REVIVAL CHILDREN'S HOME

"He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and he will pay back what he has given" (Proverbs 19:17)

The 16 children in our children home enjoy good shelter with good conditions for excellent growth spiritually, emotionally, socially and physically. They enjoy fellowship with each other and good care from Evas, the House mother. Daily in their evening devotions they thank God for Revival Tabernacle Ministries, for being a blessing to them.
Formerly, most of these children were on the street and the rest were staying with relatives and friends. Most of them did not have a place to call home, they had no food to eat and it was so hard for all of them to go to school, most of them had dropped out of school. They had no beds and were sleeping on mats with no blankets.
We are grateful for all the friends that have been a blessing to these children, especially House of Hope Ministries and the Rock kingdom capital Organization. You have made a difference in the lives of these children.
Thank God, today their school fees are paid on time, they have good medical care, and they sleep in nice beds, eat good meals and dress smartly.
Early this year Pastor Tracy and Mary Wolfe from California, visited the home and bought all the children new clothes and soccer balls. Each child got 3 pairs of clothes and that Sunday, they gave testimonies of God’s goodness and his abundant provision. They were so excited and they wanted to show every body how smart they were. They gave away some of their old clothes to the needy children on the street and in the community.
Our children have improved on their school grades and they are so hopeful to become great leaders in future and help to transform our community and the communities around. It is amazing how these children have grown spiritually in a short time. They recite scriptures, pray and share the word. Most of them are already in leadership positions in the church.
These children are motivated to make a difference. They are so hard working. They help raise support for their up keep in holidays through sweeter making. It is interesting to see how talented these young people are, and one cannot wait to say that they will be so influential in future.
In holidays, they cultivate and grow crops like maize, beans and sweet potatoes. The harvest from these gardens is normally shared with poor widows and orphans from our community. People around us thank God for these children.
These children are so concerned about hundreds of other children that are in our community and the communities around us that have no place to call home, who sleep on verandahs and unfinished buildings. Most of them hardly eat anything for days. They depend on leftovers thrown in trash. Most of them are naked and have no opportunity to go to school.
Our children always pray for such children, so that God will help them too.
Our dream is to build a children village with a school, a clinic and several homes where we will put most of these destitute children, and give them good shelter, food, clothing, medical care and education.
Please remember to pray for these children and many that are like them. They need your love and support.
In case you feel you want to be a blessing to these children in any area, please write to us at: jbakashaba@yahoo.com or jbakashaba@gmail.com.

PAUL AND BLESSING HAPPY TO RECEIVE BIKES

When Paul and Blessing knew that Gene and Linda Smith had promised to buy for them Bicycles, they got so excited. The first question Paul and Blessing asked me when I returned was; "where are the Bikes?" I explained to them that we will buy them from Uganda.

They kept praying and expectant that this dream will become a reality.

Two weeks ago, after I received the funds from Gene, I was planning to go to Kampala where it is possible to get good Bicycles. But I was surprised when one of the businessmen brought some nice Bicycles for sell to Kabale.

I bought two good Bicycles for Paul and Blessing on good prices.

They were so excited to receive them. Blessing said that this was the best Christmas gifts she could get.

On the first day they received them, they kept riding the bikes round and round in our courtyard. It was very hard to convince them to eat their lunch. They felt bad when evening came and it was dark.

But in the morning, it was like they were dreaming about the Bikes, Blessing woke from bed and exclaimed; “where is my Bicycle?”

They have been riding the Bicycles every day especially on weekends when they don’t go to school.

Paul is not yet confident to ride the Bicycle to school; he may be able to take it next school term.

Thank you so much Gene and Linda and your family,for your love and support for my family.

God richly bless you.

THE FIRST MAIZE GARDEN AT THE CHILDREN HOUSE

"A father to the fatherless...is God.God sets the solitary in families." (Psalms 68:5,6)

Harvesting corn in Kabale can be so exciting.The first time the children in the children house harvested their first maize, was memorable! It was a time of celebrations as the boys with the House mother entered the garden and harvest the long awaited for maize. Normally in our community a maize season is celebrated with evening stories around the fire place as the family gathers together roasting maize. In olden days, the Aunties and Grannies would use this season to tell the young children several interesting stories and teach them many cultural traditions.

With none that knows old stories, the House mother told the children Bible stories as the children roasted Maize and steamed the rest. Children too, shared stories with each other and testimonies of the joy of being at House of Hope. The children testify that it is Divine for all of them to belong to the House of Hope family.

Thank God for the gardens in the back yards of the children’s home.

