education

Permanent housing for our kiddos:  We’ve had a lot of challenges since starting and each and every one has come with its unique, inspiring, wonderful solution. Our current biggest push is to build beautiful housing for our dear kiddos. The next building is really coming along—built a lot by prayers, making our own bricks, donations of cement, sand, aggregate rock and other materials from friends and people in the area. We are hoping to build 4 such buildings so please do pray with us for the Lord’s miraculous continued supply. Read more about June Updates from Gulu

For those of you who pray, we have a group of armed gunmen who have been roaming our area robbing people. There are only 3 places of development within a very large area--Father John's mission, the Health center 4 and us. Thanks for praying for our protection. We're changing from a bow-and-arrow guard to one with a gun, but the Bible says "Unless the Lord watches the house, the watchman stays awake in vain" so thanks for praying for the safety of our project and our beautiful kids and staff. Thanks! Read more about Please Pray for Protection!

As you know, many of the children we have are children of child soldiers, who were abducted from their schools (just as the dear Nigerian girls were recently). A large number of these children grew, were forced to become soldiers, had babies (our students) and then were killed. However, some survived. I was sitting with Michael under the tree the day most students started to return to school, when one of our mommies of a long-term student waved to us, giving us a very warm, heart-felt smile. Michael explained later that she’d been a notorious commander in the LRA! Read more about Learning to Forgive

In a previous update, I mentioned that Mike and I had seen a couple kiddos helping carry water with the ladies we employ. We interviewed them, while they were covered in mud learning they are orphans, that their names are Fiona and Scovia, and we readily accepted them into our school. Well, they’ve now joined, we’ll get their uniforms shortly and these photos are just a couple days after they came to be with us. Read more about Rescuing Child Workers

The children are all now back and Term 2 has just began. You can see the boys here slashing the grass at dawn, (when it’s easiest) as rainy season has begun. It rains mostly at night while days are hot and sunny—a perfect mix when the grass is so rich and green, yet the day is conducive to studies, work on the farm and play. Please pray with us against snake bites and malaria as both are now kicking in at this time of the year. Michael was working in the farm last Wednesday and fell and fainted. Read more about Snakes and Malaria

Values in Education is rocking out! Check out their 2013 Video Promo to get a glimpse of the impact they are having on the lives of thousands of Indian children! A big thank you to all of our donors who have helped us sponsor the Values in Education by donating to this project over the past year. You are making a difference! http://youtu.be/TzbWDWRzdf0 Read more about Check out their 2013 Video Update

I just returned from a 3 week furlough in Australia. A dear friend shocked me by sending a free ticket to visit my family and friends in Aussie! Can you imagine??! It was the most brilliant 3 weeks holiday ever! I had a real break, and wonderful time to reconnect with friends and family in Australia. Read more about Spring Break!

We have been so busy during the school holidays building before the children return. Our current project is to build 4 new dorm rooms. In the first picture above, you can see the completed foundations. Our surrounding community have been coming over asking if we would be building again this year. They are thrilled to help with any job, to raise school fees and bring income to their sparse existence. Read more about Four New Dorms and a Kitchen, Coming Right Up! | Activated Ministries

Many, many thanks to Activated Ministries for helping to make 2013 another successful year as well as my trip to India all possible, sponsoring 22 libraries and administration cost to manage the expenses, pay for travel, invest in development and outreach. Despite setbacks and geographical changes, 2013 poses to be one of VIE’s best years yet, with the efforts continuing on through the first few months of 2014. Our target reach for the 22 libraries sponsored continues to stand at more than 5,000 children, which will bring our total documented stats to 20,000 children. Exciting! Read more about Activated Ministries Sponsors 22 Values Libraries for 5000 Indian Children

Since we normally focus on the children and progress made at the Project Gulu School, we thought to take a look behind the scenes and introduce you to the team that makes it all possible -- our Project Gulu School teaching staff. Lately, we have been able to spend some quality time with everyone on our teaching staff discussing progress and the overall program. The Project Gulu School is truly made possible thanks to each of our teacher's dedication to the job, as well as their skill and care for the children.   Read more about Meet Our Project Gulu Teaching Team | Activated Ministries