BACK IN AFRICA!!!!!

Well...it's only taken me 4 weeks to get on here and post something since we landed! YIKES!! You'd think we moved to the bush of Africa or something! he, he. Nope, not at all. In fact we're in the heart of the capital city, KAMPALA!!!!!!!!
We landed safely, without any flight cancellations or problems! Yay! We got all our luggage and our dog Kenya, who suffered minor anxiety from flying. The minute we landed and walked outside, it was as if AFRICA greeted us with a warm, loud and sweet..Hello. The smell in the air, the noise in the distance, and the blanket of heat that wraps your body is the best greeting one can receive. Fatu and I looked at each other, smiling as I told her, "we're back!".

I think from here I'll be short and too the point! Just the highlights!

We LOVE our house! Totally not what we would have ever imagined in all these years of dreaming and praying and living in Africa! Jeff and I have had numerous conversations over the last 8 years about where we would end up and this isn’t at all what we imagined! But, God is a way bigger and better dreamer than we are obviously!! So we're looking forward to opening our house to family, old friends, and new friends....and filling it with loud, fun, LOVE!!!

Gardens and Grass...we’ve got lots of it on our homestead and we’re looking forward to neighborhood soccer fun, veggie gardening, composting, and lots of little feet running around outside enjoying Uganda’s beautiful weather!

Driving on the Left! We borrowed a car for our first 3 weeks here and during that time…Jeff and I learned to drive! I was terrified to be quite honest but once I got behind the wheel it seemed to be easier than I thought. Now we’re on the search to buy our own car.

Christmas and New Years is so different in Uganda. There are no carols on the radio or being pumped into the streets. No hot chocolate, flashing lights, bells ringing, or count downs to Christmas Day. No “10 days of shopping left” signs to stress you out. It’s really a peaceful time of reflection on the true meaning of Christmas. We sang carols at church, our family read the story of Jesus birth, and enjoyed a meal with our friends. Simple. Sweet. Celebrating Love himself!

Tuning our ears to Lugandan, shifting our money minds to schillings, taste buds being awakened once again to the sweetness of mango’s and the yummy-ness of chapati’s (basically fried flatbread), saying our good nights under mosquito nets, scrubbing our dirty red feet every night, hearing the familiar call of “Muzungu”, being careful not to drink water from the tap, wonderful, long greetings no matter where you are or where you’re going,…YES…we’re Back in Africa!

And although this list encompasses the quirky and fun things of Africa, there is also a side of Africa that makes your heart ache and your soul cry out! Poverty is all around us. Kids are hurting and hungry. People are sick and lack money for medicine. Teens are longing for a brighter future but are left at home to work so their families can survive or pressured to slip into bad social scenes. Many are without jobs and without a way to express their hearts, dreams and desires. Every day we are reminded of this. There’s a constant ache in our hearts that never goes away. We're glad for it because it's in that heart ache that we can hear the whispers of Jesus calling us beyond ourselves to those around us.

BUT…even in the midst of the struggle, the suffering, the hardships…there is no doubt still JOY and STRENGTH within the Ugandan people. There is creativity, ingenuity, laughter, love, peace, friendship, confidence, talent, and gifting that astounds us!! There is HOPE and there is a FUTURE for Uganda! We are inspired by those we meet to love bigger, give more, and pursue the dreams that God has put in us. Dreams of spreading HOPE and LOVING extravagantly and seeing lives changed!

Love for LIFTED Uganda!!

LIFTED Uganda aims to lift lives, families, and villages out of poverty through development of small income generating businesses.

Hearts and lives lifted…
Out of poverty,
Out of hopelessness,
Out of suffering,
Out of despair,
Into Life, Into Hope, Into Joy, Into a Future!

Our first small business is making and selling Ugandan crafts that are handmade by Ugandan mothers.

The first batch of 30 bibs have ALL been SOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU

to everyone who purchased a bib and brought HOPE to a Ugandan mama. This income generating business is helping lift Ugandan families out of poverty into provision. With the money made from selling these one-of-kind African bibs, children are able to go to school, malaria medicine can be bought, and families can enjoy a nutrional meal. Your purchase has directly helped Alice, our first LIFTED participant. As of today, Alice is training 2 other Ugandan mothers to sew. The next batch of bibs will bring much needed income for 3 Ugandan mothers. We'll have more available in a few weeks! We'll be posting on FaceBook and here on the blog once we have the next shipment.

