Stewardship Hallahan Update From UgandaFebruary 1 January has been a month of settling back into a routine for us. After a glorious three week Christmas break, filled with music, laughter, family, and good food, we were ready for some structure again by January 9th. The boys were happy to resume school and see all their friends. Josh was glad to be back in ministry. And I was ready for some quiet mornings after everyone left! If you haven't read our blog lately, be sure to check it out. I have been blogging five days a week for the past two weeks! Amazing what can happen when your kids are at school! Speaking of school, Caleb has begun identifying letter sounds, and has stopped sucking his thumb at school (though he hasn't't kicked the habit completely)! Seth says his favorite part of school is recess and he is finally done with diapers! Over the holiday Josh and I enjoyed some iTunes credit TV shows together- thanks to those who sent them! Such a great gift for any missionaries you know!
Ministry Update
As students from Kampala International University have slowly been trickling in the ministry has only fully resumed this week. Josh has taken a bit more of an active role in the ministry there at the university as the pastor still has responsibilities in Kenya that are keeping him from consistently being in Kampala. We are praying for a quick solution to this current situation. As a reminder, the university ministry is led by students or recent graduates and so they need your prayers as they have very busy school schedules, few funds available for daily expenses, and yet feel called to be in leadership and reach out to their campus. We are impressed many times over by their commitment and sacrifices for God's kingdom. One very exciting development lately is that the leaders and students are meeting quite regularly and with large attendance for prayer meetings numerous times a week. They fully believe, and are living out that belief, that if God is going to have full control on the campus then they need to be in prayer. Just the other day Josh went for a prayer meeting and because he arrived late he was unable to get into the room because there were so many praying inside! Will you join us in praying for the university ministry? The students meet many times during the week but the two main prayer meetings are Monday and Thursday from 1pm-2pm which is 5am-6am EST. If you are up early and can join us in prayer that would be wonderful!
Prayer UpdateRequests:
- Pray for the leadership at United Faith Chapel, they will be going on a Leader's Retreat this month!
- Continue to pray for a School Administrator for Heritage- still a huge need!
- Lift up the students at Heritage and KIU that God would soften hearts and they would fully surrender to Him!
- Pray for Kelly as she teaches Pre-School Music once a week in Caleb's class.
Praises:
- We've been pretty healthy! Keep up the prayers!
- The boys are enjoying this second semester of school!
- We've gotten some new financial pledges- we're not at 100%, but we're getting closer!
Hallahan Update from UgandaJanuary 12 (WARNING!!!! This update is a lot longer than I thought it would be but when I start bragging about Jesus I just cant stop!)
We want to use this weekly update to brag a little. We want to brag about our Jesus! Our family has enjoyed a wonderful three week Christmas break from school and being constantly "on the go". Jesus truly met us and provided a great time of rest. We usually bullet our praises but these need a bit more explanation than a simple sentence.
REST: We thank Jesus for 3 weeks off from Heritage. We enjoyed time in Arua with Kelly's brother and his family, Scott and Meg Rambo. The cousins had a great time playing together and we were so blessed to have family to celebrate Christmas with. We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Eve service with the international community in Arua (tree lighting, Christmas carols and over 20 flavors of homemade ice cream!). We then returned home to Kampala for a week and a half of NOTHING! Josh read 4 books, Kelly read numerous books, the boys enjoyed a lot of play time and as a family we loved spending all that time together.
Answered Prayer: As must of you know we have been praying over our ministry finances this past month. We have seen a drop in giving and are trusting Jesus to meet that need. Just last week we received an email from one of our champions stating that they were unable to continue financially supporting us. HOWEVER, the VERY NEXT EMAIL was from another champion stating that they wanted to BEGIN financially supporting the ministry. God is so good!
We have also received 2 other new pledges within the last week and quite a few generous year end gifts. Our Jesus is so good and knows our needs better than we do. We praise Him for beginning to answer this prayer so quickly.
New Friend: One of the hard things about being a missionary is that we are constantly saying "goodbye" to people. The good thing is that we make so many friends and meet so many awesome people. We cannot wait until heaven when we can see them all again and never have to say goodbye. This weekend we were blessed to have Matt Burton stay with us here in Kampala. Matt is a friend of Billy and Joanna Coppedge (Arua missionaries with WGM) and he helped Billy and Joanna (and 4 kids) return to Arua this past week. Matt needed a place to stay for the weekend because of weird flight schedules. Matt came to Kampala with an open heart, embracing this "down time" as a chance for God to speak to him before catching his flight out of Uganda.