When the maize season started, Evas the House mother bought some seeds from the market, and the children planted them in the gardens. The children watched the maize gladly as the plants grew up. They were eagerly waiting for the day when they will have their first maize harvest in the house. Each child roasted maize and they enjoyed the steamed maize for supper. John &Judith, the English neighbors were also excited to receive some maize from the children.

In these gardens the children have grown Egg plants, Cabbages, Beans & Pumpkins. There are also fruit trees of Avocado in the gardens. The vegetables from the gardens have always supplemented the usual meals at the children’s house. Sometimes they give some to the needy mothers and children in the community, who would have otherwise slept without food. The children have become a blessing to the community.

It’s the prayer of these children that they will get a variety of seeds to plant more vegetables and other fruits and cereals to supplement on their diet.

Thank you friends, for being a blessing to these children, you have made a difference in their lives. The kids are so grateful for all support given to them and for your prayers.

For support and to know more, you can contact Pastor Johnson at:jbakashaba@gmail.com

Children Happy to receive gifts from Sponsors

When I returned to Uganda, children were most excited to see me back.

On Sunday, I found them lined up to receive me. They all call me Dad. They sang for me a welcome song and gave me a welcome gift.

They were so happy to hear all the stories I had to tell of my trip to the USA. The children were especially happy to hear how the Americans were excited to help them, especially so with school fees.

These children value education. But unfortunately not many are have an opportunity to go to school. They were surprised when I told them that education in America is free. They admired the American children.

I told them that more children had received sponsorship and they would go to school the following year. I couldn’t remember all the children that were sponsored, so I did not mention names. I told them that we will know the new sponsored children by December. We will wait for Whitney and Maranatha Church to compile the list and send it to us.

The following week, I started to give out letters and gifts from the sponsors. Children were so excited to hear from special friends who have made a difference in their lives. They said they treasure the gifts because they come from special people they call fathers and mothers, who have restored hope in their lives and given them an opportunity to go to school.

They just wanted to keep reading the letters. They kept well every gift they received.

The children who did not get letters and gifts from their sponsors felt so bad but I assured them that next time, they will also get letters from their sponsors.

The sponsorship program has made a tremendous change in our community. It was unheard of to find children speaking English on our community. But now it is a different story. Our children can read and speak English very well. Our children know Jesus and memorize scripture and as a result they have influenced even the children who don’t come to church. You sense the presence of God in a community that has a terrible history of drunkardness, immorality, abusive language, drugs, witchcraft, theft and murder.

Even the unbelievers thank God for our church. Our children are exemplary.

Thank you, friends for your love and support for these children. You have made a difference in their lives and the lives of many more, directly and indirectly.

May God bless you.

KOMU GETS A COMPUTER

Komuhangi Prossy, is one the 16 children that stays in Revival children home. She and her old brothers Joseph and Nicholas are orphans and they had a problem of raising school fees, food, clothing and shelter until when we started this children’s home with support from friends in America, and we put them in the home with the 13 other children. Last Christmas, our friends from Gaba, Kampala, sent us a few boxes of children gifts from Samaritan’s purse. Komu was one of the beneficiaries and she found an address of some one who sent the box from West Virginia. She picked interest and asked Joseph, her brother to help her communicate with Danielle, which they did. To Komu’s surprise Danielle replied also sending her e-mail address, for easier communication. Komu had opened an e-mail address with Joseph’s help and he was teaching her how to use a computer and communicate by internet. Komu wrote an e-mail to Danielle and they picked a relationship since then. Komu notified Danielle that I was going to the US last October and she arranged to send back a few things with me for her. Among these Komu had asked for a computer so that she can learn more computer lessons. Thank God, Danielle sent back two lap top computers one of them for Komu. Komu was so excited to receive her computer. Thank you, Scottie and Danielle for being good parents to Komu. There are 16 children in the Revival Children’s home. And the vision of the church is to create hope for needy children as we give them education, shelter, food, clothing and medical care. As we disciple them in the word of God. Our desire is to create a safe and nurturing environment for needy children, where they are can be groomed and trained as future leaders and responsible citizens of our nation that will help in our pursuit to transform our community and the communities around us. Our goal is to set up several other homes where more destitute children can be given an opportunity to grow up to be what God created them to be. Our community is full of hundreds of children, most of whom are orphans with no place to call home. Most of them spend days without eating food. Many are naked and on the streets. They have no opportunity to go to school as the rest, because they can’t afford the cost of education. In Uganda education is very expensive. These and more children need your love, prayers and support. To show love and support to any of these children in any way please write and get more information from Pastor Johnson Bakashaba at: jbakashaba@gmail.com

BACK TO UGANDA

MY FLIGHT BACK HOME

On Tuesday morning after, Mr.Smith had helped me check in, i went through security, and a few minutes later boarded the plane.

