Rivers of Hope International

Dear friends and family,

I got back about a month ago from doing the Iris Relief in the Horn of Africa where we were able to buy 18 tons of food and fed over 7000 people.

Thanks so much to those of you who helped. You are His hands and feet!

After the Kenya relief outreach with Iris, at the encouragement of the team leaders, I was invited back to Mozambique where this whole adventure began 7 years ago.
After meeting with Heidi Baker, the founder of Iris Ministries, we are now starting Iris Uganda.

In the 70′s during the Idi Amin years, cripples, orphans, and other “trash” on the street were picked up, thrown into a truck and tossed into the River Nile to the crocodiles. The streets are still “littered” with these broken ones and God has given me His eyes and heart for them. He has told me, “they are royalty” and that He wants to bring them into His house and REDEEM and heal and love them back to life.

Just the other day as I was walking down Kampala road and praying for the little ones, the 2 and 3 year olds sitting on the hot pavement with their little hands cupped looking for coins, God opened my eyes and showed me they are actually begging for their inheritance. So as I put a coin in their little “cup” I declared that they belong to me and to Jesus. These sons and daughters just don’t know who they are, yet!

They are my part of my inheritance and Uganda is part of OUR inheritance!

Not exactly sure what it all looks like but I’m looking for land believing for Him to provide. I want a big enough parcel to have gardens to feed the kids as well as sell produce to the public along with a fish farm so it is a sustainable, thriving kingdom community. The land here in Uganda is very fertile so everything grows and will grow, both in the natural and the supernatural!

The model I would like to use is to build several small dwellings that would house 8-9 kids with one mama in each home. That way the children are raised in a family environment with one on one attention, discipline and love.
The sewing project will also be resurrected as the women need jobs. There is more of an an international market for the reusable shopping bags we make so will explore how to distribute globally. I just sent 100 more bags to Germany.

Until I have a table to bring these wee ones to, I will bring the table to them. I hope to get a feeding program started. Feeding people has always been one of my passions!

I have heard it said many times, “if its to big, it has to be God”.

I want to see this next generation of Africans raised up to be leaders, walking in their God given destiny, vessels of honor, glorifying the one who is altogether lovely, who died that they might live, Jesus!

Its a new year and a new day and He is looking for those that are crazy enough to believe for the impossible. Many years ago He gave me Psalm 27:13-14 as a hope and a promise for Africa.

“What, what would have become of me had I not believed I would see the Lords goodness in the land of the living!  Wait for hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes! Wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.” (amplified version)

God wants to provide for the least of these. His heart has always been and always will be for the widow and the orphan and I pray that we can fulfill everything He sent us into this world to accomplish. That the Lamb may receive the reward for His suffering through us, walking in the fullness for which we were created, stopping for the one, and seeing them healed from the inside out and walking in their destiny.

Prayer points:
-Please pray for the harvesters to come to the fields, they are white! I have been in a season of waiting and now its time to run again but I’m not doing it alone. So I will wait until He brings the increase.
-Pray that we find the piece of land that God has hidden and saved for His purposes through Iris Uganda. I have a wonderful Ugandan brother who has offered to help with this.
-For the financial provision to see it all of His plans come to fruition. Iris Uganda is responsible for raising her own funds.

So, suddenly….. Iris Kampala Uganda was born, for such a time as this.

Its Christmas and Im putting together baskets of food and other gifts for the ladies and their kids, your gift toward this is most appreciated!

Thanks so much for your support, prayer and encouragement over the years!!!

Living on purpose!
Blessings and Shalom,
Love, Mama Barbinga

New address for giving
Iris Ministries
PO Box 493995
Redding, Ca. 96049-3905
Please note for Barb Iman in Uganda. Thanks again!

Iris web site giving, https://www.irismin.org/giving-center
At the checkout in “comment”  please make a note for Barb in Uganda, thanks!
I will eventually have a link on the site about Uganda.

And you can still use paypal at riversofhopeintl.org

Thanks and Blessings!

Merry Christmas from Uganda!

Dear Friends,
Several people have asked what I will be doing when I go to Kenya.
Allow me to tell a short story, where this all began.

