7/28/2019 February 2013 Newsletter.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/february-2013-newsletterpdf 1/2
Binding Up Broken Hearts
That’s right, we are back
in the “Green House”,
where we lived last
year. This year, however, we
came to Uganda in late dry
season rather than at the start
of the rainy season as we did in
2012. The difference has been
noticeable; it’s hot!
Another difference is that
Uganda has had a good “dry”
season in that there has not
been drought. As we flew over
the country on our approach to
Entebbe Airport, we could see
the difference from the air; the
country was green and lush!
People in Ntuti, the nearest
village to the ranch where we
are living, are so grateful!
Already we are very busy.
Robin has begun counseling
sessions with the new, first
year students at African Hospi-
tality Institute as well as a few 2nd year students and staff.
All 2nd year students and staff
will be scheduled as our stay
continues.
Contacts were made with Cor-
nerstone Leadership Academy
(CLA), Ekitangaala Secondary
School (ESS) and Ekitangaala
Primary School (EPS). At all
three sties leadership were in-
terested in using us while we
are here. This past week weprovided Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) Awareness
information to both CLA and
ESS faculty and staff. Coun-
seling with the younger chil-
dren at EPS began last week!
Caleb, 12, and John on the porch at
the “Green House”
In addition, we have beenteaching a weekly workshop,
Healing the Wounds of Trau-
ma by Margaret Hill, Harriet
Hill, Richard Bagge and Pat
Continued on p. 2
Back Home in the “Green House” ...
The Headmistress turned
her eyes away from
mine and hesitated
before going on.
We had been talking about the
possibility that I (Robin) would
come to her primary school to
do trauma work with children
who need help. I was very
hopeful. Children’s brains have
good plasticity and, using
EMDR or LI, can heal very
fast. It is a joy to behold!
Keeping her eyes averted, the
Headmistress went on. “I
spoke to a child this morning,”
she said,, “ who witnessed his
father hack his mother to piec-
es with a machete.” Her eyes
met mine, a slight look of chal
lenge on her face.
“Yes,” I answered, “this is the
kind of child I want to work
with.” With God’s help!
“Good, we have many.”
“Let the little children come to me, …”
Freeing children and those who care for them from the wounds of trauma in Jesus’ name.
February 2013
Volume 1, Issue 2
Binding Up Broken
Hearts
Email: John@
bindingupbrokenhearts.org
Email: Robin@
bindingupbrokenhearts.org
“The Lord … heals
the brokenhearted andbinds up their
wounds.” Ps. 147:2a, 3
Want to help us continue
and expand this ministry?
Write your donation to
Abba’s Ambassadors, with
“Vendelins” written in
memo and mail to:
Abba’s Ambassadors,
P.O. Box 523,
North Myrtle Beach, SC,
29597
7/28/2019 February 2013 Newsletter.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/february-2013-newsletterpdf 2/2
“ Back Home in the ‘Green House’ …”, continued from p. 1
Miersma of Wycliffe Bible Translators especially for the Church in Afri-
ca. It has been a wonderful resource and we have been very happy with
the reception it is receiving from the staff and students of AHI.
In addition to his work on the above projects, John is already busy
wielding his paintbrush! AHI’s newest construction project, The Mis-
sion House, as well as some additional staff housing are being painted.
He has also picked up more than his share of the cooking since Robin
has appointments into early evening. Since he is a very good cook, Rob-
in is more than happy to give up some of the meal preparation.
Best of all was hearing from those with whom we worked last year. The
improvements gained last year have lasted. As one young man said,
“No, Momma, it (severe PTSD symptoms) has not come back. I am
good now!”
of all, some take advantage of
the desperation that poverty
creates to profit from Africa’s
wealth of resources while it’s
people struggle to survive.
So, although, this group of
educators were welcoming and
polite, there was also a bit of
challenge. “What,” it seemed
to ask, “do you, in your benev-
olent, foreign arrogance, think
you can offer us? ““Possibly nothing,” I was
thinking. But I know God has
sent us here so we will offer
what He has given us to offer.
As our half-hour presentation
unfolded, however, the atmos-
phere changed. Sadly, many
were recognizing the symp-
toms of PTSD in very personal
lowship time with the plan of
presenting our Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder Awareness
presentation. We are, after all,
“muzungus”, the local Lugan-
dan name for white people,
which literally means, “man
running in circles” The word
is, sadly, too often very de-
scriptive of African experience
with white people.
Even well-meant, Westernattempts to help the people
emerge from stifling poverty
have often been revealed as,
at best, poorly thought out so
that they become dependent,
or, worse, arrogant efforts to
force what has worked for us
on others whose cultures we
do not understand.. Worst
ways.
As we ended and asked for any
questions, there was a disori-
ented silence.
Finally, an energetic, sincere
young teacher who had previ-
ously identified himself as
being from Northern Uganda
where there has been horrible
suffering at the hands of Jo-
seph Kony’s rebels spoke up.
“Many of you think you know
me,” he said, “but, really, you
only know — ten percent of
who I am, what my life has
been. I will not let this oppor-
tunity pass. I am going to take
help while I can.”
Please pray for him. Please
pray for them.
“I will not let this opportunity pass.”
Not a student at AHI, she saw
an opportunity and took it 2012.
Please be praying ...
It was a bit uncomfortable to
join the secondary school
faculty for their weekly fel-
For the staffs, faculties, trainers and students of AHI,
CLA, EPS and ESS that will be working on resolving
trauma;
That the trauma workshops we are offering will be
relevant and speak to the hearts of our hearers;
That those who need trauma therapy will have the
humility and courage to ask for help;
For opportunities and finances to visit possible sites
for ministry in the future, such as Cornerstone
schools in Rwanda and Tanzania and the refugee
camps providing safety for Congolese refugees being
served by International Medical Teams;
For the Word of God to be shared with the power
and wisdom of the Holy Spirit to Christians and
Muslims alike so that all may know Jesus Christ as
Lord and be free of fear;
That the power and hold of Satan through tradition-
al witchdoctors will be broken completely;
For our safety and good health;
For the Father’s guidance, wisdom, blessing and love!
He knows we need Him every minute!
Giggles, Goofs and Geography
The ability to dismount a bicycle gracefully in a skirt continues to elude me(Robin). This time my long knit skirt got wrapped around the seat as I dis-
mounted, pulled the bike over on top of me and knocked me down on my
back. Nothing new, really, but doing it at recess at the Primary School …!!!
They tried not to laugh but they failed — completely!