Hi friends, Thanks for support our efforts to help our Ugandan friends. It’s so touching that you have shown such kindness and generosity to these people so so far away.
Joe and I are getting more and more excited for the trip. I have been talking a lot about our last trip and while there is so much suffering, most of my memories are joy filled. It could be that I am a little desensitized to war torn surrounding but in most situations the worst things are what I remember. When I think of Afghanistan I think of brokenness. But when I think of Uganda, I keep wondering why I remember everything so sweetly.

hey... I've seen that hat before
Walking through a neighbor IDP camp to Puda, I remember all the funny things happening like our friend having a race with about 15 kids chasing her.

It started with 2 kids but soon Robin had a dozen chasing her, hilarious
I remember the kids who were “scared” of my white skin and after seeing what I felt like would bust into laughter and run off, only to return again for another round.

I remember Joe throwing kids into the air and their laughter that they had to lay on the ground to recover from.

I don’t think initially of the suffering, of the open wound, diesase, hunger, loss and in general injustice.
I have a lot of facts I can share like when they last visited Puda, the top emergency Problems in Puda were identified to be:
·Some people still have bullets or bomb particles in their bodies (4 and 5 years old!)
·Some elders have no one to build them a hut or cook for them
·Many children have open wounds on their legs
·They have only one borehole, inadequate for 315 people
·Majority eat only once a day due to inability to dig or cook

Wait a minute... that is a familiar hat.
These things break my heart but the interesting thing is that when we were there, we were greeted with such joy, the joy is what dominates my memory. I can’t help but wonder why the sad things from the trip did not dominate my memory.

David and David = The Davids! I like when family members have the same names.
All I can figure is that we were surrounded by thankful people with prayerfully thankful hearts. We got to see the hope and thankfulness for what we consider so little, and how that led easily to joy. I am fighting off worry that the need does not result in hopelessness because I know all things can be redeemed.

With such a desperate situation hope is required. Jesus is the perfect example of bringing hope to us. He did not need to feed the hungry,heal the sick…. to be their redeemer but he did because of his love. And we can show love in similar ways.

They were so confused they couldn't see their picture on my film camera
I know there is more need in Puda than we are able to bring, I know the problems that have made these people the victims in this war may not be resolved soon. I can only hope and pray that reaching out to them goes beyond healing their bodies. I pray it encourages them and gives them hope for their future.

Ahhh, this is the hunky hat owner! I'm pretty sure right after this picture was taken I told Joe "k, you are going to be my boyfriend, like it or not!"

Then he pulled out the big guns... "That's it Joe, I'm going to marry you."
I’m going with such thankfulness that we have compassionate friends and families who can understand how far kindness and generosity can go. I’m thankful for the donations, the medical supplies you have shared and your encouragement.

This is how friends should always walk together
We have raised about $2,025! Anything further raised can provide extra medicine, could be used to build them a pit latrine (bathroom), farming tools (100% have the land but either no equipment or are too sick to work it) . . .
Our goal is to raise $3,000. We think it can happen. If you haven’t had a chance yet to DONATE, please do so!
You can still ORDER A PHOTO – Orders places after Friday June 25th will be processed when we return. All the donation and photo sales will close on July 7th.
Love the Jo(e)s
Some emergency community problems.
·Some people still have bullets or bomb particles in their bodies
·Some elders have no one to build them a hut or cook for them
·Many children have open wounds on their legs
·They have only one borehole, inadequate for 315 people
·Majority eat only once a day due to inability to dig or cook







