Earlier on in the week I informed a couple of the team members (Mark and Allison) who live here in Swaziland that I had no intention of bringing my guitar back with me to the U.S., and asked if there was a need for this guitar here or if they knew someone that could use it. They immediately looked at each other and simultaneously exclaimed, “Thokozani!” As it was instantly apparent by their reaction that this was a no-brainer, I inquired further about the man who they passionately agreed upon.

Thokozani is a member of the Development Team here in Swaziland looking over many of the CarePoints in this area. Over the past 18 months, several different teams have taught him to play guitar (and have done a pretty darn good job if I say so myself). Ever since his first lesson, he has told Mark and Allison that one day, he will buy a guitar. He had started saving up his money, but with family expenses coupled with the huge costs of getting a purchase-worthy guitar, it seemed like it was a distant dream of his to one day have one of his own.

On Thursday afternoon, Thokozani showed up to the CarePoint under the ruse that he was only there to help with distribution of backpacks to the kids (as he normally doesn’t serve at the Mkhombokati Carepoint). Completely unsuspecting, he walked into the new building where I had just finished up leading the kids in VBS songs. Mark and Allison called Thokozani over to us and introduced me to him. I can honestly say that I rarely meet anyone who likes to smile as much as I do, but this man had teeth from ear to ear the moment he walked in the room. After only a few minutes of talking to him,you were instilled with his passion and joy. It was obvious that Thokozani loves developing relationships and it was no mystery why everyone was such a fan of his.

Now it was time for me to have a little fun with him. I told him that I had heard through the grapevine that he actually knows how to play the guitar. Half abashed and half ecstatic, he told me this was true and that he loves playing. When I asked if ‘I were to hand him the guitar right now, would he be able to play us something?’, he immediately took up the challenge…..
And he did not disappoint!

After a minute or two of his song, I was ready to get to the fun part. I asked him where he had learned to play, which he corroborated everything I had heard before. Then I asked him:

“Do you practice often?”
“No, I don’t get to that much.”
“I see, do you have a guitar of your own?”
“No, no I don’t”, he replied.
“Well, that guitar is yours.”

With the guitar still strung over his shoulder, he stopped. I think every ounce of blood and energy instantly went to his brain, as he tried to think of every other possibility of what I could have said, assuming maybe he misunderstood me. Finally, he replied “Really?”

After several assurances that the guitar was really his, he went began spinning in circles (guitar still on) and screaming.

The most remarkable part of it all, though, was what he said next. He told me he was so excited to be able to help out at the CarePoints now. To be able to come lead worship for them, as well as doing the same at his church. It was powerful to see someone who has been given a long wanted gift immediately turn around to exclaim how he is going to give it right back to God.

I later showed him everything that was included in the case:the tuner, the extra strings, the chord charts, extra picks, and the capo. And with each item, that never ending smile grew bigger and bigger. I’m incredibly excited to see what the future holds in store for this young man.

Tyler O.

Nuevo Reto has had a great time in God’s hands. This year, they planned a trip for Pastor Jacob to visit churches, friends and relatives around the US to raise funds to help the kids at Nuevo Reto.

Pastor Jacob enjoying the snow during his trip to the U.S.

Pastor Jacob traveled for 5 weeks in the US visiting California, Ohio and two other states. He said that this trip was such a blessing, because he shared with people who love Christ and the children in Guatemala. He also shared how God is working at Nuevo Reto and increasing their faith through this ministry. He showed a photo presentation of Nuevo REto and brought many “quitapenas” (a little toy made by children at Nuevo Reto). These toys were a huge blessing during his trip because he sold them $ 1.00 each in order to raise money for the ministry.

This is how the children made the quitapenas for Pastor Jacob’s trip!

Nuevo Reto has re-started the process to be certified by the Adoption Office in Guatemala(required for all orphanages). They started this process a while ago, but had to stop because of lack of funding.

“La Gloria” church (where Jacob is the Senior Pastor) wants to start a project called “The church in English.” It will be an English academy on Sundays for people from the church and kids from the community that would like to learn English. They are using all kinds of methods to teach English, such as conversational practice, vocabulary lessons, and singing English worship songs. Pastor Jacob is also taking college classes to get his English Certification so he can teach English to others.

