Ten Eighteen

We're moving! (The blog, that is!)

2012-01-25T18:09:00.000-05:00

We're moving to Wordpress... Find us here: Ten Eighteen Inc.

I'll move some posts over to the new site, which will show up as "new" but, of course, won't be. But new stuff will be coming soon, so thanks for following us over!

What can we do in 4 months?

2012-01-17T11:40:00.002-05:00

In a little over 4 months we will be returning to Uganda, and I'm so excited! It looks like I will only be able to make 1 trip in 2012, so I'm going to make it count! (Not that I don't always try to do that, but you know what I mean...!) So we've got a lot to organize in the next 4 months, and some money to raise to make it all happen.

Here's what's on the agenda so far:

* We're going to have a party for the kids from the 2011 basketball camp! I'm really excited about this, and I think a lot of our volunteers will be able to join us. This is a great way to make sure the kids know that we really care about them, that we are still thinking about them, and that we are really interested in their lives and how they're doing. We're going to ask Nesco to once again cater our lunch, and I think we'll make it a big one, with meat and soda and even dessert.

* We will be meeting with the women who have received micro business grants, and talking to more ladies and reviewing their business proposals.

* We will have a lunch for the ladies of Nawezakana, also catered by Nesco. I'm really excited about this, as it's hard to get them all together, but always an amazing time when we do.

* Because a medical team is coming to work in Namuwongo on May 18, we will be leaving Fathers House to make room for them, and going to Jinja. While there we will be visiting with Hospice Jinja, and spending a night at the Arise Africa orphanage in Bukaleba. We are all excited to get to spend a lot of time with those precious kids!

* After I leave on May 23, Ryan will staying another week and working most days with Ray of Hope. She's not sure all she'll be doing, but Emily assures me there is plenty for her to do, so she's really excited to report back after she returns at the end of the month.

As always, we could sure use your help to continue our work. We love monthly donations, but one time gifts are awesome too! They allow us to have the parties and meals for the kids and ladies in Kampala, bring treats to the orphans in Bukaleba, and have the ability to help as needs arise when we're there. Every single dollar counts, and every single dollar can make a real difference.

It's 2012 - are you sponsoring a child this year?

2012-01-03T18:46:00.000-05:00

Ten Eighteen sponsors several dozen children, and we need your help! School fees have gone up this year (their school year is Jan-Dec) because of the incredible level of inflation in 2011. We are committed to continuing our support of the kids we've been able to help - but we really need YOUR help to do it. Won't you consider sending a child to school this year?

For the cost of 2 pizzas a month, you can sponsor a child.
For the cost of 3 movie tickets, you can sponsor a child.
For less than the cost of one tank of gas, you can sponsor a child.

Child sponsorship with Ten Eighteen isn't just about paying a little bit and an unknown child goes to school. We know these kids. All of them. And many of them get one meal a day - the one they get because they're in school. Your sponsorship isn't just about education, although that is vital for these children to be able to get out of the slums... It's really, honestly, about their life.

Life in Uganda. My descriptions are not melodramatic... because they're true. And you can, literally, save a child's life. Ensure a child's future. And show God's love.

Won't you help? They really, really need you.

2012 trip is booked!

2011-12-26T16:24:00.000-05:00

With only one trip on the horizon for 2012, I'm happy to have it booked. This will be my longest interval, and it's good to know we'll be back on the lovely red Ugandan soil on May 6. It looks to be a different trip, but I'm resisting the urge to plan too much - the Lord always, always directs my steps once we're there, and other than logistical necessities, I do much better to leave day to day stuff to Him.

I do know we'll spend several days in Jinja before leaving, and since my trip there was unfortunately aborted last trip due to Zeke's hospitalization, I'm extra excited to spend time there. We're planning to spend a night out at the orphanage in Bukaleba, and I'm just so excited to spend good quality time with the kids out there. And the guest house is so lovely... AH! Very excited!

So please pray for our trip, for me to not over-organize, and for all our steps to be ordered. And for no one to get sick! We so appreciate your support and prayers, always.

Christmas in Uganda

2011-12-01T08:16:00.001-05:00

We have entered the crazy season here in the States. Black Friday is now Black Thanksgiving, and shopping is the athletic event of choice. Honestly, since I hate crowds, it keeps me away from stores except Tuesdays at 10am, but retailers provide jobs, as do the manufactures of all the stuff people are buying, so whatever floats your boat...

But in Uganda, they aren't consumed by consumerism. It's kind of hard to be when Umeme (the power company) is having rolling black outs every day and even the nicest homes and businesses are without power a lot of the time. When you don't have money for beans for dinner, or rent for the month, much less a Christmas gift for your child. When your parents have died of HIV/Aids or cancer or TB. When you are running an orphanage on ever-dwindling donations, lucky to provide posho (corn meal mash) and beans once or twice a day.

No one can do everything. But everyone can do something. Will you? Will you make a donation this month to sponsor a child's school fees, or pay an elderly widow's rent, or pay for fuel for the hospice teams? Will you make a box for Operation Christmas Child at your local church or through the web? Will you donate shoes or children's clothes?

I know 2011 in the USA has been hard for a lot of people. And I'm just going to post some photos to give you a teeny tiny bit of perspective. Not to guilt you into anything... Just to inform and educate. You are blessed beyond the wildest dreams of most of the world. If for absolutely nothing else than that you can have clean safe water to drink from any sink, hose, or water fountain in the land... Just something to think about.

What are you thankful for?

2011-11-27T08:05:00.001-05:00

This long weekend here in the States, besides being shopping madness, is Thanksgiving. Technically that was Thursday, but sometimes it takes awhile for things to get back to normal and for some retrospection to begin. I was pondering what we in our first world lives should be thankful for that they don't have or can't imagine in Uganda... So here's a quick, partial list.

* Plentiful, stable, electricity for all.
* Clean running water that can be drunk from any faucet anywhere.
* Toilets with sewers or septic.

* Air conditioning and heat.
* Well maintained, open roads where people drive in their own lane, obey stop signs and traffic lights, and stay more than an inch or two from your vehicle.
* Exhaust systems on vehicles, especially those in front of you!

* Police officers who don't stop you for a bribe because they need tea, but who do their sworn duty to protect and defend.

* The best medical care in the world.

My son's hospital room at IHK - they were nice and he got well, but it wasn't at all modern.

* Having more than one pair of shoes, especially when doing sports.

*Trash collection.

* Proper handling of meat for sale.

* Babies not left to die.

Are you feeling like your life is too hard these days? A lot of people are, I know. And compared with what you've been used to, it might be. But take a few minutes, just these few, to get a little perspective. We are so blessed here... Beyond the imagining of the people in these photographs. That is enough to feel thankful for.

Mistletoe Market is over - still need Christmas gifts?

2011-11-20T08:47:00.001-05:00

Mistletoe Market was yesterday, and we raised $535 for Uganda! Thanks to everyone that came by - it was great to introduce you to Ten Eighteen and our great partners in Uganda.

But that was the last craft fair fundraiser, and if you missed it, you might still want to donate for 2011, and receive some awesome Ugandan handcrafts as a thank you. There are a couple of ways to do that:

* If I'm your friend on FB, I will be posting some photos soon. You can comment on any photos you'd like.

* Go to the website under "contact" and send a message. I'll be posting some photos on there as well, or you can look (but not shop) in the store. Our PayPal link is apparently possessed, and I haven't had time to call their tech support to fix it. But once you contact us, I will email you back and we can go from there.

* After Thanksgiving, if you're in the Triangle area, we can arrange to meet or you can come by.

* If you're at App, my daughter can bring you items.

We're very flexible!

I would also LOVE to speak at your church or small group in 2012. I'm pretty booked up now, with the holidays, but after Jan 7, things are opening up. Just let me know!

Thanks again for all your support in 2011 (and 2010, and 2009...!). We couldn't do what we do without you!

Opportunities to give

2011-11-13T10:40:00.001-05:00

It is a fact of life that our tax burden often dictates our end of the year behavior. I'd like to say it's Christmas joy, but in difficult times like these... it's more often Uncle Sam that nudges us over the edge. But anything that encourages you to give works for me, and I'm a firm believer that God will use your generosity to plant even more seeds of generosity in you, and that's a "vicious cycle" I can live with!

So here's what you can do between now and December 31:

Nov 19, Mistletoe Market at Wakefield High School
9-4:30

Arrange an "open house" visit

Arrange a home party

Just write a check!

We really need your help. The economy in Uganda is rife with inflation - over 40% in 2011 alone. Especially while the dollar is quite strong, help us get funds to our partners. Your $100 donation would have brought 200,000 shillings in 2010. Right now, that same donation will be exchanged for 283,500 shillings. Since the combined total of the rent for the two elderly widows we support is 85,000 shillings a month, you can see that the strong dollar can really help us help them right now.

We are also slowly building the primary school. Building supplies have gone way up, but again, your donation will go almost 1/3 farther than before. Now is the time to help!

People are really hurting. I know you feel less well-off than you did a year ago. But even with a small donation you can make a big difference. Please help us help them...

Help them eat.
Help them have a home.
Help them have shoes.
Help them go to school.
Help them get medicine.
Help them help the dying.

For us, it's rarely a matter of life and death. For them, it almost always is.

It's a brand new day...

2011-10-17T11:04:00.000-04:00

There sure is a lot going on in the country right now, a lot of it bad. Anxiety is running high, and you might feel like you couldn't possibly do anything to help others while you are struggling yourself. Let me encourage you with my two favorite words in the Bible: BUT GOD.

Giving is one area where God asks you - ASKS YOU - to test Him. Yes, it takes faith. Yes, it's scary. But God promises that you will be rewarded... What more assurance do you need? I can tell from my own life that, when you step out in faith to give to those less fortunate, God will bless you in ways you can't even imagine yet.

And more good news: it takes so very little to help so very much in Uganda. Consider this:

* You can send a child to primary school for less than $100 a YEAR. That's less than $2 a week!

* You can send a child to secondary school for about $300 a year. Most Ugandan children stop in primary school because they can't afford secondary school, and so are destined for a life of poverty.

* You can pay the rent for a widow or single mother for under $20 a month.

* You can sponsor an orphan at Arise Africa for $30 a month.

* You can pay the salary of a social worker at Ray of Hope for about $75 a month.

You can donate any amount to help build the primary school in Bukaleba, or to help pay for the fuel for Hospice Jinja, or contribute to a grant for a woman in the slums trying to start or grow a business. And you can participate in Project Friendship by making friendship bracelets, donating for friendship bracelets, or just buying a tee shirt to promote the cause.

Bottom line, there are millions of people in Uganda that need your help. Ten Eighteen works with literally hundreds of women, children, orphans and the dying. For the cost of a couple of Cokes, you can make a big difference. Won't you help today?

And as always, we thank you for your encouragement and prayers!

First fall event fast approaching!

2011-10-02T16:29:00.000-04:00

Wow, Fall has really made herself known! I'm loving this weather, and it's perfect for our first fall craft fair event.

WHERE: Our Lady of Lourdes Church & School, Anderson Drive Raleigh
WHEN: 12:30-3:30

Last year was a great day, great turnout, and lots of fun stuff for kids. Come see the market items we brought back, donate your 10 friendship bracelets for a Project Friendship tee (or buy one for $10), and make a donation that will literally change lives.

I won't see you there, but Ryan will. Come by and say hi!

Project Friendship Tees!

2011-09-29T13:26:00.000-04:00

In one of those middle-of-the-night, sick and on drugs moments, I designed a Project Friendship teeshirt! And (unlike some of those middle of the night brilliant ideas) they came out great! They'll be here next week, so here's how you get one:

Don't worry, the print is clear on the tees... just a low pixel save!

Donate 10 friendship bracelets. This is a one-per donor deal, although you can buy however many you want! (how's that for a subtle hint?)

Make a $10 donation to the primary school in Bukaleba that we're building.

At this time we don't have youth sizes, although we can order them if there is a demand. We got a great deal on the adult tees, so that's all we will have: S, M, L, XL.

If you don't live in Raleigh, there will be a shipping fee, but we should be able to use padded envelopes and regular mail, which will make it minimal (unless you order a dozen... ahem...).

We're so excited that Project Friendship seems to be gaining ground every day - don't forget, $1 goes a LONG way in Uganda!

Project Friendship is catching on!

2011-09-27T14:03:00.000-04:00

It's catching on! As of today we have one Project Friendship group in Wake Forest, and another group that will be making bracelets during their scheduled small group time each week. We've got Appalachian State University students making bracelets. Wake Tech and Southeastern students are making bracelets. Homeschool students are making bracelets. How about you?? Are you making bracelets?

