Farewell, Uganda!

(Written on Thursday, June 10)

Last Friday (the 4th), we had a cleaning day around the house. Some of the team went outside to clean the yard, as well as around the neighborhood. For those of us inside, I found that soap and water are used to clean everything, including wood. Haha. Peter, a pastor who was on the team last year, stopped by the house to visit me for a while. Through a variety of situations last summer, Peter really touched my heart. We have stayed in touch, and it was a blessing to see him again. Peter is a strong man of the Lord and is incredibly in tune with the Spirit. There is never a meaningless word or story that comes from his mouth. I am more than encouraged by Peter and his selfless faith. When the Lord tells him to “go,” he does so obediently, with open eyes and an open heart. Child sacrifice is a major issue in Uganda, as well as in Kenya and Tanzania, two surrounding countries. God told Peter to start a prayer campaign to raise awareness of this devastating crime and statistics in these countries. Child sacrifice, even though most aren’t aware, remains a problem across the world.

Through a crazy series of events, Peter has organized an entire campaign, including interviews of government officials on the topic, interviews of those who have personally been involved in child sacrificing, filming a video to raise awareness, and being able to publicly speak about the issue in numerous countries. There is a large conference in the UK in July and August, and each week, 10,000 people attend. Peter and his team has been given the opportunity to speak, and they will be inviting each person to pray intently for an end of this crime. Although this campaign is NOT about raising money, many with willing hearts are donating large amounts of money to increase the effectiveness of this campaign, as well as helping injured children to receive immediate attention and care, counseling, and any other needs that must be met to overcome this prevalent issue. And already, children whose private parts have been severed and others who were nearly dead have received the medical attention and surgeries they needed to survive. This campaign started off with one person, Peter, and has grown into a public outcry against child sacrifice all over East Africa and the UK. If you would be praying for Peter to persevere (it’s been very tiring for him), I would appreciate it.

Also, I would like to ask you to pray for Peter’s health. He was driving home one night and saw a man, injured and nearly dead, on the side of the road. Sadly, many would probably pass this man and act is if they never noticed him. Peter stopped and helped this man into his car and on the way to the hospital, the man passed away. In the process of carrying the man, Peter’s finger was cut. The man’s blood touched his blood. As soon as he could, Peter found out if the man was HIV positive or negative. He was positive. For the last month, Peter has been going to different doctors and has been on medication that physically drains him in hopes that it will prevent his body from acquiring the disease. At the beginning of this whole ordeal, he was tested and the results came back negative. He will be tested again after medical treatment in about another month, so I ask that you would pray that with the help of this medicine, his body would be able to block the disease.

On Saturday, my team and I all went to Jinja, Uganda to see the source of the Nile. It was beautiful there and we had a lot of fun. I’m pretty much obsessed with the Nile.

On Monday, the team spent the day at Kids In Need. It’s a non-profit organization that takes in children off the streets who have either been abandoned by their parents, displaced by the war in the north, and other various reasons. Here, they receive their basic needs, food, water, and shelter, at no cost. They each have a bed to sleep in, but the mattresses are torn and in awful condition. They have one pair of clothes; those on his/her back. This project holds a very special place in my heart. It’s where I found Bruce, the young man I sponsor. These children are beautiful and joyful. At the beginning of the day, my team split up into groups, and I worked in the kitchen. We provided food for a good, healthy meal, and we cooked lunch for all the children at Kids in Need. We sang and danced and played for hours, even while working hard. : ) After lunch, we did our program, which consisted of more singing and dancing, games, and a Bible lesson. After the lesson, we broke up into smaller groups and prayed for each child specifically.

When we were done, we all went outside. A girl on our team donated money to this organization and was able to buy more food than they could imagine, new, sturdy sandals for each child, jerry cans, and lots and lots of clothes. As a team, we handed over all of these donations. Each child and each staff member was touched. With all the new clothes, each child received one new pair. This may not seem like a big deal, but for them, it’s a major blessing since they each only have 1 pair of clothes, the ones he/she is wearing. Nothing could compare to the smiles, the joy, the beauty of this hour.

