Women after Graduation and Off to Street Kids Camp!

First, I want to share that I am sitting on my bed eating both chocolate fudge cake and fresh, warm, chocolate pudding. ha! yummo! Caitlyn (click on her name for a link to her blog) and I both had milk that would simply spoil by the time we return from camp on Friday, so what do we do? Make pudding! haha... Abby found a supermarket in Wandegeya that sells pudding mix! all we need is milk and our pan to boil the yummy goodness to life! wahoo!

Anyway... I have TWO PURPOSES for this update... to mention heading out to camp and to give you an update on the women that graduated last week! Which would you like to read first? About the women today? okay. I thought so. :)

Update on the Hope House Women

So.... there is a team from the Providence Church in North Carolina that are going to be running our camp this coming week. This church has invested so much in our ministry and we are grateful for this third year of camp they are providing! Anyway, the men organized a one-day men's conference for after church today which left us ladies with nothing to do! However, the Hope House women have been graduates for a week now and some have been working on getting their businesses set up. So we met up with the ladies and they took us on a tour around to see their business/business progress. I'll share pictures and information on a few of the ladies.. I am SOOOO proud!

So, Momma Cook (Grace) chose to use a small portion of her savings to purchase 300 little chicks! haha.. Aren't they precious? She will sell eggs as well as the chickens when they are older. She will make profit off of each chicken she sells!

This is Kate. She saved the absolute most of any of the women and she also was the most loyal to the program. She was always committed and made the best quality jewelry. Although she has TONS of money from savings, she is choosing to work out of her mother's house (which is free) and is having this boutique here built just outside of her mother's house. She would rather wait and have a cheaper boutique built instead of purchasing a nice one that costs more money. SOOOO proud of her!

 This is Beatrice and her precious little son, Joseph. That space is her business! She is currently buying things and keeping them safe at a friend's house. The man who is working on her space is currently delayed by a leg injury. She also used her money to buy a PLOT of land! Soooo excited she chose to invest her money in land for the future!

Harriet, here, has a good amount saved, but says the rent at the places she has looked at is more than she wants to spend each time. She is patiently waiting and simply selling from her little home here. And when I say little, I mean it! She is pressed up against the other wall there to the right side of the picture. This is the space she lives in with her little ones. Pray the Lord shows her a great property for her business that is at a cost she would like to afford! She is being so wise by waiting, I pray the Lord blesses her soon!

Nalongo (mother of twins) Rose is standing here in the black tank top. She has two small twins, the teenage daughter, and a son in senior 2. She is praying for a godly man for her children. She cried tears of joy when she received her savings last Friday.

I am so proud of these precious ladies! Nalongo, myself, Gertrude (best graduation speech ever!) and Jennifer. May the the Lord bless their faithfulness and hard work!

C-A-M-P!!!!

Goodness I am pumped about camp! I think we all are, actually! All of the Street Program uncles and the city API staff are heading to Entebbe tomorrow morning with 100 street boys for a week of camp! Do you realize what this means? 

Five days of beds

Five days of a blanket

Five days of clean bathing

Five days of soap

Five days of breakfast

Five days of lunch

Five days of dinner

Five days of music!

Five days of swimming!

Five days of futbol

Five days of security
Five days of sleep
Five days of peace

Five days of CONSTANT love

Five days of beauty....

I just cannot wait. We take so many things for granted. I find myself being so selfish and spoiled. I pray that I do not suffer from entitlement syndrom, but I know that I do. We are given so many things each day that we don't even realize it. 

In Katie Davis' book Kisses From Katie she mentions how ashamed she was of her faith when she returned to the states for a short time after serving here in Africa. She talked about her faith weakening because she no longer NEEDED Jesus. She was so ashamed of her walk with the Lord. In Africa she truly depended on the Lord each and every day for water, power, sleep, health, basic medical care, etc. She NEEDED Jesus' love and provision each day. However, at home, she didn't really NEED Jesus. Everything was taken care of. She didn't worry about food, medicine, clean water. It was always provided. She writes about feeling so ashamed of her faith while in the states because she didn't seem to really need Christ and His provision in her life.

So I pray that the Lord will continue to work with me and my entitlement syndrome. It's a tough one... 

So, these boys are headed to camp! We have 100 street boys that are going to be loved on all week long! The Providence team from North Carolina will be running the program from 10am-3:30pm each day and we will cover before and after! I am excited to share with you after it all!

Love you all dearly. Thank you for everything. Please pray for us this week. We have expectant hearts! Our API team is praying for the Lord to truly transform so many of these young men's lives. We could easily take over 300 children, but only 100 will be allowed. I pray the Lord allows the ones that need it most to arrive on time in the morning (7am). I pray He is preparing their hearts now. And I pray that you will lift us up all week!

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,  to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The Best Graduation Speech Ever...