In a moment we were on our way to Atlanta, and then I connected to Delta airlines on my way to Brussels where I was connected to SN Brussels and we were on our way back to Africa.

It took us 8 hours and by morning we had reached Brussels. We waited for 3 hours before boarding for Africa.

I was so happy to see all the great places from above. I saw Corinth and Thessalonica, the places where Paul preached the gospel and started churches in Europe.

I also viewed the Mediterranean Sea and the Malta Island where Paul was bitten by a snake. These scenes some how made the bible stories more a live in my life.

In the next 10 hours we were in Bujumbura where we connected to Entebbe.

By 10:00 p.m Ugandan time we had reached Entebbe.

Margaret my wife was waiting for me together with Sam our church administrator and Jackie on of our friends from church. They had arranged my transportation to Kampala city where we spent the night and traveled to Kabale the following day.

Thursday 23^rd October, by evening, I had reached home. I found many people waiting for me at home, mostly my sons and daughters.

It was great to be rejoined with my family and friends. They were so happy to see me.

We had a good time of celebration until after mid night. They had prepared a dinner for my welcome.

Different people gave talks on how they were missing me and how I am welcome back home.

I told them several stories of my trip and experience.

I was so happy to be back home.

SUNDAY SERVICE IN KABALE
Sunday service was going to be special dedicated to my welcome back. The service was halted when I came to church as the brethren could not control the great excitement, they all run out the church building when they saw me come with my family. It was too much, hugging me and shaking my hands. I could shake three hands at ago, in each hand.

We had a great service and I shared my US stories for most of the service.

The brethren were happy to have me back home.

We prepared lunch for every body so after church every member including all children was welcomed to our home for lunch. We also had several friends joins us from our city.

Every body enjoyed.

READJUSTING
After one month away from Uganda, it was going to take me some time to adjust to the conditions and life back at home.

I was so tired and I had to rest for a few days to overcome the trip fatigue. Also with the time zone difference, it took me a week to adjust back to our time in Uganda.

With my friends in the US, I had gotten used to eating a lot, so I had to adjust to our eating habits.

I was happy to eat Matoke again and our hot African tea.

I am adjusting to our diet of matoke, posho and beans. I however miss the American and Mexican foods especially Fajitas and Tacos. I miss hamburgers and chicken pies, pizzas, ribs and stakes.

I learnt a lot from America and the American people. It was a great experience that will leave a lasting impact upon my life.

It is now my great responsibility to act upon what I have known and put onto practice learnt.

I also enjoy great communication from the friends I made during my trip.

The kids were so happy to hear from their sponsors and to receive the gifts their sponsors sent them. It was such an encouragement for the kids to know that their sponsors have them at heart. The kids who didn’t receive any thing from sponsors felt badly, as those who received could not hide their excitement.

Thank you, once again friends for bringing joy to these children.

PREPARING TO GO BACK TO AFRICA

GETTING READY TO GO BACK

Monday 20^th October, was a very busy day for me and Whitney. We had a lot to do as I was getting ready to go back to Uganda.

We did a lot of communications, printed out my pictures and prepared my travel documents.

I also had time to say farewell to some of the friends I had made in Elk City.

In the evening we had dinner at Dan and Becky’s home .We had a great time of fellowship with their family. They have a nice home with wonderful children.

They bid me farewell and we went home.

Denise came home that night, to say farewell to me. It was a hard moment for me. I began to feel the weight of parting with dear friends.

That night I could not sleep. I was torn between the joy of and excitement of returning home soon to join my family I was missing much and the grief and pain of parting with my dear friends I loved so much and my new family in the US.

FAREWELL
Tuesday morning, I was ready to leave back for Uganda by 7:00 am.

My mission was accomplished; I had visited all the places, I felt the Lord had assigned me to visit and made new friends. I felt I had accomplished my task in the US.

After break fast Jeff and Whitney prayed for me and I had to hug my friends farewell.. It was so hard and so painful. I couldn’t imagine I was parting with the family that had become my home away from home.

Jeff and Whitney are true friends; I will miss them and my little friend Bennett Grace.

Mr. Smith came to pick me up for the Oklahoma City airport where I was to board again for Atlanta and connect to Africa through Brussels since I was scheduled to travel with SN Brussels air line.

We had a good ride to the airport; I could hardly talk with my good friend, Mr Smith, who had become like a father to me. Thoughts of how I was going to miss these good friends raced my mind all the way.

He helped me to check through and I was again tough to hug him good bye. Gene is a good, compassionate and kind man. I enjoyed every time I spent with him.

Farewell, my great friends, until we meet again.