Doing life with these kids... is never boring!

So, yesterday afternoon I decided to follow a few of our kids as we left school. We are laughing and walking along and out of nowhere they tell me they are going to take me to see... a monkey!



Now, let me remind you, I am from Texas. The land of horses and cows. In Texas, we don't see monkeys, and we certainly don't see them on a casual walk through the neighborhood. I'm thinking to myself "how funny is this situation?!" I go along with the kids and what do we find? Sure enough, a monkey!

I'm not going to lie, this little thing was intimidating to me! The kids were touching it on it's back, on it's tail, they had no fear. Me on the other hand? I did good just to shake it's hand and take a few photos! Meanwhile the kids and I are all laughing the entire time! The following day at school the kids tell one of their teachers that "Aunt Courtney came to see the monkey and she was fearing it!!" The teacher thought they were telling a lie, so she came and got me. And... I confirmed that the story the kids were telling her... yes, it was true! I even had to show her pictures of the monkey to get her to believe our story!

Here is the photo I snapped of our kids with this monkey!The lesson I learned? Life with these kids is never boring!

Courtney Wrinkle

Vision of Destiny Volunteer

The fun of Sponsorship!

Over the past few days it has occurred to me just how much it means to these kids when they get a sponsor!

Speaking from my own experience, last year I began sponsoring one of the children at Vision of Destiny who's name is Yosam. He was one of the first kids I met when I arrived in Uganda, and there are so many reasons I love this funny, rambunctious, and outgoing kid! While he is great at causing his fair share of trouble, he really is more joy than anything else.

Some of those who sponsor our children occasionaly come here to Uganda to visit them. Others send their children gifts. Others send photos of their family (which the kids LOVE!) or gifts for the child.

For me personally, being both a sponsor AND a teacher has been a great challenge! I will be in the middle of teaching a bible lesson in Yosam's class and hear "Aunt Courtney. You are my sponsor." Yes, that is correct, I tell him. I have explained to Yosam's class many times "yes, I am Yosam's sponsor, but there are many other sponsors out there who make it possible for you to go to school!" I begin naming off other sponsors who have children in that class. One day as we were wrapping up class the children and I prayed for all of our sponsors who make it possible for these kids to go to school! While my struggle in the classroom is valuing Yosam as my sponsored child and making sure I discipline him just like every other child, it occurred to me one day as he was reminding me that I am his sponsor... To these children,

Having a sponsor... means that there is somebody on the other side of the world who is praying for me. It means someone out there cares enough to value sending me to school, allowing me access to uniforms and school supplies. It means that there is someone out there who wants me to hear about the Good News of Jesus! It really does mean more to these kids that they have a sponsor than people realize!

To see the list of current children who are awaiting sponsorship, please visit:
http://vodafrica.org/waitingchildren.html

In Christ,
Courtney Wrinkle
Vision of Destiny Volunteer

Sharing the Vision!

What is the Vision?

Many of you may know that Vision of Destiny (VOD) was the dream of Cari Nash: to have a Christ centered school that allowed orphans and vulnerable children access to education. In Uganda, education is the biggest expense a family has. Since many families cannot afford school fees, many children simply do not go to school. Or, if they are able to afford school fees, the schools are overcrowded and lack a Christ centered education.

VOD started in 2009 in Cari’s fourth story apartment with 6 children and has since grown to 140 children currently in 2012. The mission and goals remain the same: to share the love of Jesus with this young generation and break the cycle of hopelessness. Statistics from various sources estimate that 50 – 60% of all Ugandans are under the age of 14. With an average lifespan of about 50 years and a total population of about 34 million, that is a LOT of young people.

In the words of Katie Davis, one of our fellow missionaries working in Uganda,

“Children in Uganda must learn to read and write, to add, subtract, and multiply. They must learn about science and social studies and everything else school offers in order to be productive citizens in the future. Their nation needs them to move it forward, not hold it back. It needs them to be equipped to provide good leadership and support in positions of government, medicine, technology, social services, and other areas of society. Uganda truly has the potential to live up to its moniker, “the pearl of Africa,” if today’s children can gain the knowledge and experience they need to usher their country into a bright future.” - Taken from the book “Kisses from Katie”

Where are we going?

