"No one has ever become poor from giving"

Finding inspiration to write these blogs to keep everyone informed and up to date on what's going on out here in Uganda can be quite difficult. And then add in 9 hour work days, a two hour commute each way, football Saturdays, trips to the market to buy shoes for kids, lesson planning, and much, much more. Where am I even supposed to find the time to write a blog, while still trying to find time for myself?

I have learned that I can't, and shouldn't, just force a posting, but to wait for that inspiration to come. And low and behold, it finally came this morning during church. 

This season in my walk with Christ has been one of giving. I've found myself no longer worrying about money (finally!!!), especially when it has come to giving. The longer I am here in Uganda, the more I realize how great the need is. Whether it be for a new pair of shoes, a fun day spent at the pool, or just some loving words sent one's way. 

These past few months have been busy as a bumble bee but ones packed full of growth and excitement. 

Girls' Night!

After football Saturdays have been going on for about five months now I decided it was time to bless the girls at school by having a girls night. We spent a Friday afternoon escorting the boys out of the school singing, "goodbye boys, goodbye boys, goodbye boys, may God bless you" before the fun began. We painted nails, played some games, danced, popped balloons and ate some yummy treats. And of course no girls night is complete without fun photos. It was a blast and the girls had the time of their lives. I don't think they had ever received an invitation to a party, which alone sent the excitement skyrocketing. They have continued to ask for another girls night since, while the boys are begging me for a "guys night." Unfortunately I just don't think I can throw one of those for them. 

Anna

Erika and I spent a Saturday at the local swimming pool with a few kids a couple weeks back. We had been wanting to take some kids swimming for a while, so we were beyond thrilled to finally be going. We had planned to take four kids with us, but of course we found three more of my students along the way and took them as well. Seeing their excitement to be in a pool put big smiles on both mine and Erika's faces. We attempted to teach Patrick how to play Marco Polo, but that was an ultimate fail. And the fact that these kids swim as if they are in a pool of pudding, he was never able to tag Erika or myself...even with his eyes open. And thankfully we left the pool just in time to miss a school of at least 40 kids coming to swim. God's timing is always perfect.

Richard

This past Friday Teacher/Auntie Shannon, who taught my P4 class before Taylor and I initially came to Uganda, went to the market ("went to the butcher, with some little money, and flowers in our hair...") to find some new shoes for five of the students. We took with us Issac Ofoyo, Isaac Wamala, Brighton, Ivan, and Collins. It was quite an exciting adventure shoe shopping with five boys. Issac Ofoyo, Brighton, and Ivan made the quickest decision, choosing new school shoes. While Isaac Wamala and Collins took a little more time searching for shoes to wear to Football Saturdays. I was quite annoyed when Isaac Wamala found some Nike Frees, exactly like my own pair, for just 10,000/= ($4). Y'all know how much a pair of Nikes costs in America. The kids were excited about their new shoes and beyond grateful. I was even informed by each of them the next morning at football Saturday that their moms had told them to tell us thank you. You never know what a pair of new shoes could do for a family, and I'm so thankful for those of you who have blessed with money to be able to bless the lives of my students and their families. Next adventure is a search for new backpacks for some of the students. 

William and myseslf

Me, Erika, and Shannon.

Saturday, Erika, Shannon, Erin, Duane, Gorge and myself had all planned to go out to the Cranes football game. As we rushed the kids away from Football Saturday, interrupting the best game we had ever played together (Aunties/teachers, girls, and little boys vs. the big boys), because Duane and George were "sitting in the scorching heat waiting for us," (lies) I heard Jordan talking to William about the Cranes game. I found out that William was going to walk to the stadium to watch the match. The aunties and uncles were all taking Bodas, so I passed my spare jersey off to William and stuck him on a Boda with us to head to the stadium. Upon arriving, I realized he was going to sit outside the stadium and listen to the game (dedication), so I handed him some money and told him to go buy a ticket and to join us. Uganda won 2-0, and I am quite sure William had the time of his life by the amount of dancing he did. We had some fun ourselves!

