A Time to be Thankful: Mercy Childcare

~ Natalia Radcliffe ~ 

Another year almost over, another Thanksgiving has come! We are so grateful for this business, and for the opportunities we have to give back. Prospector Ranch is proud to be a supporter of Mercy Childcare, and it’s been beautiful to see their reach and growth increase through the years. 

This year has been no different, and we are so grateful to have all the wonderful people who make up the backbone of the charity in our lives. 

Meggan and her husband Chris were able to go visit Uganda and volunteer with Mercy Childcare last Thanksgiving, and was host to one of the founders, Pastor Wilson Bugembe, multiple times this year when he was in Southern California. If you want to learn more about his amazing story, we did a blog story featuring him here!

One of the times when Pastor Bugembe was visiting, Meggan hosted a small gathering to raise money for Mercy Childcare. It was a private sunset dinner on the terrace overlooking Prospector Ranch. Pastor Bugmebe and Dylan Reynolds, the worship team leader at Lighthouse Church, performed for the small group of donors. Mary Jacobson, who’s helped Meggan with catering for other fundraising events she has put on in the past, catered, and Meggan was so grateful for the help. It was a lovely, relaxing evening that Meggan was thankful to experience.

Pastor Wilson performing at the sunset dinner with Meggan’s husband Chris and Lighthouse Church Worship Leader Ryan Reynolds! Photo courtesy of Meggan Kimberley.

Meggan’s husband Chris with Pastor Kevin and Kali Lewis of Lighthouse Church at the sunset dinner! Photo courtesy of Meggan Kimberley.

During a recent visit of Pastor Bugembe a few months ago, something amazing happened. He was traveling in the United States, raising money to finish building the church he runs in Uganda, as it currently has no walls. As it is the hubbub of the community, it’s important that it is a place people can find shelter, comforting support. They needed $60,000 dollars to finish the building. 

And you know what?

Thanks to the generosity of two churches, he was able to raise the money needed!

Jesse Reeves, who used to work with well-known Christian singer Chris Tomlin, heard about Pastor Bugembe’s mission, and his church raised $20,000. 

And the other $40,000?

Well, that was generously donated by Lighthouse Church, the very church Meggan and her husband attend. The pastor of the church, Kevin Lewis, had met Pastor Bugembe about a year ago, and, after hearing about his mission, wanted to help as well. It’s not often someone gets invited to perform at a church service, but Pastor Kevin had been moved by Pastor Bugembe’s testimony and the way God worked through him in his music and wanted to invite him to perform at a church service and share his testimony. It was a beautiful and moving service, and through generous donations, Lighthouse Church was able to give Pastor Bugembe $40,000 to help build his church. 

The inside of Pastor Bugembe’s church, known as the Worship House. Photo courtesy of Meggan Kimberley.

the outside of the Worship House. Thanks to generous donations and kindness of people’s hearts, the building will finally be able to be finished! Photo courtesy of Meggan Kimberley.

The generosity and kindness of people can really remind us that, though the world may seem bleak and dark at times, that light can always shine through. Approaching Thanksgiving and then Christmas right around the corner, this simple fact is important to remember: not just during the holiday season, but throughout the entire year, you can find little sparks of joy and kindness. We’re grateful for each of the times that we get to experience God’s work in the world, and give thanks to all the little miracles that happen year round.

We hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving!