The six
month mark for my time back in Uganda is shortly approaching. As the time has
passed God has been changing and rearranging the vision that I came with. Maybe
you know that is was my heart to start a non-profit called Suubi House, a house
in the village that works as a community center. A place where people could
come for training that would equip them to enhance their lives, where bible
studies would be held, monthly medical clinics would take place, and family
meals would be eaten together. The vision came to me after my first visit to
Uganda where I found that my family nickname, Suubi, meant HOPE in the local
language. I truly believe the word has been spoken over me for a purpose. With
a little too much excitement and not enough prayerful thought, I took the
vision into my own hands and started trying to make it work in the way I
thought was best… but God never ceases to have his perfect way.
Six months later
I find myself with not so much to show for Suubi House. I tried to fundraise,
nothing came of it. God had a different plan. He opened the doors for a job!
Yes, a missionary with a job…it happens. I will be working at an international
school here in Kampala that will allow me to have the proper visa to stay in
the country and continue loving on this community as well as earning all my
living expenses. Although the path to Suubi House has changed, the vision is
still very much alive. I will be paid a housing allowance with my new job so
the plan is to make my house “Suubi House.” I think that was God’s plan all
along. That maybe it wasn’t supposed to be “Suubi House” but Subbi’s House. A
place where hope is found. Not in me, but in the only source that hope is found…HIM.
With the new
job and housing allowance that I will receive I have begun the search for a new
place to stay. I could easily use the
whole of the allowance and find a beautiful Americanized place to stay, but
that doesn’t sit well with me. My plan is to use about half and save some for
ministry. On my search I walked up the road and something pulled at me to go to
a gate. I entered into a huge compound with trees that wrap around the entire place
and a big old house that sits in the middle. The house consists of four
bedrooms, a sitting room, dining room, kitchen, and two bathrooms. Now, to you
this place would absolutely look like an African dump with its’ busted windows,
dirty walls, and cracked cement. To me this is Suubi’s house! With a little bit
of hard work and elbow grease this place will be beautiful. I can see bible
studies being held out in the yard under the trees, Jajas coming to drink tea
on the front porch, English classes happening in the living room, and tutoring
after school! Did I mention it is right across the street from an elementary
school and high school? Perfect, right?
I have bargained with the renter and it will only cost about $160
dollars per month but needs some work to be done that would cost roughly $500.
So here I am again humbly pouring out my heart to you and asking for your help.
I will be covering the costs of rent
each month but I need your help with money for renovations and anything else
you can give toward ministry purposes. Like I said, all my living expenses will
be paid for by my work so %100 of what you give will go towards the ministry
God has put before me.
If you can
partner with me financially you can send a check to
Sarah Bowman
933 Grand
Ave
Carlsbad, CA
92008
Or log onto http://www.indiegogo.com/Suubi-House-Uganda
and give
online.
Please
continue to pray for me and this adventure I am on!
God is good,
all the time.
With all my
love,
Sarah Bowman
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