Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. —Isaiah 26:20
Dear Friends and Family:
“Its not about convenience, its about survival”
This has been a quote we have heard often over the last couple of weeks from President Museveni, the president of Uganda. As I write this the country has been in lockdown for almost 2 months. I know that most of the world is currently abiding by stay at home orders. While I believe there is hardships everywhere because of these orders, countries like Uganda are really struggling. In Uganda, many people, especially in the cities, live hand to mouth. This means that they normally work a day, earn money for that day and feed their family for that day. After this amount of time in lockdown people are starving. Families are desperate and there has been much violence, especially within families.
The president has arranged task forces to distribute food but because of corruption and the amount of people who need to be helped, many people are starving. One of the things that has added to this situation is that the president does not want people distributing foods in such a way that a crowd gathers. He was so serious that he said if you were found causing a crowd of more then 10 to gather you would be charged with attempted murder. This threat has hindered those who would like to help from actually helping. Another factor that has made helping people hard is that our lockdown includes no public or private vehicles. Anywhere you go you must go on foot or a bicycle and until recently you could only go between 7am and 2:30pm, though now it has been extended to 5pm.
As a pastor, Brian is on the phone a lot. During this time it has been non stop. So many people are suffering and calling for help and prayer. It seems every person we have ever met anywhere in Uganda has called for assistance during this time. We knew we had to try to do something to help but in away that no one would get in to trouble.
After attending an online prayer meeting with my home church we found out that they had began a Covid relief fund. They asked us if we knew anyone who needed help and we explained to them the situation here. With in a couple of days we had the funds we needed to try to begin to help those who were in the most need around us. While we worked on finding away to safely reach those from Arise Christian Fellowship that live deeper in the slums, we began by reaching those who live much closer and could come receive from us in small groups.
As I have said, it is illegal to cause a group to gather and punishable as attempted murder Because of this we had to get creative with distribution. Essentially we ended up doing 4 distributions. The first for those near us who could come pick up. The second distribution we borrowed a kiosk from a church member and called individual families to come and pick their food and supplies so that it looked like they were just shopping. The 3rd distribution happened in the market place. Many of Arise Christian fellowship church members work in the market in some way or another so this was a good way to reach them. After the market we then had some of the market guys help make home deliveries to the families in need that were deeper in the slums.
Each family that received could not stop expressing their thankfulness. Some had been eating just once a day and for some not even that often. We are so thankful for the Lord’s provision through our brothers and sisters at Calvary Chapel Saving Grace who raised the funds to help these people, over 150 families were helped. We are also very thankful that each distribution went smoothly and no groups gathered.
The president has extended the lockdown another 2 weeks at least. Please be praying that if possible we may be able to help others who are suffering during this time, not just with food but with the hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ. Besides this lock down other things are taking place that are causing even more suffering. For the second time this year the country’s crops are being ravaged by locusts. Also Lake Victoria is at the highest levels ever recorded. This is causing mass flooding and many people have lost their homes and belongings.
Thank you for praying for our family and for the people of Uganda!
In Him, Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana
PRAYER REQUESTS
· Thank you for praying for the Kanyikes during their time of lockdown
· Praise the Lord for the provision to help those who are suffering.
· Pray for the World during this time of Covid 19. Pray for many people to turn to the Lord during this time.
· Pray for the Kanyike family as they figure out how to best minister to the church and community during this time.
· Pray for the people of Uganda who normally live day to day and now can not work and so can not provide for their families..
· Pray for Brian as pastors and leads the ministry team at Arise Christian Fellowship.
· Please prayerfully consider becoming part of the Kanyike Family support team.
