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3/6/2022

You Saved Lives!-Update from Ava Weeks!

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Ava Weeks, is a missionary to Uganda and is a board member of His Love and SONSHINE. She shares, "Dear Friends of His Love and SonShine,


Thank you for being such an integral part of saving lives in Bwerenga, Uganda during the Covid lockdowns.


When Uganda implemented lockdowns, the people were not allowed to drive their cars, or ride boda-bodas (Taxis) to go to work or to get food.  Strict curfews were set in place and people actually lost their lives if they were out after curfew.  Many businesses were closed and people lost their income.  If you had money you could walk to get food, but Bwerenga is located a long walk from any grocery store.


On February 20th, Gateway Bible Church in Bwerenga held a thanksgiving service.  It was the first time that the church body had a meal together since 2019.  There was great rejoicing and celebration!


They gathered to thank the Lord for keeping them alive during the Covid lockdowns.  The teachers from Gateway School shared that they were one of the very few schools in Uganda who continued to get paid during the lockdowns.  Schools were closed, but our amazing teachers found ways to walk to children’s homes and continue to teach them.  Frank, the principal, rode his bike for 8 hours in order to go to Kampala and buy toner for the copy machine so that the teachers could print homework for the students! He said he was so sore he couldn’t get out of bed the next day!  Such dedication!!!


Uganda had the longest school closure in the world, and most of the students lost two years of education.  Because of the dedication of our teachers, our students all remain on track!  Praise the Lord!!


With schools being closed, our students weren’t getting fed at school and many of their families had no money and no food at home.  The parents shared that they knew they were going to starve to death.  Through a zoom call that Rachel set up, we found out about the dire need for food and people started to donate toward that cause.


The money was sent to Pastor Ernest and he purchased food for the church and school families, and also gave to people in the village.  Thank you so much for your participation in not only supporting the teachers, but in keeping our students and parents alive!  


Many families from the village have now started attending Gateway Bible Church and some have given their lives to Christ.  We also have new students in the school as a result of the feeding program during lockdown.  May God richly bless you because you gave. 


Blessings,
Ava Weeks


Teachers of Gateway School giving thanks!"

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3 Comments
Ken O’Leary
3/6/2022 07:29:38 pm

Cindy and I are humbled to be such a small part of this God-inspired ministry. How little sacrifice on our part is required to have such a large impact. God bless all!

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Cindy O'Leary
3/10/2022 05:03:35 pm

Yes! Thank you Ava, for this encouraging message! Our God is so great, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing out God cannot do!

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Bart van der Sterren
2/27/2023 05:40:46 am

Hello,

My name is Bart, and I live in The Netherlands. I'm doing research about WWII soldiers who are buried and mentioned at the wall of the missing at the American War Cemetery at Margraten in The Netherlands.

I am searching for a photo or relatives of Staff Sergeant COX, David J., from Texas County, Missouri, born 31 October 1918, Kansas. He was a WW2 soldier and served in the 9th Armored Division, 60th Infantry Battalion. He was killed in action 16 April 1945 in Germany. He is buried at the cemetery in Margraten, Plot J, Row 19, Grave 14.

I found the following information on the internet:

Staff Sergeant Cox had a sister Mary Cox Garton. Mary maried Errit Franklin Garton. They had a daughter Ruby Maye Garton Graves (died 2022). Ruby maried Gerald Laverne “Joe” Graves. He died 2004. Survivors include son, Thomas (Jeanne) Graves of Grand Island; daughter, Ava Weeks of Kampala, Uganda

I hope you are related to Staff Sergeant Cox and you can help me.



If you have any questions, please let me know (email address is bvdsterren@home.nl). If you can't help me, please forward this message to someone who can.

There are 8301 soldiers buried at the US cemetery at Margraten. There are also about 1700 names on the wall of the missing. All names and graves on the cemetery have been adopted. People bring flowers to the graves and at the wall of the missing. This keeps the memory of the soldiers who liberated us over 76 years ago alive.

Sincerely,

Bart van der Sterren

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    Rachel Guy

    When Rachel Guy was in elementary school, she was fascinated by children in African countries; her heart was particularly drawn to children who had been orphaned.  At the age of twelve, the country of Uganda became the focus of Rachel’s interest and concern when a close family friend, Nancy Wellham, invited her to join her on a mission’s trip there.  It was on this trip that Rachel visited Gateway Nursery and Primary school and fell in love with the people there.  Four years ago, Rachel was shocked when she was invited to start a ministry for the school.  With humility and gratitude, she said, “Yes” to this unlikely adventure with God.

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