Later that day, I went to Bruce’s school to see him one last time. I met with the headmaster and discussed Bruce’s academic performance. He showed me his classroom, his friends, and his dorm. He explained how much he studies as well as the extracurricular activities he’s involved in. I think going there and seeing him in this environment made sponsorship so much more real to me. Before I left, we talked about his faith and I learned he is still walking closely with the Lord, reading His Word, and growing into a man of the Lord. Saying “goodbye” for a second time was almost harder than the first. I can’t believe the improvement I’ve seen in this young man. He is doing VERY well in school, his English has majorly improved in the past year, and his character reflects the Lord in all he does. It was an amazing, moving day.

For the next few days, I spent some good, quality time with the Lord. Almost the entire team went to Rakai Village, 4 hours away. About once a month, the team goes on a village such as this one, Luwero, or Gulu and all participate in a building project. This time, they will be building a house, doing door-to-door evangelism, and working with some children in this particular village. Because the team was gone, I was able to spend a lot of time in prayer and prepare myself mentally, physically, and spiritually for the adventure ahead. I had the opportunity to see almost all the Ugandans on my team from last year. I am so thankful I was able to come to Uganda for two weeks and catch up with everyone. Tomorrow, I leave for Swaziland. It seems so surreal. I am filled with almost every emotion imaginable but mostly, excitement. If you could be praying, I would love prayer for safety, peace, and boldness. Tomorrow, my world will be forever changed.

In Christ Alone,
Jan

Greetings from Africa!

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a year since God has called me to Africa. My mission technically begins on June 11th, but it saved me hundreds of dollars to fly into Uganda before going to Swaziland, so I will be spending two weeks in Uganda before traveling to Swazi. This was an incredible blessing, granted that I spent a little over a month in Uganda last year and I would be able to visit all the Ugandans on my team, as well as the young boy I sponsor, Bruce.

I never thought I would be given the opportunity to come back to this house or see all the wonderful people who made my experience here last summer so memorable. Graduating, moving, and spending every possible moment at home with family and friends before leaving for a year was a crazy rush, but there would be no other way I would have rather spent it.

I left for Uganda on Thursday morning and got in on Friday evening, the 28 th. Jayan, one of my close Ugandan friends, picked me up from the airport. I had a million feelings flooding my mind as I stepped foot on African ground once again. The ride back to the Empower-A-Child house in Kampala felt strangely proverbial. Walking into the house, I felt as if it was only yesterday that I was here with my team. However, there are new faces, a new bed to sleep in, and new Ugandans on the team. Ministries have been moved around to different days, we go to different primary and secondary schools than those we visited and ministered to last year, and our cook is gone. Food is now catered in every lunch and dinner. It’s the most peculiar feeling to acknowledge the fact that I’m really back here. I left Uganda and returned to America last year with this overwhelming feeling that everyone needs Jesus. My eyes were opened to just how much Americans are hurting, even if it’s in such a different way. I spent a year praying for America, my friends and family, and the Lord revealing the need for His salvation across America. It was a beautiful and bittersweet revelation. Returning here, I’m reconnected with this familiarity of poverty, despair, and brokenness. My heart aches for these people, yet their joy is something that surpasses anything I’m accustomed to.

