On Monday morning we were finally able to meet our new girls! There are 27 girls living in the house. 3 are graduates who have remained for additional time, 1 is only 4 years old and 23 are new to the house. We were beyond excited to to see one another, because we had been waiting 6 months. After lots and lots of hugs, we were able to begin spending the rest of the day together. On Sunday I mentioned my friend, Mary Albaugh - founder of Amazing Grace Pillowcase Inc., who has a pillowcase ministry back home. She heard me speak and her heart was moved to help the girls. She asked me if she and her team could make pillowcases for each of the girls, small children and staff who reside in the house - a total of 32! A prominent textile company from New York donated the material - Thank you Henry Glass & Co.!!!! 😚😚😚 They say, "Jesus Loves You" on them so that this will be the last thing they see before they close their eyes each night.
I can not begin to explain the happiness and love and amazement that I feel during times like this. The realization that these girls have just started a journey that will forever impact their lives is beyond words. They have lived lives of horror until now and you can sense that they are still uncertain as to how to understand that something this good could have happened. We explain that it is only because of the love of Jesus. He loves them and has sent His children in one place - to help His children in another place. We explain that their sponsors and donors work tirelessly to provide for their needs and that they have a large group of their family in Christ - whom they have never met - praying for them daily. We tell them that distance separates them from their "mommas", "papas", and "friends" now, but that someday they will meet them all and spend eternity with them! They clap and cheer when they hear this and so do we!! 😄🤗
On Tuesday, Matt and I traveled with Rachel, Emmanuel and Simon (our general contractor here in Uganda) to see the new land we purchased. A few months ago, through the generous donation of others, we were able to purchase 5 acres of land. It is located in a remote village about 45 minutes east of Kampala on the way towards Jinja. It is breathtaking and so peaceful. It is close to a trading center so that will be a great benefit.
The purpose of this land is to build a new campus for the girls. Currently they are housed in a single dwelling. They sleep about 8 to a room and train in cramped quarters. The girls obviously do not realize the need for more space because they used to sleep on the ground outside, but we have definitely outgrown our sweet little home. Not only that, but there are so many more girls that have had to remain on the streets due to lack of space. They cry and beg Rachel to bring them too but there isn't any room left...
That brings us to the purchase of this property. Our hope is that we can build a dormitory and classrooms large enough to hold 100 girls. This land will also be a place where they can grow their own food and house their poultry. This can only be accomplished with the help of others through donations. It seems like a daunting task, but like I keep telling Matt that I believe, "God's got a ram in the thicket. " We just have to be faithful in our trust and obedience to Him. These are His daughters so we believe that He will move His children who are in a position to help - to join us. Please pray fervently for His Will to be accomished in this - not ours - His.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
I have been following your blog and sharing Matt's FB post. The girls look great and I am praying for you all!
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