End of Sixth Week

Didn't realise that I hadn't updated for so long. Have been unwell for a week and had visitors on and off. Anyway - 6 and a half kilos off and I am very happy with that.

Nice and steady and hopefully it will stay off this time.

People have continued to be so supportive, especially my church family.

2nd Week

4 kgs off in total - $171 per kilo pledged!! I am so grateful to Elliot and Margaret for their prayer. Feeling well.

End of the First Week

Well, if I was overwhelmed last week I am astounded this week. $163 per kilo pledged! The pressure is on.

I have done OK this past week. 2.3 kgs off and feeling well. Everyone terribly supportive at church. I thank God for his provision - my strength is in Him alone.

Overwhelmed!

I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received from my church family. They have been wonderful. So far I have been pledged $77 per kilo (which if I lose 30 kgs is $2,310). All I have to do now is lose the weight!! I still have a few more people to contact so expect it to rise. I was really touched by Elliot, a young guy from SBC, who came up and said he would put me on his prayer wall. These things are really precious. My lovely sister in Christ, Carmela, was a real brick, taking round the list to get people to sign up.

I don't want to let any of these people down - or God - or the kids at Watoto. Lord, please give me the strength to do this.

PERSONAL FUNDRAISING

Below is a copy of a flyer I have printed off to raise some funds for the new project in Gulu. This will be for a new church plant as a foundation for the new Watoto Village aimed at rescuing and healing children who have been abducted into the rebel army (LRA). I don't know how much I can raise but I reckon anything will be some help.

I'll start off at Church and see how I go! (And maybe at Jennie's on 2 June at her film night if it is OK with her.)

W O W!
(Weight Off for Watoto)

My aim is to try to lose between 25 and 30 kgs by Christmas of this year. I hope that you might consider sponsoring me per kilo – payable on 30 December 2007 at whatever I have lost by then. All money raised will go to support the Watoto Childcare Ministry in Uganda.

Carmela Strain will be my weigh-in sister and will make reports (I hope at some point you will be able to see progress for yourselves), or check out our blogspot.

I also need a huge amount of prayer support. this is a real challenge for me as I have failed many times before. I appreciate any support you may be able to give to me, monetary or prayer, preferably both!

Judith Sharp

IT IS THE SEASON

I see your will Lord, I hear you calling
“Come join the work I have prepared”
You have planted and you have watered
The sun has warmed the cold hard ground.
The harvest beckons, it is ready
for the workers to be found.


Increase my faith Lord;
Desire to serve you.
Just like the saints of old
Abram and Moses, Aaron, Elijah,
Who helped your plans unfold.


It is the season, the tasks are many,
In my strength I am too weak.
But you have promised that when we trust you
You will enable and complete.
The harvest beckons, it is ready
for the workers to be found.



I once was lost, I once was hostile
To the love of your dear Son.
His sacrifice saved me, He now presents me
Holy and blameless before your throne.
Now is the season
For me to stand up,
and declare “Your will be done”.


(JS - April 2007)

Just an image of the children who don't have a future if we don't act. I, personally have looked the other way when I see these photos because it was too painful and I thought that there was nothing I could do. Well there is, and I have stopped looking away.

I have three grandsons and the thought of them being abused in such ways is incredibly heartbreaking. There but for the grace of God.