Village of Hope Uganda

Celebrating the life of Patrick

villageofhope — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:32:30 +0000

The best way to describe Patrick is joyful, sweet, gentle, thankful, & courageous. He loved his 5 siblings (see photo below… Stella, Faida, Clinton & Irene. Barbara not pictured) and friends, going to school, playing soccer and dancing. He had a big heart for God.

They were abducted by the LRA rebels, where they were abused and forced to watch the horrible slaughter of their parents. Afterwards, they had no home to return to and were left to fend for themselves. In November 2008 Patrick and his siblings joined our family at VOH and then in May of 2010 they were thrilled to be the first to move to the Village where their new life began.

In November 2011, while Patrick was preparing to take his final exams he was overcome with horrible pain. But instead of going to the hospital, he insisted on completing his exams. Only AFTER he finished did he allow Mike to take him to the Gulu hospital. They removed a tumor in his chest and diagnosed him with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer. In the months that followed we helplessly watched as he went through chemo with faith and courage. Many times our “miracle boy” fought for life, as he faced death. His desire to live was not for himself but in order “to help my family”.

On March 14, 2012, Jesus chose to take him home, where he will enjoy eternity dancing with the Lord. As the children often sing at the Village, “I will no more suffer.” Please join us in rejoicing in his short life with us, and the example and inspiration he was to us all. Until we meet again, “Mama” Cindy.

Read Mama Cindy’s letter to the children about Patrick

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

Norbert, Norman and Barbara

villageofhope — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:16:34 +0000

Four years ago I met Norbert (tall one) and Norman (they are twins) and their little sister Barbara when they were living in the refugee camp.

God has done so much in their lives since that… unforgetable day! Praise God for redeeming their lives!!! Norbert, Norman and Barbara photo taken yesterday at the Village…

Where the children came from

villageofhope — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:15:42 +0000

Let us never forget where these children came from… and that there are still over hundreds of children still living in the IDP camps in Gulu. Praise God for His amazing work in so many lives…

Cry or laugh

villageofhope — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:14:29 +0000

It hasn’t rained here in months!!! To the point we have had wild fires all around us.

Except for today… when we wanted to take a group photo of the kids. =)

You have 2 choices: cry – or laugh like the kids.

I chose to laugh. Just another fun day at the Village!

“Welcome to life in Uganda”

villageofhope — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:56:27 +0000

We are so excited about working on the new library (using one of the Secondary classrooms). Our interns spent ALL day cleaning and setting it up. Then one of the wild fires came right up to the school… and all the black ash covered the floors, shelves… everything they just did. “Welcome to Uganda” =)

Oh, woke up yesterday to 100 of the neighbor cows in our fields, eating cassava (main staple of our kids’ diet) and our young mango trees. Mike wasn’t too happy… neither was I. Again, “welcome to life in Uganda.” =)

I love it, you never know what a day will bring. But we DO know WHO brings the day.

A family reunited

villageofhope — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:57:08 +0000

I told you Rose would find a way to sneak a few more kids to the Village. Well she did and her name is Barbara!

She is Norbert & Norman’s little sister. For 4 years we have been asking their “auntie” if she could live with us… but she refused because she needed Barbara (5 or 6 years old at the time) to take care of her. So we kept praying.

The other day the “auntie” called Rose for help… and asked if she could take Barbara. Of course – Rose was more than happy to help! We are all so happy to have her here and so are Norbert and Norman! A family reunited!!!

… they DANCED!!!

villageofhope — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:45:53 +0000

We all had the GREATEST time with the kids! They played musical instruments in the costumes they wore during the Summer Competition, where they took first place! Then the rest of the day they… DANCED!!!!!

Girls dancing in their beautiful outfits!!! Oh what fun we had just watching them… have fun! And of course some of “us” (me) jumped right on in there!

Even the little ones want to join in…

Getting Letters

villageofhope — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:48:39 +0000

The children received all of their letters from their friends in the US. They were soooooooooo excited, you would have thought I was giving away new cars! =)

Pamela gets a letter from her sponsor!

Watch out!

villageofhope — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:57:09 +0000

Water balloon wars with the Village children… thank you Uncle Bill!

Ready Aim Fire!

Watch out!

Happy Birthday Grampa Bill

villageofhope — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:00:45 +0000

ALL your grand children in Uganda love you and wish you a Happy Birthday, Grampa Bill!