During the past week and a half that team B has spent in Lukodi God has been at work among us. Here are a few highlights:
- Yesterday the Lukodi Community Church celebrated their 1-year anniversary. The growth of the church has been amazing and the outreach efforts of IV and FOCUS outreach can be seen. It is such an engouragement to see the fruit of many conversations and relationships.
- We have learned several Acholi worship songs and we enjoy singing them with the girls! As we drove to Fort Patiko on Saturday we all sang at the top of our lungs in the van. I'm impressed with our drivers ability to focus on the road!
- On Thursday we played a soccer game with boys from the local school. Sadly our team lost 2 to 6, but it was a lot of fun! After the game our team had a chance to interact with the local kids and through the sharing of the gospel 5 young men prayed to begin following Christ. We've seen them twice since then - at a discipleship class we organized on Saturday and at church yesterday. It is amazing to see God at work here in such a different way than we are used to seeing in America.
I also want to add a very belated Father's Day greeting from our team. On Sunday night last week many of the Americans shared stories about our dad's and wished we could be in contact. So to you dads reading this - know that you are loved!
While we were thinking of our own fathers it was hard to imagine that all the little kids we've grown to love at ChildVoice will never know theirs. Please join us in praying for them to know their identity as children of God, adopted into his family and loved by him. It is this love that brings joy to the girls, puts smiles on their faces and encouragement in their hearts. Living with them has been an inspiration to hope and live courageously.
Love from Team B,
Kate
Monday, June 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
June 23, 2010
Team A
Half our team went to a Kids Home which has 42 kids and one house father, who is an orphan himself. We washed the walls and they turned from a dark brown to off white, they were really awful. We also, held classes for the kids, who don’t have school fees. Our students, Hannah, Hope, Rachel and others taught different classes and did a great job.
One sub-team went to FOCUS Uganda and worked with the children’s project. Yesterday they went into homes to do assessments. Many of the mothers were HIV positive and many kids are infected. It was a sad day for our students involved with this.
Another sub-team went to the hospital ward to pray and help the nurses care for those that are not being treated. Kelsey, Ben, Alex are our medical team. They also did the set up work for the medical brigade we will set up on Friday in the Katunga Slum which we all will be involved in.
Team B has a great day tomorrow planned as they welcome the chief negotiator for the cease fire of the war, Betty Bigumbe. There will be a big welcome ceremony by Child Voice and then a Q & A time for our students.
She is somewhat of a celebrity in the northern region and since she was brave enough to go into the LRA camp and visit Kony, she knows some of the girls at CVI when they were abducted.
Grace to you all and keep praying for us
tom
Half our team went to a Kids Home which has 42 kids and one house father, who is an orphan himself. We washed the walls and they turned from a dark brown to off white, they were really awful. We also, held classes for the kids, who don’t have school fees. Our students, Hannah, Hope, Rachel and others taught different classes and did a great job.
One sub-team went to FOCUS Uganda and worked with the children’s project. Yesterday they went into homes to do assessments. Many of the mothers were HIV positive and many kids are infected. It was a sad day for our students involved with this.
Another sub-team went to the hospital ward to pray and help the nurses care for those that are not being treated. Kelsey, Ben, Alex are our medical team. They also did the set up work for the medical brigade we will set up on Friday in the Katunga Slum which we all will be involved in.
Team B has a great day tomorrow planned as they welcome the chief negotiator for the cease fire of the war, Betty Bigumbe. There will be a big welcome ceremony by Child Voice and then a Q & A time for our students.
She is somewhat of a celebrity in the northern region and since she was brave enough to go into the LRA camp and visit Kony, she knows some of the girls at CVI when they were abducted.
Grace to you all and keep praying for us
tom
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Reflections today
In the previous post you see the entire team at the Nile Falls.
We have learned much by traveling together for 3 weeks now with FOCUS students and staff.
There are many areas we are similar yet our world views are very different.
Views of marriage, dating, spirituality differ, but we each hold tight to IN CHRIST ALONE OUR HOPE IS FOUND.
The hope and passion of our FOCUS friends are incredible.
Staff that have given up paying jobs to serve for nothing to very little to work with the future leaders of this country and lead them into Justice and to attack the corruption of the country.
Team A in Kampala is now fully invested in four sites.
