Oklahoma Family Making a Difference in Uganda to Receive Special Delivery

By Amy McRee, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The number of Oklahomans, already making a difference in Uganda is growing.

A woman in Lawton has family in Uganda and hopes NEWS 9 and The News On 6 can carry out a mission for her half a world away.

Freddie Shuler said she could not be more proud of her 35-year-old son and daughter-in-law.

"He loves the world. Gave his life to the Lord several years ago, and the Lord's just been grooming him and taking him step by step through different phases to get him to where he is today," Shuler said.

Shuler's son and his family live in Gulu in the northern part of Uganda. She said she keeps up with the Forester Clan, as they're known, through her son's blog.

The family of six moved to Uganda from Texas a little over a month ago to share their faith about God, a divine assignment that hasn't come without trial.

"Water is precious, very precious over there, and the day that he called me and said that they had no water, your heart just really sinks for a minute," Shuler said. "The family went out in the front yard, literally with all four of these little babies and said, ‘Lord, we're here. You called us, but we're without water,' and he said within an hour the skies opened up, and it was raining."

A clear answer to prayer that Shuler said has shown itself once again. She said she's been praying ever since she heard NEWS 9 was going to Gulu, and she would have an opportunity to send a care package to her son.

NEWS 9 and The News On 6 are headed to Gulu, Uganda as part of a mission trip with Pros for Africa. The group consists of pro athletes and Oklahoma professionals who are volunteering to work with children in the wartorn country.

"The babies got on Skype and said, 'Graham, send syrup for our pancakes.' Then my daughter-in-law started a list like, ‘oh I need these school supplies that I need,'" Shuler said. "This is a whole new experience, not only for us as grandparents but as the support system for missionaries overseas. God's just go them out there, all of them, and their main purpose is to share the plan of salvation. That is there hope. That is their lifeline."

News9's Amy McRee and News On 6's LeAnne Taylor will have live reports from Uganda starting Tuesday. A special report on their trip will air April 21.