The following is a testimony from Page Colson about the Namuwongo slums community and the ladies of Nawezikana:

I am writing this from my point of view only. This is what I have been seeing lately and I felt Father say this morning to write this for you.

I have been seeing in the ladies that they are slowly becoming givers. When I first started working with them, I was so guarded and afraid of being used honestly. I was also afraid to give because I thought it would make me more vulnerable to be used. I could see so many HOOKS-wanting you to feel sorry for them, etc. But as time went on, I knew that something was not right. There was a major wall between the ladies and me. Then it was as if Father said, “Would you risk being used for My sake?” I then started giving to the ladies as He would lead. If it was money, time, or friendship He asked for, I have tried to be diligent to give. I think the biggest turn around I saw was when I gave them a pizza party the day before I left for the states. I didn’t calculate whether I should give it to them or not, I simply heard Him say something to the effect of “celebrate their lives. Lavish them with my Love”. I know a pizza party is not the biggest thing in the world, but it is what He asked me to do. That day we all had so much fun together. Before I knew it, I had about 20 beaded necklaces around my neck, a purse, and a woven craft that had my name weaved in it that had to have taken hours to make! No one asked me for one thing! They were just giving to me! That was the first time I noticed a change. Since then, I have seen so much more. Almost every time I go, I come back with something! The first bible study I taught, there was another very elegant necklace waiting for me. My purse strap broke one day and a lady saw and wanted to take it home to fix it. I allowed her to but honestly was thinking-I bet she’ll charge me a nice price-it might be cheaper to buy a new one. But when she brought it back, she said nothing. So I asked her “how much do I owe you?” She told me that she did it out of love-she didn’t want any money. My heart broke with shame of how I had thought of that woman. I almost didn’t allow her to give because I feared being used-I almost didn’t risk!

There is a lady named Amulet Joyce. She has been part of Nawezikana for a good while. I have never heard a word out of her. During the prayer requests at the first bible study, she asked for prayer for her womb. I felt as though I should give money for her to see the doctor. I left 5,000 Ugandan shillings for transport to a free hospital. That is equivalent to about $2.60-that’s all. The next week when I saw her, she had been to the doctor and gotten medicine. She then proceeded to tell me that she had suffered with this for 12 years. It reminded me so much of the woman with the issue of blood. Last week, I visited her and some of the others at their place of work or homes. Joyce has a spot at the market with a little produce. She had tomatoes, so I decided to buy some for Father’s House family. She filled the bag as I asked her to then she prepared another with almost the same amount for free! I was shocked! This woman struggles for food to eat and she is giving me who struggles with having too much free food. It was beautiful!

This is the biggest thing I have seen happening lately, which really is the biggest thing that could possibly happen! These ladies are starting to show the DNA of Father as they are starting to be givers instead of just takers. This has been a lot of time on the behalf of Suzanne, and now me, with very little fruit until now. It is exciting.

Father also showed me that these people were able to “sniff” this out. So many people and organizations use people here for many reasons such as to look good for what I am doing for these poor Africans, for personal gratification, to form and build a program or system, so many reasons!! They live a totally different life from these people. What I mean is it’s separate. This is what I do, not an intimate relationship where there is giving and receiving between them and the people they are “helping”. The people that are being “helped” can sniff that out and they reciprocate with usury. That is in great part why this country has so many takers. Mostly takers have come to “help” and this is the fruit-bad fruit. I am by no means an expert in this area now. I am not saying this to brag, but I know He has opened my eyes to this. The ladies of Nawezikana are still babes of coarse, but I can see some growth and transformation.

The Bible study I am doing is from Shoni Smith called Acorns to Oaks. It is going really well. The first week was good, but by the second week the ladies really opened up. I woke that morning with something on my heart that Father wanted me to share from my own life. The teaching was on unshared love and an undivided heart. He asked me to share personal testimonies about my desire to get married and have children and relationships I have been in. This was difficult for me because it put me in a vulnerable, transparent spot. I did it anyway. I told them how I had to trust Father that He really is not a hard man, and I had to trust Him and follow Him and not allow my desires to lead me to have a divided heart. This REALLY spoke to them as all of them think they have to have a man, etc in great part because of culture. One lady wept as she shared that they should listen to me. She had shared the love she should’ve had for the Lord with a man. She followed that desire, and now she is HIV positive, a single mother because the man has left her, and he left her in Uganda where she doesn’t even speak the language (she’s from Congo). She explained how her divided heart had led her down a path that she knows Father did not have for her. I have never heard anyone open that much! Father showed me that because I had sown transparency that is what was reaped that day. It was reciprocated. I hear Father asking me to be real with these ladies and that is what I plan to do!

I hope this gives you an idea of what I have been seeing. I am sorry that I don’t know how to be short winded-I have the gift of gab!

This is the letter from Catherine kind of summarized or more like the stuff that didn’t make sense taken out.

To: Page

RE: Welcoming you back to Uganda and my appreciation to you

Hello Dear,

Welcome back to Uganda. Otherwise, how are you? And how was your family in America? Are they fine? I am also a bit fine expecting healing from God. I will not lose my faith in Him and I believe He heals. Thank you for your prayers which has brought blessing and has removed me from shame of people and laughter of people. Your tears poured out that day when you first came to visit me. Your prayers made God to include me and my sons in Vicka’s family (the Kingdom Family). Your prayer provided me with all I need. I want to assure that my appreciation will not do anything. But I hand you over to Jesus who shed His blood for you as you shed your tears for me when I was so sick and He answered your prayer.

I am your sister in Christ,

Atim Catherine