This is the PK, in honor of our purple-loving Irish friend Patrick Kelly!

Our first opportunity to share Project Friendship as a fundraiser will be October 9. We'd love to have your handiwork there! It only takes 15 minutes once you get the hang of it, and you can do it while watching tv. Even guys are getting in on it!

Remember, a little makes a BIG difference!

Project Friendship update

2011-09-25T14:59:00.000-04:00

I made a dozen friendship bracelets yesterday. One of them took me a long time because I used a wheel (probably not doing that again!), but I can make the simple ones in about 5-8 minutes... So in general, this was a very small amount of time invested. A young friend made 3 for us. Our plan is to ask for a $1 donation for each, so that's $15.

Sounds like a tiny bit of money, doesn't it? Well, to us it is. But here's what $15 can do in Uganda:

* Pay the rent on a home in the slums for one month.

* Sponsor a child at Arise Africa for one month.

* Pay more than half of a primary school child's school fees for one term.

* Feed a large family for a month.

Please don't EVER think that being able to contribute only a little time or money isn't worth it. It can literally change a life!

This is Justin (Olum in Acholi) in the yellow. His mother was working in a hotel in Kampala as a dish washer. She made 1000 shillings a day, working 7 days a week... That's about 37 cents. A day. See what a little can do??

Thanks for your support!
Blessings!

Craft fair season begins!

2011-09-23T10:56:00.000-04:00

Fall is here (officially) today, and I'm not sure I'm ready! The good news is, the craft fairs begin in just a couple of weeks. We raise a lot of funds at these, and we'd love to have your support!

Here's our schedule again:

Oct 9 - Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (Ryan will be doing the fundraising for this one)

Oct 29 - St Raphael's Catholic Church

Nov 19 - Mistletoe Market, Wakefield HS

Dec 3-4 - Holly Days, Sanderson HS

We hope to have friendship bracelets available to give donors at these events, so please consider making a few for us!

After mid-October, I can do home party fundraisers as well. We'd love to tell you about all God is doing in Uganda, and how you can donate to help.

We wired the school fees for this term to Ray of Hope last week, including the funds for our 2 university students! Ten Eighteen is now sponsoring 36 Ray of Hope kids' school fees. Stay tuned for some bios and letters from the kids.

We will be wiring the funds to Hospice Jinja next week for the fuel for the remainder of 2011. With fuel costs rising in Uganda (as here) they are getting hit hard at a time they are trying to start a second mobile clinic unit, but we are benefitting from a strong dollar there, so our costs haven't risen much so far. I was so very sad not to visit with the wonderful people at Hospice Jinja this last trip, as they are some of the very best, most loving, incredible people I know.

I am hoping to be able to make a large contribution to the school in Bukaleba before year end. The funds raised during the craft fairs will largely go to the school, so we would love for you to consider making a year end donation. We are also trying to organize a benefit concert, although we have nothing firm yet. Details will be coming if and when it pans out! (As always, leaving it all in God's hands!)

Thank you all for your support! Reminder: If you are sponsoring a child, please send your monthly checks! And if you committed for another cause (grants for women, the school, etc) we'd love to get your check! Hopefully the Paypal link will work soon on the website, but until then, we have to rely on snail mail.

Blessings!
JW

New School Term in Uganda!

2011-09-14T09:13:00.000-04:00

The new term starts on Monday for our 36 sponsored kids! Unlike most kids in the US, kids in Uganda are excited if they get to go to school. I say "if" because, although schools are technically free, they aren't, and the fees are out of reach for more than half the children there.

Why are free schools not free, you ask? Because of the "fees"... The fees aren't technically for tuition, they are for books, supplies (including toilet paper), and uniforms. This last is, to me, especially frustrating, because even if a child can meet the rest of the fees, without the uniform they can't attend. And while the uniform portion is only once in a year, it can double the amount due for that term. Since school fees can be more than twice (even four times, for the higher grades of S1-S4) what a month's rent is for the families in the slums, this puts school out of reach without sponsors.

As I've posted before, we picked up 15 new children to sponsor during the trip last month. All of these kids attended our basketball camp, and all are smart, enthusiastic kids with dreams of their own. All of them are behind in school - a 15 year old in Primary 4, for instance - but all of them just long for the chance to prove themselves and get out of the slums.

The Ugandan system is much like the British system, and not everyone is even allowed to go past P7. There are exams which allow you to proceed, and the A levels and O levels in secondary school which basically determine your future. You can't go to University, or even to some vocational schools, without good marks on these exams.

Won't you help us provide these kids with the best opportunity to improve the lot of their family tree? With your help they can get a vocation or even a degree. They can become the teachers and doctors and lawyers they dream of being...

As always, thanks for your thoughts and prayers!
J

Donations and Christmas shopping

2011-09-04T14:31:00.000-04:00

First a big thanks to you - and God! - for a recent rash of donations. After picking up 15 more kids for school fees, but not knowing where exactly that money would come from, I am humbled as always to see God's hand at work. We've gotten $2225 in the last few days alone, which, with the money we left at Ray of Hope towards the fees, will cover all the fees for the rest of 2011! He's awesome, huh??

Secondly, here's the calendar of the local arts and craft fairs I'll be doing, giving you a chance to come by, see all the great stuff we brought back for donors, and get your Christmas gifts handled with one easy donation!

Men's bracelets - great gifts!

October 29: St. Raphael Catholic Church, Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh. 9am-5pm Parish Activity Center

November 19: Wakefield High School Mistletoe Market. 9am-4:30 pm

December 2-3: Sanderson High School Holly Days. 9am-5pm Saturday, 11am-4pm Sunday.

I'm thinking there's a fall festival at Our Lady of Lourdes in October as well, but I haven't been contacted. I'll add more if they come up, and I am definitely available to do home parties from October 19 through mid-December.

The launch of Project Friendship

2011-08-31T07:23:00.000-04:00

You know those Klutz books that tell you how to do all kinds of fun child-like things like face painting and paper airplanes? Well, there's one on friendship bracelets - go get one!! We need you, and we need you now!

Here's the history and the plan for Project Friendship:

Every since my first trip to Uganda and Fathers House in 2009, I have come home with at least one friendship bracelet made by Jenneth or Keren. I have kept them all on until the literally fall off (I still have one on right now from my March trip), and all but once they've made it to the the next visit. These bracelets have been a constant reminder of what I'm doing - what GOD is doing - in Uganda, the people I love, and the wonderful men, women and children I work with there.

In planning for the basketball camp, I had the idea that we would make a bracelet for every child participating. As these things work in the Kingdom, friendship bracelets were big at New Life Camp this year, where 4 of our staff worked over the summer. So I bought 2 huge bags of floss at AC Moore, and when we got to Uganda we settled in to make the bracelets. We ended up with 53 bracelets, thanks to about a dozen craftsmen at Fathers House, and we were able to give one to every child as well as to the volunteers who helped us.

What we told them was, "These are called friendship bracelets, and we make them for our friends. You are all our friends, and we love you! We want you to remember the camp, and what we taught you about God, and all of us, when you see them; and we will wear bracelets too, and remember you." It was really awesome, actually!

So then I thought... Well, they're really cheap and easy to make. These kids are making them all the time anyway. Maybe we can collect donations of them, and use them to raise money here, and also take them over next trip for all the people that we are able to love on there. And so... Project Friendship was born!

We would love for you to make bracelets in your spare time (watching tv, talking after dinner, putting off cleaning the potty...) and send them to us! Any kind of friendship bracelet, in any colors, will do. (Uganda colors are red, black and yellow, which are always popular!) Make them with love... and say a prayer for whoever receives that bracelet, either through a donation or as a gift in Uganda.

Thanks so much!

Home, but missing Uganda!

2011-08-27T21:37:00.000-04:00

After 32 hours of travel, and being awake 46+, we got home. Thankfully it was yesterday - if we'd traveled today, we'd be stuck in Detroit! After our non-scheduled adventures (like the stay at the hospital!), we were pretty ready to be back...

Zeke's room at IHK - his mosquito net was more like a farm - more inside than out!

I really hate that I didn't get out with the hospice in Jinja, and to the babies home in Bukaleba. Thank you all for your donations of clothing and toys - rest assured they all got to their intended recipients, as I was in Jinja for about 4 hours, and had taken all the donations with me. Everyone was so excited and grateful!

Rosemary - last trip, as I didn't have my camera at the tea!

I got updates on all our previous grant recipients in Namuwongo, and all the ladies are doing very well! I got to visit with a couple of them at our tea.

One, Rosemary, had opened a stand at the Oweno market, and had her money stolen. Since then, Oweno has burned down... So I gave her another 300,000 shilling grant to begin again. She had been doing well, and, as she has HIV/AIDS, she needs to be able to have a booth where she can work rather than trying to hawk her clothes up and down the street.

Angela (last trip, March 2011)

Angela is selling beans, and has been able to pay her food and rent, as well as save some money! She looked great (she came to the tea in a formal gown!), and is very happy.

Nulu, our business woman of the group, is still growing her produce stand. I didn't see her, as she had a baby week before last, as well as having a sick child at home.

We also spoke to Miriam at the tea. Ten Eighteen pays school fees for her daughters. She is from The Congo, and 4 of her relatives were killed recently by the rebels (Joseph Kony's LRA mob). But she is doing very well, up to 60 kilos from 42, and doing great on ARVs (anti-retrovirals for HIV/AIDS). Her dress making business is thriving, and she wore a beautiful dress she'd made. Next trip, I'm having her make me one!

Ryan with Harriet, one of our new recipients of school fees

Thanks for all your prayers and support! Please consider donating, especially for child sponsorships for school fees. We picked up 15 new kids, for a total of 35 in Kampala... We need your help!

Heading home today - with some big ideas!

2011-08-25T01:58:00.000-04:00

Our internet here has been spotty this trip, as has the power. I probably could have updated a few times, but once it's on, the couple of areas the signal reaches gets swamped with people trying to check their email and Facebook, and so it becomes slow. I will do a complete update when I get home!

We had a great camp, and were at least able to deliver our donations to Arise Africa and Hospice Jinja. Most of you know our visit to Jinja was cut short (it was, in fact, 3 1/2 hours long!) because of Zeke's admission to IHK for pneumonia. He spent 3 nights there, and fortunately the private rooms have another bed for family, so we didn't leave from Tues night til Friday afternoon!

I had the great privilege of attending a gathering of about 20 of the regular ladies from Ray of Hope, and sharing tea and cookies and testimonies with them. It was really moving, and the strength of the women was palpable. It is amazing and humbling to see how so seemingly little help has made such a huge difference in their lives.

We are traveling home, starting at 8pm tonight, and will arrive in Raleigh at 7:20pm EDT, Lord willing and Hurricane Irene allowing... I really don't want to be stuck in Detroit, of all places! So prayers are welcome!

Couple of projects we're going to pursue when we get home:

PROJECT FRIENDSHIP: We made and distributed 53 friendship bracelets at the basketball camp, and they had a big impact on the kids. We would like to solicit donations of bracelets from you all - we will have them at our events for Americans, and we will bring them next time we visit Uganda. More to come!

THE "A-THONS": We are going to try to organize a couple of "a-thons" at local schools to raise money for the primary school in Bukaleba. Not sure what - walking, dancing, etc. - as we are in the research phase. If any of you have helped in one of these, we welcome your input!

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers! This has been an unusual trip, but we know God has been in control and in charge, and are thankful for all He's done.

And today is the day!!!

2011-08-04T07:39:00.000-04:00

Ryan is all packed...

After almost 17 months of planning, prayer and preparation, we are about to embark on our first ever Ten Eighteen team missions trip! Our first flight today is at 12:15pm, and we arrive in Entebbe at 3:15pm tomorrow (EST - 10:15pm local time), so we are in for the long haul. Fortunately KLM is a great airline, and we will be well taken care of.

So here's what we'll be doing when, if you want to check in and know what to pray for:

Travel: Aug 4 and 5
Camp meetings and planning: Aug 6 and 7
Basketball camp: Aug 8-11
Visits to the slums (group): Aug 8 and 10
Travel to Lake Mburo: Aug 13-14
4 of the team TRAVEL back to US: Aug 14-15
Travel to Jinja: Aug 16
Out with hospice team: Aug 17
To Bukaleba and orphanage: Aug 18-19
Travel to Kampala: Aug 21
Visit with ladies in the slums about grants, school sponsorships: Aug 22 and 23
Travel back to US: Aug 25-26

Our prayers for the camp specifically are that the 40 kids and dozen volunteers will a) come to know God better (or be saved!) through our theme of "Life's Not Fair;" and b) enjoy 4 days of fun, basketball and fellowship.

