Danny, Heather, Keith, Wesley, Jeremiah

I can remember when we first arrived and would visit Hope. Many little eyes would just blankly look at us from afar with intense wondering hearts; who are these people? Can I trust them? Will they love me? What are they like? I spent much of my time (and still do) just sitting with various groups of children talking and getting to know their personalities and of course learning numerous tongue twisting Luganda words (their local language). This makes them laugh as I attempt to pronounce their words, all the while, I am working to teach them about love. During these last months, I have wondered what is really happening in their little hearts and if being on the ground is really making a difference.

After day after day of visiting Hope, we find that as we drive through the gate to the children's home, many children run to the car to greet us.  Many smiles are given and I can hardly get out of the car because they want to be the first one to hug me and smell the perfume I am wearing. As I make my way towards the front porch, more and more children run up to me to give me a long, healthy hug.  Now, they are telling me that they love me so so much several times a day and are saying "we need more Aunt Heather's! There is not enough of you for all of us". 

Here is a "love note" they put on my car the other day

My hopes are that in sharing all of this with you, you will find that simple acts of love are more powerful than you might have thought.  When you support Show Mercy International, you are loving these children.  They know that somebody is thinking about them; somebody believes in them.  You are changing their future with your love.

~  Heather Stirn

Interested in Moving to Uganda
Show Mercy also NEEDS more "Aunts and Uncles" that feel a desire to serve with Show Mercy long term in Uganda. Click here for more information.