Creative Partners - Faith in Bloomington

Faith Lutheran Church Sets Goals for Funding TripsMany of our partner congregations come up with creative ways to keep their members informed and involved in God's work here in Uganda. One such congregation is Faith Lutheran Church of Bloomington, Indiana. The Sunday School at Faith uses a tangible way to measure how their contributions accomplish something in Uganda. I estimated that on average it takes about $50 in diesel fuel for us to visit a village congregation where we preach, baptize, and confirm. So Faith's Sunday School started to use that as a measuring stick! With creative and colorful posters, Faith Lutheran Church in Bloomington has watched as their support sends us upcountry for Word and Sacrament ministry among God's people in Uganda.

Translating Cards into RunyankoreA Smile for Friends Across the SeaTo get their Sunday School children even more directly involved, the teachers for the 1st and 2nd grade Sunday School class colored some cards for Ugandan children and included a special message. Adam wrote, "God loves us no matter were we live or what we do." Meghan wrote, "Jesus loves you. Jesus' love shines for you. God will protect us." Mya wrote, "Gods miracle is for people of all ages." Grace wrote, "Jesus loves you and Jesus love shins for you and god will pertect you." Tom cited Revelation 3:4 and included the note, "Best luck with the missionarys." Isn't that awesome!?!? Their Sunday School teacher sent me these cards and during our catechism distribution trip I enlisted my friends Jerome and Frank to translate the messages into Runyankore, the local language. As an example, Adam's card is translated, "Ruhanga Natukunda tishonga oba nitutura nkahi ninga nitukoraki." Kids with CardsThen I carried them with me as we went to the Lutheran church in Kazo (Kazo I). I picked some children that I thought might possibly be somewhere around the same age (not that I know anything about children's ages) and read the cards to them in Runyankore as I placed them into their hands. What a great idea! Thousands of miles apart but we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

Thank you, Faith, for your creative support - and for encouraging us by letting us know about it! May God continue to richly bless you as you have blessed us! -Shauen