Erika, William, Shannon, Erin, Myself, George, & Duane.

As I said previously, these past few weeks have been busy ones. And I'll be honest, quite stressful. But this morning as I sat in church Jordan squeezed past me to sit next to me. Then came Suzan claiming the spot between Erika and myself. Patrick then came in pushing Jordan down a seat, sitting beside me. Emma showed up in the row behind us, and then Issac Wamala next to him. 

After a few stressful, busy weeks behind me, I was surrounded by the children I love and adore, in my absolute favourite place. Most Sundays my students sit away from me during church unless I seek them out. But today they each found me and happily spent the church service sitting beside me. 

Uncle George and I were talking one afternoon when he said to me, "you may not realize it, but those students look up to you." And perhaps that's true. Sometimes I feel like they could care less about me, like when they won't listen to a single thing I say to them, or ask them to do at school.  But this morning was a reminder that not only do they mean something to me, but I something to them. It was a reminder that maybe God has made an impact on their lives through me. And that alone satisfies my heart. 

I've found over the past few weeks that Acts 20:25 is spot on. 

"You're far happier giving than getting." 

When we give, we take a risk, but the gospel is to give. We have to get out of our own world and stop thinking of our own needs. I am the solution to some peoples' problems and I can't count the money in my wallet each time there is a need or an opportunity to bless someone. God blesses me with the money I need. The truth is, if I'm not willing to give, I am going to miss out on the essence of the Bible. 

"When you happen on someone who's in trouble or needs help among your people with whom you live in this land that God, your God, is giving you, don't look the other way pretending you don't see him. Don't keep a tight grip on your purse. No, look at him, open your purse, lend whatever and as much as he needs. Don't count the cost...Give freely and spontaneously. Don't have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God's, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. There are always going going to be poor and needy people among you. So I command you, always be generous. Open purse and open hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors." 
-Deuteronomy 15:7-11

P.S. Margret and I built a tire swing and I got this rad photo of her on it. 

Harsh Reality

''I was going to write specifically for my blog on this situation, but I decided I would share a few of my journal entries with you. I feel that these are more personal and share how I was feeling in the moment. I ask you to please take a moment to lift Patricia up in prayer after reading. Thank you

Wednesday, June 18^th 2014

I rolled over in bed and switched on my alarm clock and read 6am. With five minutes to spare I found myself in prayer asking God to use me during the day.

The day proceeded as usual, nothing out of the ordinary at school besides the teachers and myself being visited by the mother of one of my students, Patricia.

We had previously heard about the situation she was about to share with us, but had not realized the severity of it. She proceeded to tell us that the previous Friday afternoon, Patricia was outside of her house, running with friends when she grabbed onto a wire that was hanging from the roof of a house.

Let me mind you, this wire was connected to some electric wires and it had recently rained. Barefoot, and the situation as it was, Patricia was electrocuted. She was unable to scream for help as she stood helpless stuck on the wire, electricity running through her body and the flesh on her hand burning.

Luckily someone was near and saw what was happening and quickly grabbed a bench and wacked the wire with it, releasing Patricia from it. She fell to the ground and was unable to speak or walk. They carried her to the road, gave her milk, and quickly took her to a nearby clinic.

Awestruck by the situation, myself and two other teachers decided to head over to her home that afternoon to visit her. I didn’t ever think I would be heading into what I was about to deal with.

Allan, Patricia’s brother lead us down through homes to their own one room house. I took my shoes off and stepped inside where I was offered a seat on the couch. I scanned the home only to realize I was sitting directly next to Patricia who was sitting couched in a corner.

She was her quiet self. I said hello and asked how she was and gave her a fizzy soda and some sweeties. I didn’t ask, but she began unwrapping toilet paper from her very swollen hand.

The anger hit me. How could this happen? This innocent little girl; electrocuted outside her own home. My stomach turned as I saw white flesh in open wounds and liquid seeping out. The smell.

