Impressions of America Part 2

There are many people in Uganda that Damion and I adore and feel very connected too. However, we are so excited to have Pastors Michael and Christine Kyazze (Cha-zay) here with us in the U.S. right now. Not only are they exceptional people overall, but greatly inspire me personally to proceed with great vision and continue taking small steps to achieve a great goal.


Here is a little self-portrait of Christine and I, like-minded hearts. You see, twelve years ago, Christine is the one that began the Tender Mercies International program, which we have been supporting for almost 10 years now! In the past, Uganda ranked #1 in AIDS related deaths (Now it is Zimbabwe) and because of poverty, civil war, etc, there are many, many orphans. Twelve years ago, Christine was caring for 16 orphans in her own home and asked our organization , RIM, for help in providing care for them. Fast forward twelve years and there are almost 300 orphans being cared for at the Primary School that we've been privileged to help build, both in financial support and in carrying bricks! Each sponsor is asked to donate $25 per month, per child to provide them with an opportunity to attend school (not free in Uganda), and receive clothing and one hot meal per day (the only meal for most). Thanks to Christine's wisdom, she is able to stretch the $25 a month to bless more than just one child. For instance, our little one named Solome lives with her four brothers and sisters who are provided for to some extent as well.

Just as Christine has begun a great work with 16 orphans and now expanded to almost 300, my dream is to bring relief to many impoverished children around the world through providing food, clean water, blankets, clothes...whatever will make their lives richer. There are so many who need our help and once you see those little faces looking up at you, you just can't get them out of your head or heart.

This is Christine's first trip to America as well and she says that everything is beautiful...the houses are beautiful, the buildings are beautiful, the town is beautiful....and the food.....she said that now she knows why Pastor Michael comes home from America with a few extra pounds and looking like he was bathed in milk :)

Also, check out my gorgeous necklace that Christine brought for me. It's awesome!!! Believe it or not, it's a carved shell and it has beautifully colored layers that create a great design! I love it!!!! I gotta run, but I'll share more impressions with you next time and maybe even about the time that Christine took Damion to meet Solome, the young lady that we sponsor AND what happened two years later!