What a Week - What a Celebration!

 Dear Friends!

John and I just spent a week in Muko to celebrate the 20th Anniversary with our staff and the community. We just arrived home on Dec 21st. Generous and I were able to keep the whole thing a complete surprise to the staff. They had no idea we were coming until Christopher pulled up in the van with us in front of the ACT Resource Center. It was so much fun to see their faces! After Guma got over his shock and spoke, the first thing he said to me was, "You didn't send me an agenda!" With the staff, we always prepare a very detailed agenda for the time a team is visiting in Muko so we can accomplish many things while there! No agenda, Guma! Just here to be with you as you celebrate 20 glorious years of serving Muko! It felt like a bookend for John and I because the very first trip in 2006, it was just John and I and now 20 years later...

As we watched the next few days unfold, we saw the work of Generous and her staff. There were meetings with many people on teams preparing for the big event. And it all happened on Saturday, Dec 16th. We began at Generous and Richard's home in the village - a beautiful home that John and I stayed in for the week along with the whole Turinawe family. They served a wonderful breakfast and the Bishop planted a tree in their yard to honor the Generous.

We then moved to the ACT Resource Center where we planted another tree in the front. Then, they unveiled the front of the ACT Resource Center - now known as the Turinawe-Waechter Resource Center! It was a moment and both Generous and I cried tears of joy and felt very honored. 


Following this, we went to the Muko Sub County offices/grounds for the big event. Generous managed to get all the tents donated and most of the food to feed everyone donated! In addition, you can see their T-shirts she and Richard are wearing -  she sold over 300 and made a bit of profit on each one. What a leader! 



For the big event, there were at least 600 people. The ceremonies lasted about 2.5 hours with music and dancing and speeches. It was wonderful. ACT is so well-known throughout the whole Rubanda District. 

John and I were especially grateful to get to spend the week with their 4 children: Jesse, Jorryn, Josiah and Joash. We rarely get to see them when we travel there because they are in schools in Kampala. 

Richard, Generous, Joash, Josiah, (in front) Jesse and Jorryn

The evening before we were leaving to travel home, we all heard a huge crash at the center. The entire 5-month old ceiling in the training room (a room about 25 x 25ft) collapsed. We were blessed that no one was in there at the time - no one would have survived the heavy plaster ceiling and framework. 



So, now. I realize just how difficult it is right now for our staff in Muko. The electrical grid in the area is very unreliable and our solar power system is defunct. They have struggled to do their work and communicate with us for the past several months. We spent much of the week in the dark without Internet connection. 

Our year-end fund-raising campaign is for the replacement of the solar power system at the Center (we need $4,000 USD to replace it), we now have a ceiling to replace as well! We would so appreciate your designating ACT as your year-end giving for 2023! Here is a link to do just that:  HERE

We thank you for all your support over the years! 


Sue and Generous






Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 26, 2023 at 11:58 AM

    Light shines in any darkness…. Christmas fills us with Light. We are glad for every opportunity to witness lives that shine with grace.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Generous TurinaweDecember 27, 2023 at 1:54 AM

    We thank everyone for every contribution toward ACT success. Blessings and honor through the Agape love, we give to you. May the blessing of God be on your food and water. May He give us all a full life span continuing to enable us all accomplish what He intended of us on this Earth. Wishing you a glorious NEW YEAR!

    ReplyDelete
  3. EileenDecember 28, 2023 at 10:19 AM

    Congratulations on a wonderful celebration of 20 years of dedication and hard work! Love the story of joy, hope and service. Generous and Sue have lovingly, thoughtfully and competently fostered communities in Uganda and USA to collectively join hand in hand to build the services of Turinawe-Waechter ACT Resource Center. And I know you both appreciate the honor, and highlight the work of many to make this 20 year benchmark happen. Applause and big smiles.

    ReplyDelete

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