The FCM team arrived safely in Uganda on Sunday, August 1st. The trip marks another milestone toward the goal of making the vision of Abaana's Hope a reality. The team will begin the search for housing for Matt and Jamie East, meet with our attorney and real estate consultant, as well as encourage our existing ministry partners in Uganda.
Matt and Jamie have recently joined FCM's team. They will be moving to Uganda next July to launch Abaana's Hope. In addition to making sure that construction timelines are met, Matt and Jamie will invest themselves in potential Ugandan house parents. FCM is planning to open the first home in the Spring of 2012 and bring an additional home online each year.
Be in prayer for us this week. Pray that the right doors will open and that benefical relationships will begin.
Harold Harmon
Monday, August 2, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
FCM Moves Forward with Capital Campaign for "Abaana's Hope"
As many of you know, FCM recently concluded a successful feasibility study with the J.F. Smith Group. We’re excited to announce that the Smith Group has recommended that we move forward with a capital campaign to benefit the vision of Abaana’s Hope, the comprehensive children’s village that FCM will build in Uganda. Please pray for our Executive Planning Committee as they steer the campaign. The committee held their first meeting today so we will keep you informed of the campaign’s progress over the coming months.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
FCM Staff Member Arrives in Haiti
FCM staff member, Trey Reed, left for Haiti this week in partnership with Servants In Faith and Technology (SIFAT) to set up water filtration systems in a village about 35 miles from Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. Once established, each filtration system can purify 55 gallons of water per minute. The systems use chlorine salt to kill microorganisms and rely on car batteries for power. When set up, the systems can be a permanent source of drinking water.
Please pray for Trey and Tom Corson of SIFAT while they serve in Haiti.
-Tripp Skipper
Please pray for Trey and Tom Corson of SIFAT while they serve in Haiti.
-Tripp Skipper
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Uganda 11/26/2009
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Howdy from Uganda. I have been so impressed by God this week by so many things. No matter what you feel like God has called you and compelled you to bring to a place like Uganda, God will give more back. It proves you can't out give God. No matter if it's health care, knowledge, or training the relationships that God allows to form and the love to be expressed is entirely from God.
It's neat to see the diversity of all the people on the team here. So many different backgrounds and so many talents and God uses them all for His glory. No gift is too small. No touch and no smile are small in the eyes of these people. That has really blown me away.
The coolest thing is, the fact that sometimes during the day you may think, "I'm just digging in the dirt" or "just painting a face" but you're not. You are apart of God's perfect plan. We get to be involved in His plan. A plan He ordained before the beginning of time. It matters. We may just be a tool in rusty shed but we can be used. That's humbling.
Today after the ladies group had finished their lessons, the interpreter had to leave for a short time. And she asked the class of women and said, "they (the team) has given something to you so you must give something back." So these women stood up and began to sing the most beautiful African worship songs and some even in English that we knew. They didn't have a lot to give but what they did have they gave freely. They gave us their praise to God and an opportunity to worship God on a mountainside in the middle of Uganda. I don't think I will ever forget that little girl singing to God in my mind.
Trey Reed
Roanoke, AL
Howdy from Uganda. I have been so impressed by God this week by so many things. No matter what you feel like God has called you and compelled you to bring to a place like Uganda, God will give more back. It proves you can't out give God. No matter if it's health care, knowledge, or training the relationships that God allows to form and the love to be expressed is entirely from God.
It's neat to see the diversity of all the people on the team here. So many different backgrounds and so many talents and God uses them all for His glory. No gift is too small. No touch and no smile are small in the eyes of these people. That has really blown me away.
The coolest thing is, the fact that sometimes during the day you may think, "I'm just digging in the dirt" or "just painting a face" but you're not. You are apart of God's perfect plan. We get to be involved in His plan. A plan He ordained before the beginning of time. It matters. We may just be a tool in rusty shed but we can be used. That's humbling.
Today after the ladies group had finished their lessons, the interpreter had to leave for a short time. And she asked the class of women and said, "they (the team) has given something to you so you must give something back." So these women stood up and began to sing the most beautiful African worship songs and some even in English that we knew. They didn't have a lot to give but what they did have they gave freely. They gave us their praise to God and an opportunity to worship God on a mountainside in the middle of Uganda. I don't think I will ever forget that little girl singing to God in my mind.
Trey Reed
Roanoke, AL
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Uganda 11/25/2009
Today was a very great day of service to God’s people of Uganda. Many success stories were shared tonight during our sharing time. One of which I’d like to mention. Melodi, Natalie and myself have been teaching the women in the different villages about hygiene, taking care of their bodies both physically and spiritually, the story of Ruth and living Godly single and married lives. Today was a wonderful day of teaching and discussion from the women. They had many questions and concerns. We were able to address them all from the Word of God.
During our teaching time, there is an interpreter to translate from English to Ugandan. This particular interpreter was 16 years old and we discovered later that she was of the muslim faith. She repeated everything that was said to her from the Bible to the women. She read directly from the scriptures and I even asked her to interpret my altar call for salvation. Amazing, she really taught the gospel as we spoke it in English. She was such a sweet spirited young lady. We gave her gifts and a bible afterwards for doing such a great job. I truly believe in my spirit that either a seed was planted or watered today and God will allow someone to reap that harvest.
