Life in Africa

I was pretty proud of myself for recognizing the proper stage from which to alight in this place called Gayaza, to which I’d been only one time before. The bodas took Charlie and me a few kilometers off the main road as I watched for milestones by which to remember where exactly to get off and close the distance on foot. The ladies of Namavundu, and their new teacher, were waiting at Charlie’s house for our next pre-launch meeting.

The plan was to develop a framework by which to guide the group in its operation over the next few months. The ladies didn’t entirely comprehend the need but as time passes and we refer back to this framework to guide decision making, I believe they will come to understand the value. We began with simple vision and mission statements that help the ladies see what their lives and their community can look like if we achieve all that we set out to achieve.

Vision: To see the people of Namavundu make a significant contribution to their families, community, country, and to the body of Christ.

·         Family – Developing skills increases the chance for creating income to sustain families.

·         Community – Improved living standards including health, education, and safety.

·         Country – Training others how to become productive in tailoring, a model to citizens.

·         Body of Christ – To see God in everyday life through hard work and evangelism.

Mission: That every member:

·         Master the trade skill of tailoring.

·         Connect the Gospel to productive work habits and a Christ-like home life.

·         Become innovative and creative so that your work is set apart from the rest.

·         Learn to find markets and sell work and products throughout Uganda.

·         Become self sufficient both in their skills and in their homes.

That giant blue santa pack is stuffed with sheets
used to give the group practice after they learn
to sew using the paper sacks.

100 Christmas Dollies just doesn’t seem like the right name for the group anymore. When asked, the ladies decided on the name Life in Africa for their group. Perfect. May I introduce, the Life in Africa women’s group of Namavundu.

We met in town the following day to begin collecting the needed supplies for the tailoring training. Papers, needles, measuring tapes, cloth (old bedsheets), and more were just a few of those things needed. Armed with their new stash, the teacher was charged with getting the small group going so that they would have some simple work to show the rest of the community as they invite them to participate in the tailoring program.

Between now and December 9, launch day, they’ll be diligent in forming the relationships needed to be sure the program reaches as many people as possible. Counting down to launch day…

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Black Friday Dollies

 “Pick me, pick me,” shouts this little dolly from his lookout. The retail store shelves are jammed with toys and other gifts just waiting to be tasted, tested, tried, and otherwise touched with hopes of going home in your shopping bag. Remember Woody and Buzz Light Year as they anxiously hoped for some child to pick him off the shelf? Well, these dollies long to be picked off the shelf too. They’re excitedly waiting for their long voyage across the ocean to be delivered on Christmas day to a child living in a country far, far away.

So many people will shop the popular retail stores in the early morning hours of Black Friday. Lots of great deals on lots of needed (and unneeded) items await the throngs. Only those brave enough to stand in the cold and patient enough to wait in line will receive their reward. And while the process of shopping with friends and family might be lots of fun, some of you might also come away wondering about the time and money spent on such gifts.

Consider a new kind of gift, one with eternal meaning. Consider giving a child in the slum of Uganda a dolly for Christmas…perhaps the only toy he or she may have. Consider giving a hot meal with meat…a luxury to the families in this neighborhood. Consider giving the people ongoing skilled trades training…so they can provide for their families. But most of all, consider giving the people in this neighborhood a fresh perspective about how much God loves them and has not forgotten them…the gift of the living Hope (1 Peter 1:3-4).

100 Christmas Dollies is a project designed to give a whole community hope. For your $25 tax deductible gift, we’ll deliver your dolly and so much more on Christmas day. Currently 73 of the 100 dollies are sponsored and we’d like you to join us in reaching the 100-dolly goal. As a matter of fact, we’re believing God for more than 100 sponsorships so that Charlie can expand his business while his wife participates in the skills training program.

Are you getting ready to shop on Black Friday? Instead, sponsor a dolly for your children or grandchildren; for your sister, mother, or wife; for your girlfriend, coworker, or boss. These adorable, hand-made dollies make great gifts with lasting impact. Help us reach our 100-dolly goal – only 27 more to go. Click here to join us and sponsor your dolly today.