Matt was here for just over 48 hours but was able to experience a lot of what WGM is doing here and very quickly fell in love with the ministries here. Matt and his wife Bonnie have been to Uganda a few times to partner with Billy and Joanna and now he says he has even more reason to return to minister here. Matt asked me tons of questions, took a lot of notes, talked with a lot of people and plans to return to his home church sharing all that God is doing and wants to do here in Uganda. Matt is incredibly open to being an active part of God's work here in Uganda and I praise Jesus that He is so willing to say "yes" to Him. Matt was such a blessing and encouragement to our family and we thank Jesus for giving Matt this "unexpected" down time in Kampala.
On a side note: If you ever want to see first hand what God is doing here you are "most welcome". We have a place for you stay and would be HONORED to walk with you around Uganda allowing you to see what He is doing here. Matt is a regular guy and does not have the means personally to make frequent trips to Uganda. However, God keeps telling him to come and so he says "yes" and trusts Jesus to provide the means. And guess what? Jesus ALWAYS provides!
Little Blessings: We know that you pray for God to supply all our needs- and just this week we needed a plastic mattress cover (Seth is night-training!), and yesterday I received a text message offering some household items for free. There was a mattress cover! Keep up the prayers! He is answering in big and little ways!
So we thank Jesus for just how awesome He is and the blessings over the past couple of weeks. Please take some time and drop us an email sharing with us how Jesus has blessed you recently. It would be such an encouragement to us!
Prayer Requests
- URGENT: Just got word that one of our university interns, Laura, may not return this semester. It will be a sore loss to the ministry if she can't come back. Pray that God makes a way for her!
- Continued prayer over our financial situation. We are still a bit behind and trusting Jesus to provide.
- Our boys had a hard time saying good-by to our new friend Matt. Would you pray that their hearts would not harden because of this pain, as saying goodbye will continue to be a part of their lives for years to come? It means so much to us that you pray for Caleb and Seth!
- The ministry at UFC/KIU is about to resume. We are hoping to solidify an internship program during this semester and also expand to another University. Pray that we stay in step with Jesus' leading and do not run ahead or lag behind Him.
- Pray also for Kennedy Kiruri, pastor of UFC. He has other obligations keeping him away from Kampala and is seeking Gods direction and provision to return here. We are praying that he would be fully "released" in every way needed in order to return to Kampala.
- Heritage has resumed and we ask that you continue to pray for the Lord to work in the hearts of the students and bring those who are not believers into a saving relationship with Him! Would you also pray for opportunities for Kelly to reach out to the moms at Heritage? We're seeking inspiration and opportunity to reach out creatively to these busy international women.
How can we pray for you? Thanks for letting us partner with you!
Until the whole world hears,
Kelly and Josh
Hallahan Update from UgandaDecember 21 Greetings from Arua, Uganda! We are spending this Christmas with Scott and Meg Rambo (Kelly's brother) and are so happy to have family to celebrate Christmas with. We want to focus on Heritage International School this week so please remember these things during your prayer time.
Requests
- We are asking you, our prayer team, to join us in praying that the Lord would totally erase the current financial drop we have found ourselves in. Let us pray that beginning in this new year the financial need is met!
- Heritage has begin the process of interviewing and hiring teachers needed for the 2012-2013 school year. Would you pray that the Lord brings the right people to fill the positions needed?
- Heritage is still in need of a School Administrator. Pray that Jesus brings just the right person and does so soon!
- Heritage is hoping to go through an accreditation process (full accreditation) soon. The Administrator is needed for this process but let us be praying for the accreditation process as well as it will take a couple years to complete.
- Many hearts are turned against God within the student body. Would you continue praying that Jesus softens their hearts and they turn their lives over to Him?
- Josh has begun meeting weekly with a student who needs someone to talk to and needs to surrender his life to Jesus fully. Pray that Jesus uses those times to reveal His truth and love to this student.
Praises
- God continues to open doors for Josh to grow the Chaplain position and point teachers, staff and students to Jesus.
- God is working in the hearts of students and for that we are so excited!
- The school continues to grow which means the impact of Heritage is growing. Praise Jesus!
How can we pray for you? Thanks for letting us partner with you!
