The Ugandan Dream - December 25, 2014

December 25, 2014 

Merry Christmas to all!  We pray that your Christmas will be filled with Peace, Joy & Hope!  

I received this Christmas message from Godfrey who serves with Raining Hope in Uganda.

“Calvary greetings to you and all families in the United States who support us, as we remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ & the Salvation that came through it.  We remember how God selflessly gave all He had to bring hope and peace in the hearts of men and above all we see eternal life made possible.   From the Raining Hope family in Uganda, we appreciate your selfless support that you extend to us spiritually, socially, & financially.  You have not only given support but you have given yourselves imitating the Lord God. We have seen God’s love through his Son but also through your unwavering love towards us as Raining Hope in Uganda.   Through your love and support, you have made lives shine with new hope in Uganda.   The joy that fills us and the hope that is restored in us is because you obeyed the Holy Spirit of God to join Him in what He is doing in Uganda.   

Thank you for being part of our lives.  We love you and will always remember you in our prayers.”  

Merry Christmas & a Blessed New Year of our Lord. 

Godfrey & Raining Hope

The Ugandan Dream - December 22, 2014

Christmas is only a few days away!  We are currently just under $40,000 towards our $120,000 goal!   We need at least $60,000 to move into the new home in January.  By faith, I booked a flight to Uganda leaving January 14, 2015 believing that we will have all we need.  This trip will be January 14-23, 2015 specifically to move into the new house and set up our shift in ministry.  Godfrey has already been visiting all our families and the potential schools.  I am excited to see the new things that are exploding around us come together to bring glory to God!   

I have been listening to a lot of Christmas music this week in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus!   A song by Israel Houghton, “Least of These / Put a LIttle Love in Your Heart” has me filled with joy.    You can google the title of this song and find it to actually listen to it.  It is on the “Timeless Christmas” CD by Israel Houston, New Breed.  But here are some of the words...

“In the land of the free

There's more than enough

Dreams become reality

But not for everyone

In the home of the brave

Hear the song of liberty

Yet we still have slaves whose

Master is Hunger and poverty

For those who lack

We have a reason for giving back

This Christmas season

Make a decision for love

Love to least of these

True generosity

Is the heart of Christmas

Love love to the least of these

Everyone has a key

To unlock somebody's dream

So remember this holiday

Someone has made a way

For you to receive

So give to the least of these

Make a decision for love

What you've done for the least of these

You've done for me

Think of your fellow man

Lend him a helping hand

Put a little love in your heart

You want the world to know

We won't let hatred grow

Put a little love in your heart

And the world will be a better place

For you and me

You just wait and see

Put a little love in your heart

Everybody put a little love in your heart.” 

Continue to pray for us this Christmas as we continue to help the dreams of the children of Raining Hope become reality!   As you consider Christmas gifts this season & year end giving, we would love if you would participate in “The Ugandan Dream!”  Let’s make this a Christmas the children will always remember!  

Christmas Blessings, 

eydie 

NOTE FOR ONLINE DONATIONS:

We wanted to make you aware that WePay charges Raining Hope a small processing fee for online donations.  This is standard practice for all credit cards and payment services.  We accept that as part of our cost of accepting credit cards. 

If you prefer for Raining Hope to receive 100% of your donation, you may write a check.  

Please specify that the gift is for the house purchase.  

We will add your gift to the online total.  

Thanks so much for all of your support!  

 You can send your donation via check to: 

Raining Hope, c/o Poinsettia Pavilion - 3451 Foothill Rd. #206, Ventura CA 93003

The Ugandan Dream - December 2, 2014

12/02/2014

by Raining Hope

We hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!!   We have so much to be thankful for.  We appreciate everyone who is helping us realize our dream for the children of Raining Hope.   Here are two precious testimonies of the children of Kelly & David Marley.  Kelly is one of the team members that traveled to Uganda this summer with our Service Project team.  When I heard how the Launch touched their hearts,  I wanted to share their story with you.  I pray that it blesses your heart today! 

eydie! 