All I could say was that we needed to clean it and clean it well as soon as possible. I knew we had supplies at school, so her mother got for me a boda and I headed over to the school. It was a short, yet tear filled ride. And one spent in prayer asking for God’s help and strength.

I arrived safely back at her home and began the process of cleaning and bandaging her wounds properly.

I joked with her and asked if I was supposed to be her teacher or her doctor. She sweetly replied, “teacher.” I told her how much I loved her and assured her she would be fine and that all things work together for the good of God.

I’ve washed my hands three times and the smell still sits on them reminding me of this horror.

It’s ripping me to shreds. I can’t keep the tears back. Suddenly those cute baby goats were not so cute anymore, but something that only reminded me of the harsh reality of a third world country. These children deserve better. They deserve to be safe in their own homes.

It’s hard to realize that I can’t always protect my students. And it’s hard to accept the risky lifestyle they live. A lifestyle that they have no choice to not live in.

Thursday, June 19^th 2014

Things didn’t go according to planned today. It was actually my day off from teaching so I just hung out around the school waiting for Sherry to arrive to she could go see Patricia’s condition herself.

At one point I was laying down on a seating area around the school, listening to some music on my iPod.

“It’s gonna be a hard day, so hang on, don’t panic, don’t panic, there simply is no need.”

I should have known at that very moment.

Sherry arrived with some team members and we headed over to Patricia’s home. Upon seeing Patricia’s wounds, Sherry called her surgeon and decided we would take her to the hospital right away.

At the hospital, the surgeon came to look at her wounds. He wrote a prescription and advised me on how and when to clean and bandage her wounds. Simple.

Then we waited for the nurse, who took Sherry, Patricia, and myself back into a room where he poured some different things onto the wounds to clean them. Simple. All was good.

But then he began to inject the wounds with something to numb the pain. The injections themselves had to of been excruciatingly painful. Tears rolled down Patricia’s cheeks and screams began to leave her mouth. I quickly rushed to her side to attempt to comfort her. The pain only worsened. The tears came quicker, cries became louder, and Sherry and I found ourselves holding this sweet girl down so we would could get the injections completed.

Tears began to well in my own eyes as I held a 12 year old girl, my student, down on the table. The sight and sounds became unbearable and the simple fact that my P4 student who is bigger than me and stronger than me, I was unable to hold her down.

Sherry yelled for one of the male team members to come quickly. He took my place and I spent a few moments in the waiting room before walking outside, still hearing her screams, and sitting down to let the tears fall and to spend some time in prayer.

I eventually walked back to the waiting room, hearing only faint cries. I saw Barry washing his hands and he came to tell me they had finished.

My sweet girl was a mess and it broke me to pieces. It was a process to get her to the bus and it was a long ride home.

We talked about Bethany Hamilton after she struggled to use one hand to open a bottle of water. We had watched Soul Surfer in our class. And we talked about Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

We were the last to get off the bus and I walked to her to her home and told her I was so proud of her and that I loved her so very much.

She lifted her chin, looked me in the eyes and smiled. I left my sweet girl in a home that nearly killed her.

But Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I will move to her house and clean and bandage her wounds twice each day. And Monday will be a long day back at the hospital getting a check up. Hopefully we will receive good news that her wounds have healed enough to go into surgery. She will need a skin graft.

I never fathomed dealing with things as such, but I am evermore thankful that God is helping this little girl through me.

I simply pray that she knows she is deeply loved and cared about. That when she becomes a teacher one day, she will reach out to her students with love and care.

Today surely was a hard day, but, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

TIA

TIA -This Is Africa

And with living in Africa comes the risk of contracting Mr. Malaria. 

After nine months of living in Uganda I spent a Wednesday morning walking to a clinic to be tested for Malaria. 

On my commute to school this past Wednesday morning I felt a fever coming on and upon arriving at school felt quite weak. Knowing that at least five kids in our children's home had suffered from Malaria recently, I decided it was best to go get tested. 

