Thought I’d give a little photo of the day today!

Tonight we have our annual Artist Appreciation dinner with Compassion.

Its A time to say ThAnKyOu to the artists that partner with us throughout the year… Taking time out of the concerts to let their audience know about the work we do and how they can sponsor a kiddo!

One of my favorite parts of tonight is getting to see friends. . . Friends that I have known forever, friends that I work with plus friends that I feel like I have known forever because we took a trip to “wherever” together. Its a fun night of getting to see some of my favorite people.

This year I took a handful of my images and changed them to black and white and enlarged them to use for decorations tonight.

I love getting to see my images printed rather than just on my computer screen. Sometimes I wish I could be all “old school”  and print off every photo, but I guess my hard drive would be sad oh and my wallet considering I take a whole lot of photos on a trip.

Anyways I wanted to share the image that made me do a little squeal. . .

Might be the story of her family

Might be the size ( its 2ft x3ft)

Might be seeing the image in Black & White

Whatever it is. . . it is making me happy everytime I look over at it.

An ATV ride along the Nile River and thru the Ugandan Bush passing crazy terrain, muds, villages, streets… you name it! And did I mention we were riding on an ATV!!

Did I mention we got DIRTY! I am talking wash your hair 3 times and it is still Red Dirty!

But let me just say. . .

It Was A BLAST!

Today is our last day in Uganda…we will be on a plane tonight….

Cant wait to share more pics and stories!

What a great trip!

This Is It!

She was definitely Ah-Mazing to talk with today. . .I think  you will see why!

Thank You Sponsors – From Compassion International Sponsor kids from keely Scott on Vimeo.

Change a Childs Life . . .

“Let the Children Come to Me”

Mark 10:14

This verse was on the back of the shirts worn by the kids at our project today.

As I watched kids run down the red dirt road thru the Church Gates

I couldn’t help but smile and think how beautiful and true that verse is.

He began describing the struggles of his community – lack of work, family life, HIV / AIDS, Malaria, education, crime etc.

They are a newer partner with us ( about 3 years) and as he patted a chair with his hand he told us about one of his first lessons to the children. . .

The lesson of a Chair.

A chair?

He said that he had to teach these children what a chair was and how it should be used. He continued saying how most of these children live in the slum area and sit on the mud floors or boxes not chairs. A chair was a luxury.

A chair!

He explained that he told this story first so we would know the condition of his community. He went on to tell how Compassion is able to come alongside these families and be not only encouragement but also a resource for change for both the children and the parents!

After playing with kids and learning more from Pastor Sam we walked to Sonia’s House.

Sonia has been a Compassion child since she was 5 and has had the same sponsor for 13 years. She lives with her Mother ( who is sick) and has 7 siblings ( 5 live at home) Her dad passed away a few years ago. Her Mom was needing a way to provide for her family so Compassion introduced her to another great organization Beads for Life

Ugandan women turn colorful recycled paper into beautiful beads, and people who care open their hearts,homes and communities to buy and sell the beads.
The beads thus become income, food, medicine, school fees and hope. It is a small miracle that enriches us all.

And Through Compassions Complementary Intervention Program they were able to give her a microloan for her buisness. She also sells pastries and vegetables from her garden.

Its not much. . . but she provides.

As the mom and Sonia proudly walked us through the steps of making these necklaces and bracelets I was so moved with seeing the beautiful picture of how the church has come alongside this family giving them the encouragement and resources to keep going. They have given them hope.

Uganda Woman talking about making beads from keely Scott on Vimeo.

And Sonia Sonia Sonia. . . I am CRAZY about this girl! Her english was amazing she is sharp and brilliant. She is looking forward to graduation and is anxiously awaiting her time to apply for our Leadership Development Program so she can go to University and study Biology. I sat and listened to her talk about her sponsor and how she would be too excited to know what to say if she was able to meet her! But OH does she want to meet her! She beamed as she proudly passed around a stack of letters and pictures she has received over the years. When asked what she loved about those letters her answer was simple and beautiful

I love to hear about her family and her children and get pictures … she is always encouraging me to follow my dreams …. and her letters introduce me to the outside world … I also know she is always praying for me.

Had a great first day here in Kampala,Uganda! Feeling the jet lag but wanted share a some photos from our day before I head to bed!!

Such a great day visiting our Child Survival Program!

Be SURE to check it out at www.rescuebabiesnow.org

Aaaaaannnnnnnd. . . .

So fun to visit this project again! The last time I was there was on the Compassion Bloggers trip! So when we signed the guest book this time Brian and I took a little trip down memory lane to see what Sophie, Shannon, Anne, Carlos, Heather, Spence, Randy, Chris, Phil, Doug,Shaun,David and Tom signed.

Memories. . .

Speaking of Memories, the song, it played tonight as we ate dinner. However it was panflute muzak.

Alright off to bed. . .Enjoy your day friends!

You see it was our FIRST Compassion Bloggers trip! And it was oh so exciting not only because we were reaching sponsors in a whole new way

but my new friends. . .

I fell out of a shower! Yup you read it right

I . Fell . Out . Of . A . Shower!

You can read more about it Here!

But I will give you the summary I fell out of a shower, got about 20 stitches in UGANDA and a broken nose that required a bit of surgery upon my return. So like I said. ..It was eventful!

It didn’t stop me from the trip though. . .bandages and all I went on. Uganda is one of my favorite countries the kids, the staff, the country… I could go on! I am so excited to get to visit again ( sans concussion )

My mom should be glad to know I packed my own bath mat with me this time full with gripeee things. I kid I kid, but  you can guarantee I will be practicing my shower safety since we are returning to the same hotel “Hotel of The slippery showers”

Pray for us as we leave today we are taking a team of about 15 to see Compassions Work in Uganda! Love getting to share what we are about!

Pray for travel and safety.

And keep checking back to see photos!

It doesn’t get more precious then this. . .