Some of the older kids at New Hope!
The kids with their new clothes!!
Sarah and I on a Booda Booda!
A common street scene.
An adorable little boy at a fruit stand!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
A Letter to Home...
Hi Dad, Mom and my wonderful family!!!!
We arrived safely in Entebbe yesterday afternoon. We arrived in Busia late last night. :) I'm sorry that we have not contacted you sooner. I hope that we haven't worried you too much. We were just now able to come to the interent cafe. We took a booda booda into to town, which is a person who gives you ride on a bicycle. Sarah and I were laughing so hard because if felt like we were going to fall of. :) Sarah and I just exchanged our money in to Ugandan currancy.
We had a HUGE welcoming party to meet us at the airport, about seven adults and five or six children. They all greeted us with hugs and kisses.
We then began our very long and bumpy journey to Busia! We did not arrive to New Hope until about 10:30. Then we took our firat water basin bath and ate dinner. Almost every meal we have Matooke which is mashed up boiled bananas. The children at the orphanage were already in bed.
This morning we woke up and prepared to go to New Hope and see the children. It's about a 10 minute walk from where we are staying. The kids all ran at us screaming. They almost knocked Sarah and I over when they ran at us and hugged us. I could hardly stand up. :) They all welcomed us and took us to New Hope. Then the adults and us went into another room and sorted out all the clothes and shoes. Ken was absolutely amazed at the huge amout of clothes and shoes that there were. We sorted everything by size and then took them out to the children to be distributed. Then they invited us to sit down and watch there performance. They sang the Ugandan national anthem. Then they sang a song of welcome that thay created for us. It said something like, "Our sisters, we are so glad that you are finally here. We have been waiting a very very long time." And then they would sing it to Sarah and then to me, with our names in it. They all call us Aunt Laura and Aunt Sarah. They pronounce my name Loula. It makes me smile.
Uganda is so so beautiful!!! It is all very green. The people here are very friendly and alwaya yell out at us, Muzungo, Muzungo!! This means "white person".
Ken and Suzan have been so hospitable! They won't let us do or carry anything! Oh and the food! I don't know if they have heard that Americans eat a lot but they feed us SO much and when we clear our plates they fill them up again. Sarah and I are sick, but only because of constantly eating so much. :) Every time they fill our plates again we can't look at each other or we will lose it and start laughing.
Oh and one more thing. The toilets are so funny here. There are two blocks to stand on and then you squat and pee in a hole. Sarah is like a pro at it but i miss every time! It'a kinda embarrassing.
The computer is going to log out in 1 minute, so i have to go. I love you all so so much and please rest knowing that I am safe! Thank you for all your prayers!!
With much much love,
Laura
We arrived safely in Entebbe yesterday afternoon. We arrived in Busia late last night. :) I'm sorry that we have not contacted you sooner. I hope that we haven't worried you too much. We were just now able to come to the interent cafe. We took a booda booda into to town, which is a person who gives you ride on a bicycle. Sarah and I were laughing so hard because if felt like we were going to fall of. :) Sarah and I just exchanged our money in to Ugandan currancy.
We had a HUGE welcoming party to meet us at the airport, about seven adults and five or six children. They all greeted us with hugs and kisses.
We then began our very long and bumpy journey to Busia! We did not arrive to New Hope until about 10:30. Then we took our firat water basin bath and ate dinner. Almost every meal we have Matooke which is mashed up boiled bananas. The children at the orphanage were already in bed.
This morning we woke up and prepared to go to New Hope and see the children. It's about a 10 minute walk from where we are staying. The kids all ran at us screaming. They almost knocked Sarah and I over when they ran at us and hugged us. I could hardly stand up. :) They all welcomed us and took us to New Hope. Then the adults and us went into another room and sorted out all the clothes and shoes. Ken was absolutely amazed at the huge amout of clothes and shoes that there were. We sorted everything by size and then took them out to the children to be distributed. Then they invited us to sit down and watch there performance. They sang the Ugandan national anthem. Then they sang a song of welcome that thay created for us. It said something like, "Our sisters, we are so glad that you are finally here. We have been waiting a very very long time." And then they would sing it to Sarah and then to me, with our names in it. They all call us Aunt Laura and Aunt Sarah. They pronounce my name Loula. It makes me smile.