1. Working to open up a medical clinic
2. Working on the Come Lets Dance Farm, that provides food for the Kids Home
3. Working with FOCUS with Child Advocacy.
4. Working with the Thread of Life sewing shop: these are the mothers of the Kids Home children who were prostitutes and now gaining income so they can support their kids.
Tomorrow we all head to help a new Kids Home get started
Love to all
tom
We have learned much by traveling together for 3 weeks now with FOCUS students and staff.
There are many areas we are similar yet our world views are very different.
Views of marriage, dating, spirituality differ, but we each hold tight to IN CHRIST ALONE OUR HOPE IS FOUND.
The hope and passion of our FOCUS friends are incredible.
Staff that have given up paying jobs to serve for nothing to very little to work with the future leaders of this country and lead them into Justice and to attack the corruption of the country.
Team A in Kampala is now fully invested in four sites.
1. Working to open up a medical clinic
2. Working on the Come Lets Dance Farm, that provides food for the Kids Home
3. Working with FOCUS with Child Advocacy.
4. Working with the Thread of Life sewing shop: these are the mothers of the Kids Home children who were prostitutes and now gaining income so they can support their kids.
Tomorrow we all head to help a new Kids Home get started
Love to all
tom
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Team A Goes South! June 18
We just got back from Murchison Falls. It is beautiful in Uganda. It was so amazing to be in Lukodi and to see how God is working through all of the girls and children there. Can’t wait to get to Kampala and start the next part of our journey!
Love you all, Rachel
Has been an incredible journey thus far in this beautiful land! Our time in Lukodi was absolutely amazing; it has been quite a transforming experience thus far for both our team and all of the incredible people that we have encountered. All of the girls and their children at CVI were so beautiful inside and out, in spite of all of the pain and suffering they have been through. God is truly at work in this place!
Much love to you all! Love, Hannikins McQ.
Wow. Spending time in Lukodi at CVI has revolutionized the way I think of God’s grace. It was beautiful beyond words to get to know the girls and their children at the center; it’s so evident that the abuse they underwent in their past lives has been utterly redeemed by our gracious and loving God. I so enjoyed celebrating chapel with them in the morning and experiencing the joy they find in Jesus. Wow wow wow. Thank you for your prayers and love, folks! Missing and loving you all. And don’t worry, no one was eaten by hippos or lions at Murchinson Falls. Praying for Soph as she prepares for PCC!
Love, Sam
About to reach the second part of our journey at CLD in Kampala, and while of course I’m mad excited, it’s sad to leave the girls and their kids at CVI. They are beautiful and full of a joy and strength that seems so impossible at times. It’s been amazing to see God at work with all of them and within all of us. I still can’t believe that I’m in Uganda and apart of all this. But as they say, God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. And that is His nature. Thanks for your prayers and I can’t wait to share everything that’s happening here-if I can even remember it all and let it sink it. Thank you to everyone for helping me get here and for your prayers! Love you all like mad (especially Madre, Papí, and Natty-Pants)! Hailey
We are writing this blog on the bus on the way down to Kampala. It sometimes seems surreal that I am actually in Uganda (even after 2 weeks here). The landscape is literally mezmorizing and the people have already shown me so much love. I have been so moved at the Child Voice International site by the young mothers and their wonderful children. It is really a testimony about how much God’s love can transform a group that have gone through such tragedy by being abducted in the LRA. I feel a sense of peace going to the next phase of the internship knowing that it is going to be good and I should really just trust Jesus with what ever plans He has for me down there. I am a little homesick. I already miss my parents a lot but I am glad they trusted God enough to let me go on this trip. Thank you again, all my supporters. I can not wait to tell you all about my experiences here. SEE YOU SOON MOM AND DAD! - Benjamin Le (p.s mangos are amazing here)
Wow, our time in Uganda is half over, and as I write we are driving to Kampala, the largest city in Uganda. The past two weeks have been amazing, filled with singing, dancing, and joy. At Child Voice International the former Child Soldiers were such a blessing to meet and talk to. The way God has transformed their lives for the better is absolutely undeniable and it was so inspiring to get the chance to just be in their presence and listen to them share about how they have seen God move in our group. I will surely miss all of the girls (and their kids!!!!) but I am very excited for this next half of our journey. We don’t know how God will use us in the next two weeks but I know he will move in wonderful and powerful ways despite all of our individual brokenness. Oh and we saw like 6 elephants and what a wonderful creature they are, YEAH TUFTS! Miss everyone back home, thank you so much to all of my supporters, talk to you soon Mom, Dad, Travis, and Cams! ☺
