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2020 MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS GOOD SHEPHERD'S FOLD

"The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:5

A NOTE FROM OUR TEAM LEADER

Navigating 2020 was akin to walking through a complex maze, with moving walls, in the dark … all while being uncertain of the destination!

Gratefully, our Good Shepherd is also the Light of the World. Following that Light, even when we did not understand where it was leading or the darkness around us, is what enables GSF to report anything of significance about last year. This is actually true all the time, not just in 2020!

The Apostle Paul said, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh,” and “…but by the grace of God, I am what I am….” GSF is what it is by the grace of God. Core values of compassion, love and humility drive us every day - part of that light that guides us in a dark world.

As you read the accomplishments in these pages, I hope you are awed by the work, astounded by the numbers, encouraged by the faces – and ultimately amazed by God’s grace!

Blessings,

Mark Gwartney, Team Leader

a year of unexpected opportunities

Due to COVID-19, Uganda went into a national lockdown in rapid phases in March of 2020. In a society that largely lives hand-to-mouth, the economic effects were immediate; people were struggling to provide for the basic needs of their families.

Over the next 3 months, God faithfully guided us toward providing food and supplies to 8 of the villages closest to GSF. These food distributions were done in collaboration with local churches and government officials. Through partners like you, we provided 13,100 individuals with much-needed food and supplies, tangibly demonstrating God’s care and love in a time of crisis.

God continued to guide us throughout the year with creative ways to be His hands and feet in the midst of a global pandemic.

God uniquely positioned GSF, compelled us with the love of Jesus Christ, and provided through partners like you to meet a great, unexpected need.

childcare & advocacy

We started 2020 with trauma-healing groups for children, which proved to be especially valuable when the pandemic hit. These healing groups, along with additional training for the Childcare & Advocacy team, affirmed our calling to holistically meet the unique needs of every child under our care, including medical, therapy, relational, spiritual, and developmental needs.

We seek to holistically meet the unique needs of every child under our care.

Education

Education was disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 due to a government mandate to close all schools for the majority of 2020. The closing of schools challenged us to engage the students in new and creative ways. God used education to profoundly impact the youth in our community and offer hope in the midst of uncertainty.

We offer hope and discipleship through education.

Community Development

Reaching the community was both difficult and significant during COVID-19. The Community Development team implemented safety precautions and continued providing medical care, feeding programs, therapy, training, and support to the community throughout the pandemic.

We witnessed tremendous transformation in our community. We saw neighbors come together in the midst of hardship, local church partnerships develop and mature, single mothers walk miles to ensure their children had the food they needed to survive the month, and a social-distanced tailoring graduation that resulted in lives committed to Christ. Read the testimony below to see one glimpse of God’s faithfulness!

I was born in a Muslim family, and my mom separated with my dad when I was young. I did not want to know about God, but when I entered GSF, that is when I started realizing that God exists, and He is a miracle working God. Now I help in teaching tailoring. It has been a great opportunity. I give all the glory to God!” Mercy, Tailoring Program Graduate

2020 financial summary

God faithfully provided through partners like you to bring hope and healing in the midst of a challenging year. Thank you! You are transforming entire families and communities.

We see what God accomplished in the midst of a pandemic; imagine how He will grow the seeds of love and truth for years to come! Faithful He has been, and faithful He will be.

“FROM HIM AND THROUGH HIM AND TO HIM ARE ALL THINGS. TO HIM BE GLORY FOREVER! AMEN.” ROMANS 11:36