Amaka means 'family'

It’s simple. We believe in the power of family and recognize each family member has a unique role to fill.  When any visitor steps foot in our ROWAN villages, they all say, “I feel at home.” It’s no accident that the base village, “Mawanga” means: A coming together of tribes and nations.
 
We want to bring this village to you. In Lusoga language, "amaka" simply means "family". We are linking the body of Christ around the world as we challenge you to become an amaka member- a family member of ROWAN- who is committed to continually donating a minimum of $5 a month. Each month you will see a new video under “Provision” on how the family money is going to be used on the ground. You can also view amaka members in the USA and in Uganda sharing current happenings and miracles. Join us on Facebook and get to know different orphans, widows and others living with HIV/AIDS in an ongoing conversation.
 
There are many ways to get involved and learn about this amazing family. Together, as one, we are unstoppable. Psalm 133

Join the fam today Visit  http://www.loverowan.com/amaka/

Mother's Month

Dear ROWAN family,
The month of May is Mother's Day month! And as AMAKA we will honor every ROWAN mother/widow by making this month Mother’s Month!
Meet a mother/widow named Hadijah. Her motto is: He is Still Faithful!

These are words from a mother who bears too much on her shoulders. She is a mother who has lost her husband to AIDS. She is a mother living with HIV/AIDS and trying to raise her 3 children and still says that He isfaithful! She is a mother who works in her garden daily to try and make enough to feed her family. She is a mother who has a large tumor on her neck that causes shooting pain through her body and she still says He is faithful! She is a mother who just had 5 More children left at her doorstep from another mother who didn’t want her own children due to their HIV status. Hadijah just accepted Christ for the first time last summer and has taken on the loving characteristics of Jesus in her community. She is a mother who stands strong amidst the storms and trials…still boldly proclaims that her Lord Jesus, her Father in Heaven…is Faithful and Good. 

This is just one woman out of hundreds of others within the ROWAN family who live with these physical struggles.  What does a woman need more than encouragement?  Come alongside Hadijah with us and say, "Your are not alone."

2010 Info & 2011 Goals

ROWAN Top Highlights of 2010

1. Income has doubled in the last year! (Outside of Kelsey's Support)

2. Ministry has doubled in members and land:

over 100 widows/widowers, 110 orphans, and 120 people living with HIV/AIDS

3. Completed 2 Wells and fixed the 1 broken well = 3 Water Sources

4. Five Secondary Students were given scholarships and Eddy (law student) finished his second year. (ROWAN has added 10 more scholarships for 2011)

5. Pineapple Garden doubled and each widow now has their own pineapple garden

6. David Wafula is now working part time with ROWAN

7. Networking (It's part of our Name!):

Eyes On Africa

Interns: Christine

DSBP: Business Course

World Vision

Watoto Church Kampala

Well Diggers

Uganda Christian University

Samaritan's Purse

8. Drama Istructor: Miracle Mugoya Receives life changing surgery!

t Drama Ins

ROWAN Top Goals for 2011

1. Buy More Land!

* 7 acres is available for purchase for School for 7,000USD

* 8 acres is available for purchase for more income generating projects for 8,000USD

2. Start Two new income-generating projects to provide funds for ROWAN Uganda:

* Pigs (can provide 30 USD per piglet)

* Hair Salon (the widows are dreaming of their new micro-enterprise)

3. Construction Projects:

* School Buildings

* Multi-purpose Room for ROWAN

* Counseling Room for People living with HIV/AIDS

* Fence around ROWAN property

* Guests House for Teams and Interns

4. Provide Medical for every ROWAN member living with HIV/AIDS

5. Begin First Business 101 Course for ROWAN members

6. Send continual teams to Mawanga and interns from Kampala and Abroad

Christine & Kelsey in Mawanga Oct 2010

New Well in Mawanga, Uganda

Wonderful progress..a new well has been drilled and cased in the village. Just in time, the current boreholes are only putting out 10 jerry cans of water per day and have been contaminated with Typhoid. This well will serve a population of approximately 6,000! so, we need to drill another well.

The celebration has just begun. Soon, Kelsey Young, our Program Director, will be arriving in Uganda, and when she comes to the village there will be a great celebration and ceremony to celebrate. Thank YOU sooo much, all our donors, who have made this possible.

As Jesus gives us Living Waters to eternal salvation, so we freely give waters here on earth, as it is in heaven! Thank you, Jesus. You have heard the cry of those in Mawanga and have supplied their need.

~Elaina, ROWAN advocate
If you would like to give toward the second well project visit http://www.loveROWAN.com and go to the DONATE page.

