A Dolly for Ajallah from Laura

As the Superhero Undie Boys received their gifts, Ajallah looked on with patience. The children of the neighborhood were gathering to watch and some started clamoring for a gift for themselves. Little Ajallah just watched. And after all was said and done, and the children began to disperse, little Ajallah and her new-undie-brother continued to sit on their step together. I turned my back to go but...

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Superhero Undies

Three older boys got some superhero undies along the way to finding these younger boys. Right across the street from a little local food restaurant in Kabalagala is the entrance to a slum. I’ve been into the mouth of this place for chapatti and rolex before but never alone and never too deep. As I turned the corner, people almost immediately started commenting about the lone muzungu meandering...

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A Dress for Rachel from Ayden

Rachel comes over almost every day wearing her little dress. You all remember Rachel, she is the youngest sister to Fahrid and Sharon. As a baby she was horrified of me, but since she got her little feet under her she is full of personality and quite happy to copy her sisters in all they do. I handed Fahrid a bag of pineapple, for her family for which she knelt to receive them as is the custom,...

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A Dolly for Zana from Sharon

Baby Zana was oblivious to the muzungu factor and quite content to rest in my arms…until he spit up. His cousin, however, was absolutely certain. No way was he even going to look at us without screaming with fear. We heard he had a fitful night after meeting us. Zana, however, is four months old and has yet to learn to be afraid of things. Yea for me! A few snuggles and off we headed. I just know...

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Fun and Games at The Sanctuary

I knew all the juggling practice would pay off! I promised the children of the Sanctuary Babies Home, the ones who memorized the numbers on the back of the Memory game cards rather than the pictures on the front, a new game the next time I came. I was surprised to find the number of children at the home had nearly doubled. It’s a good thing that this time I brought two new games. Bean...

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Creativity at Shelemiah

Visiting the children of Shelemiah is always a joy. Running to me with hugs is about the best experience anywhere. Makes me miss my grandchildren. But the kids of Shelemiah never fail to greet me in the warmest way. I needed their help this day and they were quite happy to oblige, but we started with some fun first. Balloon animals. Thanks to Scott for leaving these behind, we had lots of fun...

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Mohamed Repairs Shoes

Vocational training has been well received in the Bugembe and Kakira prisons and Carpenter John continues to facilitate their success. We visited one recent “graduate” who established a small shoe repair stand just near the road leading away from prison. Mohamed was a Muslim man who received Jesus as his Savior while in prison. He absolutely needs Jesus to help him change his eternal life in a...

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Iron Bars in Prison

Heidi delivered the Fragrance of the Lord message to the two women in Bugembe prison (12 had just been released). Those ladies were so blessed by Heidi’s tenderness with them. Thankful and sweet. Happy to get their new fragranced goodies and Bibles, they loved hearing that God loves women and that our sacrifices are a sweet fragrance to him. (Remember, no photos of the prisoners allowed.) The...

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A Dolly for Kisakye from Sally

This tiny little girl followed me around after introductions at Pastor Irene’s Nazarene Church. She blended in so well with all the other children except that she was small, and young, and quiet. She didn’t want to hold my hand…she wanted to be held. Who am I to refuse such a thing? I scooped her up and she joined us for the tour of the compound. Setting her down as we entered the house, she stayed...

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Wirika Nazarene Church

I have many memories of the First Church of the Nazarene on Kalamazoo Avenue in Grand Rapids. My family attended this church when I was young. I remember children’s church and the contest to memorize the beatitudes. I won, but only because it was a contest. I remember learning so many of the children’s songs there – songs I sing today with the children in villages. We’d been attending this church...

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Murchison Falls Safari

I always hesitate to show pictures from these kinds of wonderful African adventures. I want you to know how seriously I take the stewardship of your funds. I do not view safari time as anything other than a personal adventure and want you to know that personal money was used for this one. Many of you will say that you wouldn’t mind offering a small portion of your funds for such things, and this...

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My Ugandan Grandmothers

Oh the jajjas, such lovely old women. Life changes little on this remote island between visits. The pineapple is just as sweet, the wild passion fruit is just as tart. Yet these old women seem to creak just a little more. Just watching them rise and lower to the ground – something that must be done several dozen times a day – is painful for me. None the less they welcom e us with joy and insist on...

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Bibles for Bubembe

I love bringing Bibles to people of Uganda. I’m so thankful for all those who sacrifice to make it possible. Bubembe Island doesn’t have population turnover like the prison, but those who didn’t receive Bibles last time were eager to receive them this time. The headmaster joined that group of desirous readers just as the Bibles ran out. Sad. Somehow I’ll be sure that headmaster has a very good...

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Children Love Leslie...And Leslie Loves Them

Red dust of Uganda hid the brightly colored clothing. Characteristic slime dripped from tiny brown noses. Children swarmed but failed to holler out “muzungu.” Something different was happening…something beyond curiosity, something beyond the bright factor. A small flock of young children from Bubembe Island seemed unusually drawn to me. They weren’t afraid, they weren’t clamoring to touch my different...

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Sponsored Child Updates

I had the privilege of visiting the children on Bubembe Island. Vickie and I were surprised and happy to find an addition being made to the school structure. When Vickie and I first began ministry here, there was a school building but no teacher. A year later there was a teacher two days each week…now there is a full time teacher and they need to expand their space. We thank God for his work through...

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Two Lonely Sweaters

Once upon a time, a very long time ago, there lived a lovely woman with the talent of knitting. She lovingly made two beautiful sweaters with her own two hands and she generously offered these sweaters for two children in Uganda. Now every fairy tale must have a bad guy and I fear I may be the one. The number of gifts to bring grew with each trip and these lovely sweaters were often left behind…until...

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Education Ministry on Bubembe Island

Making education available for the children of Bubembe Island has been Vickie’s dream for several years. Just two years ago we found the shell of a school room void of both teachers and students. We began bringing teaching and ministry to this island where no other NGO exists and soon the parents trusted us enough to ask for an education for their children. Formerly, these same parents desired only...

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Fragrance of the Lord

I drove Heidi through the darkness away from the airport and toward my home. Very little light pierced that darkness except for headlights from the occasional vehicle, and yet her other senses were taking in so much. The smells of Uganda are sometimes overwhelming, burning trash and exhaust fumes are the most prevalent. This assault of the senses, one that all Ugandans can relate to, was the starting point for her teaching. The Konoweka ladies gathered nearly on time for their guest speaker....

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Shoes on Bubembe Island

A giant red duffle bag stuffed full of brightly colored flip flops made its way from the U.S. to tiny little Bubembe Island via three airplanes, a car, a ferry, a small motor boat, and the shoulders of Jonathon, Vickie’s nephew. Another bag of cute little plastic shoes joined this one on the ferry. Heidi and Vickie will never know the significance of such a gift to me (see the links below), but the...

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