The Case of The Missing Shoes

Hey All,

Here is a little picture from the other day at the Orphanage- when we were singing 'Jesus loves me this I know'- this little girl was fully into praising God- it was beautiful!

Now, I have some bad new and some good news- the bad news- our property was broken into last night- a street kid we presume climbed over the security gate into our yard. [The only night our security man was away!] Only our shoes which were sitting outside the front door were stolen, and the good news- they did not break into the house! My feeling is, I will find my shoes- probably at the markets for sale! Luckily, they were only cheap k-mart volley rip offs, so no harm done! Anyways, I really feel welcomed in Africa now- you can’t truly be welcomed here until you’re robbed- so its all good! [You can get up off the floor now Dad, there’s nothing to worry about! Hehe]

Now to some fantastic amazing news- but I have to start from the beginning first. Back in January, my friend Joey and I decided to embark on a little entrepreneurial charity work- we managed to get our hands on some very cheap exercise books- so cheap in fact, that we bought one thousand one hundred and ten of them for the small price of $11! Our goal was to take these books with me to the orphanage. However the cost of postage far outweighed the value of the books- [around $5000 to send them!]. So I had an idea to try and sell them back home and use the money in Uganda for the orphanage- so not only would it be cheaper for us, but we would resource the Ugandan’s by buying from them as well. Well thanks to all of those who did help us, because you helped to raise a grand total of $700! [Nice return of $11!] Of which 100% was given to Pastor Edward and the Victory Church team. And now to the awesome news- they were able to use the money for getting all the orphanage kids 3 whole sets of clothing each!! That’s 120 outfits! This was amazing, because the clothes they had, were in great need of replacement- anyone with kids could image how far 2 sets of clothing would last one child for a whole year- not very long, so such a blessing!

And that’s not all- that was only half of the money! The other half went to the drop-in centre and helped to buy the boys new clothes as well- they each get a new pair of trousers and a shirt for Christmas! As well as that, the money has gone towards throwing a Christmas Party for the street boys and the Akunjguka kids- a great opportunity for us to share with them about the birth of Jesus and his love for all of us. So its very exciting! We’ve got the Akunjguka party tomorrow and Lisa and I have been very busy baking special treats for the kiddies- we really want to spoil them- they’ve only been in Akunjguka for a year, so they haven’t really experienced the joys of Christmas, so I can’t wait! Also, when I was back in Kampala with Esther, we got some gifts for the kids as well- but instead of us just giving it to them, we’re going to give it to them, and then get them to give it to another child- as to teach them about the gift of giving, not just receiving. Sadly, in a society where the only option is survival, kids can miss out on the gift of giving, so lets hope this is a valuable lesson for them! Then the Immanuel drop-in centre party is on Wednesday- so I’ll have to take some pictures of the boys in their new clothes- its going to be very special!

I can’t believe Christmas is only 3 days away- that’s nuts! This year has gone so fast! It will be good though- all the Missionaries from Australia, Scotland and the UK [so the Roberts, myself, Pam and Eddie, Esther, and a couple named John and Judith] will be getting together on Christmas day, and having a little ‘traditional Christmas’- well as best as you can have in Uganda! We’re having a roast meat, Christmas Cake- ginger bread men [I’m making them today], and some more traditional things that they have in the UK and Scotland I presume- we’re all bringing a plate, so it’s going to be really nice!

Then on the 28th we’re off to Queen Elizabeth National Park for my birthday- so don’t worry Mum and Dad- I won’t be alone for my birthday- I think its going to be a very special 21st! Who wouldn’t love to be in this amazing place, any time of the year!

Well I better go, got a lot of baking to do.
Lots of Love and a very Merry Christmas.
Love Olivia.

P.S. ‘Happy 9 months’ Andrew for tomorrow- hehe. I love you!