Lira Pastor's Workshop

The three day workshop filled Pastor Godfrey’s church with more than 50 pastors coming from all around Oyam North. People are spread out very far in this distant village so gathering 50 pastors is a sure sign that they’ve all traveled from very far away. I’m told it’s not uncommon for a pastor to ride his bicycle more than two hours one way to come to such an event.

We learned about using the assets God has given them in cooperative business, and not to be afraid or jealous in working together to maximize the benefits those assets can bring together. We learned about creating a strategy to get started, and how God is an orderly God so we need to follow his example by being planners. And we learned about making decisions in business using an ethics model for decision-making that very intentionally takes into account biblical principles when deciding which solution to take.

Each of these three topics was delivered on a separate day with lots of hands on practice and examples. Teaching the principles, using real-to-them examples, and then having them practice and apply the principles was a very successful teaching method. Best of all, they learned that they can follow the model I’d set up for them without me….they can do all this learning, collaborating, and implementation without me having to be present. I challenged them to do just that…act on what they learned. Surely the divine-human cooperation is essential in all aspects of this life.

The pastors were not disappointed. Their various expressions of appreciation echoed comments I’d heard before. They said things like “we’ve never had anyone teach us practical ways to incorporate Scripture into our everyday lives” and “we really learned some things that will help us right away tomorrow.” Their expressions of appreciation culminated in giving me a letter of endorsement signed by all the local leaders. Thank you, Jesus, for helping me bring teaching that is valuable to these pastors.

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Pastor Patrick's Home

Mud huts fill in the space that is a small part of Pastor Patrick’s land. A few for sleeping, for cooking, for storage, and the like. A half circle made up the bathing area while cows, children, chickens, and the occasional adult meandered past…while I was bathing. The grass thatch holds up surprisingly well against the occasional pouring rain. Though, this church collapsed during the last big wind and rain storm (“big” being relative). Church members now meet under a tree.

The women work all day long preparing meals for the visitors, meals the size of mountains that no right-minded muzungu could even begin to finish on his or her own. They kindly ensure I have the only fork in the village for each meal. Standard Ugandan fare often includes several of the following: cassava, rice, pocho, beans, greens, peas, g-nut sauce, beef, chicken, and goat. While I do actually like traditional Ugandan food, the fact that it goes in looking the same as it comes out plays with my mental faculties just a bit.

I am truly honored that, although this is a cultural norm, these women would slave over all they do to ensure visitors are well cared for. I was never a very good American wife in the traditional sense – a fact made known before I got married – and I’m quite sure I would fail miserably as a Ugandan wife in the traditional sense as well. I can only stand with my mouth agape as these ladies work tirelessly and endlessly in service to us. Bless them in abundance, Jesus.

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A Dress for Prisca from Kathleen

Clear snot ran down Prisca’s beautiful tiny lip. She cried…a lot. It wasn’t a whiney cry but an “I don’t feel good” cry. When extending my hands making the American “do you want me to pick you up” gesture, she was quite relieved. Children in Uganda don’t get coddled or cuddled much after they learn to walk – surely a crime somewhere. She snuggled up with her tiny black head on my shoulder and settled in. This happened several times throughout the visit (sometimes my job is so rough). Whereas the other children wanted to touch my white skin and run away, Prisca wanted to be up close and personal.

The final workshop morning, I sat in my blue plastic chair watching the day come into fullness. Prisca found her way to me and climbed up. As usual, the Holy Spirit highlights these kinds of children just especially for me. We walked hand in hand into my room to change her into her new girly dress (a perfect fit) and then back to the blue chair. Immediately after sitting down, Prisca sneezed. I felt it on my arm and wiped it away, with only a slight wince, like any mother would. Then Pastor Fred pointed out that “a little got on my blouse,” trying hard to be tactful and kind without wiping at the new problem. Yes, Prisca sneezed and I’m pretty sure every ounce of snot in her entire head was now spread all over my left…um…side. There would be no wiping this up. This was a shirt changer. Good thing I choose mix and match clothing when I go to the village.

The evening of the new dress was also film ministry evening and once again, in the blackness of night, Prisca found her way to my lap while the film played. Ya, gotta love God for kids like this. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Click here if you’d like to sponsor a dress for a girly too. The money is used to provide startup supplies to tailoring training graduates in Kamuli.

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FedEx Delivers 100 Christmas Dollies

Sopping wet is the best way to describe the giant box the FedEx man delivered…at 11:30 pm. The 7:00 pm delivery time…well, this is Africa. So thankful I suggested that Liz put the dollies in bags before shipping…just in case they get wet! Though they had to hold their breath for a couple weeks, these girls and boys were dry as a bone and ready to play. They scootched their way out of their plastic home and danced with joy at reaching Uganda safely.