Our general prayer is that everyone stays healthy, and for safe, easy travels.

We so appreciate your help, donations, thoughts and prayers as we embark on this great trip! I know that the lives of the 3 girls who have never been will be forever changed, and that the 3 of us who are "regulars" will continue to be knit to the people of the great country of Uganda. Thank you all so much!

Packing day!

2011-08-02T08:17:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I went through about 2000 lb of clothes. OK, maybe not a literal ton, but definitely multiple hundreds! We've had a lot of donations over the last year, and Zeke and I didn't take any extra bags when we went in the spring... which means lots and lots of clothes!

I also got 3 more basketballs, for a total of 16 now, and 5 frisbees. So today, when we pack, we will have to find the suitcases amidst mounds of things that are to go in them!

Ah yes, packing day! We are allowed 13 bags of 50 lb each, plus 2 carry ons apiece. Which means we will arrive in Uganda with 25 bags from very large to backpack size. haha! Here come the Americans!

One of our number, Erica, is SOOOO excited about the flying part of this trip. (Love you, Erica!) We have told her the flying part... well, sucks. But she is still excited about it. So here are some pictures in transit - you judge for yourself if it looks like fun!

In Amsterdam... having fun...

Yep, this is fun!

They look good because they've just started out... this is Uganda on the way home!

Tick, tick, tick!

2011-07-30T16:01:00.000-04:00

T minus 4 days and counting... We are spending our last Saturday (of the summer, really) in Beaufort, enjoying the water but also cleaning in preparation for closing the house for a month. Hard to believe the time is right on us!

Tuesday we are having a packing party - trying to figure out how to get all our stuff, camp stuff, requested stuff, and donated stuff into 13 bags weighing 50 lbs or less each. It will actually be the first time all 6 of us are together, and I'm hoping Ryan will give us a quick run down of the camp plan, so that the others can be praying about it, and preparing for our meetings next Saturday (our group) and Sunday (our group plus the Ugandan volunteers). We are really trusting the Holy Spirit to guide and lead us, as we will have 40 precious kids ages 6-15 who are eager to learn about Him, and basketball. We covet your prayers for strength, wisdom, and for us to have a clear rhema (timely) word from God during our devotions.

While the camp is the main focus on our trip, we will also be going down into Namuwongo (the slums) 2 of the afternoons after camp to distribute clothes to Ray of Hope families. This will be a shock for the 3 girls who haven't been before - it's always a shock to us, who have been many times! But it is also an amazing experience, and I know it will really impact the girls.

AND - we ARE doing fun stuff too! We will be going to the National Theater and Friday markets, attending the fabulous Ndere Dance Troupe dinner theater, and going on a one night safari to Lake Mburo (which involves crossing the equator!). Not to mention swimming and hanging out with all the great people at Fathers House!

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!

A week!

2011-07-28T15:12:00.000-04:00

We leave a week from today! So exciting! How can you help?

* Donations for grants to women in the slums.

* Donations of clothing and shoes.

* Donation of funds for medical supplies (or of medical supplies).

* Still need a working laptop!

* Prayer!!

As I said, we've been taking this week to enjoy our families, but starting Sunday or Monday, the heat is on! We've got a 4 day camp for 40 kids to plan/finalize, 13 bags to pack, a bank run, a lot more shopping to do... I'm used to our regular trips to Uganda, and can get everything together quickly. But this is a whole new ballgame!

We appreciate all your support! Please pray for us Aug 4-15 (Ryan, Amanda, Erica and Catie), and Aug 4-26 (me and Zeke), esp for easy travel, manageable jet lag for the 3 not used to such big time zone changes, and no illness while there.

9 days and counting down...

2011-07-26T11:15:00.000-04:00

Picture caption: this picture is taken in front of what is considered a "nice" school (that wooden building behind the kids) outside of Jinja, near Bujagali Falls. The ATV adventure company we rode with is sponsoring the school and updating it, adding a play ground, and generally helping the community. These kids are students there.

Wow, this summer has flown by! We leave in 9 days, and have a LOT to do before then. We will be packing our 13 bags on Tuesday afternoon as a group, so we can spread the weight around and bring all we can of the donated items. I've still got some shopping to do to fulfill some of the requests from friends in Uganda, as well as important things like getting the cash from the bank (you can only exchange hundred dollar bills, 2006 or newer, with no marks, folds or tears... so it's a pain!).

The members of the team seem to be having their "last hurrahs" this week, with 4 of us out of town on vacation with families. Since the 4 college-age girls all have to start real life back up as soon as they return home, it's nice to get that last fun time in.

We have the final details on the camp:
40 kids: 10 ages 6-9 (5 each girls and boys), and 30 ages 10-15 (also evenly split)
8 local volunteers
2 translators
6 Americans
13 basketballs
58 tee shirts
20 pennies
2 face painting kits
75' of mural paper
dozens of markers (for the mural)

Ryan's planning the camp, and devotions and other activities. Nesco is ready for lunch 4 days straight, with 56 people each day. We've figured out how to have enough safe water for everyone.

So I think we're getting there! Come next Thursday afternoon, whatever we don't have is not going! This is expensive - it's costing Ten Eighteen about $3500 to put on the camp, so we'd love to have your help in funding it. Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers!

So much stuff!

2011-07-16T18:22:00.000-04:00

Wow, we have a lot of stuff to take to Uganda already, and the collection process hasn't gotten into full swing yet. We have received the basketballs and volleyballs, most of the 58 tee shirts, and the mesh bag and ball pumps. We have all kinds of arts and crafts stuff for face painting and for the kids to do a 75' mural during the camp. The donated clothes continue to come in. Taking some meds and clothes for Fathers House, and will be getting a lot of bandages and other medical supplies. Oh - and our OWN stuff!

We are under 3 weeks at this point, and I'm starting to get very excited! 4 of the kids going have been working at New Life Camp until yesterday, so now they have some time off. One had surgery yesterday, so we are praying for her quick healing. We'll be doing some travel to the coast in the next couple of weeks to spend time as a family, so I'm trying to get all my to-do's done here and not be distracted there.

I had 2 opportunities to see God at work yesterday, and both came about because of a very simple thing: when I heard God speak, I obeyed. Now, I don't deserve or want ANY credit for that... No more than I want credit for breathing. We should be listening and obeying, all the time, just as naturally as breathing. While God doesn't owe us any explanation, it is really amazing when we get to see a seed planted or a person set free. Keep you ears and heart open - you never know what will happen!

Note - in the photo above, the boy is chewing on leaves. Notice that his stomach is distended with malnutrition... When they are hungry, they chew on leaves or, if they have a few shillings, sugar cane, which keeps hunger pangs at bay but doesn't provide any nutrition.

3 weeks!

2011-07-13T09:41:00.000-04:00

Holy cow, we leave in 3 weeks! Much progress has been made, but being our first team trip and camp, there are a whole lot more details than usual. Praying for clarity!

I have ordered the 58 camp tee shirts, 10 basketballs, and 6 volleyballs (for Vicka, not for the camp). I've verified that we cannot get an extra baggage allowance from Delta, so we will have 13 bags of 50 lb each to work with. Our transportation during the trip is all confirmed, we have 36 kids signed up (room for 4 more), the catering handled, and our Ugandan friends are joining the fray. The Youth Sharing Center is reserved. Our visas have been processed and received. Packing lists have been sent out. Prescriptions dropped off at the pharmacy. And I'm sure there's a whole lot more to do!

In addition to the camp, Zeke and I will be going out with the hospice team in Jinja one day, and spending 2 days at the orphanage at Arise Africa. We will also be going down into the slums of Namuwongo to talk to the ladies we have grants to last visit, see how they're doing, and see if there are other needs we can meet. The kids will be on school holiday, so I'm hoping to see and talk to some of the 20 kids we are sponsoring for school fees.

The camp supplies (tee shirts, balls, etc) and medical supplies are expensive, and we'd love to have your help with a donation to offset costs. We also covet your prayers, as this trip (the first half anyway!) will involve a lot of logistics in a country with horrible traffic and a... relaxed sense of time. Thanks for all your donations of clothing, and your support so far!

Counting down!

2011-07-08T10:10:00.000-04:00

I have been terrible at updating the blog, and time surely has flown! We leave on August 4 for our team trip to Uganda, where we will be conducting a sports camp (basketball) for kids from the slums of Namuwongo, as well as visiting the slums to give out clothing and other necessities. We will have 6 of us from the States, 4 or 5 boys from Fathers House, and several other Ugandan friends helping out. We're very excited!!

The visas have been processed and received, and I am hoping to order tee shirts today. Still much left to do: purchasing basketballs and volleyballs, borrowing pennies for scrimmages, buying whistles, talking Delta into allowing us extra baggage free of charge, getting money (those pesky new $100 bills!), planning the daily activities, confirming with Nesco about the meals... But God is able, and He will give us wisdom and energy!

We would love for you to help us as we get ready - we still need funds for the balls and tee shirts, and we need childrens clothes and non-medicine medical supplies (bandages, latex gloves, alcohol wipes, etc). I will be visiting the hospice and the orphanage after the team returns to the States, so we will be taking all we can for all three of our main missions there.

Most of all, please pray! The team will be going Aug 4, arriving Aug 5. Four will be returning Aug 14, arriving Aug 15, and Zeke and I will be leaving Aug 25, arriving Aug 26. We covet your thoughts and prayers as we are traveling and having fun with the kids!

Prayer in a bad economy

2011-02-17T09:11:00.000-05:00

Many people have been suffering these last couple of years, here in the US in an unusual way for our typically blessed and prosperous nation. People are out of work, under employed, margins are squeezed to the breaking point, fuel and food costs are up. All those are real things, and the anxiety and difficulties are starkly real.

What we don't realize, not really, is how OUR economic distress has rippled out into countries like Uganda. Giving is sharply down to all charities, and those in nations like Uganda who depend on those charities for survival are, quite literally, dying. Dying from rising food costs which make even their one meal a day almost impossible. Dying because medicines aren't being donated, or because the costs are rising. Dying because wells aren't being dug...

In the early and mid-90's we were broke. Seriously broke. We had started a business, had small kids, crappy cars, ate at the "senior discount" hours if we went out at all. Our dates were to the park or the lake. We always said, "If it cost 25 cents to go around the block we would have had to stay home." We'd get a little ahead and something would happen, like having all our vehicles flooded in Hurricane Fran. It was a challenging time... And honestly, the biggest lesson I learned was to NEVER stop tithing, and NEVER stop giving. I am 100% convinced that this one thing is why we have had the blessings we've had - we've never stopped either one, in the most difficult circumstances.

Trust your Father. He will NEVER let you down. "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?" Mt 6:30

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers, and may all the riches of His Kingdom be yours!

Sponsor the children in the new school!

2011-02-11T11:45:00.000-05:00

We are now ready to find sponsors for the first children in the primary school! The building is almost complete, so the students will meet in the nursery school building at the start of the next term, until the building is finished and desks and chairs have been purchased. Can you help??

To sponsor a child's school fees, it is $20 a month. We are hoping to be able to get a photo and other information on your child, and have a way to communicate periodically with them.

To purchase a desk, chair or table for the classrooms, it is $35 each.

Tick tick tick...! And the first school building!

2011-02-08T10:47:00.000-05:00

Wow, 2011 is flying by! I've just returned from a week plus trip, and am now settling down for the six week countdown before my next visit to Uganda. We will be gone about 3 weeks, and I will be visiting Jinja for several days to go to Bukaleba and see the progress at the primary school, and out in the field with the hospice team. I am planning to take lots of video as well as photos this trip, so stay tuned!

Ryan is going for Spring Break, earlier in March, and will be interviewing all of our partners for her honors thesis on Ugandan NGOs, and hopefully will bring back great information and videos.

We are now in formal planning mode for the missions trip. It looks like there will be 6 definites, and we have 2 or 3 still pending. We will be starting our "group building" activity this month, as well as planning our fundraising activities. We have plenty of room if you are interested, so let me know!

We need $14,000 to finish the first school building, and I am working on raising that this week. If we can get it funded, they can start classes next term! Please consider helping!

Thanks all! And blessings to you for your continued prayers and support.

2 and counting! And other news...

2011-01-22T14:25:00.000-05:00

We have 2 definites for the missions trip in August, which makes 5 of us so far, along with the people in Uganda who will be helping with the sports camp! So excited - and I'm praying for a coach-type person to come, who knows how to organize drills and exercises and such. Please pray with me! There are several people praying about the trip who fit this description, but God will send those He has called, and I don't want to get ahead of him. (Maybe this is His way of introducing me to sports camp leadership!)

