In Both Good Times and Bad

Dear Shining Hope Family,

When a rogue tyre unexpectedly flew off our vehicle and crashed into a store this month, it was cause for fear. But then it turned into cause for praise! Only the Lord can do that! 

Kalungi shares more:

“It was a very tough day for me and the kids I was traveling with. But in the short prayer I said before leaving the car after the accident, I thanked God that it happened at a very low speed when I was turning off the main road. Because of this, no life was claimed. Sad times also require thanksgiving.

“This incident left me with an unplanned bill, but God is good. Your support enabled every aftereffect to be behind me now. Thank you, friends, for standing with us in both good and bad times. May God bless you.”

Catch a glimpse into what Ugandan traffic is like:

Meet four-year-old Nabisere and three-year-old Daniel! Nabisere was feeling a bit shy having her picture taken, but as you can see here, Daniel was very eager! 

These two little ones became friends at our home. No one knows just when or how their strong bond developed, but for some time now, they have been the closest of friends. 

While both of their biological parents are alive, Nabisere knows the cruel pain of abandonment. Her mother left because of the domestic abuse she suffered at the hands of her alcoholic husband. Afterwards, Nabisere’s father sold off everything except for the house. For days on end, he goes out and leaves her and her older sister alone. 

Many of the neighbor children we provide a daily lunch for come from broken homes and suffer neglect. That makes us all the more grateful to you for making it possible to give children like Nabisere and Daniel a filling meal and show them the tender love of Jesus. 

As a special “thank you” to you and all that you do, we hope these recent pictures bring a smile to your face and heart! 

In closing, we have a few prayer requests to share:

• Please pray over the precious neighbor children’s lives for the Lord’s deep healing and restoration that He alone can bring. 

• Ten of our children currently have conjunctivitis (pink eye) caused by a virus most likely picked up at school. As you can imagine, they are uncomfortable. Poor things! Please pray for a quick recovery for them, and that it won’t continue to spread among the children—both here and at school. 

• It has been raining heavily again, and the roads are quickly becoming impassable. This makes it impossible for our children to get to school. Compounding the issue, Kalungi will not be available every day to drive them, as he is one of the plaintiffs in a long, drawn-out court case regarding theft. Please pray that God will provide a way for the children to get to school. And we would also be so grateful if you would join us in praying that justice would be served in this court case. 

In seasons of plenty and want, joy and sadness, you are there supporting us and the children we serve. Thank you TIMES A BILLION!

With all our love and gratitude,

Kalungi + Rachel 

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.” ~Romans 12:12