Until the whole world hears,
Kelly and Josh
Hallahan Update from UgandaNovember 28 Greetings from Uganda! It has been an amazing 6+ months here on the field in Kampala. God has been so gracious to our family as we have adjusted to life here in Uganda. We are fully involved in our ministries and also in a 10-session introduction course of the language Luganda. We are very busy but enjoying every second of it (OK well maybe not every second of language study).
This letter is going to all Pastors of our supporting churches and a few small group leaders as well. We know you have begun a very busy time in the body life of your church and so we will keep this message short. We wanted to first thank you so much for your churches support financially and most importantly through prayer. Kelly and I truly sense the prayer support and while we always welcome more prayers we feel secure in our prayer team. Praise God! One need that has arisen is financial and we recognize that it very well could be a need of your church or other ministries you are involved in. Since arriving here to Uganda we have seen our monthly support miss its goal by an average of $1,700/month. Daunting! We are trusting Jesus and know that He will provide what is needed to keep us here in Uganda for the two years we have committed to being here. We are secure in our call here in Uganda and know that this is EXACTLY where God wants us right now. The ministries at Heritage International School and the university ministry at Kampala International University are going well, though it is definitely hard work. God is softening hearts that have been hardened, challenging people to get right with Himself, and calling people into a life of service towards Him. We have big days ahead as we dream and pray of increasing the magnitude of both ministries and seek to make His name great.
We want to include you on those updates but understand you will be very busy. We want to let you know of the need financially that we face and trust that Jesus will speak to you if He wants your church to play a role in partnering with us to erase this deficit. We are not just looking for a financial gift and in fact that is probably pretty low on the list that we are thinking. If there are ways for you to highlight the ministries to your congregation, challenge people to jump on board either financially or through prayer, or even have one of our current “Champions” speak as to why they are a part of our team here in Uganda. Those are just some ideas we have thought of. We thank you for the part you already play in this ministry and please know how excited we are to have such a strong base supporting us. You are playing a great role here in Uganda and God is blessed. Throughout this month we will be posting and sending out a lot of updates and some video and picture presentations. Feel free to use these in any way you see fit and if you want us to send you something directly to share with your congregation, please just ask.
Finally, know that you and your congregation are in our prayers as partake in this Advent season and rejoice in the coming of our Messiah. We pray that Jesus reveals Himself in great ways this season and that the kingdom of God is increased through the ministry of your church.
Until the whole world hears,
Joshua, Kelly, Caleb and Seth Hallahan
Hallahan Update from UgandaNovember 21 "Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His love endures forever." -Psalm 106:1
We are so thankful for you, our prayer warriors. We could not be here, could not be effective ministers of the gospel, without your prayers. Thank you! He's using you!
Please join us in the following prayers for this week:
- Scott and Meg (my brother and his family) are getting away for a couple days- without the boys! Pray that it is a sweet time of refreshment for their spirits and their marriage. Pray for us as we stay home with all four cousins!! Pray for health for each one of us as small fevers are being passed around!
- Today, Josh is speaking at a Women's Conference for the Church of God on the topic of problem solving. It's interesting the opportunities God provides for us to preach His Word- pray that Josh anointed with the Holy Spirit and boldness as he preaches in an unfamiliar setting.
- Kelly is speaking at Secondary Chapel at Heritage on Friday on the topic of gratitude. Pray that the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of these students to the blessings in their lives, and His unfailing love.
- The students at KIU are taking their final exams before the Christmas holiday. Pray that they would recall all the information they've learned and communicate their knowledge effectively.
- There isn't much down-time in the week ahead- pray that we would walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and that He would equip us for the tasks ahead.
Rejoice with us- you prayed and God answered!
- The Heritage Jr High Retreat was a success! Thank you for praying- it was a good time of games and growth! We drove home in a serious tropical downpour, but we all arrived safely.
- The United Faith Chapel Men's Goat Roast was a really good time of food and fellowship. It was one of those days, when you just aren't sure you're ready for another day of ministry- and God fills in the gaps. It went better than we could have asked!
- Baby Sue is making good progress! They have been released from the hospital and are heading home to Kampala today! Thank you for praying! It is really a miracle story!
This Thanksgiving let's join together and thank our Father for how He is at work and using each one of us around the world! And if you need prayer, please reply, and let us know how we can lift you up to the Father.
Until the whole world hears,
Kelly and JoshHallahan Update from UgandaNovember 15 We serve a good God! Our hearts are overflowing with a good theme- He has been so faithful! And there is much ministry coming up in the next week- so we need you to cover us!
