Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name,
He gave the right to become children of God –
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will,
but born of God."
John 1:12-13
God is so good! My KidZ at Heart ministry work is thriving here in Uganda. I just got back from a week-long trip into many rural villages to share all about KidZ at Heart trainings and love on the children. What I can say is that I've fallen in love with the peaceful village life and the people. It was precious time together building new friendships. Pastor Charles OPendi (from KAHLA launch team) and I traveled together to Ngora and Tororo districts. God granted us amazing travel mercies and we made our way along all the bumpy dirt roads. There are a lot of those in Uganda! lol :) We had many laughs.
While in Ngora district (about a 5 hour drive from Kampala) we visited Gawa Church in the village of Tilling. We had such a warm welcome and I can say now that they are family for life. Many Sunday school teachers from Gawa Church have attended KidZ at Heart training in Kampala in the past and now we would like to try and bring KidZ training to their area where hundreds of children's ministry workers want to be trained. We are looking forward to that day and plans are well on their way. We simply can't wait to get back there. We attended their Sunday school program and were so impressed with how they were applying all they learned from KidZ training in Kampala. Their children's ministry is thriving with over 200 children! From Ngora we then traveled to many villages around Tororo (a town that borders Kenya) to share about KidZ at Heart. Pastor Charles is from this area and they were very eager to host us. Again, we were warmly welcomed with children dancing and such kind hearts. During my time in all of the villages I ate all of the local food and was treated to chicken at all meals which is a real honor when you visit someone in a village. I even had some goat too! And of course the local staple, millet bread (it's kind of a brown sticky mound that you eat and dip in sauces) Everyone that I visited said that I truly have become Ugandan, lol. I think because I adapt so well and eat all of their yummy food.
So what is next on the horizon for me the next few months? Shannon is a busy bee :)
- Pastor Grace Rwothumio and I will be leading a 2-day training in Jinja town end of August and possibly a 2-day training also in Kaliro.
- The KAHLA East Africa Launch Team will be meeting this month to go over many important steps forward.
- I'm continuing to mobilize a KidZ team to South Africa that is August 28th-September 9th.
- I have some dear friends from Jax visiting the whole month of September and staying with me. They are considering becoming full-time missionaries to Uganda.
- Pastor Grace Rwothumio, a couple visiting from the USA that works with KidZ, and myself are leading a 2-day intensive training at KEST (Kampala Evangelical School of Theology) for KEST staff and KAHLA launch team.
- Tentatively we may have a week-long KidZ training in Ngora district the first week of December.
- December 12th-February 14th I will be in the States! I will be there for the holidays, seeing friends, family, and supporters, and also attending the KidZ at Heart staff retreat in Arizona.
I'm continually blessed by all of your prayers and support. Any day now I hope to have my approved work permit in my hands :) God bless you for your help!
-Shannon
To Donate Online:
http://www.worldoutreach.org/donations Select My Name. The system can process USA and International cards. You can also set up Automatic Monthly Gifts if you select the "monthly" option.
Or Mail Checks to:
World Outreach Ministries, P.O. Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 (Designate for Routzahn, Fund Code #91)
The 2.2 billion children have the right to become children of God if they receive Jesus as their Savior. How can they receive Christ if they have never heard about Jesus and His salvation plan of each of us? We must be part of God’s plan to reach the 2.2 billion children with the Gospel, so that they can become children of God.
Over the past 10 years, KidZ at Heart has directly trained more than 5,000 children’s leaders in other countries to reach and teach kids for Christ within their own culture. These leaders can also freely share KidZ training with others (an estimated 30,000 more) who are sharing Jesus with children. Thank God for his leading and provision!
