Webale Nyo

A BIG thank you from the New Creation Family Home children, my P.3 class, and myself for all of your support prayerfully, financially, and emotionally. I could not be more grateful for the experience I've had in Uganda and I could not have done it without your support. I give God all the glory for every bit of it. Without him, none of this ever would have been possible.

God may have sent me to change the lives of these children, but the truth is, they have changed mine. 

My life has been changed for the better.
My life will never be the same.

And I am very thankful for that and I am thankful for you.

Blessed to bless others.

Thank you Uganda

Thank you supporters

Thank you mom and dad

Thank you Brothertard

Thank you Kari and Cassidy

Thank you Izzi

Thank you Taylor

And most importantly, thank you God!

Esther

Meet Esther.

Oh miss Esther, such a sweet soul. She is a wises girl with a smile that can light up the whole world. Esther is Peter's older sister which should say a lot. Both of them are very well behaved with kind hearts. Esther attends New Creation Centre and is in Primary 7, which means she will be going on to secondary school this January.

Esther is not to fond of playing football and would rather be playing dodgeball or reading a book. She also enjoys dancing and especially singing. She has started a band with some of her brothers and sisters in which she is one of the singers who also helps write their songs. She is going to go far in life, with as much potential as she has.

Pray that Esther will continue to do well and school and will grow into the young woman God desires her to be. That she will follow down a path hand-in-hand with God. 

Sharon

Meet Sharon.

Sharon is one of the oldest girls in the house and definitely one of the quietest. Sharon took quite some time to warm up to me, but I kept using the fact that she has the same name as my mom to draw closer to her. She is a stubborn girl with a loving spirit. She continually is coming to me for hugs.

Once you get to know Sharon you find that she is a very loving and fun girl. She knows how to make witty, funny remarks that will always make you laugh. She is a gentle soul.

Sharon is that girl who you want to get to know, but it's so difficult. And not in a bad way. It's an enjoyable challenge. It's fun trying to figure it out.

Sharon is very smart and excels in her Primary 5 class which can make school a little boring for her since there's not the challenge. She has a large amount of potential and I am confident she can pursue her dreams.

Pray that Sharon will continue to do well in school and will be given the challenge she needs. Also pray that she can grow in her relationship with Christ.

Teddy

Meet Teddy.

Teddy is such a sweet little girl with dimples as deep as the ocean. I cannot get over how adorable she is. It took a long time for me to get to know Teddy, because she definitely is a behind the scenes girl and doesn't enjoy being in the spotlight. She is perky and enjoys playing football with the other kids.

She is a very intelligent girl who stays focused in her studies. When she grows up she wants to be a teacher. She is definitely quiet and isn't always right in the action, but the house would not be the same without her. Teddy also enjoys dressing up with her sisters as well as doing her hair.

Pray that Teddy will continue to do well in school so that she can pursue her dream to become a teacher. Also pray that she will grow closer to God continually.

Carol

Meet Carol.

Or should I say, meet Carrot?

When I first met Carol, she told me that her name was Carrot and that her favorite food was carrots. This little girl is definitely a spit-fire and tom boy to say the least. She's always out getting dirty and trying to mess with the boys. She is constantly in some conflict with the boys because of her personality. She is so entertaining to watch.

Carol enjoys playing soccer and especially basketball. She has expressed that she wants to be a basketball player when she grows up. Carol also enjoys dancing and singing, loving being the center of attention. She reminds me of my sister in a way. She is just like Kaitlin was when she was little.

Carol is a crack up and a definitely knows how to push buttons. But that's what makes me love her so much. It's just Carol. Sweet Carol.

Please pray that Carol continues to do well in school and that she can ease down on the competitiveness with the boys in the house. Also pray that she will grow in her walk with Christ.

P.S. Carol LOVES food.

I Will Never Let Go

As I reflect on my time spent in Uganda, I find every day to have been beautifully overwhelming as well as challenging. Not a day has been easy in the least bit and I find myself thankful for it being that way. I have realized that if our lives were easy, we would never grow. God has placed challenges in my life so I can grow and draw closer to him.

Surely there has been more than a few days where I have been angry at God for putting me through what he has. But it is in the end that joy comes and I realize why he deals me the cards he does. I am learning to accept the path God has me on and to eat all that he serves me, The food he feeds me may not always be my best, but it is what helps me to grow strong.

My life has been drastically changed for the better during my time spent in Uganda. I have learned the true meaning of 1 Timothy 3:12. "Don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity."

I have had many opportunities to be a living example of Christ's love to those older than me. They may doubt me, but that is not something to hold me back. I have learned that I must stand up and teach believers, young and old, by the way I live my life.

I have also learned that when you think you have it all figured out, you usually don't. And you should probably be prepared for a couple of pot holes and speed humps every now and then.

I was browsing my Facebook feed this morning and saw a post by someone stating, "Jesus take the wheel. Now put it in first- NO put the clutch in and- Jesus, what the heck?! You said you could drive stick."

This made me laugh because it reminded me of my journey here in Uganda. For one, I find myself singing the lyrics to Carrie Underwood's, Jesus Take The Wheel, while riding the boda through town all too often. And second, it made me laugh because I think God does know how to drive stick shift. I think he knows how, but chooses to take the more bumpy path to teach us the ins and outs of driving. How do we learn if we don't make a few mistakes every now and then?

It's in the crazy drive, speeding down a dirt rode, hitting a speed hump, and flying up out of your seat along with all the other children riding with you. It's in that same ride that the path soon becomes smooth and those in for the ride find comfort in you and rest their tired heads on your shoulder.

And perhaps that is only a bit of what I have learned here, and I know as I return home in California, there will be much more to learn. God brought me here to witness and help others grow in their walks with Christ, but it has been my life that has been changed. Changed for the better.

As I sat in my room last night, I listened to the children writing a worship song together. Henry on the drums, Charles on my guitar, and the girls gathered around singing. It was just another reminder of the place God has taken in the lives of each of these children. A reminder of all that God has done in my life.

"I once sat down and thought of letting go, but my heart all said no, no, no, no, oh. Don't let go. I will never let go."

Mercy

Meet Mercy.

Mercy is a girl who is an old soul and wise beyond her years. I remember one of my first days being in Uganda, Mercy called out her brothers saying, "Would you talk to your Father that way?" This girl knows the Bible and is not afraid to point out how the Bible says we should live our lives. And she has a heart of pure gold.

Mercy is definitely the big sister in the house, constantly setting a good example for her younger siblings. She enjoys having fun and especially loves dancing. When she grows up she wants to be a surgeon. She has told me on numerous accounts that she wants to open a hospital in India as well as Uganda, to help others medically.

She is a very bright girl who has the drive to pursue each of her dreams. Her best country is India; being completely fascinated by it. She will never pass up an opportunity to learn more about the country or talk to others about what she already knows.

This girl has very bold aspirations that are extremely impressive and is such an inspiration to those around her.

Please pray that she will continue to do well in her studies, as she goes into high school at the beginning of the new year. Also pray that she will continue to be a spiritual leader in the NCFH and that God will clear the path for her to pursue her dreams.