IMAGINE ACTS MINISTRY AT WORK

April and May were both busy and productive months in the book ministry and the on-going work at Mityana Orphanage with the children's activities. In addition, we have had numerous occasions to manifest the love of Christ in and around our community here with people we know and care about. Your donations have made all of the work you see documented below possible.
Thank you for caring and for sharing. If you would like to know more about any specific project please contact me at bmiller43@gmail.com.

OH, HAPPY DAY!!

Imagine Acts Ministry has now completed the 12 books in the series, Creation to Christ, which was begun in 2008! All illustrations and printing has been done in Uganda. Now, the distribution works begins!! It was fitting that on the day the final book was picked up in Kampala, Tonny, Peter, and Henry were all with me. Those same three were with me in 2008 when we picked up the Creation book! Their faithfulness from beginning to end has been amazing and appreciated! At the Printers in Kampala

VILLAGE BOOK MINISTRY IN NAMA

For two years on Sunday afternoon, we have met with a growing group in Nama, a village about 20 minutes from Mityana. We now regularly have about 18 adults and many children. We have seen much spiritual growth in the lives of some of the group as a result of the teachings. Many questions have been answered and spiritual understanding has increased. In addition, these people have become as family to us, and we have rejoiced in births and stood with them through deaths of loved ones.

Let the Faces Tell the Story

For Young


And Old

The illustrations are captivating!

BOOKS TAKEN TO KENYA !!

Some sets of the complete series, CREATION TO CHRIST, are now in Kenya thanks to friends, Kathryn and Doug Taylor, formerly from Istrouma Baptist in Baton Rouge and currently serving as missionaries in northwest Uganda. The Taylors and other missionaries from Central East Africa were attending a general membership meeting in Niarobi, Kenya in mid-April. The Taylors gave books to several Class 3 missionaries serving Muslim groups in Kenya and Tanzania. They were not allowed to have their pictures taken, so Kathryn and Doug stood for them holding the books. I know many of you are happy to see Doug and Kathryn! They have been wonderful ambassadors for the book ministry, both using them and sharing them with others.

Becky, Henry, and Tonny putting sets together in Kampala to be taken to Kenya.

FROM NEAR AND FAR

With the 12 book series now complete, IAM is working on getting the books into the hands of pastors, church leaders, and Sunday school teachers. May 11-12, Henry, Timo and I traveled to Apac District in central Uganda where we met with men from several districts. Because some of the men had traveled so far, it was necessary for them to stay several nights. Imagine Acts Ministry provided 15 foam mattresses for the men and several meals. It was our pleasure! These men traveled 8 hours on their bicycles to meet with us and receive their books. They traveled from Oyam District and left home at 9 in the morning. They were just arriving at 5pm when this photo was taking. I was overwhelmed! We had driven 8 hours in the car and I thought that was long. How humbling!

These men had traveled from Moyo by bus, taxi and bicycle-hire to get to Apac. They spent 3 nights before going back.

Closer to home, in April, we met with leaders in the Mityana area for a Saturday workshop. Henry is speaking to the group after lunch.

Singing in Mityana workshop waiting for the people to arrive.

May They Prosper in Body, Mind, and Soul

Approximately 25 students from the upper classes are now attending the Bible Memory Class at the Mityana Orphanage on Wednesday afternoons. Students have made a construction paper booklet where they write out the scriptures for memory. Besides learning and reciting the weekly Bible verse, many have been challenged to recite the books of the Old and New Testaments. They are so bright and eager to learn. Teaching them is a joy and pleasure.Some of the students with their booklets.
Singing for Joy in Sunday School

Girls separating the weeds from the corn with January's supervision.

The gardens are looking quite good now; the corn is doing well and hopefully we will have a good harvest. Both boys and girls dig, and we usually have about 25 per day working in the garden after school. No digging on Wednesday because of Bible class.

LETTING THEIR LIGHTS SHINE!!

The children from my Mityana Orphanage Sunday School class have received many blessings over the past years. They had another opportunity to give back by serving others with open hearts and open hands. We went to the village of Nama to the home of a poor family with many children. The boys hoed, burned the weeds and trash, widened the paths and cleaned the compound. The girls bathed and scrubbed every child, clothed them in a "new" used outfit, nourished their skin with cream, and cleaned their toenails and fingernails. The following day in Sunday school they shared their experiences and testimonies with the other children who eagerly await their time to GIVE BACK! Spending time with the children in this service of love is one of my favorite things! Boys at work with weeds!
Phiona and Joesphine sweep the dirt!



Becky with child in her "new" dress.







Deric applies cream to young boy's face.

Lillian and Josephine working on nails!

The next day at Sunday school the children sharing their experience and testimonies from the service day.

THE NEW WATER TANK

A few weeks ago, we were able to install a 10,000 litre water tank at the Mityana Orphanage thanks to donations for that work. Gutters were installed for collecting the rainwater from the roof. Since this picture was taken we have added a concrete surround about 5 feet up to protect the tank and we hope to add a concrete pad to protect from mud as water is collected. Water is flowing!! We hope and pray for enough rain to fill it up!!

Henry (left) and Wycliffe, the plumber checking the water flow!

IRENE

Irene is a 10 year old whom we have known for 2 years as she and her mother, Eve and siblings are part of our Nama group we meet with every Sunday afternoon. One Sunday afternoon, we were told that Irene had fallen from a banana tree and broken her arm. Because she lives in the village, she was not brought in to the hospital, but instead was taken to a local "healer" who applied herbs to the arm and wrapped it in a soiled bandage. When we saw her, the bandage was so tight, it was like a tourniquet and her hand was so severely swollen it looked as if it would burst. We took her that Sunday evening to Dr. Boaz, a doctor we have come to trust here in Mityana at a private clinic. When he unwrapped the arm, there were huge blisters on the skin. He was unable to treat the break until the blisters were healed and the swelling reduced. About 10 days later, we brought her back to the doctor for treatment of the severe break. Irene had to have the arm "manipulated" into position; no surgery was done; she wore a cast about 6 weeks. The arm has not healed perfectly, but there is no doubt, she might have lost the arm had she not received better care. Irene has the prettiest smile and dimples you have ever seen, and we love seeing her each Sunday. Her mom was so grateful, she shared cassava stems with us which were planted in our garden at the orphanage.

Timo with Irene in clinic after the blisters had healed, waiting for the cast.

Irene at home in her village with her cast and a new pair of overalls which were given to us

Irene in the village after the cast is removed, holding her doll.

BRIAN'S BURN

One Thursday morning in April, Henry drove up to my house with this 6 year old boy sitting in the backseat. On the previous Monday, Brian had been burned when he was accidentally knocked while holding a cup of hot porridge at school. The grandmother whom he lives with took him that day to the local government hospital where treatment should have been available and free. She was told there was no medicine with which to treat him and she would have to go and purchase it. Since she had no money, she took him home with no treatment. On the fourth day, his condition had obviously worsened and he could not open his eyes. He was so swollen and frightened when I first saw him. Henry, the grandmother and I quickly took him to Dr. Boaz at a private clinic where Brian was hospitalized for 3 nights and his wounds were cleaned and treated. He improved dramatically. Total cost was less than $50. We checked on him regularly at his home and noted the changes in the pictures below. We are so grateful for any donations made to medical needs.

Brian, 4 days after accident.

Brian, when he was discharged from clinic after 3 nights.


Brian, one week later, at home with grandmother and great-grandmother in their kitchen.

One week out of clinic.

Brian after 2 weeks and $50!!