Of course I did not want to go alone, so I waited for Auntie Lydia to arrive to walk with me to the clinic. The 24hr clinic was closed (TIA), so we were forced to walk further to another clinic. It was there that I was tested and told that I have Malaria. Typical. 

We trekked back to the school where I packed up my things and made a lesson plan for my substitute teacher, Patricia, who is actually just a student in my class. But hey, TIA. 

DIY heating pillow

As soon as I pulled up to the children's home, Erika was boarding a boda to go to the hospital. Turns out she was feeling sick as well. So we both ventured down to our local hospital where she was also tested for Malaria and my prescription was filled. 

Erika thankfully was Malaria free! We actually had the opportunity to see what Malaria infected blood looks like. The let us look at infected blood through a microscope. It was quite interesting. 

My perscription was filled and we headed back home. Day one was not so bad. Fever and feeling
weak. Symptoms worsened day two when I took over 1,000mg of my medication. I don't know if it was the Malaria or the fact I took in so much medication. I felt miserable and found my way to the girls room where I slept on Eron's bed for a few hours. Once the medication settled I felt much better but quite achy. 

"Forever, no matter what, you've got my
 love to lean on, darling. That's what's up!" 

I had the brilliant idea to DIY a heating pillow. I grabbed some fabric I had previously purchased and headed to Auntie Sherina to have her sew a pillow for me. I then filled it with rice with the help of Margret and Ann Grace. Sewed up the hole and it was cute as could be. And there we warmed it on top of our matooke dinner. Worked like a charm and felt amazing on my neck. 

Margret made me tea and I finally had an appetite to eat some dinner and then went to bed early. 

Today I woke up feeling quite achy, but nonetheless so much better. I have my appetite back, and have been up and about all day. I even ventured to the end of the road to purchase some bread for sandwiches for Football Saturday tomorrow. 

Sharing food with the kids at the end of
the road while we wait the rain out.

Or course it rained hard and Erika and I were able to sit outside a shop and hang out with some kids. We were quite happy about this occurrence. 

I just took my last dose of medicine and kicked Mr. Malaria in the butt. Goodbye, see you never.

Malaria was not as bad as people have made it out to be, but I also caught it early which helped. I am beyond ready to get back into the classroom to teach. Sitting around for three days has been quite boring.

With that, TIA.

It's been about a year now...

It has officially been a year since I first headed out to this lovely land of Uganda. It's been a year since I met my sweet friend Taylor in the Washington DC airport and began a journey that has been far from what I ever imagined it to be.

This past year has been full of excitement and a great amount of adventure. I've learned how difficult it is to wash your clothes by hand every single week and how over time the children will ask to wash your clothes every single day, so you won't even have to wash your clothes by yourself, or by hand after all.

Some of mine and Taylor's hand
washed clothes hung out to dry.

I have attended a real football game and have also successfully lost a child at a football game. Which ended up resulting in one of the most terrifying moments of my life. But the football game itself is also one of my favourite memories.

I have done a bit of rafting on the Nile River which was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It was simple brilliance being able to spend a day on the exact river that the Bible references to so many times. It was such a surreal experience. 

The aunties surprised the boys in the NCFH with
a evening out to watch a Uganda Cranes
football match.

I carried a Jerry Can home from school only to have the kids laugh at me. Thankfully it was empty, because I cannot imagine carrying a full one. I don't know how they do it! I have had my hair plated, which was even more painful than getting a tattoo.

I've said a few goodbyes and also a few hellos. I've made many friends from all around the world, including three other Kelsey's. I was shocked that there could be so many of us in Uganda. I have learned how to cook outside on a charcoal stove at night, and how to kill a rat. I can sew a basket and even peel mangoes and cut pineapples like a pro.

Carrying a Jerry Can home from school.

I have been pushed out of my comfort zone which has been much needed in my life. I've attended a Ugandan wedding as well as Ugandan funeral. I was always curious of what a Ugandan funeral would be like and unfortunately I was able to experience one just less than a month ago.

