“I Felt a New Beginning”

Dear Shining Hope Family,

“God setteth the solitary in families.”

WE’VE SEEN THE LORD DO THIS! Psalm 68:6 makes our hearts OVERFLOW with gratefulness and praise for the kindness He’s shown to our 21 orphans. Our gracious Father took these all-alone ones and placed them into our family. He provided them with a home where they would be loved, nurtured, and kept safe. A home where their basic needs would be met through kind friends like YOU. A home where they would learn about the God who loves them. PRAISE HIM for His great and mighty deeds!

God has used you—and continues to work through you—to provide this sanctuary for these precious children. To express our gratitude, Kalungi “interviewed” fifteen-year-old Edrine about how being in our family has made a difference in his life.

Our Edrine:

Back in 2016, his father and mother left one day, leaving Edrine alone at their remote home. Sadly, they never returned. To this day, we still do not know if they abandoned him or if they were killed. Our hearts break at the anguish this young one must have felt waiting for his beloved parents to return during the next several months. How grateful we are to God for leading us to Edrine and making him a treasured member of our family!

Kalungi: “How did you feel being on your own?”

Edrine: “I always cried at small things. This was because of the pain of feeling lonely and the fear of being around strangers.”

Kalungi: “How did it make you feel when I told you I wanted you to be part of our family?”

Edrine: “I first feared, but having seen you more than once, my eyes were used to you. The first days weren’t as comfortable, but after a few days I felt a new beginning in my life.” (Doesn’t that get you right in the feels?!)

Kalungi: “What were the first several months like when you first came home to live with us?”

Edrine: “It didn’t take me long to become comfortable being home with you. I felt peaceful being around people who cared about me and provided me with food to eat daily.” (This happy, growing boy smiled big after talking about food!)

Kalungi: “Who is your favorite friend and what do you like most about him or her?”

Edrine: “Mark is my favorite friend. Maybe it’s because we are agemates and we have been together for a long time now, being the elders to these other ones.”

Kalungi: “What are some things you enjoy doing together with him?”

Edrine: “I enjoy playing on the same side with him when playing soccer. It’s so much fun and he produces the best out of me.”

Kalungi: “What is one of your favorite memories of living in this big family?”

Edrine: “I can’t forget the day we got new mattresses and blankets after having worn mattresses for some time.” (He smiles after this statement!)

Kalungi: “What is your favorite part about being a part of our family?”

Edrine: “Happy moments that keep coming and when a big box is unwrapped. I love the gifts from our friends abroad.”

Kalungi: “Though you don’t live with your earthly father, you have a heavenly Father who loves you perfectly and will always be with you. How does that make you feel?”

Edrine: “God is good. I have hope with Him in my life.”

Kalungi: “Tell me what you’d want to do when you’re older.”

Edrine: “Play soccer and be a good person.”

Though his story started out sad, it has a happy ending, thanks to God—and you!

On May 9th, our kids headed back to school for their second term! We are so thankful to our Shining Hope family. Your outpouring of support on our school fundraiser MADE THIS POSSIBLE!!!

Early that morning, Kalungi woke up to the children’s excited whispers. How sweet that they had slept with their hearts and minds on school! They couldn’t wait to learn more and strive to make better grades than they had last term. We are so proud of them!

Some of our kids hadn’t been able to get their hair cut yet, so we left for the barber early so they could all start school fresh and clean.

Here, Edrine is getting his back-to-school haircut:

Afterwards, we returned home for a quick breakfast. Then it was time to hand out their new books . . . and take some pictures!

Ronald:

Nagayi:

Diana with Nakato:

Some of our kids’ friends came to give them a special send-off and joined us for this beautiful family picture:

With the prospect of learning new things burning brightly in their hearts, all our kids left for school. Their futures will be immeasurably blessed by this three-month term!

This May led to a unique opportunity for ministry! When Kalungi bought schoolbooks for our children, he picked up extra copies—enough for about forty children—using money from his earnings. He had a plan in mind! Over the course of the next several days, Kalungi, along with Rachel and Nakato, visited the communities of Kibale, Kikamulo, and Lukabala, in addition to our own village of Nakaseeta. In each community, we invited families to gather whose children were not in school. There, we talked with them about how important receiving an education is in their children’s lives.

Praise God our conversations greatly motivated these families! They showed commitment to work hard to send their children to school and stop viewing them as merely laborers. It was such a pleasure to support these families by providing books and pens—the first requirement for their kids to be in class. They were so appreciative of these gifts and our offer to intercede with the local headteachers on their behalf. The Lord is so good! The teachers agreed to be gracious to these determined families and let their children attend school as they pay in installments.

This grandmother was humbled receiving a small package that would help send her grandchild back to school:

May these happy faces warm your heart!

After the smiles, this sweetheart cried because she couldn’t believe she was going to be in class once again and learn new things:

In closing, we have two prayer requests to share with you. We are very thankful for your caring prayers.

1. On the evening of the 27th, Kalungi rushed Nakitende, a very sick neighborhood woman, to the hospital where an ambulance was waiting to take her to a better-equipped hospital in Mulago. We are very grateful for this opportunity to help her and her family. Please lift up Nakitende in your prayers. She has tuberculosis and will be in the hospital for a month.

2. Since December, food prices have increased to almost double because of high gas prices. This increase breaks our hearts as people will suffer even more. As the year continues, prices are predicted to only further increase. Please lay this heavy burden down before the Throne of Grace and pray for God’s miraculous provision in these beloved people’s lives.

THANK YOU so very much for your sacrifice that is making a home and a family possible for our young ones. God has been so faithful to them! May Psalm 68:6 be an awe-inspiring reminder in your own life that God does EXACTLY what He promises in His Word. He is faithful. He is trustworthy. He cares for you. May the Lord bless you richly!

With love,

Kalungi + Rachel