Please join us in the following prayers for this week:
- We leave for Heritage's Jr High Retreat on Thursday. Pray that the students' hearts are open to the Word, and that God would protect each one from distraction.
- Scott and Meg (my brother and his family) are here in Kampala for three weeks of meetings, celebrations, & doctors appointments- pray that their time here is fruitful and refreshing. Keep praying that all the little boys get along :)
- United Faith Chapel's Men's Ministry is hosting a Goat Roast on Sunday- Josh is the speaker. Pray that these men would answer the challenge to be God's men of integrity.
- Monday, Josh will speak to United Faith Chapel's Men and Women on the topic of finances- pray that these men and women heading into the workforce would be good stewards of God's money!
- There isn't much down-time in the week ahead- pray that we would walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and that He would equip us for the tasks ahead.
Rejoice with us- you prayed and God answered!
- The Installation of Africa Gospel Church, Uganda's very first Bishop was a great success and sweet celebration of God's faithfulness! We look forward to years of great ministry ahead!
- Baby Sue's heart surgery was successful yesterday! She will be in ICU for a few days, and as long as all is well- will head home! He is our healer God! Thank you for praying!
- Rain Festival at Heritage International School was a fun time- with double the attendance from last year! It's good to meet fellow parents- and see the kids having fun!
How has God answered prayer in your life this week? We would love to rejoice with you! And if you need prayer, please reply, and let us know how we can lift you up to the Father.
Until the whole world hears,
Kelly and JoshHallahan Update from UgandaNovember 10 Prayer Update 11.10.11Please join us in the following prayers for this week:
- There are many people in Kampala for the installation of the AGC Uganda Bishop and other ministry opportunities. Pray for us as we host them and that their experiences are beneficial for the Kingdom.
- Baby Sue Ouma is at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya this week, and she has been approved and scheduled for surgery on Monday! This is an answer to prayer, but still a big request. They drove all the way to Kenya in hopes that she would be a candidate for heart surgery, and now we need to pray that the surgery is successful and God heals the hole in her heart.
- Scott and Meg (my brother and his family) are here in Kampala for three weeks of meetings, celebrations, & doctors appointments- pray that their time here is fruitful and refreshing. And that all the little boys get along :)
- Tomorrow night is Rain Festival at Heritage- complete with a parade, games, displays, food and friends. Pray that Kelly would make good connections with other moms, and that He would open doors for real ministry to families at Heritage.
Rejoice with us- you prayed and God answered!
- David Harriman spoke at secondary chapel at Heritage last Friday, and a dozen students raised their hands to invite Jesus into their hearts! We're still following up and trying to identify them, pray that the seeds planted would be watered and cultivated!
- And when David spoke at United Faith Chapel on Sunday, the entire front of the church was filled with students surrendering their lives to be filled with the Holy Spirit! He is moving! And we're so grateful for how you are a part of this!
Is God doing big things in your life? Are you swamped with lists a mile long? We would love to pray for you; we know how you're feeling! Please reply, and let us know how we can lift you up to the Father. Until the whole world hears, Kelly and Josh Hallahan Update from UgandaOctober 26 Prayer Update 10.26.11The spiritual battle rages on- but we are not overwhelmed. On Monday I blogged about all of the provisions God has given us in the battle. Check it out if you need encouragement for your own battle! Please join us in the following prayers for this week:
- Pray for Heritage International School, that God would continue to soften hearts. The Junior High Retreat is in November, pray that God would get these young hearts ready to encounter Him.
- Pray for Josh as he continues to write his own job description, without a principal to lead him. Pray for a principal!!!
- Pray for Kampala International University (KIU) as some students prepare to graduate and enter the work force.
- Pray for the KIU students as they prepare for exams.
- David Harriman is coming to Kampala in November to do evangelistic crusades and many other speaking engagements- pray that the Holy Spirit would prepare the way and that revival would come!
- Beth Muehleisen is still waiting on her Work Visa- and needs it in order to go to Kenya in two weeks! Pray hard that the right eyes would see her application and approve it!
- Pray for our team of missionaries here- there are many in Kampala who are experiencing spiritual attack- and we cannot let Satan have the victory! For more suggestions on how to pray for our team, see our blog!
Rejoice with us, we prayed over these things last week, and He answered!
- We've received our Special Passes to stay in Uganda for another 90 days. Thank you for praying! Pray that our official Work Visas would be processed and in hand by the end of that time period.
