Next trip - March 2018

Matthew 10:42

 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

I will be going back to Uganda in March to check the progress of our projects. I have had a few people ask me how they could help toward my travel expenses. Anyone can simply make a donation to the Send It Ahead program and add "Ken Merrill travel", in the memo. Thanks to all who have supported this project.

During this next trip our team, Pastor Dov, Dee Warren and myself, will be going together, the dates for this trip will be March 22 through April 2. My focus will be on planning the security wall and guards house around the water well pump. This portion of the project is dependent on the local users of the water well to supply the labor for the making of the blocks and the construction of the wall and attached house. 

Right now we are paying salaries for 3 guards to watch over the well around the clock. By constructing the wall and house we can cut that expense down to one guard who will live on site. There will be some construction materials cost. The largest costs will be for the metal roofing and some cement for the plaster to cover the walls. The material for the walls will be mud blocks which will be made on site. 

This phase is where the local users will make an active investment and will have actual ownership in the project. We feel this is a very important part as we want to be in partnership with the people not simply be seen as giving a handout to them. 

Pastor Dov will be preaching and conducting a pastors conference. Dee will be working with the children and the women. As always our number one goal is to lead people to a saving knowledge of God’s grace, and as Jesus commanded to “go and make disciples”. All our “projects” in Uganda will do nothing more than hopefully improve their physical lives for a moment in time. But their salvation and discipleship will have eternal consequences.

Something else we will be doing this trip, that you all can be praying about is that our whole team will be sitting down together to prayerfully go over our program, projects and goals. We feel that it is extremely important to, not only know where we are going, but to ensure we are going where God is leading and that all we do is in His will.

Remember that you cannot take it with you, but you can “SEND IT AHEAD”.

If you can help we have a way for you to donate to these children’s needs. Go to www.watchtherefore.tv click on the donate button at the top of the page and please make sure you designate your tax deductible donation to the “Send It Ahead - Ken Merrill, travel” program. You can further designate your funds by adding; Water, Teachers, or Food. While you’re at the web site please click on the Send It Ahead button at the top of the page to look for more updates and photos from the school.

Recap of December trip

Praise The Lord, for good clean water.         We are blessed by

Jesus to be able to report that the water well is now in operation and producing good clean water. The water testing report has been received and all tests are well within the government standards for human drinking water. This water will meet the needs of the primary school, the future clinic, as well as the members of the adjacent community. It was indeed amazing to watch as the people celebrated and praised God for having this gift of water available to them.

As wonderful as this water is the project is far from finished. The water well is now operated be means of a hand pump and is located over 200 meters downhill from the school.  A solar pump needs to be added to the well and two 10,000-liter storage tanks placed on top of a water tower near the school still need to be constructed. This will ensure an adequate water reservoir and enough water pressure to supply the needs of kitchen, school and clinic.  We thank God for everyone who gave and prayed for this project and we humbly ask for your continued prayers as this project goes into the next phase.

This Google Earth photo shows the location of the water well at the lower edge of the field where crops will be raised, with a red line leading up to the school buildings where the water tanks will be located. The red line continues at 90- degrees to the area where the clinic buildings are located. There is also a red line from the lake to the top of the field area indicating where a pump could be located to pump irrigation water from the lake in order to have year round crops.

 Our main goal for this trip was to bring clean water to these children but we were also blessed to be able to take enough toothbrushes and tooth paste for all the children and teachers at the Emmaus Global Outreach primary school.  Good hygiene

is an integral part of over all good health. And they were thrilled to each have a toothbrush.

The school was also in dire need of lesson books and classroom supplies. And again we are thankful to God for the people who donated to the purchase of textbooks, a dictionary, Bibles, wall

maps, and classroom benches. An education is really the only hope these children have of getting out of the poverty they are now living in. Of course teachers are the key to a good education and the teachers at the primary school are working at half salaries. The school has already lost a couple of very good teachers because of this. If you can help with a sustaining gift designated for teacher’s salaries please go to the web site to designate your tax-deductible donation. And please pray for these children and their teachers.

Another thing that was accomplished during this trip was the showing of the Jesus film to over 1000 people. It was a challenge to find and take the necessary equipment to show the film in several different languages in an area that has no electricity. Again we praise our Lord and Savior for leading

us to the right people who could help us in gathering that equipment.

I have given information on how you can help below, but you can also further designate your gift to specifically helping the water project, teachers, or food. On your check or in the comments for Palpal or Egiving, write in Send It Ahead Project – Water, Teachers, or Food. That way your funds will go totally in support of that part of the project.

Remember that you cannot take it with you, but you can “SEND IT AHEAD”.

If you can help we have a way for you to donate to these children’s needs. Go to www.watchtherefore.tv click on the donate button at the top of the page and please make sure you designate your tax deductible donation to the “Send It Ahead” program. While you’re at the web site please click on the Send It Ahead button at the top of the page to look for more updates and photos from the school.

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