Uganda is so so beautiful!!! It is all very green. The people here are very friendly and alwaya yell out at us, Muzungo, Muzungo!! This means "white person".
Ken and Suzan have been so hospitable! They won't let us do or carry anything! Oh and the food! I don't know if they have heard that Americans eat a lot but they feed us SO much and when we clear our plates they fill them up again. Sarah and I are sick, but only because of constantly eating so much. :) Every time they fill our plates again we can't look at each other or we will lose it and start laughing.
Oh and one more thing. The toilets are so funny here. There are two blocks to stand on and then you squat and pee in a hole. Sarah is like a pro at it but i miss every time! It'a kinda embarrassing.
The computer is going to log out in 1 minute, so i have to go. I love you all so so much and please rest knowing that I am safe! Thank you for all your prayers!!
With much much love,
Laura
Friday, May 16, 2008
Here We Come Africa!!!
Wow! It is nice to sit down and just breathe a little. I have been buzzing all around making sure everything is packed. I sure hope I didn't forget anything! :)
Please be praying for Sarah and I as we head out tomorrow at 6:00 am. Pray that we would be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves. We are taking six, seventy pound bags stuffed to the brim with clothes and shoes!!! Praise the Lord! I would have never guessed that we would have been able to fit all the clothes in those bags. We are just hoping and praying that they meet the airline requirements.
Ken, the New Hope director, said that the kids are so excited. They have prepared a skit and songs to sing for us as a way to welcome us to Uganda.
Well, I'm off to load up my stuff in the car. I love you all and will keep you posted!
Blessings,
Laura
Please be praying for Sarah and I as we head out tomorrow at 6:00 am. Pray that we would be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves. We are taking six, seventy pound bags stuffed to the brim with clothes and shoes!!! Praise the Lord! I would have never guessed that we would have been able to fit all the clothes in those bags. We are just hoping and praying that they meet the airline requirements.
Ken, the New Hope director, said that the kids are so excited. They have prepared a skit and songs to sing for us as a way to welcome us to Uganda.
Well, I'm off to load up my stuff in the car. I love you all and will keep you posted!
Blessings,
Laura
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Isma's story...
Name: Isma Wanguja
Gender: Male
Age: 7
Birthday: December, 22nd, 2000
Nationality: Ugandan
District: Busia
Grade in School: Primary One
Favorite Hobbies: Football
Religious Background: Muslim
Status: Vulnerable, Resident
Current caregiver: New Hope
Former caregiver: Grandmother
Father: Alive, HIV +
Occupation: unemployed
Year died:NA
Cause of Death: NA
Mother: Alive, HIV+
Occupation: sexual worker
Year died:NA
Cause of death: NA
Number of Brothers: 2
Number of Sisters: 1
My Story
Although both of Isma’s parents are alive, they separated from each other and are both HIV+. Isma’s mother is a prostitute and his father is unemployed. Before coming to NH, Isma was living with his grandmother, who earned less than 50 cents a day from the sale of charcoal. Isma could not afford to go to school regularly and spent most days fetch water or wandering idly around the Arubaine slums. Isma ate only once a day and slept in a small mud shanty.
Isma dreams of becoming a pilot
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
God is so Good!!!!
I am completely blown away at God goodness right now! It is so crazy to think that in 4 days we will be on the plane heading over to be Jesus' hands and feet. I can't wait to love on these kids!!
Just a little over three days ago Sarah and I both needed about $1300 combined for our trip. God has provided above and beyond what we needed! He is so good! God is seldom early but never late! Sarah and I will be able to take about five, seventy pound bags with us full of shoes and clothes for the orphanage. We are also blessed to be able to take the orphanage two digital cameras. Thank you everyone for your support whether it was through prayer, financial or clothing donations! We love you!!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Only a week left before departure!
