The Vision Expands in Uganda

I'm overwhelmed with gladness of God's mercy and grace. With each day that passes He pours out more and more of His blessings on this mission trip. You cannot read about what's been transpiring and not see His hand in it, it's just impossible. The glasses are coming in at an alarming rate, as well as toothbrushes and other needed supplies. The lessons that I'm learning are unmatchable anywhere else. When we are called by God and He instills a vision for His glory, He always makes a way for it to be completed no matter how impossible it may seem to us, His ways are far greater than our own understanding. Each day that passes, each new person added to the project, each new donation that arrives is all orchestrated by Him. I am in awe!
Today the screening in Tororo reached to the main village and pastor Ruth sent this message of hope and inspiration, dedication and love for those less fortunate. Dr. Ben Bwonya is a true man of God, who knows no boundries for showing his compassion and love for Uganda. I am honored to work with them both and Thank God for them daily.

My Dear sister Denise,
Today, we did the screening for the local community, the people kept time and by 8:00am we had over 100 people.Dr.Ben and the team did a great job. He will be sending you details. Thankyou so much for introducing Dr.Ben to Smile Africa, he has displayed a commitment that shows that he is not just a doctor, but a person with a heart for God's people.When he came today for the screening excercise, he brought his wife along, she was heavily pregnant and he had sensed signs of labour pain. After starting off the screening excercise,he then told me that he was taking his wife to a hospital in town for check up, she was retained in hospital and Dr.Ben came back and attended to the screening excercise while monitoring the situation of his wife by phone.By 5:00pm when they concluded the excercise, he told me he was going to check on his wife and would keep me informed of her condition.about two hours later he sent me a text message that God has blessed them with a beautiful daughter.I thanked God for the blessing of safe delivery and for enabling him meet the appointment with the local community.Isn't God so awesome?.

At the same time, i talked with Dr.Ben about the sick child, i explained to him the situation of getting a specialist to examine the child.All of a sudden he said "yes, i know of a Urologist who comes to Mbale once a week over the week end",he then dialled the number and talked with the specialist, he got an appointment for me to take the child this saturday.I am so thankful to God for making it easy for us to reach a knowledgeable person that is so close and i believe he will be able to guide us and i trust that God will put in place the rest that is needed for this child to get help. We have the money to make it to mbale as well as any minor expenses that may arise.Thankyou all of you for praying for this child and the work of God world wide.

I will be sending the pictures of the screening excercise of today.

Your sister in Christ,

Ruth

Medical Treatment Needed

I received an email from Pastor Ruth asking for prayer and help for this child. Her mother brought the baby to Pastor Ruth and told her that something wrong and that she was not able to take care of it. The baby is about 3 years old and has some type of infection, hernia or growth or all of the above in the groin area. These pictures are graphic and not for the faint of heart. I only post them to show the gravity of this issue. I sent a message and contacted Dr. Vikram to see if his team in Bumwalukani can help. He and his team are researching the possible cause and treatment. In the meantime, the mother has no way to pay for the baby's treatment or transportation to the hospital. This is a serious matter. Please take a moment and pray about helping this mother and her baby. I know that financially we are all in a bind (myself included), but when it comes to the life of a child I believe that there is somewhere in our own budget of latte's, pedicures, etc. that we can sacrifice for a day, for this baby.
If you can please go to Heart of God in Uganda and make a donation, or send a check to Heart of God in Uganda. P.O. Box 248. Willard, Ohio 44890 Please specify medical treatment for baby. All donations are tax deductible.

Vision Screening Begins

The vision screening process has begun and I can't tell you the joy that it brings to my heart. The tears of joy ran down my face as I looked at each of these photos. I pray that God would shower His blessings on Dr. Bwonya and his assistants for their sacrificial giving of time and expertise to this project and the children at Smile Africa Ministries. I pray the same blessings for Pastor Ruth Kahawa who gives so much of herself to these children. I confess to God for the sin in my heart as I take so much for granted that He gives to me each day. I am thankful that He has allowed me to be a part of something that has been directed by Him since day one. Thank you to all of you that are praying for this project, donating to the cause that God has ordained. May you be blessed as well. Pray for the facility that will allow us to read the prescription glasses before we leave, and that each one of the children that have a need will be matched up perfectly.



A word from Pastor Ruth Kahawa:

sister Denise,

I am so excited about what is going on, today we had the first screening excercise, you will see Dr.Ben and the other two volunteers who came with him and the children they screened, they will come again on wednesday.other children waited in the class rooms, we are using part of the clinic for classes because of the rains.
the Lord is good all the time.