LAUNCH Party in Singapore for New Website

June 2, 2010 / by invite only /
Contact Kelsey@loveROWAN.com
Come enjoy an evening of inspiration, community and all things ROWAN.
Contact Kelsey if you would like to help sponsor & promote this cultural event.
Special guest speaker, Pastor Daniel Kisa (Cornerstone African Congregation), share the unique story of ROWAN and paint the picture of hope for this growing community.
Through this cultural celebration, it is our hope that you capture the vision and heart behind ROWAN's future as we seek to empower the orphans and widows of Mawanga, Uganda.
Live African music, handcrafted artisan jewelry, silent photo auction, launch of www.loveROWAN.com

Drama and Dance Program Begins

Dear Helpers of ROWAN,

Greetings in the Precious Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I would like on behalf of ROWAN Uganda to thank you once again for your
faithful labor and work in this ministry to transforming the Widows and
Orphans from hopelessness to hope children in Jesus’ name. May the Lord who
sees in secret reward you openly.


The ROWAN programs are doing well, the bead making training for new designs
began on Monday it will take two weeks, It is exciting to watch people work
as a team for the betterment of the Ministry. Tomorrow Saturday Drama, Dance
and Music practice will begin. And, the Pineapple planting in the new garden is
going on well. The children next week they will have their holidays, So we
will enjoy the Holiday program where we plan to teach the Orphans to make
necklaces, and children are the best in Bead Making , you cannot believe
it, but it is true.

May God continue to give all of you Wisdom and favour as you fulfill the
ROWAN VISION. Of transforming the Widows and Orphans from
hopelessness to hope..( A poor man is shunned by all his relatives how much
more do his friends avoid him! Though he pursues them with pleading they are
nowhere to be found - Proverbs 19:7.)

We are happy that ROWAN is ready to say come and we will give you
hope.

Thanks and God bless you.

Pastor Paul.

Volunteers' Highlight by Kelsey

In Rowan, volunteers play an important role. More so when they are from the community. Two
very important men of God, Christopher and John, have both grown up in Mawanga and are very active in the local church under Pastor Paul.

When Paul began ROWAN back in 2004, the two men immediately came alongside to support him. They have given their time, love, resources and energy to serving the widows and orphans in the community.

They are at the front lines of projects, keeping track of administration and assisting Pastor Paul in whatever he does. As ROWAN expands, these men will be crucial in this ministry as their hearts are pure as gold.

Currently working as head volunteers for the ROWAN network, they divide duties of visiting the widows and orphans, overseeing the ROWAN office, and records keeping. Even in the toughest of
circumstances, you would hardly see them without a smile, with the joy of the Lord - their source of strength.

They love the Lord.

ROWAN Christmas Party 2009 JOY

Celebrating Christ and all He brings to us, I hope your Christmas was as full of joy as those celebrating in Mawanga, Uganda! Here is a report from there ~ Elaina

[from Pastors David Wafula and Paul Nyende]
Belated merry Christmas. Hope all went well on your side. I was so much involved in this Christmas party and am happy to give you details of our budget.

The package for the Children to to take home each included the following: (67) Children

1 pair of bedsheets with pillow cases
Bathing and washing soap
Tooth paste
Tooth brush
Body oil Balloons
A paper bag

The package for the Widows to take home each included the following. (33) Widows

Kilos of rice
kilos of sugar
Washing soap.

During the party time, we feed both the children and the widows the following

Rice
Meat
Sodas
Ugali (Posho)

We spent some money on the generator to show Jesus film in Lusoga...

The Church was decorated for the Christmas party.

The total spent in Uganda shillings was 2,800,000/= This is equivalent to 1500 dollars taking an exchange rate of 1870 per dollar.

It was a good time of sharing together and encouraging these people....

Be blessed and happy new year.

David for Paul

Typhoid Outbreak

Hi friends and prayer partners for ROWAN,

Just got an email Yesteday from the local pastor that typhoid has broken out in the community, and even his 6 children are affected. the major borehole is now down, and the villagers are drinking from ponds where their animals drinnk. I have been on my knees all night- and we are praying about how we can quickly Act on this.

