Ugandan Christmas 2014

Merry Merry Merry Christmas, twas the night before christmas and all through the house not a creature was steering not even the coach roaches and lizards.  We all were waiting to hear the bells a jingle lingering and the wind whistling as the sleigh approached, would Santa know that i moved and am no longer in the snow? will he know that my climate is 80 degrees and it feels like the summer solecist not the birth of our Lord Jesus, is this really the Christmas season? Is it alright to wear flip flops and drinking ice tea while doing my christmas shopping……. 

It is always fun to be in a another country during Christmas and to learn about what they do to celebrate. There have been wonderful children’s plays and productions at church and it always hits your heart strings when you see little ones acting out the birth of Jesus.  Since Watoto was founded here in Kampala there is no shortage of wonderful music and holiday productions. I went to an outdoor venue and heard a couple sing love songs and christmas songs. Coming home the other night I got to see some of the buildings decorated with christmas lights. And the hustle and bustle of shopping is no different than in America we all get crazy. Many people are very excited about there chicken, like we are excited about our turkey. There are turkey’s here but it would come to your house live and I am not a farm girl. This girl purchased a whole chicken ready to pop into the over. Most people will travel back to there village and celebrate with family. It is the thing to do. I actually was at the market the other day and the gentleman was like you need an african name I said oh i already have that, Mukisha (means blessing) and he was like what tribe are you from. I said the irish/german tribe and he was like so will you be traveling to your village for Christmas. 

I hope your holiday season is warm and bright and that the LOVE of our Savior is filled in your heart. 

I would love to reflect back to this year and say how blessed it has been. I have come full circle as i left Uganda Dec 3 and know i am back. After i returned in December from being over in Uganda for 6 months, i was at a Nine70 worship night and I heard for the 1st time Oceans by Hillsong United. I broke down and cried and worshiped and prayed through those words and continued to do so for many months. Each time i listened to that song  i really was convicted by the words TRUST w/ OUT BORDERS.  Can i really do that with God and what does that look like.  What does it look like to trust him so much that there is no boarder to what he can do w/ my life to bring others to know his love. Many times i had to really rely on him for what i was asking of him and he was really testing me as I went deeper in my walk w/ those words. God put my feet one in front of the other and it was not always a simple path, but he provided everything i needed in his timing and his plan. I am the type of person who is not patient and likes to do it her way and get it done. This year he has shown me it is in his timing not mine and also given me a boldness in my prayer life. Sometimes we are blown away by the things he does for us and a friend of mine has started to call them the of course moments. Of course he is going to provide and of course it is God. I am not sure how God works in your life but he has placed people in my life, my blessing this year have come by ways of meeting the people whom have come a long side of me and trained me or fed into me or let me intern with them. He has provided divine appointments of meeting Omar from Nafarious, Viorcia in Greece and of course the many woman and men in ministry or law enforcement who are battling human trafficking.  I use to think God isn’t moving in my life and actually when you start really looking at each blessing and how much he truly loves you it over whelms you and you realize how blessed life is.  I don't want to boast but i really want everyone to know this love that God gives. Does it always turn our perfect and the way you planned. NO.  But then if it did I would have made a huge mess of things and gotten things i really didn’t need. What i did get this year is my prayer life and I hold on to that with both hands. 

 God listened to a huge prayer i had this year , I kept praying for Rahab Uganda and i kept putting it as God help me to get these programs running please bless the work that needs to be done and how are we going to get the funding. When i came back there were over 24 girls attending a day, food was provided and they were learning hair dressing, candle making and basketry. God did provide and it was not through me, he brought in a team of volunteers who’s heart are so full of love. I had to humbly look at myself realize that he needed me to pray for it not do it he has called and equipped others. I learned that i can’t take it all on and to  pray for others to come. I didn’t know how he was going to do it, but know i see how he is working within so many of our lives to full fill his purpose. This team of volunteers is amazing and to sit down w/ them and hear there journey and watch how God has placed them in this is priceless. 

This month we graduated 13 girls from hair dressing class and know they have a skill that can generate an income.  The next step is to have them work in the salon to get the practice piece. They have had devotionals and bible study and some concealing as a means of restoring them and empowering them to make better choices. We will still continue to come a long side of them and pray with them as the road is still being traveled. 

our 2015 will be extremely busy and filled with many projects:

    1.    We are looking to open an agricultural center and partner with Makera University in the Agricultural economics department. Our goal is to use our 5 aches of land and have a dorm setting and produce a product and then package it and sell it in the local market. Thus employing many of the girls in all aspects of the business.

    2.    we are looking at reopening our 16 week business class and having 2 opportunities to employ the girls a warehouse selling bales of clothing/ sewing project: making pillows and cushions for resorts/hotels and restaurants.  This will tailor to the girls coming back from being trafficked abroad.

    3.    we need a BIGGER  center we are GROWING!!!!!

    4.    Awareness campaign. to go into schools/ orphanages and  church’s.

Please prayerfully consider being a financial supporter and giving 25.00 50.00 or 100 each month. If you are still in need of a tax write off please consider donating today at www.cten.or/sarahmiles or mail you check to Commission to Every Nation PO Box 291307 Kerrville TX 78029-1307

our current needs and prayers are 

16 week business start up capital per girl who wants to start her own business $500.00

6 month beauty/hair dressing classes 100.00 a month

employee a girl for 6 months while she is training in our salon after graduation 150.00 a month for salary and transportation.

Monthly sponsorships 

An intercessory team to cover us this year.

Pray for volunteers and staff as we grow and have the 2 big projects this year.