Le Bags

We have a few fun bags left over from our fundraising for the orphan last fall.

 Let me know if you'd like one and I will gladly send it to you.

Free.  :)

Thanks for supporting kids in Uganda!!

Grandma and Number Ten

Bye bye stinky orphanage!!!   :)

Let the fun begin!

Kathryn, Anna and Grace (with the help of Grandma and Lisa) have been gathering treasures for our trip to Uganda.  What fun to lavish gifts on these kids! 

We have tons of stuff, based on YOUR generous donations!

Clothes and more clothes -- from the second hand store and just. like. new.  :)

Pack it in there, sister!

(That's Kathryn)

 Get those precious shoes ready, Grace!

And, dolls, dolls, and more dolls!

 Good job, girls!

Of course, we are working on the boys' stuff too....

More pics of the Chicago-side packing to come!

Caring for Orphans

God's command to care for orphans looks different for different people. For some, it may not mean adopting. Would you consider caring for one of these orphans by providing them valuable education? Each of these children is cared for by Nsambya -- Betty's orphanage. Each of them is an orphan. Each of them need education, perhaps their only chance at ending the cycle of poverty in which they are trapped. There is no free public education in Uganda. To go to school you must pay for school. If you are interested in helping, leave me a comment or send an email and I will connect you with the right people.

`

Meet Felix. Felix came to Nsambya when he was five months old and is now 4 and a half years old. He is in nursery school and soon, primary school. His schooling costs $480 per year. Oh, those eyes.... SPONSORED

`

Meet Mark. He has a foster family (so he is not growing up in an orphanage) but the family is having difficulty paying for school. He is in second grade. His schooling is $480 per year. I just want to smooch him!

`

Meet Patrick. He is five years old and has been at Nsambya for most of his young life. I met Patrick when we were in Kampala. His schooling is $480 per year. Seth, Betty and I will be covering Patrick's school costs. (and, who knows what the future holds for us with Patrick. I'm just sayin'.....).

`

Meet Karungi. She also has a foster family who cannot afford her school fees. Isn't she just adorable? Her school fees are $490 per year. I love that precious angel look on her face. SPONSORED

`

Meet Abraham. He has been at Nsambya for 14 years. (Sigh) He is in 6th grade and is doing well but needs help with fees. His total cost is $600 per year. Help this handsome young man!

`

Meet Dylan. Dylan's story is very sad. He was stolen from his family. The perpetrator is in jail and Dylan is now in a foster family. His school fees are $480 per year but the family cannot afford to pay for them. Dylan needs urgent assistance. If his needs are not met, he will be returned to the orphanage. Sweet boy.....

`

Last, Claire. Claire is in a foster family in 5th grade. Her school fees are a whopping $700 per year and the family cannot afford that. Claire looks like an absolute delight. Won't you consider gifting her??

`

For half the cost of your flat screen TV or for the cost of two nights in a hotel, you could help these kids. Won't you consider a small sacrifice to make a big difference????

`

"If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother." Deuteronomy 15:7

Street Kids

We spent Friday afternoon helping out at the street kid program. This Christian program works with boys that live on the streets, in the slums. The men and women that volunteer in the program are "uncles"and "aunties". It's a great program, giving hope to the hopeless.

`

The Friday program starts with learning some English in a one hour class. After the classroom work, they play. We taught them to do the limbo (some of them are really good!) and then organized a couple of soccer games. After playing, the boys came into a covered area where food was being prepared for them to eat. (They get three hot meals a week through the program). The boys also sleep under this pavilion area and the organization hires guards to keep the boys safe. While we were at the kids program, I met Mark. I will point him out in the pictures I'm posting later. He was so much fun. We played and talked and goofed off together. He translated from English to Lugandan when we introduced ourselves. Very impressive! Just before we left, he gave me a necklace which I will treasure. I'm going to write to him through Jess so I can hear what's going on with him -- the sweet boy who lives on the streets and fends for himself. God be with him. Use him for Your will.