Day 11, June 9, 2014

God’s Harvest-Mark 4:26-29 “And he said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.’”

God’s Harvest, June 9, 2014The harvest belongs to God. We are just the planters who scatter seeds while we live, learn, work, worship and pray at Lulwanda. We leave behind the seeds of relationships, discipleship, and friendship. We leave the harvest of the souls to God. We leave the expectations of our success to God. We leave our work to God. We in fact act in faith when we are willing to leave all of this to God’s time because we do not know how God will use our willing sacrifice. Pray for a pure heart which acts in faith to leave to God the harvest of the souls. Pray that we act in humility in all we do. Pray that we search our souls for our pure motive. Ask God to take these offerings and use them to the glory of his kingdom for the fields are white unto the harvest.

Day 12, June 10, 2014

The Library-John 21:25 “Now, there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were everyone of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”

The Library, June 10, 2014A vision for a library at Lulwanda Primary School was realized through work, determination, donation, and volunteers. The dream of bringing books to these children was completed 6 years ago when the actual facility opened. Where an empty classroom once stood, with concrete floors and no shelving, God has provided all we need. Pray first for the books to come, to be replenished, and restocked. Pray for the Bibles checked out until they are worn away. These Bibles were provided by countless folks here who support and pray for us. Pray for the Word of God to be spoken through reading the Word. We teach reading; they learn reading; and God blesses us and them through reading. Thank God for the library, its shelves, its books, its librarian, and its use. Thank him that we have the funding to carry on. Ask Him to sustain this work so that all who enter this room will be able to understand, comprehend, and write the word. Pray for us to be strengthened in our work for the Word of God is powerful and sharp. It will not be overcome!

Day 13, June 11, 2014

The Classrooms-Psalm 27:11a “Teach me your way O LORD, and lead me on a level path…”

The Classrooms, June 11, 2014

The greatest part of Jesus’ ministry was given to teaching, and teaching at Lulwanda is a vital and integral part of the work God has us to do there. Working in classrooms, on the porches, on the grass under the trees, in the dining hall, and in the library teachers, both national and team members, work to provide lessons in a variety of subjects. Students are tested at the end of seventh grade and must make an acceptable mark to advance in their studies. Pray for each of us to be a teacher, like Jesus, as we go about anything and everything we do. Ask God to bless every lesson and every word, every art project and every tie-dyed shirt, every soccer ball and every musical note sung. Pray for the school staff as they work day to day. Pray in faith that our work here will have a lasting impression on the school, the village, and mostly the students. Bless at this time all the classrooms. Pray over each one as we paint. Think of the children for God is at work in them and will use them through education to lead and prosper their nation. Pray to allow God to teach us, His Way, by being open to the Holy Spirit.

Day 14, June 12, 2014

The Offices-I Thessalonians 4:9a,10b-12 “Now concerning brotherly love….. But we urge you brothers to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you , so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”

The Offices, June 12, 2014There are 2 sets of offices at Lulwanda. One is in the dining hall building and one is in the school down the hill. Both are very important in the work to keep records, to handle the basic business, to coordinate team arrivals, to administer discipline, and to especially plan and carry out activities for all of the students. These offices must be run with quiet confidence always being mindful of the work to be done. These offices are inspirational as the men and women who work here are the shining examples of integrity and honesty. These offices provide a quiet calm for thinking. Pray for God to use the business of this business to fully see to these children. Pray that we will be mindful of the great responsibility we all have in taking care of the money, the seed faith, of the men and women who have given so much to make this trip possible, to make this school possible, and to make the home what it is in the lives of these children. Praise God for his great and glorious work in the business of loving all the little children, His great calling for our lives.

Day 15, June 13, 2014

The Nursery School-Isaiah 54:13 “All your children shall be taught by the LORD and great shall be the peace of your children.”

The Nursery School, June 13, 2014The place of foundation and vitality of the home and the school are the nursery school classrooms. These have been completely remodeled and reworked as to set up, curriculum ideas, and presentation through centers. The “Hartzog remodelers” have spent much time and effort in making these classes a sight to behold. Pray for each teacher in the three rooms. This was once a chicken coop and is now a learning lab. Thank God for vision to proceed. Thank him for the wisdom of team members who have assisted. Thank God for the walls, floors, and roofs. They are all His and He has complete control over them. Pray for the babies at their most impressionable ages who sit in these rooms, living, laughing, learning and loving. Ask God for the provision of time, funding, teachers, and children who need this place. Praise God that Jesus said, “Let the little children, come……” Pray He sends them.

