God’s Toolbelt Builds God’s Vision
It is a New Year, 2024, and looking back through the past 8 years gives us much to reflect on what our amazing creative God has built using His Toolbelt. Each of us has been given a tool which has been instrumental in constructing the incredible transformation of Pillars. We hope, as part of the HUGS construction crew, you can be encouraged by the pieces you have helped to erect.
Let us share, what God's Toolbelt has accomplished.
In 2017 the Nursery School was founded with God's architectural plan to equip children at Pillars with educational success to overcome poverty.
In 2019, HUGS was founded as an official US based sister organization to PACM.
In 2020, the Primary School was built with a matching grant from the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation and the Nursery School was purchased and converted for Primary School use. A new Nursery School was rented.
2022 Harvest Christian Church donated funds for 10 sewing machines and supplies. Pillars students and individuals from the community are now utilizing this valuable skill.
2022 (Fall) computers were donated for the Vocational School.
2023(Spring) Electricity project in the new Primary School was completed.
2023 - Pastor Patrick, wife Madinah and Pillars staff members shared the gospel in several surrounding communities. Over 200 people gave their lives to Christ, were baptized, and received Bibles in the Lugandan language thanks to the Save and Thrift Store in Cokato, MN.
2023 (Fall) Pillar's Church Building and land was purchased.
2024 the Nursery School was converted to the Secondary School; the Primary School received some much needed repairs and the nursery school was moved to the Vocational School classrooms.
All the buildings received a facelift along with additional bathrooms, a cooking area, etc.
Future Renovations to Utilize More Tools in God's Toolbelt
HUGS and PACM are constantly partnering to best steward what God has provided. With this being a priority there has been a needed shift in where Pillar Secondary students receive their educational instruction. Currently with 8 more students successfully completing primary school, the cost of leaving Pillars School to attend a Secondary private school is cost prohibitive. Knowing where God guides He provides led to Pillars beginning Pillars Secondary and Vocational School which is a definite win win.
Having the Vocational School incorporated into the Secondary students' education makes for a well rounded experience and more desirable for parents in the community to send their children. Now the vocational sewing class is using their tools to provide needed school uniforms. What better way to steward the skills and tools God provided.
Adding a Secondary School means more teacher salaries. If anyone feels God has given them the tool needed to sponsor a teacher each month that would be a huge blessing.
Christmas 2023
Thank you to all who donated to the Giving Trees that helped provide a clothing outfits, under garments, bedsheets, metal cases for clothing and towels, along with a Christmas breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
A very special thank you to Bridge Community Church and Faith Lutheran Church that gave extremely generous donations to this Christmas blessing and to Susan Burgess' donation .
We have had so many faithful leaders who have been willing to carry God's Toolbelt in building partnerships and Pastor Adam Dichsen has done an incredible outreach from Faith Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, IL by sharing and connecting HUGS and PACM with new churches building lasting support. The following link is Pastor Adam sharing a video about his trip to Uganda and the ministry at Pillars of Africa.
Please enjoy the link below of the Pillar Children thanking everyone for their support.
We excitedly anticipate this will be the year all 54 of our Pillar Children will be fully sponsored. We currently have 28 children fully sponsored at $78/ month, 15 children are partially sponsored at $39/month and 11 children are unsponsored.
This months Spotlight is for Martin Matovu. He will be in Primary 7
Martin’s father, who was the sole provider of his family, died unexpectedly in 2021, leaving his wife with 4 children to raise on her own. His death was heartbreaking for the whole community. Their youngest child was two weeks old when the father passed away. Martin’s mom didn’t have a job and was unable to care for or educate all of her children. Martin’s older brother asked Patrick and Madinah for help, and Martin was able to go to Pillars later that year.
Hobbies: Martin loves his baby sister and has a wonderful bond with her. He has a cheerful disposition and loves riding his bike and playing football (soccer) with his friends.
You can sponsor Martin for $78./ month. He would love to write you letters and communicate with you.
Please continue to pray with us that this goal will be accomplished very soon. God has given us all a Toolbelt with very specific skill sets to accomplish His work here.
Use me, Lord, use all of me. Help me to find those who can't see.” If you ever doubt God can use you, read Ephesians 2:10 which says, “For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Let's continue to work as a team building His Masterpiece. God bless you
January 22- 29, 2024 Jonas and Natalie McBride are returning to Uganda to be a part of the Women of Vision Conference. Please pray for their safe travels and for the Holy Spirit to guide their work and words.
We are rejoicing in God's amazing provision and love and we are sending each of you a huge HUGS hug to last all through 2024❣️
Thank you for being a blessing,
Jannie McBride
Comentarios