Mozambique 2005, 100+ white people, most of whom have never been in Africa, 60+ Mozambquian pastors. Heidi is teaching from the beatitudes and asked the question, ” how many of you have lost loved ones to starvation”. 20 men raised their hands. Again, “how many have lost loved ones to crocodiles diving for lily bulbs?” at least 10. One of these humble broken men with no shoes prays for me and I saturate his yellow shirt with my tears. As Im trying to walk away to try and “get it together”, a young man who has lost his father to starvation comes up to me and with the authority of heaven in his voice says, “YOU WILL FEED THOUSANDS!”. I spent the next several hours lieing in the red African dirt crying crocodile tears as The Father gave me His heart for this continent.

All this to say Im not really sure what to expect but I know Im being asked to go and love and that “it is God who is at work in me, both to will and to act according to His good pleasure”. Phil. 2:13

I may end up sitting in the dirt weeping with and holding a young mother in my arms who has lost her child to starvation but we will take our meager offering and watch and see what He will do. I have seen our God multiple food. Heb. 13:8  says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” and just as He multiplied the loaves and the fish to feed the multitudes and as we “only believe” Mark 5:36, He will do the same for His children in Kenya, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think”. Eph.3:20

I have heard and firmly believe that if we, as mere human flesh think that we can accomplish something like feeding thousands then God doesnt have to show up, but if its something I could never do in a thousand years then its gotta be God and He will get all the glory!
Just like Moses said

 ”Show me your Glory Lord and then HE caused all His goodness to pass before him”
Ps 27:13

“What, what would have become of me had I not believed I would see the Lords goodness in the land of the living, 14, wait for , hope for and expect the Lord! Be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring, YES! wait for hope for and expect the Lord”!

Please pray for my travel, I will be going alone from Uganda and meeting the rest of the team there. Also travel as we move from place to place.

The “religion” there is traditional which is basically witchcraft. This little light of mine Im gonna let it SHINE, the darkness doesn’t have a chance.

“Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world!”
1 John 4:4

Pray that He will be glorified in all things, in us and through us!

Food multiplication,healing the brokenhearted and replacing it with hope.

I recently made some awesome connections so we have local people who will travel with us and help bring the love of Christ!

thanks so much, It not to late to help. You can give at my website (I just posted new pics of S. Sudan)
riversofhopeintl.org (no tax deduction) or

Tax deductible donations can be sent to

Barbara Iman c/o KPGI
9020 Pickering Ln.
Missoula, Mt. 59808

thanks again for your encouragement and prayer!

Living on purpose!
Love, Barb

Dear Friends,

I will be going with friends from Iris to northern Kenya, to the Turkana region which is the worst drought stricken area in the nation.

We will take food and minister to the victims of severe famine, because love to the starving looks like rice.

This is a video that depicts what is happening there. Sometimes in America and other developed nations we dont have a clear picture what God’s world actually looks like and need to see it, as difficult as it is.

Won’t you please consider partnering in this mission of love.
thanks so much and God bless,
Love, Barb

Tax deductible contributions can be sent to
Barbara Iman c/o KPGI
9020 Pickering Ln.
Missoula, Mt. 59808

Or you can use paypal on my web site riversofhopeintl.org
However, at this time there is no tax break available if you use this option.
Thanks so much for helping!

Dear Family and Friends,

This is a long over due update. Will try and keep it simple.

I spent the last 2 months in Kajo Kegi, a small town in South Sudan near the Ugandan border.

There is absolutely no infrastructure there, no paved roads, no power grid. Power is either solar but mostly from generators, as is the case at the base where I was, I felt extremely blessed.

I was working with MHI, Mobile Health Intl. Water Harvesters Intl, another arm of the org., who drill wells is on the base too so we are blessed with plenty of water.

We did several outreaches to 3 different villages deep in the bush, camping for a total of 3 days in each place, with followup visits 2 weeks after the initial clinic.

Our desire is to build and encourage the community through relationship, and getting the village involved in their own development by training up a few select medical people to treat ailments like malaria and minor skin and respiratory infections through education thus empowering them.

Prior to the first clinic we do a “Community Day” by working together for a common goal. We start by clearing the land and building a small structure, using local materials, that will be eventually be used as a clinic. We also supply food for a meal that day for the workers and their families. But word travels fast if there is free food around. We had planned on maybe 100 people and well over 300 showed up.

