7 weeks to go!

Just 7 weeks until we take off on August 14th for a year (or more) of volunteer
service in Uganda!   

This year, I plan to teach 300 ladies how to sew.
Many of these women are refugees who have fled South Sudan,
leaving everything behind.
Jeff will use his skills and talents for leadership training,
business development, and church planting.

We are touched by friends who are asking
how to help us in our work with the people in Uganda,
so I thought that I would explain some things about the trip and
how the finances work and provide some ways to help out.
So this post might be a little lengthy.

Some are surprised to hear that we are not being paid
by a church to volunteer in Uganda.
However, this is quite normal.
We are very fortunate in that our church, The Grove,
is making a monthly contribution to cover 15% of monthly living
expenses and 23% of one-time start-up expenses.

One time costs include things such as airfare, visas, work permits,
generator, solar backup, etc. Ongoing monthly costs are rent, food,
and supplies for classes.
We are responsible for all other costs while living in Uganda and
doing our projects such as teaching sewing.
While in Uganda, we still have the expenses of maintaining
our home in Riverside.
We are being creative with generating income by renting out
our bedroom and my sewing room (as another bedroom),
and selling some comic books, paintings, and a car.

We are limited to three 50 pound checked bags each
for our stay in Uganda, which does limit the things we can take.
We are unable to receive packages in the mail
because it is quite unlikely that they would ever reach us.

Some very, very generous family and friends have already
come alongside us to partner with us financially.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you again to those who have been asking to help
and be a part of the team.
Imagine empowering women by teaching them a skill
they can use at home and in the marketplace. And men
and women will be acquiring important business and leadership training.
That’s what you do when you partner with us in Uganda.

If you would like to help with this important work,
in addition to praying for us,
here are ways:

1.Partner with us by making a tax-deductible monetary contribution.

*To make a one time monetary donation to pay for airfare,
visas, work permits, household things such as furnishings,
solar backup for the generator, etc.:

http://tinyurl.com/1uganda

*To make monthly donations for ongoing needs such as rent,
food, utilities, and sewing supplies for classes:

http://tinyurl.com/2uganda

2. Purchase something from our Amazon wish list.

Some items are specifically for our sewing classes,

others are soccer balls and jump ropes to use with children
and give to schools.

There is also a duffle bag to transport the wish list items.
Items that you order will automatically be shipped to our friend,
Shirley Moran, who will be meeting us there for a three week stay.

The link to the Amazon wish list is here:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/37AWA2ETLG3C5

Thanks for reading this long post.
And thank you for considering partnering with us.

Much love to you!

Yvonne and Jeff

Thoughts about packing my sewing room.

Thanks to the hard work of my 2 sons, Jonathan and Jacob, my longarm quilting machine is disassembled and ready to be put into storage. It was satisfying to watch my sons as they carefully labeled dozens of parts so that someday it can be reassembled.

Packing up my sewing room has led me to a great deal of introspection.

The sewing room has been a quiet place where I have grown spiritually by reading the Bible and praying at the start of the day. It has been my place to allow creativity to flow by sewing and quilting. I have enjoyed the physical process of making things but, more importantly, I have experienced joy while thinking of the person who would receive the quilt. So packing my quilting tools has been bittersweet. The empty room will allow us to generate income which will help us in Uganda, and in Uganda I hope to touch lives - even by teaching ladies there to sew. And that thought brings me joy.

After

Before

During

Generous friends

One of the things that I do in Uganda each year is teach how to sew. A favorite is making purses from beautiful Ugandan fabric. I find it very satisfying, I had lunch with Kathie, a good friend, yesterday. She asked me if I thought that I would get tired of being in Uganda and sharing with the ladies there the skill and fun of sewing. My answer did not take much thought - it came from my heart. No, I don't think that I will ever get tired of teaching and helping others. I am sure that is not what she meant (helping others) but that is what makes me tick. Find what makes you tick, and pursue that passion.

The opportunity to sew would not be possible without the help and generosity of many friends who donated supplies. Thread, scissors, needles, thimbles, tape measures - all things that are now available to use. Thank you for your giving attitude. Thanks for helping me pursue my passion. And thanks for making a difference in the lives in ladies in Uganda.