Katelyn (age 9): 

The reason why I love Raining Hope is because God is protecting them and He is going to take care of them until they have enough money to buy the house.  They need a house so they can be happy - they're even happy now, I just want them to be able to move into their new house.  I love the kids there, especially Maria.  I really hope that when my mom goes to Uganda again, she'll be able to tell Maria about all the things I've been doing.

When I came to the Raining Hope fundraiser, I was really thinking about how I know how much the kids need this house.  When it started, during the worship time, we were singing to God.  I really liked when we saw the video about the kids.  I liked hearing stories about how much the kids care for all of us and how much they loved my mom, and Pastor Doug, and Miss Eydie. When the fundraiser was over, I was hoping the kids would be happy and have fun and live happily in the house and God would provide them with everything they need.

I love the way the kids are friends with each other.  I love how they treat each other and the house parents.  I love how they have one heart, connected to God

The reason why I wanted to give some money is because I love these kids and I wanted to help them get their new house.  I want them to be in a house that can fit them all.  I want God to give them all that they need - food, water, a home, people to care for them and keep them safe.  We checked our bank online and I took $40 from my savings account to give towards the Ugandan dream.  I had saved up $75 and I wanted to give $40 because I think they need the money more than I do.  I have all my needs taken care of here.   I think that God will be able to provide the rest of the money for the kids to get the house.

Jonathan (age 6): 

I like listening to the Raining Hope kids sing.  I like to sing along to their CD.  I wanted them to have a house so they can be happy and never get kicked out of a house again.  I am thankful for the house that I have, and I want them to have one too.

Kelly: 

I have been blessed to see my kids learning to care as deeply for the children of Raining Hope as I do.  Children think so simply and concretely - "I have a house, I want them to have one." "I have food, I want them to have food."   I pray that their enthusiasm will spill over into their conversations with their friends and that it will be contagious. 

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The Ugandan Dream - November 24, 2014

I am so thankful for everyone who has been praying, give financially, and supporting us with your encouraging words.  Last week I received a sweet and precious phone call from my dear friends, Kelsey & Jon Isaacson in Oregon.  Their 4 children all got on a speaker phone to tell me one by one that they heard about our “Ugandan Dream.”  They proceeded to tell me that they were going to give up some of their Christmas money to help us towards buying the house.  Abbie (12 years old) was the first to say, “I am giving $18!  Caiden (9 years old), “I am giving $18!”  Zeke (7 years old), “I am giving $13!” and Lola (6 years old) “I am giving $11!)  As I heard each voice on the speaker phone, all I could do was weep.  Kelsey said each one decided on those amounts all on their own! Abbie’s words for all of them conveyed how much they are praying for us and they know we are going to raise the money for the house to make the kids happy.  She said that it is amazing to see how much the kids trust in God and love God.  She said, “That is just the best thing!”  From the heart of children...for the children.  My heart was bursting with joy and humbled to know that God has given me an opportunity to be a part of all of this.  

We are approaching the $35,000 mark! 

We still need your help!  

1.   Pray! 

2.   Share our story with others on social media.  www.raininghope.org , Facebook (Raining Hope Inc.) or our giving   

      page http://www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/the-ugandan-dream-/258959    Share and Like our pages! 

3.   Sharing our story at your church.  We are available to come and speak about The Ugandan Dream. 

4.   Attend the Annual Christmas Boutique at Saticoy Church on December 6th from 2-4 pm.  More information is on    

      our Facebook page.  We will be sharing the Ugandan Dream as well as hosting a tamale fundraiser and 

      Christmas boutique.  

 5.  Making a donation towards the goal of purchasing the home for the kids.

Help make the Dreams of our Ugandan children come to reality this Christmas! 

Trusting Him! 

