Vic and Rosemary, while in Mbarara in June/July 2005, made connection, and arranged some training for zero-grazing dairy heifers, with the villages of Kishasha (18kms from Mbarara) and Rwebishuri (8kms). In faith, they promised 5 freisian heifers to each village. Vic and Rosemary thank God for His faithfulness, as the money to pay for the heifers has been given, and is in the newly-opened "Church of Uganda Heifer Project" bank account in Te Awamutu. When the 2006 team arrives, their first task will be to set up further training days to complete preparations so that the donor families will be able to house, feed and care for their heifers. 

Carol, Paulene and Sharon will continue the teaching and training work established in schools and church women's groups in and near Ruharo, a small town on the outskirts of Mbarara. Ian, has building and carpentry skills, which will be used on the finishing of the 3-storey Uganda Bible College. At the college young Ugandan men and women receive training in theology and church administration, tutored by missionaries from America. 

In 2004, through the generosity of two New Zealand families, badly needed shelving was built and installed in the library at Mbarara Mixed Primary School. Money has been given so that Ian can use his skill to build more shelves, to enable the children to use the library as a learning resource.  Ian, also has a background in farm-related industries, and will help and encourage Ross as he continues the work in villages of raising families' living standards by giving heifers, building water-tanks and helping people in their efforts toward a better life for their children. Rosemary and Vic pray that, God willing, they will go back in 2007, with another team that God will choose from the Te Awamutu churches, to continue the mission that has already brought blessing to many lovely families in this beautiful part of Uganda.

The team of five is rejoicing in God's goodness.  They have chosen 13 in-calf Freisan heifers!  The price has been agreed for 11, and is being negotiated for the other 2.  Some are costing 700,000 ($NZ580), others 800,000 ($NZ670).  Ross says that they will not pay more than 800,000.  Five heifers will go to Rwebishuri, 4 to Kishasha, and 4 to Katete.  A further sum from the Church of Uganda Heifer Project account at BNZ Te Awamutu has been sent today (Tuesday) to enable the purchase and transport of the heifers.

May ...   The Team of Five are in the last 3 weeks before heading home. Ross and Carol are bringing with them Annitah Kembabazi. We're not sure how long Annitah will be here, but we think she will be extending her training in teaching sewing and crafts. She is a teacher at Ruharo Vocational Training School. Members of the team are still experiencing discomfort from tummy upset, so please continue to pray for wellness.

The team has delivered bibles to the Nyamatanga Secondary School. It is a Muslim school, which must allow some non-Muslim students to enable government funding, so there is a group of 100 Christian students, with 3 Christian teachers. Their mentor/teacher is Julius Tamale, a fine young man. The bibles were part of the library at Oparau School, now closed, and were welcomed with great joy; they will be well used, well read!
The mission is now well established.  We will be looking for and encouraging people (couples especially) to say yes to Jesus, and respond to the challenge of serving in Mbarara.  While you are praying for the team and the tremendous work they are doing, ask Jesus for direction-it could be you he is challenging!!!!     Please continue to pray for the unity, security, energy and effectiveness of the members as they work for Jesus in Uganda.

In April 2007 another team left for Mbarara to continue this work. Clem and Patricia, Nathan, Ross, Colin and Lynn.  Another trip is planned in January 2008.

 Geoff and team along with members of extream Youth Group went to Bidar, India as planned, at the end of 2006 and arrived back in New Zealand January 15th 2007.  The team arrived back on February 1st from another successful mission trip made in January 2008.

Countdown update Uganda

On Monday 21st January airfares were booked for Ken and Liz Phillips, Simeon Gilbert and Vic Clarke.  Ken and Liz fly out on 12th February, spending a few days with Liz's brother James in Melbourne, before joining Simeon and Vic on their flight, leaving Auckland at 6.50pm on Friday 15th February.  The four of us will arrive at Entebbe, Uganda, at 2.50pm on Sunday 17th.  We will spend 2 nights at Matoke Inn, AIM's headquarters and "resting" accommodation near Kampala, before traveling the 5 hours journey to Mbarara/Ruharo.  After settling in, Ken and Simeon will travel to Rwentanga Vocational School (12kms) and begin planning and building the milking shed promised last year.  Liz will find her way towards the OURS rehab clinic, schools and  church groups.  Vic will begin visiting the 5 villages where your gifts have been spent buying 30 Friesian heifers.

Vic will call on the families, check on the cows, and listen to any problems, difficulties and blessings the families have experienced.  If needed some revision training will be given, with the help of Revs Rabboni and Wycliff, also DR. William Mwebembezi.

We want to thank those people who have already given into the Church of Uganda Heifer Project account at BNZ, Te Awamutu.  We know of generous gifts from the Otorohanga Baptist Church (Ken, Liz and Simeon's church) and from a group called Agronomic Consultancy in Cambridge, and $1000 given by Ruby Shaw and her team from the Jumble and $100 was anonymously given, thank you.

Please feel free to deposit into that account, and let your church know that you have done so.  if it's easier for you, please give through your church office.  The team needs the money mainly for transport and material and tools for the Rwentanga cowshed.  The team members look forward to bringing your love and compassion to the lovely needy people in and around Mbarara. 

If anyone has an old pair of spectacles, no longer needed, we will take these.  The Ruharo Eye Clinic can use them to help with thousands of cases of eye damage, infection and disease that come to the clinic.  Please drop the spectacles at your church office.

One of our members is also involved in  mission to Jinga, Uganda in conjunction with Leading Edge Foundation.