Greetings from the road in Uganda. We are finally on a real road which is much appreciated for all our stomachs after being on a dirt road for about 3h. Our time up North was really amazing. One day as we were in Chapel with the girls, I was struck by their smiles. These women had radiant smiles on their faces. They were singing praises to Jesus and clapping their hands. So much had changed for them since they had come to CVI. They had come from pretty bad places – former child soldiers, now mothers who had been cast out by their families. Now just 1 year later they stand there filled with smiles and joy. They shared with our team how meaningful our presence was to them and how they had seen God in our team. I thought to myself, “I see God in you. I see that he is a God who can truly restore people.” The Old Testament talks about deserts turning into gardens and wastelands flourishing. I see that same picture happening in Lukodi – in the smiles of these women and their children, in the fact that people can now walk around their village and stay out late in safety to watch a film. God is real and powerful. He has the power to transform lives and whole regions. It has been an honor to be here. While I am sad to leave the North, I am looking forward to seeing what God is doing in the South. I miss you all! Thanks for your support and for enabling me to come to Uganda with this team. Blessings & thanks, Alex
Love you all, Rachel
Has been an incredible journey thus far in this beautiful land! Our time in Lukodi was absolutely amazing; it has been quite a transforming experience thus far for both our team and all of the incredible people that we have encountered. All of the girls and their children at CVI were so beautiful inside and out, in spite of all of the pain and suffering they have been through. God is truly at work in this place!
Much love to you all! Love, Hannikins McQ.
Wow. Spending time in Lukodi at CVI has revolutionized the way I think of God’s grace. It was beautiful beyond words to get to know the girls and their children at the center; it’s so evident that the abuse they underwent in their past lives has been utterly redeemed by our gracious and loving God. I so enjoyed celebrating chapel with them in the morning and experiencing the joy they find in Jesus. Wow wow wow. Thank you for your prayers and love, folks! Missing and loving you all. And don’t worry, no one was eaten by hippos or lions at Murchinson Falls. Praying for Soph as she prepares for PCC!
Love, Sam
About to reach the second part of our journey at CLD in Kampala, and while of course I’m mad excited, it’s sad to leave the girls and their kids at CVI. They are beautiful and full of a joy and strength that seems so impossible at times. It’s been amazing to see God at work with all of them and within all of us. I still can’t believe that I’m in Uganda and apart of all this. But as they say, God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. And that is His nature. Thanks for your prayers and I can’t wait to share everything that’s happening here-if I can even remember it all and let it sink it. Thank you to everyone for helping me get here and for your prayers! Love you all like mad (especially Madre, Papí, and Natty-Pants)! Hailey
We are writing this blog on the bus on the way down to Kampala. It sometimes seems surreal that I am actually in Uganda (even after 2 weeks here). The landscape is literally mezmorizing and the people have already shown me so much love. I have been so moved at the Child Voice International site by the young mothers and their wonderful children. It is really a testimony about how much God’s love can transform a group that have gone through such tragedy by being abducted in the LRA. I feel a sense of peace going to the next phase of the internship knowing that it is going to be good and I should really just trust Jesus with what ever plans He has for me down there. I am a little homesick. I already miss my parents a lot but I am glad they trusted God enough to let me go on this trip. Thank you again, all my supporters. I can not wait to tell you all about my experiences here. SEE YOU SOON MOM AND DAD! - Benjamin Le (p.s mangos are amazing here)
Wow, our time in Uganda is half over, and as I write we are driving to Kampala, the largest city in Uganda. The past two weeks have been amazing, filled with singing, dancing, and joy. At Child Voice International the former Child Soldiers were such a blessing to meet and talk to. The way God has transformed their lives for the better is absolutely undeniable and it was so inspiring to get the chance to just be in their presence and listen to them share about how they have seen God move in our group. I will surely miss all of the girls (and their kids!!!!) but I am very excited for this next half of our journey. We don’t know how God will use us in the next two weeks but I know he will move in wonderful and powerful ways despite all of our individual brokenness. Oh and we saw like 6 elephants and what a wonderful creature they are, YEAH TUFTS! Miss everyone back home, thank you so much to all of my supporters, talk to you soon Mom, Dad, Travis, and Cams! ☺
Greetings from the road in Uganda. We are finally on a real road which is much appreciated for all our stomachs after being on a dirt road for about 3h. Our time up North was really amazing. One day as we were in Chapel with the girls, I was struck by their smiles. These women had radiant smiles on their faces. They were singing praises to Jesus and clapping their hands. So much had changed for them since they had come to CVI. They had come from pretty bad places – former child soldiers, now mothers who had been cast out by their families. Now just 1 year later they stand there filled with smiles and joy. They shared with our team how meaningful our presence was to them and how they had seen God in our team. I thought to myself, “I see God in you. I see that he is a God who can truly restore people.” The Old Testament talks about deserts turning into gardens and wastelands flourishing. I see that same picture happening in Lukodi – in the smiles of these women and their children, in the fact that people can now walk around their village and stay out late in safety to watch a film. God is real and powerful. He has the power to transform lives and whole regions. It has been an honor to be here. While I am sad to leave the North, I am looking forward to seeing what God is doing in the South. I miss you all! Thanks for your support and for enabling me to come to Uganda with this team. Blessings & thanks, Alex
Monday, June 14, 2010
Team A Lukodi Uganda Monday June 14
We have only two more days at Child Voice.