Eydie 

The Ugandan Dream - November 18, 2014

It has been just a little over 1 week and we have hit the $30,000 mark!  Thank you to everyone who is praying, giving and sharing our story with your friends and family!   I spoke at my home church, Saticoy Church in Ventura this past Sunday.  I shared these words from a song by Royal Tailor called “Making Me New.” 

“I can’t hide, no I can’t keep quiet

It’s like my hearts on fire and 

I can’t get over it, can’t get control of it

It’s not your typical love it’s a miracle, 

You stepped into my world

And You gotta hold me, 

Now You won’t let go of me

I’ve got a feeling that I can’t explain

Like I’m crawling out of my skin

Dead till the moment that You said my name

Now my heart is beating again.”  

I love this!  I have a feeling I can’t explain!  It is like I am crawling out of my skin!  

Something amazing is happening.  Pastor Cliff Howery always taught that we should only want to be explained by the miraculous.  On paper & in my head, Raining Hope truly believes this. Yet, now I am EXPERIENCING & witnessing the miraculous.  This process has made the 18 inch trip from my head to my heart.  What is happening now can ONLY be explained by Him.  All glory truly belongs only to God.  He alone is doing great things!!!   

Thank you for being a part of what Raining Hope is doing to raise up a generation of people who will be used by God to change Uganda and the world.

You can continue to help us by 

1. Praying!  
2. Sharing our story with others on social media.  www.raininghope.org , Facebook (Raining Hope Inc.) or our giving page http://www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/the-ugandan-dream-/258959    Share and Like our pages! 
3. Sharing our story at your church.  We are available to come and speak about The Ugandan Dream. 
4. Attend the Annual Christmas Boutique at Saticoy Church on December 6th from 2-4 pm.  More information is on our Facebook page.  We will be sharing the Ugandan Dream as well as hosting a tamale fundraiser and a Christmas boutique.  
5. Making a donation towards the goal of purchasing the home for the kids.  

These are just a few ways that you can be involved.  “I’ve got a feeling that I can’t explain...Like I’m crawling out of my skin!”   Join us and you will see what we are talking about!!!!   

Thank you for loving our kids! 

eydie ! 

The Ugandan Dream Launch!

We have successfully launched “The Ugandan Dream!”  Words cannot adequately express the thanks I have in my heart for each one of you.  I am so thankful for those who made the effort to be present at the launch November 9th!  We had about 100 people present to participate in this pivotal moment for Raining Hope.

We had a glorious hour of worship, led by Ricky MacDonald and the worship band of Grace Fellowship.  After tons of wonderful desserts provided by members of Grace Fellowship, we entered into a period of hearing from the heart of Pastor Doug Spriggs & myself.  We launched the new Raining Hope website, created by Emily Goodman. The new promotional video for Raining Hope was revealed that was produced by Shannon & Brian Sutton.

One of the exciting moments involved the release of the new Raining Hope Giving Site http://www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/the-ugandan-dream-/258959  created by Kim Spriggs.  We launched it around 12 noon on Sunday.  Within the first hour we had donations of $6,000!  While we were in the launch, we watched as the donation climbed to $12,000!  In 24 hours we were up to $25,000!   This is happening within the first 24 hours of launch!  Praise the Lord!

At the launch, I shared words sent by Pastor Godfrey, our assistant manager at Raining Hope...

“I have seen Raining Hope help hopeless and lost children to be true followers of Christ. Most of these children came when they were infants and now they are growing adults. I was encouraged when most of them said that Raining Hope has helped them to grow in their walk with God. Their trust in God is based on the fact that God has been faithful to them and saved them by grace. These children are involved in church ministries such as music dance and drama and they love to worship God. Every time I am with them, they want to hear from God’s Word.  One thing I also believe God is doing in their lives through Raining Hope is teaching them to handle difficult times by trusting Him.  It is during these times, they put their trust in God and keep closer to him in prayer. Their love for one another is something that is amazing among them; they live as true Disciples of Christ as they express love to one another. The hope they have in God is expressed on their faces through the joy with them that comes from the very spirit of the living God. It is therefore clear to me that Raining Hope is doing the work of God. And as pastors this is exactly what God calls us to do.  And when I see where God is working, there will I get involved and join God in what he is doing. This is what makes me happy to serve with Raining Hope.  The evidence of God’s presence and transformation power in the lives of the children of Raining Hope is tremendous and I strongly believe that God is at the center of every activity.  Any wise person who wants to be blessed and be involved with God’s activity will think of joining God in what he is doing with Raining Hope.