Matthew 5:16 says Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. Praise God that we loved on that young girl, we did not offend her religious belief, but we embraced her and showed her the love of Jesus Christ.
We ask that all of you back home pray that God will send laborers into His vineyard for truly there is a great harvest to reach.
God bless you all.
Genece Arnold
Atlanta, GA
During our teaching time, there is an interpreter to translate from English to Ugandan. This particular interpreter was 16 years old and we discovered later that she was of the muslim faith. She repeated everything that was said to her from the Bible to the women. She read directly from the scriptures and I even asked her to interpret my altar call for salvation. Amazing, she really taught the gospel as we spoke it in English. She was such a sweet spirited young lady. We gave her gifts and a bible afterwards for doing such a great job. I truly believe in my spirit that either a seed was planted or watered today and God will allow someone to reap that harvest.
Matthew 5:16 says Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. Praise God that we loved on that young girl, we did not offend her religious belief, but we embraced her and showed her the love of Jesus Christ.
We ask that all of you back home pray that God will send laborers into His vineyard for truly there is a great harvest to reach.
God bless you all.
Genece Arnold
Atlanta, GA
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Uganda 11/24/2009
We just finished with our evening share time and the devotion tonight talked about the value of a rubber band. It's value is only determined by how far it can be stretched- today we were definitely like rubber bands- very stretched. We traveled to a remote village called Moomba to do ministry today in a church. We were greeted by many of the church members in their "sanctuary" which was really some small branches tied together with pieces of torn banana leaves and covered by a tarp. They were singing worship songs when we arrived and then they treated us to a "traditional African dance".
Everywhere we looked there were eyes watching us...it was quite obvious that many of the village people have not seen many Americans- they were very timid, shy, and some where actually afraid of us. The medical team shared tonight that when they were able to start this morning (broken down bus along they way) they were given a booklet with 220 names in it- these were the names of the people that had spent the night next to the church last night just because they heard that there was going to be a medical team and medicine in their village today. The team was able to see all of those people, but when they left this afternoon there were as many people still outside the building as were actually seen today. The optical team has a similar story- many people helped, but many more left behind without treatment. The children's carnival had at least 150 children or more and once the children realized that there was nothing to be afraid of if someone was "blowing bubbles" or balloons, they had a wonderful time.
The women's ministry was not actually in a building or structure because they just pulled a few benches out beside one of the structures and then we began. At first the women were very shy, but once we began sharing with the women, they really began to interact with us. We shared with them about Christian marriage principles, hygiene topics- including a lesson on how to floss your teeth(something they had NEVER heard of!). We also studied the book of Ruth. It occurred to me tonight as we were sharing that one of the points that we have been learning from this study is that God had a plan for Ruth in the midst of her despair, in the midst of her hurt- He had a plan for Hope and Peace. That is what we are standing on with our brothers and sisters in the Moomba village- God has a plan for them, a plan for Hope and Peace. He is the all powerful, and all knowing Provider for them- not our medical team or optical team or carnival team. In fact- even though we have already run out of a lot of supplies- the most important thing that we brought with us is the Holy Spirit in each of us. His strength is perfect, when we are at the end of ourselves.
Melodi Isbell
Church of Brook Hills (SCMD)
Everywhere we looked there were eyes watching us...it was quite obvious that many of the village people have not seen many Americans- they were very timid, shy, and some where actually afraid of us. The medical team shared tonight that when they were able to start this morning (broken down bus along they way) they were given a booklet with 220 names in it- these were the names of the people that had spent the night next to the church last night just because they heard that there was going to be a medical team and medicine in their village today. The team was able to see all of those people, but when they left this afternoon there were as many people still outside the building as were actually seen today. The optical team has a similar story- many people helped, but many more left behind without treatment. The children's carnival had at least 150 children or more and once the children realized that there was nothing to be afraid of if someone was "blowing bubbles" or balloons, they had a wonderful time.
The women's ministry was not actually in a building or structure because they just pulled a few benches out beside one of the structures and then we began. At first the women were very shy, but once we began sharing with the women, they really began to interact with us. We shared with them about Christian marriage principles, hygiene topics- including a lesson on how to floss your teeth(something they had NEVER heard of!). We also studied the book of Ruth. It occurred to me tonight as we were sharing that one of the points that we have been learning from this study is that God had a plan for Ruth in the midst of her despair, in the midst of her hurt- He had a plan for Hope and Peace. That is what we are standing on with our brothers and sisters in the Moomba village- God has a plan for them, a plan for Hope and Peace. He is the all powerful, and all knowing Provider for them- not our medical team or optical team or carnival team. In fact- even though we have already run out of a lot of supplies- the most important thing that we brought with us is the Holy Spirit in each of us. His strength is perfect, when we are at the end of ourselves.