Day 16, June 14, 2014

The Animals-Psalm 8:6-9 “You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

The Animals, June 14, 2014The barns at Lulwanda house goats, chickens, pigs, and cows. The children are attentive and the animals show valuable lessons in life for them. This is an agricultural society out in the villages. Animals have a role far beyond that of pets. They are life, food, and barter for the owners. They are gifts at times for a special occasion or a special thank you, but most important they are a reminder to us that God is in control of all creation and has allowed man to become the overseer of this planet. Pray that we too understand the responsibility God has placed into the hands of man. Pray for the animals who are housed here, their health and their care. Pray for the crops and rains to provide food to sustain these animals that in turn provide and sustain these children. Thank God for our lives, constant reminders that He is our creator God. His mercies are new every morning. Praise the majestic name of Jesus.

Day 17, June 15, 2014

The Village Church-Ephesians 5:26-27, 29 “…..that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish…..For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,…”

The Village Church, June 15, 2014

Just behind Lulwanda’s gate and fences lies the little village church of Bululeo. Here the children and workers of Lulwanda worship with the people of the village. This small, humble house of God is one room, concrete floors, window openings, wooden benches, and a sound system. The little ones mill around, the music is fast and lively, the preaching is interpreted sometimes in more than one language, and the people are warm and giving. This little house represents the majesty of God. This little house is the love of Jesus. This little house is a shelter in the time of storm. Pray today that these walls remain faithful to surrounding the people of this village with love. Pray that God blesses this edifice with more people than it can possibly hold. Crowding should be a sign of blessings, thank God for the benches as hard as they are. Thank him for the windows or it would be too hot. Thank him for the sound system so that we can hear the praise. Say, “Thank you, Jesus, for dying for this body of believers.”

Day 18, June 16, 2014

The People of the Village-Romans 12:9-13 “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

The People of the Village, June 16, 2014

The village around Lulwanda is poor. Many children are supported by a single parent, a single grandparent, or by aunties. Many of the elderly subsist on very little food. Many of the working age people are not here for they seek work in town and only return occasionally. Families struggle, but God has a way of blessings these folks in ways maybe we do not understand. They love truly. They laugh readily. They smile humbly. They sing joyfully. They pray faithfully. They live expectantly for they believe that God will work all things out for good. They are patient in tribulation. Pray that we may contribute to their needs. Pray that we may receive humbly their hospitality. Pray for each stop along the way that we may return the smile or shake a hand in Christian fellowship. Ask God to bring a serious blessing to them, serious! Pray for Buckets of Hope as a vehicle for good. Ask God to show us genuine love through the least of these.

Day 19, June 17, 2014

The Children of Lulwanda-Matthew 18:1-6 “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’”

The Children of Lulwanda, June 17, 2014

Hands down, heart and soul, all on the table, and without reservation, we go to serve the orphans of Uganda through our work at Lulwanda. This nation has more orphans than it can say grace over. This people care and show grave concern, but funding is nonexistent and there is no help. The kingdom walks, lives, and breaths. It is Lulwanda’s children. Pray for them to grow strong in the Lord. Pray for them to be of good courage, confident in their education. Pray for them to stand victorious before the foe’s defeat. Pray for them to be girded with the truth of the Word of God. Pray for them to have hope fostered by faith. Ask God to give us the eyes to see him at work in this time with these children. Ask him to let us see in their eyes the eyes of Jesus. We want to see him, know him, and live our lives to show him that we seek his heart for these little ones. Pray that the Holy Spirit helps us to remember that they are the greatest in the kingdom….not preachers of great crusades, not musicians of renown vocal talent, not teachers of learned authority…..just little children. Pray that the Lord takes our prayer as if we were little ones!

Day 20, June 18, 2014

The Secondary Students-I Peter 5:5-7 “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

The Secondary Students,June 18, 2014

Lulwanda began with young children and has grown up a full complement of more than 35 secondary students who live at boarding schools. We are proud of the work they have done to accomplish the marks needed to attend secondary. With great accomplishment comes great temptation to toot our own horns so to speak. These students are youngsters. We need to pray for God’s guidance to be apparent to them. Pray for them to keep up academically without missing out on quiet time with the Lord. Pray that they will learn many great truths but not leave the truth of God behind. Pray that they learn from the teachers but learn to think for themselves. Pray that they are humbled by the thought that they are chosen to be in this place in life. They had no hope, but now they are found. Thank God for all the work done before us. Thank him for his marvelous works through every team and every person who has lent a hand and a prayer for Lulwanda.