It was really a sight. The line was so long and never seemed to end. We prayed and once again God poured out His love and grace by multiplying the beans and rice. All were fed.

The medical consultation is free but they do have to pay half of the wholesale price we pay for the medicine. The money taken in goes back into the community so its a win win situation with the goal of building a health center thus augmenting them to take responsibility for their own health care at an affordable rate.

We treat everyone for intestinal worms for free. There were about 15 tabs left near the end and we saw another 40-50 people, all of which received the medication. The bottle never ran out. In fact, there were three tabs left at the end of the day. He is a God of mega multiplication and abundance.

Every person got prayer. There were stories filtering back to us of people being healed. One old women who came and was reported to be up and working in the garden the next day were as before she couldn’t. He uses natural as well as supernatural means to heal His children.

Im back in Uganda for now. The ladies are doing ok but still struggling as food prices have skyrocketed.

The kids are out of school for holiday so bought more breakfast porridge for them along with other food stuffs.

I met a women who is willing to sell the Binga Bags that I have in stock at her store in one of the upper scale malls here. This is a market test so to speak. If they do sell, which I believe they will, will look into resurrecting the bag business, Lord willing.

Sewing is not my passion but these women and kids are, so plan is to get someone in a managerial position and let them run with it.

There is a big shortage of power here in Uganda as well.  If we are lucky we have power every other night with outages during the day. There have been several occasions when it has been out for 27+ hours straight. I am so thankful for when we do have it.

The good news is I have found a small solar light that is affordable and also very durable. In fact, so durable, (people are very hard on things here, no concept of something being fragile) that I would like to purchase one for each of the ladies and their families. They are $25 each. If anyone is interested in helping with this please let me know. As soon as they are covered I will start getting them for some of youth at church.

As I said my passion is with the kids. I have been getting more involved with the church I attend. There is always a fresh word and Spirit has the freedom to move there.

God has given me a burden to pour into the youth through developing deeper relationships. Its critical to establish a different mind set in this generation rather than the one that has prevailed for generations which is basically a survival mentality and one that says things will never change. The word God gave me Sunday for them was they are a “new breed” of African.

In this new season God is speaking loudly about relationship, first with Him of course and then others. In the book “When Helping Hurts” the author makes several observations that I found very interesting.

1) Relief is easier to do than development. It is much simpler to drop food out of airplanes or to ladle soup into bowls than it is to develop long lasting, time consuming relationships with poor people, which may be emotionally exhausting.
2) Its easier to get donor money for relief than for development, “We fed a thousand people today” sounds better than “We hung out and developed relationships today”.

I have been busy with the doing rather than the building, through relationship, of His kingdom. Dont get me wrong the “doing” is needed but the relational part is critical to change.

In our western mindsets we tend to measure our worthiness in terms of tangible productivity rather than building people, who are eternal. I know mothers sometimes feel this way when, in reality, their “job” is the most important of all, building future generations that shape a nation.

It really is all about relationship first. He has given me such love and compassion for the youth in the church and in this nation. We all are broken people. These kids need to know there is a better way. They have to know that Jere. 29:11 is and can be a reality. He has good plans for them and their nation, they just need someone to speak possibility and greatness into their lives, believing in them and in what God can do.

This is a little of what is happening here today.

Thanks again for your prayers and financial support!

Im so thankful for the relationship I have with you!

Love and blessings, Barbinga

Tax deductible contributions can be sent to

Barbara Iman c/o KPGI

9020 Pickering Ln.

Missoula, Mt. 59808

Dear friends and family,

I’m back in Uganda after a trip to Sudan. Tensions are still high here in light of the recent swearing in of the president. Opposition leaders are trying to overthrow the present government with demonstrations over high fuel and food costs. Africa in general is in the midst of revolution.

The ladies are doing well and holding their own. The kids have been out of school on holiday but will be going back next week. They are so very grateful that school fees are covered. Thanks to those of you who continue to support them in this way, they are truly grateful!

It took a while to put this news letter together as I am not very savy when it comes to things of this nature. If anyone knows of an app. that is easy to use and compresses big files I would sure appreciate some help. Thanks to Emily P. for helping with this one.
Pictures speak a thousand words but are not real friendly when it comes to sending them, especially from Africa.

