Spring/Summer Support Letter '09

Dear Friends and Family,

It’s been a while since my last letter, so here I am, writing once again. These last few months have been super busy, full of stress with school, work and Africa preparation…but everything has worked out great, and God has taught me so much through it all!

I am writing this letter to inform you a little more about my trip to Uganda. I recently reserved my flight and will be leaving Alaska in October! I can hardly wait…and everything is beginning to feel real now. It is crazy how fast this year is going by…the fact that it’s already May absolutely amazes me, and October will be here before I know it!

While I am in Uganda, I will be living at a Volunteer House in Jinja, a small town located at the source of the Nile River and on the shores of Lake Victoria. I will be working with some of the women there, who have been effected by the war in Northern Uganda. I will be working with them through a group called Suubi. This group has been put together specifically for these women, by the organization I am going through (Light Gives Heat). The name Suubi means “Hope” in the native language, Lugandan. I will be teaching some English, and helping these women with their businesses, which consist of rolling paper beads and making necklaces to sell at the local market as a source of income for their families. Most of the women in Suubi have been widowed from the war and have several children. Most, if not all, live in a very poverty-stricken area, in a small community not far from where I will be living. I will also have the opportunity to work in an orphanage located in Jinja, called Amani Baby Cottage. I have several other opportunities to help God’s children, in the local hospital and in surrounding neighborhoods and towns as well.

As much as I have been thinking of Uganda, I tend to forget all that comes before it! I have my Graduation, and after that it’s off to Victory again. I probably haven’t informed all of you that I have decided to go back to the Bible Camp where I counseled last Summer. After a lot of prayer, some frustration, and even a few tears, I finally decided to go back. Ministry and missions are where my heart is at, so I couldn’t pass up another opportunity like this. I will be cutting it a little close financially with my trip to Uganda, but as of right now I am sure I will have just enough and I am putting my trust in God. I have faith that He will provide, and that this is what I am suppose to be doing. As I will be quitting my job, I am not sure how some of you will view this decision, but I hope that it doesn’t have any effect on your support of my going to Uganda.

On another note, quite a few of you have asked if I will be keeping a blog while I am over in Uganda…and the answer is, yes, I will. I have already started one, but haven’t written all that much. However, if you have any interest in reading it right now, the web address is: www.lovelettie.blogspot.com
Thank you all so much for your prayer support, and also to those who have donated toward my trip! I truly appreciate it, and no words can describe how thankful I am! This will probably be my last letter until I return home from Victory, and am preparing to leave for Uganda. I pray the Lord blesses your Summer!

With Love in Christ’s Name, Emily

“Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1


My Prayer Requests for this year-

~ While I am at Victory, that God would give me strength and patience, and that the Lord would do amazing things in the hearts of the campers, and the staff as well.

~Also that He would prepare me for my trip to Africa during this time.

~That while traveling to Uganda with Rachel and Adam, we would be safe, stay healthy, make our flights and not lose our luggage.

~While I am in Uganda, that the Lord would use me to serve Him and His people. That I would continue to grow in my relationship with Him, and that I will stay healthy. Please also pray for safety, not just for myself, but for Rachel, Adam and the other volunteers as well. Thank you!