I wanted to share a COOL STORY from the one of the moms that purchased a LIFTED bib. Erin emailed me to place her order for a bib for their newest addition to their family, a baby boy only a few weeks old. His older brother J, who is about 9 years old (I think), heard about the purpose of LIFTED and wanted to do something to help kids in Uganda. J had $3.00 of his own and he wanted to give all of his $3.00 to Alice so she can use it to take care of her children. His parents told him they would match his generous donation and send an extra $6.00 along with the price of the bib. What an amazing heart J has to give all of his money to those in need across the globe! $3.00 is alot of money for a young boy and it will go a long way in Uganda. It's inspiring to see kids at such a young age embrace loving others!
Thank you J!

THANK YOU EVERYONE for supporting LIFTED!

Check back in a few weeks for the next batch of 30 bibs!!

LIFTED BIBS- ONLY 3 LEFT!!!!

We are so excited to finally announce the beginning of
LIFTED Uganda!

Read below for the full bio on LIFTED and how to purchase the bibs. These are the first hand made crafts from the LIfTED program. We started with 30 to sell and we have these 3 Handmade African bibs left!!

1 purple flower pattern with flower design (newborn size)
1 Yellow/Blue dot pattern with Flower design

1 Multicolored Stripes pattern with star design

This has been in the works for many years - from inspiration to the real thing! LIFTED Uganda was a hope and a dream that I envisioned many years ago and evolved as myself, Jeff, my sis and good friends put our hearts and minds together making it what it is today. LIFTED Uganda is working to see lives, families and villages lifted out of poverty through small income generating businesses. Through LIFTED, women are given the opportunity to use their creative sewing skills to make one-of-a-kind handmade crafts. In Arua, Uganda, there are many women tailors with great skills and creativity but who do not have work. Most families are struggling to provide for their children in the areas of food, medical care, clothing, or education. It is common for Ugandan families to care for their own children along with nieces, nephews, and orphans in their villages, making provision difficult for all. LIFTED was created to provide an opportunity for women to share their creavity with others as well as receive income from the sales of their crafts. The first handiworks we're selling are 20 African baby bibs!
Our hopes are to become a non-profit (once we can get paperwork finished....not my cup of tea) in the near future and expand to include additional aritists, tailors and craftsmen from Uganda. For now, purchases will not be tax deductible. All of the profits from the sale of the bibs will go directly to Alice, the first women participating in LIFTED Uganda.

The African Bibs are made of a waxcloth material and a form of terry cloth which are both found in Uganda. After 8 years of traveling to Uganda and living there part time for the last 2 years, there is one thing that stands out in Uganda: waxcloth! Waxcloth is found all over Africa and it is by far the most beautiful material I have ever seen! The bibs are machine washable and will shrink slighty. Each bib was made using a foot treadle sewing machine and detailed hand stitching. Each bib is a one-of-a-kind! The Hand Made African bibs are $12.00/each and includes standard shipping within the U.S.
We only have 3 left to sell from our first batch so get them quick!!


To Purchase a Hand Made African Bib:

Email Katie at xtkatie@gmail.com with pattern and design, size (if newborn), number of bibs and shipping address. Once I recieve your email order I will send a confirmation email to ensure we have the bib/s you want to purchase. After you recieve my email with confirmation, then you may use the PayPal button or send your check in the mail. Please do not send checks or use PayPal until you recieve a confirmation email from me. Thank you!! Once payment is received your African bib/s will be shipped

Announcing... LIFTED Uganda!!!

We are so excited to finally announce the beginning of

LIFTED Uganda!