Thanks again for all your prayers and financial support!
Tax deductible contributions can be sent to
Barb Iman c/o KPGI
9020 Pickering Lane
Missoula, Mt.59801

Blessing all around,
Barb

Sanyo Sudan Update

Happy New Year from Uganda!!

The earth continues to be shaken. Tunisia, Algeria, and Ivory Coast continue with riots. Floods of “Biblical proportion” plague Australia, Sri Lanka and Brazil.  The presidential elections will take place in February, which always adds the possibility of civil violence, and just this morning I received a warning from the American Embassy that Uganda is on high alert again for terrorist activity. The following is an excerpt from the email:

This Warden Message is to alert all U.S. citizens living in Uganda of heightened security concerns that regional terror groups, including al-Qaida and the Somalia-based al-Shabaab, remain actively interested in attacking U.S. interests in Uganda. We are particularly concerned about the month of February.

Security measures are still tight in Kampala due to the remaining sensitivity of aftermath of the bombings last summer and recent threats. Military police are stationed throughout the city and even a trip to the supermarket becomes complicated with vehicle checks and metal detectors.

But, “we are receiving of a kingdom that cannot be shaken”
(Heb 12:28).

I am in holding pattern until the Lord shows me what’s next in this new season.I know the Binga Bag business will take off eventually so I am waiting on the Lord to bring in contracts like He did last Fall with the 400-bag order from one of the international schools. I am also in the process of looking for a new place that can store sewing equipment and in which the women can sew.

In the meantime, both Peninnah and Annette are holding their own: Peninnah is sewing from her home and Annette has a place in the market. Christine, however, is undergoing ARV treatment for AIDS and TB and thus is too weak to work.  The medications are draining her strength. Over the past week she has improved greatly as I have been able to supplement her diet with extra protein, greens, vitamins and heaps of prayer! Jochebed (aka: “Pistolina”) was recently sent to the hospital at her 4 years of age due to an infection and malaria. After spending the day and night at the hospital with no help (I found out later they slept on the floor that night), I took them to a private clinic for tests, a proper diagnosis, and IV antibiotics were ordered: costly but so worth it.

In February, I am hoping to go to Sudan and work with a friend who is with Mobile Health International. We will be going into remote villages and refuge camps with the love of Christ. I will be tenting it for the time I’m in the bush. Its been quite some time since “roughing it” and because of the much higher temperatures in Sudan, I’ll be depending heavily upon His grace.

For the children, school will begin in February. If you would like to consider child sponsorship this 2011 year, there are three children that are still in need of school fees.

Elvis, Christine’s 10-year-old, is an amazingly bright and happy kid. When Christine and Pistolina were in the hospital he spent the night with me and talked my ear off like any 10-year-old. His English is just as good as, if not better than his mother’s. It is wonderful being able to communicate more and more with the kids. Last year, after moving the children to a different school, they are all doing much better.

Annette with with her family, Owen, Sheila & Benjamin

The final two children are Sheila (pronounced Shayla, 8 years old) and Owen (6 years old), Annette’s oldest two (pictured). They are going to the same school as Elvis and are performing excellently in their classes.

The cost for sponsorship for an entire year is just $200, an amount that fully covers everything they might need in the course of school: school fees, uniforms, supplies, and lunches for every day they attend. This is a rewarding opportunity and please let me know if you are interested in sponsorship.

Christine with Elvis and Pistol

Also, if you are interested in helping with the ongoing support of Christine and her family until she is strong enough to work it would be most appreciated.

In the last few months, God has greatly increased my burden for the youth. Last week I spoke at a youth camp and Holy Spirit came with His sweet presence.

Children were greatly touched by God’s presence, as they were prostrate before him. They realized their destinies, many were healed, and all felt the powerful presence of God’s love–absolutely beautiful! There were also testimonies from some that saw angles. Thank you, Abba, for showing “the least of these” Your great love!!!

Finally, I am putting together a new email list. If you know others that may be interested in receiving updates from Uganda, please let me know. And as always, if you would like to unsubscribe, simply shoot me a quick email. I am also updating my mailing list and so if you could please send me your physical address we would like to send out an occasional letter with pictures.

Thanks so much for partnering with me in His kingdom endeavors here in Uganda through prayer and financial support.

