IJM Uganda Update

Trinity Park,

This past December through your generosity we were able to raise $9,000 for the ministry of International Justice Mission (IJM) in Uganda. IJM is a global organization that seeks to end slavery in this generation. Our funds were donated to Uganda in particular so that safehouses could be built for women who are escaping violence or slavery. I just received news from our representative with IJM regarding how they've put our funds to work during COVID-19. Reading this brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. I'm incredibly grateful that you and I - that Trinity Park Church - could have a tangible role in meeting the needs of women and children in Africa in Jesus' Name. 

Here's the update:

Just this week, thanks to YOUR church - we were able to deliver supplies to the Ugandan police unit responsible for gender based violence crimes in order to set up an additional temporary shelter in Kampala, so police will have more places for women and children fleeing violence. A few weeks ago, a senior police officer for this unit contacted IJM to see if we could provide her unit with the supplies and logistical support needed for this aftercare shelter.  Their already limited resources were re-purposed for enforcing public safety under the new COVID-19 guidelines, which made responding to cases involving violence against women and children inherently more difficult even as they saw the number of cases going up.  She reported that her office is completely overwhelmed as domestic violence has spiked since the lockdown. Thanks to the funds raised by Trinity Park Church last year, our team was able to meet this need by delivering these supplies for an aftercare shelter directly to this Ugandan police unit. This week, IJM also got permission from the government to offer our vehicles to help drive police officers to investigate crimes of gender based violence. Again, none of this would have been possible without the generosity and support of churches like yours towards this office!

 We at IJM are grateful for law enforcement partners like this police unit in Uganda that are still prioritizing protecting women and children from violence in the midst of COVID-19 – especially since women and children are more vulnerable to domestic violence and slavery during this lockdown. Even in the midst of COVID-19, we’re still seeing dozens of men, women and children getting rescued from slavery and violence around the world through our IJM Teams and local law enforcement. We’re so grateful for the partnership of Trinity Park Church in making stories of rescue and hope like this possible around the world – even in the dark times we find ourselves in!

 Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s any additional information I can provide. We hope this is an encouraging story of hope to also share with your members as you both continue to shepherd them towards generous giving to the church in the days to come!”

Sincerely,

IJM