I JUST REALIZED I WON THE LOTTERY! The Real Joy of Christian Life
Dr. John LaNoue • September 6, 2019
Oh, not the one with millions of dollars, but the one with millions of blessings!
When I asked Jesus to forgive my sins and to save my soul, I really hit the jackpot!
Until then, I was a mess! My family life included three divorces, living in three states, five cities, and that was all before I finished my fourteenth year of life.
Like an old slot machine, my wheels were spinning!
Shortly after my sixteenth birthday, two laymen came to my home and led me to faith in Christ. As they left they said, “Second Corinthians 7:14 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, The old has gone, the new has come!”
At that moment, the wheels stop spinning and all three came up JESUS! He is the jackpot!!!
I began a deep dive into the Word of God! The sermons and Bible studies at church spoke to me as never before, I found godly friends who ended there dating and fellowship times with prayer.
I really believed that Jesus meant everything he said. I began to interpret my experiences by the Scripture, instead of trying to interpret the Scripture by my experiences!
A wonderful transformation began to occur! God began to transform my terrible life experiences from being wasted years into years of “in service training”!
God was preparing me to minister to people with broken hearts, broken homes, and broken lives.
A part my experience as a child of divorce helped me write the book “Divorcing? Remember Me.” The first part speaks to a child’s reaction to divorce and how it affects them.
The second part deals with biblical teachings on love, courtship, and marriage.
My wife and I were both from broken homes and had no good example of how a successful marriage worked. We decided , since God invented sex and marriage, we would search the Bible to find His directions for making our relationship and marriage work His way.
We have been happily married 64 years and 38 weeks…so I think it is going to work!
That is a part of the jackpot’s contents!
There is more, much more!
Things that are beyond my ability to express adequately.
Things like inner peace, peace with God, with your life, and joy! A joy that remains strong through cancer, heart attack, strokes, bypass surgery, serving God in places where you face hate filled interrogators, while looking at the business end of an AK 47 assault rifle.
WOW! The joy not only remains, it has intensified!
I hit the Jackpot with Jesus!
If the pot was only filled with money or “things”, I could not take it with me. You never see a U-Haul trailer behind a hearse!
BUT, my joy in the LORD is not only transportable, it is INTENSIFIED!
YAYHOOO! I hit the jackpot with JESUS!
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When we first met John Paul, his world was cloaked in darkness—literally and spiritually. Once a reader and active member of his community, John Paul had lost his vision due to a severe form of cataract that left him completely blind. He came to the Missionpoint Medical Camp in Uganda with a quiet hope, though years of living in darkness had nearly smothered it.
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A Legacy of Compassion and Service Dr. John LaNoue, affectionately known as "Dr. John," dedicated over six decades to global medical missions and disaster relief. His pioneering efforts, including designing the first mobile kitchen in an 18-wheeler container, have been instrumental in providing aid to countless individuals worldwide . In recognition of his unwavering commitment, Amigos Internacionales is establishing the Dr. John LaNoue Medical Clinic in Ogul Village, Northern Uganda. https://amigosii.org
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When we first met John Paul, his world was cloaked in darkness—literally and spiritually. Once a reader and active member of his community, John Paul had lost his vision due to a severe form of cataract that left him completely blind. He came to the Missionpoint Medical Camp in Uganda with a quiet hope, though years of living in darkness had nearly smothered it.
Discover the top African charities to donate to in 2025, led by Amigos Internacionales, empowering Uganda with meals, water, and education.
In the hills of Buhweju District in southwestern Uganda, the world had grown dim for 39-year-old John Paul Taremwa. Blinded in one eye by disease, and slowly losing vision in the other due to a cataract, John Paul lived on the edge of complete darkness. Each day became more difficult—navigating uneven paths, depending on others, feeling the slow erosion of dignity that comes when something as basic and vital as sight begins to slip away. At Amigos Internacionales, we believe that no one should have to live that way. Ours mission has never been about numbers or events—it’s about people like John Paul. We exist to restore hope through healing, to meet both physical and spiritual needs in places the world often forgets.
In a remote village in southwestern Uganda, a woman named Joy once faced the devastating possibility of permanent blindness. Last year, driven by deteriorating vision and rising desperation, she traveled many kilometers on foot to reach a government hospital in hopes of receiving cataract surgery. But the cost— 3,000,000 Ugandan shillings (approximately $800 USD )—was impossibly high. She returned home defeated. “I decided to forget about my left eye,” Joy shared. “And I prayed my right eye wouldn’t die.”
Learn how Amigos Internacionales tackles South Sudan’s water crisis with wells and aid. Join the fight against poverty today!
Discover the top 10 hunger relief charities of 2025, feeding millions in Africa with meals and sustainable solutions.
Discover surprising benefits of donating to charity. Learn how giving transforms your life and explore impactful work by Amigos Internacionales.