Leaning into Him,
Barb
Tax deductable donations can be sent to

Barbara Iman
c/o KPGI
9020 Pickering Ln.
Missoula, Mt. 59808
THANKS AGAIN!!!

Greetings from Uganda,
I really have come to a greater understanding of Gods amazing grace on a moment-to-moment basis.

It took me one month of going to immigration at least 3-4 times a week, sometimes back and forth twice daily to get my 3 month special pass which was $100. I now have one and a half months left to get my work permit documents together and approved in order to stay here and see what has been started come to fruitition. The work permit alone is $750 USD for three years. If I can get this I wont have to worry about it until 2013, which isn’t far enough away.
During this time I was not in the shop with the ladies much. I would get up early starting with worship then make sure everything was ready for them by cutting and screening fabric, make their lunch, get Benjamin’s diapers and pureed food ready, water filtered, and then I would be gone the rest of the day dealing with immigration and varnishing tables at new shop.
Sensing the stress, ladies started an afternoon time of worship and prayer on my behalf. This is my family! When I was able to stay home I was sitting outside the garage after lunch doing laundry and I heard them singing. It was beautiful. Christine had tears running down her cheeks, the presence of God was evident. So now we worship and pray in the afternoons allowing His presence to wash over us. He is bringing healing and wholeness into the lives of these women; this is His main objective here.

Since last month we have continued to stand in awe at how God is providing for the new shop. In faith I bought 10 stools and 2 large cutting tables with money from selling some of the bags. Two days later, a friend here in Uganda gave me money for 6 sewing machines. One of the machines I found came with a hand controller so there is a woman that is disabled that will use this control. I can’t wait to hug her and tell her we have been expecting her!
The main goal of this business is to bring hope and healing to the ones that the world has forgotten and rejected. God see’s these ones in their misery and poverty and has not forgotten them. He has come to show them His great love by using you and I as instruments to usher in His kingdom.

We are believing for at least 20 more machines. Among other things, we will also need more stools, sewing notions as in scissors, needles, oil, paper for pattern, a small desk, a few chairs, cabinets to store things, a fan and some sort of speaker system for music, I don’t think the little speakers I have will be sufficient for this big of a room and the ladies really enjoy music while they work.
Twebese is painting and decorating the place. We are creating an environment that lends itself to peace and joy. The ladies will want to come to work because not only is it a place to earn an income but there is love and healing from the harsh reality of life among the poor. This is their new reality!

I have met 3 more women here in Luzira where I live that can sew and are in desperate poverty so they will start work shortly. I am hoping to get 20 women who can already sew. Raise them up, secure them in the Lord, make sure they can sew the bag well and then have them teach more women as well as move out into the villages with the hope and tangible love of Jesus Christ through Rivers of Hope.

Lori Salley, a friend who with her husband Mike, started Show Mercy, a wonderful children’s home here in Uganda. They were the first to sow sewing machines into this ministry. They believed in the vision and in what God was starting to do. I remember Lori saying, “You have not because you ask not”. So I’m asking, would you please consider sowing into this project and or my work permit with either a one time donation or monthly support? I have to admit there are days when I want to get on the plane out of here, its not easy, rarely is it, but it is all so worth it as I witness the change in the many lives effected by this ministry. As I said, these are days of grace, thank you Lord!!!

I don’t think many of you know about my web site. I have just posted new photos so please have a look. There is also a PayPal option on the site that makes it easy to donate.
riversofhopeintl.org is the address.

Please pray for marketing of the bags. We are starting to make bags with company logos in order to reach a broader market so we need contracts. We also need transportation for the women from Luzira to new building, and mostly, more of His presence in our midst.
Christine’s CD4 count went down 30. She has started her ARV treatment and having problems with pain and being able to tolerate food. Please pray for her total healing.

Thanks for your prayers and support. Together we will see a nation changed one life at a time.
Together with Him, all things are possible,
Love Barb

Tax deducible donations can be sent to
Barb Iman c/o KPGI
9020 Pickering Ln.
Missoula, Mt. 59808

The new building God has provided, rent-free!!! We prayed over and anointed the place with sewing machine oil!!!