your sister in Christ,

ruth

Vision Project Uganda

The time is nearly here for our trip to Uganda. There are so many things that have transpired and it only makes sense to get them written down before they are a mere memory. God has allowed me the opportunity to start a vision project in the midst of a very trying time in my life. As He set these wheels in motion I couldn't help but realize he was telling me to take my eyes off myself, not to let my mind stray and to focus on Him, and in doing so all other things will fall into place.
As I sat and looked at the faces of these children and wondered how my circumstance would affect my trip, I couldn't help but notice that not one of them was wearing a pair of glasses. "Could it be because they all have perfect eyesight?" I wondered. I hardly think so. And so the seed was planted. In a very short time there were people all over the United States asking to be involved in collecting glasses for the children. As I sat in awe and terror if I'm to be totally honest, I wondered how on earth I would match up these glasses to those in need, after all I am not a doctor and have no degree in such matters.
It was the next morning that I got an email from Dr. Vikram and another from Dr. Ben Bwonya telling me that they had heard of the project and were very interesting in joining the efforts. God had once again opened the doors to fullfill His purpose in this project.
Pastor Ruth Kahawa has informed us that they will be inviting government officials to flag off the vision project ceremony. How exciting to be a part of such a wonderful outpouring of Gods provisions.
This week marks the week that screening will begin for the children at Smile Africa Ministries. Photos will be coming shortly to witness this event as it transpires.
The outpouring of love and compassion for this project is overwhelming. There are approx. 250 pair of glasses at this time with 2 weeks left. We have also been collecting toothbrushes, our original plan, and have collected over 1000 of them!
We had a huge rummage sale this past weekend and were able to reach our goal and keep up with the ever increasing budget before us.
As for the devastion that came to my life, Gods promise is always present and life is back on track. All around circumstances are working out for His glory.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Can Joy Be Found In The Midst Of Suffering?

Our trip to Uganda is fast approaching. With so many details to be completed it almost seems impossible that it can be done, yet there is a sense of peace knowing that God has this all under control.
Our economy is in a state of dispair to put it mildly. Many run to and fro each day with worry and fear wondering if their jobs are secure, if bills will be paid, if they'll have enough food on their tables. If only life in Uganda were so blessed. Yes, I said blessed. For most fathers and mothers in Uganda there is no choice of what to feed the children, whether to eat at home or run through McDonalds..no this is not the question, but rather their dilemma is which child gets fed when and if they have food. This is not a sudden crisis but a way of life. One that needs to change drastically.
Every 3 seconds a child dies from lack of food, clean water and fatal diseases. I can't help but wonder in the midst of all their pain and suffering, with the lack of daily food and hunger if they can or do experience joy.
I can't help but think that God reveals to them His glory each day, His hope for a better life.
Recently Riverside Christian School in Riverside California held a "Flip Flop" fundraiser for the children of Uganda. When those shoes arrived to these precious children they sang, they danced, and they praised God. My heart was overjoyed, and filled with emotion as the photos arrived depicting this very scene. There in the midst of their hunger, and suffering was joy! Not because they had food, or bills were paid, or they had a job, no, this like I said is a way of life that they struggle to deal with daily. Joy was found over a simple but much needed pair of shoes.
I can not wait for the day when we step off the plane and see with eyes wide open what true joy is in the eyes of these beloved children. The planning stages are underway on determining simple but effective ways we can minister to not only the children, but the widows and families that are awaiting our arrival.
I am praying that God would minister to our hearts in this area. That He would show us His Will and that we would use the resources He provides wisely, and that His love would overflow into the lives of each living soul we meet.
One attainable goal is to bring toothbrushes and toothpaste for the orphans. We'd like to get a copy of the "Good News" childrens Bible into the hands of each child. We hope to have evangelistic outreaches for the women and children. We will be helping to treat wounds and feed the hungry. We need people like you to come along side us and offer what ever resources you can to help make it happen.
If you would like to assist in our efforts or need more information please visit our website or contact us directly.
In His Mighty Grip,
Denise Matthews
Heart of God in Uganda

So much has transpired since my last message that I decided I'd better get on here and catch you all up!

God has led our efforts at Heart of God International to help the children of Uganda in an unexpected, but exciting and challenging new area this year. Through a dear sister in Christ, Verda Reeves , we were directed to a group of children in Tororo and Bunambutye Uganda. The needs of these children are great, as is most of third world countries as we know them. In particular are the Karomojong tribe of Tororo. This group of people are said to be the lowest in society, an outcast even of their own native country. Life for these children is so appalling that it's hard to hear how they must survive. Many are forced to eat from garbage, or will fight over dead rodents only to fall ill and die from the rotten food. Lord, no child should ever have to eat like that, but the fact remains that they do.

Patsy Morgan a sister in Christ has been helping to serve these children along with Pastor Ruth in Tororo Uganda. Patsy has been sending us updates on the children and specifics on the needs to be met.

This past month we ran a flip-flop fundraiser for the children of Tororo. With the partnership of Riverside Christian School and the amazing hearts of the attending fourth and fifth grade students we were able to collect 196 new pair of shoes. My husband Mark and I gave a presentation and a message on giving to the students, staff and several parents during chapel. During this presentation photos were shown and a story given of just how difficult it is for these Tororo children to survive each day. Many gasps were heard as photo after photo was shown of these children bathing at school in a large basin, if they were lucky enough to make it to school, it's the only bath they ever get. Children eating beans and posho during lunch, the only meal they eat each day. Young children carrying their infant siblings for miles on their backs so they can go to school, some not older than 5! No running water in their homes, no food on their tables, no t.v., no toys, no mother or father.

At the end of the presentation the principal came forward to thank us for allowing his students to participate in such a meaningful fundraiser. He mentioned that one of the parents was so moved by the presentation that she drove home and came back with 200 more pair of flip flops!

The principal again surprised us with a generous cash donation for the children of Tororo. I cannot tell you how much my heart just swelled with gratitude.

I don't know why I'm always so amazed by what God does and how He accomplishes his desires.

The next step in this fundraiser is to get all those boxes of shoes shipped to Tororo. Two boxes are on their way and will hopefully arrive before Christmas. If you'd like to help get the other boxes shipped as quickly as possible, please visit the website where you can make a donation, any amount is helpful.