I have spent days in the hospital playing guitar with George, and more days caring for him as we helped him become well enough to head back to his home village. There has been many difficult times here in Uganda simply because it's a third world country. But at the end of each day I am able to go to bed being so very thankful for this opportunity to serve the Lord. I have made many wonderful friends, have grown in my relationship with Christ, and have simply been able to go out into Uganda and make disciples.

My first attempt at sewing a basket.

My favourtie part about Uganda has been teaching my P3, now P4 class. The students at the New Creation Centre School hold the key to my heart. I absolutely cherish each moment spent with them. Even when they are driving me crazy. These children have changed my life for the better and I have never been happier in my life.

They are a wild bunch of kids, but have so much joy in their hearts. Whether I am in the classroom teaching, walking home with some of the students, or out playing football on a Saturday morning, God is working. I desire nothing more than to share the love of God with the students at the school and to help make their lives the best they can be.

Playing the guitar for George on his month
long stay in the hospital.

And as today marks a year since I traveled here to Uganda, it also marks the first official day of term two at the school. School actually began this past Monday, but for some reason, students don't show up the first week of school. So today was the first day I had most of my students attending. Peter and I began our journey down to Ntinda from Kiwenda early this morning. Our commute took a total of two hours. Our taxi decided to take a short long cut which put us on a ten minute walk back to where we wanted to be. It then took us another ten minutes to catch our second taxi and apparently we were both so worn out from the ordeal that we forgot to say "masow" at our stop, putting us at the top of hill, where we had to backtrack back to where we needed to be to walk the remainder of the way to the school. We arrived right on African time. Which means we were 40 minutes late.

My class the obviously has a
difficult time following directions.

The first day went amazingly well, ending with me teaching all the students a new song for them to sing for the visitors who will be coming out to Uganda this summer. Oh, and my commute home was complete with both of my taxis getting into car accidents. Typical, right?

So here is to the next seven months I will be spending in Uganda and the nine that have already been spent here. It's been an amazing journey so far and I am completely thrilled to see all that God has in store for me during the remainder of the year.

The absolute loves of my life and my favourite part of the week.

Enchanted

Living in Uganda has allowed me to meet many different people who have touched my life. But never has anyone had such a big impact on my life as Joseph has.

Last year, Joesph was in P7 at the New Creation Centre School. Taylor, Izzi, and I became good friends with Joseph over the time we spent in Uganda. After returning back to America, Joseph continue to stay in contact with me; writing to me on Facebook.

When I returned back to Uganda, Joesph was heading off to secondary boarding school and I was not able to see him. So after seven months of not seeing or talking with Joseph, I made a surprise visit to his home over holiday. I had walked home from school with is younger brothers Isaac and Ivan during the first term, so I knew where he lived.

I was unable to notify him that I was visiting, so I simply showed up at his door. I knocked on the window and when he came to the door all he said was, "Oh wow!"

After inviting us inside and giving us a place to sit, he left for a few minutes. Only to return with a pop and cake for Erika and myself. And as much as I wasn't surprised, I was completely blown away by his respect and care.

Joesph is 18 years old, lives in a third world country, and attends secondary school. Most people in America do not even welcome you into their homes with even half of the respect Joesph welcomed us into his home with.

We chatted about school and life and spent a little time playing his keyboard. Issac joined us for a little bit, spending his time playing the keyboard as well.

Joseph then asked Erika and I if we wanted to go up and See the Baha'i Temple. We took a walk up the hill and continued to chat along the way. Joesph showed us around the grounds of the temple and we took a few photos together. 

On the walk back from the temple Joseph told me that he was thankful. I asked him what he was thankful for and he told me that he was thankful for me visiting him.

What I am thankful for is the man that Joesph has become. He is one of the most respectful and caring Ugandans I have ever met, and he's only 18 years old. This man has a big future ahead of him and I hope and pray that he is someone I can remain friends with for the remainder of my life.

Joesph wants to finish secondary school and go on to university to study to become a mechanical engineer. He also has an interest in music and playing the piano. He is learning to play the keyboard bit by bit.