Time is really moving ahead fast. Ryan will be going to Uganda for Spring Break to do work on her honors thesis, which is about Ugandan NGOs, and US non-profits working in Uganda. She'll have a quick and very busy trip, interviewing at Fathers House, Ray of Hope, Hospice Jinja, Arise Africa, and maybe the Amani Babies Cottage. Zeke and I head back in March also, leaving here March 20, stopping in London, and arriving in Uganda March 24. I will be headed to Jinja also, as well as continuing our great work in Namuwongo with Ray of Hope - including looking at their new (pending) building!

In other GREAT news, the school's first block will be roofed and finished by the end of January, and they are expecting to start schooling in February! We still need MUCH help in the form of donations and school fee sponsorships, so contact me if you are interested.

Thank you all for your continuing support, thoughts and prayers!

Taxes, fees and fuel costs... oh my.

2011-01-04T09:27:00.000-05:00

Airfares have gone up significantly since LAST WEEK - this is due to higher gas prices and apparently a whole slew of taxes and fees that went into effect in Europe on 1/1/11 (fees have gone from an average of $200 to an average of $500-600!). The travel agent is working on a group rate for tickets, but as of right now the trip looks like it will be $2700 rather than $2000. We are working hard to keep the cost down, and the airfare was always the wild card - which is why I'd like to get the tickets purchased, or a group rate locked in. Hopefully I will know more at tonight's meeting, and we will be working on various fundraising ideas as well. Please keep praying - it's God's money, and He will provide for all those who He leads to go.

Meeting for Team Missions Trip coming up Jan 4!

2010-12-29T13:54:00.000-05:00

Hello all -

I have posted a note on Facebook for those of you I know to be interested in the August 2011 missions trip, but if you are interested and I don't know it, please let me know! The meeting will be on Tues, Jan 4 at 6pm at my house (I'm not posting the address here on the web! send me a message...). We will be talking about our previous trips to Uganda, the overall Ten Eighteen mission, showing pictures, talking about the sports camp and safari, deadlines, costs, etc. We'd love to see you! (If you can't come but are interested in the trip, just let me know and I'll send you the info we discuss afterwards!)

Holly Days!

2010-12-07T17:22:00.000-05:00

We raised $960 in donations at Holly Days, plus another $190 in "home shopping" donations on Friday and today. Very exciting! We are looking forward to our final wire transfers of 2010, to provide the school fees for our 16 sponsored children, and wiring more money to Arise Africa for the school. We have been so blessed to be able to serve these wonderful people in 2010, and are so looking forward to all God will do in 2011!

Money to the school, and another craft fair coming up!

2010-11-22T16:48:00.000-05:00

We wired $1600 to Arise Africa on Friday for the school. Things have started there, and we are excited that the donations are coming in, slowly but steadily. So to date we've sent $8600! That's really exciting!

We've seen some good interest in the missions trip, and I will be sending out an email/Facebook message to have an informational meeting soon. I know a lot of you are praying about going, and we will need to have some commitments probably in January to start the process and do some fundraising - August isn't that far away!

We will be at Holly Days at Sanderson High School in Raleigh on Dec 4-5. Come by and make a donation, see what's going on, and get some jewelry! The hours are 9-5 Sat and 12-5 Sunday.

Everyone have a safe Thanksgiving, and bless you all for your support!

Things are percolating!

2010-10-26T17:05:00.000-04:00

Today I talked with the Foundation of Hospices of Sub-Saharan Africa, and got some good information in that arena, including some avenues to try to get Hospice Jinja morphine. They have been out of morphine in all of East Africa for several months, and the patients are only able to receive codeine for pain management. So we're working on that with several contacts, and finding out in the meantime how morphine can be shipped there as a controlled substance. Hopefully we will be corresponding with the Palliative Care Association of Uganda in Kampala, also.

I have also had a lot of conversation with a guy who is an engineer, who was introduced to Ten Eighteen and the primary school at the Our Lady of Lourdes Fall Festival this month. He is very interested in helping us out, and that has been a real God send - he is very knowledgeable about sustainability and alternative uses for things, so having someone come alongside and want to give so freely of his time and talent is awesome. If nothing else, it has certainly helped me to clarify in my non-engineering mind the scope of the project, and give me encouragement.

Next month, on the 13th is the Mistletoe Market at Wakefield High School. We'd love to have you come out and see all that's going on in Uganda!

Great fundraising events the last week!

2010-10-18T16:19:00.000-04:00

What an awesome week it's been fundraising for Ten Eighteen and Uganda! We spent the weekend of Columbus Day in Florida, and had an awesome party with about 30 people. It was really fun, and over the course of the weekend we raised over $1600 in donations, with $725 of that for the school.

This weekend we set up a table at the Fall Festival of Our Lady of Lourdes, and got to share all about the school, the Nawezakana ladies, Ray of Hope, the school, and Hospice. Since the kindergarden class at OLL has used Nawezakana as their service project the last 2 falls, we had lots of families really excited to see how their donations had been used by the ladies to produce beautiful handcrafts. We received about $440 in donations from this event, with several people very interested in having me speak at other venues. So that was GREAT!!!

Thanks for all for your help, thoughts and prayers!

MISSIONS TRIP 2011

2010-10-07T12:46:00.000-04:00

We have planned the 2011 Uganda team trip!

Here's the information:

DATE: August 5-15, 2011

COST: $2,000.00
NOTE: This is based on a $1600 round trip plane fare, so the cost could change somewhat - even go down!

INCLUDES:
* 9 nights at Fathers House, including food
* All transportation
* 4 days conducting Sports Camp for street kids in the slums of Kampala, including lunches
* 1 night SAFARI to Lake Mburo, 2 game drives, all food and transportation included (impala, zebra, many types of antelope and birds, monkeys, water buffalo, warthogs and much more!)
* Souvenier shopping at local market

(Does NOT include visa, travel shots, or malaria medication)

For more information, comment here or at www.10Eighteen.org.

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

2010-09-18T16:10:00.000-04:00

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

2010-09-13T21:10:00.001-04:00

Check out the Ten Eighteen video on YouTube!

Craft fairs for your Christmas shopping

2010-09-13T13:47:00.000-04:00

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!"

2010-09-12T14:53:00.000-04:00

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...

2010-09-11T16:18:00.000-04:00

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)

Three weeks in Uganda...

2010-08-23T17:21:00.000-04:00

We returned from our trip last Wed, and I haven't yet spent 2 consecutive nights in my own bed, much less been able to update the blog or website. However, some new and exciting things are on the horizon, and here's a quick preview until I can go into more depth:

** The biggest news is that Ten Eighteen has committed to build a primary school in Bukaleba for Arise Africa International. The school will be a boarding school for P1-P7, housing 560 orphans, and providing food, clothing, medical care and education for them. We need to raise $200,000... but we only need $5,000 to start. So if you're interested let me know - and more will come later!

** We have increased our support of Hospice Jinja, including buying 50 paper bead necklaces that the patients have made, and funding a twice-a-month community "day care" for the patients. The day care provides tea and a meal, a teaching on a topic of interest, and teaches them a skill (like the beads) that they can use to make some income and help their families.

** We added 9 children to our school sponsorships, including 1 who was accepted to Makerere University and given a scholarship for tuition, but didn't have money for all the other things he needed in order to attend. We are now sponsoring 16 kids' school fees... And would love for you to get to know them and perhaps even take on that hope-giving help.

** We are working with Arise Africa to find sponsors for the orphans currently unsponsored at their existing orphanage (they currently have 4 in need of sponsors), which is $30 a month; and also to sponsor orphans that they do not yet have room for at their orphanage, which would be $15-20/month. The latter will be handled by local churches that Godfrey knows personally, so you will be sure that the children are benefitting from the money.

Fall is almost upon us, and I'd love to do parties at your homes, speak at your church or small group, or do any craft fairs in the area! I brought back over 500 necklaces, and have all kinds of other crafts that would make great Christmas gifts. Remember that 100% of these donations go to the ladies of Nawezakana, and now to the hospice!

Thanks for your prayers - more soon!

Of volcanoes and gas prices...

2010-04-26T09:17:00.000-04:00

We are trying to finalize the July/August trip, and the volcano-stranded backlog, along with the expected fare increases taking effect in May, are causing havoc in the airline reservation mechanism!! It looks, right now, like we will be going July 28-Aug 17/18... Please pray for resolution to this this week, as there are plans to be made here and in Uganda that depend on it!

If you would like to have a party to learn about Uganda, Nawezakana, and see their crafts and jewelry, please let me know! We had one last weekend, and received over $350 in donations, which was very exciting. I have some great spring necklaces that will make you feel like you should go to the beach!

This picture is of my wonderful friend Jenneth, who has made me a bracelet each time I visit. I haven't taken them off since she tied them on... she is such a sweet girl, quiet, but with such love. Can't wait to see her again!

Back and over the jet lag... well, kind of!

2010-03-21T12:57:00.000-04:00

In a lot of ways it's wonderful to be home - most importantly because my husband and daughter are here! But there's so much that I miss in Uganda, and my heart and mind wander there a hundred times a day. So in the 4 months til the next visit, here is what we are working on:

* HOME PARTIES - if you'd like to have a party at your home (in the Raleigh area!), please let me know. I will show a short presentation, tell about Ten Eighteen and what we're doing there, and have all the handcrafts available.

* HOSPICES - I am going to be contacting hospices in the area to try to form some partnerships, or at least receive one-time help, for Rays of Hope Hospice in Jinja. If anyone knows anyone who works or volunteers for a hospice here, or had someone who was a patient of one and you know a contact, please let me know!

* CRAFT IDEAS - We are trying to come up with some ideas for new ways to use the paper beads for Nawezakana. If you have any creative ideas (and they could be combined with the sewing, too!) please let me know. I'm not super crafty, myself! We are looking at two lists - things that they could sell within Uganda, and then things that would do well internationally.

* SCHOOL SPONSORSHIP - If anyone is interested in sponsoring a child's school fees, we have a list of children needing help who are known personally to Emily and the staff at Ray of Hope. The costs differ with the particular school and grade, but the range is about 70,000 shillings to 225,000 shillings ($35-$110) three times a year. This would cover tuition, uniforms, lunch, and any supplies and books.

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers!
Jennings

3/18/10 - HOME!

2010-03-18T20:32:00.000-04:00

By the time I went to bed Monday night, AT HOME, I'd been awake for 46 hours. In some ways that midnight flight is good, but boy does it make for a LOOOONG time to be up!

Now that I'm home and un-jet-lagged... to sum it up: Awesome! I know we didn't "do" as much as last time, because of the driving situation, largely. But Father's House has 13 Ugandan children, and we were able to spend a lot of time with them, time with Suzanne and Steph and Jess, and helping where we could. I cooked some, drove with Steph to the store a lot, tried to help out where I could. I felt like the Lord really used me to help Suzanne during Eric's unplanned trip to Ukraine, and the girls' unplanned trip to Rwanda. So maybe we didn't do so many "big" things... but we made a big difference, and really felt the pleasure of Father.

Our next trip will start in late July, and I will update the blog as I know what we will be taking - I do know we will take medical supplies, and, if we still have some after the Mumford's visit to the States in April/May, the clothing we have that you all have donated. As things progress, I'll let you know - we would love to have all of your participation! Thanks again for ALL your thoughts, prayers, and encouraging notes. We felt it all while we were gone!

Blessings!
Jennings

3/14/10 - over too soon!

2010-03-18T20:26:00.001-04:00

Our flight is actually at 12:20am on the 15th... but we will be leaving for the airport around 9pm. I got up at 6am, so it is a LOOOONG day! With Eric back last night, and it being Sunday, it's a laid back, quiet day, with lots of movies (Thumbelina AGAIN - UGH!) and pancakes and bicycles and swimming. It's hard to be packed and know we're leaving, and yet not go. It's hard to fully engage, and yet be DISengaging... 4 months til the next visit seems long, and short, too. I'm really looking forward to seeing Chuck and being home - and now that we're packed and ready, I'd like to start. But I hate to leave, too... As before, I am leaving a huge piece of my heart!

3/13/10 - Starting to pack...

2010-03-18T20:18:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I'm doing laundry and packing already! I have a floor full of beads and other items, and we will need to take 4 bags home for the weight. (We brought 5, including the hockey bag, but that will squoosh up in the other suitcases.) After a nice morning at Emin Pasha and lunch by the pool at the Serena, we stopped at the grocery (of course!), and then headed to Father's House. And other than visiting with my family away from home, we're done! I can't believe it's been almost two weeks... wow.