·         Watch the story of the Christmas delivery event as well as ongoing project updates by clicking here.

·         Check out the blog for dollies previously given to the children of East Africa.

Can you hear your dolly calling your name?

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Faith for 100 Christmas Dollies

When Charlie’s wife and two other ladies came to our introductory meeting on the simple clay and brick veranda of his home, they could not understand that they would not have to pay for the learning or the supplies. They kept doubting until we told them that we believe Jesus loves them and that there are lots of people in America who believe the same thing. Because we believe in Jesus, we want to help them shine like the people God made them to be.

We gave the ladies a week to chew on the idea of skills training and to decide exactly what they thought their community could most benefit from. We also prayed over the 100 Christmas Dollies event for full funding of the project. While we’re 73% funded at present, we’re believing in faith that we will not only be fully funded but that we’ll have more than 100 dollies sponsored as a means to help Charlie expand his business as well.

A touch-base meeting with Charlie revealed that tailoring was the first choice for skills development. We made a plan to return to the community for a bigger group meeting and I gave Charlie an assignment.

Charlie cannot be the leader of this project lest he neglect his current income generating responsibilities so he needs to talk with the three ladies about their leadership role in this project. Then the ladies need to identify the teacher and discuss the terms of the teaching agreement. They need to identify the materials needed to begin, the guidelines for group management, and some goals. So much goes into beginning a community-wide project and these ladies will need to be the leaders of that initiative.

Our next meeting is scheduled for a date that allows the ladies to do the prework needed to answer all the questions. When we meet, I’ll have a time with the leadership group first and then we’ll gather the community participants for a project launch meeting. I’m excited about what God will do in this community not only in terms of growing relationships with him, but also in terms of skills development, leadership, critical thinking, creativity, and resourcefulness.

If you’d like to help 73 other people reach the 100 Christmas Dollies goal, click here and make your tax deductible donation now.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (Ecc 9:10).

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100 Christmas Dollies Adoption Night Event

You could hear them calling your name, couldn’t you? Each dolly was excitedly waiting for his or her new family amidst a crowd of other dollies and I can bet each was shouting over the other to get your attention. I’d even bet lots of you had a moment when one particular dolly really did speak to your heart. I’d even bet that either you snatched him or her up before the official adoption began or that you agonized a bit over the idea that someone else would chose the dolly you spotted first. That’s what it’s all about isn’t it? Creating an environment where our hearts are moved to action as ambassadors to the King.

If you didn’t get to attend, take a look at this blog to find out more details about the program and find the event on Facebook. We praise God that more than 60 dollies were sponsored the night of the event. More are planned for Sunday at church. And still more trickle in slowly. We really need to reach our goal of 100 Christmas dollies before I can tell Charlie and his community that we’re standing with them and so that the preparations for Christmas and skills training can begin. If you’d like to be part of the 100 Christmas Dollies project, click here to sponsor your dolly and follow this story as it unfolds throughout the year.



Beautiful Aunt Jean



I really must take a moment to express my deepest appreciation for the people who made this all possible. Maama and team – you are simply amazing! A huge thank you to Liz for her love of Surprised by Hope and wanting to partner with us to make a difference in Uganda. Another huge thank you to Aunt Jean for speaking on my behalf and finding joy amidst the pain…a sentiment we have shared together a few times before. Thanks to Marya for the photos…I’m telling you…they made all the difference to me. Thanks to everyone who helped set up, provide yummy treats, and otherwise make this event the success. And…thanks to YOU for sponsoring dollies to help Charlie and his community know the love of Jesus. We can make such a huge difference in the world when we all work together.



Cutest family: Becky (Rick's daughter) with grandkids
Noah, Addie, and Lucah



(I think the photos on this blog post were taken by Marya Cross. Thank you for making it real for me even though I couldn’t be there.)

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The Dolly Story from the Eyes of Their Maker

You all know how Leslie became a missionary in Uganda. Not long after she began her ministry, she asked if I could make something to give the children there. They were playing with sticks and stones, empty water bottles, paper cups and trash.