All I have to say is props to Maama Isaac (his mom) for raising such a fantastic man of God.

Joseph reminds me that there is good in the world and that God doesn't just have me here change the lives of others, but he also has me here for my life to be changed by the people I meet. I have been absolutely enchanted to meet Joseph and to get to know him over the past year.

I pray that the other children in the New Creation Centre School can follow in Joesph's footsteps in respect, care, love, kindness, and love for God. That they may welcome all visitors into their homes just has Joesph welcomed me into his.

You're Beautiful

"God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!" That's right--he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you--under them you are perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing...no harm will even graze you. You'll stand untouched, watch it all form a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses. Yes, because God's your refuge, the High God your very own home, Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door. He ordered angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they'll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling..."If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!" -Psalm 91

It was 3am Friday morning as my roommate Erika and I sat in a circle on the bedroom floor of the girls who live in the New Creation Family Home with us, reading this scripture.

Just a short moment before we had received the news that our little Sarah had passed away. Left with confusion and shock, we came together to worship the Lord and thank him for Sarah. Erika passed a sweetie out to each of the girls and we all took a toast to Sarah, each sharing something about her.

When you move to a third world country you are aware of the death rate, but never once does it cross your mind that a little girl who you live with will go to meet Jesus. And early Friday morning we were shaken at the reality that we had lost one of our own.

Ten months ago I wrote a blog posting about Sarah, and in this writing I wrote: "Sarah is such a great asset to the NCFH because of how gentle and sweet she is. I could say this for each child, but it would not be the same without her here."

Not ten months ago, not a month ago, not a week ago, and not even five days ago would I have ever imagined we would be living in a world without Sarah in it. It breaks my heart to know she is gone, but I am peace knowing she is up in Heaven with God. And just as I wrote before, this home will not be the same without her here.

I will forever remember Sarah wrapping herself in my arms time and time again. Or sitting outside sewing a basket while she set her dolls up on the windowsill telling me that she was going shopping, asking me what I wanted from the market, and bringing it back to me. I'll never forget her bright smile and gentle spirit.

And even though this is a sad time, I know Sarah would want nothing more than for us to be happy. So let me get to some of these crazy Ugandan traditions.

First off, it's tradition to "sleep down" (sleep on the floor) with family, friends, teachers, pastors, etc. until the day of burial. So for four nights we slept down in the family room with all the children, NCFH staff, and our visitors...with the lights on. Ugandans seem to fear the dark after a death. I personally fear sleep derivation. Erika and I slept no more then fifteen hours in the past four days. I am happy to say we will be sleeping in our beds with the lights off tonight.

Also, on a side note. The first night of sleeping down I had been reading my Bible while everyone else had fallen asleep. I closed my Bible and turned over to fall asleep myself when I saw water flooding the family room floor. I tapped Erika on the shoulder to wake her up and said, "Erika, there is water everywhere!" We spent the next hour mopping up water that had flooded a room, the dining room, and the family room. It was as quite a mess but also brought a good laugh.

We did eat some fantastic food though! It is also tradition to eat a mixture of cassava and beans when someone dies. It will most definitely remain my best meal in Uganda. The days prior to Sarah's funeral were spent with visitors. Sunday night Erika and I began to wonder what we were supposed to wear to a funeral here. We asked Mama Lydia which of course brought all the mamas, aunties, and other teachers into our room. So needless to say, they hooked us up with some traditional African wear. (We wore these for you Sarah!)

Monday morning  we woke up at 5am to pray and worship before preparing to depart for Sarah's funeral. Before leaving some of the girls played and sang a song that Auntie Taylor and I had written for them this past summer. It was one of the sweetest moments to see them all together singing that special song we'd written for them.

"Home is where the heart is and our hearts are where you are. These memories will flood our minds no matter where we are. Home, home, you've made this place our home."

First we headed to the church the children attend on a weekly basis to celebrate Sarah's life. Her favourite songs were sang, people spoke about her, and the children of the NCFH read words that people from all over the world had written about Sarah and sang Give Us Clean Hands. It was a special time.