Here are pictures of the kids at Father's House... Love all of these kids like my own! Thank you, Father, for all of these wonderful relationships...

3/12/10 - We did go to Oweno!

2010-03-18T20:01:00.001-04:00

I forgot yesterday that we did go to Oweno to look for fabric. We didn't actually go INSIDE the market, which looks kind of like a hamster's Habi-Trail and extremely claustrophobic... But we held tightly to our bags, and trudged onward, finally finding both the chatingi fabric and some decently stiff plain colors that match.

Also found out that Eric is coming home Saturday night, so we will have to cancel our swim with Nesco... which is ok. With Drew, our main contact, in the States, it is a little more difficult. But we will get them the large bag of clothes and shoes as soon as possible, and Suzanne will reschedule the swim for their school break in August.

Today I went to the "real" market with Zeke and Page, and got a LOT of stuff for Ten Eighteen to be able to offer to donors: paper bead purses, bracelets, bone bracelets, etc. We also ended up with over 400 necklaces from Nawezakana, so it's awesome! I have gotten good at bargaining, as long as I'm buying in bulk... for personal gifts it's a little hard to say, "2,000 shillings ($1)?? What's the best you can do?!" I mean, it's a buck, right?! I am a disgrace to my Ugandan friends, but really... come on!

I am treating Suzanne to Emin Pasha tonight, Kampala's first (only?) "boutique" hotel. She goes there a lot for tea or lunch, and it is extremely lovely and relaxing. We didn't know when we planned this, back in October, that she would need it so much! But the Lord did, and He so wonderfully provided for us... We have a great time listening to the live "afro-fusion" band sitting on wonderful outdoor couches on the lawn. I can't believe we leave so soon!

3/11/10 - HOT

2010-03-18T19:50:00.000-04:00

Wow, since we got to Jinja on Tuesday it has been soooo hot and dry! I mean... hot. Even the Ugandans are talking about how hot it is. wow.

We visited Ray of Hope and got a list of six women who need assistance, and who have been faithful to Ray of Hope and Nawezakana for some time. We read through the stories -and obviously what you WANT to do it help them all - and decided to visit two of the women. We had Christine go with us to visit Mary down in Namuwongo, in the slums. We stayed for about a half hour in her home - she has 8 kids, including 3 1/2 year old twins who were absolutely adorable, up to a 20 year old son. After talking with her, and with several of the children, I decided that we would sponsor the 3 school-age boys who were not already sponsored elsewhere.

We were going to visit a second lady, but it was already 5pm by the time we left Mary's, and it is Vincent's birthday, so we needed to get back to Father's House. For now, we will add these 3 kids... and if Suzanne or Page can visit any of the others before I visit in August and report back after prayer, we'll expand that some. This makes 6 kids that Ten Eighteen is sponsoring, which is awesome!

3/10/10 - Hospice!

2010-03-18T18:33:00.000-04:00

What an awesome day! I was worried about the visit to the hospice, because I wasn't sure what to expect. I'd seem some pretty grim pictures... So we arranged for the kids to go horseback riding, and Suzanne and I went to the hospice. After a wrong turn or two, we pulled up - and discovered that the actual name is "Rays of Hope Hospice, Jinja". That was such a blessing and confirmation, esp given my worry.

We talked with Shem, the director, for awhile, and gave them the huge bag of medical supplies that we brought, as well as another large garbage bag full of adult sized clothing donated here in Raleigh. We were so impressed by their vision, clarity, dedication and compassion... It was really just amazing. We met all the staff (2 nurses, James the driver, and Shem, who is medical and administration) except for Joy, the office person; and also met an Australian nurse who had just arrived there to do some volunteer work - for a month, I think she said.

I gave them 600,000 shillings, which, Shem said, would pay for fuel for a month. Amazing! They were really blessed by it all - the economy around the world the last year has really hurt their funding, as they are almost exclusively funded by donations (they have been given an office space in a government area by the government, which is wonderful, but that's about it). Anyway... it was just so great... I continue to be amazed at the round-about way God connected me to them, and was even more so when I discovered that they had served Godfrey's mom - Godfrey is the founder of Arise Africa, which my church has been helping for several years. He is so far ahead of me!!

I will have more pictures from Shem soon - James documents everything with the camera!

Pictures from the Nile

2010-03-18T18:19:00.000-04:00

3/9/10 - Jinja!!

2010-03-18T17:03:00.000-04:00

We discovered the bypass today, and cut a lot of traffic out of going through Kampala, which is always EXCELLENT! The bypass is nice, although why they put this nice new road in and made it 2 lanes is a mystery....

It is HOT in Jinja - I think hot in Kampala, too. We had lunch at a little place downtown called Ozzie's, owned by a wizened Australian lady, and it was excellent. Then to the Kingfisher Resort... which is waaayyyy out. Let's just say you aren't going to stumble on it! But it's very lovely, lush landscaping, and we have a half of a banda with two twin beds and a nice en suite bathroom. Very refreshing pool, and a cold Nile Gold beer complete the cooling off period!

We called Shem and arranged our visit at Hospice Jinja for the morning, and arranged for horseback riding for Zeke and Steph while we're there. Then we did an hour long boat trip up from the source of the Nile, and saw a lot of gorgeous birds, and had a whole troop of monkeys about 2' from our boat. That was awesome!

For dinner I was convinced to order "whole fried tilapia". And it was WHOLE fried tilapia - about a foot long, teeth, eyeballs, fins and all... It was delicious! Suzanne and I laid out on the ground and looked at the stars for a couple of hours, talking about God, Ray of Hope, Nesco, hospice, life... It was awesome! (Are the stars the same? Because I didn't think they would be, but I swear I saw Orion.)

3/8/10 - Big rain!

2010-03-18T16:55:00.000-04:00

BIG storm in the early morning, so things got wet way into the great room... But the house and furnishings are set up for this, since there isn't glass in the windows! However, it did force my quiet time into my room, since everything I usually sit on was wet!

Today was one of those days where EVERYTHING takes forever, and it is stressful! The girls get back from Rwanda tonight, and we leave for Jinja in the morning, so I am trying to take it all in stride. We sat on the side of Entebbe Road for a half hour while Suzanne talked to Eric (still in the Ukraine) and I did get some pictures as life passed me by. One boy, looked to be about 9, walked by us, then we moved a bit to get into shade, and he walked by again. He had one of those huge canvas bags on his head - they are about 4' long, and used for carrying anything loose. It looked heavy... Makes me sad.

We still haven't gone to Oweno market... and from all the stories I keep hearing, I'm not sure that I want to!

3/7/10 - Quiet time?!

2010-03-18T08:38:00.000-04:00

If you're in a house with 19 other people, many of them under 11, there's not much quiet unless you get up before everyone else! The kids do know I have quiet time every morning, and they can be quiet... but they come sit right next to me and stare at or poke my Bible, my journal, or me. haha...

I slept 11 hours last night, and am glad for quiet Sundays. I think I am on the way back to health, but a day to do nothing is most welcome. Being the only driver is exhausting for Suzanne, and I generally go with her. It just takes so long to do anything, even the most ordinary of tasks, if you have to go in the car!

We are wanting to go down into Namuwongo (the slums) on Thursday when we visit Ray of Hope, but there is a nation-wide cholera warning due to the rains, so we'll see. Next week will be busy - we will be leaving for Jinja Tuesday and returning Wednesday, Ray of Hope Thursday, the market on Friday, and swimming with Nesco on Saturday or Sunday. Once the "big girls" are back to drive, we can get busy!

3/6/10 - Rain cancellations!

2010-03-18T08:26:00.000-04:00

It just POURED down rain this morning. We were supposed to take the boys to soccer (football), but that was rained out; and to go to Oweno market to purchase some chatingi (native patterned) fabric for the buntings that Nawezakana is learning to make. But one doesn't go to Oweno casually is one is a mzungo - you wear closed toed shoes, long pants, and keep your purse in front! - so we have postponed that! Not to mention that smells in those areas are horrible when mixed with rain and mud... ugh. Zeke went to science with Jess, Steph and Rick, and did 5 hours of chemistry and physics!

Still no power, and it's not too bad. Amazing what you can still do, as long as you have a gas stove and a generator. The generator doesn't power everything, but we can put on sections long enough to charge phones and iPods, heat some water for showers, etc. But it's better on a sunny day than a wet one, for sure.

Supposed to go to an African women's thing tonight at Serena, but I took a 2 hour nap and couldn't do it... Hopefully this is the lowest point of this cold!

"It take Almighty grace to take the next step when there is no vision and no spectator - the next step in devotion, the next step in your study, in your reading, in your kitchen; the next stp in your duty, when there is no vision from God, no enthusiam and no spectator. It takes far more of the grace of God, far more conscious drawing upon God to take that next step, than it does to preach the Gospel." Oswald Chamber, My Utmost for His Highest

3/5/10 - Sick...

2010-03-18T08:17:00.000-04:00

I have a cold... and feel pretty not great! I'm supposed to go to an African women's thing tomorrow night at the Serena with Suzanne... We'll see! (Note to self: Next time I need to remember to bring nice clothes!) Lillian is sick, too, so that leaves just Dora to cook and do laundry, not to mention kid-stuff.

Tova, Vicka and Page left last night for Rwanda, taking a midnight bus. They have no idea what to expect, but they were all very excited to go - can't wait to hear about it! The only problem is it leaves us with just Suzanne to drive all these people around... Steph has a learner's permit from the States, so can drive with me as far as Quality (the grocery) but not on the big roads. So until Monday evening, we'll be very busy just trying to get this household of 20 people fed and where they need to go. (Eric is in the Ukraine!)

The kids are all great, and Zeke loves having so many to hang out with. Mark is AMAZING - I can't get over how "grown up" he is, and FAT, compared to when he came up here from the city weighing 3 1/2 lbs. He is just too cute!!!

3/4/10 - Still no power!

2010-03-18T08:06:00.000-04:00

It is possible that our entire trip will be powerless... Last time the transformer went out, it was 3 weeks before they fixed it. It's also very rainy, so kind of dark. But TIA (this is Africa!)!

Today we went down to Ray of Hope and talked with Emily for awhile while I went through one of two HUGE bags of beads. We got progress reports on Agnes's son, and on Miriam's daughters, who we have been sponsoring for school. We asked her to come up with a list of a few more women and/or children who might need help, so that we can discuss them and pray about them after our next meeting. They have been tossing around starting loans for the women, which I am not in favor of for a lot of reasons, so I will ponder possible solutions that don't require debt. (Some of the women are returning to making beer in order to pay school fees or rent, which we are trying to steer them away from - not from some moral issue with beer, but just because they can get into some unsavory situations when reliant on it.)

3/3/10 - Hit the ground running!

2010-03-18T07:54:00.000-04:00

We hit the ground running today, after getting to Father's House at about 11:30pm last night. No problems with immigration or customs, and our bags came right out! Go figure... And Rick came with Suzanne to pick us up, which was great.

Anyway... Today we rode a boda! Twice! (see the picture above of a woman on a boda in the mud... and picture Suzanne and me sharing one!) And lived to tell about it. On the way back to the tire store, the boda driver took us through the edge of the slums, down a muddy, narrow path, passing chickens and naked children... I just hung on and prayed we'd get where we were going!!

We arrived to no power - the transformer went out 9 days ago. Thank goodness for the headlamps I brought! One thing it means, aside from no internet, is LOTS of grocery shopping!

3/2/10 - Over the Med

2010-03-18T07:48:00.000-04:00

Flying over the Sahara!!

It's a long way! We did this trip at night last time, and a lot less turbulence. We have 2 air marshalls with a middle eastern looking prisoner, along with a paramedic and some other official looking person, sitting two rows back. They are apparently taking the prisoner from London to the hospital in Kampala.... which seems strange! I guess we should feel nice and secure with two big men with guns, but I'm not sure I do! The paramedic said they might have to fly back to London in a few hours, which would definitely not be fun!

Countdown!

2010-02-21T10:51:00.000-05:00

Zeke and I leave in a week - Monday, March 1, at 4:30pm we will be winging it to London. We will have a short layover, then on to Uganda. I am very excited, especially that we are taking 3 suitcases full of clothing, medical supplies, and supplies for the women of Newezekana.

The picture is Page Colson, missionary from TN to Father's House, who works most days a week with Ray of Hope and Newezekana. She currently has malaria - please pray for speedy recovery!