Hello everyone!
Wow! These last two weeks have been filled with busyness! Sarah and I completed our year at Ecola Bible School on May 2nd. Graduation day was a time filled with reflection at all God had taught and done for us this past year. He is so good! Sarah and I were both leaking facets most of the day as we said goodbye to all of our brothers and sisters in Christ that we had come to love and cherish so deeply! But with every end there is a beginning and we are both so excited about the beginning that awaits us in Africa. :)
We have been so blessed by the support of so many! NorthCoast Family Fellowship in Seaside, Oregon, held a clothing drive for the kids at the orphanage. Sarah and I were blown away at the generous giving of clothing!! We are hoping to fit as much of the clothes in our luggage as possible.
Also, a little girl back here at home felt that God laid it on her heart to bless all of the orphans with new tank tops or T-shirts. She was able to collect about 70-80 shirts! Praise the Lord for this little girl who listened and obeyed. I know that the kids will love their new shirts!
Ken, the New Hope director, has asked Sarah and I if we would be willing to share with fellow believers at some of the local churches in Uganda. We are both so excited to be able to encourage fellow believers in other church bodies. Our goal is to be able to bring love and encouragement as we share the things that God has been teaching and laying on our hearts lately. Please pray for us to be used as the Lord's mouthpieces.
Thanks again for all your prayers! We really do appreciate them. It is so important for the body of Christ to hold each other up in prayer. Prayer works!
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Laura
Wow! These last two weeks have been filled with busyness! Sarah and I completed our year at Ecola Bible School on May 2nd. Graduation day was a time filled with reflection at all God had taught and done for us this past year. He is so good! Sarah and I were both leaking facets most of the day as we said goodbye to all of our brothers and sisters in Christ that we had come to love and cherish so deeply! But with every end there is a beginning and we are both so excited about the beginning that awaits us in Africa. :)
We have been so blessed by the support of so many! NorthCoast Family Fellowship in Seaside, Oregon, held a clothing drive for the kids at the orphanage. Sarah and I were blown away at the generous giving of clothing!! We are hoping to fit as much of the clothes in our luggage as possible.
Also, a little girl back here at home felt that God laid it on her heart to bless all of the orphans with new tank tops or T-shirts. She was able to collect about 70-80 shirts! Praise the Lord for this little girl who listened and obeyed. I know that the kids will love their new shirts!
Ken, the New Hope director, has asked Sarah and I if we would be willing to share with fellow believers at some of the local churches in Uganda. We are both so excited to be able to encourage fellow believers in other church bodies. Our goal is to be able to bring love and encouragement as we share the things that God has been teaching and laying on our hearts lately. Please pray for us to be used as the Lord's mouthpieces.
Thanks again for all your prayers! We really do appreciate them. It is so important for the body of Christ to hold each other up in prayer. Prayer works!
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Laura
John's Story...
Name: John Mukisa
Gender: Male
Age: 8
Birthday: Unknown
Nationality: Ugandan
District: Busia
Grade in School: Primary two
Favorite Hobbies: Football
Religious Background: Christian
Status: Orphan, resident
Current caregiver: New Hope
Former caregiver: Grandmother
Father: Dead
Occupation: NA
Year died: 2001
Cause of Death: AIDS
Mother: Status Unknown
Occupation: Unknown
Year died: Unknown
Cause of death: Unknown
Number of Brothers: 4
Number of Sisters: 6
My Story
John’s father contracted HIV while John was still very young. After learning that her husband was HIV+, John’s mother abandoned the family for fear of being infected herself. After his father died, John was placed under the care of his elderly grandmother. A widowed peasant farmer, John’s grandmother could barely provide enough food for the four children under her care. Poverty forced John to stop going to school and to work with his grandmother in the family garden instead.
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