We have been very busy since we sent our last update out in August, so please forgive us for the delay. As many of you heard, we put together with the help of many other committed friends a fundraiser for Show Mercy International called "The Great Northwest Challenge".

The Great Northwest Challenge

Our great friend Tim Smith called us one morning and said he had an idea that he thought would help to raise money that would benefit the children in Uganda. He had an idea of a race competition similar to a cannonball run.

After tossing the idea around, we came up with the idea of putting together a competition that would be similar to the television shows "The Amazing Race", "Fear Factor" and "Survivor". We had a team of about 12 people that met every week for 2 1/2 months to plan out all the details. On October 8th, 2005, we held the first Great Northwest Challenge. We had a total of 92 people enter the competition. The teams were made up of 2 for a total of 46 teams!

The Great Northwest Challenge Teams

We had 10 different events that each team completed in order to gain points. The team with the highest point total at the end of the competition won a grand prize of $5,000. The winning team was named "Big n Rich" and was made up of Justin Tedrow and Jason Schaefer.

Through this benefit, we were able to raise enough money to build one new children’s home. We had many corporate sponsors support this competition and that covered the cost of the event. We were also able to make a donation of $3000 to the ABC House, "All Because of Children" located here in Albany, Oregon. They provide many services to children in the local Albany area who have been victims of sexual assault or abuse. For this particular fundraising event, we felt like we were to use the money raised to help not only the poor and neglected children in Uganda and other countries, but those who are living in our communities around us.

Trip Planned

We are so excited about our upcoming trip to Uganda scheduled for December 30 through January 14th. We have tentatively committed to build at least two more homes in Uganda . We will be meeting with two pastors who we have begun building personal relationship with. They both already have property picked out to build new homes. One is in Mubende, which as we said in our previous newsletter, does not currently have any children’s homes. The population of that community is over 70,000 and to think that there isn’t any type of home for the children is mind boggling! AIDS and disease is taking its toll on that community and the children are being left on the streets to fend for themselves. What an awesome opportunity to be one of the first homes in that area. It will be a spark of hope for the children as well as the community. The property in Mubende will cost approximately $5000 for 8 acres of land. Once that is purchased, we will need financial support to help complete this home. Please consider supporting us in this mission.

The other home is in Entebbe on the outskirts of the capital of Kampala. There are 10 acres that have already been purchased for the home in Entebbe and while we are there, we will get the estimates for the building project.

Our heart is to also travel to Northern Uganda, where terrorist rebels have been destroying the lives of many children and families for over 20 years. The children of that area have been so damaged from this war that we can’t help but be moved to do something to help them. We are not sure if we will be able to build a children’s home at this time due to logistical issues that are still a factor in Northern Uganda. However, we are definitely planning to go and love on the people in that area and possibly provide meals for some of the "night commuters". We will also attempt to show the Jesus film and give the people hope and strength.

You can read more and view some videos about the atrocities that are occurring everyday in Northern Uganda at this site:

http://hotzone.yahoo.com/uganda

We will also be planning a 12-14 day trip to Uganda in late May of 2006 which will be open to anyone that is interested. If you have had a desire to travel to Africa, this trip would be a good opportunity. You can plan for your total costs for this trip to be approximately $3000 per person which will include airfare, hotel, ground transportation, visas, and two meals per day. Now is the time to begin raising your support. More information to come…

Expansion into India

Show Mercy International has just made a commitment to partner with World Orphans to provide a children’s home in Tenali, India. We will be working with Pastor Ravi Varma. The home will be called "Home of Blessed Buds" We will send out more information on this project in the near future that will include pictures as well. We are very excited about "branching out" into other areas of the world.

New Project

Here are a few pictures that Pastor Hudson sent to us from Mubende Africa as well as a part of the email he sent concerning his visit there:

Dear Mike and Lori,
Hope you are all fine though very busy for the NW
Challenge, which is just at hand.
Well, i went back to Mubende Thursday this week as i
had told you.
I was able to meet Pastor Banabas together with other
Pastors and leaders in the unity Fellowship.
Every church is sending in two or three orphaned
children for a start and then other kids will be
helped as they continue to pray and believe God.
The town is Big with a population of 70,000 t0 80,000
people, many people have died of HIV/AIDS and other
death causes but with Zero children’s home.
The pastors and Leaders have expressed their
gratefulnes towards the plans of Show Mercy
International extending it’s services to their area.
I was not able to take many pictures as it rained
shortly after i had taken a few of them. However, i
have sent you a picture of some Pastors standing at the 8-acre
land. Iam also sending you a picture of some of the orphaned
kids standing with two ladies.

Love you and Blessings.
Pastor Hudson Suubi.

Pastor Barnubus on Potential Land Sight

Children Awaiting New Home in Mubende

Sponsorships

We are still in need of sponsorship for the children at Hope Children’s Home. Out of the 54 children living in the home we currently have 24 sponsored. CAN YOU HELP US? Our goal is to have all the children sponsored before we see them at the end of December. It would be so wonderful to tell them that they all have people that have decided to sponsor and pray for them. You can help us by getting the word out and sponsoring a child. For $30 a month or $360 for the year, you could give a sponsorship in honor of one of your loved ones for this Christmas season. This is truly a gift that will keep on giving! It is literally a gift of LIFE! If you want to give a donation or sponsorship as a gift for Christmas, we will send a Christmas card to your loved one with a picture of the children as well as their story along with a note telling about the gift you gave to not only them but to a child in need. These children are so precious and truly a beneficial investment.

Read some of the children’s testimonies that are currently living in Hope Children’s Home.

"My name is Muwanguzi Violet , I have nine years and in primary one. My father died and they just burnt him.. My mother is unemployed and I could not go to school. I thank the showmercy international , my mother used to force us drink water so that we may not die of hunger. Now we eat and drink and sleep well. Oh almighty God protect Mike and Lori."

"My name is Hakim Mukisa aged nine and in primary two. My father died and they just burnt him. I used not to eat and most people used to chase me thinking that I would spoil their children. I thought that no one could help me out. I wanted to study but no one could help, but now I study, I have my parents Mike and Lori. One time they even hugged me. We even eat well , meat . May the Lord bless show mercy and be victorious in all their endeavours."

"I’m Victoria aged thirteen and in primary three. I love ShowMercy because my father is a drunkard. He used to come back and beat me. I donot know where my mothert is , I was not studying but now I do. They no longer beat me and I was planning to go to the street to stay there. Thank you."

If you would like to sponsor one of these children please click here .

Christmas Gifts

We are so excited to be able to love on the children in Uganda. I don’t even think we can fathom the type of life some of these children have lived. Now that they have a new home, they are really getting an opportunity to live LIFE! We want to bless these kids by giving them presents for Christmas. This is something that they have NEVER experienced! Most of us have always had at least something at Christmas time. We are believing to get enough money to give the children a wonderful dinner, toys as well as school supplies. Unlike most kids here in the USA, the kids in Uganda love school. They would give anything for a new book, pencil and paper. If you would like to be a part of this, please click here.

Norah’s First Doll from Party 6/2005

Thank you again for all of your support and prayers. We cherish your heart for caring for these kids with us and especially because you care enough to say yes today and to something about it!

We will be sending another email out with details concerning the home in India. Because of your support, even more children will be off the streets and into a home where people can help them to become all that they were created to be!

Blessings to you all!