Do You Believe?

I was reading Matthew, Chapter 9 today and came across this passage (9:27-29) that hit me:

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, calling out, “Have mercy on us Son of David!” When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to Him, and He (Jesus) asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied. Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith, let it be done to you”; and their sight was restored. 

As I read this passage, I am reminded that it is not our hard work, outstanding programs, or even the giftedness of the dedicated staff that is responsible for all of the life change we’re seeing through Amazima Ministries. Yes, we bring that all to the table. And yes, that is our part of what God asks of us. But lest we think WE are producing the results, the funding, and the life change we get to see on a daily basis as a result of our own efforts, we still must respond to the same question the blind men did...

Do we believe HE is able to do this? Might our answer be as simple as theirs…”Yes, Lord.”

I’m so grateful to be part of a ministry with a board and staff that recognizes this ministry is about what God is choosing to do, in us, through us, and IN SPITE OF US. A team that responds with great faith… not little faith… believing that “He is able to do this.” He is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine according to His power that is at work in us (Ephesians 3:20). He causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

As the Amazima team thinks, dreams, and plans, we bring all we have to the table. We work to the glory of God. But we also continue to wrestle with the question Jesus asked, “Do you believe I am able to do this?” … and expectantly wait for Him to respond, “according to our faith, let it be done.” I can’t wait to see the BIG things God has in store for Amazima.

Believing He is able to do it,

Doug Martin
Managing Director

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Exclusive! Best Sellers Combo Now Available

For a limited time, Amazima is excited to offer the "Best Sellers Combo."

In addition to an exclusive, signed copy of Katie Davis' New York Times^® Best Seller, Kisses From Katie, you will receive two multi-colored beaded necklaces in our most popular style. Crafted by women from the Masese community through Amazima's vocational program, each bead is hand-made of recycled magazine paper, threaded along with mini glass beads, and sealed with a beautiful finish (watch this video to learn more about the process).

This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about Katie's journey and begin supporting Amazima's work in Uganda, or to introduce a someone you know to our ministry. Order the combo pack, read the book, and share a necklace and the Amazima story with a friend!

All proceeds from this sale support the feeding of more than 1200 children in Uganda. Your purchase feeds the hungry, employs women, and CHANGES LIVES! We pray that as you invest in the lives of others, you will find your life is changed too!

Order your Best Sellers Combo now >

Train up a child

Amazima has 210 children enrolled in a nursery school in Masese. These children come to school and receive breakfast and an education, free of charge. The school is a safe haven for many of the children that live in difficult homes. The teachers are warm and compassionate. Most importantly, they teach the children about the love of a Savior.

When asking teacher Harriet why she comes to work every day, she shared 
her love of children with us and the call she feels on her life:

"You know, it is in the bible to train up a child in the way he should go.  
If you do this, he will not depart from it." 

An Offering of Praise

Recently during the Amazima Saturday program, our children were asked to come forward and share their testimonies.  It was a beautiful time with sweet words and encouragement shared from young hearts to a big audience. 

 

 "I love Jesus because with Him, you can do everything."

 

"Jesus provided for me what nothing else could have.  
He provided me a family."

"Jesus is my entire life."

 

 "I love Jesus because He healed the sick, He cured the blind and the deaf.  

He is strong."

 Thank you, Jesus, for being real to every one...
no matter age, race, gender, or size! 

I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD;I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only. O God, You have taught me from my youth;
And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.

Psalm 71:16-17

Amazima Welcomes New Team Members!

The past few years, we have seen tremendous growth in the outreach and services of Amazima. We are humbled by God's blessing upon our work and how it continues to touch the lives and hearts of many, both in Uganda and around the world. 

The entire Amazima team - our Board of Directors, Katie, and all of the staff have prayerfully considered our next step as we move forward as a ministry to further God's kingdom. We are excited for what the Lord has in store for Amazima in the future and are pleased to introduce our new Managing Director, Doug Martin.

Doug and Amy Martin

Katie shares, "I am so excited to welcome Doug as the newest member of the Amazima 
team! I believe that he brings just the wisdom and skills we are looking for as God leads 
Amazima into this new season."   