Melodi Isbell
Church of Brook Hills (SCMD)
Monday, November 23, 2009
Uganda 11/23/2009
A Warm Welcome
“We are happy to receive you” was the message our Uganda team heard over and over as we arrived at Hope of Glory Church in the village of Myanzi today. As we walked off the buses following a 2 ½ hour trip, we were immediately greeted by villagers of all ages, shaking our hands and wishing us well. The message was repeated as we entered their open-air church covered by torn tarps that flapped in the wind. As soon as we were seated in the best seats available that had been reserved for our team, Pastor David Ndibanunula greeted us warmly and reminded his congregation of the long hours of travel that brought our team to Myanzi from the United States. The appreciation expressed by Pastor David and everyone we encountered today was both humbling and overwhelming. We were serenaded by the children of the church as they offered their songs of appreciation and welcome.
Soon, it was off to work for each of our teams as we set up in sheds and any spots we could find on the bare dirt grounds of the village. The medical/pharmacy and optical teams were quickly overwhelmed by the number of people seeking help. By day’s end, the optical team had seen 65 patients and the medical/pharmacy team had treated more than 200 patients. Our fatigue was offset by the tremendous offering of love and thanks we received today. One of the most phenomenal parts of our day was that the medical/pharmacy team was able to save the life of a severely dehydrated baby by giving IV fluids. What an impact that simple act made! The optical team had many success stories as well, including finding the right prescription for Pastor David and making him a pair of glasses. He was very grateful.
The men’s and women’s ministry teams shared important information with the villagers and were well received. Steve, one of the men who had worked in this village last year, shared with the team how surprised he was that the men were receptive to his group’s teaching this year. Last year, this was the hardest group for him to reach, so he sees progress being made. Praise God! Last but not least, the carnival team had amazing success as they entertained and loved on more than 200 children.
On a personal note, I was moved today by the attitudes of the people of Myanzi. They recently lost most of their school and church and many of their homes (including Pastor David’s) in wind and hail storms, yet they greeted us like royalty and worshipped God with a fervor and passion that most of us could never imagine. They truly represented “light in the darkness” as their faces demonstrated love and joy in the midst of horrifying poverty. As I pulled my exhausted body onto the bus this afternoon, I was ashamed that I even felt any exhaustion considering how these people live on a daily basis. I was also reminded of the devotion shared by Bro. Richie Farrow before we departed this morning. Using a passage from Acts 20, Bro. Richie implored us to avoid letting our fatigue or other circumstances derail our efforts. He added, “Finish the race. When you leave Uganda, know you have done your best.” We may not have helped everyone today, but I know we did our best.
To our prayer warriors back at home, please keep it up! We have a lot left to do in Uganda. We love you.
Stephanie Kirby
“We are happy to receive you” was the message our Uganda team heard over and over as we arrived at Hope of Glory Church in the village of Myanzi today. As we walked off the buses following a 2 ½ hour trip, we were immediately greeted by villagers of all ages, shaking our hands and wishing us well. The message was repeated as we entered their open-air church covered by torn tarps that flapped in the wind. As soon as we were seated in the best seats available that had been reserved for our team, Pastor David Ndibanunula greeted us warmly and reminded his congregation of the long hours of travel that brought our team to Myanzi from the United States. The appreciation expressed by Pastor David and everyone we encountered today was both humbling and overwhelming. We were serenaded by the children of the church as they offered their songs of appreciation and welcome.
Soon, it was off to work for each of our teams as we set up in sheds and any spots we could find on the bare dirt grounds of the village. The medical/pharmacy and optical teams were quickly overwhelmed by the number of people seeking help. By day’s end, the optical team had seen 65 patients and the medical/pharmacy team had treated more than 200 patients. Our fatigue was offset by the tremendous offering of love and thanks we received today. One of the most phenomenal parts of our day was that the medical/pharmacy team was able to save the life of a severely dehydrated baby by giving IV fluids. What an impact that simple act made! The optical team had many success stories as well, including finding the right prescription for Pastor David and making him a pair of glasses. He was very grateful.
The men’s and women’s ministry teams shared important information with the villagers and were well received. Steve, one of the men who had worked in this village last year, shared with the team how surprised he was that the men were receptive to his group’s teaching this year. Last year, this was the hardest group for him to reach, so he sees progress being made. Praise God! Last but not least, the carnival team had amazing success as they entertained and loved on more than 200 children.
On a personal note, I was moved today by the attitudes of the people of Myanzi. They recently lost most of their school and church and many of their homes (including Pastor David’s) in wind and hail storms, yet they greeted us like royalty and worshipped God with a fervor and passion that most of us could never imagine. They truly represented “light in the darkness” as their faces demonstrated love and joy in the midst of horrifying poverty. As I pulled my exhausted body onto the bus this afternoon, I was ashamed that I even felt any exhaustion considering how these people live on a daily basis. I was also reminded of the devotion shared by Bro. Richie Farrow before we departed this morning. Using a passage from Acts 20, Bro. Richie implored us to avoid letting our fatigue or other circumstances derail our efforts. He added, “Finish the race. When you leave Uganda, know you have done your best.” We may not have helped everyone today, but I know we did our best.
To our prayer warriors back at home, please keep it up! We have a lot left to do in Uganda. We love you.
Stephanie Kirby
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