Ministry itself has been minimal, which definitely isn’t bad, considering I’m trying to spend much alone time with God and preparing as much mentally and spiritually for Swaziland as I can. Saturday, we went to the craft market. It’s one of my favorite places in town. The richness of African culture is mind-blowing. Sunday was filled with church and beautiful Ugandans PASSIONATELY serving our God. There is nothing like a Ugandan church service. Monday was an off day for weekly planning. Tuesday, we broke up into teams of 3 and each went to a different primary school (ages 5-14). Wednesday, we went to Katalemwa Hospital, where there are children with broken and warped limbs like you’ve NEVER seen before, yet they have so much joy. I was blessed to be put on the team with the children today. They’re beautiful. The little kid I hung out with most was named “Johnson,” yet because of his disability, he couldn’t talk well. I had almost no idea what he was saying but what I love about Africa is that you don’t have to understand to communicate true love. We made crosses out of popsicle sticks and for his, I wrote “Jesus loves me.” And when we glued it together, he took my hand, to hold the cross and looks at me and says, “Jesus,” which was the ONLY word I made out the entire 3-4 hours I spent there. It was perfect. He took it back and held it to his heart and couldn’t wipe the biggest smile off his face. This is love and power.

Jayan invited Bruce to the house and completely surprised me. When he saw me, he nearly knocked me over. Reuniting couldn’t have been any more perfect. We talked for a long time and took some pictures. He’s doing REALLY well in school and still wants to be a doctor. And, he couldn’t stop thanking me for sending him to school. I was speechless. How often I have taken my education, such a rich blessing, for granted.

                                         (Bruce and Me)

Thursday (yesterday), we went to an orphanage called “Sanyu Babies’ Home” and a juvenile prison, “Remand Home.” This orphanage takes in about 50 children at a time, ages 0-5, and does a lot of work with the children as far as physical, mental, and emotional growth. We split up into a couple of teams, and I worked with the toddlers. We fed them breakfast (warm milk), and then they all took baths. All I can say is naked children running around drenched in water makes for one hilarious experience. The orphanage can’t afford diapers, so for those children that needed diapers, we tied towels around their waists. Sadly, we didn’t do a very good job, haha, but it worked for the time being. There were two young girls who couldn’t walk. One was receiving treatment, and the other had been so malnourished, that she never gained the strength in her body to sit up on her own or walk, and therefore, these motor skills were never learned. I worked with both of them, especially the latter, for hours, walking across the room, holding onto a bench, and challenging her to use muscles that she rarely uses. A lot of the workers at this orphanage don’t take the time to work one-on-one with these disabled children on a daily basis. The young girl, Esther, couldn’t understand what I was saying, but it was incredible to know she is getting better. She has gained an appropriate amount of weight and there is a very high chance she will be walking again soon.

The Remand Home is one of my favorite projects that Empower-A-Child does. Every time I go, I encounter heartbreaking stories, yet find so much joy in how the Lord has pulled so many of these teenagers out of the pit of darkness and sin. After singing, dancing, and praising our God exuberantly, Jonah, one of the Ugandans, gave a lesson on testimonies. What does the word “testimony” mean to you? What is your testimony? What has God done in your life? We broke up into groups of 4 (there are a TON of teenagers in this place), and so many of them briefly shared their testimonies. Their honesty astounded me. Many of them had never heard of this God or had never been to church. They all considered being in Remand Home a blessing, as our team has taught them who God is. Many confessed their crimes, broken backgrounds, and sin and how God turned their lives around completely. It was more than encouraging. One young man would steal scraps of metal from a shop on a regular basis. He was addicted to drugs and alcohol. He had no friends. One night, a policeman caught him and as sometimes there is absolutely no mercy shown in this country, the policeman began shooting at him. By the grace of God, he somehow got away unharmed. However, he was caught by another authority figure and turned into the Remand Home. As he began coming to our program, which favors a church service aimed at teenagers facing deep challenges, he couldn’t understand why the Lord had spared his life. He continued to explain that over the last few months of being in the juvenile home, His life has turned around. He is an entirely different person and completely free of all addiction and his old ways of stealing. He is ready to embrace the new life God has for him once he gets out. I wish I could express the power in this story as he told it, but it’s hard to reiterate the exact the words he used and emotions he has experienced.

