Ashes to Beauty

Sorry I have not written in awhile, the power has continually gone off for the past few days and then internet has not been working. These last few days have been pretty fun and relaxing. Friday we were supposed to go to a children's home but that got canceled, so us girls decided to go out to the town for a bit and after that went straight to the children's Christmas Cantata at Watoto Church which was amazing. It was a play and musical put on by the children's ministry and it was phenomenal. On Saturday there was a sponsorship party at our house, so all the kids who have been sponsored through Empower A Child are here and we are giving out gifts, food, candy, having worship and other things for the kids to do. BUT of course something always has to happen, and one of the American girl's expensive camera was stolen. We looked high and low and I ended up accidentally catching the kid who stole it, who also stole some other stuff from other people. He apparently got caned pretty bad which I am glad I wasn't around to see or hear. But he is no longer in the sponsorship program and ran away from the guy who was going to bring him to the police. He said he was an orphan and probably about 15 or 16, so definitely old enough to know better especially to people who are helping him. Although they told us we had 2 weeks off(which none of us were happy about) we have projects now all this week and from the 22nd to the 24th we will be staying in a village and sharing the gospel with the people there. Definitely a good way to spend the days leading up to Christmas. Although it's sad not being home, it wouldn't be a sacrifice if it didn't mean anything to me, and Christ is DEFINITELY worth all the sacrifices I could make. We got our "Christmas tree" today which is kind of a joke because it definitely just looks like a branch from a tree, but we are going to make it work and decorate it this week. I have decided that I am NOT going to go on a Safari because they are so expensive, and any money I have left over or that people donate will be given to Empower A Child, or one of the places we minister too. I will have to pray about it, but if you want to send crafts, gifts, money and more for the children, let me know and I will make sure it happens.


Lauren