Dear Shining Hope Family,
In January’s update, we shared with you how God brought the needs of Francis, a man who is paralyzed from the waist down, to our attention and impressed upon our hearts to help him. The Lord enabled us to provide for some of his needs and demonstrate to him Christ’s love.
This month we were able to reach out to him again! Here’s what happened:
On February 5th, Kalungi called Francis’s neighbor, who gave the phone call to Francis.
“I’m coming to see you,” Kalungi said.
“Thank you for loving me, brother! Thank you for showing me that good people still exist!”
While Kalungi was still en route to his home, Francis called him again on his neighbor’s phone, wanting to make sure he was coming. Kalungi reassured him he was on his way and wouldn’t break his promise.
When Kalungi arrived, Francis was so happy and exclaimed, “Thank you so much for coming!”
After talking for a while and looking at pictures Francis showed him of his life before he became paralyzed, Kalungi said he had a little something for him. Francis hadn’t noticed the small bag Kalungi had been carrying when he arrived, so he was completely surprised at what happened next. Kalungi pulled out a phone from the bag. “This is for you,” he said, his voice filled with love, “to help keep you company.”
Francis was THRILLED!!! His beautiful smile stretched ear to ear.
“You have friends in America that made this possible,” Kalungi said.
“Please thank them for me,” Francis replied.
Blessing Francis with this phone is allowing him to communicate with others, stay up to date on current events (so he feels more connected with others), watch motivational videos, and listen to Gospel music. We also brought him more toilet paper, catheters and urine bags—and a special treat—Minute Maid fruit juices! We are so grateful for your support that made touching Francis’s life with the love of Jesus possible!
Kalungi reflects on this visit:
“I went back to Francis to deliver a new phone to him to give him company since he’s lonely. My mind can’t stop thinking about how to help people like Francis.
“He confessed to me that at one point he felt like God had ignored him. But because he is a very good Bible reader, he consoled himself, knowing that God never gives up on His children. He then offered to carry this cross of not being able to walk with full faith in his Creator.
“God is always with those who can’t provide for themselves, and God will reward those who do His work to help the vulnerable poor and disabled.” (That’s YOU!!!)
This isn’t the only reason we’re so grateful for our Shining Hope family! Through your generous outpouring, the Lord provided our children with three meals a day for the entire month of February, and hygiene care items such as soap, toothpaste, and toilet paper.
May you be blessed by seeing these pictures of four of our boys plucking three chickens for their special weekend meal! Back when Kalungi was the sole provider of the children’s needs, having meat was unheard of. These photos remind us of those difficult times when
• The children would go to bed without food.
• Kalungi would work any and all jobs, no matter how strenuous they were or if he had to work at night.
• Kalungi would go without eating so the kids would have food.
• They were always in debt.
But these pictures also remind us of the faithfulness of God and the great mercy He has shown us, filling our hearts with gratitude for Him and all that He has done—and for bringing YOU to our ministry! I (Rachel) also treasure these pictures because they show the valuable life skills Kalungi is teaching the children.
From left to right, Edrine, Jovan (in the pinkish shirt), Cedric, and Ernest:
Something I’m so excited about is happening early next month—mailing the second box of gifts to the kids!!! God so greatly blessed The Christmas Box project that all the gifts our dear friends bought completely filled—not one, but TWO—of the largest-sized boxes allowed by the post office. (Makes you think of Jesus performing the miracle of feeding the 5,000, doesn’t it?!)
Your donations are helping to cover this second box’s shipping expenses—making it possible to send these special gifts to our kids. THEY ARE GOING TO BE SO BLESSED!!!
In addition to these gifts, a package of quality balloons and six small spray bottles are ordered and on their way. I can already hear the kids’ happy squeals of laughter as they have fun bopping the brightly colored balloons and squirting each other in play!
And shhhh, don’t tell Kalungi! I just picked up an order of 300 photographs from 2018 to the present day of the children, happy occasions, and by God’s grace, all our accomplishments and the many people we’ve touched. I hope it will encourage him, as well as make the children feel special when they see themselves in the photographs. (This gift was paid for using personal funds.)
And speaking of achievements! On February 22nd, we celebrated our ONE-YEAR anniversary of moving into our very own home the Lord provided for us!!! Kalungi wrote this beautiful poem for the occasion:
“It’s such a great achievement
The moment you find yourself in a personal apartment.
It’s been a year now since moving in
A big milestone that makes us save.
Save with love the money we could have given to the landlord.
We are now our own landlord.
Off with the renting load
“It’s such a great achievement
We are living in a spacious environment.
With no animals as our roommates.
Faith has been our source of encouragement.
Can’t believe we now have our then want.
Few seasons ago now, we said, ‘We need a home.
‘Rent-free home.’ Now we smile every day in our spacious rooms.
Oh, God, You deserve the glory.
It’s now a different story.”
We wanted to share these two slideshows with you! The first one shows the building process of our home. The second contains snapshots taken on moving day and captures the children’s first moments running through their new home and having their first meal.
Since these pictures above were taken, the floor has been finished, the cornices and skirtings formed, AND THIS MONTH, THE FIRST THREE ROOMS WERE PAINTED! Praise God!!! Here is a look at how nice the sitting and dining rooms are. The kids are very excited about their home’s new look!
By God’s grace—and through your loving support—we’ve come such a long way. From owning our own home, to having food in plenty, to reaching out to others in need, and everything in between: words can’t express how immensely thankful we are for the support of our Shining Hope family. May God richly bless you!
Much love,
Kalungi + Rachel
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