Watermark in Africa

Through financial and spiritual support from Watermark Community Church, ALARM has been able to drill the well below wells in Aringogwa village, Pader Uganda.  Praise God for this provision and the impact it will make on the village people!

 

The following are testimonies from children who attended HIS Camp in January 2012, hosted by ALARM and Watermark in Pader, Uganda.

Oliver Akullu 12 years -Lira (primary)
Oliver enjoyed her time in Pader very much. On reaching Pader, the welcome she was given, was something she had never seen.  The love, smiles and everything was very unique, she had never seen it. For the days she spent in the Camp, they were taught very many things, the Bible stories, many games, there were so many activities which she really liked. The love she was shown was great.  She also taught Bobby, one of the facilitators how to hand wash clothes. She made friends both from outside the country and inside the country. She said that they were told to go and teach their friends and that is what she is trying to do now in the school and at home.  She wished that the camp would be made every year and thanked ALARM so much for the opportunity given to her.

 

 

 

 

Winnie Auma 12 years –Lira (primary)
Winnie is a girl in primary six, she was so glad to travel to Pader for the first time. The warm welcome she received almost made her cry. She loved all the lessons, and the way they were taught in that there was a lot of playtime in between. What she liked the most was the Jesus film. She is also thankful for the gift of a Bible as she had none. She made many friends and ate a lot of candy. She prays that the camp is made every year.

 

 

 

 

 

Ageno Dorcus 10 years – Kampala (primary)
“I have learnt to forgive; I have also learnt that Jesus is the son of God. I have learnt that if I confess my sins, the blood of Jesus will wash my heart. I have learnt that I am very important to God Isaiah 43:1,”said Dorcus.

 

 

 

 

 

Aloyo Scovia 13 years –Pader (primary)
She says that she thanks God so much that she met Kirby, Chandra and Landry (facilitators), these people taught her the word of God. That it is not good to insult their fellow pupils. And right now she is very careful with the words she speaks out side when playing with her friends. She also learnt how to read the Bible.

 

 

 

 

 

Akena Innocent 10 years – Pader (primary)
He has learnt the word of God on how to forgive and being thankful for the good things done for him. He says his life has changed and he now loves the word of God more.

 

 

 

 

Ojok Peter Okwera 11 years – Pader (primary)
He says he has learnt how to teach his fellow pupils using the beads given to them about sin and how Jesus washes away our sin. He also learnt how to pray using five fingers and how to make some hand crafts from Will, Cole and Camp which he keeps on remembering.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abalo Dorcus 13 years – Kitgum (primary)
She learnt from the film of Jesus Christ how He suffered for us, was beaten, nailed on the cross till he died, and how he showed power when he resurrected from the dead.  This has helped her to stop complaining of some of her minor pains because he bore too much pain without complaining. Dorcus also learnt the different colours of the beads given to them to wear on their wrists, the interpretation of each colour and the backing of scriptures for each colour.  For example Red stands for the blood of Jesus, Black stands for sin, Green-growing in Christ, White -purity and yellow-heaven. Generally, the camp has helped her to see the love of God for her.  She felt so at home.  She was particularly touched by the young facilitators who were very accommodative.  She learnt how to read scriptures in the bible and memorise them which has helped her to even share with her friends at school and home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Akumu Joyce 16 years – Kitgum (secondary)
Joyce learnt about forgiveness, that God forgave us through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross and we are to forgive one another generously. She also learnt about sharing what she has with other needy children however little it is and even share her problems and grievances with others for help. She also learnt that for you to be blessed you have to bless and pray for others.  She said she was born and raised  in Kitgum and had never travelled outside Kitgum,but the children’s camp has helped her to associate with other people who are not her tribe mates, she did not trust her English but she was able to communicate even with the facilitators which gave her more courage. “It has helped me to create friends and my love for people has grown,” she said. The camp has helped her to even forgive the rebels who killed her father because she realised she has a family which cares for her.

 

 

 

 

Berochan Maureen 15 years – Kampala (secondary)
At the camp I learned that God is a powerful creator as he created everything in the world. I also learned how to forgive others as God forgave our sins through his son Jesus. I loved the games very much as we were able to play with children from the different districts. I can still sing the songs even in my free time because they were good. I also learned that even when bad things happen, God is still with us.  I learned how to memorize verses like Psalm 147:3-He heals the broken hearted and bandages their wounds.

 

 

 

 

 

Odong Innocent 16 years – Gulu (secondary)
The camp was a good opportunity for me to meet many new friends. I enjoyed learning in small groups because I understood everything taught. The drama was very interesting and it showed me how God loves all of us and is willing to forgive all who accept him. I also learned the meaning of the beads in different colors and when I reach home I will share it with my other siblings and friends around, the meaning of each color. The beads exercise made me to understand why Jesus died on the cross and how my life can be made better. I also learnt how to open the Bible faster, this I learned it from the camp since I didn’t know it before. I have learned how to pray for others in a consistent way as we were taught using the five fingers.