In Guatemala, it’s very common that people travel during Holy Week. Nuevo Reto traveled to the east of the country. On Wednesday of Holy Week, they went to Jutiapa and returned on Saturday. It was very good. Tito and Ruth Abigail visited relatives during this time.

	Prayer Requests

• Pray for God’s continued provision for the staff and the children
• Jacob’s daughter (Ada) has the chance to go to United States to study. A special donor offered this opportunity. Please pray for her to perform well at her school and for her English
• Pray for Nuevo Reto’s cook Rosi. She has a serious illness sickness that requires expensive treatment. She is awaiting her medical appointment to find out what’s going on

Meet Rosi our cook (in black sweater)!

	Photos

	A Message from the Children

Hello Dear Friends!

First of all ,we would like to tell you that we miss you all so much and we want the next November to come quicker. But we looked at the calendar the other day and we understood that November will definitely come soon! Right now we are happy to get letters from you and, of course, to write to you.

Let us tell you about something that we were busy with over the past few months. First of all, we attended several extracurricular activities, such as:

• Crafts
• Study English with pleasure
• Music lessons and playing musical instrument practice
• Computer classes
• Math classes
• Sport activities
• Russian classes
• Origami classes
• Healthy life style classes
• Ecology classes

On the 26th of March, we went on an excursion to the Nikolskiy Monastery, which was very interesting, educative and exciting. Our teacher Auzina M.A. took us there with the permission of our director and we would like to thank them very much for that!

Those of us who study in the elementary school participated in the following events:

• We studied the history of Orthodoxy.
• We participated in the intellectual game that is called “How to Be Polite”.

• We participated in the intellectual games “Means of Transport” and “First Aid Administering”.
• We participated in the competition on the best knowledge of Russian language.
• Boys participated in “Who is the strongest among you” competition. That was a sport event devoted to the 23d of February which is a holiday to celebrate our men and veterans (and girls especially liked it very much).

• We had a talk devoted to civil defense – and we think that was very interesting and quite new for us..
• On the 8th of March girls participated in the event that was called “The Best Housewife ever” to celebrate International Women’s Day.
• We participated in the intellectual game that was called “What? When? Where?”.
• We also studied some old Russian traditions like burning a scarecrow at the beginning of Lent, which is a symbol of saying goodbye to winter and hello to spring.

• On the 5th of April, we celebrated the World Health Day.
• We got to know a lot about the history of the Ancient World and life of the primitive people.
• And right now, we are having a week devoted to English language and we are having lots of fun participating in different events connected with this language! Probably, next year you come we’ll speak a perfect English, though it is hard to study it sometimes

And we older kids, took part in the following events:

• On the 16th of January, we had an event that was called “I’m a future student”. We were told about different professions and about how it is important to choose the right one.
• We participated in a game that was called “How to Be Polite”. We were taught a polite way of behavior, and we liked it very much.

• On the 6th of February, we had a memorial day when we remembered and talked about people who died during the Great Patriotic War.
• On the 13th of February, we participated in the event that was called “Let’s talk about love” where we recited different beautiful romantic poems.
• From the 18th till 23d of February, we had a week devoted to the military-patriotic upbringing and this very week was extremely rich in various events:
• We got the military uniforms ready
• We participated in various sport competitions
• We chose the best commanders, orderlies and intelligence officers
• We walked in a line and we sang military songs
• We had a competition in paintings and drawings that was called “Let Spring Come”.

• On the 8th of March, boys made a party and presents for the girls
• We had a week devoted to natural science.
• We studied how to buy and pay for the goods in a store.

• We had a talk devoted to healthy life style.
• And now we are having a very exciting week devoted to English language study!!!!

Also we all want to tell you that we try our best to study good, that we’re healthy and happy, and that spring has come already!

And we also would like to thank you one more time for all the presents and letters!

We miss you!

(Masha L., Maksim L., Igor K., Sergey B., Sergey P., Lena M., Nastya P., Alyona U., Dima K., Dima S., Larisa Sh., Vika N., Vitya B., Nastya F., Nastya Ch., Katya K., Sveta S., Denis D., Roma M., Christina M., Anjela I., Sasha K.)