Recently a friend of mine came to visit for a few days who I originally met in 2007.  She was already here in Kampala, and was interested in coming to see what was happening with the sewing project here at the house.  It was a tremendous encouragement to have someone new actually see up close, what God is doing here in Uganda through Rivers of Hope, the tangible impact of a ministry that started so small.

Set free to serve

I recently had the amazing privilege of spending some time with Barb Iman in Uganda.  I feel compelled to share some of what I witnessed and hope that it will inspire you as it has inspired me.

As most of you know, a few years ago Barb accepted God’s call to love and serve the poorest women of Uganda.  With very little outside financial support, Barb has been reaching out to widows, women with AIDS or disabilities and single mothers, by providing them with jobs in her small sewing business.  As they come to work each day Barbara is able to focus on the spiritual discipleship of these women, trusting in the transforming power of Christ to work in their lives, bringing healing and true wholeness to their lives.

It quickly became apparent to me what was enabling Barb to take on this enormous, impossible work as I watched her begin each day worshipping and embracing her life in the Lord.  As she worships and savors the sweet, intimate fellowship with Him, she receives all the wisdom, strength and courage she needs for each day.  God has also nurtured a spirit of humility in Barb that enables her to submit to the continuing process of dying to self and allowing the fullness of Christ to fill her up and overflow into those around her.  I encountered a woman who is in the process of allowing the love of Christ to invade and conquer her life.  The result is a life that is being radically used by the Lord.

Barbara’s day is filled with hundreds of little things that add up to a huge investment in the lives of these women.  As they come to work each day, Barb allows herself to become a vessel that pours out God’s love into their lives in ways that go far beyond offering each woman a chance to make a living.  His love pours out as Barb daily buys and prepares a meal for the women and children, as she takes care of their medical needs and as she cares for and plays with the children while their mothers work.   Her love for these women and children is breathtakingly beautiful.

With no one assisting her, Barb faces the incredible challenge of doing all that is required to keep this business running day in and day out.  The daily demands to purchase and cut fabric, market merchandise and develop new markets and products have become too much to for one person to handle alone, especially in Uganda, where nothing is easy.

I pray that by sharing this snapshot of Barb’s work in Uganda many of you will inspired and encouraged in your own lives.  I also pray that many will receive an invitation from the Lord to partner with Barb as she answers His call to pour out his love to the poorest of the poor.  Barbara’s needs are many and I know many go unspoken in her newsletters.  She is in need of faithful financial supporters and faithful prayer support and encouragement from those of us back home.  She also needs someone to come along side her and help her in Uganda.  Please remember to pray for Barbara and the women and children she is freely serving.

Blessed to witness the Love of Christ,

Jill Van Gordon

Jill with Benjamin

Dear friends and family,

When I was home last December Joy asked if I could bring a clock home to put in the shop so the ladies would know what TIME it is.  This morning I opened the shop door after having it closed for just over a week and for the first TIME I heard the clock ticking in the stillness of the room…

When I first came to Africa 5 years ago I found out it was an “event-oriented” society as opposed to our western world, which is “time-oriented.” I began to ponder the events prior to the arrival of the clock: the simplicity of my Joy, the ladies, their children, and the love I have for all of them.

The events are of course not as simple as the love.

Joy moved out 2^nd week of February.  As a mum (as they say here) there are the proverbial woulda, shouda, couldas, but then you have to rest and give it the One who knows and see’s all. I miss her smile, her laugh, walking with her in the evening and most of all hugging her. She needs deep healing from a history of rejection and abandonment in her life and He will accomplish this. God told me when I first met Joy that “she is a child of promise,” and after all, all our promises are in Him.

I believe she may have been a victim, so to speak, of all the events happening here, and at times, my stressing about them all. I have learned much about myself and about God’s unconditional love over the past month. Joy is 19, living with her mum, and working with her too–might be a little stressful, eh? And as with most teens, the world is very attractive to her right now. There is much more to the story but that’s enough for now. Please pray for us.

There are many lives that revolve around and are affected by the ticking of this one clock in the shop.

Christine has been sick with many opportunistic infections because of her HIV status. Her CD 4 count has decreased significantly so she is starting ARVs. Her count was 690 last time it was checked, now it is 280. When it reaches 200 they diagnose it as full blown AIDS. She goes back on Thursday for another count and meds. We are believing for the count to increase drastically so please join us in prayer for a miracle and total healing for Christine.

