My dear friends,
This update is going to be a little different from the others. I have felt that, in an effort to keep my letters short, I have been unable to give a good picture of what it’s like to work at the Street Boy Shelter. This ministry brings me much joy, but the struggles are also very real. There hasn’t yet been a day at the shelter void of some nervousness, anxiety and/or fear. The reality is, as much as I have come to love working with the boys, it is not an easy task.
A few months ago, David led a staff devotion on Romans 12:1-2. These verses talk about offering our bodies to God as living sacrifices. David said that we did that each day we came to minister to the boys. They are dirty, they smell, they fight, and they use bad language, yet we offer our hands in greeting or place ourselves between them to break up the fights. He encouraged us with the fact that God is happy with that sacrifice. That devotional has stuck with me ever since and does a great job at describing what it is like to work with street boys.
And, to make this challenging work even more challenging, there was an incident this week that has caused me a lot of turmoil. I covet your prayers for the safety of my heart, mind, body and spirit. I know that God has led me to this ministry for this present season, and I know that even in this incident he promises to bring beauty and growth. And, as my time here is only half over, please be praying that I will know how to joyfully and lovingly continue in this work in light of its trials and challenges.
Yet, despite the hardships, there is much joy in this work. It is on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday that I laugh the most each week. Whether I am laughing at my botched Luganda as I try to communicate with the boys, at Sserwa da as he sings and dances his way around the room, or at the cheeky answers the boys give, it can be delightful. And of course there are also the little people who wander in and out of the church. To see Mommy come alive and cheerfully toddle around the room…it’s amazing! And this week she said her second word (at least the second one I have heard her say.) I was playing cards with a few of the boys and she was standing near us. Suddenly she looked up at me and said “vvaayo” which means “go away” or “get out of the way”. I was blocking her path with my legs because of how I was sitting so she told me to move. I couldn’t believe it! That sure made us all laugh.
But other than laughing, I find a lot of joy in teaching. I love to teach the school portion of the day and to see some of the boys memorizing the weekly verses I give after I teach from the Bible. A few weeks ago I tried something different for the school time. I photocopied a Word Search from one of the books my parents had mailed me and then gave a few additional geography questions that corresponded with the puzzle. They loved it! David walked into the room and asked me if they were doing a test because the room was unusually quiet. Haha! Even the workers joined in and did the puzzle and questions with the boys. But, an additional victory for me that day was that Rashid did the school work for the first time since I have been helping at the shelter. (He is wearing black pants in the photo below.) What a great day. :)
So, in joy or in pain, I am serving the Lord where he has placed me. And he has not put me there alone. I would like to next introduce you to those I am privileged to work alongside. First is David (aka Uncle). He is the Youth Pastor at Miracle of Faith Church and the leader of the street boy ministry that the church facilitates. He has been working with the boys for over two years now, and his love for them is so evident. Next are the Aunties: Joy, Jenafer and Margaret. These Ugandan women have so much patience, endurance, and joy! Their love for God just overflows onto the boys, and their laughter livens up the room every day. Then there is Luke (aka Jajja – Grandparent). Luke is a retired Pastor from Eastern Canada. He has a sincere desire to teach the boys God’s word, and he also loves to treat them to ice cream. Needless to say, the boys love this too. J And finally, there is Enoch (aka Uncle, although he is the same age as some of the boys – 18). Enoch has just begun his year long period of working at the shelter. I believe his testimony will be a great example of hope for the boys. And, as I’m sure you’re curious, I am called Auntie Erin…although it is most often said as “Aunt Allenee”.
Please be praying for continued strength for us all, and that God would be seen in each one of us. But, more specifically, you could be praying for Jenafer’s Uncle. Just this week he was captured by rebels in the Congo and is now in prison. We are praying for his safe release, but also for his salvation. Also this week, Enoch lost his Grandmother. Although she lived to be over 100 years old (very uncommon here), the loss is still painful and we pray that he will be comforted. And for Luke: his 6 month term is over at the end of this month, so let’s pray that he can finish strong.
So, the struggles are continual as we try to discern when the boys are being truthful, how to steer them away from stealing and other wrongs, and how to show God’s love and truth in a culture that is full of abuse, manipulation and corruption. May joy be multiplied and may lives be changed as the boys choose to follow Jesus. Amen!
Thanks for continuing to stand alongside me. Not only do I need your support, but I can feel it also. To give a quick update on my funds, I am still in need of just over $2000. Your kindness and faithfulness in this area up until now has astounded me. Thank you! Also, as you are praying for the requests above, please keep in mind the Bible Conferences that we have coming up over the next few weeks. 1200 Bibles will be given to Pastors and church leaders as they come to be trained and encouraged. This is a first for ACTION in this magnitude and we really pray for God’s blessing to be on these events.
Be blessed,
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 21st 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.
