new compound
Max, my new pup
“Mom! Take our picture!”
Heavy police and military presence at every intersection and round about in prepration for the presidental candidates to come through
Armored tear gas truck ready to fire
One of the top presidential candidates coming into town today. People run all around the cars and block all of the roads trying to see their president. It’s chaos!
This was a live photo taken as the presidental candidate was entering his venue for campaigning today. Mass chaos
One of my 4 doors locked up for night time
Pretty sunset after a massive rain this weekend
Can you help?
I will be heading stateside in October for a little over a month to do fundraising for the next year. During this time I’ll be in Tennessee mostly, but will also fly to Jacksonville, Florida (Oct 21-29). I’m also willing to travel other places but my own personal funds are limited on long distance travel. I’m also in need of a few things during my time stateside and ideas/help with fundraisers.
Does anyone have any connections with businesses, coffee shops, restaurants, etc who may be willing to do a fundraising night where part or all of the proceeds can go to our ministry here in Uganda to support the young men we work with?
I would also love to come share with others what God is doing here. If you have a church or small group, or even a group of friends who would love to hear more about the ministry and what we do, I can arrange it!
If anyone has ideas or wants to connect regarding any of these things, please email me thens1213@gmail.com. Also feel free to please share my newsletters or email with listening ears who want to support/pray for missions.
How can you help?
Prayer requests:
PRAISES!!! FINALLY my work permit has been APPROVED!!!
Pray for Joy and Ben as they care for Swalic and the organization while I’m gone. For rest, for wisdom, for confidence!
Pray for safety for myself, my staff, and my boys as crime and violence continue to escalate here and presidential candidates now are making their way around Uganda
PRAISES that Swalic is recovering so well from his life threatening injury and craniotomy!
Pray for our candidates as they begin testing.
Pray for the hearts of so many people here who thrive on deceit and taking advantage of people.
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 here tell them. Education and Medical are typically our biggest expenses and both are life changing for these young men. We spend about $19,000USD on school fees/requirements per YEAR for 40 students and approximately $1000-$1300 USD per MONTH or more on medical care.
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.”