For now, the clinic doesn't even have any medicine to treat the Typhoid, so we are sending over some $$ for this asap. I would suggest that any giving you can do today, can go towards this. You can just go to the same donate page at ruralaids.org, and donate under "Medical," and it will go towards this Typhoid outbreak...
All donations are tax deductible.

pray with us in this
Kelsey

In The Village, August 2009

In The Village: August 2009, by Sherlee Cholilidud
It's easy to loose sense of time and day in the village. there's no set timing for meals, appointment times are kept flexible. We sleep when we're tired, eat when the food is ready, and bathe when there's water.
I got used to the joy hole, where the toilet is basically a hole in the ground. Where some random chicken will cackle really loudly around the compound signaling it's time to wake up, and there's so much dust everywhere, even your orifices produces red/blackish dirt depending on where you're at.
There's an abundance of everything here, of land, insects, animals, and of course time. One does not waste time here, time comes to us. Of course there are a lot of children here. They run everywhere in the day, but like the chickens here, they know where's the limit they can go to, and when to go home. The children would stare at us, wondering how the color of our skin works, wondering how my hair gets so straight, and they swarm around, just staring, discussing among themselves about us Muzungus. Some will giggle nervously, some just stare... it can be a little overwhelming. I don't know what to do with myself at times but to smile in amusement at their amusement of us.
But more importantly, while I can dissect the village anthropologically, there's also one thing that is in abundance here: Love, which no science can measure but your own heart. God's love is so abundant in the hearts of his redeemed people such that it just pours out each time each moment. They praise god in their joy and sufferings in full freedom and abandonment. In a place where's there's so much lack and pains, that a redeemer’s love means so much more to them than a person like me from the city who lacks nothing but the true understanding of God's love. Jesus is even more alive and real here. And it is free love and love on tap here! It's ceaseless.
What they lack in the material is replaced with love they received from God, and receive they do. They also give out this love even more freely, and they give out so much more to the people around them, even to strangers they've barely known. Many a times I am struck dumb, in awe of the outpouring of love. Just completely bowled down by god's sovereignty and his abundant love. . . . . . . .
And we learnt that Mawanga means coming of the nations. That word itself is prophetic. Amen. I am proud, of the fact that I'm the first Asian/Southeast Asian, Indonesian Chinese, here in Mawanga. :)
I've also heard so many testimonies, Pastor Paul, Henry's, Hakim’s, and especially Eddy's. Each is a tale of trials and rejection but yet trusting God with all their heart in a sense that that trust and love for God is above all, and indeed with tears from trials and rejections, become like raindrops being splashed against a windscreen where God will wipe them all away.
I think this trip has made me realize that I do want to do rural development or urban development in developing countries. Not because I think I'm better, but simply because I want to serve god's kingdom. That is it. I like developmental work, and love added into it will only work in god's kingdom and I hope I'm using well the gifts that god gave me for his kingdom.
This trip has also made me realize that it is ok to enjoy modern conveniences and the importance of physical communications. But also I think it had chipped off some rose tinted glass off my eyes. I think it's ok to want to have a decent life, and yet still serve in the rural area. I think it's more effective that way. . . . . .
by Sherlee Choliluddin,
ROWAN’s newest board member, and glad to have her!

Our newest focus is on acquiring more land.
This is the next vital step to expanding micro-enterprise.
DONATE NOW!
send your tax-deductible gifts to:
ROWAN
P.O.Box 1055
Acton, CA 93510

The Harvest is Plenty

Have you ever been so proud of something that you couldn’t WAIT to show it to off? Well, as Sherlee and I arrived on the scene of Mawanga, Uganda on August 19, Pastor Paul hurried us to the garden where ROWAN widows were picking their first harvest of pineapples. And these weren’t just any pineapples. These sweet fruits became the foundation of discipline and unity between ROWAN members.
Since 2007, these men and women have been labouring for the fruits we saw before us. Who knew pineapples took 2 years to grow? Every other day the widows and caretakers would trek from their homes to till the garden. Our trusty volunteers John and Christopher would take attendance of each woman who would turn up and joke with those who came late! Talk about accountability.
Sherlee and I danced with laughter between the rows and rows of ripe fruit. The smiles of these victim warriors, although currently suffering from HIV/AIDS, drought, malaria and the difficulties that life brings, will forever be etched in my mind. Our joy had little to do with the actual pineapples harvested that day, although it brought in income for their immediate needs. But it had everything to do with building community and hope. These women are empowered. They have each other. They love the Lord.
This is just the beginning.
What does ROWAN do, you ask? ROWAN is in the hope business.
Donate NOW!
send your tax-deductible gifts to:
ROWAN
P.O.Bøx 1055
Acton, CA 93510

Kelsey going to village soon

Dear Team Africa,

As I begin packing for my return to Mawanga- I decided to stop and watch our video from last year- and all I have to say is: I'm going to MISS all of you! It will feel like an empty village without all of you in it!!! But know that i will send all of your love t everybody- and that we will ALL miss EACH of you. Terribly! I actually started tearing up!