Eight acres of land has been purchased just outside of Kampala for a boarding school as we move forward with plans to re-locate. Maybe you are asking the question of “why a boarding school? Isn’t it best to leave the children in their homes with their families?” The answer is complex. Family units with many of our children are almost non-existent. Most of them live with aunts, uncles, and distant relatives. For those who do stay with their families, many of them consistently see un-Christ like behaviors. It is not uncommon to hear of our children who daily see alcoholism, prostitution, drug abuse, and theft. The hope and prayer is that if our children are at a boarding school for 8 months out of the year, if they are shown a positive, Christ like example, that not only will their families be impacted during the 4 months they remain at home, but also the cycle of hopelessness will be broken as they move on to raise families of their own.

While the key to eternal life for these children is Jesus, the key for a better life here and now is education and breaking the cycle of hopelessness!

Courtney Wrinkle

Vision of Destiny Volunteer

WIND MARY

This is Wind Mary. She is a student at Vision of Destiny and she is waiting for someone like you to sponsor her.  Wind Mary is from Southern Sudan. Her family fled the war there. Upon reaching Northern Uganda, her father was killed by rebels.

She lives with her mom, two siblings, and an uncle in a single room. She's an outgoing and friendly girl, helpful to her family, and a bright student.
Why don't you bless her life as well as yours by sponsoring her.

To sign up for sponsorship, email Cari at nashsanyu@yahoo.com or go to www.vodafrica.org for more details.

Living Under His Grace and Mercy,

Staci

ZALIKA'S EYES

This is Zalika.  Isn't she cute!  Her happiness is contagious in the classroom.  Cari enrolled her last year into the Vision of Destiny baby class.  She and her sister now spend their days in class learning their numbers and letters, playing at recess, singing songs and learning English.  Both sisters are precious but Zalika has a problem.  She doesn't see well.  Her eyes are horribly crossed.  She manages to get around ok but it is a problem for her.  One day she was carrying her lunch around to the front of the school to sit in the shade and eat when I saw her miss the bottom step of the stairs.  Down went her plate of food and suddenly she was lying in the dirt.  I ran over and picked her up.  Tears began streaming down her face.  Not only was she embarrassed but food is scarce at her house and she didn't think she would be given another plate of food.  Of course she did right then and there.  But the truth is, Zalika has trouble seeing.  Cari has done reseach in town and has found a surgeon who is qualified to do this surgery on Zalika's eyes to straighten them.  He has performed this surgery before.  We estimate the cost to be around $1,500 for the surgery and hospital stay.  Remarkably affordable compared to what it would cost here...but we don't have it.  Please help us with the cost so we can help Zalika see.  It will change her life permanently - not just during her childhood but throughout her adulthood as well.  No one will hire her with such terribly crossed eyes.  Please donate here:  give to Uganda School (make a footnote:  Zalikka's Eyes). I am certain that God will fill this need!  Any tiny bit will help - so please help us help Zalika.  I'll let you know when the need has been met!

Living Under His Grace and Mercy,
Staci Guthrie

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!

Cari is raising money to feed the children of Vision of Destiny Preschool. These children often go hungry due to severe poverty. For $3,810 we can feed 127 (that's all the kids and teachers) both breakfast and lunch for an entire term. That's just 25 cents per person per day! Will you help us? It is our biggest expense but is so worth it! Let Cari or Eric know if you'd like to donate for this term. It will make a HUGE difference in these children's lives!

Your donation will feed the children breakfast (porridge 3 times a week and tea with bananas twice a week) as well as a varying lunch - things like rice, cassava, potatoes, matooke, posho with beans and veggies and fruit.  Also, they get meat and juice on Fridays!  Not only are they not going hungry, it greatly improves their health.  Thank you so much for helping with this expense!  It is deeply appreciated by all the children and teachers as well!

Living Under His Grace and Mercy,

Staci Guthrie

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The children, parents, staff and I would all like to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas!  We are all so grateful for your prayers and support.  It is a blessing to each and every one of us here in Uganda!  So from our huge VOD family to yours -

MERRY CHRISTMAS!