So, if you have been following much of me on Facebook, you have heard that the women's program graduation took place last Saturday. One of the graduates, Gertrude, was selected by the group of ladies to give a graduation speech. She handed Abby, Caitlyn, and myself a hard copy before she gave it... It was absolutely wonderful and I wanted to share it with you...

"WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

I am Gertrude

I am the mother of four children i.e. two boys and two girls.

I am very excited today of what we are now.

I welcome you our dear visitors. I thank you to come and appreciate all the people who have come to celebrate with us.

I would like to take this opportunity in front of you our dear visitors to thank a wonderful lady Mrs. Abigail Kakeeto, who came with a dream of helping us ladies of Makerere and also I thank all American people who supported our program to start.

Abby I thank you very much for what you have done for us, thank you for helping us, thank you for teaching us each and every thing, thank you for teaching us to become hardworking women, thank you for teaching us the Bible study, thank you for teaching us saving, thank you for praying for us. We thank all American people like Amanda, Jaja Jina, Kate (Caitlyn), Lorine (me) and other American people who have been sponsoring and those who were praying for us. I thank Aunt Maureen, Josephine, Aunt Alice who brought Abby to us to be a wonderful woman to us.

Abby I promise you that what you have done for us we are not going to shame you, we are going to work hard on our businesses. I also promise that we are going to be the land ladies.

Abby we request you to send our thanks to all of the American ladies who were supporting us, we thank them so much, Gay God bless them a hundred times.

This is for the ladies of Hope House; I ask you ladies to work hard and not to let Abby ashamed, think about where we were before and see where we are now after thinking then we will work hard through God all things are possible.

Let us work hard with hands through Abby's experience and buy plots and build houses for our children, that's all I have today. Enjoy the function of today. 

I remain yours, Gertrude from HOPE HOUSE."

I pray you are blessed by this message as I was blessed. What an incredible lady.  

Gertrude selling their products at the graduation.

Meet Drissa

Soon I will post all about the graduation yesterday. It was the best birthday gift for me! Such a blessing to celebrate with the Kakeetos and the women of the Hope House... but for now... here you go.

So... I was taking one of the boys' testimonies for an article I am writing (for Randall House!) I am going to post the article sometime soon after I finish it. What an opportunity! Well, I was taking Bashir's testimony and Drissa asked that I take his... So I want to share it with you... 

Meet Drissa:

I was at home and wanted to go to school. I went to Primary School. I had a supporter who was paying for my school fees. My mother told me, “Let me take you to a government school and just keep the sponsor money.” But my heart said it was not right to do that. One day my mom sent me to fetch water. I brought the water and just left to go to the street. When I was headed to the street, I didn’t have any money in my pockets. I was just walking and I found up 50,000. I bought food with the money and change as well. I started living on the streets, looking for something to eat. Every morning I had to go collect scrap metal. The life on the street was not good. It was very bad. One time I met Auntie Abby. She was walking and told me that she had a programme in Kivulu and I began to attend it. When I started going to the programme, Auntie Abby made a home with Auntie Jess and they asked if I wanted to be in the home. I said yes. They took me into the home and now I am studying, I go to school I play futbol, and they have even made a basketball court. And now I have met Auntie Lauren and she is my best friend in the whole world. Yesterday she bought for me a cake and she taught me how to make chocolate pudding. And it was really sweet. It was so sweet. The end. Goodbye.

Helping build the ending around
the new basketball court!

Posing for a picture while playing
futbol with the brothers.

Plan of Redemptive History

So... since I have been here, I have only read one book. But now I am finally starting my second book. John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life. I have seen it and heard of it before, but never read it. Abby had two copies of it placed on the bookshelf in the VH, and so I finally decided I would check it out. I came across a wonderful quote today that really pinpoints the API ministry here in Uganda... It is a wonderful quote...

"God ordained a redemptive history whose sequence fully displays his glory so that, at the end, the greatest possible number of people would have had the historical antecedents necessary to engender [the most] fervent love for God.... The one thing God is doing in all of redemptive history is to show forth his mercy in such a way that the greatest number of people will throughout eternity delight in him with all their heart, strength, and mind.... When the earth of the new creation is filled with such people, then God's purpose in showing forth his mercy will have been achieved.... All the events of redemptive history and their meaning as recorded in the Bible compose a unity in that they conjoin to bring about this goal."

This quote just makes me think of all of our boys. Caitlyn, the API teams coordinator from California, just moved into the VH-her now forever home. She was asking me what my favorite part has been so far and it is so difficult for me to think of a favorite! However, Abby and I have talked about seeing the transformation in the boys. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we watch these street boys interact inappropriately with themselves, the uncles, strangers, and even the animals. BUT! Then comes the weekend out in Bombo! What a blessing and a refresher. Those boys are from the same "crop" if you will. Ran away from or abandoned by their families and living horrible lives on the streets. However, with the redemptive power of the Holy Spirit, they have been transformed!