 

After the service we boarded buses that drove out to Sarah's family's village where the burial would take place. When we arrived there had to have been over 300 people there. Her grave had been dug and she was lying in her coffin. We found our seats, Margret on my lap, and watched as they wrapped Sarah in her bed sheets, her mother wailing, and placed back into her coffin. A few people spoke, as well as Sherry who brought me to tears speaking about how much she loved Sarah and how much Sarah loved Jesus. They then moved Sarah's coffin into her grave and she was buried. We celebrated with lunch and then loaded back into the bus to travel back home.

We ate PB&J for dinner and all slept down on the floor once more.

Although this was a long, drawn out process, I am thankful to have been a part of celebrating Sarah's life. She's always reminded me that there is good in the world. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know her. She was with us for a short time, but she made a difference in the world during her eleven years. Now she is happy and in Heaven with her loving father.

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted among the earth." -Psalm 46:10

If you feel called to help support the Loving One By One ministry, please head over to our support page as we raise money to help pay for the cost of Sarah's celebration of life. Even $5 makes a difference! Thank you!

 Little Sarah's Support Page

Sarah Singing "You're Beautiful" by Phil Wickham

It's That Time Again

As Term 1 comes to a close and April quickly slips by, I find myself closer and closer to a time when I'm out of funds to serve in Uganda. I currently am funded through the end of June. Although, I continually have been shown by God that I should be here at least until the end of Term 3, which ends early December. That leaves me unfunded for five months.

For the low cost of $400 a month, I am provided with room, board, and transportation to and from school three times a week. So to live here for another five months I must raise $2,000. And perhaps that sounds like a big chunk of money altogether, but that amount covers all I need to survive for five months. That's really not all that much if you think of how much we pay to live for just one month in the US. 

So how about I tell you how I'm serving here in Uganda:

I am a P4 teacher to a class of eleven at New Creation Centre School three times a week. At NCC we educate children from Kampala who do not have the money to attend school. They have sponsors who support them financially to go to school. And then I teach them! I also work with the P7 class once a week to review math. And then I also teach two P4 students in the New Creation Family Home twice a week. So I have a full plate of teaching and I absolutely love it!

Teaching is definitely my main focus here in Uganda. I teach math, English, reading, art, religious education and also lead chapel at NCC every other week or so. 

So $400 a month provides me with the opportunity to have food on my plate, a place to live, transportation to and from NCC, and the opportunity to educate the children of Uganda while teaching them about God and the Bible and making them into little disciples!

And that is that. Well, no, not really. I also began a bi-weekly football Saturday outreach. Every other Saturday I've invited all the students at NCC to come out and play football together. I provided them with lunch and the simple chance to get out to spend time with their friends and forget about the struggles themselves and their families are facing at home. And let me tell you, they love it! They beg me to go out every single Saturday. With the lovely support of a few friends I am able to purchase lunch, bandages, footballs, and ball pumps. But here's the thing, we live in Uganda and we are already on our fourth football. Each ball costs about 40,000/= which is about $20. So it adds up. And providing lunch also adds up. 

So although I do only need $2,000 to get by here in Uganda, any additional support to be able to continue football Saturdays would be such a blessing!

I ask for you to prayerfully consider supporting me financially to continue serving here in Uganda. 

From the initial though of coming to Uganda I've always prayed for God to provide for as long as HE wants me here. So I am confident that all I need will be provided for.

To support me financially, you may send a tax deductible check to the address below, or more conveniently donate at my Go Fund Me account that is also listed below. 

Webale nyo (thank you very much) for you support, love, and kindness.  I am evermore thankful to be serving God and for all he's provided me with. 

Go Fund Me:
http://www.gofundme.com/3g0r7o

Address for tax deductible checks:
Loving One By One
78206 Varner Road, Suite D-294
Palm Desert, CA 92211
(Please do not put my name on the check, but include a note stating it is for Kelsey Riddle)