First of all I have set my travel dates. I will be in Uganda for a total of 9 weeks. I leave Minneapolis on June 6th and I will return on August 7th. This gives me a couple of weeks to spend with my family before and after my trip instead of just rushing to and from school.
Secondly I have been in more contact with my new friends in Uganda working for Africa Renewal Ministries and I have learned more about what I will be doing this summer.
I will be spending my first two weeks at Loving Hearts Baby home near Ggaba. This is a home for abandoned babies. I believe that most of our tasks will involve holding babies, changing diapers, feeding and probable any extra things that the regular staff does not have time to do. This ministry is home to over 20 abandoned babies. You can learn more about the program here - www.lovingheartsbabies.com
We will then travel to Bethany village. This village is located along the shores of Lake Victoria. The main focus of Bethany Village is child development. They rescue children from the streets of Kampala and bring them to the village where the put them into a home, feed them, clothe them, give them an education and teach them spiritually. This village seeks to meet all the needs of the children for now and when they grow up. These children are taught sustainable agriculture and some animal husbandry skills. Currently there are 509 children and 72 youth involved at bethany village. The school has 408 enrolled students. I am not sure exactly what my tasks at Bethany Village will be but I know that I will be investing in the lives of many of the young women who are loving at Bethany Village. To learn a little more about this ministry go to http://www.africarenewal.org/ARM/main.htm and click on Bethany.
After some time at Bethany Village I will be traveling to Mityana Uganda to spend two weeks with Peninah (pronounced Pennie). I met Pennie on my trip to Uganda in 2006. She was 4 years old and the most precious little girl in the whole world. I instantly fell in love. Since that trip I have been supporting Pennie by paying her school fees. We also send letters and gifts back and fourth. I have come to love this little girl and her family as if they were my own. During my time with their family I will mostly just be enjoying Ugandan culture. I am so excited to be immersed in their culture and learn more about their way of life. I have come to realize that Ugandans have a very different faith than most Americans. I want to learn to see God the way that they do and to love Him more because of this experience. I also just want to have a great time with a very special family.
For the last three weeks of my trip I am planning to go back to work with Africa Renewal Ministries. I will be working with a woman who ministers to Muslims near Kampala. I don't know much about this part of the trip yet but I am very excited. This semester at Biola I took an introduction to Islam class and it has made a huge impact in my life. I am so excited to be able to spend some time just being with these Muslim women and getting to know them.
God has been blessing me in incredible ways so far in the planning and preperation part of this trip. I have received almost 25% of the financial portion of this trip and I have dozens of people committed to praying for me. There are so many people that have come along side of me to encourage me through this whole process. I can not even begin to describe how blessed I am!
That is about all I have so far. It is hard to believe that I will be leaving in 24 days!!! I have a lot of school work still to do to finish this semester well. I will try my best to keep you all updated at least once a week. Thank you again for all of your support!
Striving to serve diligently,
Kimberly
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