Making a Home... Becoming Family... and A Birthday

God has blessed us abundantly!! This week has changed our lives.

I thank God for using our family to touch these beautiful children's lives. They have touched our hearts and blessed us beyond measure. We will never be the same... I thank God for that to.

We were blessed today to help make the house our children live in a "home". We purchased a table and chairs, a couch and chairs, shelves for the children's rooms, drawers for the Mama, and a cupboard to store their few dishes. They were SO excited!!

They will not have to eat or do their homework on the floor any longer. Praise God!

We were able to spend a large part of the day at the village. We were able to see their furniture arrive and help hang their curtains. Our girls and Mama appreciated this SO much!

They call each other "sister" now. True bonding happened between these girls and Katherine.

"Sisters" in their hearts. Elizabeth enjoyed spending time with her sisters, she did NOT want to leave them.

My little one wanted me, "Mama Cheryl", to hold her... I was happy to!

Our boys were excited about their furniture... but enjoyed making faces at the camara a little more! :)

Andy had a pretty good time too! He was surrounded by boys most ALL day!

Today is also my darling husband's birthday. What a way to celebrate your birthday!

"Daddy Gary" was in heaven!

I think it's only fair that since he got to celebrate his birthday in Uganda... I should be able to celebrate MY birthday in Uganda. Right?? Fair is fair after all!

Beautiful Girls

We were blessed to spend the day with some very special children.

They sang songs and danced...
Showed us their precious faces...
Melted our hearts...

And enjoyed a special treat...

What a wonderful way to spend the day!

Faces I Miss

My handsome, funny man...

My beautiful, baby girl...

My all grown up, fine young woman...

My precious little punkin'...

My gorgeous girl...

I miss you all! I love you so much and can't wait to be with you again! Kisses and Hugs!

Sights in Kampala

A street view...
Children practicing their soccer skills...
Shops lining the streets...
Beautiful children...
A furniture maker...
A determined face...

My heart melting...
I thank God for taking us on this journey. I thank Him for Pastor Jackson and Eve Senyonga. I thank Him for allowing us to see their ministry. I praise Him for allowing us to spend time with our beautiful children. Uganda is an amazing place! Glory to God!

The best Field Trip EVER!!

Today we were blessed to take our children to the zoo in Entebbe. They were very excited! On the way to the zoo they sang many songs. It was beautiful!

Gary and Enoch are excited about entering the zoo.

Andy enjoyed hanging out with Wilson and Kenneth. They would NOT leave his side!

After seeing the animals, the children LOVED it when Elizabeth pushed them on the merry-go-round!

These are a few of my beauties... they loved holding my hand. It blessed my heart!

Katherine and Vanessa spent a lot of time together. She is our youngest.

Words cannot describe what a blessing these children are to our family.

We decided to skip going to Jinja next Wednesday so that we can spend the day at the village with our children. It will be Gary's birthday. What a beautiful way to spend a birthday!!

Welcome to Adventure Village!

This is an amazing place! Christian Life Ministries has served the Lord faithfully with all they have done for the children here. We are so blessed to be a part of this wonderful ministry.

These are our girls!

These are our boys!

Andy enjoyed playing soccer with the older children. The boys have their hands tied behind their backs to make it more even since they are playing against girls! Andy did great!

Whenever we took their picture they ALL wanted to see it. Katherine loved showing them!
Elizabeth was surrounded by children as we were entertained with dancing and singing.

Katherine and Elizabeth taught the older girls a lyrical dance. Andy played the music. The dance was beautiful! Their dance teachers would be very proud of them.

One of the boys we sponsor, Clinton, giving us thumbs up. He knows we will be back tomorrow to take them to the zoo! :)

Happy New Year!

We serve and awesome God!! Worthy is His name!!

We had the privilege of participating in the National Celebration here in Uganda. It is a time to worship the Lord, hear the Word preached, and much prayer.

Pastor Eve Senyonga has been a gracious hostess and blessed us so much. We thank God for introducing her and Pastor Jackson to us several months ago.

We are so thankful the Senyonga's invited us to Uganda.

The Celebration began in the afternoon.

Pastor Eve (in the blue) preaching.

The Christian Life Church choir.

There are 300 members. Mostly young people.

During the evening session, Pastor Eve asked us to sit on stage.

After she introduced our family and Andy... Gary said a few words to the people.

It was estimated that there were 30,000 people there to worship the Lord!

Andy led "Open the Eyes of My Heart" with the choir. Incredible!

Pastor Eve beginning the count down for the New Year.

It was an incredible night that will NEVER be forgotten.

Elizabeth, Katherine and Andy... speechless.

At midnight there was a huge display of fireworks and more worship.

There was also an intense time of prayer.

Pastor Eve asked us to the front of the stage once more as we stood for America as they prayed for our nation. They also prayed for our family.

Needless to say... WE ARE EXTREMELY BLESSED by this event!!