This has been in the works for many years - from inspiration to the real thing! LIFTED Uganda was a hope and a dream that I envisioned many years ago and evolved as myself, Jeff, my sis and good friends put our hearts and minds together making it what it is today. LIFTED Uganda is working to see lives, families and villages lifted out of poverty through small income generating businesses. Through LIFTED, women are given the opportunity to use their creative sewing skills to make one-of-a-kind handmade crafts. In Arua, Uganda, there are many women tailors with great skills and creativity but who do not have work. Most families are struggling to provide for their children in the areas of food, medical care, clothing, or education. It is common for Ugandan families to care for their own children along with nieces, nephews, and orphans in their villages, making provision difficult for all. LIFTED was created to provide an opportunity for women to share their creavity with others as well as receive income from the sales of their crafts. The first handiworks we're selling are 20 African baby bibs!
Our hopes are to become a non-profit (once we can get paperwork finished....not my cup of tea) in the near future and expand to include additional aritists, tailors and craftsmen from Uganda. For now, purchases will not be tax deductible. All of the profits from the sale of the bibs will go directly to Alice, the first women participating in LIFTED Uganda.

MEET THE ARTIST!

Alice is a dedicated wife and mother to 4 children as well as a caretaker to needy children and orphans. She is energetic, loving, hard working, and eager to learn new things. She is the first woman to participate in LIFTED. She is proud of her crafts and thankful for the chance to use her sewing skills to provide for her family!

The African Bibs are made of a waxcloth material and a form of terry cloth which are both found in Uganda. After 8 years of traveling to Uganda and living there part time for the last 2 years, there is one thing that stands out in Uganda: waxcloth! Waxcloth is found all over Africa and it is by far the most beautiful material I have ever seen! The bibs are machine washable and will shrink slighty. Each bib was made using a foot treadle sewing machine and detailed hand stitching. Each bib is a one-of-a-kind! The Hand Made African bibs are $12.00/each and includes standard shipping within the U.S.

We only have 3 left to sell from our first batch so get them quick!!

To Purchase a Hand Made African Bib:

Email Katie at xtkatie@gmail.com with pattern and design, size (if newborn), number of bibs and shipping address. Once I recieve your email order I will send a confirmation email to ensure we have the bib/s you want to purchase. After you recieve my email with confirmation, then you may use the PayPal button or send your check in the mail. Please do not send checks or use PayPal until you recieve a confirmation email from me. Thank you!! Once payment is received your African bib/s will be shipped.

SOLD OUT!! Blue/Yellow Dots pattern with Bird

SOLD OUT!! Purple Flower pattern with Bird

SOLD OUT!!!!! Aqua/ Brown with bird

SOLD OUT!! Multicolor pattern with Bird (newborn)

1 Blue/Yellow Dots pattern with Flower

SOLD OUT!! Multicolored pattern with Flower

1 Purple Flower pattern with Flower (newborn size)

SOLD OUT!!! Aqua/Brown Clouds pattern with Star

1 Multicolored Stripes pattern with 2 Stars

SOLD OUT!!! Blue/Yellow Dots pattern with Star

SOLD OUT!!! Aqua/Brown Clouds pattern with Bubbles

SOLD OUT!! Multicolored w/ Bubbles (newborn size)

SOLD OUT!! Purple pattern giraffe

SOLD OUT!! Multicolored pattern with Giraffe

SOLD OUT!! Blue/Yellow pattern with GiraffeSOLD OUT!! Multicolored pattern with Tree

SOLD OUT!!!Purple Flower pattern with Tree

SOLD OUT!! Aqua Clouds pattern with Tree

SOLD OUT!! Blue/Yellow Dots pattern with Tree

GOOD NEWS FOR KIDS IN UGANDA!

This is about 1 month overdue!! I meant to update sooner but our life has been too busy!! ugh..
BUT... I WANT TO SHARE THIS COOL STORY,...SO PLEASE READ ON!

THANK YOU for voting for our friends entry in a competition to win a huge breakfast for the kids at Rapha School in Jinja, Uganda,through Bethesda International. They ended up in the top 10 finalists which is amazing. They didn't "win" the competition, but God did something even better! Below are emails sent to me from Susanne, the lady in Germany that supports Bethesda International in Jinja, Uganda. I have never met her but we know one another because of our shared love for Uganda and Bethesda International kiddos!! She started an NGO in Germany that supports Bethesda International through child sponsorship and various other projects. Dear Katie,

here come the good news about the "breakfast of your life"-competition. We came in as one of the 10 finalists in the competition. We did not win one of the three breakfasts worth 5.000 Euru. Instead, they decided to donate 3.000 Euro to our NGO Bulungi e. V. , completely independently from the competition.