- Everyone is healthy! Thank you for praying!
Are you facing a battle of your own? We would count it our privilege to stand with you, let us know how we can join you in prayer. Until the whole world hears, Kelly and Josh Hallahan Update from UgandaOctober 18 So much to praise the Lord for this week! He is fighting for us! Thank you for joining in the battle! Your prayers are really making a difference here in Uganda!
Please join us in the following prayers for this week:
- Pray for the Sr High students at Heritage- there were some serious issues brought to light on retreat, and these kids come from some broken places. Pray that they would reach for Jesus out of their pain.
- Pray for Kennedy Kirui and his wife Lillian as they seek the Lord's will about their future ministry. Kennedy is the pastor at United Faith Chapel, KIU- but is currently working in Kenya- and is trying to discern where God wants them long-term.
- Our temporary Visa's have expired and we're working hard to get special passes- pray that our paperwork goes smoothly and the proper people see it and move it along- so that we don't have to waste time and money traveling to Kenya in order to reapply.
Rejoice with us, we prayed over these things last week, and He answered!
- Senior High Retreat for Heritage went really well. The leaders really sensed an openness from the students that has been a long time coming. Lisa Fish's prayer team has prayed that Jesus would soften the students' hearts for YEARS- and He is answering!
- We really felt Jesus' presence here at home as Josh left for retreat last week- and although the boys were sick I never felt overwhelmed. He really carried us. Thank you for praying.
- The meeting in Nairobi, Kenya last Wednesday went really well. The African church leaders have so much vision! They met to discuss the possibility of opening an African missionary sending/training agency! We're boldly praying for 1,000 African missionaries!
- Heritage has a whole week off for Quarter Break- praising Jesus for this respite- so that everyone can return on Monday healthy!
- We are fever-free! Someone in this household has been sick for two weeks straight. And we are grateful for your prayers and thankful we're on the mend! I'm on antibiotics for a sinus infection, and Seth's was ruled as a virus that just needs to run its course. Josh has stayed healthy! Praise the Lord!
How can we pray for you? Thanks for letting us partner with you!
Until the whole world hears,
Kelly and Josh Hallahan Update from UgandaOctober 11 Prayer Update 10.11.11
"Satan is allergic to praise, so where there is massive triumphant praise, Satan is paralyzed, bound, and banished," Paul Billheimer states in Destined for the Throne. Will you praise the Lord with us? There doesn't seem much to rejoice in physically, as Josh is leaving tomorrow and there are two sick boys here with me- but our God is still on the throne, and Satan would just love for us to despair.
Please join us in the following prayers for this week:
- Pray for health at Heritage International School! A good number of students are sick, including our own Caleb & Seth. Would you pray for physical health and strength, but also, spiritual health? It's the end of the first quarter, so there are many tests being given, and assignments due.
- Also, Senior High Retreat for Heritage starts THIS THURSDAY- pray that the students are healthy enough to go, and receptive to what God has for them this weekend. Pray specifically for a divine appointment- Josh has been assigned to room with a student named Bhavik, and he is of the Jain faith. He is open to spiritual things and attends youth events- pray that Josh's life and his messages point Bhavik to Jesus!
- While you pray for Josh and the students on retreat, please don't neglect to pray for us who stay behind. Often the team advancing the kingdom is well covered and victorious- but the ones who stay home are left wide open to the attacks of the enemy. See our blog post for more thoughts on this!
- Pray for a meeting in Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday, to discuss the possibility of opening an African missionary sending/training agency! We're boldly praying for 1,000 African missionaries!
- Continue to pray for Baby Sue (with a hole in her heart) and for little Zuri (with a broken arm and leg)- for health and wholeness! It angers me that when Satan wants to slow the Lord's work, he targets our children!
- Our temporary Visa's have expired and we're working hard to get special passes- pray that our paperwork goes smoothly and the proper people see it and move it along- so that we don't have to waste time and money traveling to Kenya in order to reapply.
Rejoice with us, we prayed over these things last week, and He answered!
- United Faith Chapel's Annual Camp was a great time of learning, encouragement, and fellowship. And as Josh and I traveled out to the island, God held off the rain so we could cross the lake in dry weather. A small, but significant answer to prayer!
- Caleb's fever is gone- and while he is still coughing- we're grateful he's on the mend.
How can we pray for you? Thanks for letting us partner with you!
Until the whole world hears,
Kelly and Josh
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