Letters from Uganda

Two days ago all of the kids got to write letters to their sponsors. We told each child their sponsors name and they got right to telling their sponsors about themselves and drawing pictures. They said things like, “thank you for loving me”, “thank you for paying my school fees”, “I am praying for you”, “I want to be a journalist when I grow up”, “I will try my best in school for you.”

Our heart for Beautiful Response is that even around the world the Body of Christ would be able to care for each other. So it was so special to hear the kids running around, telling each other the name of their sponsors and asking us, what each of you are like, how we know you, and what types of jobs you have.  The best part was later that day when we gave out the pictures and letters we had been given by you their sponsors to bring to them. Oh they were so happy!

When I am in America the kids here and sending them to school feels so far away. In my world of abundance I lose sight of the tremendous need here and I forget how important, maybe even life changing, it is to provide the money for the kids to go to school. When I see each kid here and I think about which one of you is their sponsor it becomes so much more real. You, a friend of family member of Caleb or I, are making a direct investment in a child here whose name and face and story we know, who has sat on our laps or has held our hand.

I recall the disconnect we often feel when we think of the needs of the world’s poor. I am familiar with the overwhelming feeling that what I am doing isn’t enough. If only we could bring each of these kids to America to meet you, or for each of you to come here. Maybe that will happen for some. But for the rest, know that the little boy or girl whose name and story you know in Bulenga, Uganda also knows your name and (possibly) your face and story too. And that to me is so beautiful.

"You are Ugandan"

It’s Monday morning and the kids are enjoying their last week of holiday before they go back to school.  The past few days we’ve had the joy of handing out all of the things we brought for them.  All of the kids received a couple clothing items and they were excited to receive the books and other toys that were sent.  Thanks to all of you who made that possible. 

It has been raining a lot which has limited our ability to move around.  This week we are planning on meeting with the schools that the kids attend.  Pray that we can build a positive relationship with the school principals and teachers.  We are also planning on meeting a few people to talk about oversight and to get Raising Up Hope on some other organization’s radar.  

One of the joys of this trip has been how familiar the kids are with us.  Over and over again we have heard, “thank you for keeping your word” or, “thank you for returning to us.”  The kids no longer call us white people, now they call us by our names.  They tell us you are not visitors, You are Ugandan.

Upon Arrival

(Written 8/25)

The kids rushed out to see us taking our hands and screaming, “Uncle Caleb and Aunt Sonja!!” I notice first how skinny they have become. I recognize a lot of their faces, I try hard to jog my memory of each name, some of the faces are new, others take me a while to recognize—I forgot how quickly you grow up when you are little. We’re back, everything looks the same, I am overwhelmed, but it feels really good to be here.

The issue is food. When we were here last year an organization in Oregon had been sending them money every month for food, electricity, and water. But their funding has slowed and leadership waivered so money comes to Patrick and William occasionally but not consistently.

Patrick and William are smart and there are smart people helping to lead them. They are striving to be able to generate income of their own. It is nearly impossible for nearly 50 orphans and just 2 grown men to be completely sustaining. But at least if they could make some money they would not be fully dependent on others’ goodwill.

They had been given money to purchase a used taxi (which is actually a 15 passenger van which seats 19 at any given time and runs more like a bus). The taxi has the potential to earn $150 a week. Unfortunately, the used taxi that they bought needs a new gear box which costs $800. They have found a mechanic that will allow them to make payments once the taxi is running again. It will take them 5 weeks of income to pay it back. Hopefully, it will soon begin generating some income for the orphanage.

We are also learning about a new chicken coup the orphanage is building. It is a very impressive structure with the capacity to hold 2,000 chickens. The orphanage could earn $800 selling the eggs of these chickens. They are going to begin with 250 chicks.  Keeping the chicks healthy and providing feed for the chicks will be obstacles, but hopefully in a few months the chickens will be laying eggs to be sold at the market.

So they need the weekly income from a running taxi to pay for the chicken feed for the 250 and later 2000 chickens that will lay enough eggs to be sold in order to buy food for the children living at the orphanage.

There is a lot of risk in these operations that we have been discussing with Patrick and William.  We want to have a plan in case the income isn’t exactly what they expected. 

William, Patrick, Caleb, and I really need wisdom. I know as much about cars as I do about raising chickens (which is nothing at all).  It is evident that we as Beautiful Response will need to help fill in some of the gaps in order to provide food. Still it is empowering and sustaining for the orphanage her to be able to generate their own income.

So we pray for favor, wisdom, and discernment as we seek to provide for those whom we love and are loved even greater by the Father.

It Has Been A Year

I cried when we left the orphanage a year ago. The kids were all so sad to see us leave, we had learned their names, and a big part of me felt guilty to be leaving them. They were just a bunch of kids and even in a place called "Raising Up Hope for Uganda" I still felt a sense of hopelessness. 

We had spent just two weeks living there. We had eaten rice and beans everyday, tried to remember enough elementary school grammar to teach some semblance of English classes, and worked hard to remember each of the 42 kids' names. Most importantly though, we had decided to do something after we left. 

It could have been all too routine. Go to a poor foreign country, love and take pictures with a bunch of really cute kids, have your heart break for them, and then leave feeling sad and guilty only to convince yourself that there is nothing that you could do. That has been me too many times. It was almost us again. 

We had no clue what we were doing. We don't know much now, but we knew even less back then. We had not finished college yet, we had only lived in Uganda for 5 months, what could we do to really make a difference?

I am learning that the act of doing, is less pressing then the need to be available to respond. It is as if we are the axis and all of these wonderful people are moving and working around us. Patrick and William who are leading the orphanage, the kids who are all in school and studying diligently, our donors who continue to amaze us with the generosity and love, and a board of directors who has graciously lead and supported us. All it took was for us to choose to get up and stand straight to allow the Body of Christ to come alive and respond to each other.

It has been a year. Since we first left Uganda 48 wonderful individuals and families have partnered with us by giving financially, because of their generosity we have paid the school fees of 42 students for 4 school terms, we have been granted 501c3 tax exemption by the IRS, and the 4 members of our Board of Directors continue to give of their wisdom and time.

On Tuesday we are going back. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to look back on where the Lord has brought us since we were last in Uganda. First thing I want to do is hug each of those kids. I have a feeling they will remember us. They will call us Auntie Sonja and Pastor Caleb. Instead of making up English lessons, we will get to help them with their homework after school. At night they will play the drums and sing and dance and pray. We will talk with William and Patrick we will strive to lead in wisdom as we discuss finances and plan for the future. We will pray for partnerships and leadership from those older and wiser who are also serving in Uganda. And after another two short weeks I will cry again, maybe even more. But I will be thankful that a year ago we had not decided that we couldn't do anything.

With Love, Sonja

(In the midst of unreliable internet we are going to try to keep this updated while we are there so keep checking back.)