Explore the top 10 countries with the highest poverty rate in the world in 2025.
Learn about the crisis of hungry kids in Africa, its causes, & how to help. Support organizations making a difference and find out how you can contribute.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who generously contributed to launch our sewing classes in Uganda! 🙏🏽 Because of your compassion, what began as a vision has become a life-changing opportunity for individuals and families in our community. 🧵✨
A Legacy of Compassion and Service Dr. John LaNoue, affectionately known as "Dr. John," dedicated over six decades to global medical missions and disaster relief. His pioneering efforts, including designing the first mobile kitchen in an 18-wheeler container, have been instrumental in providing aid to countless individuals worldwide . In recognition of his unwavering commitment, Amigos Internacionales is establishing the Dr. John LaNoue Medical Clinic in Ogul Village, Northern Uganda. https://amigosii.org
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Picture a child in Uganda with big dreams but no way to reach them. That’s the reality for too many orphans who can’t afford school. In places like Northern Uganda, poverty hits hard, and education often feels out of reach. As per statistics, only 51% of girls finish primary school there, and boys don’t have it much easier. Without school, their futures stay small. But here’s the good news: for just $38 a month, you can sponsor a child and change that. You give them school, uniforms, and a real shot at a better life. Want to know how it works? We’ll walk you through why this matters, share a real story, and show you how to jump in. Check out our program; Sponsor a Child , or read about Uganda’s education gaps at UNESCO Uganda Stats . >> Want to change a life? Sponsor a Child for $38 today! The Education Crisis in Uganda Life isn’t easy for kids in rural Uganda. If you’re an orphan, it’s even tougher. School isn’t free, and without money for fees or uniforms, you’re not allowed back. Boys struggle too, but girls often drop out for things like early marriage or chores. When kids can’t learn, they’re stuck in poverty forever. No school means no skills, no jobs, and no way to climb out. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break. That’s where Amigos Internacionales comes in. Our sponsorship program steps up with $38 a month to cover school costs, keeping kids in class and giving them a chance to dream bigger. Want the bigger picture? Peek at Uganda’s poverty stats at World Bank Uganda . It’s a tough spot, but you can help. >> Help a kid beat the odds. Sponsor a Child now! Aloyo Brenda’s Story of Hope Let’s talk about Aloyo Brenda, a kid from Uganda whose life got a lift from sponsorship. Growing up, Brenda couldn’t always go to school. Poverty meant she didn’t have money for fees or supplies, so her education was spotty. Then Amigos stepped in, her sponsor made sure she got books, uniforms, and a steady spot in class. Now, Brenda’s got big plans. She wants to be a lawyer someday and build her grandma a house to say thanks. She’s already learning more, feeling confident, and loving school. In her own words, “Your brave step in sponsoring kids has given me a brighter future.” That’s the power of sponsorship: it’s not just money, it’s hope. Want to read her full story? Visit our page: Sponsorship Stories . >> Sponsor a Child like Brenda. Donate Now! What Your $38 Does Every Month So, what does $38 actually do? It’s pretty straightforward. Your monthly gift covers school fees, uniforms, books, and supplies for one Ugandan orphan. Amigos works with local schools to make sure every dollar gets to the kids who need it. We’ve already got 32 young men and women fully funded for a year, and you can add to that list. Here’s a cool part: you don’t just send money and forget. Every three months, you get a video update from your child, hosted by Patrick from Amigos. You’ll see them grow, learn, and smile. Over time, that education helps them build skills to support their families and villages. It’s a ripple effect. Curious how this fits with other projects. See their water work at Clean Water . >> See your $38 in action. Sponsor at Sponsor a Child now! Amigos’ Bigger Picture Sponsorship isn’t all Amigos does. We’ve been at this since 1967, over 55 years of helping kids and communities stand tall. Besides education, we’ve built wells in Uganda and fed millions in Central America. It’s all connected. Clean water keeps kids healthy, school gives them skills, and faith ties it together with hope. Conclusion Here’s the bottom line: for $38 a month, you can sponsor a child like Aloyo Brenda and open doors to education and dreams. It’s more than just school. It’s a lifeline for Ugandan orphans, a way to break poverty’s grip, and a boost for their whole community. Amigos Internacionales is making it happen, one child at a time, and you can be part of it. Your support today could mean a lawyer, a teacher, or a leader tomorrow. Ready to step up? Get started today & Sponsor a Child . Together, we’re unlocking futures, and that feels pretty amazing. FAQs What does my $38 pay for? It covers school fees, uniforms, books, and supplies for one child each month. How do I see my child’s progress? You’ll get video updates every three months from Patrick at Amigos. Who can I sponsor? Ugandan orphans who need help to stay in school. How many kids are sponsored now? 32 young men and women are funded for a full year. Where does my money go? It goes straight to schools through Amigos’ local partners.
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