             (An intense game of Red Rover at Remand Home)

Needless to say, I have seen the Lord move mightily and I haven’t even stepped foot in Swaziland yet. When I am in Africa, His love, power, and grace, is so evident in every conversation and experience I have. I have nothing but praises for our Father who has provided abundantly for me. I am thankful and blessed beyond belief. It’s been a good first week across the world. 

“If God is for us, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?” -Romans 8:31b

God's Calling to Swaziland

For over a year, the Lord has passionately laid Swaziland on my heart, and the time has almost come to begin my year-long mission. I have graduated from A&M received my degree, and on June 11th, I will be flying into Swaziland, where I will be living life and experiencing the Lord and His glory, power, strength, and beauty until summer of 2011. For those who do not know much about Swaziland, I’ll give a brief description.

* It's TINY (only about the size of New Jersey) and has been struck HARD with poverty
* The life expectancy is 28.7. Yes, that’s less than 30 years of age.
* The HIV rate there is higher than anywhere else in the world ,with 44.2% of the population HIV+
* By April 2010, 200,000 children will have been orphaned due to AIDS
* 70% of children will be HIV+ by the time they are 15
* Over 40% of the population (of less than 1 million) is infected with AIDS
* Only 1 in 10 children will live to see the age of 30--this includes the hundreds of kids I’ll see each during my stay.
* If no change is made in this country filled with devastation, it will be completely wiped out by the year 2050

While many people tend to only associate the people of Swaziland with mere statistics, I am confident that the Lord has a much greater plan to prosper each and every person in this beautiful country.

It is my goal and my desire to set up an organization called “Empower-A-Child” in a small community that will reach out to all the people living there, but especially the many orphans who have close to nothing. The focus of my ministry will be offering the hope of eternal life to orphaned children and adults suffering from AIDS. When I first arrive, I will be surveying land and become familiar with the community, as well as spend a few weeks in constant, deep prayer with a team of Swazis as our vision comes to life. We will be setting up programs and outreaches aimed at feeding orphans, character and moral building, HIV/AIDS awareness, evangelism, and finally, I hope to set up a sponsorship program so that children can receive education. Once everything is in place, short term missionaries will be able to come and be a part of something incredible, furthering the Kingdom of God with every step.

There is a lot of abuse, disease, and injustices in Swaziland. God is working powerfully to intervene on behalf of His people. Empower a Child Swaziland will focus on meeting people where they are and offering our hands and feet as servants and disciples of Christ. We believe leaders will rise and have an incredible impact in this country. I am blessed beyond belief to have this opportunity to share the Gospel and the overwhelming love of Christ to those who are in need of a Savior.

My goal was to raise $15,000 for the entire year, which would cover all living expenses. I raised a little less than $12,000, and therefore have a bit more to raise. The Lord has been incredibly faithful in providing everything I need as I prepare for this mission, and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the support and encouragement of all who have partnered with me in this ministry. Your prayers have bee invaluable. Because I still need to raise $3,000, I would like to ask to pass this information and the Lord’s work being done overseas to churches, friends, or family members that you think would embrace the opportunity to partner with me through prayer or financial support even throughout this next year. Any one time or monthly donations would be greatly appreciated.

Empower A Child is a non-government organization (NGO) and is registered in the US as a 501(c)3 non profit charity.
While I am gone, you can either donate online or send a check/cash to my parents’ house in Texas.

If you choose to write a check, it will be tax deductible only if my name is NOT written anywhere on the check. Please make checks payable to Empower-A-Child and on the memo line, you must write, “Swaziland.”

My address:
605 Country View Ln.
Garland, TX 75043

*Donations may also be made ONLINE at http://www.empower-a-child.org. At the top of the page, go to “donate,” scroll down and in the purpose box, write “Swaziland.”
OR, you can use PayPal. My email address is listed below.

Every little bit helps me to get closer to Africa and to sharing Christ’s love with the nations!

Once again, I want to thank you ALL for your support throughout this experience! God bless. :)

In Christ Alone,
Jan Beisert

"SPEAK UP for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." -Proverbs 31:8-9