Several of the kids have had malaria while lots of “flu” is going around, Peninah had a bad rash, Bonita has a horrible case of ring worm on her head and I’m the resident doc for now. I have been figuring dosages of meds and handing out vitamins by the handfuls.

I am in the middle of trying to get my 3-year work permit that will cost me $750. It’s quite a process of jumping through many hoops. I had to open a cooperate bank account, as the permit will be through the company that I started for the bags. In America they just want the money, here I had to get passport copies of board members, signatures and 3 photos of each of them, write letters of intent, plus more paper work from the government recognizing the company here in Uganda. It’s done!

Now starts the process for the visa but first I have to file for an extension of the visa I now have. Everything is TIME consuming and exhausting but He gives joy somehow, in the midst of it all.

I fell 2 weeks ago and chipped the bone in my left elbow so my arm has been in a sling since, or most of the time anyway. Because of this injury, I took a forced holiday and we closed shop for a week. I spent the time resting with the Lord. It was long overdue. I don’t have full range of motion yet but it is better. Thanks for prayer for total healing.

I am back to doing all the cutting and silk-screening now that Joy is gone. She has decided she does not want to work here either. I am hoping it’s just for a season as it is a good job.  I pay her well and there are few jobs here in Uganda as in many parts of the world. I found out I am paying the ladies the equivalent of what a primary teacher makes. They have no education but they have a skill now. God is good and provides abundantly.

I remember 2 years ago in that mud hut quoting Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for your good, for a hope and a future.”  They see and recognize His hand in all of this.

Back in January God told me to believe Him for a building as the garage is becoming too small. Benjamin occupies one corner when he isn’t in the house with me silk-screening. Bonita comes with Peninah everyday now. Fraida has started school but comes mid-day for lunch and is here until Christine is off. It’s a busy place and its about to get busier.

I can excitedly tell you that after believing for this building, I met a woman last week who offered me a building. It will house at least 15 sewing machines with room for a large cutting table PLUS there is room for silk-screening the bags. She has a heart to see the poor women of her nation rise out of the poverty. She wasn’t sure what kind of bags we created, but now she sees. She also has some ideas for different handbags.  She admitted to telling God and complaining to Him that I stole her idea. How funny is that? She is “passionately Ugandan” and her area of expertise is marketing.

I gave her the book, The Seven Prophetic Mountains, and she loved it! Her mountain along with one of mine is the mountain of the economy and we will take it for the kingdom of God here in Uganda! She doesn’t want anything; her motives are only to see His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Twebese (tway-ba-sa) is her name. Please pray for her as well. She is so excited and I am too.  I really like her!!! Look what He has done and is about to do!!!!

There is also a lot happening in this nation right now. It is Uganda’s TIME to arise and take her place in the kingdom of God.

Many of you are familiar with The Call (http://www.thecall.com/). It is a prayer movement specifically calling the youth of the world, our future leaders, to prayer, fasting and repentance. It is coming to Uganda May 1^st. The lady on the ground here that is organizing churches and leaders is staying here at the house. Also during this first week of May is the 50^th year Jubilee of the Pentecostal movement in Uganda with events directly following The Call. At the end of the month there will be a celebration of YWAM’s 50^th anniversary at their base here as well in Jinga. Something is up!!! Please read the Elijah list word from Catherine Brown on Feb. 23, 2010 entitled, Africa Ablaze with Gods Glory!!! Very exciting Times!!!

God gave me a vision recently of a history book. It was the history of Uganda. The book opened and the pages began to turn rapidly. I saw disease, poverty, war, witchcraft, bloodshed, idolatry, hunger, famine and drought, widows and orphans, greed and corruption, then the last page turned with a sense of finality. It was blank. Holy Spirit said, “The church will write the final chapter.”

It is a critical TIME for Uganda. Elections are next year and things are heating up. I believe this is a word for the church at large.  Won’t you please join me in praying for Uganda?  After all, we are our brother’s keeper.

So, the clock goes on ticking and TIME marches on as we say. When I look back and think that all this started in a mud hut with a tear running down a mother’s cheek, I stand in awe of His great orchestration of TIME and life. This morning as I laid on the floor and His presence washed over me, I wept tears of joy and pain and thankfulness that God has allowed these few lives to touch me so deeply with all of their humanity and to be a part of what He is doing at this TIME. It’s not easy but so worth it.

