Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Karamojong Children of Tororo Uganda

Pastor Ruth of Smile Africa in Uganda introduced me to the Karamojong tribe in July of 2007. She told me they are a despised group of people and are considered to be dirty and have a reputation of stealing--much like the gypsies in Europe. The cycle continues because of their reputation no one wants to hire them or be near them so they have to steal to survive. . . well you get the picture. Maria was ten years old and among the Karamojong children who dug through the garbage heaps each morning. One morning she found a piece of meat attached to a dead rat. She scraped the rat away and as she was ready to eat the meat other children spotted her and chased her begging her to share it with them. She shoved the whole piece into her mouth as she ran and within hours she died a violent death. We knew we had to step in because no child should have to die for a piece of meat. For sixteen months we at Hope 4 Kids International have sponsored the feeding of these Karamojong kids at Smile Africa twice a day. They are fed, bathed, clothes are washed; they have lessons in reading, writing, arithmetic, Bible and manners. They are treated medically in a partially built clinic. We have been blessed to receive a shipment of nutritous meals from Feed My Starving Children which will provide the children with daily meals for 15 months!

Sunday, February 1, 2009

God, Why Don't You Hear Their Prayer?


Book Overview
When Tom Eggum arrived in a village in Uganda he met beautiful children who were dying of treatable diseases like dysentery, measles and malaria. Still in the midst of their suffering, they believed in a God who could make it all right.
Alone in his hotel room he cried out, “God! Why don’t you hear their prayer?”
It took Tom time to realize God had heard their prayer and He expected Tom to become part of the answer.
Tom and Rachel—a brother and sister team relate compelling stories ranging from working with their parents in a migrant camp to being deported from Cuba and finding their purposes in the middle of Uganda. You will be challenged to find God’s purpose in your life whether it is at your job, in your neighborhood or across the ocean.

This book is not just about answering the question "God, why don’t you hear their prayer."

This book is about hope.
The authors relate topics that are close to their hearts and to which I know many of you can relate. It’s about facing life’s storms. Tom shares how excited he was to finally realize the true purpose for which he was born and shortly thereafter was slammed with prostate cancer.
It’s about God’s mercy when the author's family converged upon Rachel's home in Iowa to say goodbye to their mother as she lay dying.
Tom also talks candidly about his divorce—how it almost ruined him and how Christians turned against him and would not allow him to speak in their churches. You will again see God’s mercy as He led Tom down new paths to a higher purpose.

This book is about adventure. You will read about Tom's arrest in the Soviet Union and about Tom, Rachel and their team being deported from Cuba for religious activity.
This book is about courage as they recount tales of persecution of Christians and their willingness to follow Christ no matter what the cost.
It’s about making a difference whether it is reaching out to a loved one going through tough times or stretching across the ocean to answer the cry of an orphan.
No matter where you are in your life’s journey—whether you are just starting out or are in your golden years this book will speak to you.

Book Endorsement:
“I highly recommend this book. It opens our eyes to the plight of the Ugandan people as well as others around the world who are being taught new skills and are given hope and dignity through medicine, laughter and God’s love. It gives us a new appreciation for how blessed we are as a people and a nation. If you’ve ever wanted to make a difference you must read this book!”
Dr. Walt Kallestad, senior pastor of Community church of Joy in Glendale, AZ.

To Order log on to http://www.h4ki.org/