 

Doll lover that I am (I still have a few myself) I worked on a pattern for a cloth doll that was simple yet sturdy. After several attempts, the dollies you see today were created - four at first, then a few made from Leslie's husband Rick's shirts. More dollies were needed so the real work began.

Eight dollies were shipped to Uganda along with a package of toilet paper, a pricey item to purchase there. These dollies made it to the post office in Kampala, but were held hostage there for over two months due to a small glitch in the address. Praise God, they were eventually released.

The first dollies were given to little girls in Uganda. When they were displayed at craft shows here people wanted them for themselves and were given the opportunity to sponsor a dolly for $25.00 and see a photo of the child who received it.

The dolly ministry began to grow to include little boys and I needed help with materials to make them. An appeal was made to my Sunday school class at First Baptist Church in Palmetto, FL. These wonderful ladies have cleaned out their sewing boxes and provided almost everything needed to make the dolls - fabric, thread, yarn, buttons, stuffing, ribbon. Two of the ladies made dozens of little dresses to clothe them and some have helped in their assembly.

A request was made (Leslie knew I couldn't say “no”) for 100 dollies for this event. Over the last several months we got them all made and shipped to MI. I hope you fall in love with one of them and sponsor her for a precious little girl or boy in Uganda.

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Boy Dollies and Girl Dollies of the Bible

Each time a dolly is delivered, a child-sized Bible story is delivered too. Many times the children don’t understand English so we’ll ask a nearby maama to translate if she can…but they get a little story and a prayer none-the-less.

Eve

Eve was the first woman God created to live in this world.

Eve gave birth to the fist children in God’s world.

Here is your first little dolly to remind you that God created you too.

And that He loves you so much that He sent His son, Jesus, for you.

Mary

Mary was the mother of Jesus.

Jesus was God’s son, His child.

You are God’s child too.

Love this little dolly to remind you how much God loves all His children, especially you.

Hannah

Hannah spent many years praying for God to give her a baby;

Then God gave her baby Samuel.

Hanna gave her precious baby to God and he grew up to be a godly man.

Let this little dolly remind you to pray to God.

He will answer your prayers and help you grow into a godly woman.

David

David was a shepherd boy,

he watched over the animals.

God had plans for David to become a great king.

God has plans for you to be someone special too.

Daniel

Daniel refused to worship idols,

he prayed every day to God because he loved Him.

If you pray to God every day,

he will keep you from sin too.

Joseph

Joseph had many brothers, they didn’t like him.

They sent him away to Egypt where God made him a great leader.

God can turn things that seem bad to you into good things.

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Dollies at My Maama's House

Step through the doorway at my maama’s house and it takes but a minute to recognize

the smiling dolly faces staring through the plate rack

(why there’s a plate rack in the laundry room, we’ll just not ask).

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The Making of the Dollies

Finding just the right fabric for the tiny brown bodies
is important to be sure they withstand the harsh conditions
in which East African children live. And even then, there’s no guarantee.

The shiny machine must zigzag its way

through the various fabric thicknesses

including the four layers of dress fabric that crosses over the shoulder.

I’ve been told that even my father helps stuff these dollies.

I can imagine him stretched out on the lanai

jamming his finger into an arm or a leg to be sure these babies are fully formed.

I found several dollies hiding in a dresser drawer.

I think they were afraid of the surgery required to add their hairs.

An evening of HG TV might be just what my mother needs

as she carefully stitches the boy hairs and the girl hairs in place.

The many fabrics donated by the many women

will eventually become the dresses and overalls

chosen specifically to compliment the skin tone of each dolly.

Buttons, thread and other notions are carefully selected

to compliment the adorable dresses and overalls.

Finally, the clothing is sewn together with all the accent pieces

and the dollies are dressed for their journey.

A trip to the post office finalizes the process.
Getting 100 dollies into one box is no easy task.
Can you say “Can of Peanut Brittle”
(you know, the kind that snakes pop out of and scare you half to death)?

