RABS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES, CHANGING LIVES THROUGH JESUS, EDUCATION, AND HUMANITARIAN RELIEF
FEEDING MINDS, BODIES, SOULS, AND SPIRITS
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“You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving.” Amy Carmichael
2023 FILLED WITH GRATITUDE: We wish to thank you for your past generosity in supporting some East African Childrens’ Education. Most children in the remote villages are not educated and most that are do not go beyond 5th to 8th grade.
It is very rare and expensive for the average village Ugandan family to send one child to school, let alone a large family of children. Many village children end-up being the family water-hauler which includes carrying water containers much too heavy for a child who walks approximately 3 to 5 miles to the nearest government well. They tend to the flocks in dangerous wilderness areas. They work the fields and family gardens. They tend to younger siblings to help their mothers.
Contraceptives in many remote villages are not allowed by the husband and some villages are too deep into the bush that such care is unavailable. With their many cultural practices, we must be respectful. It is not our place to force changes on their generational lifestyles.
However, we can make a difference by helping educate some of the youth by meeting school fee costs and school supply costs. With hope that in time when they become adults there will be a good chance that education will assist in some changes beneficial to all remote villages and the villagers.
God bless you and thank you for your partnership with RABS International Ministries.
Pastor Cyndi Higgins
International Director
RABS Uganda students’ update November 20, 2023:
THIRD TERM KARAMOJA SCHOOL FACILITATION REPORT 2023
It is with great pleasure that I bring greetings from the 18 students that are being sponsored by RABS International Ministries in Karamoja districts of Kaabong and Moroto. Special thanks to Mummy Cyndi and all RABs partners and facilitators for enabling these children to attend school who otherwise would be out of school.
This time I began my activities with the Kaabong children after a cumbersome bus journey. The bus broke down and we spent an extra four hours in Soroti as the crew were fixing the problem. We ended up spending twenty five hours on the road.
I found when I arrived three of the four girls (from Loleria) had already reported at school. I reviewed their academic performances for the last term and they had all improved much more than the previous terms. I delivered the school requirements and their personal effects and the next day I proceeded to Loyoro, the home village of the fourth girl to find out what was happening to her.
I found Judith had stayed because she had lost her uncle and they were supposed to bury him that evening. I decided to wait and attend the burial ceremony. I was eager to witness if they are still practicing their crude ways of placing the dead body on top of a rock in the countryside and leaving it there, but to my surprise, this family conducted a more civilized ceremony. They even dug a tomb and after burial, covered it with concrete. This is very rare in Karamoja.
I had some time with Judith, I encouraged her to be strong and urged her to report to school as soon as possible.
The next day I was supposed to travel to Moroto, but I abandoned the trip because we received reports of a clash between army troops and karamojong warriors who had raided a village near Kotido and took away cattle. I had to wait until it was clearly safe to move and that was a day after the day I had scheduled.
Traveling from Kaabong to Kotido was relatively safe but from Kotido to Moroto was interrupted about thirty kilometers to Moroto when the taxi van ran out of fuel but the place looked secure because we were near a camp for workers of a road construction company. We waited until some guys brought fuel from Moroto and proceeded after refueling the van.
At Moroto I met with the sponsored school children, checking their reports for last term and delivering the scholastic materials and school dues to the children and head teacher respectfully. I was given an opportunity to minister to all the children who were present with a video show and the word. I showed a short clip about a bride trying out different gowns and a movie that was acted by karamojongs about a girl called Nakiru who passed through many hardships at home but managed to persevere and continued school until she became a doctor.
I preached to them that in as much as school is preparing them for their future, they also need to be prepared for eternity by fitting in the right garments as a bride does. Many accepted to prepare for eternity by inviting Christ to be their Savior and Lord, and promised to continue attending school despite the challenges involved. I also had some good time with Nechap, the lame girl, very happy to be in my company but her wheel chair broke down and she was not using it.
I am very grateful for the priceless precious sacrifices and contributions of our dear RABS partners who through their relentless and continuous dedication, these children are safely at school and financially facilitated to carry through the entire term.
