Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Dear Friends and Family,

Living on the equator we have unique times and seasons throughout the year.  For instance we have pretty much 12 hours of dark 12 hours of light all year it varies only by minutes.  Our summer is not much different then our winter.  It is hotter and drier but only by about 10 to 15 degrees.  Our summer or hot season takes place during America’s winter.  It is during this time of year that the children of Uganda, as well as mine, have their school year break. 

At Arise Christian Fellowship we try to provide more opportunities for fellowship and teaching during the summer holiday.  Many of the children go to boarding school and this is the only time of year they are able to be a part of youth activities at church.

We had a kids day at church for the younger kids, 12 and under.  Though as usual we did have quite a few teenagers show up to be part of the fun as well.  My women’s bible study joined together with the Sunday school teachers to teach and put on a couple of skits.  Our Theme was Gods Gift to us Our gift to others.  We shared about the gift of creation and how God reveals Himself to us through it.  The kids played  games and the winners were given little animal toys as a prize.  They learned the story of the good Samaritan and the teachers put on a skit showing how we are supposed to love others like God loves us. 

I ended the teachings with the greatest gift God could give us, salvation through Jesus and forgiveness of sins. After the teaching we asked if there was anyone who wanted to receive that gift and if there were those who wanted to pray for others the wished would receive that gift.  It  was a really sweet time praying for and with the children.  After all the teachings were over we had more games and coloring pages and we shared a meal together.

The older kids also had many activities to keep them busy and focused on Jesus during the summer holiday.  The first thing they all did was to drive 10 hours North to the border of South Sudan.  Calvary chapel Cush was hosting a youth conference with Arise ont the Uganda side of the border in a town called Bbibia.  Many churches from around the area joined in with their youth as well.  Our youth enjoyed participating in reaching teaching and participating in the activities as well as also being able to serve through worship and cleaning up after meals. Some testified at church when they returned about how the trip helped to deepen their friendship, strengthen their faith in God and learned that ministry involves hard work.

It is hard to maintain an older kid youth group since most of them go to boarding school.  After the conference everyone was gung ho to try and make it work.  We came up with the plan to meet every Saturday during holidays and twice a month when school is in.  Our Youth leader, Timothy, is calling the youth group RES, rooted, equipped, serve.  They have been blessed with many youth coming, way more than went to the conference. What we have found so beneficial and productive is the question and answer time.  The youth really want to know the word of God and what it means.

The last Sunday before school went back we called the teenagers in service forward. The pastors shared some words of encouragement with them and prayed for them.  We also were able to give some basic school supplies to them to help them get stared for the year.  We pray that they hold on to all they have learned during this holiday and the faith they have developed will continue to grow as they return to school and the challenges that will come.

Thank you for praying for our family and for the ministry in Uganda.

In Him,

Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We are so thankful  for all of you who pray and support the ministry here in Uganda.
• Pray for the children and youth as they return to school, many to boarding school.  Pray for them to be strong in their faith an protected from sickness and evil.
• Pray the new youth group would continue strongly even though school has resumed.
• Pray for all the teachers of youth at Arise to find way to reach and encourage the youth who have gone to boarding school.
• Pray for  Jill and the Kanyike children as they begin a new year of homeschooling. Pray for their finances as the big kids schooling is becoming more expensive as Luke has started highschool.
• Pray for the Kanyike family as they continue to serve the Lord in Uganda. Pray for their spiritual life as well as their physical needs.
• Pray for Brian as he  pastors and leads the ministry team at Arise Christian Fellowship.
• Please prayerfully consider becoming part of the Kanyike Family support team.