	A Message from the Vice Director

Hello, Dear American Friends!

First of all, we would like to tell you that, thank God, all the kids are healthy right now and we so grateful and happy for that!

Also as the school year is getting close to the end, we try to pay as much attention as we possibly can to their studies. And we give extra-curricular lessons in Math and Russian to the graduates.

Several wonderful events took place in our orphanage over the past few months! Children have already written about that but I would like to add that they contributed a lot to organizing all of them and without their help all of this wouldn’t simply happen. And besides I would like to thank all the caregivers and teachers who helped in organizing, supervising and leading all these events.

Also, right now the children are helping to make the area clean from the winter dirt and they work really hard.

This is it for now – we thank you one more time for everything you are doing for kids!

God Bless You and Your Families!

Elena Ivanovna Maltseva

	A Message from the Director

Hello Dear Friends!

Spring has come and school year is coming to an end. Right now we all are very busy in motivating kids to study well, because it’s one of the most important things in their life. If you don’t study, you’ll get nothing.

We work with graduates and give them extra-lessons in Math and Russian to get them ready for entering tech-schools.

I’m happy to tell you that 5 kids that arrived to our orphanage in December are doing well and they have already made good friends with all of the kids.

We had lots of events in our orphanage over the past few months, and I chose them to teach kids how to behave and be healthy. Those things are very important for them to think about.

I would like to thank you one more time very much for everything you are doing for kids, for all your care, letters and presents.

Georgiy Valentinovich

	A Message from the Discipler

Hello, Dear American Friends!

I would also like to thank you for everything you are doing for kids! They are so happy when they get letters from you! It’s a pity you can’t see their eyes at that moment!

I’m so happy that my children study well, and I would like to share with you the fact that last week we started to study English with younger kids and they are very good at it, especially Larisa Sh. She is just awesome!

I’m also happy that everybody is healthy. Thank God.

Also, I’m happy that Georgiy Valentinovich arranges so many exciting events for kids and teaches them the way a Father should teach.

All the kids say “Hi” and they can’t wait to see you again in November!

Thanks again for everything!

God Bless You and Your Families!

Alexandra Kungurtseva (discipler)

	Prayer Requests

• For children’s health
• For those who don’t have penpals to find them soon
• For the kids to have a wonderful school year
• For all the caregivers, the teachers and the director of the orphanage

	Photos

Dear friends, it’s time for a new update on our life at the orphanage. We are in the middle of the third term and it is the longest term of the year, so it is especially tough and challenging. We have two graduates this year, they are Nadya T., and Katya V. Aliosha K has already left the orphanage. We hope they can pull all their strength together for the exams and the enrollment procedures. Even though spring is technically here, it is still -20° out, but the good news is the sun is starting to feel warmer. Another piece of good news is that in May we are having an American team over for a short visit. We are very excited about making new friends and pen pals and about a possibility to spend time with some new and interesting people.

	Staff corner

Good time of day, dear friends. This year has been very hectic in terms of children’s placements into orphanages all over Kostroma region. We have gotten many new children and if you looked at our children now you would not recognize more than half. What’s more, every new child is more challenging than the previous one, but we are coping. During the winter break most of our children got a chance to go to a health resort in Moscow region and were very excited after. We have just celebrated the Day of the Defender of our Fatherland, which is a holiday celebrated by all men. Then there is International Women’s Day in March. May all of you be blessed with good fortune during this spring.

	Discipler’s corner

Dear friends, hello. This year my trips to the orphanage got down to 1 a month, so each visit has to be really intensive. Thankfully, there is a mobile library that goes to the local Chentsy library now, which gives me a ride sometimes, so I can spend more time with the kids each visit and not be limited by the bus schedule. We have been reading The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe book this year and discussing all the characters, their actions, and trying to make conclusions out of them that the kids can apply in their everyday lives. We have also been doing a lot of crafts, like St.Valentine cards, construction sets and many more. I know that the kids are very excited for the American team’s visit. It is about time they got a visit from across the pond.

	Prayer requests

Pray for the graduates’ wellbeing and will power, as well as them setting a good example for the rest of the orphanage. Pray for Lubov, the director as she faces new challenges every day. Pray for the rest of the children as they grow up and make the right choices.

