IGNORE ANY URGENT REQUEST FOR MONEY FROM US TO DO WITH NIGERIA-IT'S A SCAM thanks.

Mission update Dec 2010 - Jan 2011

THANK YOU…
from many Arua deaf and from us, for your financial support, ideas & prayers.

OUR PARTNERSHIP IS BRINGING HOPE…
…and changing lives.

WE ASK YOU TO PARTNER US FINANCIALLY
…towards our mission/goals for 2011-14, so that together we can consolidate & develop this vital work

SO IF YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW…
will consider partnering with us through regular giving, please get in touch.

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen;
it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1

Hearing & deaf students graduate, thank you & plan

The deaf DTS students are circled in white, with the letter of appreciation shown written by Sam in the centre. The hearing advocates are circled in dark blue, were a great support

Signs and Wonders from the mixed hearing / deaf DTS team in Gulu town, N. Uganda

Learning from/working with Gulu’s needy townsfolk...

Whilst deaf DTS students like Gatrude (circled), encouraged local deaf students preparing for exams, other students were challenged to respond to several isolated people.

William, my Sudanese outreach co-leader explains:

Lazarus, left, is aged about 48. His relatives rejected him but he has managed to get to the Year 6 standard in primary school and can speak English well. He is about 1m tall and moves by tilting his head back and wriggling his back.

This he has done having been born severely lame with unnaturally short legs and arms. His head is unnaturally large. We showed him the love of Christ by washing him, his clothes, cleaning out his hut and buying him food and a blanket. This is a great testimony in my life.

One woman, a former Lord’s Resistance Army abductee, got healed from back pain after we prayed for her. She has suffered ever since she was beaten whilst in the LRA.

Educational tour of deaf units in South Uganda bring fresh ideas and inspiration to local deaf education

Two local teachers of the Deaf, Jonahansi (022), and Fetaa (027), (pictured), have just arrived back from their week-long informative tour.

Deaf Connection partners support helped make this tour possible. Both staff were really appreciative of this opportunity and asked us to pass on their gratitude to you. The next newsletter will explain some of their key findings.

They are pictured here, shortly after, at Arua Mayor Charles Asiki’s (002), first Fun Run.

Arua Mayor’s inclusive Fun-run brings fresh perceptions and ideas to Arua Town’s community

Local deaf /deaf advocates joined YWAM staff/students, local runners, many other development workers and council staff in Arua Mayor’s 1st Fun-run recently. They made up about 25% of the 40 + participants.

Mayor, Charles Asiki, warmly welcomed them. Partially deaf-blind pastor Alan Aviah also took part.

The local deaf /deaf advocates fitness impressed many, all finishing in the top half. Deaf DTS student, Sam (021) finished third, Jerome 4th.

Development plan for 2011-2014

THE NEED:
Families/communities with deaf members need tools to relate, manage resources, innovate, earn, and serve others

OUR VISION:
To bring isolated deaf people to see themselves as God's workmanship, beloved children & co-workers (Ephesians 2:10, John 1:12, 2 Corinthians 6:1)

OUR MISSION:
To develop solid, long-term partnerships to provide:

• Sign-language, literacy, relationship building and life- skill resources


• Opportunities for vocational/leadership training & income generation.

OUR GOAL:
Twelve deaf leaders, formerly isolated, who:

• know God blesses them so they can be a blessing to others


• have a safe/healthy lifestyle, good people skills and future leaders they are mentoringare managing resources well, being innovative and prosperous


• have developed partnerships that have transformed the hearts and lives of others

Jerome's life

Hi Christmas greeting to y’all.

Life in Arua is quite relaxed. The YWAM base is now brimming with children who have finished school for 2 months.

In the Kampala 10km run last weekend when I beat my sub 45min target. YWAM Arua lost 3-1 to Eruba.

Myself and William (gardener) are slowly making progress with the rabbit hutch. My potatoes should be ready by February. The cabbages I am harvesting are poor but the tomatoes look promising for a long harvest.

I have my eyes set on a UK level 3 advanced Agriculture Diploma, a two year course which can lead to University. The course is available in all Counties across the UK so I’m not quite sure where I will be living.

Laurence's news

Merry Christmas!

Our week long holiday in Mombasa was good. Just chilling, snorkelling, strumming, footy and tasty fresh fish!

Dad’s been teaching me about accounts. More interesting than I thought!

I’m looking forward to grand-parents and Netty s arrival.

Maria's news

I have now received all my university offers for next year; but I plan to visit all the open days before making my choice!

I have continued with my running club and this week was running in the snow and ice, good winter training .

Lots of work on, but when its the Christmas holidays, in 2 weeks. I'm going to visit old friends in Farnborough and my Auntie Carol's for Christmas. Then to the Dunn's for the Annual Family Run on 27th and then to the Belocs get together.

Am really looking forward to seeing everybody! Hope you all have a fabulous Christmas and exciting New Year!