A NOTE FROM OUR TEAM LEADER
The words of Ephesians 3:20 are ones I often use to remind our staff, students, children and community members that, through Christ, the Lord accomplishes much more than we could ever imagine.
The GSF Primary School provides a Christian education, but it is only the Lord who brings about the spiritual and relational transformation we witness through discipleship and trauma healing groups. That is far more than what families envision when enrolling their students!
Few sponsorship organizations provide education beyond secondary school, yet GSF is a model in assisting our scholarship students all the way through university, with mentorship, conferences and camps to invest in them beyond the classroom. That’s more than many think possible!
Working at GSF provides much more than a job, it’s a high calling in Christ Jesus, no matter the position. Our staff learn together to see God’s hand of redemption through afflictions and challenges. To quote the US Navy adage, “It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure!”
The words and pictures only tell a fraction of the story. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into the exceeding abundance of the Lord!
Blessings,
Mark Gwartney, Team Leader
sowing seeds
With a surge in COVID-19 cases in Uganda, President Museveni announced another nation-wide lockdown beginning in June 2021.
After weeks of praying and consulting with the local churches, we saw the Lord leading us to sow the seeds of His love by providing corn and bean seeds to the subsistence farmers in our community. Uganda is an agricultural society, and distributing seeds would sustainably equip families for months to come.
We delivered the seeds to 623 subsistence farmers in our community and we shared the good news of Jesus Christ. Like the parable of the sower found in the Gospel of Luke, we believed God could use the corn and bean seeds to plant a greater, eternal seed of salvation in the hearts of our community.
“Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” LUKE 8:8
Child Care & Advocacy
From attachment-based infant care to specialized treatment of chronic illnesses, the Child Care and Advocacy team worked together to holistically meet the unique needs of the children under our care this year. Our priority is for children to grow in the context of a loving family, so the social workers counseled, trained, and empowered families with the goal of family reunification or foster care. Pray with us that every child would see and know the transforming love of Jesus Christ!
“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” MARK 9:37
Education
In accordance with government mandates, the GSF Nursery and Primary School remained largely closed throughout 2021. However, the education team of 20 teachers creatively engaged the 386 nursery and primary students through educational packets, home visits, counseling, and skills training.
The Scholarship Program and International School students had the opportunity to continue their learning in person (when permitted) and online.
Whether in person or remote learning, discipleship remains central to all our schools and education programs! Even in the midst of a non-traditional school year, students grew in faith and knowledge.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” PROVERBS 9:10
Community development
Vulnerable infants, elderly, students, and farmers received food, therapy, training, discipleship, and support this year through our Community Development Programs. Gospel-centered relationships remain core to every program as we engage our neighbors and their local churches.
The unique challenges facing our community this year due to lockdowns and economic hardship presented profound opportunities to offer the Gospel wrapped in tangible help. Farming God’s Way, Tailoring Training, Bible Listening Groups, Business & Entrepreneurship, and Feeding Programs prove to be effective avenues for evangelism and discipleship.
“My son was unable to walk because of malnutrition, but God has provided for us through GSF. My son is walking now, and he has never been the same! My faith has grown in many ways; I have learned that God is my everything. The love I have been shown has given me tremendous hope. All I can say is there is hope; let us not give up.” Rosemary, Infant Feeding Program Beneficiary
thank you
God faithfully provided through partners like you in 2021 to share the eternal hope of Jesus Christ.
Although God allows us to see glimpses of His goodness now, the depth of spiritual impact you are having in Uganda will only be evident in eternity.
Thank you for joining the redemptive story God is writing in Uganda!