Surely the blessings of the almighty God will abide with you all and especially Mama Cyndi for spearheading this cause heartedly and enthusiastically. I also thank you all for allowing me to be part of this undertaking.
GOD BLESS YOU,
MUWANGUZI DENIS PETER.
(Volunteer Uganda national director/coordinator Karamoja ministry)
RABS Ugandan students’ update June 5, 2023
Dear Mama Cyndi, RABs board, fellow Ministers and our dear ministry partners, Second term facilitation mission has been carried out successfully in both districts of Moroto and Kaabong.
I first staged at Moroto and the activities there were conducted without hindrances because most of the children had already reported to school except Lokawa who was bedridden with malaria, and Nachap. I checked through each child’s report form of last term and there was considerable improvement in overall performance except for Nechap. I also had a meeting with the parents and emphasized they must help their children report to school in time and not allow them to come back home before the term ends.
I was surprised to see Nechap again crawling and upon inquiring why, I was informed that she cannot push herself in the wheel chair. During the school term other children help push her around the school, but during holidays she stays alone and therefore resorts to crawling. I went to find out the condition of the the wheel chair and found that it needed some repairs where the seat gets fixed to the rod and the wheels are missing some of the support strips.
It was a full day traveling from Moroto to Kotido and then to Kaabong. Kotido and Kaabong are among the districts in northern Karamoja were insecurity involving murders, clashes with army troops, vandalism and robbery occur most. Traveling from Kotido to Kaabong is more risky, as karamojong warriors have raided vehicles, robbed them and killed occupants in several incidences. It was near some of these dangerous spots that the taxi I was traveling in broke down. Its fan belt got torn and as thus we could not move until a new fan belt was brought and installed.
We had to wait for three hours before mechanics from Kotido would arrive and fix the car. Most vehicles refused to stop to help us, I presume because they feared we had staged the occurance to ambush and rob them. It was after two hours that a driver of an NGO vehicle stopped and allowed to help carry three of us to Kaabong leaving the others waiting for other sympathisers.
I was deterred from going to the villages the next day because there was an operation carried out by the army to recover guns from village members. It was on Friday that I was able to travel to Loleria to meet the girls.
I found out one of the girls had relocated to another village. She was sent away by her guardian because of hunger. However I was able to visit the homes of two other girls, engaged with the guardians and prepared them to report to school. The next day I had to travel to Kakamar to meet the third girl, but found out that the village women and older girls had gone to a distant village where visitors to a certain church were distributing food. Because of the security situation, I left before 6pm when they had not come back. I left her transport funds to bring her to school the next day.
By Sunday morning, they had all reported to the boarding facilities. However Regina, a primary seven candidate, was needed to clear registration for primary leaving exams(PLE) by the end of June. I used part of the boarding fees and school fees to pay for P.L.E. and promised to top up the balance in due course.
I was able to visit Catherine at her place of work and she was very happy. She is doing well and sent greetings. She is a public testimony of how RABs ministry helps such disadvantaged children to become useful and responsible members of the community.
I used the 2 am bus that passes Karenga, Kitgum, Gulu, Luwero to Kampala because I had to connect to another soul winning mission starting Monday.
I thank Run Away Brides Ministry and it’s committed partners for enabling some of the vulnerable and needy children in Karamoja to attend school without limitation or lack of basic necessities. The Lord bless you for your generosity towards this course.!
Muwanguzi Denis Peter
REPORT ON RABS HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT FOR ELDERLY AND SINGLE MOTHERS IN KASOKOSO KIREKA.
Dear beloved Mum and Rabs board U.S.
Receive greetings from Kasokoso/ Mama Cyndi’s Milling Company. With much respect, I write this short report to you, appreciating you for the great support Mama Cyndi’s milling project has been doing for the last 5 years of its operation.
The above mentioned project has so far aided the vulnerable women, especially those elderly and single mothers in the community. People/women in Kasokoso community in conjunction with the Local Council chairpersons have not remained the same as evidenced in photos below.
On the 9th of April, 2023, Easter Sunday, Mama Cyndi’s Milling project compassionately gave out 300kg of flour worth 950,000 Uganda shillings. The number was quite high as we normally do but this time around, due to escalated cost of food in Uganda, we were able to give to 60 mothers each 5 kg (11.023 pounds) of maize / corn flour. We appreciate God and Rabs once more for this great support you always render to these people of God who are in need.
