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#