On the day when the competition ended we had already received a 3.000 Euro donation from a donor that was completely unknown to us so far.

All in all we received 6.000 Euro, can you believe it? This equals about 7,900 Dollars.!!!

Before I enrolled us to participate in the competition I asked Jesus whether he would be with us and help us. He didn't say anything, but after I had asked the question I knew 100% that he would be with us and that we would one way or another get the money we needed for the children. If not by winning, then in other ways, as God' s ways are sometimes different from what we think or imagine.

It was a miracle that we finally ranked among the top ten. We had made it only in the very last hour of the competition, at a time when most other participants obviously thought the competition was already over, because it was past midnight already and the competition was to end at midnight. However, because of the time difference of European summer and winter time, the competition ended one our after midnight, of which many participants were not aware. This one hour helped us to get from rank 13 to rank 7.

Anyway, on Wednesday the company announced their three winners and we were not among them. I was disappointed but I didn't doubt for a second that Jesus would not let us down but keep his "promise". So I wrote an e-mail to the company telling them about our project and the children in Uganda and also about the disappointment not to have been chosen as winners of the competition.

Yesterday (Thursday) I received the e-mail in which they were telling me they had decided to donate 3.000 Euro. We will use part of it for a really big feast at Rapha this very August and part of it will be used to begin with realizing the Bethesda vision of a children's village at Rapha Farm.

I know that it was our heavenly friend who helped us convince the company that they should donate us money. Praise and Thanks and Glory to Jesus! Altogether the money we were donated in other ways was even more than what we would have won for the breakfast.

I can only say again that God is great!

Lots of Love and all the best from Germany,
Susanne

WE NEED YOU...to help feed kids in Uganda!!

Okay friends!!! We need your help to bless these children! This is an easy one, well kind of...

Bethesda International / Rapha School in Jinja, Uganda has the opportunity to win a "breakfast of your life", worth 5000 Euro, which is $626 dollars. Of course "the breakfast of my life" will take place in Uganda, at Rapha School to be exact, with about 300 children from the school and surrounding homes and ...guess what... it will be better than the usual thin porridge!!

The only issue is that the contest is in Germany, and the website is in German. Friends of ours in Germany that are partnered with Bethesda International and Rapha School, have entered the contest to win this for the kids. So,...all we have to do is go to the German website and click to vote for them to win! It's a bit complicated because the whole site is in German so I had Susanne, the woman who entered the contest, write me instructions on how us English speaking Americans can vote. Below is her explanation and so please take the time to vote!!!

If you go to this link: German website called latta

You will see (in the blue area on the right side) the line: "Diesen Beitrag bewerten und zusätzlich gewinnen" and below you see 5 blue stars. You have to click on the fifth blue star (the one on the very right side), which means it is a five-star-rating. The more 5-star-clicks we get, the higher the voting.

For multiple clicks you need to use this link: German website

You will see our entry, Susanne Bulungi, if you scroll down. It's about the 5th page of entries, it has a picture of Rapha kids eating in their orange uniforms. Then you have to click on that entry and the rest works like before (clicking on the 5th star). After giving your vote, you can close the window again by clicking the X in the top right corner. After that you can vote again.

Heartbreak in Uganda

Jeff and I have been saddened to hear of the bombings in Uganda. It hits very deep in our hearts since Uganda has become our second home filled with many friends and people we consider family. We are praying for all the family members and friends that are grieving the loss of their loved ones. Click here for more info on the BBC Africa page.

We also learned that one of the people who died was a man who worked for Invisible Children. Jeff, myself and our friend Stacie were able to visit IC and see some of the schools they have rebuilt in Gulu. They have an incredible group of folks working and volunteering in Uganda.
Go here to read more about Nate and his service with IC in Uganda.

Please keep Uganda in your prayers!