LIKE A TREE
It’s hard to believe that HEAL Ministries was formed ten years ago! This is the year that we celebrate 10 years of the Lord’s provisions. Our theme for the year is LIKE A TREE.
“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD
And have made the LORD their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.”
HEAL Ministries was formed to serve the least of these. It transformed from a sending organization to a focused ministry at the James Place in Jinja, Uganda in 2011. That focus is helping families stay together….plain and simple. We constantly saw Moms that wanted to place their children in an orphanage, NOT because they did not love their children but BECAUSE they DO love their children. We saw the need to walk alongside these moms and give them the tools that empower them, give them hope, and form lasting relationships like family. We became their family.
We have had over 212 families come through our gates and only 2 moms have had to place their children in an orphanage. That means 210 families stayed together and are providing rent, food, and school supplies. That means God is at work in Jinja!
Every program formed here is for the purpose of keeping families together…..Our artisan program (sewing, leather, pottery, jewelry design) keeps moms working so that they can make money. Our daycare program allows moms to work full time or finish High School. Our preschool program enables the children to have a better start in Primary School. Our Business and English classes empower women to make more profits and to better understand operating a business.
The James Place (named after James 1:27) is LIKE A TREE. It is firmly rooted in Christ and we have placed all our trust in the Lord. Its roots grow deep each year and we are beginning to see the fruits of God’s people. We see the fruits everywhere. We see it through a laughing 17-year-old mama skipping through the gates with her healthy child. We see it with a JaJa (grandma) laughing and loving others well as she creates pottery that everyone wants to purchase. We see it through the laughter of the children advancing to the top of their class because of daycare and preschool. We see it through the staff that has grown spiritually and provided a better life for their families. We see it in every family that enters each day and then leaves together smiling each day. We see it through all the families staying together. We see it everywhere. This is the Lord’s work and this year we honor and praise HIM for 10 years of provisions.
-Tina Weir, Founder and Executive Director