A Burst of Love for You!!!

Greetings to all of you whom I love dearly!!!

I have such a burst of love for all of you!! I just want to thank you once again for making this trip possible through your prayers and financial support. Words cannot describe the impact that is being made on the children here. I really hope you all know that your support is changing lives. Even though you might not be able to see it directly, I can speak with confidence and tell you that it is true. God has been doing a mighty work in all of us here. I wish that each one of you could come here, even for one day and see the work that God is doing in the precious lives of the people here. I hope that in some small way you have been able to see the impact being made thru my pictures and blogs. I thank God everyday for allowing me to be His hands and feet here. I really do not feel worthy of it at all. I’m amazed daily that He chooses to take me, as inadequate as I might be, and use me to reach out and touch other people. He is so good!

We all arrived safely back from our safari. What a blast we had!! We left early Wednesday morning and got on the 5 hour bus ride to Kampala. It was just us four “mzungus” traveling around Uganda. I think that Ken was a little bit worried. After we arrived to Kampala we were supposed to catch a bus to Kasese, but unfortunately we missed it. So we lugged our luggage all around Kampala to find the bank, store, and restaurant. Kampala is SO busy!!! And the drivers! I don’t know where to start! There are not really any rules, lines, signs or crosswalks. So basically if you want to cross the street just step right out into traffic and dodge cars, motorbikes, and other running people. I actually would tend to just look straight ahead, run as fast as I could and pray that I made it to the other side. So if you can imagine us four mzungus carrying all of the luggage for our camping trip in a straight line dodging traffic and people. It was actually quite humorous, after we made it safely to the next bus.

The next day we headed out to Queen Elizabeth National Game Park. It was so beautiful! We got to see so much of God’s creation like, buffalos, elephants, cobes, hippos, crocs, wart hogs, lots of beautiful birds, water bucks, hyenas and maybe a lion but we weren’t quite sure. We got to take a two hour boat ride on the Channel where the hippos would come up right next to the boat. It was so relaxing! Later in the afternoon we went to our campsite to set up camp. No one else was camping which I thought was kinda funny. The area where we camped was so so beautiful. It was located right off Lake Edward. That night we decided to make a fire so we walked down the road to get some matches. We carried two big sticks and rocks in case something decided to attack us. We also bought some eggs so that we could cook them on a rock in the fire. This failed because the rock wasn’t level so it would just slide right off into the fire. It was still fun to try. :) The whole night we heard hippos, hyenas, and wart hogs that had surrounded our camp site. It was awesome! At one time we had a pack of hyenas all around our tent howling or doing whatever it is they do. It’s at times like that where you see how thin the lining on the tent is and just try to fall asleep so that morning will come faster. It was the best night of my life! I mean who can say that they camped out in the African wilderness in a tent with the wildlife all around?

The children were so excited when we returned. They said that even though we were only gone for a couple of days it felt like forever. They would hardly let us return home that night; they were pulling at our arms and standing in front of the gate so that we couldn’t pass. They are already beginning to beg us not to leave them. One girl told me that New Hope is now my home. I can’t imagine when the day comes to say good bye. It makes me teary-eyed to think of it.

Last night, we were getting ready for bed and a couple of the girls came into our rooms to chat. We started showing them some of our things like, tweezers, eyelash curler, retainers, contacts and my fake tooth. It was hilarious to see their faces and expressions. Oh my goodness! We were laughing so hard! They kept asking, “Is it paining?” They are so cute!

I do want to ask you to join me in praying for the Lord to lay it on people hearts to sponsor the children here at New Hope. There are 67 children and only about 15 are sponsored. It has been really eye opening to see how much sponsorship helps the children emotionally and physically. Not only does it provide them with food and school fees but it helps them to feel special because they don’t feel alone. They feel as though someone believes in them and this helps them to succeed. Each child is so precious and unique. I am praying and trusting that someday all the children will be sponsored.

I love you all bunches and bunches! Just like all the bunches of bananas here. :)

Hugs,
Laura (Sanyu)