Easter Newsletter
April 1, 2021
Dear Divine Care Sponsors,
I don’t know about you, but springtime is one of my most favorite times of the year! Spring is full of so much life and color. From the blooming dogwoods and cherry blossoms to farms and fields teeming with baby chicks, bunnies, and calves, this time of year has a special way of reminding me of the goodness of our God. The winter is past, the springtime has come, and the gift of LIFE is oh so evident. I hate to admit it, but it’s so easy for me to forget just how remarkable this gift is. From pandemics, budgets, the daily stresses of life, wars and injustices, overbooked schedules, etc., many of us have a hard time remembering to slow down and savor the “little things.”
The breath in our lungs, the embrace of a loved one, time with grandkids, the ability to walk, hear, see, the list could go on...all, a gift from God. Our prayer for you and ourselves during this season is that we’d all worship the Giver of these gifts and grow in deeper reverence of how amazing it is to be made right with God through our victorious Savior!
He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have the preeminence. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross. - Colossians 1: 17-20
In this Easter season, we are so grateful for evidence of the COVID pandemic improving. In Uganda, the restrictions are easing and our team can freely travel. Below, you’ll find some excerpts from Phoebe’s report of a recent trip to Karamoja.
A few weeks ago, a team of fifteen missionaries from Divine Care Ministries, joined by twelve local leaders, interpreters, and students from DCM, set out on a 10+ hour bumpy journey to share this gift of LIFE with our friends in the remote region of Karamoja. Since 2010, our staff has reached out to the Karamajong tribe in the northern part of Uganda where the gospel has seldom been heard and never successfully established. Thousands have responded to God's call over the years, and under the guidance of Divine Care staff members, leaders are being trained in these remote regions. Keep reading to hear testimonies of this trip from our staff.
OUR MISSION OBJECTIVES:
Meeting with our Partners or leaders in evangelism for encouragement. Philippians 1:1-- was our scripture shared with them like in the days of Paul.
Evangelism to the old places where we have church plants.
Reaching out to the unreached communities and opening up more churches. Three more new church plants were opened as a result.
Checking on our children after almost a year of COVID. We did and belated Christmas gifts were given which was sooo very much appreciated and brought about Joy!
Meet with local authorities to share our ideas and give reports about our achievements in Karamoja as Development partners.
We had also gone to check on the progress and also challenges which I will also be sharing with you.
We praise God for blessing us with staff vehicles and we bless our partners who support us in all these responsibilities.
God's people have experienced the fruits of salvation and revival.
SUCCESS STORIES:
This mission was unique and God our Master was leading us.
We were joined by 12 leaders and among them were interpreters. And among these are our students as part of the fruits. So the team added up to 27. We would divide into two groups every morning, head out in different directions, and then come back in the evening and meet at the center where we were sleeping. Our best story and success is about how many heard the gospel and how many humbled themselves to accept Christ as their personal SAVIOR!
During our time ministering in Karamoja, 5,160 people were reached out to and 1,023 people received Christ!
We glorified God for such great achievements. People are hungry and very thirsty for Christ.
PRAYER POINTS OR CHALLENGES:
There is a great need for increasing leadership training. Fortunately, some of our staff members, Pastor Henry and Pastor Silver are willing to live among them and do discipleship.
There is an insurgency. They rob each other and kill each other. They had stopped this habit 10 years ago but some of them are repeating it.
The only common means of transportation is walking. So leaders are finding it difficult. They are requesting bicycles and motorcycles for church plant leaders.
To learn more about our time in Karamoja, please visit: www.divinecareministries.com/blog
HOW CAN I HELP?
After 40 years of violence and drought, this area suffered from a lack of hope and lack of development. The people were previously animists but are now coming to faith in Jesus Christ. So many are responding to God’s call that we need transportation for pastors and disciple-makers. There are few roads and travel in this area is slow and arduous. We are raising money for bicycles ($100) and motorcycles ($1,500). The motorcycles are made in India and have been proven to withstand the rough conditions in Uganda. If you’d like to give to this campaign, you can give online via our “Donations” tab or by mailing a check to DCM 4705 Lascassas Pike, Lascassas, TN 37085. Please write “Bike Fund” in the memo.
We can’t thank you enough for your prayers and support!
Together, we make a difference!
Gratefully,
Joanna Vazquez, Sponsorship Coordinator
joanna@divinecareministries.com