So quick itinerary - not sure of the order we will do these things, but please be in prayer for them while we are gone:

* Visit to Hospice Jinja. We will be delivering bandages, surgical gloves, antibacterial wipes and other medical supplies to this facility, and staying for several hours. I confess to being nervous about this visit, as I am not a medical person for a reason, but I know clearly that the connection was made through the Lord's design, so I am trusting Him! Zeke and some of the teens from Father's House will be visiting a school/orphange in Jinja while Suzanne and I are at the Hospice.

* An outing with the kids from Nesco. Right now we are planning to take them to a local hotel where you can pay to swim in the pool, and then for ice cream. I spent time with these wonderful kids in September at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, where we did face painting, swimming in Lake Victoria, a picnic meal, and other games, and it was a blast, so I"m really looking forward to this! We will be delivering a bunch of clothing to them, also, and trying to photograph the kids for the website.

* Several trips to Ray of Hope. One of my goals on these visits, aside from catching up with Emily and visiting with the ladies, is to get a lot of pictures from Newezekana, Nomowongo (the slums) and the ROH school. Last time we were there I did get a few photos, but it began to rain, so that was limited.

Of course, we will be spending LOTS of time with the wonderful Father's House kids, and I will get updated pictures of baby Mark, who is now a fat and happy little guy. Zeke will be doing school with the older kids several days a week - pray for him! LOL

So - we are really excited, and thank you all for your donations and prayers. Suzanne and I will be planning the summer visit at that time, as summer is busy for them, so pray for the Lord's timing there, as well. As with last time, I might not be able to update the blog while I'm there - the internet, when we have it, will be very slow! But I will post after we return March 15, and (hopefully!) have a lot of photos for you all to see.

Blessings!
Jennings

Upcoming visit!

2010-02-04T12:01:00.000-05:00

I have not done well updating here lately, but here is the latest:

Zeke and I leave March 1 for a 2-week visit to Uganda. We are very excited! During this trip, Suzanne and I will spend a day at Hospice Jinja (here's a link just FYI) while Zeke and some of the older kids will go to the orphanage there. I am collecting supplies for the hospice, which are desperately needed (I posted a blog entry about the hospice several months ago).

I will be spending time with the wonderful ladies of Newezekana, and in the slums of Nomowongo; the kids of Nesco; and the kids of Ray of Hope. There has also been some talk of going to Gulu to help paint an orphanage there, but not sure if that will happen this trip or not. All in all, it will be a busy time!

As most of you know, we have postponed the previously-announced Silent Auction to a later (unknown) date in 2010. I'll let you know when that is back to definite status, and who our band will be! For those of you who offered to help, I'm going to get back to you, don't worry!

The fundraisers for the jewelry have slowed down after Christmas, as expected, but I have a few home parties on the calendar. If you'd be interested in hosting one, just let me know! I can also speak to your church or other group after I return in March - I love the opportunity to share Uganda with anyone and everyone.

Thank you for all who made Ten Eighteen's first year great, and for enabling us to be a blessing to those in Uganda and in Zambia. We covet your continued prayers!

Where is the time going??

2009-12-15T17:52:00.000-05:00

I apologize for my sporadic updates! I was able to have a 40 min phone conversation with Suzanne last week - and have just discovered a new AT&T wireless plan that will save me $1/minute, which I will get on right away! - and we've had some long email conversations. Life is moving swiftly these days!

Newezekana had their Christmas party today. Suzanne said everyone had a wonderful time, all "our" ladies (Agnus, Caroline, Miriam, Emily and Joanne), and she was able to give them all a bonus of 20,000 shillings each, for which they were immensely grateful. We are working on Ten Eighteen's 2010 support commitments, and I should have the here in the next week or so.

Nesco was taken on an outing yesterday to an amusement park called Didi's World... when they got there, the park, which is NEVER closed, even on holidays, had been leased by some British group for exams (how strange is that!) for 2 days. The children were SOOOO disappointed! They went back to Nesco and had food and a big party, and once the kids found out they were getting another chance at Didi's World next week AND the big party, they were happier!

I'm working on the music for the benefit concert, and welcome anyone who might have something to contribute for the silent auction to let me know! I'm excited about it, and hope to have the "bones" of the event done before 1/1/10.

I think that's it for now! Blessings all - and remember why we are celebrating!

Save the Date!!

2009-12-08T21:03:00.001-05:00

We have a date for the benefit concert and silent auction - Friday, February 19, 2010. Mark it on your calendars!! It'll be at Journey Church in Raleigh, probably 7-9 or 10pm. More details will follow - and if you can help with food, or donate something for the silent auction, please let me know! I'm excited!

Thanksgiving... and some sponsorship shifts

2009-12-07T15:29:00.000-05:00

We ended Holly Days at Sanderson HS with almost exactly $900 in donations! It was awesome to be able to share all about Uganda with a couple of hundred people, and I had a great time (although my feet hurt!). I may be doing a 1st year show at Pullen House on Durant Road on December 19th - I'll let you know details if it comes about.

We have made a couple of changes in our sponsorship commitments, which I will also update on the website. Miriam is still participating in Newezekana, but not teaching the ladies any longer as there were some conflicts there. (Agnus has taken over that role.) Miriam is sharing a room with 3 others, and has started her tailoring back, so our commitment there, which was always short term, has ended.

Two of Caroline's sons have been living with her, and have gotten themselves and her into some legal trouble. We are very sad about it, as we were so hopeful that her situation would improve... And while we are thankful that she has 2 of her sons back, obviously having them be thieves wasn't what we were hoping for! So we have suspended our support for her - thankfully she is recovered from her surgery - unless and until the situation can be resolved. We pray that she will either be able to kick them out of her home and live for the Lord, or that they will truly take care of her in an honorable way, but are thankful that the Holy Spirit has shined the light on the situation.

Our total sponsorships for Oct, Nov and December were $225/month, or approximately 450,000 shillings. While we are discussing a couple of other needs, it looks like the sponsorship commitment for January 2010 will be about $150.

A box of jewelry was sent to me today, which will (with much prayer, I'm sure) arrive on or before the 17th. It's an early Christmas present - it's so fun going through all the new stuff! I do have jewelry, jewelry bags and cards left after Holly Days, so if you'd like to make a donation and receive some handmade items, please let me know!

Holly Days and Christmas!

2009-12-06T09:38:00.001-05:00

I'm sorry I haven't been updating the blog of late - as we all know, life happens, and often! But I do thank you for your prayers and support!

I am at Holly Days at Sanderson HS all weekend. Yesterday we received $726 in donations!! It was very exciting - since the average donation was $12-15, and about 50% of the folks that strolled by and talked made a donation, that means that I was able to share Uganda and Father's precious children there with over 100 people. It was amazing... especially on a cold rainy day. Today has dawned bright, clear and cold, so I'm hoping for another great day.

I can't remember if I've posted about our next trip - Zeke and I will be leaving March 1, 2010, and returning March 15. The itinerary is going to be physically challenging, but since we discovered we can't sleep on the planes anyway, we might as well just GET THERE and then crash. We will be taking an extra suitcase each full of the clothing you have all donated, and bringing back jewelry and other handcrafts.

Page Colson, who is a missionary from TN that is living at Fathers House for 2 years, took back a large extra suitcase full of kids clothes for Ray of Hope and Nesco last week, after her 5 week visit home. I think we'll be able to send a suitcase full in January, as well. So if you still have clothing, we're happy to take it! Remember: No short skirts or short for girls; no military themed clothing; no skulls! And if you can clean everything before packing, that's awesome.

Hmmm... what else?! When we are there in March Suzanne and I will be visiting Hospice Jinja, while Zeke goes to a school in Jinja with some of the older kids. I get some updates from Daniel Situka from time to time about patients at the hospice... it is just heart breaking. Pray that we can truly share Father's love, and the saving grace of Jesus, while we are there!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all, and may your Christmas season be full of Him for Whom you are celebrating!

Consider the Helpless...

2009-11-22T08:51:00.000-05:00

There are spiritual principles in the Bible that we very often skim over. I'm not talking about the Ten Commandments, or Jewish law, I'm talking about the "if/then" places where the Lord makes a promise. Sometimes the promise is negative, as in Jeremiah - "If you do not listen to Me...then I will kindle a fire in it's gates and it will devour the palaces of Jerusalem and not be quenched." (Jer 17:27) He did it, too! But a lot of them are positive promises... "IF my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, [THEN] I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chron 7:14 - notice it's not just "pray" which is what you usually hear... it's also "seek My face and turn from their wicked ways"... a bit more complicated!)

Many of God's promises actually pertain to how you treat the helpless, the poor, the widow, and the orphan. Did you know that?

Psalm 41:1-3
How blessed is he who considers the helpless;
The Lord WILL deliver him in a day of trouble.
The Lord WILL protect him and keep him alive,
And he SHALL be called blessed upon the earth;
And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies.
The Lord WILL sustain him upon his sickbed;
In his illness, You restore him to health.

Deuteronomy 24:19
WHEN you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you SHALL NOT go back to get it;
it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, IN ORDER THAT the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

Proverbs 19:!7
He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
And He WILL REWARD HIM for what he has done.

Jesus said the poor will always be with us. That means we will always have the opportunity to show His love, and the love of the Father, to the fatherless, the hopeless, and the despairing. God knows your circumstances. He will show you what he wants you to do for those He puts on your heart. All you have to do is listen and obey... don't get ahead of Him, and don't fall behind.

Thank you all for your prayers!
Jennings

If I am going to know who Jesus is, I must obey Him. Most of us don't know who Jesus is because we have not the remotest intention of obeying Him.
Oswald Chambers

Time flies!

2009-11-16T19:48:00.000-05:00

Wow, I haven't posted in a week! I have a new assistant, Laura, which is awesome, and I've been training her. Also trying to get used to "standard time" - it is dark by 5:30, and makes me very tired!

Zeke and I got our tickets last week for March. We will be going March 1-15. I found a new itinerary that will be tough on us physically, but, since we can't sleep on the plane anyway, it gets us there and home in the quickest time. Amazingly, we leave and get home on the same day (because we leave Entebbe at 12:35am, but that's ok!). So we will have full days the 3rd-15th!

I got my confirmation on the Sanderson High Holly Fest Dec 5-6. I will be setting up on Friday the 4th. A British Airways pilot is bringing a bag of goodies with him to the UK, and shipping it to me from there, so I should have enough for the weekend! And it's always so fun to get a box of stuff!

Page will be taking a suitcase of clothing back early next month for Ray of Hope and Nesco - we'll be shipping that out this week!

So that's the update. November is quiet as we get ready for Thanksgiving, Ryan being home for a good visit, and preparing for Holly Fest. Thank you all for your prayers - and patience! - as we keep looking ahead!

Choices, every day

2009-11-09T19:50:00.001-05:00

Truly, we do face choices every day. I'm not talking about what to eat or wear... I'm talking about the real choices of life and death: to pray, to give, to follow. The choice to trust God. To die to self. To see beyond the thin skin of this world to the real spiritual world beyond. To follow the vision given to us by our Father, no matter what the discouragements or stumbling blocks. To trust Him for all, no matter the circumstances or our feelings. Today... I choose HIM. I choose the great I AM. I choose to die to myself and live unto Him. Thank you all for choosing to follow Ten Eighteen as we grow and learn and seek to do His will. You are ever in my heart!

Thank you Lighthouse teens and parents!

2009-11-08T13:00:00.000-05:00

Last night I got the opportunity to share about Uganda and Ten Eighteen with the teens/parents group of Lighthouse homeschool group. It was so fun, and so many people made donations. I really enjoyed it! Also sharing was a wonderful lady from Blue Star Mothers, an organization of mothers of servicemen and women. She was a great blessing, and I'm going to do what I can to help them this Christmas season... It was a good reminder -

DON'T FORGET what our military is doing for you and your nation this Christmas - and all year. Get involved! THANK YOU to our troops!!!!

Above is another photo of the slums of Nomowongo, in Kampala. When you think things are bad... look through some of the photos. We have no idea how good we have it here in the US!

Update on Riots in Kampala in Sept

2009-11-07T17:00:00.000-05:00

I just read that 563 of the people accused of "involvement" in the riots that had broken out in the Bugandan regions of Kampala the day before we arrived in Sept - and were still going on for the first couple of days we were there - have been given bail. Apparently the Kabaka (king) of the Buganda kingdom offered free legal aid to the suspects, who have been charged with terrorism.

Amazingly the riots started via text message, and over a rumor that turned out to be false: the President Museveni had put the Kabaka under house arrest to keep him from visiting Kayunga (traditional Bugandan land) to mark the annual youth day. While the government of Uganda is significantly improved over the previous several governments (Idi Amin the most notorious), the concept of "free speech" is a bit tenuous. While we were there Museveni shut down 5 radio stations (or the talk part of their programming) because they were apportioning him some blame.