After a bit of wild energy, each dolly marched to his or her place on the sofa to be accounted for. 76 dollies sponsored….check. 76 girls and boys excitedly waiting for his or her new maama or taata…check. 76 girls and boys staring across the abyss wondering what will happen to their 24 unsponsored brothers and sisters…sniffle, check.

Sponsored Dollies

The 24 remaining dollies looked back at their family with smiles. They were so thankful these siblings would soon have a new home. They danced with joy and displayed their best and brightest faces with a last minute hope for a surprise adoption so that they can join the rest of their family on Christmas day. All it takes is $25 tax deductible donation and one dolly can move to the other side. If you’d like to help a dolly join her family in gift giving on Christmas day in Namavundu, Uganda, click here to make your donation. Give a meaningful gift to someone you love just in time for Christmas.

Our goal was 100 Christmas Dollies, will you help?



Choose the dolly who is calling your name and I'll put your name on her wrist.



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Traveling to and from Oyam North

“You’re early,” said the traffic policeman. Since when is anything in Uganda early? Pastor Fred and I arrived in the bus park before 7:00 am and the first bus was just leaving. In less than an hour our bus was full and off we went. Just outside Kampala the traffic police were somehow doing their job when they stopped us. Because the bus wasn’t scheduled to depart until 11:00, though it was full of waiting passengers, the traffic police would not allow us to pass.

Sitting in the Engen parking lot for the next three hours, we roasted and waited. Past 11:00? We thought a reminder for the driver might be in order…and it was. He’d lost himself in phone charging, snacking, and otherwise chatting with his conductor co-workers. Off we set once again with no real delays. We reached the Lira bus/taxi park without a problem. Pastor Patrick’s smiling face was waiting for us before we even stepped off the bus.

Then…the news that the one and only taxi leaving for Oyam North had left us behind because of the bus delay. Sigh. The only way to get to Pastor’s house was to hire a car, which cost about five times the cost of a taxi. What choice did we have? Our program began the next day and we could not stay overnight and hope for an early morning departure…the taxi had a schedule to keep.

That car for hire was a low riding Toyota and that driver was nothing short of a speedster. We flew over trenches and gullies knocking our heads on the ceiling no fewer than a dozen times. Once we arrived, the driver decided that he wanted more money than original agreed upon. The muzungu factor was a hot topic the whole week – they don’t get many muzungu way out there (and we’re not even called muzungu in Lango territory).

We skip over the three day conference and move to the 6:00 am departure from Pastor Patrick’s house. A boda man took both Pastor Fred and I to the side of the road where we were most likely to find the one and only taxi. A 30 minute wait and the man suggested we move a little closer to the trading center, where we learned that the taxi went to Gulu today rather than Oyam. Sigh, again. For the next three hours we three rode on one boda all the way to the main road in Lira.

The bus was just pulling out so we hopped on the next bus for the two and a half hour wait. Once we left, the roads were good. The roads in the west are paved and clear and many tractor-trailers take advantage of that by barreling down that road…okay, everyone takes advantage of speed on the good roads. No fewer than six serious accidents with big vehicles later – one of which required us to disembark and walk around the accident so the bus could drive on the soft sholder without tipping over – we came across this overturned bus. Only minor injuries but I learned that the driver took off running…he had to. Regardless of whose fault the accident was – most passengers pointed at the truck driver and not the bus driver – the bus driver was likely to be killed for the accident. Can you imagine?

Just 16 hours after departing that morning for what should have been a seven-hour journey and nine short hours after departing Lira town – given the driver’s desire to stop and say hello to every traffic police man, to stop at every roadside market for food vendors, to stop at every accident, to stop at every petrol station with a short call, and nighttime traffic in Kampala…we made it to town in the pitch black Christmas season of Kampala. Another two hours later I arrived safely at home.

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Life in Africa Launch Party

Lots of young people preparing to learn their new skill.

A bright orange tarp spanned the distance between Charlie’s house and the structure next door. The tarp provided much needed shade for those who gather each day to learn their new trade skill. Below the orange cover another white tarp spread over the steep sloping hill. Today, that tarp would be covered with children and chickens sliding down the slippery surface.

The leaders of the Life in Africa group gathered to prepare and serve a launch meal. We’d intended the meal as a Christmas celebration, but the group felt that such plans would interfere with their family travel plans for the holiday. Matoke, rice, irish potatoes, and beef covered every inch of every plate…piled high as is the Ugandan tradition. Preparing such a meal is an all day affair, and like an American Thanksgiving, gone in minutes.

Tailoring teacher, Carol, and her baby.

I delivered a message about the surprise of the Living Hope in 1 Peter 1:3-4. We talked about how Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth but that even before he was born his purpose was to conquer death. Using that example of single-minded purpose, I encouraged the men and women here to be dedicated to their learning throughout the program because of the potential their efforts have to change their communities. Various religions were represented here and all were attentive to the message of hope.