You don’t just sit back send money and watch as other ministries do, but you are directly involved and identify with us and our culture which is the very mind of God who did not just create the world and left it to be governed by laws of nature but he is involved with us, thank you so much. No wonder you are Kisakye Eydie because through you and Raining Hope we have experienced God’s love and grace. May the omniscient and Sovereign God continue to uphold you and sustain that which he began in your life and may he hear all the prayers of the Raining Hope family In the US and around the world. As Raining Hope Uganda, we will continue to love you and draw you closer to ourselves through prayers, and faithful serve God through the opportunity he has give me to join him at Raining Hope for his glory and purpose of his vast Kingdom.  - Pastor Godfrey

Raining Hope is making a life-long investment to raise up a generation of people who                                         will be used by God to change Uganda and the world.

Thank you for joining us on our journey as we change the world together!
Forever grateful for each one of you...eydie

Raining Hope Service Project - Chapter 17 - Update #7 - July 25, 2014

Chapter 17 - Update #7 - July 25, 2014

Well, we are on the airplane headed home!  I am sorry that I wasn’t able to send this last update until I arrived home.  Let me try and update you on the past days activities!  (This update is long!) 

1) Shopping in Jinja Town - We were able to spend multiple days going into town to shop . As the team was on the lookout for souvenirs for family & friends, I took them to the shops of people I know. One stop is to see my friend, Rita. The girls all fell in love with her and her family! They are the ones that named one of their babies after me! The team loved finding new Uganda treasures to take home!

One of the disappointments was we were not able to do the boda boda rides to town. I had someone for the hotel negotiate with one of the drivers. They agreed upon a price, and I even paid them. But then as the other boda drivers came, they quickly would leave. Basically, we were given a “Ugandan” price. But when they saw we were “mzungus” they doubled the price! They even gave me back my money! I am rarely taken advantaged of any more as a “mzungu” (white person), so this was a surprise. We heard later that if we would have insisted they stick to what we agreed the original boda driver would have been bullied or beaten. Even the hotel owner Mrs. Otile, got involved because she was embarrassed it had happened. The drivers would not budge even for her! So we sacrificed the ride and the hotel van took us to town!

2) Boat ride to Raining Hope Land - One of our mornings we took a boat ride to visit the Raining Hope land! It takes about 45 minutes to get there as we wind down the Nile River and drop into Lake Victoria. We pass the famous “Source of the River Nile” where the Nile River actually begins. The interesting thing for me was how high the water has risen. Since the installation of a new dam, many of the familiar sites were now covered with water! It was a strange site indeed! 

The team loved seeing the land and all of the crops that are currently on it. It was good to see some of the trees that we had planted last year. Some of the trees have not made it because of all things...ants! But you should see the size of the Ugandan ants! It is an odd thing, but the ants will attack the trees and other vegetation! How such a small thing can do such major destruction!

3) Andrew’s House - One of the evenings after the ministry in Kakira, we were invited to the home of Andrew & Rachel. Andrew is one of our dear friends and works here at the hotel. He shared that in 2012, our team of CBU students went to his house to visit his family. His two girls, Mary and Martha were just infants. We prayed with him that God would provide the way for them to build their own home. God answered and we were invited to see the completed structure! In January 2014, he was lacking just about $265 to finish purchasing the sand and concrete for the floor. Raining Hope paid Mary & Martha’s school fees. This allow them to finish purchasing the necessary supplies for the house! They are so thankful for that day the team came and prayed for them. It was great to stand in the midst of answered prayer!

