Good Shepherd’s Fold is “home” and “family” for hundreds of
Ugandans. Besides the 85 children who currently live here, there have been
hundreds who have already passed through. I think that these GSF “graduates”
(for a lack of a better term) are the greatest testimony for GSF. Many of these children (now adults)
came to GSF at an early age, were raised and educated at GSF, turned 18 and left GSF by law, and completed their education at a boarding school for
vocational training or university with the financial help of the GSF
Scholarship Program. After the education is complete, so is the financial assistance
that they receive from GSF – it’s time to go out on their own!
One of my friends is in this situation. GSF is all he has
ever known, and he has just completed his education at a vocational school through
the GSF Scholarship Program. So, although his family and home remains here, GSF
is no longer his shelter and support. Needless to say, it is a hard time for
him. It’s also a reflective time as he transitions out of GSF. I asked him to
write about his time as a “GSF kid” and if I could share his story with you.
He agreed to write it out. So, here is his summary of his experience at GSF in his own
words. I emphasized the parts that stood out to me.
Life In GSF And How It Has Affected Me
I came to GSF in 1996 when I was a toddler. That means I
could talk a little, walk a little, and possibly sing. I got to know GSF was
because one of my auntie’s sisters, who was back then in the village, happened
to work in GSF. There and then she tried to link me up to GSF since my home and
my family were not in any good shape. So I happened to be the lucky child of a
million of Ugandan children to join GSF. And back then I was about five years
old.
I joined GSF and found out there were so many different/new
kids that I never knew. Anyway I found out that they were going to be my new
family. Just so you know, I was scared of the strange places that I didn’t know
back then. All of the same, I had to live with them. Well my life at GSF was affected
in so many ways that I had never thought about. Some of the ways it was affected
may include:
1) Spiritually. My life at GSF was changed when I joined
GSF. When I came I was not a believer. But when I lived long enough in GSF, I
got to know that there was life after death. Not only did I know that, but I
also gave my life to Christ because He died for me.
2) Education. I have never paid a coin from my pocket or
even paid school fees in my life. This is something that I am very grateful for
because in Uganda it is one of the major problems. And I’m lucky that I have
never faced such a problem in my life.
3) Shelter. GSF has provided me with a place where to stay
since I was 5 years old until the resettlement age when one has to leave the
home to start his or her own new life. And for this I am so grateful. May God
bless them.
4) Love shown. The love given may not be the motherly love
or biological love one might give her own child, but I’m grateful for the love
they have shown and given me.
5) Discipline. GSF may be the best place that one could take
his or her child for wise choices and healthy brain. GSF helps the child
respect and obey authority, which is needed in our present society. This alone
helps a child make good decisions that may help or affect his or her life
positively.
6) Clothing. GSF has provided me with clothes I could never
imagine. This alone I am very grateful for that we do not deserve it, but it is
because of God’s grace.
Anyways, I can go on and on speaking of how it has affected
me, but I will end by saying… GSF may be a small heaven on earth, as one person
said. And such places can rarely be found if not shown.
This is a testimony of God's grace and the way that He is using GSF to work in the lives of His children. It's a blessing to be a part of this ministry, because it allows me to be a part of these stories. But GSF can't do it without the prayer and support of the body of Christ. GSF couldn't provide education, food, and shelter without financial aid from child sponsors. GSF couldn't provide higher education (high school, vocational training, and/or university) for resettled GSF children without scholarship sponsors. It's a constant tension for GSF - desiring to help our resettled students continue education, but knowing the limitations of the resources that we have. For example, GSF sent 12 students back to university in January, uncertain of whether or not they will be able to ever graduate. It was a struggle to know whether or not they should all be sent back (they were returning students), but GSF decided to go ahead and do it, trusting that funds would come in to provide for the next semester....and the next semester. Donors for the scholarship fund is currently one of the, if not THE, greatest need at GSF.
I don't want you to feel burdened or obligate to give towards this need; I'm only sharing to invite you to be a part of these stories, stories like the one I shared above. Let me tell you, it is a blessing to be a part of this ministry. And the children who are affected by GSF are so grateful for the generosity extended to them.
If you would like to give a one-time gift to the scholarship program, you can either send a check to Global Outreach International, P.O. Box 1, Tupelo, MS 38802 and earmark it for the GSF Scholarship Program. OR you can make an online donation through PayPal by clicking "support" under Good Shepherd's Fold here . If you are interested in sponsoring a scholarship student for $50 per month, please email me at gsfscholarship@gmail.com and I will send you further information.