	Photos

Hello dear friends,

How have you been this winter? Was it cold in America? This year it hasn’t been really cold so far. We have a lot of snow this time so it’s great fun to have snowball fights at the weekend. Sometimes we go to Kostroma to shop or to walk. It’s nice to go to the city for a change because Nikolskoye neighborhood looks really dull and dark in winter time. December was the darkest time weather wise but at the same it was the lightest time because we were blessed by the visit of our friends from Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Moscow and even Ukraine. They are volunteers from the youth club and that was the second time they came over the winter break to do a camp here. They stayed for about a week and we had so much fun together!  They organized really cool fieldtrips, we went to the cinema, enjoyed the movie and pop corn, we went ice skating and bowling. When there was no fun outing planned we stayed at the orphanage and cooked, watched movies, played games or just talked. The last night was special - we made a good bye dinner with candles and decorated the dining hall. Then we had a loud party! It was just like the time when you guys were leaving and threw a really great party for us and we did a show for you. We are missing you and the good time we had together! The New Year’s was a lot of fun too. We did a great show with dancing, singing and a really fun play. The play was called “The Poisoning of Father Frost”. It was hilarious with all the caregivers dressed up, chasing each other to action movie soundtracks. Father Frost was a good guy of course and he survived in the end otherwise we wouldn’t get our presets! The long and cold winter is almost over and we are looking forward to spring! What holidays do you have in spring? Do you celebrate Women’s Day on March 8? When do you have Easter this year? For us Easter is in May this year. Hope to hear from you soon! Miss you!

Best wishes,

Nikolskoye kids.

	Discipler’s Update

Hello my friends,

Last year during my Christmas visit I noticed that the kids like to make decorations for their bedrooms. Their beds and nightstands look identical so no wonder they want to decorate them in their own manner and express their personality. This time we made little Christmas trees which they could hang on the drawer knob. One more thing they enjoy a lot is St. Valentine’s Day and the Love mail. I came over a week before the holiday and we made fun Valentine cards. I’m very glad that within 18 months I’ve made many friends with the family kids as well. Thank you for your care and support. The kids love to receive your letters and especially pictures.

Sincerely yours,

Masha

	Caregiver’s Corner

Dear friends,

We hope you and your families are doing well. We wish you all the health and luck in this New Year! You have already heard how proud we are of our kids’ sport achievements. Not only are they athletic and competitive but artistic and talented. One of our students, Katia K. participated in the regional Talent Contest “Constellation” with the song “Orange Suspenders”. Thank you for all your help,

Nikolskoye staff

	Prayer Requests

• Kids’ health and behavior
• Caregivers’ time with the kids

	Photos

Hello friends! We would like to tell you about the news we have had over this last 5 months since we last wrote to you. In December all the kids went to the local military and patriotic club. We met the participants of this club, saw what they could do and learnt about this club a lot.

Some of us wanted to do the same work at the orphanage. Our new director is in charge of the similar club in our area so we thought they could help us. We liked this outing a lot.

Also, in December, a very big car factory in Kostroma invited us to come and see what they do there. So, we got to see the huge factory, met the people who worked there and saw the conditions of their work. As the result, some of the kids at our orphanage decided they wanted to enter a machinery trade school in Kostroma to become workers of this factory after graduation.

Oksana Z got to go to the governor’s Christmas party in Kostroma. There she was presented with keys for a new minibus! So, our orphanage got this wonderful gift from the governor of the region! And of course, Oksana had a wonderful time at the celebration.

Ruslan M was an active participant in the regional competitions of mini-soccer. He loves this game and plays a lot.

Edik V and Lyonya M took part in city badminton competitions. Edik took the second prize in his age group.

In December we also got to visit Velikiy Ustug – it is a town museum where Father Frost lives. Well, at least little kids believe so. But we all liked the trip. We got to meet a lot of heroes from fairy tales, tried some traditional Russian food, played traditional Russian games and sledged a lot!

During winter holidays, we got to do a lot of winter sports with our coach Vadim. We skated and skied in our city park. We competed a lot in winter sports.