4) VBS/Teacher Training - The three days of teacher training & Vacation Bible School went really well. The teacher training was small but very productive. The team was able to work with the main children’s workers of Cornerstone Church. We left behind materials and taught them how to use them. This training was a answer to prayer for Pastor Paul. He had said, so many times groups come in and do these great Bible Schools. But when they leave, the church is faced with what to do next. This time, we wanted to leave them with tools to use so they can continue the work with the children.

Vacation Bible School was anything but small! The first day we must have had about 150 children! Each day just grew in number as they told their friends! The second day there were close to 200 and day 3 had close to 300! On Day 2 an invitation was given as part of the lesson. There were 87 children that gave their lives to Jesus Christ! The church took down all their names and will be following up with their families.

Something that we didn’t know was that many of the children who show up for Bible school are from muslim families. Pastor Paul asked for prayer as they visit with them. Coming to faith in Jesus is an issue for those children. So pray for Cornerstone Church as they reach out to these families.

5) CD is complete! The Raining Hope Children’s Choir has completed their 6 track CD! I have the master copy with me and soon you will be able to purchase it for a donation to the ministry! It is so very exciting!

6) Computers - Because of the generosity of Grace Fellowship Church in Duarte, we had enough extra money to purchase 2 computers for the ministry! This is a HUGE answer to prayer. Both of our workers have to use internet cafes to communicate with me. It has caused many a problem whether hackers get into the accounts, or just the delay in response time. We have been praying for years for this need! GRACE FELLOWSHIP did such an amazing job with raising money for their team members, that there was enough left over to meet this need. We are so grateful for the support of Pastor Doug’s church.

7) Van - Praise the Lord for the Raining Hope Van!!!! It made a tremendous difference to finally have our own van!!!! Godfrey is an EXCELLENT driver! Thanks to everyone who has given towards this need to make this possible. It made all the difference in the world for our team. Pastor Doug was even able to drive it to town a couple of times!

8) Hospital Visit - One of Pastor Paul’s children, Keren became very ill with malaria & typhoid. Because of the generous giving of donors, we were able to pay for the hospital visit and the necessary treatment for Keren. Some of us went into the hospital to pray with Keren and the family. While we were there, we met another grandmother who was there with her grandson. His mother had died giving birth to him. He is now in the care of the grandmother. He was suffering from malaria. We were able to minister and pray with her before we left.

9) Raining Hope Party! - On Saturday, we were able to spend the morning in a team debrief. This is the time we reflect on what God has taught us throughout our journey. I also spend time preparing the team to go home. We talk about reverse culture shock and how to finish well! This is always an important time for the team. We talk about how to depart from the home when we say our goodbyes. Years ago, Kristen White from California Baptist University, helped to institute a plan in departing the home well. You know that relationships have been formed and the team was having difficulty knowing that they would have to say goodbye. But we talk about how if we allow the sadness to overtake us, it doesn’t help the children at all. It also makes the trip all about us rather than Jesus. So, the plan worked perfectly! 

We first had a soda party! The only time they really get a bottle of soda is when I am visiting. So it is a real treat! But this time, we had many other special treats! We had Queen Cakes, bananas & boiled eggs! They went crazy when we told them that there were boiled eggs! They were SO THANKFUL for so little!

After the party we had supper. We were able to buy them meat for their meal. It is not often that we are able to feed them meat. Most of their meals consist of Posho & beans. Having meat is always for special occasions. This was definitely a special occasion!

We then went into a time of praise and worship! We did this each evening at the home. It is one of the favorite times for the team. We shared testimonies and just kept them in high spirits. We then give everyone about 10 minutes to say all of their goodbyes and give good hugs! It is actually a celebratory time of wishing each other well! The Raining Hope children then gather around the team and send us off in prayer. It is such an amazing experience to be standing together having all the precious voices lifting us up to the Father!