This morning we had an emotional chapel where child mothers were sharing how much they had learned from our team this last week.
Our Team shared how they had felt so much love from these girls and seen such transformation in their lives because of Christ.
This afternoon we have a very special guest coming to Child Voice. Betty Bigumbe is a very brave women who went into the bush to negotiate peace with the LRA and Joseph Kony years ago before the cease fire occurred.
It is interesting that she knows many of the girls who are at CVI as she saw them in the bush with Kony.
One personal note:
During chapel I held the new baby of Lily, who was/is Kony’s #1 wife.
As I held this little girl, I thought that Kony has never held his own child, yet here I am holding her.
In two days we meet with Team B at Murchinson Falls Park.
It will be a great time on celebration, catching up and sharing stories
This morning we had an emotional chapel where child mothers were sharing how much they had learned from our team this last week.
Our Team shared how they had felt so much love from these girls and seen such transformation in their lives because of Christ.
This afternoon we have a very special guest coming to Child Voice. Betty Bigumbe is a very brave women who went into the bush to negotiate peace with the LRA and Joseph Kony years ago before the cease fire occurred.
It is interesting that she knows many of the girls who are at CVI as she saw them in the bush with Kony.
One personal note:
During chapel I held the new baby of Lily, who was/is Kony’s #1 wife.
As I held this little girl, I thought that Kony has never held his own child, yet here I am holding her.
In two days we meet with Team B at Murchinson Falls Park.
It will be a great time on celebration, catching up and sharing stories
Team A Lukodi Uganda Monday June 14
We have only two more days at Child Voice.
This morning we had an emotional chapel where child mothers were sharing how much they had learned from our team this last week.
Our Team shared how they had felt so much love from these girls and seen such transformation in their lives because of Christ.
This afternoon we have a very special guest coming to Child Voice. Betty Bigumbe is a very brave women who went into the bush to negotiate peace with the LRA and Joseph Kony years ago before the cease fire occurred.
It is interesting that she knows many of the girls who are at CVI as she saw them in the bush with Kony.
One personal note:
During chapel I held the new baby of Lily, who was/is Kony’s #1 wife.
As I held this little girl, I thought that Kony has never held his own child, yet here I am holding her.
In two days we meet with Team B at Murchinson Falls Park.
It will be a great time on celebration, catching up and sharing stories
This morning we had an emotional chapel where child mothers were sharing how much they had learned from our team this last week.
Our Team shared how they had felt so much love from these girls and seen such transformation in their lives because of Christ.
This afternoon we have a very special guest coming to Child Voice. Betty Bigumbe is a very brave women who went into the bush to negotiate peace with the LRA and Joseph Kony years ago before the cease fire occurred.
It is interesting that she knows many of the girls who are at CVI as she saw them in the bush with Kony.
One personal note:
During chapel I held the new baby of Lily, who was/is Kony’s #1 wife.
As I held this little girl, I thought that Kony has never held his own child, yet here I am holding her.
In two days we meet with Team B at Murchinson Falls Park.
It will be a great time on celebration, catching up and sharing stories
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