In the end, when TIME is no more, it ALL comes down to love and its all about the Author of love, Jesus.

Thanks to those of you who support us financially and through prayer, you are touching generations.  Your reward is great!!!!

Blessings!

Love,

Barbinga

Tax deductable donations can be sent to:

Barb Iman c/o KPGI
9020 Pickering Ln.
Missoula, Mt. 59808

Can’t leave without showing off some of the kids sporting their new school uniforms and of course Benjamin!
Thank you sponsors!!!!!

Sheila and Owen

Baby Benjamin, Annette's son

Elvis and Yocheved (aka: Pistolina)

Dear friends,                                                                               20, Jan. 2010

Happy New Year from Uganda!

I returned home 1 month ago after a brief visit to the US. It was good to see family but glad to be back where it is warm, Uganda is home.

Joy kept the ladies busy most of the time and they have returned to work so the Binga Bag production continues to be a blessing to these ladies and their families.  They have made over 1000 so far.

The house is pretty full right now as several of the little ones come every day because school does not begin until the first week of Feb. so the grocery bill has gone up a bit as there are more to feed but He always provides, there is always enough.

Right now God has provided sales and distribution through an international market until they catch on here in Uganda.

I was able to sell 400 in the US and now I am sending 200 to Germany. Africamp is a conference held here annually in Uganda. I had a booth at the venue and sold a few but then Petra, my new friend from Germany bought 50 for gifts and took an additional 150 home to sell at her church.

This whole adventure was God’s idea from the get go and as always, He is forever faithful.

Christmas was a huge blessing to all. I was able to bring 3 suitcases home this time 2 of which were loaded with clothes and teaching toys donated by several dear friends.

I had a package for each child and mother. At first the kids weren’t quite sure what to do with it, as they have never received a brightly colored package with a ribbon and their name on it before.

My sister Julie got all the boys new jeans and there are 4 Karen’s that contributed more clothes and toys. Patt gave everyone a new T-shirt.

We had a big Christmas dinner with chicken and all the Ugandan trimmings.

Each child and mother got a stocking of sorts with sweeties and treats, new toothbrushes with paste and more.

It was good. They know that Jesus sees them, loves them and cares for them a great deal.

The boys wanted their picture taken with the chicken, which is a big deal here. They may only get it a couple times a year so it really is special. Notice their old clothes, as soon as they opened the gifts clothes were flying everywhere as they took off their old duds and put on the new.

For those of you wondering why Joy was not in the picture, as with most teenagers, she was on the phone and these kids weren’t staying in one place for very long. Joy is good but going through struggles in discovering who she is and especially who she is in Christ. Thanks for your prayers for her.

The porridge distribution among the ladies continues to be a blessing.

Just before I left I had purchased another 50 kgs/110 lbs., will need more in about a month.

I had an unexpected visitor yesterday. Fraida was escorted here by her sister Flavia. These are Christine’s children who had gone to see a friend in a nearby village so they know they can come here for help. Fraida had a temp of 104 and was not doing very well. I started malaria treatment, which I try and keep on hand along with meds for temp and pain and antibiotics for infections.

She spent the night with us, as I wanted to keep an eye on her, gave her a cool bath and put her to bed. She was up at 2 am with fever and chills and potty. This morning she was still symptomatic but this afternoon she is much better. Thank you Jesus!!!

I have also started her on Vitamin D3 for rickets.

Its so good of God to allow me to serve Him is this capacity. My life, heart and lap are always full of love. Benjamin the baby is doing great, that’s him in the picture with my friend Eve who is on the board of Rivers of Hope for Africa.

Thanks to those of you who are sponsoring a child and for the continued support you show these women and children. We have been buying shoes and getting uniforms made for each child along with all the necessary materials they need to begin the school term.

So that’s just a bit of an update.

Thanks so much for your continued prayer and support.

Blessings, Barbinga

Tax deductable donations can be sent to

KPGI c/o Barbara Iman

9020 Pickering    Missoula, Mt. 59808

New Dress, new toys                                                                                                                Bathtime with Benjamin