Yesterday, I received the best Christmas news - the first baby has been safely delivered in the new maternity unit at Hope Community Clinic!  Before I tell you about the commissioning ceremony one week earlier, I must share a few photos .

Baby Isaac was delivered in the small, dark hours of Friday 19th December by midwives Brenda and Damary with Clinical Officer, Helen, on site if needed. Isaac was checked carefully and was declared healthy, weighing 3.1kg.  This was a joyful and emotional moment for the team as well as the mother who is from one of the poorer families in the Rwenotbo community; she became very emotional when she was told that the full cost of the delivery would be covered.  Mission Rwentobo has pledged to cover full costs for the first two babies to be delivered and support will also be available to subsequent mothers if needed, through the Samaritan fund. Isaac's mother was also delighted when Rev Medad Birungi, director of World Shine Ministries who was staying nearby, came to the clinic to name the baby and pray over him in the early hours of his life. By then, Isaac was dressed in clothes that were donated by Mission Rwentobo on our last visit.

One week prior to the birth of baby Isaac, there was another joyful occasion, as there was a ceremony to commission the new maternity services.  This was attended by community and church leaders, representatives from the District Health team and from UPMB (Ugandan Protestant Medical Bureau), the Rwentobo catholic sisters, Kisiizi Hospital management and support team and Joel from World Shine Ministries, as well as staff from the clinic.  

I am also delighted to announce the birth of a baby daughter to Julius and his wife, Susan, on 6th December.  As the district health officer had not yet inspected the maternity unit at the clinic, baby Nyonyozi Selene was born at the catholic maternity unit in Rushooka.  Mother and baby are doing very well and Julius is a very proud father. Sadly for us, Julius will be leaving Hope Clinic team at the end of December to continue his career in a government facility closer to his home village.  The clinic team will really miss him as he has been an excellent team leader encouraging team unity and compassionate and professional care of the patients.  Julius also worked very hard to ensure that everything was in place for full maternity services and has communicated extrememly well throughout.  We thank God for this young man and wish him continued blessings in his future career.As 2025 comes to an end, we give thanks to:

• All those who have supported Mission Rwentobo both financially and in prayer.  You have brought hope and joy to a needy community, providing all that was required for full maternity services as well as supporting the ongoing work of our clinic team.
• The Kisiizi management and supervision teams who have ensured that the clinic has necessary medicines and equipment and who have also mentored and encouraged the team.
• World Shine Ministries who provided the land for the external maternity infrastructure and who visit to pray with the team and patients whenever possible.  
• The excellent clinic team, who have been prepared to go the extra mile to provide the best of care to the community and to each other.

Please pray for:

• Julius and Susan as they adjust to being new parents and for baby Selene to flourish.  
• That Julius will continue to follow God's leading as he moves on in his career in healthcare.
• For Helen, the new Clinical Officer in charge, who has been mentored by Julius since October.
• For the remaining clinic team and the new Clinical Officer who will soon join them to support Helen.  
• For all those who will attend the clinic for healthcare in 2026, that they will feel safe and well cared for.
• For the numbers attending the clinic to increase, now that full maternity care is in place.

Finally, on behalf of the trustees of Mission Rwentobo and all the clinic team, I would like to wish you a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND GOD'S BLESSINGS IN 2026.