 

 

 

 

Children from Kapchorwa
The children returned from the camp and were able to memorize the verses they learned, quote, read and interpret them. They also made many friends at the camp and could recall names. They realized that God loves and cares for them. When they met other children in the orphan care program they realized that many children were suffering and not just them.The play materials they received will help them in their center days’ activities. Also they have now started children’s Bible study at their school as they all go to the same school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ego Sunday-8 years- Gulu (primary)
The camp was one of the wonderful activities I have ever attended since I was born. I would like to appreciate the almighty God for having allowed me to be one of the sponsored children in ALARM’S program. I also made new friends through my friend Camp. I really enjoyed playing with him. I have learned how to forgive and relate well with someone who might have hurt me.

 

Today was a great end to a successful week in Arua. Along with our curriculum, we responded to difficult questions regarding divorce and remarriage, alcohol addiction, infertility, and corrupt leaders in the church. We were blessed to hear what the women had learned this week and they were excited to return home and teach their families and churches. One couple rode a bike 50 miles to Arua to attend. Two teenaged girls walked 9 miles and said they were “challenged and encouraged”. One woman wrote us a note saying she was “encouraged in the word of God and their testimonies, Bibles that I could not afford buying, taught me to love every person regardless of color and religion. Be blessed, come again soon!”

We are headed to Pader tomorrow to visit the trade school. Then we will head home with our gifts of traditional African skirts.

And the men are sporting their African shirts. We all so appreciate the prayers!

From team leader Aaron Graft…

Another good day today. The men covered Forgiveness and Conflict. Tim did a great job on forgiveness. People really responded to the backpack example. Many have said that they were convicted and their hearts have been changed by what they have learned.

Women covered several topics. Meredith covered the role of women in marriage and got a standing ovation when she finished it.

One of the testimonies we received: “before the training, I thought I was a good leader, but sometimes I misled. I did not know I should lead with integrity and humility. After the training, I have understood that leadership starts with myself. I have discovered to be a leader in church it does not mean you are the most holy. You will still experience hardship. But pray all the time. I am now transformed and I am going to deliver to others. God bless you. Praise God!”

From team member Meredith Hall…

It is Monday morning and we are up at 6 having breakfast and ready to head on our little plane to Arua. My heart has been moved mightily in so many ways. My prayer coming here was to watch and see the Spirit at work and wow, is he. Sunday we went to the rock quarry and our bus was greeted by 20 women with Alarm shirts on singing Gods praises and welcoming and chanting. It was overwhelming. The sponsored children of Alarm greeted us in their His camp shirts singing and clapping. Children greeted us and hung onto our hands and clothes. Smiles and Joy and Rejoicing. Our women joined in the dance while the men Aaron and Scott hollered and danced around with pretend spears and swords and shields. Tim Loerke joined in on the drums. It was a greeting and celebration I will never forget. We received testimonies from the women and children who have been changed by Gods miraculous love. The Joy of the Lord is truly their strength.

The Lords hand has been ever present in the logistics. All our bags arrived safely and everyone is well. Still getting used to the sleep schedule and mosquito nets.

Many blessings and songs of praise.

Conference started today. About 80 men and 60 women showed up. More expected tomorrow. People were very gracious and excited to have us. Theme of the men’s conference is Roll the Stone Away – John 11:28-44. When we obey, Jesus turns death into life. Talked to men about Bible study. Greatly received and much excitement about gift Bibles. Also covered self leadership and leading others. Very impacted by that. Many stood and said that they had never thought about or heard of leading yourself. Sent the men home with a challenge to take a sucker and go seek forgiveness from someone they wronged. Reports tomorrow.

Women covered bible study and healing the wounds of trauma. Also marital communication. Lots of great questions submitted. Lots of rejoicing and singing. Women were encouraged by the faithfulness of the attendees.

Accommodations are great. Feels like we are literally the only white people in the city. People are super kind and ALARM hosts are excellent as usual.

 

The team arrived safely to Kampala on Saturday night. They spent Sunday at the rock quarry enjoying a time with a number of kids who attended the “His Camp” kids camp in Pader, Uganda in January. Monday they flew up to Aura where they’ll be teaching men and women of that area for the next three days. More to come….

Through security in Nairobi and headed to London in 1 hour.

-Van

From Thursday, March 1, 2012

What a great conference and trip!  We had 44 women attend the three day conference.  The women asked good questions, shared hard aspects of their lives, listened, sang and danced.  They were hungry for training and for God’s Word.  They were so much fun to be with and a tremendous blessing.

Last night Deo,  Burundi country director, told us that a man came and talked to him in the morning.  His wife was at the women’s conference.  He reported his wife has struggled with bitterness, anger and flat out rudeness to the  point he no longer knew what to do with her.  However he said he now knew how powerful our God is.  The previous night, his wife returned home and he could not believe how different she was.  She was speaking and communicating with her family with kindness and gentleness.  He believed it to be a miracle and he was praising God for the change!  Let’s pray she continues to live by the Spirit’. This was all after Kristen taught on communication in marriage and Amy taught on Leadership!

I am very proud of our team.  Each of them taught their topics with clarity, confidence and full of love.  They connected with the women and impacted lives for eternity.  We are all humbled by the opportunity we were given to be in Bubanza.

Tracey Beckwith