The children then go outside and form two lines directing us to the van. When we are ready, the team runs through the line, giving high-fives as the children shout, “Strong and Courageous!” It is an amazing time! Just about everyone is smiling, happy, and truly excited about the way the team departs. As we drove away with the faint voices of the children still shouting, “strong and courageous,” we sense the Lord saying to us, “Well done.”

10) Foot Washing - When we returned to the hotel that evening, we had a time that we washed one another’s feet. I had Pastor Godfrey & Pastor Gerald join us for this time of serving one another. The men washed each other’s feet and the women were able to wash each others as well. I had then ordered a cake from the hotel to finish off the evening!

11) Glory Be To God Church - But our ministry work was not yet done! On our last day, we attended Glory Be to God Church. We see many familiar faces at this church as much of the staff from our hotel attend here. They graciously allowed Pastor Doug to preach that morning! The ladies as well worked with the children’s ministry. There must have been 150 children that were a part of the morning worship. It was a good way to end our ministry work! The church just loved hearing Pastor Doug preach. The reports were all so positive! I was told that when I return,

he must come back to preach again! That is huge for this church to give their pulpit over to a visiting pastor...especially a mzungu!

We had one more lunch that was ready and waiting for us back at the hotel. It surprised us that the bill was taken care of by Mrs. Otile! When I went to pay for it, the server said, “No, it is on the house!” We are so deeply loved by our friends at Paradise Hotel!

12) Drive to the Airport - Even though we had lunch, that didn’t stop us from having chicken on a stick on the way to the airport! The team loved it so much coming in, they definitely wanted to stop on the way out!

There was traffic heading to the airport which slowed us up some. We stopped in Kampala to have a quick hello with a dear friend, Sheila Kajumba. Her son & daughter are attending school in Ventura. Sheila recently lost her husband a few months ago. We exchanged hugs and greeting before heading to Entebbe.

13) Letters - As we had about 5 hours to wait at the airport for our 1:00 am flight, we had a lot of time to finish our debrief. As we waited at the gate, I also handed out the letters that the children had written to the team! It was such a joy to watch the reaction of the team members as they read the encouraging words from the children! There were a lot of smiles and laughter to go around! It was a good way to end our journey in Uganda!

Upon arrival to LAX, we were missing one of our bags! That is the first time in many years that has happened. We figured out it was one of our extra team bags that was going to my house. Thank goodness it wasn’t one of the team members bags! Our connection in London was so short, we think a whole group of bags didn’t make the transfer. Shannon & I waited to file the claim for the missing bag as the rest of the team went out of the baggage claim area. By time Shannon & I finished, we exited to find the team with their families! Katie’s mom and dad made a sign for us to welcome us home!

As another chapter of my life in Uganda comes to a close, it is filled with many new memories and stories that can only be explained by God. This has been an awesome experience with a WONDERFUL team! We continued to keep Kim & Melanie close in prayer and contacted them throughout the journey. Continue to pray for both of them as they are still facing health challenges.

We had a relatively healthy team, until the end of the journey. Pray as I am still sick with a cough and cold. Shannon now has an eye infection that started on the way home. Kelly has also gone to the doctor to receive treatment for a respiratory infection. Doug was the only one that did not get sick! So keep on praying for our team as they are battling illness. Pray as well as the team re-enters American culture. They were very effected by the Ugandan culture. It takes time to process through the blending of both.

THANK YOU ALL for your prayers and support. Special thanks to all our family members who held down the fort while we were gone. I am so thankful for the families of our team members. You made it possible for us to go and serve knowing that you were home supporting us. You played such an important role for our team!

"So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it." 2 Corinthians 5:9

Kale,
mama eydie kisakye!

P.S. Ask any team member about our mascot, Trash Chicken!