Godfrey and Florence Musambo

So here it is, the first of the series on our Ebenezer family! So you can feel like you know the family better, I have decided to do a blog on each of the members. I thought it would be appropriate to start with the family parents, Florence and Godfrey Musambo. They are the heart of Ebenezer family.

Godfrey Musambo came to New Hope about four years ago to be the family father of Ebenezer family. He had been considering a career with the Ugandan police force but was accepted as a family father at New Hope and felt led to come here. He came as a single man, but did not stay that was long! While at New Hope he met Florence who was also working here. She had lost her previous husband in a drowning accident and had two young sons. Three years ago they were married, and then two years ago they had another son, Jonathan! Florence's older son Brian, who is 13, also lives with them while Brian's brother, Ceasar, lives with his paternal grandparents some distance away.

Besides being a father to 19 children in the family group, Godfrey heads up security at New Hope. This means he is in charge of all of the security guards that work at New Hope. He also spends a lot of his time in the family gardens, as the each family has their garden and grow about 70% of their own food. Planning, plowing, planting, weeding, and harvesting around 5 acres all by hand takes a lot of time and effort. The children all help, but Godfrey has to coordinate everything as well as do a lot of the more strenuous labor that the younger children cannot manage. In addition, he leads devotions at least four nights and is has the responsibility for all of the discipline, management, and loving of 19 children! He does an amazing job. And all of this with only one day a week off. Does anyone want to apply?

Florence also works outside the family. She is responsible for all of the cooking for the New Hope Institute of Childcare and Family, New Hope's 5 month training/discipleship for people coming from all over the world. There are usually people living on the Institute grounds throughout the 5 months, which means three meals a day need to be prepared 7 days a week. Fortunately, Florence does have several ladies working with her, but she is in charge which means she is there much of the time. She is known around New Hope as a great cook! Having eaten many meals she has made, we agree! Often she starts her day at 6am preparing breakfast and doesn't get done until 7 or 8pm in the evening. This in addition to being a mother to 19 children! Often in the evening she has the 5 littlest ones of the family group in her home to give them some special attention, which they really enjoy. She loves the children and it shows.

Being the family parents of 19 children is not without its challenges. Florence and Godfrey would appreciate your prayers for wisdom in the situations that arise. Also, that God would give them patience, compassion and love that comes from him for the kids. At this time Florence is expecting another baby, probably in September. She is feeling sick and tired most of the time. She would appreciate prayer for strength and a decrease in her nausea.

I hope you have enjoyed getting to know Godfrey and Florence. We praise God for them and their willingness to be God's hands and heart to children that need them.