Laura, I'll make sure and get up early go to garden. The pineapples are almost ready to harvest! And the oxen are just finished being trained! Tom, I'll make sure and go help get water in the mornings. Ann and Dolly- I'll check in with the new nurses and try to encourage them as much as you would! Sue and Dave- I'll make sure and take my time down the road and soak in all the people and love them like you did. Tom- I'll make sure and hold as many hands as I can as I walk down the path:) And Dianne- I'll try not to slip in the mud:) hahah

Sonia, Miriam, Andrew and Shauna- I'll make sure and take some funny footage to show you- as well as bring some balls for the kiddos:) Cynde and Vicki, I will make sure and spend quality time with the widows- get their stories and try to encourage the people as you would. But that will be hard to do! I pray I can go to Pastor Patrick's church under the tree and see how they are!

Dan and Pastor Wayne, I'll try and lift up Pastor Paul in his walk as much as I can. I pray I get a chance to share in the Sunday Service on a message that the Lord has impressed upon my heart. God using broken vessels for his glory.

Brian- I'll try not to climb any trees..ahhhahh and I brought bug repellent just in case :)

Barry, I'll make sure and spend a whole day at Eddy's university and speak HOPE into his life as you would. And I'll remind my friend, Sherlee, that it's all about the relationships- as you continually reminded us during our trip!

Please pray for Sherlee and I- each time I go the Lord adds a new element and amazement. I have received WISE COUNSEL from the Ugandan pastor here in Singapore, regarding ROWAN and the Clinic which I am dying to share with you. ...

I love you all- and I know we will be talking about All of you once we arrive to Mawanga. They will all be looking for YOU!

Welaba- and Mukama Yebizibwe!

Namugombe :)

Fish Pond Project is VBS children's project

A Letter of Appreciaton to AFBC Vacation Bible School Children

From Pastor Paul Nyende

Receive merry greetings in the precious and loving name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Allowe me to express the loving kindness, care and concern you have for the orphans, widows and the un-previleged people in our community, Mawanga. Thank you for serving Christ as you serve others with love. As it is written, (John 15:13) that "great love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" You have proved this to us by whatever yo do for us. We are sincere friends dear Vacation Bible School children. We cherish you and pray for you!

We hereby now extend our heartfelt appreciation for the oxen and plough you sent for us (2008). These are doing very well and being trained to pull the plough. This is going to boost our efforts in the production sector. It is a blessing and we know that, "every good and perfect gift comes from the Father...(James 1:17)." You are so special and a blessing to us. Have you ever known?! The religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this "To look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world (James 1:27)." You have been this good and it is therefore our prayer that God blesses you.

Allow me to share with you about the fish pond:

Our community Mawanga is very far from the lakes and rivers hence hardly get any fish in our community. Fish mongers have to move long distances to these lakes only to obtain the very poor quality fish which is not even fresh but smoked, hence, missing out the nutritious value in the fresh fish. This, therefore, results in deficiency of this nutritious food value for the people in our area.

As such, with the establishment of the fish pond, the community will have an opportunity to:

1. Train the orphans, widows and the community on fish farming.
2. Establish a breeding plant for the fish fillets (young fish) for the farmers
3. Establish a source of fish supply to the community
4. Act as in income generating activity for the ROWAN through the sales and tourists, and this will help offer more support to the beneficiaries in terms of education
5. Improve the diet of orphans, widows and the surrounding community
6. Help to bring the beneficiaries together for a noble cause.
7. It will pave a way for the Gospel to unbelievers, expecially when they see the love and care by ROWAN.

We feel we are one of the few blessed, a chosen race, a royal priesthood set apart for God's service.
Thank yo for being there for us, people who had lost hope and without a future; you have shown us the way to our destiny.
We have shared about the golden rule in church which states that, "Do to others what you would love them to do unto you" this you have demonstrated.
I believe ythe Lord has demonstrated His love through you for our redemption.

Therefore, our beloved brethren, know that whatever you have, and are going to contribute to this project, will help draw people's lives from hopelessness to hopefulness.

Remain in Christ's service.

Pastor Paul Nyende

ROWAN Registered in Uganda

From: Pastor Paul Nyende, Director of ROWAN/Uganda
To: Kelsey Young, President of ROWAN/USA

Hello, Daughter, my Sister and my Brother.
Praise God big. Hope all is well with you.
I am sooo excited to report to you that ROWAN is now a registered Company with the Republic of Uganda. Please join me and we rejoice together, God is good all the Time. I am even shedding teas of Joy. From my small sitting room to under a mango tree to being now registered with Uganda government and from Uganda to USA. From Pastor Paul and Kelsey the Key, Namugombe, to Pastor David [Wafula] and Sister Elaina and then to the whole world. "EBENEZER"

