Mathew 19:29

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life." 



My brothers, David and Francis... I'm sure one of them said
SOMETHING that made my face like that... haha

 This verse never comes to mind more then when I am in Uganda.  Everywhere I go here I have a mother, brother, father, sisters, and home.  I get encouraged, rebuked, directed, and loved in more ways then I could have ever dreamed of when I am away from home.  It doesn't mean that I never miss my family and friends... but it just means that the Lord is so gracious to me and knows exactly what I need.  I am so blessed and privilaged to get to do life with these amazing people here.  And just to share some of them...let me tell you about Collines...

Collines and I met in Colorado Springs when she was touring there with Invisible Children.  I went up to her after she shared her story of growing up in Northern Uganda and told her that I work in Gulu.  We shared a great conversation and I tested my little knowledge of "Acholi language" on her, and I told her about what Soldiers of Christ does.  She asked me if it would be something that she could come and help out with, and I told her that would be wonderful! We also joked about me being able to go back to her village to meet her mother and the other people there.  I had no idea how much this simple conversation would change my life. 



Tom, Maggie and I with the students from Colline's primary school



A month after this talk, Collines was here in Gulu working full-time with Soldiers of Christ! She did wonders as the program director with the children's events and setting up things for our team to do.  But more than that...she became one of my dearest sisters.  I am so blessed by the season that I shared with her and the wisdom and advice I could glean from her over and over again.  We even ended up taking a weekend trip to go see her mom in her village!  We shared with her old primary school and the secondary school in her village, and I even got to preach at her church of 150 people on Sunday morning!!

Collines has just left us this week to go back to America with Invisible Children in order to share what is happening in Northern Uganda and Congo, and what God is doing in this area of the world!! I am so proud of her and can't wait to see how God uses her in these next few months... but I am even more excited for her to be able to re-join us in December at Soldiers of Christ!!



Innocent, another sister of mine :)



Uganda... Take 3.

i tie ma ber?  (how are you??) 

nursery students... the sign says "Jenny Sweet to have you home" love!

Greetings from Uganda, Everyone!! Time has flown by in these past two and a half weeks!  It is such a blessing to have a team with me in Gulu for the first time!! They have done such a wonderful job working with the ministry and the community, and really being an encouragement for what I see God doing here :)



the kids getting ready to perform :)



It has been so incredible to be back with my kids and my family here in Gulu.  We were officially welcomed to the ministry with singing and dancing from all the mama's, and all of the kids, and signs from the nursery students.  It was such a beautiful moment! I was so proud of them all... a couple of the students shared speeches about what Soldiers of Christ means to them and to the community.  It was such a living testimony of what God is doing in His community right here in Northern Uganda! 

Our team has already learned the value of "rolling with the punches"  We spent about three full days plastering the outside of our nursery school in preperation for painting it to make it look nice for the preschoolers...but to my shock and dismay...as soon as we were nearly complete our neighbor came to tell us that the building had been build partially on his property, and he wanted to put in a water line...which means he wants us to tear down the building.  It was a valuable lesson learned that zeal without wisdom is fruitless...and we need to seek the Lord in every decision we arae making.  I found out later that a few of our workers were having hesitations about plastering... and I realized just how important it is to listen to that still small voice.  But we are still seeking the Lord and know that He works for good in all things for those that love Him and are called according to His purposes.  So I can't wait to see how He is going to use this mistake of ours for His glory...and the benifit of His ministry!

Dispite this bit of disapointment...  the ministry is moving on well!  We have prayed and decided that this next year is going to be really focused on staff training and team building, even before any expansion.  We have been talking with the national leadership team of YWAM Uganda to officially become a "YWAM ministry" and are walking through that process! We have been blessed to have Evan and Britny share with us that they are feeling called to work with Soldiers of Christ long term!! the last few days have been busy putting together profiles for the children we will sponsor in this next year, so that- God willing, we will be able to have individual sponsors for each student to be able to encourage them and walk with them through school and through life! I am so excited about this next step and what God is going to do through it as He continues to bring the body of Christ together from all over the world!



me and our pastor's wife after church



Our team has felt that one of their main roles in this time was to be a tool of intercession for the ministry...and that has been what they have been doing!  We have been doing prayer walks around the ministry and around the community, asking God for what His original design and intent for Northern Uganda and the Acholi people was.  We were so encouraged when God confirmed through our team that He has placed everything in Uganda that it needs to provide for all of Africa- Physically and Spiritually.  It made me so excited to see how God is going to do this and allow Uganda to rise up as a leader for the rest of this continent.  Right now in a time when so many eyes are on Uganda...it is the perfect time for God to show His sovereignty and provision for this nation...and this world! 

It has been such a blessing to see our team love this community and this ministry with all of their hearts.  They have really opened up their arms...and our doors to anyone that comes by!  everyday we have anywhere from 5 to 50 kids playing in our front yard...and we love to play frisbee and soccer and football with them.  They told us the other day that they want to have a Bible study, so we are excited for this opportunity and looking at how we can make it work to be faithful with what God has provided! We have had so many divine connections like this! Tyler is actually in Kampala right now because he has been asked to join the Gulu semi pro basketball team...and is in a tournament with them now!  SUCH a great opportunity for ministry!! This weekend we are going to be doing a "carnival" with our neighborhood kids and the students in the ministry...with games, painting, sports, and lots of fun!! We really are looking forward to an opportunity to show them love and to allow them to be kids :)

please pray for God's direction on the land and the building structures as we are looking at other plots of land that are suitable for expansion.  and that God would really lay the foundation for all that we do so that we are not laboring in vain!

And please pray for continued open hearts and inspiration on how to love the people God is bringing into our lives. 

As well as continued health for our team :)

We love you all so much!! God bless!!



oh... and I slaughtered a chicken.