As I look around at all the shining Christmas decorations and the colorful wrapped presents sitting under the tree I smile with anticipation of spending time with family.
It is very difficult during this time to be frugal. I see all the wonderful gifts available and all the great prices and want to buy everything and give everyone I know a present so they will feel special and loved.
I made it a rule a long time ago to only buy one present for each of my kids from me and from their dad. That was the most difficult decision because I wanted to fill their room with new things to show them how much I loved them. I had to control myself because I wanted them to remember whose birthday it really was and why we celebrate.
It was during this season I would try and teach them to think of others and give to those who have nothing. We use to pick a charity or a family we knew that needed help and would go shopping to buy them Christmas presents. I would even make my girls use some of their own money. One time we took the presents and left them at family’s home, rang the door bell, and drove away before they came out. My kids felt like they had participated in a secret Santa spy ring.
Yet through all this fun holiday time, my mind also thinks about the children in Uganda I love so much. I can think of each of their precious smiling faces and pray for them but I want to do more. Giving a donation to Friends of TOUCH is the most beneficial way I can help them. These funds provide food, clothing, and the most valuable gift of all, education. This is a true birthday gift for Christ.
I can see in my mind the future as these children, now grown, and celebrating their own Christmas with their family, can look back and say it was all possible because someone in America took the time to give of themselves during Christ’s birthday and all year round. From all of these children and from all of us, the staff and Board of FOT, thank you and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
- D
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Letters from Uganda
I thought it would be nice to let you hear how much the children appreciate what you do for them - in their own words:
I am fine and now living a very happy life because of the Grace of God he has put upon me through you . . . I truly appreciate your support, love and care towards me and may the good Lord reward you abundantly. - Margaret
I am doing fun, schooling enjoying each day I step at school. Thank you for the love you have showed me and my sister . . . If it wasn't you I wouldn't be where I am now. - Sarah
In Matthew 5:14 you are like a ray of sunshine that makes the world warmer and brighter wherever you are. it's easy to see God's love working through you. Thank you for being one of those rare people who are willing to go that extra mile for others and for giving so much of yourself. I hope you know how much I appreciate you. - Mariam
I am fine and now living a very happy life because of the Grace of God he has put upon me through you . . . I truly appreciate your support, love and care towards me and may the good Lord reward you abundantly. - Margaret
I am doing fun, schooling enjoying each day I step at school. Thank you for the love you have showed me and my sister . . . If it wasn't you I wouldn't be where I am now. - Sarah
In Matthew 5:14 you are like a ray of sunshine that makes the world warmer and brighter wherever you are. it's easy to see God's love working through you. Thank you for being one of those rare people who are willing to go that extra mile for others and for giving so much of yourself. I hope you know how much I appreciate you. - Mariam
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." - Matthew 5:14
THANK YOU!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
World AIDS Day
Today is World AIDS Day - a reminder that AIDS is still killing people and devestating lives. Since AIDS first emerged in the 1980s, it has taken the lives of over 25 MILLION people. Most of these people were between 20 - 40 years old, the age of workers and parents. The result is that millions of children are orphaned, and family and national economies are tragically scarred.
In 2007, 2.1 MILLION men, women, and children lost their lives to AIDS-related illness. Also in 2007, UNAIDS and WHO estimates that 2.5 MILLION people were newly infected with HIV, with 70% of those new infections in Africa.
There are now 33 MILLION people living with HIV around the world. To give you an idea of how many people that is, the population of Texas is only 24 million.
Most of these 33 million people are expected to die within the next ten years, leaving their children as orphans.
In Uganda alone (where we work), there are 2.5 million orphans from all causes (15% of all children). 1.2 MILLION of those were orphaned because of AIDS. There are an estimated 130,000 children in Uganda living with HIV, with only 8,532 of them receiving antiretroviral treatments.
James 1:27 says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." The number of orphans will continue to rise, and we must rise to the challenge by making orphan care a part of our daily lives.
We must do all that we can to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. We must encourage and help those already infected. We must seek better and more reliable treatment for those who need it. We must pray for families and health care systems overwhelmed by the need.
Please do not let this day pass without doing something.
In 2007, 2.1 MILLION men, women, and children lost their lives to AIDS-related illness. Also in 2007, UNAIDS and WHO estimates that 2.5 MILLION people were newly infected with HIV, with 70% of those new infections in Africa.
There are now 33 MILLION people living with HIV around the world. To give you an idea of how many people that is, the population of Texas is only 24 million.
Most of these 33 million people are expected to die within the next ten years, leaving their children as orphans.
In Uganda alone (where we work), there are 2.5 million orphans from all causes (15% of all children). 1.2 MILLION of those were orphaned because of AIDS. There are an estimated 130,000 children in Uganda living with HIV, with only 8,532 of them receiving antiretroviral treatments.
James 1:27 says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." The number of orphans will continue to rise, and we must rise to the challenge by making orphan care a part of our daily lives.
We must do all that we can to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. We must encourage and help those already infected. We must seek better and more reliable treatment for those who need it. We must pray for families and health care systems overwhelmed by the need.
Please do not let this day pass without doing something.
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