The program was officially launched and, though they’d been together for two weeks already, the number continues to grow. I’ll plan to return bi-weekly to deliver a biblical message along with a biblically-based business teaching to go along with their skills training. I look forward to getting to know them all more personally so that we can pray together and develop a rapport that reaches a bit more deeply than my service as a figure head.

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Light Academy End of Year Celebration

The children of Light Academy finished their school year well. The Academy is under the care of Shared Hope for Orphans and can boast some wonderful changes over this past year including an increase in enrollment due to parents demanding that their children attend this simple, wood-sided school. The school stands in financially for those families with only one living parent, which makes a large majority of students. Through this act, they show their compassion for the children.



25 Mosquito Nets Donated for the Chidren in Boarding School



As with any good celebration, the local chairman was on hand to officially open the event. No event can take place without his sanction and he was quite happy to do so on this special day. Other guests of honor included the mayor, various local leaders, the pastor, and somehow I made that list. Children danced and sang as onlookers gave small coins to acknowledge them. The teachers, when introduced, jested good-naturedly and the children had fun with them as well.

By the time the celebration was nearly complete, every chair was packed with parents and other well wishers. The whole community came dressed in their Sunday best to encourage the school and to share a meal. I’m so very proud of this organization and their care for these children as well as for the orphans to whom they provide a free education, housing, food, and other needs. What an excellent model of what it means to love your neighbor.

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Bugembe Prison Self-Sustainability

Fifty or so men packed themselves into the tiny chapel inside Bugembe Prison to hear what the visitors had to say. These men continue to weigh on my heart. Man after man testifies about the fellowship they find in this place, which is nothing short of amazing. It’s no surprise they find the love of Jesus here.

Today, purely by God’s divine purpose, Pastor Fred joined Carpenter John and me. And with him, Gideon, a former prisoner now pastor. Each of us took a short time to deliver a message and the way they coalesced was beautiful, though we’d not spoken about our messages in advance.

I taught about Jesus as the shepherd and how the sheep know the voice of their shepherd. We likened the parable to children knowing the voice of their parents and parents knowing the voice of their children. Pastor Fred taught about Jesus as being the Way and connected to my teaching by saying that if we hear the shepherd’s voice we ought to follow him because he is the Way. Pastor Gideon talked about how following his voice leads you away from the old life and into new life with him. He used his personal testimony to illustrate the redeeming sacrifice of the Shepherd for his sheep. Oh my, it was awesome!

A quick check in on the skills development projects revealed a few wonderful surprises. First, they’ve added agriculture to the projects. Now – inside this cement fortress – maize, cassava, and various other food life can be found growing in sacks of dirt. The men will no longer eat grits only but their diet will be supplemented with healthy foods as their skills are supplemented with subsistence farming techniques. Further, alongside the many other skills the men are learning, Geoffrey the tailor proudly displayed the products the students made. They’ve all done an excellent job. My goodness I’m so thankful for them.

Carpenter John proceeded to give me the list of things they need to continue the program. I briefly discussed the value of these programs with him in that they now make products for the market that can be sold and then the money used to purchase those very needed items. Self-sufficiency. Of course, it’ll take work on John’s part, but I believe he can easily be the conduit to this program so that our financial aid is no longer needed. Please pray with me that he is motivated, encouraged, and successful in finding a market for these and any other products the tailors make. Amen.

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Maga Tailoring School

Paper clothing of various shapes, sizes, and designs lined the walls of this small but adequate tailoring classroom. Ten sewing machines older than the hills steadily produced neat little stitches. Ten ladies at various stages of learning sat diligently working at their workstations; some cutting fabric, some sewing papers, some drawing.

Maga Tailoring School was opened about a dozen years ago and was said to flourish under its original owner. As is not uncommon, the school struggles a bit more now that the woman with a passion for this business has passed away. While others may indeed love their work in developing this business, there’s nothing like the dedication of the founder to thrive any organization.

Initially the students were a bit resistant to the idea that they were going to learn anything about business, after all…they’d paid to learn about tailoring. We began by talking about developing a business concept that does two things: meets a customer need (or two), and somehow distinguishes their product and service from all the other tailors. Keep in mind that all these ladies can see in front of them is learning a skill to earn money for their family. Thinking beyond this basic need is quite foreign. We talked about what might have happened if God would have simply plunked a few random things he created down somewhere in the universe, what if he hadn’t had a bigger plan in mind. The ladies started to see the purpose of planning a bit more clearly.

By the time the teaching was finished, the ladies and the director were full of questions, ideas, and suggestions. I challenged them to continue thinking about their business concept all the while they learn tailoring and promised to return if they wanted to know more. I simply love watching the doors open and the blinders come off. Thank you, Jesus.

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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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