One of the primary outreach tools we use in our Discipling for Development ministry is, 14 Points of a Healthy Home. These 14 steps show people in rural Africa they can create a healthy environment for their families from in-hand resources which God has provided. Andy Atkins, one of our International Mentors, is from Ontario, Canada and is a new member of our Discipling for Development team. He recently made a trip to Mbale, Uganda with his wife Judy, and saw these 14 points up close and personal. Andy writes:
“O, taste and see that the Lord is good…”Psalm 34:8
The Lord is good! After our recent trip to Uganda everyone asked us, “Well, how was it?” Invariably, our answer was, “Wonderful!” This visit gave us first-hand experience to the new ministry the Lord has placed us in. We were able to drink deeply of whole-life discipleship, “Discipling for Development style”. We interacted with the local Mbale team; we wandered the dusty paths of three different communities; we inspected rural homesteads, and listened to families and community leaders. In the process we scribbled tons of notes, and consumed way too much of the local food, so generously and lavishly prepared for us. We observed coaching in Iganga, and heard half a dozen pastors share their lives and stories. We came away with a deeper understanding and renewed passion for the transforming power of whole-life discipleship.
During our trip we observed that the Discipling for Development team in Mbale trains rural Ugandans to create a clean and healthy environment for their families. One lesson that is taught is entitled, 14 Points of a Healthy Home. When faithfully practiced, these 14 points can make a real difference in the lives of African families. Here are some thoughts…
The 14 Points of a Healthy Home…getting there is a process. There is some complexity to it, but the process is observable, and assessable. Results are huge. What is the key value of arriving at the 14 points, with each step being affirmed and celebrated? Yes, you have a healthy home, but much deeper—you have a sense of self-confidence that God can enable you to accomplish almost anything. From here on in, you can continue transforming yourself, your family, your neighbors, and the world around you.
The 14 Points of a Healthy Home are:
- A Clean Home
- Clean Compound
- Clean Water
- An Outdoor Latrine
- Separate Housing For Animals
- Separate Kitchen With Improved Cook Stove
- Fence Around The Compound
- Trees For Shade And Fruit
- Home Garden
- A Line For Drying Clothes
- Raised Granary For Proper Food Storage
- Rubbish Pit
- Dish Drying Rack
- Bathing Shelter
Let me give you an example of how these 14 points and other Discipling for Development tools have made a difference in a person’s life. After attending a Discipling for Development workshop in Mbale, Uganda, Martha moved from a place of despondency to a place of hope.
Martha Cares For Her Children
Despondent and overwhelmed after losing her husband, and trying to care for her six children and two dependents (her late brother’s children), Martha had simply given up hope. One night she sensed God speak to her, encouraging her to, “Take care of your children”. Desperately wanting to do so, Martha wasn’t sure where to turn.
Last September, Martha heard about some training in her area. She attended some Discipling for Development workshops in Mbale, Uganda and returned home with a number of tools. Martha began to eagerly and actively implement them into her life, the life of her children, and the life of her community. The tools were:
- How to pray, especially listening to God in prayer.
- 14 points of a Healthy Home.
- How to make a plan of action.
- Bible-telling.
Feeling she now had the tools to follow God’s directive, Martha worked her land and planted more cassava than her family needed. She began to sell cassava bread in the market, and soon made enough money to buy a cow. She has implemented almost all of the, 14 Points of a Healthy Home. Martha assembled a small community group to disciple them on the lessons she had learned from others. She prays regularly, constantly attends weekly Bible studies, and serves in the church.
When Judy and I participated in her coaching session, we heard Martha explain that her biggest challenge is balancing all of the responsibilities she now has in life: caring for her large family, church involvement, team training sessions, team home visits, looking after livestock (cows, chickens, goats, and guinea-fowl), a cassava farm, planting trees and weekly Bible studies.
Amazingly, Martha believes she now has the funds available to employ someone to help her. This vibrant widow is praying for the right person to help her live a balanced life, so she can manage the huge number of responsibilities that she has. Her prayers and search is centered on acquiring the right person, with the proper character. Through the ministry of Discipling for Development, God is accomplishing an amazing transformation in her life. Martha has gone from a place of utter despondency, to a place of abundance. On top of that, church and community members look to Martha’s leadership as she disciples others in whole-life discipleship.
