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

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.

Fri JUL 18, 08 a late report from Sonia Grifith in Mawanga

Friday, July 18, 2008, 12:32 AM
Jambo Dad! ....... We are doing great! Today all the men come back from Jinja. The Pastor's conference is over at noon today. (It's 10:30 on Friday right now) Miriam says that she is NOT tired. :) (but she sleeps really really hard at night) turns out she doesn't like the same foods that I do here. go figure. Today we carried up the materials for the roof of the ROWAN office. Now they are waiting for the carpenter to show up so that they can actually put the roof on the building. Wev'e been just kick'n it during the afternoon, playing cards with Andrew and Shawna, sometimes Tom and Brian
People are surprisingly different than we thought that they would be. Tom is rediculously chipper...all the time. So is everyone else for that matter.
We've been doing VBS with the kids every day. Laura is getting the hang of working with a translater and kids who don't really get many english words. The kids are having fun with all of the toys we brought. Yesterday I was literally mobbed! I made the mistake of chasing down a crying child to give him a tootsie pop and the whole village ran after me. You would have laughed your head off. I ended up screaming for help.
Brian is doing great. They think he was stung by a bee and not bit by a spider. HIs hand is back to normal size, it is just red now.
We miss you all, give Mom and Okla a hug for us. We might not be able to write you again.
love ya Daddy!........
Sonia Griffith & Miriam

TEAM AFRICA 2008 - Our Mission

TEAM AFRICA 2008

Acton Faith Bible Church is
Going to Africa in 2008 ! ! !

This is an exciting opportunity to visit our sister church in Africa, travel with friends and minister to those men who are hungry to be godly pastors, women who desire to serve God’s church according to his word and widows and orphans who need our encouragement!

We will be serving with Dr. Steve Van Horn of International Training and Equipping Ministries and Pastor Wayne Wilson of Acton Faith Bible Church.

The estimated cost is $3,000 per person.
A deposit of $110 due Feb. 1st
A payment of $1000 due May 1st, with the balance due May 30th
Destination: Uganda
Itinerary:
July 10 Depart LAX
July 12-13 Arrive Uganda - travel days
July 14-19 Pastor Conference & Ministry
July 20 Worship
July 21 Travel
July 23 Depart
July 24 Home

Estimated Costs:
Airfare $2100+/-
Passport $100
Visa $75
Immunizations $400
Taxis $100
Souvenirs $50
Entire trip approx. $3,000

Est. Pastor Training:
Train Pastors for 5 days $2,000

Medical Supplies
each Package is $150
contains $1500 worth of meds
Train Pastors

Bring medical supplies to clinic

Women’s Conference

Build House for R.O.W.A.N.

Children’s ministry

Visit widows and orphans

You can Donate a tax-deductible gift
to: Acton Faith Bible Church,
memo: TEAM AFRICA 2008
Send to: P.O. Box 122. Acton, CA 93510
For more information call 661-269-4041
Elaina Griffith, Deaconess Treasurer

GO TEAM !