100 Christmas Dollies

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The Dolly Making Committee

A sweet letter from my maama.

Hi Leslie,

The ladies from my Sunday school have been so generous in providing everything needed to make the dollies for little girls and boys in Uganda. They have given fabrics and trims, yarn and stuffing, even money to help with shipping.

Carol and her quilting class, and Norma have sewn dozens of little dresses and shorts to clothe the dollies. Ladies from our Thursday morning breakfast group met at my house to finish the last 34 of the 100 dollies for your next trip to Uganda.

Susan and I stuffed the little bodies, Judy P. cut ribbons, Juanita dressed them and Nancy added all the bows. They are now ready to begin their trip to Uganda and the loving arms of their new little mommies.

This little dolly ministry has been a privilege for me and my class. We praise God for this opportunity to share the love of Jesus to these little children.

Much love,

Mom

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100 Christmas Dollies Project

Giant green trees covered with twinkly lights, bright presents wrapped in sparkling bows, and yummy smells wafting from the kitchen. A Christmas celebration of Jesus’ birth, for so many families, looks and smells just like this. One place in particular, though, will have none of these things. But why?

People living in the slums of Uganda are not afforded the privilege of even a basic schooling let alone Christmas trees and wrapped presents. At most, some parents have a third to sixth grade education. Their lives and their children’s lives manifest the cycle of poverty associated with a lack of knowledge about how to use the gifts and skills God has created in them and the assets He has placed around them.

With your help, Surprised by Hope will bring biblically-based business teaching and skills training to families who live in these slums. This teaching will help adults learn about God as their provider and how to start or grow a small business so they can become providers in His image. As a result, their children can attend school and break that cycle of poverty. We’ll welcome the supernatural presence of God as undeniable and, therefore, create an environment where entire ways of living and thinking are forever changed.

Our goal is to raise $2,500 so that we can bring this teaching. We’ll raise these funds by connecting children with children…through dollies. We hope to secure sponsorship for 100 dollies at $25 each – don’t worry, we have girl dolls and boy dolls. We have winking dollies, dollies with braids, and dollies with all sorts of other fun features. Your collective sponsorships will provide training for families in this slum, a full meal on Christmas day, and 100 dollies for 100 children.

When delivered, children will hear an age-appropriate story from the Bible, the story of the first Christmas, and learn how their new dolly relates to that story and can serve as a forever-reminder of God’s love for them.

By choosing and sponsoring a dolly, your children can be part of changing the future of Ugandan children forever. Thank you for joining with the 99 other dolly sponsors to change the lives of an entire community of people in Uganda.

Liz McKay, Director of Children’s Ministry at New Life Christian Fellowship

Leslie Mosher, Founder of Surprised by Hope

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A Dolly for Maria from Anonymous

Eyes closed. This special boy dolly is given anonymously in memory of Jeremy Droge who went to be with Jesus on July 24…way too early. Maria’s daddy went to be with Jesus too early too. Tiny Maria told me that she's about nine years old and her daddy went when she was about five. Maria stays with a nearby friend because she has no biological family who will take her. A very common life for children in Uganda. When I asked Maria if she remembered how sad she felt when her daddy went to heaven she was very firm in her reply. She remembered.

I told her that a girl in America lost her daddy too and that this dolly can be a reminder to her to pray for Kaitlyn’s heartache. She received that dolly with the world’s biggest smile. She promised to pray for Kaitlyn and Kaitlyn’s mommy whenever she saw that dolly (which will be often).

Scripture refers to death metaphorically as sleep, and that’s why this particular dolly is wearing his clothes facing the eyes-closed side. But one day, Jeremy’s wife and daughter will see him again – and Maria will see her daddy again too – and those tiny bibs can be turned to the eyes-open side of the dolly.

I am all too familiar with the pain this family is experiencing, particularly as I approach the fourth anniversary of Rick’s death, and I feel so honored to be entrusted to give this particular gift of love. I only wish I could do more. Shannon and Kaitlyn, my heart both aches and rejoices with you.

