Community Awareness

SO, WHAT ARE WE AIMING FOR?

Awareness of the problem. We know that Uganda is not the only country in the world where children are suffering. We know there are hundreds (if not thousands) of worthy causes in this world, and indeed in our own country. However, God has invited us to work with Him in this area.

We are not asking for donations as such. We aim to raise awareness of the plight of these children. First of all, among the women of our church family (Seaforth Baptist), then to our friends and families, to our local schools, our communities and beyond. Even to other countries where we have contacts.

We are gathering together resources and ideas to use for fundraising. Our aim is to build a home initially ($19,000 - more than achievable), but there are many projects associated with Watoto and it may be that as we raise awareness, other women may have a heart for different aims. That is God's work.

Vikki pointed out to us the difference between aid and development. It was new to Carmela and myself and it may be interesting to you:

AID - is a 'hand out' to people who can't help themselves, i.e. the children orphaned by AIDS, in fear of being abducted, not having enough to eat or access to education.

DEVELOPMENT - is a 'hand up' to people who haven't got advantages such as being able to access loans to help them set up a business so that they can become self sufficient, education so that they can get jobs and change the future of their country.

It is no good just preaching to these people and then leaving them to it. Of course, we have to pray for them, but we also have to be proactive. We have been shown that God is working in Uganda - He has invited us to join him. Search your heart, listen, watch - is He inviting you too?

THE START OF A JOURNEY

"A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit."

(Elton Trueblood 1900-1994)

IMAGINE:

• that tonight – instead of tucking up your children into their beds – you were watching them start a six kilometre walk carrying nothing but maybe a small mat;
• that tomorrow morning – instead of trying to persuade them to get up for school, to get dressed and to come and eat their breakfast – you stood watching and praying for their safe return;
• that this wasn’t a one off – this went on every day of their lives.
  
  
  THESE ARE THE INVISIBLE CHILDREN – THIS ISN’T CHILD ABUSE – THIS IS FOR THEIR SAFETY.
  
  THESE CHILDREN LIVE IN NORTHERN UGANDA – THEY ARE AT RISK EVERY MOMENT OF THEIR LIVES OF ABDUCTION BY REBEL FORCES.
  
  IF THE BOYS ARE ABDUCTED BY REBEL FORCES THEY WILL BE PUT TO THE KNIFE, TO THE GUN AND MADE TO KILL. THEY WILL SEE THINGS THAT NO-ONE SHOULD HAVE TO SEE. THEY WILL EXPERIENCE THINGS THAT NO ONE, LET ALONE A CHILD, SHOULD HAVE TO EXPERIENCE.
  
  THE GIRLS MAY BE RAPED AND BEATEN. THEIR CHILDHOOD ROBBED.
  
  THERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP!

How we arrived at this point!!

Three women, three totally different backgrounds. Vikki and Judith from England, Carmela from Canada. All from a Catholic background. Two with young children, one a grandmother. Just happen to have ended up at the same Baptist Church in Australia?!!!?

March 2007. For each of us this was our first visit to Hillsong Colour Conference. We spent only the first evening together. The next two days I (Judith) was with another group. Saturday morning, Bobbie Houston gave up her teaching session to show a video to 17,000 + women at the conference. The video showed the children who, because of the fear of abduction by rebel forces, leave their homes to walk to the city, to sleep in the relative safety of the basements of the hospitals, libraries, anywhere where they can hide. The following morning, they all traipse back home. This was followed by Marilyn Skinner speaking to us (she and her husband run Watoto Childcare Ministries, a mission based in Uganda). (For more information, better than I can explain to you - see http://www.watoto.com ) Be prepared to be amazed at the work that Marilyn and her husband have achieved with God over the past 20 years.

We three were all spoken to by God! I have never had a heart for overseas mission - I mean, never, and yet felt redundant in my christian life. Vikki is already involved in Action Against Poverty (AAP), Carmela is our great Worship Leader but looking for greater effect in her Christian life.

I tried to contact the other girls by mobile phone - no reply. I had no idea where they were in the Acer Arena at Homebush. Little did I know that they were sitting on the opposite side of the stadium, their hearts totally broken for this mission in Uganda.

I was amazed how quickly God had worked in my life. In my home group we have been studying "Experiencing God". Stop, look and listen. See where God is working and join him in His work!

It couldn't have been clearer as far as I was concerned.

Vikki was being baptised at Clontarf on Sunday, 18th March. Carmela's two children were also to be baptised there. Physically I was too wrecked to attend, but spiritually I was rejoicing.

Friday, 23rd March saw the three of us at Vikki's for lunch and a "debrief". Praise God that we were all on the same "page". We no longer feel that we are unable to help. This is God's work - he will enable us. No only us, but other women, women who have a mother's heart for these children. Women who will experience the breaking of their hearts for what breaks God's heart. There is no necessity for this to be happening and if governments won't change things, then we will.

THE WILL OF GOD WILL NEVER TAKE YOU WHERE HIS GRACE CANNOT KEEP YOU