How do you judge an effective year? To me, if I can see God's hand in a certain area - that is His attributes apparent from events taking place, especially in the presence of adversity, then I conclude that not only is He at work but it is an effective time. In other words, if it looks like God has been at work over the past year and He has had His hand in what I'm doing, then I conclude that I'm on the right track. And, if I see His hand at work even during a challenging season then I conclude all the more that I'm on the right track.
One of the ways that I've seen God at work is through the work in Uganda in which I've been able to be involved. Despite the challenging economy in the states and the oppressiveness and corruption in the country of Uganda, Bridge Connections has had a very effective year. We have increased from 3 monthly investors to 11. We had a successful art auction, took 2 successful trips to Uganda this year engaging over a dozen in serving abroad including 2 individuals that severed for 4 months in Uganda. We've taken the Gospel message to a primarily Muslim village through the Jesus Video in their language, solar powered audio bibles, and bibles written in their native tongue. We've bought bags of rice, planted crops, purchased large bags of flour and sugar and raised over $7000 and broken ground to dig a clean water well. We raised over $2000 and build a safe brick home that is housing many orphans that formerly had no place to lay at night. We've given them beds and bedding and even have paid the school fees for some to get a higher quality education. The work in Kiboyo is oppressive. There is no doubt about it. The government is corrupt, their is famine in the land, the water is is diseased and orphans are spread throughout the country left begging on the streets in rags. I have visited churches this year in Kiboyo that did not even have the entire New Testament. Yet God is rising up many to serve, give, invest and care about the forgotten and neglected in Uganda. When many churches and non-profits had a challenging year financially, Bridge Connections had a record giving year. Praise God and to Him go all the Glory for what we've been able to do in such a short time. Here are some pictures of our work this year: (on the right)
