Brandon and Jenn in UgandaLife here in Uganda has been rewarding in memories and ministry! It also has been challenging

in other ways. We love being in Uganda and working with Love and Care and all of the amazing children!

In the beginning of March we went house shopping and the last house we looked at was exactly what we were praying for. The house is in a small village about 10 minutes away from Love and Care (the organization we’re working with). It is a small house and a real fixer-upper with no electricity, running water, or interior work finished. I think we were sold when we walked around the property and found the 3 mango trees, an avocado tree, lemon trees, guava tree, orange trees, and banana trees. We are more than excited to make this little “Garden of Eden” our home. We feel so beyond blessed by all those who gave towards us being able to purchase the house! It is slowly feeling more and more like home. Thanks to a generous and loving donation by The Door church in Missouri, and Brandon’s construction expertise, the renovations for the house have already been started and the house will hopefully be livable within a month! Here are a few pictures of some of the progress! Praise God!

Mark 16:15

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the

gospel to all creation.”

March 26th we had another amazing and selfless team from America come to assist Love and Care and also us personally. Mervin and Ashley Esh lead the team of seven of our friends from Lancaster

Pennsylvania.

We have begun digging the sceptic tank. An 8’ by 8’ hole

by 8’ deep.

We now have the ceilings in, we are beginning to finish them.

(These are exposed beams in the living room, Ugandans never

heard of it but they like it now.)

We have begun the plumbing and electric. We have needed to pay for four poles to be used to

get the electric to our village. We also have put in all of the new

windows and doors.

Our property with the Avocado, mango and Cassava trees. On the

left you can see our sweet potatoes coming.

This picture is right behind our house. How well do you know

your trees? In this picture there are bananas, papaya, jack fruit,

Cassava, eggplant and a random green plant.

The first 2 days the team was here were spent at our new house laying brick for new walls and making our shower. In the evenings the team enjoyed getting to know and hanging out with the children at Love and Care.

The weekend was spent with the children learning new games, getting a chance to worship with them, and sharing some bible lessons and skits. The children were so immensely blessed by the team!

The following week the team spent at Hallelujah Mountain laying the foundation for the new kitchen and building the walls. Everything was hand dug and the building is made with brick and hand-

mixed cement so the team was working hard!

The team from left: Liz, Merv, Ashley, Jennika, Brandon, Linny

Marlin, Mike, Joshua, Allen

On the last night with the children the team provided a special meal for all the children and staff. The children rarely get meat, so the team surprised them with beef, fish, rice, and sodas for everyone! It was a real party!

Friday morning the team said their good-byes (always dreaded) to the children and we started on our seven hour drive to Jinja, Uganda. We spent the last full day with them white water rafting, kayaking, and paddle boarding on the Nile. Easter Sunday we debriefed and said our goodbyes to the team.

Brandon and I were so refreshed, blessed, and encouraged by the team and our friends. To have friends go through everything they did to get here, and just come and pour themselves into what we are doing, means more to us then we can explain. While they were here Brandon and I both got breakthrough from sickness and we both got an increase of faith to keep believing for those things that seem impossible. Because nothing is impossible with our Jesus!

The day after the team left ,Brandon and I didn’t have much time to miss them because we got a wonderful surprise, a baby! The mother, who is mentally handicapped, had a baby a few months ago

and neglected the baby on the streets. The local people took the baby to the police, and the police brought the baby to us!

Because of the expenses and time required to take care of babies, Love and Care often tries to connect any baby with other organizations that are more set up to fulfill their needs. However, Darrin and Fatuma have wonderful hearts and trust Jesus so they said yes to taking in the little bundle of joy. Brandon and I gladly accepted the role as baby care takers and so the new little adventure begins.

Not long after the baby arrived she had a sponsor for her formula, sponsor for diapers and wipes, and a couple donations for baby clothes, blankets, and other baby necessities. It just goes to show that when you say yes, Jesus will always provide. We are learning that if you look at only the obvious and facts of the world and not at Jesus you will miss out on many blessings and testimonies. Baby Pretty is such a blessing to this family, and just like Jesus provided for her, I know He will continue providing for all the children here at Love and Care.

Real Talk

Brandon and I would be lying if we said everything was always great and easy living here. We love it, and we know Jesus has called us here for such a time as this, and we are excited for what He’s doing here, but it has not been free of challenges and let downs. Sickness, malaria, doubt, and lies have attacked us like never before but Jesus gave us the grace to overcome it all! One thing that’s true is that through each trial we find ourselves learning more and growing closer to each other and most importantly to Jesus Christ. Our baby (The unborn one) is doing great!! We are starting to feel her movements and we are so excited for when we get to meet our own precious baby!! Our finances are doing well! Praise the Lord for those who are partnering with us! We have been blessed to be able to give extra funds into the well-being of the children at Love and Care! Our days are always full of surprises and it is almost impossible to plan our day, as it is constantly changing by children that are sick, things needed at the home, or children who need help with children things. We wake up at 5 am and

Baby

Pret

ty

join the children for corporate prayer for an hour or so, then, we are helping to get 20 of the young children ready for school. Once the children are off to school, we help wash the clothes (by hand) for the following day and begin to prepare the food for lunch and dinner. The day is always filled by random things that need done. Lately, Brandon has been spending most of the days at the new house, preparing it for when we can move there. Currently we are still living with the 90 children here at Love and Care. When the children come home from school, we hang out with them and help with school work. Dinner is next, and then there are always several children who need attention to cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Brandon spends 30 – 45 minutes every day attending to first aid. Then we prepare the young ones for bed and TRY to get them to sleep. Then, we will always lock ourselves in our room at around 10 and have our own time. Our time here has been soo rewarding! Every day, we need God’s grace, and his wisdom as we live here!

James 1:2-4Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that the your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed,

you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Rashid lost his big toe nail playing soccer. Brandon’s first aid training from years ago is coming in handy.