Rock of Ages Kids

"Every person at their very core desires to be a part of something greater than themselves"

While we might not always understand this desire or be able to articulate it properly the desire is present regardless.  Just pause a think for a moment about this world that you live in.  How often have you found yourself caught up in the excitement, drama, and intensity of momentous occasions?  This desire is found in:

• sports fans who follow their teams fanaticism
• people who scream, cry, and cheer as Olympian compete
• individuals young and old who watch/read Lord of the Rings while craving to themselves be a part of such an epic story (maybe without the Orcs)
• men and women who serve in the Armed Forces and collectively provide security and peace that could never be accomplished alone
• scientists/researchers who devote their lives to discovering cures for disease
• executives who turn down millions of dollars to instead lead inner city outreaches
• educators who pass up promising careers to instead teach the next generation
• music, literature, movies, and all forms of human communication - even Facebook allows people to believe they are part of a community larger than themselves
• and in this desire is found people who sacrifice financially so that small children on the other side of the globe can have a chance at education, nutrition, and life (physical/spiritual).

Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement.   

Your H4U Team

Did you ever wonder at the power a simple kind act can have?  One recent July afternoon,  Ireene, a 9 year  Uganda girl who attends the Rock of Ages School, was  sent to the Mbiiko market place after school to sell pancakes to earn money for her family. Tricked by a local boy into handing over the remainder of her  pancakes for what she thought was a folded 1,000 Ugandan Shilling note (about 40 cents),  she feared going  home and facing the wrath of her family for her mistake. The boy had stolen her pancakes by giving her a worthless, torn in half note. So she she lingered in the market place until it turned dark.   Distraught and crying, she was approached by a man who  saw her distress and  promised to help her by  explaining  to her mom what had happened. For the second time that day Ireene was deceived. As they walked  toward home, the man  chloroformed her,  kidnapped her, and took her to a village miles from Mbiiko.   

Her abductor intended to use her for child sacrifice, a practice still performed by witch doctors in Uganda. It is believed  to bring good fortune.  However, when  she was closely examined, they found her ears were pierced, thus making her unsuitable as a perfect sacrifice. She was discarded  on the side of a jungle path where she lay until she was found by some women who took her home. It took a couple of days for Irene to recover enough from the drugging to tell her story and to be taken home.  

How did she get her ears pierced? A group from Hands4Uganda traveled to Irene's school in April, a group I had the honor of being a part of.  While there, Jen, one of the team members took time on the last day to pierce the ears of young girls. What adds to that story is that Jen originally questioned  whether the idea of piercing ears was even worthwhile until she felt a strong calling one day before the trip to track down the supplies and move forward with the idea. Jen mentioned it to a close friend who happened to have extra piercing kits in her home and gave all she had to bring to Africa.  Those few donated kits were then transport half way around the world and sat in Jen's bag  almost forgotten, until on the last day, when what can only be the prompting of God, she remember them.  The days activities had ended and students were dispersing, when Jen finally took out the kit and started to pierce ears. As typical in Africa, a crowd gathered and Jen pierced ear after ear until the supplies were exhausted. Young Irene was among those who stuck around and unknowing  received the gift of life. The team  went home and thought nothing of this seemly inconsequential  small act until we heard the story of Irene's kidnap and return. When Jen heard the story and wept at the power of God.  

Thank you Jen Robinson for having a sensitive heart.

Thank you Randy Fowler for encouraging Jen to go and serve.

Thank you Sarah Johnson for giving away your ear piercing kits.

Thank you Karla Reynolds planting the seed in Jen's heart months before the trip, and for leading the team over there this April.

And THANK YOU JESUS!! To you be all glory, all praise, and all credit, because of you Irene lives!!!

Jen Piercing Ears

Jessica Namubiru

Jessica turned 6 on May 16th.  She is in the Middle  Class (mid-level preschoolers)  at the Rock of Ages School.  She lives with both her parents, but it is her mother who supports the family by digging in gardens for other people. She has one sibling. Like most little girls, Jessica loves playing with dolls.

Your $20/month sponsorship guarantees a spot in the school for Jessica  and enables her to continue receiving an education by qualified teachers, a meal  each school day, and a school uniform. Please consider upgrading to a premium sponsorship of $40/month and a monthly food pack of rice and eggs will be provided to Jessica's family the first of each month during the school term.

Please prayerfully consider sponsoring Jessica  or making a one-time donation in her  name. A one-time donation in any amount will help offset her tuition or if you like, you can specify your funds in Hope 's name for support to her family. Learn how by visiting Jessica's Hands4Uganda website page now.  

Update:Both Hope Hadijira, highlighted in July and Caroline Nabwire highlighted in June have found sponsored!