We first met Dr. / Pastor Juventine and Elizabeth almost a decade ago on our first trip to Uganda. We were challenged by their example of leaving the city and forsaking a thriving medical practice to relocate to the “bush” to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of those living in Midigo (95% Muslim community). After 12 years of faithful ministry in Midigo that began under a mango tree, they turned over the church, school, and hospital to the hands of other capable servants to lead. They moved several years ago to the town of Soroti to start a new work (about 7 hour drive from Midigo in Eastern Uganda).
Soroti School of Ministry
Last month we spent time in Soroti and were blown away to see how in just a few short years the Lord has built a new hospital, School of Ministry and a thriving community of believers that now call Calvary Chapel Soroti home.
Bond had the privilege of teaching at the CC School of Ministry that currently has 16 students that are being trained for full-time ministry. It was a joyful reunion with 8 of the students that are currently enrolled as they had attended Discipleship Training classes in previous years when we were 
in Midigo. It was amazing to see how the Lord stirred in their hearts a love for the Word of God so much so that they set aside their lives, jobs, plans and even left family to come and be trained at the CC School of Ministry in Soroti. It was an intense few weeks as Bond taught full days in order to teach through the books of Daniel and Revelation.
Heather was able to spend some time with Laura who is the only female student this year at the school. Laura shared how she felt called to be a “missionary” but wasn’t sure what that would look like in the future. We were able to meet one on one and talk about women in ministry, the gifts and talents God has blessed her with, dream about the possibilities for the future and pray that God would lead her after graduation.
Sending Sunday – What We Stand For
On August 12th, CC Soroti hosted a Sending Sunday to commission 2 men and pray for them as they were being sent out to plant new churches. Pastor Juventine opened the service by welcoming everyone and sharing “Preach the Gospel, plant churches, that is what we stand for.” The elders laid hands on Abraham and Richard and their families to pray blessings before an outreach team descended on each of their villages. It was exciting to witness two of the School of Ministry graduates from last year going out to start new churches. Bond had the honor of sharing the Sunday morning message from the Word on that Sending Sunday. Please continue to pray for Pastor Juventine and Elizabeth, the graduates and current School of Ministry students to fulfill the vision to preach the Gospel and plant churches in Uganda.
Closing Out Summer
As summer came to a close this past month, Breanna got in her last swim of the season with her friends in Soroti. As a new season begins, we were reminded that Galatians 6:9 says “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Your prayers and support have made it possible to continue to run this race and not grow weary as we hear you cheering us on from across the ocean! We want to thank you for making it possible for our family to invest in those who have set aside their lives to learn the Word in Uganda.
With Love,
Bond, Heather and Breanna Gaona