With due respect, we need more of your prayers for the Mill to bring this dream to its highest potential enabling it to give compassionately to more people of our community. We not only desire to physically feed them, but to also feed them spiritually, which we witness every time the Mill reaches into their lives with the gift of flour. We look forward to the days when not only we help feed these vulnerable people, but also we can help support RABS missions throughout East Africa.
May you live longer to see more of God’s goodness in this land of the living.
The financial donation was made possible from the monthly 25 percent of Mama Cyndi’s Milling monthly net profit. Every month the Mill donates 25% of its net profits to RABS Africa for ministerial and humanitarian purposes.
I remain yours,
Pastor Milton Wanyama
RABS Africa Coordinator
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RABSMINISTRIES?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Printable PDF with Photos available:
March 8, 2021
Warm greetings RABS & Mummy Cyndi
I am grateful to God for enabling me to travel and conduct RABS’ ministry activities in Karamoja Region in Kaabong and Moroto districts. I was able to pay the 15 student’s fees and buy their uniforms and provide their scholastic material funds and pay for their daily food and care expenses. I thank RABS for the prayers and support rendered. Every mission has its unique challenges and experiences, but God abides with us through all.
I thank God for the educational funds and village treatment funds I received from RABS USA. I came to realize everywhere you go in Karamoja, they are battling with scabies, jiggers, bed bugs and rats and hunger. I am perplexed beyond reason at the level of infestation and starvation they are suffering. This nature and magnitude of infestation necessitates the spraying of all households before even administering treatment to the individuals. I had to buy two medium sprayers for the task. I also managed to acquire some medication for scabies and some for jiggers plus some rodenticide. Since their huts are built close to one another, and a good number of them already suffering from these communicable problems. I needed to conduct the spraying and treatment operation in the entire villages, but I could not.
First, I had limited medication and it could only be applied to a few people and just enough spray for a few huts. Secondly, the spraying required the huts be first entirely dampened before spraying and those being treated to first bathe before applying the medication to their bodies. However, it is so hot and dry in these villages that folks can spend days even weeks without bathing. Water is very scarce. Thirdly, I had no food to give them while I was conducting the operation, which means they could not leave the compound and scavenge for their food, because it was needful for all of them to be fully involved especially the first two days. Finally, I could not afford an interpreter and alone it was extremely hard explaining and engaging with the villagers. I had to cancel the treatment program in the three Loleria villages in Kaabong district. Because needs were so profound, I had to decide who to treat and who not to. Loleria villages in Kaabong District were my intended target for this initial treatment program. Their entire camps must be treated due to the severity of the infestation. Due to my limited supplies, I decided to take the program to Moroto district in Aworob and Kambizi villages.
In Aworob village I was helped by Anna, the fellowship leader there and in Kambizi village, Pastor Okwi and a Village Health Trainee helped me. I decided to select only the elderly and the very-young who were adversely affected. The rest will be worked on in subsequent operations. Here I had to buy water for the people to bathe. The VHT helped in bathing the children. The photos show the few huts I could spray and the few people I could treat with the medicine. I wish I could have done more, but I am grateful to RABS for enabling this first phase. In Aworob, which is along Moroto-Kitale Road, I had to acquire soldiers from a nearby barracks for security. These areas still have tribal clashes and cattle raids using guns, spears, and arrows and some lives have been lost. I had to pay a fee to get three armed personnel to cover us. Some of the increased violence is due to the starvation conditions. Before the mission was over, my funds were gone. I had to call my wife, Lydia, to send me transport money to get back home.
We cannot treat all five villages now, but we can treat people, huts, and grounds in the Loleria Camps, Kolmeo, Nakatapan, and Mouledu tightknit neighborhoods greatly infected. There are between five and six hundred people including children in these 3 villages. A little less than four hundred are affected by one or more of these ailments. The budget is missing the cost of beans and rice, but greatly needed (costing $260.00 USD).