In February and March we celebrated Defender’s Day and Women’s Day. For the Defender’s Day we had a big gathering at the orphanage. We invited all the military and patriotic clubs from Sharia. We also invited the mayor of the city, military officers, police people and priests. We all got to see real guns and were able to disassemble them and put them back! We learnt a lot about how real men should protect their land and their families. We also did a performance for the guests and had tea together.

For Women’s Day we had a concert for the caregivers and teachers at the orphanage.
Now, it is spring, school will be over in a month or so. Time is really flying and we are already looking forward to the summer.

How have you been? Write to us, we are always happy to hear from you!

Kids at Sharia.

	Caregiver’s corner

Dear Jerry and all our friends! We miss you a lot. How are you and how are your families? You know that we have a new director at the orphanage. I think I told you about that in my last letter to you. So, things are going well. The kids like him and he tries to find a way with all of them. We had a very eventful winter this year. The kids, for example, went to see dolphins in the city of Yaroslavl. They all loved it. We try to open the doors for the local community. That’s why we try to organize a lot of events and invite the public – schools, police, local social shelter, Church. We think it helps the people learn about the life of the orphanage, and feel that it is their kids and help the orphanage in the way they can. We think we have been successful in this. We also try to show how talented our kids can be. For example, they took part in the Arts and Crafts Christmas competition. Kristina P, Vlad G., and Oksana Z made some really nice crafts.

We hope to see you soon!

Galina Nikolaievna.

	Discipler’s corner

Dear friends! As you have read, the kids were very busy during the winter. We had an interesting lesson with younger kids dedicated to the life of Saint Nikolas. Very few kids know that this is where Santa Claus came from. So, we talked a lot about his life and why he was so famous and why people still remember him. We talked about his love for ordinary people, his desire to do good in secret and how humble he was. Of course, on Christmas we had a big performance. We always try to have a big celebration of Christmas at the orphanage. You all know that New Year is a big thing in Russia and Christmas is overshadowed by it. But we try to point out this holiday, to share the meaning of Christmas for all the kids. We also try to organize a meeting with the priest. For example in January, Father Dmitriy came to the orphanage and talked about obedience with the kids. For us it is not only a way to educate the kids, to bring them up, but to show that the Church teaches them the same values that we do. We want them to know that the Church is an open house where they can go and get help. Or just come.

Thank you for those who write, the kids are always excited to hear from you.

	Prayer requests

• Kids’ health
• Finals at school
• Staff at the orphanage

	Photos

We hope that this report will find you in good health and with the hand of the Lord upon you. We are very much pleased to inform you that this month has successfully come to an end. God has been so gracious to us and because of His grace we have been able to achieve our intended objectives. We therefore want to thank the Lord for His grace and mercies that are new every morning.

	PROGRESS OF THE REPORT

We would like to report to you with much gratitude that we were able to engage guardians together with the children in clearing the CarePoint compound. With the CarePoint being busy as a result of ongoing programming, debris around the CarePoint had become hazardous for children to play around. We are indeed very humbled by the cooperation exhibited by the guardians and we do appreciate them for their effort.

The CarePoint compound after it was cleared by the guardians and children.

We made it a point to set a side some time to specifically speak to the children on matters pertaining to discipline and good behavior. It is our responsibility as people who have been entrusted with these children to ensure that they are well guided and shaped. We strongly believe that behavior is learned and so, we do not want to take the chance that our children could learn behavior that is not acceptable in the society. Among the issues that were discussed were the need to be children who are God fearing, have respect for elders and other children, know and appreciate their background, and the importance of staying in school so as to have a bright future. We thank God that this kind of talk has indeed yielded fruit since it is evident that the behavior of the children has changed positively.

Children seated outside and attentively listening to the advice during a guiding session.

	CORRESPONDENCE

During the course of the month, we were privileged to receive 35 letters from sponsors. We encouraged the children that received letters to read through them and write responses. Not all of the children were able to respond to the letters since these letters did not come in at once but we are making every effort to ensure that they children write a reply.

