Sharing A Piece Of My Heart

Every Sunday afternoon we walk down the hill and head to the girl’s dorm. You’ll usually find them napping, playing games, washing, bathing or just relaxing..

This Sunday afternoon was unique for them. It was by far one of my most favorite days since my time here!

Aly and I brought down the games Twister and Trouble for a little fun.

After a while, somehow this ended up happening....

                                      

It was so much fun teaching the girls a little gymnastics. I have had many people tell me, “Kaitlyn, you could use your gymnastics skills in Uganda! Teach the kids some flips! It’s a gift God has blessed you with!” I never really considered it until now. As you can see, God made way for that opportunity! And the girls absolutely loved it!

Little Anna volunteered herself to try it, but by the looks of her face you can see she wasn't to happy about it!

The past couple of weeks I have really been missing my kids at the gym back home. It is competition season, and I have missed out on all the meets. I keep up with them through Facebook. I look at their pictures parents have posted of their meets and even watch videos. It has been hard being away from them. God knew spending the afternoon doing “gymnastics” with these kids was something I needed and would love! 

We had handstand contests, and I even spotted back handsprings and back flips. I taught them how to salute and do backward rolls. We worked on splits, and just spent the afternoon goofing off and having so much fun! 

It was such a blessing to share a piece of my heart with these kids. It made me think of my kids back home, and how much I miss being in the gym with them. How I miss being a part of their accomplishments and failures. I even thought about what one little girl said to me before leaving. She said, “Coach Kaitlyn, you need to show the kids in Uganda pictures of us. Tell them about the kids you work with at home. And when you come home you can show us pictures of them and all you did with those kids!” I cannot wait to show them these pictures! They will think its hilarious and wonderful all at the same time. I just know it!

And now every time I enter the girl's dorm some of them are always begging me to watch their handstands that they have been working on!

This day left me thinking one thing..

It really doesn’t matter where you are or what you are doing... You can always use the gifts God has given you to glorify His name, and that is what you see here.

- Kaitlyn

Kids, Kids & More Kids!

 Saturday is the busiest day of the week for us. We have the Saturday Program, Dorcas with the girls, and fellowship with the kids in the evening. Although it is the busiest, it is definitely a lot of fun!

The Saturday Program consists of praise and worship, preaching, and small groups. We split the kids up into 3 groups. The 3 groups are the lesson, music, arts and crafts or games. The kids always have a blast!

One Saturday, Aly and I were able to teach the kids some American songs!

Here the kids are singing “Big House”!

“Come and go with me

To my Father’s house

Come and go with me

To my Father’s house!

It’s a big, big house

With lots and lots of rooms,

A big, big table

With lots and lots of food,

A big, big yard

Where we can play FOOTBALL!

A big, big house

It’s my Father’s house!”

Although it is a packed day, I love it the most because it’s the most time we spend with the kids..

...I think they love it too!

- Kaitlyn

Ssumba Village Home Visits

Every Wednesday of every week we are able to walk the dirt roads of Ssumba village. We walk up through the swamp and up the hill doing home visits with Byron. Byron is the over Upendo CDC.

One Wednesday evening we visited Jane’s home. I know the family who sponsor Jane, and it was a privilege meeting Jane’s family and praying over them.

        

Here are some other pictures of families we have visited..

Tracia's home was very nice! Tracia is the one in the orange shirt. Her sister is not sponsored but Tracia is. Her father and mother work in the stone query to provide for school fees for Tracia's sister. 

Below is a picture of Peter, his grandmother and younger sister. He lives with his grandmother. Jah-jah says she has a hard time getting Peter to do his school work and go to church with her. He sometimes even skips school to work. Please pray with us as we continue pray for Peter..

Aly and I have been reading a book on the Muslim beliefs. Learning the religion has been a huge help in witnessing to Muslim families. It is our prayer that God would continue to use us to reach out to the families of our sponsored children.

- Kaitlyn

Family Apart From My Own

It has been over a year since I have seen Catherine. I have always dreamed of seeing her home. Finally, that opportunity fell into place. Not only did I get to see her again, but I also go to visit her home.

I cannot even put into words how happy I was to spend time with Catherine, her mother, her cousin and her little friend from school! Her mother is the sweetest woman. She made me feel at home! She was telling us how Catherine’s father is a pastor of a church. I could tell that Catherine has been blessed with wonderful parents. Her home was beautiful! 

I gave Catherine a Simba stuffed animal (which she fell in love with), two new dresses and some panties. I gave her mother some bread, sugar, soap, and a few other things as well.

Not many people get the blessing of being able to spend time with their sponsor child or their families. It was a huge blessing to not only be able to see Catherine again, but also meet her family and love them endlessly. Praying over them brought tears to my eyes. I wish I could provide for every need. I wish I could spend every day with them, and really get to know them. But I know that because of Christ I am their family and they are mine. We are united in Him, and because of that I truly feel a part of their family.

- Kaitlyn