The Children of hope….

When I look into the eyes of the children who live and go to school at Hope Children’s Home I don’t see poverty, I don’t see masses of orphaned children, I don’t see a problem that I can’t begin to understand or help with. What I do see are people I have fallen in love with, I see individual children much like my own, and I see opportunity. I see opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life; and an opportunity to change my own life in the process. These children are bright, enthusiastic and loving. They have hopes, dreams and aspirations. Each child just needs one person who cares enough to open a door of opportunity up for them.

A few of the boys came and sat down next to me the other day and told me they were going to give me a language lesson. Their native language is Luganda. They patiently worked with me to learn words that will bridge a gap between our two cultures. They were eager to invite me to walk into their world. As we spent more time together, I found that they were truly special kids and so I asked them about their dreams. Without hesitating, Silage told me "I want to be a Pilot." I looked at him and envisioned that for him. I think he would make a very good pilot. Ronald on the other hand chimed in "I’m going to be a Business." He said it with all the confidence that a business man would need to have. Then lastly Moses gently said "I want to be a Pastor" and I thought I would surly want to attend his church.

These children have hope. They have hope because people like you have been willing to set aside a portion of the plenty they have and reach their hands across the continents, in love, to help someone who has no one. Many of the people on our team sponsor children at Hope Children’s Home and have had the joy of getting to know them while in Uganda. I know without a doubt they would all tell you that they are far richer for having been given the opportunity to help these little ones to have a home, eat, go to school and realize their dreams. We invite you to consider this same opportunity. My husband Randy and I have found that Show Mercy is not just a place we have chosen to give money to, it is an opportunity we have taken that is changing our lives and giving us joy we never knew before. Sponsoring a child is very easy and yet it means so much to everyone involved. 

Show Mercy has many children’s pictures on the website and will be posting many more soon.  Click here to help a child today.

Alisa Varga
Show Mercy Volunteer

We only have 3 days left with our team and still so many great things on the schedule. I wanted to share with you a few of the different ways our team has been reaching out in LOVE!

Mending a Pocket…Mending a Heart
Some of the team has been working to sew up all the rips and holes in the children’s clothes.  As I watched the team sew, I could see the look in the children’s faces. They weren’t sure about what was happening…probably because no one has taken the time to mend something that is torn.  As each child sat as the mending took place, I could see a look of peace and joy come on their face.  They not only looked better on the outside (with mended clothes), but I know something happened on the inside of the little ones as well.     

Teaching the Next Leaders of Uganda
Another part of our team has poured many hours of sharing and teaching in the classrooms. The children have all loved every minute! Many of our team has commented on how smart and special these children are! It is really amazing what our Alpha Omega teachers have been able to do with a very tight budget. We need help to build classrooms as well as purchase text books for the school. Click here if you can help with this project.

Living Water for Kaliti
We are currently in the process of drilling a fresh water well in Kaliti Village (Field of Dreams). The village leaders are very excited for the people. All of those that we are meeting that live by the Field of Dreams are so appreciative for all of the ways we have been reaching out to them. Last year we were able to hand out mosquito nets. This year, the previous team went door to door handing out donated flashlights/radios. This team has been able to hand out blankets to the widows and now they are going to all have living water to drink. We are very excited about this project! Mike is meeting with a builder today and we should have plans for our new missions base as well as the first children’s cottages very soon!

Tea Party at Hope
Today,  we will have a “tea” party for all of the girls that live at Hope. We will also give each one a brand new dress. Over 70 dresses  were collected especially for the girls at Hope. Thank you to all who gave the dresses and thank you Linda for the wonderful idea. (here is a picture of all the dresses…they are hanging on Linda’s front porch)

Say No To Hunger
We are going to be feeding 50 hungry children on Saturday evening. The menu will be meat stew and rice. This will be the first time these children will have probably ever had meat in their life. Our older children from Hope will also have an opportunity to share a Bible story with these children. If you would like to help feed these children, please click here.