Staying Connected #2

Dear friends,

To say that this past month has been a rollercoaster of emotion does not quite capture it. The loneliness has been deep and I have struggled in my effort to adjust to the time, altitude, heat, food, and culture here in Uganda. Ah, but through it all I have been held in God’s loving hands, and I am confident that your prayers have helped to keep me there. Also, just last week I found myself wishing to be nowhere but where I am right now…in Africa! Praise God!

Yet, despite the struggles that I have encountered so far in my African journey, my service for God under ACTION has begun. It has been determined that from Monday to Wednesday I will go to the street boy day shelter. This shelter provides the boys with a place to sleep, do laundry, obtain two meals, keep their minds sharp through daily school time, and learn from the Bible. So far my task has simply been to befriend the boys, but in essence, through that friendship to encourage them towards repentance and restoration with God and their families. My responsibilities are gradually growing to include the school portion one day a week, and will most likely include some Bible teaching in the coming months.

I am very thankful for the opportunity to interact with these boys, but I also covet your prayers for my future work with them. Besides adjusting to them being older than I expected (they are mostly in their mid-late teens), my main struggle has been trying to love where there is no trust. The boys do not divulge their real names, and more often than not, their stories about their families and why they are on the streets are just as doubtful. But, it is very plain that at the root of the manipulation and lies are wounded souls that need the love of Jesus. I pray that God would teach me how to love these boys, and that trust may be birthed between us. May that love and trust then work together to bring healing and hope to these boys who call the streets their home.

As for other ministry, I have been typing up some previously translated teaching material in the Teso language. Those in Soroti have very few Christian resources in their language and I am privileged to be able to help them in this area. Also, with Christmas coming up, we are very busy preparing for our outreaches at which we plan to share the Gospel and bring gifts to almost 2000 children. Additionally, we will be giving a Christmas meal and presenting the Gospel for about 400 people in the condemned (death row) section of the prison here in Kampala. Besides helping to prepare for and carry out these outreaches, I will also be teaching at a children’s program this week in Namulanda. Up to 300 children will be there to hear of Jesus as the greatest gift ever given. Please pray for all who will hear God’s message of salvation this Christmas, as well as for boldness, guidance and safety as I travel and teach this week.

As you bring the above prayer requests to God, please also be praying for each of us on this ACTION Uganda team: Jim, Kappy, Luke and I. Each of us has been suffering with flu-like symptoms off and on for the entire time I have been here, some to greater extents than others. Tests have just shown that we might all have an amoeba, contracted from either food or water. I myself am overcome with weakness once again and am lying in my bed as I type this letter to you. Please pray for the medicine to be effective and for God’s healing and strength to come to each of us.

Finally, I want to thank you all for walking this journey with me. I have been truly touched and uplifted by your messages, e-mails and prayers. Thank you also for your financial gifts as they allow God’s work in and through me to continue. Please do check out my ACTION page and blog (see addresses below) for photos, the occasional taste of life in Kampala and more stories of God’s goodness that I hope will bless you and stir your hearts to prayer. My mailing address is also below should you feel so inclined to send mail…or chocolate. J

In God’s faithful service,

Erin Spring (www.actionintl.org/spring --- erinrachelspring.blogspot.com)

Mailing Address: c/o Robinette, PO Box 71249 Clock Tower, Kampala Uganda, East Africa

To support financially:

~ Cheques are to be made out to “Action International Ministries” and mailed to: 3015A 21^st St. NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7T1. My name cannot appear anywhere on the cheque. Instead, please enclose a separate note specifying it is for me.

~ Donations can also be made by credit card over the phone or debited monthly from your bank account or credit card. Simply call 403.204.1421 or 1.888.443.2221 (toll-free), and they will assist you.

~ Online donations are also possible. Go to www.actionintl.org/spring for my page.