greetings from uganda

i never thought i would write a blog. actually, i tried to define the word to my friend today, and discovered i wasn't really sure what it meant. those who know me well, know i am not computer savvy and not tech minded. those just aren't my strong suits. i like to travel, i like people, i love kids and i love following God's plan for me. guess that's how i found myself living on gayaza road, luteete, kampala, uganda.....sometimes a relatively quiet neighborhood, sometimes noisy with tear gas blasts and sirens, i'm told this is referred to as 'washington road', home of local politicians.
it took a lot of work, time and money to register Desana Uganda. we're so glad we did, as the government has been ousting larger, richer and more powerful american charities for not being licensed in the country of uganda. andrew semwogerere, my partner, and director of DU, has been invaluable. fortunately, he knows when to keep quiet (when i'm whining about lack of power or hot water) and when to speak up (when someone is trying to overcharge us or is hindering us when we are working to help the kids). God connected us through a facebook friend that neither of us has ever met. thank you sarah...one day we will meet you.

we have worked to prepare From the Heart House for visitors, and we continue to work (though neither of us considers it work) looking for the projects and the kids who touch our hearts and bring us to tears. these are the Desana Uganda kids! we go to Naguru Remand Home every friday. we talk, we visit, we encourage....and we bring what we can: toothbrushes and toothpaste, t-shirts, fruit, underwear, hygiene products.....whatever. tomorrow we will bring bread and sugar and nail polish and maybe slippers. these kids, ages 10 to 18 are supposed to be held there only up to 3 months, while they await their court dates. many have been there over a year.....remember, some are only 10. their crimes range from theft to defilement to rape to assault to murder. there are no activities for the children, only 2 meals a day, no clothing, and the conditions are horrible...not enough mattresses, no showers, etc... the staff is kind, but the government doesn't give them enough money....this is the real problem in children''s instutions. we have visited Love and Care Orphange and Ministry....another facility lacking in basic needs like beds and matresses, but rich in love and nuturing and strong teaching the children of Christ's love for them. we have brought food to them and will continue to work with them, hopefully providing more basic needs.
God (LOVE YA) connected me with another wonderful organization, Raising Up Hope and Ssenyonjo Patrick. Patrick was himself an orphan and homeless at 17 when he found a 2 year old child thrown in a dumpster in a sack....Patrick received the call and in the past 5 years has expanded his ministry to care for 155 children with no regular income and no help from the government. Patrick runs an orphanage and a Safe House for children he has rescued off the streets of kampala. i ask you all to think about this......17 years old and homeless and he starts rescuing kids! if i told you that he is one of the most amazing people i have ever met, it would not even come close to describing patrick....i have known him 5 days and he is one of my favorite people in this world. thank you Jesus for the patricks in my life. we absolutely adore Raising Up Hope....today we brought fruit and posho and beans to the kids....we got to share in praise and worship in both the orphanage and the safe house and what a JOY! these kids can PRAISE! we both talked to the little guys about God's love for them and the importance of praise and being thankful and just how special and unique they are. most have had an extrememly tough start, either orphaned or abandoned....but all experience love and kindness at this orphanage. the safe house is AMAZING! the minute i leave, i am ready to go back. the kids are fantastic....their stories are heartbreaking. today 5 boys accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior! can you imagine being in the midst of that? 5 street kids realizing God was responsible for keeping them alive and that salvation was theirs through the blood of Christ! a safe house without any luxuries....a safe house brimming with love! next week we will celebrate with an american picnic....no one knew what that is, but everyone is excited. maybe because i said chicken and coke! i think maybe a little piece of heaven exists in that house, i know God lives there!!!!
Kampiringisa, well, that was another story......children's prison....the staff say it is not a prison, it is a rehab center, reallyi ask. where do the convicted youth offenders from Naguru go to serve their sentences? they come here to Kampiringisa.....oh, ok....it is without a doubt, the most depressing, harshest environment i have ever witnessed. the staff says they have not received clothing for the children in 2 years, many are in tatters....only a small amount of soap for 200 children every three months, solitary confinement for unruly children, no running water for 6 months, the children cook their own food which consists only of posho and beans (no rice, no fruit, no sugar, no veggies) because one of the cooks is too old to cook........!! oh, there's so much to say, but you almost have to see it to believe it. we were told we cannot post photos to the internet lest we offend the ugandan government for not properly caring for their children.....hmmm, we'll see about that. it is almost too overwhelming for our small charity to begin to help.....but it's not too overwhelming for the citizens of the Kinddom to tackle. if you truly believe that the little children should not suffer....and friends there are 8 year ols living here....HELP US! we need money, we need clothes, we need blanets, mattresses, sandals, hygiene products, bibles....we need you. we aren't looking for people to say...."I wish I could do more, but......" we are looking for people to say..."I can and I will!"
thanks folks for listening to me. George has been so much help at home....he works tirelessly posting and creating websites and sending the things we need here to make life for a few a bit easier....muchas gracias! (oh, how i miss mexican food!) andrew and i apprecoiate every penny, every prayer, every post, comment, email.....we can't do this alone...it takes a village or in our case, the Kingdom! blessings and love..............
Kathy
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