At any rate, "over" 25 people died, and at least 80 were injured. There was a good bit of property damage, including a police station in Mengo being burned down. Things were quite tense there when we arrived, with lots of soldiers, people calling friends and family to see how things were, etc. It was especially hard on those who make their livings at the markets, as there were no customers from Thursday to Monday. However, once it was over, things seemed to settle down. BUT....

There was then now unrest in Kayunga by a minority group, the Benyala, who oppose the Kabaka's visit. The Vice President issued a statement basically telling Bugandans that they need to just get along with everyone else, and that the tribal kingdoms are for "cultural" issues only, and politics should be left to "elected officials." Which would be a little easier to buy into if there was really much to the elections. I know Museveni is very concerned about the tribal kings trying to get political power, and thinks they are getting financial support from Qaddifi. Certainly, Qaddifi would be interested in any kind of unrest that would allow him (as President of the African Council) to have influence, for himself and for Islam. It's a very unsettling prospect! (The HUGE mosque above was paid for by Qaddifi. It's in the middle of Kampala, on a hill.)

So there you go... you are now up to date on Ugandan politics!

Lighthouse tonight!

2009-11-07T15:50:00.001-05:00

I'll be headed out in a couple of hours for the Lighthouse homeschool meeting. Everything is packed - since we just left it in the Suburban after FZWC. :o) I'm excited to meet new people, and share all that's going on in Uganda (well... all that I know of! LOL).

One of my favorite books is The Last Battle, the last of the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. In it, the last battle of Narnia takes place as the Narnians fight both an enemy within and an enemy that is invited to infiltrate and enslave the people. The last king of Narnia, Tirian, does all he can to rally the faithful Narnians to his side, but it is a losing battle, and one to the death. But as it turns out, it is not just the end of Narnia, it is the end of that world, and Aslan returns. When Tirian first meets him face to face, Aslan says "Well done, last of the king of Narnia..." (Mt 25:23) It always, always brings tears to my eyes. How I long for Jesus to say to me one day, "Well done!"

Fa La La La La....

2009-11-06T17:59:00.001-05:00

As I was signing in to post, I realized I was humming along to a Christmas carol on tv. Really?? It's Nov 6! *sigh* Anyway...

Tomorrow I will be heading up to Youngsville (which, I am reliably told, is "not that far"...) to share the jewelry and story of Newezekana, Father's House, Nesco, Malaika's House and Uganda with the great families of Lighthouse homeschool group. I'm excited!! I LOVE sharing my heart for Uganda, and love just expecting nothing and waiting to see what Father will do. As Gandalf says, "All tears are not evil."

My doctor asked me last week, "What is the problem with Africa? Why are they always having such horrific things go on?" I don't know... it seems that the continent certainly grows it's fair share of tyrants and crazies. The stories are the same, only the countries change. And then the country names change... and the stories are still the same. I did some research on the history of Uganda for my presentation at FZWC, and the horrors they have endured since WWII - Idi Amin being the worst, of course, but not the only - are despicable. And yet it's happening now in The Congo, in Rwanda, Sudan, Ethiopia... All over Africa. It just moves from place to place. Please keep the people of this beautiful and yet sad continent in your prayers - I pray that you will feel Father's sorrow and pain over the choices His creation has made - and continues to make.

Thank you for everything!

Thank you, FZWC!!!

2009-11-04T21:14:00.001-05:00

Tonight Zeke and I went down to Garner to Faith Zone Worship Center to introduce them to Uganda and Ten Eighteen. I did my first longish presentation (25 min or so), and it seemed to go really well. We'd set up a table with all the jewelry, cards, jewelry bags, etc in the back (and had LOTS thanks to the wonderful box of new things that came today!), and people were very very receptive. So more people are praying for Uganda tonight, which is just AWESOME!

Thanks to all of you who lifted up this event! Saturday night we'll be at Lighthouse.

News from Uganda - Fathers House has a new 10 year old boy named Francis as of today. Hallelujah!

A lot going on this week!

2009-11-02T12:44:00.000-05:00

Big week for Ten Eighteen! Prayers are greatly appreciated... :o)

* Faith Zone Worship Center: I have been working on my presentation for FZWC on Wed night. This will be my longest formal presentation on Uganda and all that's going on there, so I'm working on some history of the country (how it got in the mess it's in), history of Ten Eighteen and the Lord's hand in it, and what we are currently working on. I am meeting the media guy down there at 2pm today to make sure we can show my Powerpoint slideshow at the beginning (having a Mac is great, but can have issues!).

* Lighthouse: On the 7th, I will be in Youngsville for a Lighthouse Homeschool Group meeting. I think this is for teens, and I'm hoping for the opportunity to share our travels, our mission, our sponsorship opportunities, and the beautiful jewelry of Newezekana with them.

* Work on the benefit concert and silent auction: Pastor Jimmy gave the thumbs up to hold this at Journey Church in Feb, so I'm hoping to have a date by the end of the week. Working on the musical entertainment, and planning the auction. I will be calling on some of you wonderful people for help, so stay tuned! I'm really excited about this project!!!

* Also working on a venue at Appalachian for some pre-Christmas donations for jewelry. Ryan had some ideas, so we'll keep the site updated on that.

* Finally, I should be receiving my box of new stuff from Uganda in the next couple of days. It'll be like an early Christmas!! I'll be posting some pictures (reminds me, I'm working on a more professional set up to take photos of the items, so those will go up as soon as I can get them!). I should get another shipment by the end of November, as well, in time for the Holly Fest at Sanderson High School the first weekend of December.

So WOW! Thanks for all your prayers - God is definitely blessing your efforts and prayers, and I am beyond grateful!

Coming soon - concert & silent auction!

2009-10-31T14:16:00.000-04:00

We are working on a benefit concert and silent auction, to be held in February, to raise money for the building for Ray of Hope. I'm very excited about this! I don't have a date or location yet, but I'll post a "save the date" as soon as I know, and then send invites and advertising out after the first of the year. Please pray as we begin this exciting project, and if you have anything you can donate to the silent auction (goods, services, beach or mountain house, whatever!), please let me know!

Thanks as always, for your prayers and support!

Finally, an update on Caroline!

2009-10-30T13:46:00.001-04:00

Caroline came through her surgery fine, and is at home. Suzanne found out that she was trying to make beads to pay for food, and so was able to sow into that situation and relieve Caroline's anxiety and heart about that. I am so glad to know - she has been on my heart all week as I have waited for news!

The new jewelry will be on it's way from Tennessee today! Yay! It's like Christmas when you open a box and find out what's in it. The beads are always different, and I know Suzanne said there are some great new fabrics for the jewelry bags, and I think they are sending some baskets, too. I will post photos here and on FB if anyone would like to make a donation and receive some. (It's a great way to do your Christmas shopping!!)

I have begun putting my presentation together for Faith Zone Worship Center on Nov 4. I have a 4 minute Powerpoint... and 25 more minutes to fill! LOL I realize that I can taaalllkkk for that long, but I want to do a good job for the women and children there, giving some history as to why they are where they are, and what Ten Eighteen feels called to do to help. Please pray as I listen to Father to plan the presentation!

Thank you all for your emails and prayers!

Uneventful day!

2009-10-29T19:06:00.001-04:00

Today wasn't too eventful... I made a deposit, which is exciting, and emailed some about the box we're getting of more jewelry. I so long to be in Uganda, and chatted some (via Facebook) with my lovely friend Kamila about when we were both going back in 2010. Neither of us feel it is soon enough!

I do not have an update on Caroline. Suzanne was to go to Ray of Hope today, and hoped to find out something, but I haven't heard as of yet. With Uganda, you never know if that's a power issue! But she may not have found out anything, so stay tuned...

The Journey Church team got back last night from their trip to Jinja, and Page and Katie arrived last night from Father's House. Glad everyone made it safe, and I wish them all a quick recovery from jet lag!

MOPS Marketplace

2009-10-28T09:04:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all the lovely ladies at the MOPS Marketplace at Crossroads Church yesterday! Not only did we raise $300, we were able to share a lot about Newezekana and the people of Uganda, gave out a lot of cards and brochures, and even have already had some comments on the website asking for more info! The Lord is amazing, isn't He?! Bless you all, and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I haven't heard if Caroline has had her surgery yet... I am quite anxious to know! I hate the thought of her going on and on with that hernia. I will let you know as soon as possible - and please keep her in your prayers. Even after the surgery, she will have a long recovery. We are providing funds for Doreen to help her for a few hours every day for a month, so hopefully that will take a lot of the burden off of her. Remember, water has to be carried in (see the plastic containers behind Caroline in the picture), food bought daily at the market and cooked... It's a daily grind that never stops.

Today's thought...

2009-10-26T10:15:00.000-04:00

As I get ready to venture out into our crazy world and start the day, here is what I am meditating on....

"In missionary enterprise the great danger is that God's call is effaced by the needs of the people until human sympathy absolutely overwhelms the meaning of being sent by Jesus. The needs are so enormous, the conditions so perplexing, that every power of mind falters and fails. We forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary enterprise is not first the elevation of the people, nor the education of the people, nor their needs, but first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." Oswald Chambers

Back from the mountains!

2009-10-25T21:54:00.001-04:00

I am back from my weekend in Boone, where it was COLD Saturday, and lovely Sunday.

Tuesday I am taking the Uganda jewelry to the MOPS Marketplace at Crossroads Fellowship in Raleigh. I'm excited to expose more people to the great work of the ladies of Newezekana! Prayers, please!

Pili Pili African Style

2009-10-23T15:32:00.000-04:00

Ok, so African (Ugandan) food. Not fabulous. We won't even mention the beef hanging up on the road... BUT. Suzanne and I went to a restaurant and on the menu it said "Shrimp Pili Pili" and in the description it said "African Style". So I thought, OK, shrimp, good, wonder what it is? The waiter came over, and I asked, "What is shrimp pili pili?" He said, "African style." I said, "OK, what is African style?" He said, "Pili pili." 'Nuff said, apparently.

I got it, and it was good! (For those who just must know, pili pili is a hot pepper sauce. The traditional pepper it is made with is 175,000 scoville points, although mine in Kampala wasn't nearly that hot!) I have made it once at home, even!

Ups and Downs

2009-10-23T13:04:00.000-04:00

I find daily life in the States can be difficult (without getting into politics!)... esp when a calling is filling your heart and mind. I love my family, am quite fond of my pets, my home, Target, and sushi. And yet part of me is constantly crying out - GO! GO! I can see my Ugandan friends, the residents of Nomowongo, everyone at Father's House, so clearly in my mind. I intellectually know the difficulties of life there - power being iffy, internet spotty and slow, no water in many places, food not what I'm used to, traffic to boggle the mind. Beggars. Orphans. HIV and AIDS. TB. Malaria. Bilharzia. Garbage. I KNOW, I KNOW!

And yet I can't stop longing to be there... I can't quite feel settled here. My taste buds have changed (not that I'm longing for Ugandan food!). My... expectations have changed. My "wants" have changed. In short... my life has changed. God has done a total redirect. It is amazing.

Plans starting to take shape

2009-10-22T13:55:00.000-04:00

These are pictures from Hospice Jinja, Chaplain Bob from Vitas Hospices.

My mom is a community liason for a hospice in Florida. They have sister hospices in sub-Saharan Africa, one of which is in Jinja, in Uganda (called Hospice Jinja!). The team chaplain who works with them is Ugandan, and he's going to be contacting me. We were planning to go to Jinja in March anyway (it is the "mouth of the Nile" for one thing!), so I would love to be able to visit this hospice and help in whatever ways we can. So keep that in your prayers - I find it hard to believe that all these sudden Ugandan contacts are coincidence!

TIA... "This is Africa"

2009-10-21T15:43:00.000-04:00

Caroline's surgery was postponed to next week. Something about the clinic that is providing the funds for the service, but we're not totally sure what. As soon as I know, I'll let you know!

Eric and Suzanne have accepted baby Mark into Father's House, which is SO awesome! All are thrilled, including me! Prayers for them as they go back to the infant days of long nights... :oD

Ten Eighteen will be sending a check to Uganda this week in the amount of $1138 - in shillings that's 2,180,408!!! Of that, $277 is for sponsorships, and $861 in donations. The ladies of Newezekana will receive a bonus for their jewelry, we will buy this next shipment of jewelry, and the rest will go towards the new Ray of Hope building. I have spent this week getting all the info transferred to a better software program, which is not my favorite part of any business!

The first clothes will go to Uganda around the first week of December, when Page returns to Kampala and Father's House. Keep the donations coming - we will be taking clothes through next August, as we have about 8 or 9 trips over where we can send the extra suitcase.