	FEEDING PROGRAM

We would like to report to you that we have continued with the feeding program this month and it has gone on well with all children at the Care Point receiving enough food every discipleship day. Though feeding is only one element our program, we make every effort to ensure that the children are well looked after, fed on a balanced diet consisting mainly of posho (corn) and well prepared and spiced beans. This combination is good for the body and as a result, many of the children look very healthy and energetic.

Children having breakfast at the Care Point

	EDUCATION

We are very committed to seeing our children stay in school and to that effect, we were able to pay school fees for all of the children in the sponsorship program, both in primary and secondary school. We thank the sponsors for availing the funds to facilitate this. Children are in school and are halfway through the term. Many schools are already preparing the children for end of term examinations that will start next month. We pray that God gives all the children wisdom and also sustain them especially during their preparation.

	HEALTH

I am overwhelmingly pleased to report to you that children have generally been healthy and we want in a special way to thank God for the good health He has granted to the children. The good health of the children can largely be attributed to effort being made by the staff. What has also been beneficial is the continual education on good health practices like washing hand before and after eating, after using the toilet, washing fruits and taking good care of their bodies. We are very happy because this is beginning to yield fruit.

	DISCIPLESHIP

Text: John 1:14, 6:16-21, Mark 1:19-20

Memory Verse:

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31

Lessons Learned:

• That Jesus is the Messiah
• And that He is the giver of life
• Topic: Paul Writes to His Friend

Text: 1Cor. 1:10-12, 3:1-4, 2Cor. 11:24-27

Memory Verse:

“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Tim 3:16

Lessons Learned:

• Paul was active in serving God.
• He was guided by God.

Text: Luke 17:11-19

Aim: To lead the children to thank God for all the good things He gives them.

Memory Verse:

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. Psalm 138:1

Lessons Learned:

• Jesus healed the ten people suffering from Leprosy.
• Only one man thanked Jesus for healing him.
• Jesus has love and compassion for His people.

	CONCLUSION

We would like to thank everyone for the tremendous support offered to us during the month and we look forward to the same in the coming month. We pray that the Lord who has brought us this far helps us to accomplish the tasks that lye a head of us and make the following month a fruitful one.

Greetings from Kaberamaido CarePoint. We are grateful to God for the work He enabled us do this month. We also appreciate all the people who gave us support this month.

	Feeding

There has been a continuous feeding program as before taking place daily at the CarePoint. The children’s health has improved due to good nutrition. Our children look very healthy now. In addition to a to a good diet, vitamins are still being used daily.

	Health

The health of the children has been good though we had few cases of sickness. One child named Abote Everline was sick and we rushed her to joint clinic in Soroti where she was treated. She has since recovered and is now back at school.

	Education

The CarePoint children are able to go to school and are progressing well. The children have shown great interest in studies and most of them are now very eager to learn. The CarePoint purchased material for primary children and the contractors are making uniforms for them. Uniforms will be distributed at the end of the month. School fees were paid for all of the children in secondary and technical schools.

	Correspondence

Nineteen children received letters from their sponsors. They were very grateful to get the word of hope and blessings from their sponsors. They are responding to the letters and will be sent soon.

	Discipleship

Text: Genesis 27

Lessons Learned

• Children should speak the truth always and not lie to their parents

Text: Ephesians 6:1-2

Lessons Learned

• Children learned to respect their parents and elders

	Community work

The children helped an old woman in need near the CarePoint to fetch water and clean round her house.

	Conclusion

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation and love to all the people who stood by us to make this month end successfully. Special thanks go to the entire family of Children’s HopeChest Uganda.

	Games and sports

The children enjoyed sports as an activity even with the colder weather due to rains. This month they played games like football (soccer), netball, rope skipping and many other games they like as children.

	Home visits

Home visits were done as an activity through the CarePoint to better understand the background of children, how he or she lives and with whom, and the general behavior in the family. Home visits have helped us to identify the challenges in the home or possible forms of abuses faced by the children. Visits were also made to those who could be sick as a way of showing love and extend support where necessary. Medical attention is one such way of showing support.  This month we visited most families and their guardians/parents were so glad when we talked to them during the visit.

	Health

The health of the children was monitored and we had a few cases of malaria. However, they were attended to and are now all okay and back to school.