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Charlie's Story Part III

Charlie’s story is almost identical to more than half the population of Uganda. How is a young boy supposed to earn a living with no parents and a jjaja who is too old to care for him? He made his home Nakasero Market where people have known him for more than 20 years.

Before leaving Nakasero today, Charlie carefully disconnected the raw wires that powered his land line phone and wrapped it carefully with a plastic bag (just in case it rained). He put those phones in a big bag and took that bag to someone for keeping overnight (likely paying him for such safekeeping).

We boarded the taxi for 1,500 each, then took a boda for 1,000 each to his home. Every day Charlie spends 5,000 UGX on transportation from home to work. Remember he’s making 250 UGX per hour (at least during that one hour I was there). You do the math.

What does your door look like?

Charlie lives in Namavundu, a suburb of Gayaza just outside Kampala. He’s working to build his own house but, honestly, he’s been working on it for a looooong time. There are still no doors or windows, the floors are dirt, and there’s no plaster on the crumbling brick walls. Now that I think about it, there wasn’t even a door to secure his family.

Charlie thinks he’s about 32 years old but because his mother died when he was 14 he doesn’t really know for sure. He never knew his father but he had a kind stepfather, although he left after his mother died. Charlie’s grandmother took care of him and sent him to school for as long as she could but he never finished high school

Charlie is one of dozens in his slum community who face the same challenges. Your dolly sponsorship and lots of prayers will change this whole community.

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Charlie's Story Part II

Today Charlie sold 5,000 UGX in airtime during the one hour I sat with him waiting for our time to go visit his home. He gets 5% of that as income. That means Charlie earned 250 UGX in one hour…not even enough for a penny gumball. The economy isn’t the only thing that’s keeping Charlie from prospering. The increasing use of the internet and other electronic tools means people don’t need scratch off airtime cards like they used to.

I challenged Charlie to think about how he would expand his airtime business with complementary products or services. He immediately suggested MTN Mobile Money (the way we send money to people across the country via phone service), selling phones, and having an actual shop nearby rather than the street corner.

 I asked Charlie why he’d never done these things and the answer, no surprise, was that he didn’t have the capital required to do so. The Mobile Money program requires something akin to franchise fees that he just can’t afford, not to mention the capital needed for rent, phones, and other materials.

Wouldn’t it be awesome to use money from every sponsored doll over 100 to help Charlie prepare for the inevitable change in his business? Yep, I teach that God is abundant and has no end to his wealth and I BELIEVE IT.

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Charlie's Story

The street corner across from Nakasero market where I buy my fresh food boasts several men working in various fashions at all hours of the day every day of the week. Alongside the more official businesses, these men are boda-boda drivers, airtime sellers, guides, and an assortment of other neighborly professions. Charlie is no exception.

So this wasn't the best shot I could have gotten...
Charlie is always smiling for me...except when he told me his story.
Check the next post for that story.

Charlie stands in his ball cap and apron without fail. Honestly, I don’t know if I’d recognize him without that cap. Charlie sells airtime for the various carriers (MTN, Warid, Airtel, Utel) and makes a very slim margin on those sales. But, because he’s been working on this corner for more than 10 years, Charlie has a clientele built around his little business.

Early this year Charlie and the others sharing his street corner realized the economy was declining beyond what they could handle. People are buying from the internet more, they’re not coming to Central Kampala to shop, and a host of other reasons keep them away. To compensate for this downturn, Charlie began displaying and selling work clothing from his small corner. Overalls, hardhats, and work gloves are carefully displayed on the bright pink wall that is the hallmark of Nakasero market.

Even so…even working six days each week for more than 12 hours every day…even adding additional income opportunities to his small business…Charlie could not pay the school fees for his children.

Finding people in Uganda who need money for school fees is not at all uncommon. Finding someone who works as hard as Charlie and STILL can’t pay school fees is also not that uncommon. The economy here is turned around such that no matter what you do it’s tough to survive. But it’s people like Charlie, people who value work, praise God for what they have, do all they can to provide for their families, never ask for hand outs…these are the people I love to help.

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