Family News - 2011

Excerpts of December 2011 Letter

January is usually my month of holidays and parenting. By mid-December, all our children will be back home for one and a half month holiday. It is a good time for me to speak into everyone’s life. Usually we are very few during a school term because almost every one goes to school and lives in hostel. In Uganda good education is got from boarding schools mainly.

From next week, our house will be full, warm and noisy. Not just our biological children are expected, even some of the girls we are supporting come to us for holidays because our home is a place they can also call home. Irene Mukimba is already with us. We are expecting Esther plus three more, including our blood/natural daughter Liz. The number is expected to rise from just 3 of us to 12 or more.

A friend from Abarilela has given Sylvia and I one sheep (lamb) for Christmas. We are assured of Mutton for Christmas. I will pick it after the 20th December on my way from the youth conference.

Remember to pray for my girls as I buy items for Christmas. I have only one biological daughter and six others we are helping. Always they want Christmas clothes, shoes etc. I have four biological sons who usually are not bothered by Christmas shopping.

21st Wedding Anniversary

Thursday, the 6th of October 2011 was our 21st Wedding Anniversary. I had just arrived home from a fairly long trip which included tedious driving across Kampala City. To my surprise, when I got home, my wife had pulled a surprise on me: a big celebration complete with a well decorated cake, Wow!

I want to share with you a little history and tangible blessings in this relationship. On June 23, 1988, Christine led a team of missionaries to Soroti from her home town, Kumi just 50 Kms South of Soroti, my home town. She was a first year student at University while I was an associate Pastor with Faith Mission of Uganda.

Christine came at a time I badly needed emotional healing. I had just been heart broken after being dumped by another Christine. I had dated the first Christine for two years, but there remained one point of contention. She wanted me to just be a Christian, go back to my job as a school teacher and earn lots of money to support her. But I had heard clearly from the Lord to go full time. So on 11th August 1988 I was officially dumped, or rejected by my first girlfriend, Christine.

It was the painful and I contemplated a possibility of suicide. I thank God for my childhood friend, Mr. Edward Etanu Okiror.He stood with me till I overcame.

[Side note: The first Christine went for a well off man, who worked with the Ministry of Finance. He dumped her, and she has been living a single life for about 15 years now. I feel sorry for her, and I pray for her. One time my wife and I made a donation to her. She is really miserable woman. Her husband has remarried to a Member of Parliament, and they seem to be happy together.]

I thank God that my wife Christine is my best friend. She has supported me so much in the struggle. She has a moderate temperament, while I have a pioneer spirit. We had never had to go to a counselor, or had abusive relationship at any time. This is so in spite of the varying backgrounds we have come from.

I grew up as a villager looking after cows, hunting birds, fighting with wild snakes in the bushes, feasting on wild fruits and honey. I could bathe once a week; usually on Sunday nights because teachers checked us on Monday, and a serious beating would follow any one found with scales. I walked 7 miles everyday to get to school. I put on my first shoes and saw electricity for the first time in 1977 when I was 15.

My wife came from rich background. Her father was the Headmaster of a secondary school. Her mother was the leading business women in Kumi town. They had cars, a modern farm with Friesian cows, they stayed in houses with modern facilities and went to posh schools.

God has blessed us with four wonderful boys and one girl. The two have qualified for University this year, the girl has already started, and the boy will start next year. The girl is doing Bsc. B Statistics while the boy may do Engineering. We live in our own home up the hill. Though it is not complete we are happy that we do not rent.

We are touching peoples' lives spiritually and also economically, though in a limited way. We are helping about 6 girls who are not our biological children to get both secondary and university education, besides being role models to them. Doors are open for in any Christian denomination, including Roman Catholic Churches, in Uganda.

And above all, just last year, on the 9th of October 2010, the devil tried to rob me this joy. My wife was involved in a bad accident in Kampala that nearly took her life just after she had hosted brethren in our home for a big feast to celebrate our 20th anniversary. I'm so grateful that Christine has made a full recovery.

We praise God, and very happy today, and we just wanted share our joy with you.

Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako

March Family News

We are rejoicing that our eldest child, and the only girl among 4 boys, Liz Atai Oyako, (18), is set to attend University the coming academic year (August 2011).

The National Examination Body released the year 2010 Advanced level examination results - and Liz did not register any failures. She passed Mathematics, Economics, Entrepreneurship and English very well. She passed Physics with a subsidiary pass.

Liz is hopeful she can enter the prestigious Makerere University in Kampala, which offers a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Finance and Accounting Option).

It seems to us that Liz was born just recently. The picture of Liz's birth in Ngora hospital is quite vivid in my mind. It was also the time I had started full time ministry and was struggling to begin Revival Time Ministry.

Liz's younger brother Cyrus, is in his last term of Cambridge (Year 13). But things are not smooth for us as far as school fees is concerned. This morning he came home with an unexpected demand-of-fees note. Cyrus is one of the top students in his class, especially in Mathematics and physics. But we are not comfortable with this constant need to pay up for fees.

The rest of the family are fine. Christine resumed work from 18Th February, and I am busy with graduate studies as well church assignments.

Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako

January News

The big news is that my wife Christine is now able walk slowly and she will resume work on 16th February 2011.She will not be able to use a public transport for some time:I have either to be available to take her to work or rent a driver to do that whenever I am out of Jinja.

The second good news is that our second child ,Cyrus Oyako performed very well in international Cambridge provisional examinations. A friend called me from Kampala to congraculate me after reading his name displayed in the Daily newsletter. Cyrus passed Mathematics, Physics and Economics very well.Our son is very ambitious. He is determined to be an Aerospace Engineer.We donot have such programs in East Africa.I do not know what is next after July. He has special interest in Cnadian Universities.I have no idea of what thatmeans. We had a big fight when my son decided on an international cirriculum. which was to expensive.

Our first child,Liz may join University this year in July .We are waiting for the out come of the examination she did in November/ december last year. Having two children starting Universityat the same time is a challenge for us,but our Lord is able.

Last year was a very difficult year for us as a family.I am still wondering why God allowed us to pass through such storms.It now coming to one year when we do not have electricity and running water in the house.

Christmas Greetings
from the Oyako Family

I wish every one a good time during festive days, and a blessed 2010.

Isaac (Papa)

I thank God who has given me an opportunity to live again after a bad accident. I would like to wish you a mery Xmass and prosperous 2011.

Christine (Mom)

The Oyako family wishes you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous year 2011. We are all at home; Papa, Mom, Cyrus, Gad, Caleb, Joash, and I, Liz Atai Oyako. We sincerely wish to register our gratitute to you for the prayer support.

Liz Atail Oyako (First Child)

We are glad that you are part of our Joy this Christmas. 2010 wasn't a joke, but we have all sailed through safely. We wish you a Merry Chrismas and a happy New Year.

Cyrus Oyako (Second Child)

I learn't of Mom's motor accident with a big shock. I study furthest from home and Mom was always available. Thank God she survived through your prayers. In my part, I wish you a wonderful Christmas and success in 2011.

Gad Oyako (Third Child)

I was angry at thieves for breaking papa's car and stealing his computer, camera and internet. Thanks for your prayer because Papa has another computer and a camera, I wish you a good Christmas and a better 2011.

Caleb E. Oyako (Fouth Child)

I would to be a preacher like Papa. My dream is to become an Apostle.You have praying for us, and now I pray alot. I am also pray that all your prayers get answers from God before the end of this year. Enjoy your Christmas, and be blessed more next year!

Joash Oyako (Last Child)