Learning to Move

I thought I'd share some moments from our trip to Uganda. This is one of our favorite - just an evening at the house with these wonderful young ladies teaching us how to move...

Several of the kids at TOUCH are involved in the church dance group. They practice all the time, and I love it - because they are using music that reaffirms God's love for them.

One of the greatest things about this trip was seeing the difference in these young lives. There is still a long way to go, but hope is now evident on nearly every face.

Show me your ways, O LORD,

teach me your paths;

guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are my God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.

-- Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)

Lives are Being Changed

When we visited TOUCH in September, our team went to see several of the children in their homes. The typical home is one or two rooms. Some have a bathroom, others must share a
neighborhood pit latrine. Cooking is usually done outside on a small charcoal stove.

This year, your gifts have helped to provide a home for four girls who previously had no place to stay. They have one room, with a bathroom, a table, two benches, and boxes where they keep their belongings. They have a real door that locks.

Before leaving, we were able to purchase beds for the girls. Mariam, the oldest, fell into my arms, with tears of joy, exclaiming, “Weʼve been praying for beds like this!”

One of these girls is Betty, the same young lady who wrote a song telling the tragic story of how she had lost both of her parents. Two years ago, as we recorded another student, Sandra, singing the song, I remember Betty sitting there silent, shaking with grief.

Today, Betty is a vibrant, outgoing young lady who always seems to be laughing, smiling, or singing. This time, her songs are full of joy and hope. All four of the girls are sponsored, but there are many more who still need this kind of help.

- Kay Helm, Exec. Director