	Food Program

The provision of food at the CarePoint is taken seriously as the access to food is one of the fundamentals for life and physical growth. The Children’s HopeChest Uganda office bought food for children to eat during meal times at the CarePoint and we found for some children it is the best meal they will have. This has helped them to grow physically and mentally since they are able to have a balanced diet to pray and study well.

	Education

Children attending school are doing well. They received scholastic materials such as books and pens. Eleventh grade students received support of registration fees and were so happy. They promised to do well and achieve good grades.

	Discipleship

There was continuous discipleship at the CarePoint and this has improved the spiritual growth of the children. They can sing and dance, talk of the goodness of God and some can memorize scriptures.

Children in discipleship class

	Discipleship Lessons

Text: Colossians 2:23

Lessons learned

• Children should be good helpers and follow the example of Stephen
• It is good to be good workers of God
• Children should help elders, parents and guardians

Text: Galatians 6:10

Lessons learned

• Children were encouraged to be good helpers
• A good helper does not work for man but for God
• Children should work hard at home and school

Topic: God Answers the Prayers of Believers

Text: Ephesians 3:20

Lessons learned

• It is good to speak to God because He is our heavenly father
• Children learned that they all belong to God
• God is a faithful father who answers our prayers
• Prayer does wonderful things in the lives of Christians

Discipleship went on smoothly and the children were truly blessed.

	Nabukalu Church

The church is developing and moving on well and we thank God for that. The church has been a blessing to the community and God is working in the lives of the people in a unique way. There has been help providing jobs for people and this made them know that surely God cares for them.

There was a powerful overnight prayer meetings organized by the Church. Many people were delivered and healed.

• The number is growing but on average it is between 60 -80 members including children.

• Sunday service
• Mid-week fellowships
• Overnight prayer meetings
• Prayer and Fasting

	Conclusion

We give God glory for His Grace that carried through us through this month.

Greetings from the children and the community of Ngariam. They are doing well and thank God for His mercies that are new every morning. This was yet another beautiful month that was so paramount in the lives of the children

	Education

Children’s HopeChest has done a lot in the field of education this year for the children in Ngariam. A majority of these children are in different schools in and around Katakwi district. CHC Uganda made sure that before the month ends, all school fees issues for children that are not able to afford them would be sorted out so that the children and the schools could plan accordingly.

It was another beautiful moment when the social worker took route to Moroto district for a school visit. The children were so happy to receive the social worker in their school. It was a surprise to them since they did not expect it. Their studies are ongoing and they give thanks to CHC for being behind them and enable them to be at school. There are some children outside Katakwi and this necessitates continuous visits to ascertain how their health is and how they are doing in school.

Okojoi, Emuro John (center) and Otedor Ivan at their school (Kapwuat Primary School)

Ngariam CarePoint also conducted discipler recruitment. The recruitment is for Ngariam corner and Obule-Ajet centres and the positions to be filled by energetic and resourceful individuals

An applicant during an interview in Ngariam

On Saturday 16 March 2013, what was termed a super CarePoint day was held. This called for all the CHC Uganda staff to be present to help with a number of activities organized for the day.

The ceremony brought children from all the three centers of Acanga, Ngariam Corner and Obule-Ajet to share their experience and love as one CarePoint in Obule-Ajet.

Obule-Ajet was chosen because it is in the middle of Ngariam Corner and Acanga. It was the first time that the children from all three centers came together as one to share what was prepared for them.

The children listening to the CHC staff member during the super CarePoint day

The children were involved in various activities ranging from playing, discipleship, dancing and sharing stories and a meal as a family. The CHC Uganda administration allotted some funds to see to it that the children enjoyed their day.

The guardians were also meeting together as members of one CarePoint and this was so special since they shared and interacted to their fullest.

The children leaned a number of lessons organized by the CHC staff and administration to grace the day. It was observed that all the children in the sponsorship program should have an opportunity to meet one another in a year to interact and share their experiences. Thirty-two children gave their lives to Christ!

The CarePoint trees growing at Obule-Ajet CarePoint

We are happy to report that our plantation of both citrus trees and hard wood is doing well. There is a high chance that this year will be great as compared to last year. The new rains have started coming back and this is an assurance that they will not die off.

