Newsletter - August 2008

School Update

Our new school building is almost complete! It will house a library, headmaster’s office, teacher workroom and three classrooms. We are grateful for those who gave to make this expansion possible. Thank the Lord that the project is almost ready for the next term which begins September 15th!

GSF Students Attend Word of Life Camp

Recently the GSF teens took off to Entebbe, south of Kampala, to attend a week-long Word of Life camp. The theme verse for the week was Galatians 2:20 with the emphasis being on having a new life in Christ and showing that new life. Through daily devotions, Bible hour and discussion groups this theme was thoroughly explored. The evils of Rock and Roll music were tied in via a 4-part video series on the origins and messages that are found in much of today’s popular music. This caused many avid music fans to stop and assess the merits of their favorite bands and music.

It was a great week, with half the camp population being GSF students. New friendships were formed, not only from the depth of Bible study, but also through the typical fun and games enjoyed by youth around the world. The teens enjoyed their time and many renewed commitments to surrendering their lives to Christ. While this was a unique experience for our youth, the opportunity was met with a variety of outlooks—anxiety, apathy and enthusiasm. Yet, when one girl said she hoped to be able to attend the next camp in December.

GSF Today

We have welcomed two new little ones to GSF in the last three months. Joshua was discovered by police in a nearby town in late May. After finding no parents for 3 days, they contacted GSF. We took in this little boy, estimated to be 18 to 24 months old, and named him Joshua. He had difficulty understanding anyone here until someone happened to speak Swahili to him one day. He perks up and wants to be held by anyone speaking that language! GSF exists to provide loving care in the name of Jesus Christ for abandoned children like Joshua.

On August 19 two young people showed up with a little girl just two weeks old. Her mother had died two days prior and no one knows who or where the father is. With no other family to care for her, we accepted this tiny bundle of joy. At just 4 pounds (2 kg), she is the smallest child ever at GSF. She came without a name, so we have called her Mary. Caring for orphaned babies is both a great responsibility and a tremendous opportunity. At GSF, an infant like Mary will have love and good health care which she may not have had otherwise. She will also be introduced to the grace of Jesus Christ as she grows!

Missionary Staff Update

In May, GSF added a new missionary family to our fold. Mark and Amy Gwartney arrived from Southaven, Mississippi along with their three children, Caralina (11), Megan (8) and Titus (6). Mark and Amy have previously lived in Singapore and South Korea. Mark has served for the last 10 years as the Director of Member Care with the Network of International Christian Schools. After sending new missionaries overseas in that role, Mark will turn the tables here by receiving missionaries overseas. He will serve primarily as our Teams Coordinator, managing and hosting GSF teams and visitors. Feel free to contact Mark at gwartneym@globaloutreach.org regarding short-term opportunities!

Amy will be home schooling their children among other roles as a great mom on campus. Caralina, Megan and Titus have made fast friends with the GSF kids, which expands the impact of this family in our ministry. We welcome the Gwartney family to the GSF team!