I am soooooooo Excited, let me stop now and have time to dance for the Lord.
Thanks for your prayers, the financial support and your encouraging emails, that have helped me to press on.
May the good Lord richly bless you all, Amen.
You have a reason to praise Him now.
yours faithfully, Pastor Paul

Praying for ths sick

Luke 10:8-9 "And whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'

As the Lord has sent many of us to the tiny village of Mawanga, Uganda, and they had received the saving words of Jesus through Pastor Paul and others; 'Lord, may we be given the opportunity to participate in your healing ministry for these dear ones, by our prayers and supplications for their physical healing. They have already received the more perfect spiritual healing, the forgiveness of sin, but now, we ask, that Your Name be glorifed, on earth and in the village of Mawanga, and through Pastor Paul, and through its newly stocked Medical Clinic.'

Pray with us NOW for these 4 widows suffering with HIV or AIDS:

Rebecca, Florence, Budesta, and Hariet (see their photos using this link http://www.picasaweb.google.com/experiencethegospel/PrayNow#

Also, please pray for Pastor Paul's wife, Edith, who is in the RIPPON Medical Center in Jinja, suffering extreme pain from an old low back injury.

God Bless you all for your great love for the people of Mawanga. "..he who is gracious to the needy honors HIM." ~Proverbs 14:31b

-Elaina Griffith

ROWAN ROOTS - by Elaina Griffith

It's been 5 years since I began my relationship with the rural village of Mawanga and Pastor Paul Nyende. Pastor Paul's relentless mission to save these children and rescue the widows of his community, without resources, drew me to the need. All this started because suddenly the AIDS epidemic hit the rural areas, and Pastor Paul saw an opportunity to show the love of Christ and witness to his own community by offering burial services to these outcast ones, regardless of whether they were Muslim or witchdoctor. Suddenly, he found his church FULL of new born believers, because of his kindness. But, he also felt the heavy burden of wanting so badly to help these babes in Christ, and without resources.

I believe, as he does, that these orphans are fast growing up to be the hope in leadership for Uganda. Paul's ministry in this village is monumental, and he warrants our support!
God is moving among them for a purpose, and I want to encourage them to know that God has not abandoned them, but, that He has a plan for them.

The TRUTH IS: they are not alone among the community of Christ. They are our brothers and sisters in the gospel and in the world. And, I know from personal experience, that a little love and encouragement goes a long way for a broken heart. HOPE is essential to the soul.
May God take these broken hearts and mend and make them strong for HIS GLORY!
Elaina Griffith, R.O.W.A.N
experiencthegospel@gmail.com

A New Parcel of Land is purchased

In Februrary 2009, a new parcel of land was purchased for $400,000 ug shillings ($250 US). The land, which is 26.9 X 72 Meters (about 1/2 an acre) will be used to expand the MICRO-ENTERPRISE of farming. Each Wednesday, the ROWAN widows meet under the mango tree for spiritual support through bible study and prayer, and to make decisions regarding their projects. God has blessed us, once again, with this opportunity. Previously, the seller of the land was only willing to part with half as much land for the same price. Patience has paid off, and the widows and orphans are moving closer to economic self-sufficiency. With the Lord's continued help and your merciful gifts, we have seen many miracles in the village of Mawanga.

A Glorious 1st Christmas at the new ROWAN office

Hello friends, Jambo.
Please i request you not to get tired of my thanking you, there is no way i can avoid thanking you for your commitment towards ROWAN Ministry. Your words have become keys to peoples hearts. The economy is going down but people are ready to give from the little they have. You can imagine!!!! May God Bless you all. Please enjoy the photos of our ROWAN Christmas party At our office. Again thank you so much for your support.
From your brother, Pastor Paul.
http://picasaweb.google.com/experiencethegospel/ChristmasParty2008#

Tools recieved for Dentist in Mawanga

[Through your gifts to R.O.W.A.N. the village of Mawanga has a dentist!!! Thank you!!
-Elaina. Here is an excerpt below from a joyful email from Mpindi Eria Nyende, Pastor Paul's son, and the new dentist of Mawanga, Uganda! We are very proud of him.]
i don't know the type of prayer i can pray due to the happiness i feel because i have been attending patients without working on them onely promising them that God is soon opening the way we get the tools ....
I don't know the style of smile i will use the day i will meet you in order to appreciate all you have been serving to me,our family,community.
i would like to express my sincere thanks for the support you have extended towards me.
Am really grateful and i ask God thr Almighty to bless you abundantly in his kingdom and bless the work of your hands.
You have really shown me how much you love and care for me.
there is nothing i can give you back as areward but just to say thank you so much for your generosity.....