The view from the couch... (not much!)

I have been, for the last two weeks, spending hours on my sofa due to a bad back. As lovely as the sofa is, and as helpful as it has been for my back, I am frustrated with the mental and physical "do nothing-ness" of my life at the moment. Pain and inactivity make one extremely tired, and it is hard for me to do any more than the minimum required of me. I keep thinking "I'm not doing enough!" "I'm not raising all this money!" 

And then, in my morning quiet time, I always come back to this: God has given me all the vision for all His projects in Uganda. Literally NOTHING I'm doing there was my idea!  (When I tell people I have no idea what I'll be doing in Uganda on any given trip, they are shocked to discover that it's true...!) Which means that anything I do, as long as I'm listening to Him, will be what He is after. My American self feels like active, doing-something-all-the-time fundraising is what's required. But God has the money, right now. He's just waiting for the time to release the donor(s). And I really don't need to stress... Really!

My thoughts are always with my loved ones in Africa, and my heart is always profoundly grateful for my friends and family here who lift Ten Eighteen and our Ugandan friends up in prayer, and support us with donations. We were able to wire $7,000 to Arise Africa this week to break ground on the primary school, which is awesome, and also sent $1,200 to the hospice for their community day cares for the rest of 2010. God is so faithful! 

On YouTube

Check out the Ten Eighteen video on YouTube!

Craft fairs for your Christmas shopping

Just got all the applications and checks off for 3 craft fairs, so mark your calendars (if you don't want to host a party!):

Our Lady of Lourdes School Fall Festival, Oct 17  12:30-3:30

Wakefield High School Mistletoe Market, November 13  all day

Sanderson High School Holly Days, Dec 4 all day & 5th afternoon

We hope to see you there!

Updated website - with "DONATE NOW!"

One family, 5 sponsorships!

I am not a technical genius... and not totally in love with my web design and hosting company. But it is very affordable, and I have finally gotten the hang of their "improvements."  So now... drum roll!... we have a totally updated website, with a photo album page (check out the montage to the right) and also an online store where you can donate NOW via Paypal to sponsor a child, build a school, or help the hospice.  Please check it out and give me your feedback - I want it easy to use!

I had a wonderful opportunity to share what we've been doing in Uganda with my friend Rita this morning - we both shed not a few tears!  It is hard when you are caught up in 1st world busy-ness, and Uganda seems so far away... But it is always in my mind and heart, and sharing with others what life's like there, what the needs are, and how they can help just makes me so so excited!  (So if I can share with YOUR group or family, just let me know!)

The benefits of a bad back...

Kids in Namuwongo

I have been meaning to update the blog and website since returning last month, but life has been as life always is in the States, and I haven't spent the time. Also, my web hosting site has made "improvements" that have made working on the website a serious challenge. But, in an effort to see the silver lining, having had quite severe back pain lately, and spending the day on the couch, I have been productive and gotten the website all updated! (I'm very proud of myself for persisting, because it was not fun...) I am debating putting a store on the site to take donations for sponsorships and other things - thoughts anybody?

So actual updates...

I will be doing several craft fairs with the Ugandan handcrafts this fall, including Holly Days at Sanderson High School, the Fall Festival at Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, and the craft fair at Wakefield High School (pending acceptance). We have several parties pending also - and would love to add more! (Tuesdays are ideal for me, but I'm flexible!) Oh, and I'm doing an open house at my mom's in Florida on October 9th. I would love to speak at your youth group, Bible study, women's group, or church (or anywhere else!), just let me know.

We are wiring $7,000 to Arise Africa next week to start on the primary school! That is really awesome - only $193,000 left to go. haha... Seriously, Father gave me the idea for the school, and it was confirmed on several occasions, so I'm trusting HIM for money.

We are also wiring money to Hospice Jinja for two community day cares a month for the remainder of 2010. This is a great outreach for the patients, and Ryan was especially keen on supporting and expanding the program to reach more patients.

An update on our university student, who Ten Eighteen is sponsoring for all his ancillary needs - there was a strike at Makerere University for a couple of weeks at the start of the term, so he (and the rest of the student body) lost some time. However they are back in class now, so I expect he is doing well and adjusting. It is a phenomenal opportunity for him - his mother lives in the slums and is a member of Nawezakana. I will post his letter here - I think it is important for you all to know how so little can so change a person's life forever.

May God richly bless you for all your thoughts, prayers, encouragements and donations! Thank you so much...

Jennings (and Ryan, and Zeke)