Mark Hunnicutt

Uganda: Day 3 Sights and Insights. I'm encouraged and inspired by God's church here...

I'm so encouraged and inspired by the Church in Uganda! Each Compassion Project has to have a local church lead the project. They have to take ownership of the policies and processes. We have now visited several and each one is unique but they have one thing in common. That one thing is the people leading are men and women of integrity that want to invest in the live of kids. These Projects and the people running them have got it together!

I literally held kids (note the finger puppets and candy she is clinging to that you donated) that would not be running and jumping if it wasn't for Compassion and their partnership with the local churches of Uganda. The $38 it takes to sponsor a child per month goes a long way. Remember that the village we visited today has an average income of $5 a month. It cost a parent $3 dollars a semester to send each kid to school and most families and extended families that have 3 or more kids. In context, $38 dollars in the US is a dinner and a movie. My group, Cheryl is in another group, made a home visit to a Compassion kid's family. Again, it was the grandmother that was the primary care giver. There is no way this video can describe how encouraged I was but...

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Compassion also does Complementary Interventions in the communities to aid holistic child development. Again, I hope this video will illustrate.

Compassion has been around for decades and the results are obvious in Uganda. We had dinner with several Compassion Child Sponsorship Program graduates. They are now in Compassions Leadership Development Program and attending Universities. I heard testimonies of young people majoring in, health care, social work, law and business administration and all casting vision of going back into their communities to work and serve as a way to give back. My mind went back to the little kids playing in open sewers in the slums of Kampala Wednesday morning. That was this group of visionary college students' just years ago! The next three videos are two celebrations where the Ugandan college students sing and dance to show their gratitude and the third is Mitch, a US college student, praying over this group. (sorry the vids are dark but turn your speakers up and enjoy)

I've know been physically shown Compassion's purpose and the process. From prenatal to college there are projects and programs giving help and hope to the children of Uganda! I so looking forward to showing you what Cheryl and I plan to do personally tomorrow. Good night, got a 4hr bus ride starting at 7am…

Uganda: Day #1 Debrief – Some of the sights and insights from my 1st full day in Uganda.

 
- Team assembling and getting ready to go

- Compassion trip leader, Kevin Meyers, briefing us on what we are going to experience

Note: This group of people make up an amazing team from all over the US. I'm constantly amazed at the caliber and quality of people God allows us to meet. I've been blown away by their hearts and attitudes.

 
- These offices are the administrative headquarters for the 275 projects (church partnering with communities)and 75,000 children.

- They receive 100's of pieces of mail daily from sponsors all around the world for these kids. This caring correspondence is sorted and translated then placed in a project box for delivery.

- The Ugandan Compassion office team was one of the most organized and effective teams I've ever been around. Very competent Christians using their gifts to do ministry.

Note: People are the heart of any organization. Every one of the employees at this Ugandan office is from Uganda. Some even came up through the Compassion process and are now giving back. I Could have stayed all day to talk systems and structure with them.

 
- This is Makerere-Kivulu and the first of several Child Survival Programs (aka: Projects) we will visit.

- The second picture is Vincent and his young brother and a neighborhood friend.

- Third, some jewelry that Vincent's mom makes to support her family.  

Note: Vincent's dad died of AIDS 3 yrs ago. His mom and little brother are currently HIV positive.I stood stunned at this remarkable family. They were so thankful to God and appreciative of the ministry of Compassion. This family receives meds, job training, and school scholarships through Vincent's $38 dollar a month sponsorship.

Look and listen to more of their story through these two short video clips.

 

Uganda: Who are we partnering with? Who is on the team? How can you pray?

I want to thank you for your interest in the Hunnicutt's mission trip to Uganda. I also want to thank you for your investment in our lives. You mean the world to us and I want to invite you to experience this trip with us. We are going to try to use technology to bring the huge needs in Uganda through your computer or mobile device to your home and heart. We pray that God would use the sites, scenes and stories we are going to be exposed to move us to more generosity and going.

Please subscribe to this blog's feed (top right of page), follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/markhunnicutt & Twitter www.twitter.com/markhunnicutt for daily details of our trip.

Our Ministry Partner

We are traveling and being led by the worldwide ministry of Compassion International. Compassion is a proven partner for local churches to make an earthly and eternal impact. I challenge you to explore the pages of their web site concerning Compassion's philosophy, mission, programs and operations.

In response to the Great Commission, Compassion International exists as an advocate for children, to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults. – Compassion's Mission

Kevin Myers, Regional Director of Church Relations & member of Brevard Community Church, will be leading this trip. Kevin is an amazingly gifted guy that has committed his life to Christ cause. Cheryl and I have had the privilege of meeting his family (all going on trip) and eating a meal in their home. We immediately felt a spirit of fellowship. Our co-leader will be Peter Habyarimana who is from Uganda and someone enabled by the Compassion ministry and process. His story, which we heard over burgers on the Myer's back deck, is amazing. He didn't own a pair of shoes until he was a teenager! He arrived a couple of days ago at Kampala airport and is now "on the ground" preparing for the teams arrival.

Our Ministry Team

I know that some Mud Creek prayer warriors will be reading this so I ask you to pray through this list every day. The follow people make up this trips mission team…

• Tim & Diane Bakker – Plainfield, IL
• Greg & Kristi Bearss – Hot Springs, AR
• Dave Bish – Du Bois, PA
• Mitch Caldwell – Pisgah Forest, NC
• Jay Childs – Midland, MI
• Brent Harrison – Dallas, GA
• Tim Ingram – Valrico, FL
• Nick Lillo – Littleton, CO
• Ron Moro – Apopka, FL
• Veresa, Kyndal and Brayden Myers – Brevard, NC
• David Oates – Lithia, FL
• Kathy Peterson – Littleton, CO
• Jason Phillips – Cumming, GA
• Scott Phipps – Tampa, FL
• Cindy Porter – Elida, OH
• David Putman – Cumming, GA
• Leah Putting – Ormond Beach, FL
• Dan Smith – DuBoise, PA
• Warren Williams – Ocoee, FL

Please Pray

• Pray for the many parents who are splitting up and the families that are being torn apart because of separation. Pray for the Lord to protect the children's hearts and minds from the negativity and low self-esteem that comes from these situations. Please pray that the parents will seek help and that the Lord will give them a desire to commit to their marriage.
• Please pray for the children who have witnessed violence and other cruelties experienced in poverty. Ask for the Lord to protect their minds and hearts so that they do not give in to despair but that they would come to understand the love the Lord has for them.
• Please pray that communities will come together to look after the needs of the children and those in desperation. Pray for truth and justice to reign in their hearts.
• Pray that Compassion can continue to train parents to learn skills that will provide financial stability for their homes and safety for their children.

Uganda: Where is it?

Facts about Uganda from Compassion's web site...