And furthermore, it is incredible to watch the uncles work with the boys. The Lord's redemptive power is just so very evident here and it is so encouraging. As my mom says, "Every time I see a picture of the boys, I just pray that each of them will grow up like Uncle David". I hope that you will join my mother and I in that prayer. David and the other uncles have become men of the Word.. They are absolutely devoted to helping redeem these street boys from what they have gotten into-whether their own choice or not, and I pray they are encouraged daily in what they are doing... that their work is pleasing the Father and making an eternal impact for the kingdom.

"My greatest fear is that I become significant in something that has no eternal purpose."

African Time.. and Girls Night!

Soo... I have a confession. I can be a stickler about things at times...and I go back and forth about "African Time"... it is quite a joke here about if you are referring to "African" or "American" time... America, of course, is on time... and African means anywhere between 1 and 3 hours later than planned... usually closer to the 2 or 3 hours later.. haha. Now, I appreciate African time in the mornings when I am running "late" because really, I will be fine! haha... but when I have an agenda, I really miss my American time... for example, today I was hoping to return to this lovely Africa Crafts area in town where a bunch of ladies set up shops to sell their very Africanique goods... baskets... figurines... jewelry... shirts... etc. I was headed that way to buy some goodies for my family (I checked the place out last week)... but the person I was going with was to show up at 2.. and then at 4:30 or 5 we would head to the girls' home.. well, he didn't arrive until about 5pm... : / So yea, I need patience! haha.. so forget the gifts, I have an extra MONTH to get them now! But I'm sure some of you can appreciate "African Time" and some of you "American Time"... I an enjoying the best and worst of both worlds here! haha... *please understand I am not bitter.. it is just an adjustment here!

So the girls' home was an absolute blessing! Uncle Abdul asked if I would like to go to this home and I am so glad I accepted the invitation! Thank you for all of your prayers! I arrived and the girls came to join. I told one of the aunties what I had brought (a devotional, fingernail polish, and materials for beaded jewelry) and she wrote down a quick program and handed it to one of the young girls... She led the entire evening! We first had introductions, then they had a time of praise with their voices and drums (yea!)... it was a blessing to listen to their voices. These girls range from 13/14 to 17/18 and have the strongest, most clear voices! Beautiful harmonies and strength in their music.. such a blessing.

Next I shared the devotion the Lord had laid on my heart. Talked about the alabaster box being broken at the Lord's feet and that our lives are alabaster boxes and that we must break them at the Father's feet and allow Him to guide and direct our lives... It was a lovely time with the girls.

After the devotion we pulled out the fingernail polish. Little did I know that they all wanted ME to paint their nails! I thought they would just grab polish and then everyone paint each others'... but they wanted me to paint all of theirs! haha... It was a sweet time with each girl... (about 10 total)... 

Then it was getting late and so we took tea (warm sweet milk) and bread that Uncle Abdul and I picked up on the way there.. and it was time to say goodbye. The sweet girls sang a goodbye song for me and some even began to cry! At first I thought they were joking because they were laughing.. but Uncle Abdul told me they were serious about missing me. They kept whispering to him asking for me to stay longer or atleast to come and visit again. I gave them my word that I would return and so I will! I look forward to taking pictures the second time around.. and one of the girls said she will teach me to dance so I can join them! haha.. :)

---side note--- found out that they are not allowed to have painted nails at school on Monday... bummer... so Uncle Abdul agreed to take me to the shop tomorrow and return me to their home for a short visit tomorrow so I can provide them with polish remover (which they had asked if I brought... I later found out this was the reason why..)

So.... I look forward to seeing the girls again! They were precious. Very energetic.. and very different from the boys I have been with! But so good... They have some sort of yearly party/celebration in August where they exchange gifts and Uncle Abdul has promised to take me back! 

Well, love to you all. Thank you again if you have stuck with me. Tomorrow I am headed to Grace Fellowship Church where we have our street boys program on MWF. I have remained in the city this weekend instead of heading to Bombo so I can attend church with the street boys and some uncles... that is why I was asked to share with the girls this evening... Will head to Bombo on Tuesday though to share with another group of girls! 

... going to try and sleep now.. have a home of LOUD music and girls SCREAMING next door.. :/ Will shut the window and put in the earplugs! haha... goodnight.

The Extraordinary has Become a Beautiful Normal...

