Christmas is Coming

October 2024

It is that time of year when we all begin to think about Christmas and its true meaning. Over two thousand years ago, our Lord Jesus was born of a virgin and laid in a manger – a very humble birth indeed. He then grew up perfect and gave His life for us on a cross, taking the punishment for our sins, and being raised on the third day to intervene on our behalf as He sits at the right hand of God our Father. His birth was so important as this is our Savior and Lord who was born, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and it is a time for us to show the love of Christ to others.

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:1-2 and 11

In the village of Kamonkoli, Uganda, Christmas has always been a time of joy and meeting of many families together. However, the festive season also brings a quiet burden that weighs heavily on parents who struggle to provide the simple joy and tradition of gift giving. Yet for those with a saving faith in Jesus, joy still comes through the knowledge of His birth. As a ministry, we seek to help lighten this burden for the families of our sponsored children, while also teaching of Jesus sacrificial love.

Wow!

What an amazing time of celebration it was. Thank you to all who were able to come celebrate with us in one of our 4 locations. We also appreciate all the new friends you brought to introduce to the work God is doing in Uganda through this ministry. Thank you also to those who gave in honor of our 25 years, even though you couldn’t attend. We pray for God’s grace for another 25 years.

Just think, 751 young people are living meaningful lives and influencing a whole country for Jesus because you all have allowed God to use you to support this ministry and make it all happen. One hundred and ninety-seven of them are married and are raising healthy, godly families. Many more are coming up through sponsorship to be added to the success.

We also had a wonderful inaugural golf tournament with beautiful weather and good company. Thank you to all who joined us and contributed to its success.

There is a special family that lays on my heart this year. Though they do not have much, they have managed to feed their family and send their children to school at our Genesis primary school. However, life circumstances have deteriorated for them this year. Changes at work have left this father unemployed. Then he became very ill, with many of his organs shutting down over time.

Their mother, a faithful volunteer at our Awana club, is spending much time caring for her husband and working the family gardens to feed the family the best she can. Life is very different for this family now and Christmas will be very different as well. Thankfully, we have found sponsors for two of the girls, Kaaylah and Kortney. This will allow them to continue on at Genesis school, provide for their basic and medical needs and make their Christmas a little brighter.

It was such a blessing to know of the lives that will be forever changed by the many people who began sponsoring children at our 25 Year Celebrations this month. If you would like to impact a child’s life, we have many more children in need of sponsorship whom you can find on our website.

www.hineskids.org/sponsor-a-child

As is our tradition, we are looking forward to providing the children with a Christmas celebration including a good meal as we praise and honor of the birth of our Lord and Savior. We have a group that a few of our program graduates are now part of called the Jesus Legacy that is coming to help share in the festivities and share the gospel. We are asking for a gift of $40 for each sponsored child for their Christmas gift and celebration. Their gift includes many needed things for the family and clothing for the child. We pray that the Lord will touch your heart to bless your sponsored child in this way, or if you do not have one, another child that would receive the joy of Christmas from your gift. This Christmas, Kortney and Kaaylah, and hundreds of others like them, will be reminded that their Father in heaven cares for them. They have value and are special in His sight and their dreams and lives matter to Him. With your support they will not only receive material gifts but the invaluable gift of hope that comes from the love of God.

Christmas

I thank you for your love, care and support that you give in the name of Jesus.

May He bless you always and into eternity.

Katherine

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