Thanks to you all!!

Oh, to be in Uganda!

2009-10-20T13:29:00.000-04:00

I am definitely missing my "home away from home" today... I did leave a big part of my heart there!

Today was Caroline's surgery. I am hoping to talk to Suzanne in a little while. I have tried calling her with my MagicJack, and...well, not so magical. Still working on that. But I will call from my iPhone and bite the bullet on the cost per minute, and hopefully have an update later on today.

Mirka, as you might have seen from her comments, is home and feeling much better. She returns for a check-up on Friday. They still have no idea what she had/has, although the folks in uganda are sure it was malaria.

Speaking of malaria, Vicka has been sick with bilharzia... which is the DREAD DISEASE I was so paranoid about at Lake Victoria. It is also a parasite, pretty gross if you read about it, and comes from contaminated water. Like Lake Victoria. Symptoms are about the same as malaria, and it is the 2nd most prevalent parasitic disease in the world, although not usually fatal. It can be chronic, however - I assume without proper treatment. So prayers for them both!

The jewelry from Newezekana continues to be in demand. I was asked to do an event on Nov 7, and possibly another on Dec 7. I think I will need another shipment after Page brings hers... although Katie may be coming over with the precious babies,Malaika and Mark, in November. I will be sending almost $1000 to Newezekana this week, just from the last 10 days or so, which is SUCH a blessing!

And finally, the Ray of Hope Scottish concert fundraiser by Mirka and Kamila raised enough money to send 13 children to school for a year! Mirka wasn't able to attend, unfortunately, but I am so proud of the girls!

Up and coming...

2009-10-19T10:20:00.000-04:00

I didn't do the Fall Fair at Our Lady of Lourdes yesterday, because I was concerned I wouldn't have enough jewelry to sell at the MOPS Marketplace on the 27th, which I'd already committed to. Good problem to have! (Since the weather was pretty yucky, and my daughter was still recovering from wisdom teeth removal surgery, it worked out ok.) Page is heading back to the States on the 27th, so I should receive more jewelry, bags, etc., around the 1st of November. I'll post more pictures!

This week I will be sending money to Suzanne at Father's House for Ray of Hope and Newezekana. We will have a total of about $750 in donations for jewelry, and then the monthly sponsorship money as well. The exchange rate isn't great right now - sh1916 to the dollar as of Friday (it was 1962 when we were there last month). But still, that's sh1,437,000 got our ladies, which is a LOT in Uganda!

Clothing drive update: We have received a good amount of clothing. Page will be taking a suitcase full back when she returns after her visit in Tennessee next month. I think Katie will be able to take a suitcase back in Dec; Eric in January, and then Zeke and I can take 1 each in March. After the shipping costs and "disinfecting" charges totalled up, we decided it was better to pay for extra bags as people went over, than spend so much on the shipping and sterilizing. So we are still paying to ship - probably $75 per suitcase full... If you are planning to donate clothing, please still include the $5-10 with your items to help cover that cost.

Caroline surgery: Caroline is scheduled to have her hernia removed tomorrow, the 20th. She has been struggling with a cough lately, so please pray she is well enough for the surgery to happen. She has already waited so long!

Awesome day - thanks Our Lady of Lourdes!

2009-10-16T18:35:00.000-04:00

Once again, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School has blessed my socks off! Today I went after school to do a "private sale" for the teachers. It was awesome and we raised over $525, all of which will go to Uganda next week for the ladies of Newezekana! In fact, I now have a quandry, because there is a fall fair at the OLL church Sunday, and then the MOPS fair on the 27th, and I don't think I have enough jewelry to do both! A good problem to have, but still...! So I will keep you posted as to where we'll be when - in the meantime if you wanted to get something after seeing the photos, you might want to let me know! I will definitely be getting more stuff at the beginning of November, but if I can't get more before then, I'll be out soon.

Thanks SO much to everyone from Our Lady of Lourdes, and to all of you for your prayers and support!

From "Get Uncomfortable" by Todd Phillips

2009-10-15T09:30:00.000-04:00

The church seems to respond this way [lack of faith in what God can do with a little] many times when problems are larger than our capacity to fix them. We say, "My $20 donation can't possibly make a difference!" or "What impact am I really having if I spend five hours a week serving special needs kids?" And we're right. Our possessions, time, and energy given in our strength cannot make a dent in the mountainous problems that plague our world. But any offering, no matter how small in the material world, can be multiplied exponentially in the hands of Jesus. (pg 101)

Read Mark 12:41-44, and Mathew 14: 15-21

"Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something!"

Good day!

2009-10-14T19:47:00.000-04:00

I met this morning with my pastor and the missions pastor at Journey Church. Great meeting! The team from church is leaving Saturday to go to Uganda to work with Arise Africa, so that's exciting. I look forward to all God will do. I also met with the pastor of Faith Zone Worship Center in Garner this evening. I had a lovely dinner, and good introductory chat. Hopefully I'll be able to present Uganda to the congregation in a few weeks.

Interesting side note - Pastor Holland asked me what I expected. What was interesting about that is that, honestly, I don't expect anything! I really am letting God lead this whole endeavor, and am simply going where He points. If He accomplishes what He's after in that, that's wonderful - and to His credit. And that's a pretty interesting thing to ponder, because really, we have very few situations in life where we have no expectations! I'm really enjoying having to live this by faith... and was glad of the question, so that I could really examine it. Awesome!

Update on Mirka

2009-10-14T15:11:00.001-04:00

She has been moved to a different hospital, isolated in a room, and is taking pain and other medicine 4x a day. They don't know what it is - they are saying NOT malaria, but she and her roommate Kamila both think it is. A specialist will be in again on Friday to see her, but in the meantime any visitors have to wear mask, gloves and an apron! They are having a fundraising concert Friday night for Ray of Hope, which she will obviously not be able to attend, either. So prayer for healing, encouragement, and wisdom for the doctors!

And prayer for Mirka...

2009-10-13T20:42:00.000-04:00

Another of the Polish girls at Father's House, Mirka (shown above at the Ray of Hope school), is now in the hospital. She contracted malaria while still in Uganda, but was feeling better a couple of days ago. She now has been admitted to the hospital back home in Scotland, with a high fever (104), a severe headache, fatigue, weakeness... Symptoms of both flu and malaria. In Edinburgh they are saying it isn't a relapse of malaria. But they aren't saying what it is. So please pray. Her friend and roommate, and my final Polish friend, Kamilla, is quite concerned! Thanks!

Prayer for Magda

2009-10-13T10:37:00.000-04:00

One of the Polish girls who was staying at Father's House when we were there is named Magda, She is 22. She left after our first week and travelled to Kaihura, a small village in the west of the country, to spend a year working at an orphanage there, before returning to university in Cambridge, England. The orphanage has no power, no water, and all the kids are housed in the same building (babies through teens). Below are some things to consider supporting in Kaihura, but first, a tragedy...

The other day Magda saw a 6 year old boy struck by a car and killed. The boy is the son of a local pastor, and the drivers were Dutch. Magda carried the boy to a local clinic, but he died 20 minutes after the accident. She bandaged his wounds before his parents arrived, and held him in her arms for hours as the family grieved, police were found, and funeral arrangements made. It was obviously extremely difficult for her and for the family. The Dutch people seem to feel no guilt, and, when they all go to Kampala with lawyers, it will not be a question of prison, just money. How much is a 6 year old boy's life worth?

That recent event aside, Magda is doing well. She has drawn up plans to build a separate house for the babies. The cost right now is USD $22,000, largely due to a spike in the cost of building materials locally in recent months. She is working to revise the plans to bring the cost down, and to get volunteers to come help build the building, both from Poland and the UK where she lives. Please keep this project in your prayers, as it would be instrumental in the care of the precious orphaned babies. I am working on getting her in contact with Jennie Woods from Alliance for Children Everywhere, who can give her some guidelines learned from hard experience in Zambia with the House of Moses.

Additionally, Magda has befriended a 19 year old young lady who is working - basically in servitude - for a local family. She works 7 days a week, is fed the scraps left after the family eats, cooks, cleans, and is paid virtually nothing. Magda has taken her to eat and has bought her clothing and other needed items, but is trying to find another situation for her where she will be valued and can earn some money. She is looking into visa requirements for her to come to the US, or go to the UK, to work for a family. I am investigating the US angle, as I have no idea what a work visa would require. Please keep this young lady in prayer as God makes a way...

Magda is looking to move into a nearby village where she would have power and internet. Right now she is online less than once a week, so it can be difficult to communicate needs in real time. She will need more support if she is to be able to pay rent somewhere - she lives at the orphanage right now free of charge in exchange for her labors - so also keep this need in your prayers.

As always, bless you and thank you!

Some facts about Uganda

2009-10-12T20:55:00.000-04:00

I did a PowerPoint presentation today, and found some interesting facts about Uganda while preparing...

* There are 2.5 million orphans in Uganda, mostly from AIDS and the war in the North.
* Uganda is 197th of all countries for life expectancy. It is 52 for men, 53 for women.
* 137 of every 1000 children dies before their 5th birthday.
* 230 people a die die from malaria.
* About half of the children in Uganda attend school.
* Of the children who attend school, literacy levels are about 50%, and math literacy is about 40%.
* 50% of Ugandans make less than $475 per year.

Sobering, isn't it?

Schedule this week...

2009-10-12T10:51:00.000-04:00

This week I am (I think - waiting on final confirmation) speaking on Ten Eighteen and Uganda at the Worship Zone church in Garner on Wed evening; meeting with my Journey Church pastor, Jimmy Carroll, and the missions pastor, Mark Harvey on Wed morning; and holding a private sale of the Ugandan handcrafts for the teachers at Our Lady of Lourdes school on Friday afternoon. Please be in prayer for the plight of God's children in Uganda to touch hearts!

New photos of Mark!

2009-10-11T13:38:00.001-04:00

Here are two pictures of Mark and Malaika (I found out I was misspelling her name!). He looks great - and she's a hoot, as always! On is Jacklyn and Jenneth feeding them, the other is just FUNNY!

Never a dull moment!

2009-10-11T10:47:00.000-04:00

For those who have asked about Mark, Suzanne says he's doing very well! I've asked if they can take a picture and send it, so we can see (hopefully!) fat little cheeks and arms and legs. Such a sweet, sweet boy! In other baby news, Suzanne is going to be a grandmother for the first time - her daughter Vita is expecting!

It is proving to be a very very rainy rainy season... I will have several opportunities this week to share the needs for Ray of Hope and Nesco, and will especially be speaking about the new building for Ray of Hope and the clothing drive. Please keep these vital needs in your prayers!

Also, I will be receiving more jewelry at the end of the month - thanks to all of you who have purchased and suggested venues! The jewelry makes GREAT gifts for any woman in your life: mother, daugher, teacher, mail carrier! Remember that 100% of the money is going back to Newezekana, which helps these women feed, clothe, and house themselves. Your contributions bring them so much more than they can get for their items in Uganda, and can mean the difference between a full and an empty belly for both themselves and their children.

Also keep in your prayers the collaboration with Samaritan's Purse and Ray of Hope. Samaritan's Purse (they do Operation Christmas Child, which many of you know, as well as many other things) has offered to fund a business, if Ray of Hope can come up with a business plan. This will be easier in the new building - but ideas so far are raising chickens, and raising poinsettas. They just need wisdom on how to use this money for the most benefit to the organization, and the children and women they help.

Have a blessed day - and thank you!!!

Life with humor

2009-10-10T14:38:00.000-04:00

Many of you have joined in my incredulity about the clothing needing to be disinfected. What can I say about government regulations, other than most are ridiculous. At least we got a laugh, right? Those clothes will be about the only things IN Uganda that are disinfected...

Quote of the day: When once the call of God comes, begin to go and never stop going. Oswald Chambers

PS - I hope to have an update on baby Mark's status this weekend, for those of you who have asked!

"Disinfecting" clothing... to send to Uganda?!

2009-10-09T14:10:00.001-04:00

I learned that I have to have a certification that used clothing has been "disinfected" when I ship it. Which is really funny, when you think about it. Do you see this cow wandering the city streets? This is the country that needs clothing from the US to be disinfected! Haaha... sorry, that's pretty funny!

ANYWAY. Seriously. Does anyone know of a company in the Raleigh area that does this? I'm thinking some sort of commercial laundering company that does medical laundry, or something. I've looked up what I can think of and am coming up blank, but the problem with googling is that you have to have the right words to start with! It's probably easiest to do it all at once, so I have til the end of October to come up with a solution.... Thanks for your brainstorms!