U.S. Thanksgiving in Uganda

Well we had our 1st U.S. Thanksgiving in Uganda. Our dinner was amazing thanks to Jim's chef skills...wow! Jim, Robyn and I had a great talk about the blessings of past Thanksgivings with family and friends. We thank the Lord that we were able to have those memories and able to create a new one this year in Uganda. I will always remember my " 1st Uganda Thanksgiving". Thank you Jim and Robyn for making it so special!

B-Day Ugandan Style

I had a great Birthday yesterday thanks to all my friends and family in the States and especially my FAMILY at Door of Hope! The children here threw me a wonderful party! All day I was kept out of the sitting room because Priscilla and some of the other girls were in and out decorating up a "storm" :) Robyn "got me out of the house" for a girls lunch at Uganda Child Care. It was so wonderful to have ice cream...cold and yummy!! By the time evening came I was only allowed in my room because of the flurry of surprises that were being created in the house especially for me!

It was all worth it because when it was time for dinner the party was starting! :) Jim made my favorite, spaghetti with his "famous" meat sauce and we had sodas for the whole family! Wow what a treat!! Moses was snapping pictures left and right! :) Wow was I stuffed after 2 plates of spaghetti hehe!

Then the big unveiling of the "surprise" in the sitting room happened. Everyone but me and Shadia, my "escort" for the night went into the room. Shadia lead me in and as soon as I entered I was AMAZED at all the BEAUTIFUL decorations and how festive the room was! Then the girls started throwing flower petals on me...wow I felt like a princess (that ones for you Jim). Shadia escorted me to my "special seat" and the festivities began!

Moses was the MC for the evening! He even wore a special "B-Day MC" hat that he made...too cute. Auntie Fatumah opened in prayer and then DJ Matthew and Rock kicked off the tunes. There was dancing my Rob, songs by Jennifer, Shadia, & Sara. Then a skit that was a total crack up about my birth and naming me Rita. I laughed so hard!! Thank you Winnie (Mom), Rob (brother Rob), Jennifer (Dad), Barbra (friend), and David (Doctor) you all made me smile!! I am so thankful to John Travis for the word and preaching he gave last night about God's plan for our lives...thank you!
Then of course it was "Cake Time"! The lights went out and the pink, pancake cake was brought in with 1 big candle in the middle burning bright. I made a speech and a wish and blew! We all ate cake, laughed, and took more pictures. That wasn't the end the music, dancing and drumming started again! Fun was had by ALL!!

Thank you family and thank you God for Blessing me!!

Three Weeks till I leave for the U.S.

Wow I can’t believe that I only have 3 weeks left in Uganda! I remember writing when I had only been here three weeks and it just seems like yesterday! So much has happened to me and the children here since I arrived at Door of Hope on February 11th. When I head back to the U.S. on December 6th it will be almost exactly 11 months that I’ve been in Uganda. When I get to the states I’ll be going to visit my parents and family in Indiana for a month over the Christmas and New Years Holiday. I’ll then be heading to San Diego to see friends, clean out my storage unit, and sell things, so I can do what God has directed me to do….”COME BACK TO UGANDA”. I’m even going to sell my little, red, Honda Civic, so if anyone know of someone that needs a great car, with low miles please let me know. Thanks!

It’s amazing to me what God has allowed me to be a part of at DOH. I have seen these children physically grow, become leaders within the house and at school, deal with many emotional issues, develop their faith, learn to love again, and know what it is like to have a family for the FIRST time in their lives!

As a missionary for Door of Hope (DOH) I have wore many “hats”; from shopping at the market, to administrative assistant to the director, to Bible Study leader, to counselor, to project coordinator, to the children’s Auntie. Each role, along with others that I didn’t mention, fills my day and has brought me closer to the Lord. It has allowed me to show His LOVE to these children and in turn I’ve received it back ten-fold.

I could keep telling you about ALL of the wonderful things that God has done in the last 10 months, but I have to stop and get to the point. The Lord has called me to continue serving Him at the Door of Hope Family in 2010. In doing that I am putting all my faith forward that the Lord will provide for all my needs, as I am volunteering for Him. So I ask you to please consider sponsoring me again in 2010. It is by God’s grace I am here and I’m getting through. I never discount the LOVE and HOPE that God gives me as long as I have the FAITH!

Thank you for all your prayers, support and love! God be with you all!

In Him,
Rita