Otya nno (Hello)
This will be our last newsletter for a little while, as we are returning to Australia in a few weeks for an unknown period. Our daughter is getting married at the beginning of September and we also need to refill our empty bank balances so we can continue on with our adventure here in Uganda as soon as possible.
We have thoroughly enjoyed our last 18 months here and we would like to take this opportunity to praise our God for what He has accomplished through us and to us over the this period.
On the spiritual side, we have seen people saved, as well as many, many filled with the Holy Spirit. Many have also received prophetic words, encouragement, counselling and some have even been gloriously healed. We have enjoyed the privilege of ministering in many, many churches, crusades and seminars in the various parts of this country and we praise our God for all the good relationships that have been formed and are enduring – both with Ugandan pastors and community leaders and various white and European church people and others westerners who are in business here. There are countless opportunities to serve the church of Uganda and East Africa if more resources and personnel would avail themselves. We keep praying that God would open the eyes of some people to ‘see’ this land of opportunity here, to also come and either contribute in short term missionary ventures or live here like we do. Jesus will never return until we take the gospel to all nations or ethnic groupings, and Africa also needs to hear the living word of God . For more information on some of these events see http://musumbamike.wordpress.com
On the projects side, some small businesses have been commenced for pastors. These will continue and we look forward to starting some more as soon as we are able to do so. These projects are designed to help a church planting pastoral family start a small business and over time to assist them in developing and growing it so the family can provide a reasonable income for themselves. Some projects are – laundry, corner shop, goat breeding and crops.
We have been blessed to be a blessing and have also contributed to towards helping some churches get their own land and building.
The land God has blessed us with has now been paid for, and surveyed and ownership granted, and we are only awaiting the official Government title which will take another few months. A few days ago we bought an extra acre alongside the existing 20 acres and on that we are planning to eventually build our house there. Already we have put some crops in including bananas, mulberry (for fruit and silk) and coffee. We have also planted a variety of fruit trees and also some trees for harvesting hardwood timber in years to come. The funds raised from this will be put towards church planting and mission activities. In addition we have allowed 3 pastoral families to use a portion of our land to grow food for themselves until we return.
The goat herd is steadily growing and we are slowly clearing some areas in preparation for fish ponds and bee keeping.
Shirley and I are also involved in a village school that was commenced this year. We have been very excited to see some support from Australia come in for uniforms, equipment, text books etc. Most of these children live in such abject poverty, that it is so hard to personally imagine unless you see it for yourself. Many of these youngsters have either no parents or just one and they often only eat less than once a day – and then that meal is not up to our nutritional standards. So, we have a great opportunity to not only spiritually transform this village and beyond but to transform it through school and other forms of education. It is our desire to help educate the local people in better land management and production etc, as well as seeing the village community transformed spiritually as well.
To everyone who has helped us in our adventure, again we say thank you, we can not do it with out your prayers and support.
God Bless you all
Mike and Shirley
Butera
Uganda