We have a plan to plant more citrus trees this year so that in a few years we shall be eating from our own garden. This will be implemented in all three centers of Acanga, Obule-Ajet and Ngariam Corner. The flower project around the CarePoint in Ngariam Corner is going on and half of the CarePoint was covered last year.

	Feeding program

The feeding program has continued through the month. The CarePoints were able to include tomatoes, onions, cabbages, salt, meat and many other things to the diet.

Children having lunch at the CarePoint

This food has made an impact in the lives of the children. The children are happy to always get a balanced diet at the CarePoint. This is encouraging them to attend discipleship regularly.

	Health

Children taking water after protecting the well

We are glad to report to that our children have been healthy throughout the month. The rate at which children fall sick has reduced and we pray that God will continue shinning on the faces of these children. We credit this drop in illness to the distribution of mosquito nets and sponge mattresses, which were given to the children. This has really kept the children from falling sick of malaria and they continue to protect the children.

The CarePoint was able to fix and protect the water well in Obule-Ajet from animals that keep loitering and making the well untidy. This was done with the supervision of the Disciplers. This in a way is a lesson to the children to do the same back at home, keeping hygiene and sanitation.

	Discipleship

We cannot forget God in whatever we do in our everyday life. We continue nurturing the children with the Word of God to have them grow in the direction of God, having faith, hope and love in their lives.

During the month, the Disciplers taught the children some lessons that include the following.

Jesus is kind to a widow, Luke 7:11-17.  To encourage children to honor Jesus because of His great power and love and to want to be like Him in showing kindness and mercy to needy people.

Children of this age admire those who have power and courage. They need to see Christ as the one who is worthy of their admiration and respect because of His great power and kind compassionate acts. In this lesson, they saw how Jesus felt pity for a widow in the small town of Nain and how He used His great power to bring her son back to life. We want the children to have the desire to be kind to the needy just as Jesus was.

• This helps the children to think about how they use their strength
• Shows Jesus using His power to help a widow
• Leads the children to think how they can show kindness as Jesus did

Jesus’ way for Himself and us, John 2:13-25. To encourage the children to want to be courageous like Jesus in taking the right action when they see someone cheating.

It is difficult for the children and adults to take action to stop the wrong doing of others. They may know that the behavior is wrong. However, if it does not hurt them personally, they would rather ignore it and not get involved, perhaps because of fear and a desire to fit in with the crowd. In this story, the children will saw that, though Jesus was kind and gentle, He is also courageous in stopping wrong actions.

Memory verse: ‘’ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11

• Helps the children to think about how hard it is to speak out when others are doing wrong
• Tells what Jesus did when He saw people dishonoring God’s house
• Helps the children to think of how they can be like Jesus

Jesus walks on water, Mathew 14:22-33. To encourage the children see Jesus’ power over His creation and to look to Him with trust and confidence when they face fear as Peter did.

Children have many fears based on their experience and what they have heard. In this lesson, they saw that Jesus is all-powerful and completely worthy in taking care of them in all life situations just as He took care of Peter.

Memory verse: ‘’When I am afraid, O Lord Almighty, I put my trust in you’’ Psalm 56:3

	Recreational activities conducted

Children playing Socrates game at the CarePoint

Children in Ngariam participate in various games at the CarePoint. They mostly play football (soccer), volleyball, Socrates and rope games to enable them to improve their talents.  This month, the children had a competition during the super CarePoint day whereby the team in Acanga met a combined one from Ngariam Corner and Obule-Ajet centers. Acanga as beaten 2:1. There is however, need to put more games at the CarePoint to make it attractive and interesting for the children.

Children playing Tennis at the CarePoint

	Correspondence

In the month of March, the Ngariam CarePoint received 38 letters from the sponsor community. Reply letters will be written and sent soon to keep the communication continuing.

	Life saving skills

During the month, the children have been getting lessons from the CarePoint before and after discipleship. This month, they discussed keeping themselves clean. This is important with the rains beginning to come back and is of great help to the children to keep them healthy.

	Challenges during the month

Bad weather conditions due to rains, which have returned. They continue to be a challenge since the roads are very slippery to travel on.

	Conclusion

The month of March has been a successful month. We thank God for his grace and provision.