29th November, 2020

Dear friends,

There has been very little news from George’s Place this week. Unfortunately, the Management Meeting was postponed until the 2nd December at the Probation Officer’s request. The good news is that Mr Ken Mdoe, who some of you will have met at our meeting in the Charis Centre last year, has agreed to be on the Management Committee. Ken has been involved in our work over the last nine months as a bank signatory on our account in Uganda. As I have mentioned in previous newsletters, I stayed with Ken and Betty when I was first in Uganda, they have a home here in the U.K., also in Kampala and Jinga where Anton spent some time on their farm. Betty is a member of The Church of The Ascension in Wembley. I am therefore absolutely delighted that Ken is going to be more involved in our work.

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.” Isaiah 61 v3 (New Living Translation)

I did receive photographs of some of the boys enjoying their art class on Saturday – as you can see they have been making Christmas Cards and really doing some amazing work with great attention to fine detail. Our thanks to Mary their teacher.

The boys are all well and getting excited about Christmas – though there will be nothing in the shops or markets to mark the beginning of Advent. Most of the tradespeople I know have enough trouble trying to survive from day to day, to pay their rent, as well as clothe and feed their families.

I had a message from Flavia who has a home for children, (we sent food to her a few months ago), one of her girls has been really ill and she has been extremely concerned about her. Flavia has been at the clinic with the girl for the last week, thankfully the girl is improving and now just returns daily for medication.

The following I received in a newsletter from Chris and Ros Howles who work for Crosslinks and have been based at The Uganda Martyrs’ Seminary in Namugongo for about 8 years now, with their young family, they used to live in Enfield.

“Please do pray for Uganda. The country is not in a happy place. We’re praying for reconciliatory language from senior political leaders, and for the healing power of Christ to rule in all of our hearts. We’re praying for devastated families. We’re praying for UMS alumni and students, and all church leaders, to preach and teach the Lordship of Christ alone, and what it looks and feels like to truly love our neighbours. We’re praying for God’s Kingdom come in Christ.”

Your prayers, please.

Jane