Our Board Chairman, Mike Mayernick, adds: “Doug Martin’s unique combination of gifts are precisely what Amazima needs to lead us in the coming years as we proclaim and further God's kingdom in Uganda and throughout the world."

Doug comes to us with vast experience and knowledge about ministry, and what it means to care for the vulnerable. Serving as a Vice-President for FamilyLife, Doug co-founded Hope For Orphans (HFO) and in 2004 helped establish the Christian Alliance For Orphans, with a focus on networking Christian adoption agencies, foundations, churches and humanitarian aid organizations as well as individuals on serving the global needs of children. The co-author of the Bible study series  Considering Adoption: A Biblical Prospective, he has for the past seven years served as Pastor of Adult Ministries at Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, Tennessee, where our Stateside offices are located. Doug is a 1983 graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Marketing. Currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, he enjoyed a highly successful career in marketing in the computer software industry prior to his re-focus on ministry pursuits.

He has been married for twenty-eight years to his wife, Amy, who is a registered nurse. Amy will also be joining the Stateside team as our Volunteer/Prayer Coordinator. They have six adult children, ages 18-26. Martin's enthusiasm for his new role is evident: “The ministry of Amazima is such a tangible expression of the Gospel and one that both demonstrates and experiences firsthand what James called ‘pure and undefiled religion’ (James 1:27). Seeing God's fingerprints all over it, I knew I wanted to invest my life into this ministry.  I'm thrilled and humbled to be a part of the Amazima team!”

We recently held a reception at our stateside office to welcome Doug to Amazima, and to show our support as he steps into this new role. We look forward in great anticipation at how the Lord will use Doug and Amy in their new roles as God leads us all into this new season! 

 A few photos from the Stateside Welcome Reception
(Left: Doug visiting with ministry friends; Bottom middle: Board Chairman, Mike Mayernick welcomes guests)

    
 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; 
for His steadfast love endures forever! 
Psalm 118:1

All photos by Kelsey Harrison Photography

Jesus Film

It is once again that time of year where a sheet is hung and a story is told about the purpose of our ministry: the Gospel.  What a wonderful way for all of the Amazima community to celebrate the coming resurrection of our Lord! 

The weather was perfect. 

Have you ever seen a more beautiful movie theater?  

 

Our very own Simon Otim gets ready to view the Jesus Film.   

He was pretty excited to be there!

 

Not only sponsored children and their families come to watch, but community members as well.  It is a wonderful outreach time for Amazima.

 

 Although it is somewhat of a novelty in and of itself to watch a movie here, we hope the real treasure lies in what the movie is portraying:

  the love of a Savior.

"I saw when Jesus was going to be crucified.  I was fearing but the movie was nice because He was crucified for our sins.  He stayed in the grave three days and after, He came out!"- Harriet Natikunda

Hallelujah to the God who did not stay buried but "came out" of the tomb and rescued us!

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

-John 11:25-26

(we would like to send out a HUGE thank you to Hackers for Charity who graciously provided the movie, sound system, and their time to help share the Gospel message.  We are so grateful!) 

Back to School

Recently, the Amazima children all headed back to school. Our school 

system works a little differently here. The school year is divided into three 

terms with several weeks of break in between each one. "First term" marks 

the beginning of a new school year. First term also means school supplies 

are needed for everyone headed off to begin their new season of learning!

        With your support, and God who has been faithful to provide, we 
were able to send 643 children to school!

Translated into school supplies, you helped provide: 

 3,834 pencils

3,278 pens

47 mattresses

53 trunks

77 dictionaries

731 bars of soap

&

11,045 notebooks

and this is just the start!  

Over all, the Amazima team had the privilege of passing out

30,702

different types of school and boarding supplies!

It was a lot of work collecting all of the supplies, organizing them, 

and passing them out. The Amazima team worked tirelessly. But after 

seeing the smiles and excitement on the kids' faces, it was 

completely worth the effort! 

After everything was distributed and checked twice to make sure 
nothing was forgotten, it was off to school! Mattresses, trunks, and 
all of the school necessities piled high into a moving truck, a few 
kids decided to hitch a ride back to town! 

Please join us in praying for a safe and successful school year 
for all of the Amazima children!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11