"Live a life less ordinary, live a life extraordinary with me." These are words from a song... they've been stuck in my head the last two days! I was speaking with my dear friend Heidi (I hope you guys have a good idea of her now. I will try to get a lovely picture sometime soon.) I was telling her how I know that I have friends and family back home wanting me to update, but I have kind of settled into a routine and life here just is sinking into normalcy.. I struggle sometimes to update my blog because I feel as if you want all of these amazing stories, when I'm starting to get use to the life of living here in Uganda. And the Lord's incredible work each day has become normal..  Each day definitely has lovely blessings, but I feel like this wonderfulness has just become normal. Which is wonderful in itself. So anyway, I apologize for not updating, but life is becoming more and more beautifully normal here in Uganda. 

What is normal? Hmm... the boda boda rides are still exciting, but becoming normal. One of my favorite normals, actually!

Meeting with women in the Ladies Programme that are coming out of prostitution and ready to start their own business is normal. What an incredible thing!

Loving on boys that have become WAY too sexualized through abuse on the streets is normal. Cleaning their disgusting wounds from whatever they do on the streets is normal.

Becoming disgustingly dirty every day by walking through dust and dirt (and probably much worse things in the slum) is normal.. and even the cold showers at night!

It is strange really.. and even a struggle. I go back and forth between thinking.. "this is normal" to "this is incredible!" The Lord is doing incredible work through David & Abby and the rest of the API staff... but the Lord's immense power and His constant provision and faithfulness is becoming normal. However, it is a beautiful normal. I guess I have always thought of "normal" as "boring". I love that the Lord is blessing me with an extraordinary normal though. An extraordinary ordinary, if you will. It is wonderful. And I love it. 

Extending my Stay...

I have contacted my travel agent about possibly staying longer here in Uganda.. Heidi asked me yesterday, "Has anyone said any reasons NOT to stay longer? Because to me it sounds like your decision has already been made! Why NOT stay?" And since my time in Japan last summer, my motto has been "Go until God says 'no' ". So why not stay an additional month to love on these boys and relieve some work for Abby & David? (who, by the way, have said they would LOVE for me to stay, which is an encouragement of course!) Sooo.. my travel agent said I could fly out on September 4th and return to Russellville on the 5th. I haven't officially confirmed with her yet, but I am planning on doing it soon. The only setback is financial.. and I have some in savings, so I am excited for what may come!!

Girl Time!

I have recently been asked to speak with 2 different groups of young girls. I am very excited about this! This Saturday I will be heading to love on some girls that live in a home here in Kampala. Their ages range from 12-17. They are street girls that were either orphaned, kicked out, or for some other reason living on the streets. I am very excited to share with them and praying that the Lord will lead me directly to what He wants me to share.. Uncle Abdul will be taking me and translating and he said I could do absolutely anything. And plus just hang out and talk with them. I'm going to ask if Abby will let me borrow some fingernail polish and we can paint nails. The girls here LOVE to paint nails, of course! So I thought it would be fun.  That will be Saturday afternoon (and Saturday morning I just might be attending a dog show here in Kampala, no joke!)


The 2nd group of girls lives out in the village. Uncle Peter (who lives in the younger boys home out in Bombo) works with the local Suubi Community Church that we attend on the weekends. He asked if I would come and speak with the girls there some Tuesday. He texted me last night saying that I have been scheduled for next Tuesday evening! He said "You will talk about female issues, sexual purity..." and that was it. haha. So I am definitely praying that the Lord will guide me there as well. I will travel there on Tuesday morning of next week with Nakato (my lovely housekeeper and David's younger sister) for David and Nakato's mother, Momma Joyce, lives out on the land with the younger boys as well. So Nakato will have some sweet time visiting with her mother and I will go share with the girls. Then we will stay the evening on Tuesday and return to Kampala Wednesday.

In Closing...

So, I am going to head on out. We have two graduate students from Arizona that are staying in the house for a few days stay before moving on to Congo for their thesis. Both of them are very sweet and will be joining me to the Ladies Programme and the Street Kids today.. I am excited for them to join us. I'm thinking we will have some yummy food at an Indian/Chinese restaurant close to the Chivulu slum before street program...Abby will be so happy because it is her favorite restaurant! :) I talked about it with the girls yesterday and they are excited.


Okay, off to go over my notes on teaching about Joseph and his faithfulness to the Lord throughout his slavery and imprisonment. Praying that it speaks volumes to the young boys today.


Love to you all. Will soon update with some testimonies of the women from the programme!

Bombo Boys working on the Basketball Court!

So this past weekend was another lovely time out at Bombo... I took some more photos and I took video! You will have to check the API Blog soon to see them! I have tried uploading them here but the Internet isn't working out so well...The younger boys were kind of difficult.. they struggle with feeling goofy in front of the camera, but you will see the other boys don't struggle at all! haha... it is a blast. Hoping you can get a good feel for the boys!

Drissa helping with basketball court construction!

Neighbor, Mark, came to help too!

Kato, my boy!

Monday, excited about dinner!

My little weekend home there through the gate!