Report and budget submitted by
Pastor Denis Peter Muwanguzi
email: denis.omom@yahoo.com
Uganda Volunteer National Director
ESTIMATED BUDGET FOR DISINFECTING AND TREATMENT OF LOLERIA VILLAGE
| ITEM | QTY | UNIT PRICE | SUB TOTAL | TOTAL |
| Sprayers (15 ltrs each) | 2 cans | 110,000 | 220,000 | |
| Benzyl benzoate (scabies) | 150 units | 5,000 | 750,000 | |
| Jigger ointment (4people/tin) | 5 dzns | 40,000 | 200,000 | |
| Medicinal soap (6people/piece) | 5 dzns | 30,000 | 150,000 | |
| Disinfectant spraying(1ltr/10homes) | 15 ltrs | 40,000 | 600,000 | |
| Rodenticide (for rats) | 30 pkts | 5,000 | 150,000 | |
| sanitizer | 1 litre | 35,000 | 35,000 | |
| gloves | 1 pkt | 40,000 | 40,000 | |
| Face masks | 30,000 | 30,000 | ||
| Pain killers (dynapar) | 1 pkt | 25,000 | 25,000 | |
| Antibiotics (ampiclox) | 2 pkts | 25,000 | 50,000 | |
| Syringes (5mls-10, 10mls-10) | 20 pcs | 1,000 | 10,000 | |
| Maize flour (20kg by 4days) | 80kgs | 3,000 | 240,000 | |
| sugar (5kg by 4 days) | 20kgs | 4,000 | 80,000 | 2,580,000 |
| Transport to kaabong (to and from) | 2*2pple | 125,000 | 500,000 | |
| Boda kaabong to loleria (to and fro) | 2*3 pple | 50,000 | 300,000 | |
| luggage | 35,000 | 35,000 | ||
| Feeding (b/fast, lunch, super for 2) | 2*7days | 25,000 | 350,000 | |
| communication | 50,000 | 50,000 | 1,025,000 | |
| Water for bathing & wetting huts | 1000 ltrs | 100,000 | 100,000 | |
| TOTAL $1,223.45 US DOLLARS | 3,915,000 |
Dear Beloved:
I am sharing this need with you, because in the past you have helped Run Away Brides International Ministries care for these five Remote Villages of Karamoja Region, the desolate area of Northern Uganda. RABS adopted these villages in late 2018. We began by helping students complete their educations. We now have fifteen full time students back in school. Your gifts helped start farming projects and now the villages have the tools they need for seasonal planting and harvesting. You have helped us in protecting against elephants raiding their gardens and crops. Your donations have allowed us to carry food and water into these villages and camps when even The Red Cross could not make it in because of flooding, washed out roads, and bridges. Now, Beloved, they are facing these new heartbreaking conditions. Please if you can help us with any amount in 2021, we would be incredibly grateful. Because of Covid-19, we did not ask for help in 2020, but now we need to help these that seemingly have been overlooked during the pressure of the pandemic by their government and large international ministries.
Thank you and God Bless you,
Pastor Cyndi Higgins email: cyndihiggins@run-away-brides-ministries.com
RABS International Director
Run Away Brides (RABS) International Ministries
PLEASE DONATE TO RUN AWAY BRIDES INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES (RABS)
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XRNE7GEPJCT84
OR mail check to: RABS @ 577 Alta Dale Ave SE, Ada, MI 49301
Or donate using RABS Website run-away-brides-ministries.com
OUR RABS MISSIONARY PASTORS DENIS AND EVA CLIVE AND CHRISTINA are returning in May 2019 to 2 of the villages to bring the children’s school supplies and fees for the upcoming new-school-period. Then in late June and into July they will spend almost one month in all 5 villages in Karamoja Region–some of the most difficult areas to travel because of lack of road systems and other dangers wild animals and bewildered rustlers–Pray for their safety and their families as they go onto the RABS mission field. We need your help and you can donate today specifically for the children of these 5 villages of Karamajo Region, Uganda.
As we had promised those in new fellowship with the Lord Jesus and with us from RABS International Ministries, namely Rev. Eva Clive Nansereko and Pastor Denis Plkw Muwanguzi and Pastor Christine of Karamoja who oversees these two villages for RABS.
