Back from Uganda

We’ve been back for about a month, and this year’s trip was one filled with blessings, challenges, and opportunities to see God’s hand at work.

We’re thrilled that KLM has resumed flights to Uganda, allowing for a long but smooth journey.

Our Current Reach

Child Initiative International now cares for 1,565 children across Africa, including 250 in Kenya and 35 in Zambia.

Schools & Rising Food Costs

Our schools continue to thrive, but food costs remain a growing challenge.

What cost 7 million UGX last year now costs over 8 million UGX.
All food must be transported securely to avoid theft.
Once delivered, it’s locked away for safekeeping — often moved at night for added protection.

Even with these challenges, the children are well cared for, and your support makes that possible.

Current Needs

Here are our most pressing needs:

Wall at Grace Children’s Home $25,000 (includes Rock of Joy’s 2nd floor)

Well installation $4,000

Food and blankets (Zambia) Ongoing

School supplies Ongoing

Food remains our top priority.
We are currently about $20,000 behind last year’s giving, which affects our ability to continue building.
Some promised donations did not come through — a challenge many ministries face — but we remain faithful and transparent.

Grace Children’s Home

This was the most heartbreaking part of our visit. Since Pastor Daniel’s arrest last year, government officials have continued to harass him with unnecessary demands.

We are praying for funds to complete the protective wall around Grace Children’s Home. The government required barbed wire fencing “for safety,” but barbed wire and children do not mix. It’s both dangerous and temporary.

Because we refused to pay bribes, the authorities have made progress slow and difficult — but we will not compromise integrity. We must get this wall built.

They also required the kitchen to be converted into classrooms, but this will revert once new construction is complete.

Spiritual Highlights

Sunday was a day of celebration — five people gave their lives to Jesus! The message was centered on Christ crucified, resurrected, and the reality of eternity.

The next day, Shirley Draper, one of our board members, shared her powerful testimony of loss and healing after her son’s passing five years ago. About 40 women attended. As Shirley shared, hearts opened, and many began sharing their own stories of grief for the first time.

That evening, many found freedom and peace. We believe a new women’s group was born that night.

When we arrived, we were greeted with an incredible surprise — a new-to-us vehicle! Thanks to Pastor Steve’s resourcefulness (“he knows a guy!”), we were able to acquire a 2019 Toyota AWD van for just over $4,000 after trading in our old vehicle.

The old van had served faithfully through **700,000 km (435,000 miles)**, but it was time to retire it. The new van has only **50,000 km (31,000 miles)** — and **air conditioning!** What a blessing for long drives in the heat.

We had some young men who had attended Remnant and have started a travel agency and a radio station which reaches most of Uganda and plays a segment called Encouraging Words with Ap Phil Klikas. Also, a young man who graduated from Rock of Joy and is in hospitality.

The greatest part, other than becoming successful in their fields, is they are giving back by sponsoring one the children in the Children’s homes.

Africa 2025