This update is going to be a little different from the others. I have felt that, in an effort to keep my letters short, I have been unable to give a good picture of what it’s like to work at the Street Boy Shelter. This ministry brings me much joy, but the struggles are also very real. There hasn’t yet been a day at the shelter void of some nervousness, anxiety and/or fear. The reality is, as much as I have come to love working with the boys, it is not an easy task.
A few months ago, David led a staff devotion on Romans 12:1-2. These verses talk about offering our bodies to God as living sacrifices. David said that we did that each day we came to minister to the boys. They are dirty, they smell, they fight, and they use bad language, yet we offer our hands in greeting or place ourselves between them to break up the fights. He encouraged us with the fact that God is happy with that sacrifice. That devotional has stuck with me ever since and does a great job at describing what it is like to work with street boys.
And, to make this challenging work even more challenging, there was an incident this week that has caused me a lot of turmoil. I covet your prayers for the safety of my heart, mind, body and spirit. I know that God has led me to this ministry for this present season, and I know that even in this incident he promises to bring beauty and growth. And, as my time here is only half over, please be praying that I will know how to joyfully and lovingly continue in this work in light of its trials and challenges.
Yet, despite the hardships, there is much joy in this work. It is on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday that I laugh the most each week. Whether I am laughing at my botched Luganda as I try to communicate with the boys, at Sserwa da as he sings and dances his way around the room, or at the cheeky answers the boys give, it can be delightful. And of course there are also the little people who wander in and out of the church. To see Mommy come alive and cheerfully toddle around the room…it’s amazing! And this week she said her second word (at least the second one I have heard her say.) I was playing cards with a few of the boys and she was standing near us. Suddenly she looked up at me and said “vvaayo” which means “go away” or “get out of the way”. I was blocking her path with my legs because of how I was sitting so she told me to move. I couldn’t believe it! That sure made us all laugh.
But other than laughing, I find a lot of joy in teaching. I love to teach the school portion of the day and to see some of the boys memorizing the weekly verses I give after I teach from the Bible. A few weeks ago I tried something different for the school time. I photocopied a Word Search from one of the books my parents had mailed me and then gave a few additional geography questions that corresponded with the puzzle. They loved it! David walked into the room and asked me if they were doing a test because the room was unusually quiet. Haha! Even the workers joined in and did the puzzle and questions with the boys. But, an additional victory for me that day was that Rashid did the school work for the first time since I have been helping at the shelter. (He is wearing black pants in the photo below.) What a great day. :)
So, in joy or in pain, I am serving the Lord where he has placed me. And he has not put me there alone. I would like to next introduce you to those I am privileged to work alongside. First is David (aka Uncle). He is the Youth Pastor at Miracle of Faith Church and the leader of the street boy ministry that the church facilitates. He has been working with the boys for over two years now, and his love for them is so evident. Next are the Aunties: Joy, Jenafer and Margaret. These Ugandan women have so much patience, endurance, and joy! Their love for God just overflows onto the boys, and their laughter livens up the room every day. Then there is Luke (aka Jajja – Grandparent). Luke is a retired Pastor from Eastern Canada. He has a sincere desire to teach the boys God’s word, and he also loves to treat them to ice cream. Needless to say, the boys love this too. J And finally, there is Enoch (aka Uncle, although he is the same age as some of the boys – 18). Enoch has just begun his year long period of working at the shelter. I believe his testimony will be a great example of hope for the boys. And, as I’m sure you’re curious, I am called Auntie Erin…although it is most often said as “Aunt Allenee”.
Please be praying for continued strength for us all, and that God would be seen in each one of us. But, more specifically, you could be praying for Jenafer’s Uncle. Just this week he was captured by rebels in the Congo and is now in prison. We are praying for his safe release, but also for his salvation. Also this week, Enoch lost his Grandmother. Although she lived to be over 100 years old (very uncommon here), the loss is still painful and we pray that he will be comforted. And for Luke: his 6 month term is over at the end of this month, so let’s pray that he can finish strong.
So, the struggles are continual as we try to discern when the boys are being truthful, how to steer them away from stealing and other wrongs, and how to show God’s love and truth in a culture that is full of abuse, manipulation and corruption. May joy be multiplied and may lives be changed as the boys choose to follow Jesus. Amen!
Thanks for continuing to stand alongside me. Not only do I need your support, but I can feel it also. To give a quick update on my funds, I am still in need of just over $2000. Your kindness and faithfulness in this area up until now has astounded me. Thank you! Also, as you are praying for the requests above, please keep in mind the Bible Conferences that we have coming up over the next few weeks. 1200 Bibles will be given to Pastors and church leaders as they come to be trained and encouraged. This is a first for ACTION in this magnitude and we really pray for God’s blessing to be on these events.
Be blessed,
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 21st 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.
Photo Descriptions:
- Jenafer, David, Margaret, Joy
- Enoch
- Luke
- Rashid and Emmanuel doing their school work
- With Bobiwin and another
- With Mommy