Our Mission began on February 20, 2019 in Moroto district inside the villages where Pastor Christine is doing ministry. This mission our RABS missionaries ministered in Aworbu and Musasi Villages.
We had to change the mission this trip as Kaabong District had to be put on hold. We started RABS fellowships in three village in Kaabong. The children’s needs in these villages are much more that what we currently have and expect to get at present. However, no seed is insignificant. It’s just the prompt nature of the need of getting the school supplies to the children, so they did not miss many days since school has now reopened was our priority. Rev. Eva Clive collected clothing and she and Pastor Christine delivered a bag of used clothes to each village mostly for the children. In the photos you can see their desperate need. The photos speak a thousand words. It is difficult to look at these small frail skinny children–without our help, where will they be in another year?
There are encouraging highlights from this RABS Mission.
THERE IS REAL JOY IN GIVING–THOUGH YOU MAY NEVER TRAVEL TO THE AFRICAN CONTINENT TO MINISTER, YOUR LOVE AND YOUR BLESSINGS CAN THROUGH ANY FINANCIAL GIFT YOU CAN GIVE TO HELP THESE CHILDREN AND OTHER CHILDREN LIKE THEM IN EAST AFRICA–HELP US THROUGH RABS HUMANATARIN EFFORTS TO FEED THEM AND EDUCATATE THEM.
GOD BLESS YOU–THANK YOU!
February 27, 2019 MAMA CYNDI’S MILLING PROJECT UPDATE
Although we went into full production on October 19, 2018 milling, we have had challenges and set-backs that slowed down our production. However, I am glad to report as of now the Mill is operating well. Our 2019 sales are excellent in spite of the increased cost (doubled) in corn by the ton. I was so happy to visit the Mill in January 2019 when I was in Uganda for the Annual RABS International Conference. I was accompanied by all of our National Directors and our RABS International Team and many visiting RABS leaders from all of the nations RABS is currently ministering in. We had many pastors from Uganda visit the Mill and everyone was so delighted to see the production and have a hand at hulling and milling with the help of the Mill’s professional millers.
The great increase in the corn cost is the result of a high-yield harvest in 2018 that saturated the market and many international traders bought much of the corn. In those areas where there are two and near the equator three annual harvests the lack of the latter year’s rain left the quality and quantity of marketable product at a very low production so demand and lack of supply has driven the prices to critical highs.
However, we have not lost hope, for we know the Lord is on our side and He is in full control of the weather conditions. We are believing Him and trusting for a another high yield this late Spring in particular areas and then again in the Autumn Harvest when much of Uganda soil is producing high-quality corn in vast amounts.
We welcome your prayers and your financial support to prevent a loss in the product as we are committed to helping the most vulnerable in the community and in those in various places we are ministering in–to learn more about that read the latest report from Pastor Denis and Rev. Eva Clive “RABS PASTORS RETURN…”
Thank you and God Bless you;
Pastor Cyndi Higgins
August 30, 2018, MAMA CYNDI’S MILLING PROJECT UPDATE
All the water hook-ups completed and we have now served the community with clean and purified water for 2 months at a very low cost compared to the other water sellers in the community! The water sales will help pay the Mill’s Utility bills.
Please join us in thanking the Lord of lord’s and King of kings our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus for His love and mercy He has extended through His grace in this kingdom assignment! No man or woman or ministry could have accomplished this if it had not been for God’s constant provision and protection!
We give Him all the glory and all the honor! For surely this is the manifestation of His unfailing love and we are forever grateful to Him! There has been no ministry funds used for this Milling Project, every expense has been literally provided by the Grace of Our Lord
Love and Blessings
Pastor Cyndi Higgins
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE WHILE WE CONTINUE BUILDING AND TWEAKING OUR NEW RAB INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES’ WEBSITE
Feel free to make a donation if you like toward any of the RAB Projects or Missions you see on our website.
These photos are from the recent building of the first Milling Project in East Africa. You can learn more on the Humanitarian Mission’s Menu. We thank all of you for your prayers and for your desire to be a part of these exciting changes for RABS International Ministries.
