handle with care.

i went to the post office today. opened up the PO box and found a little pink slip - not the kind that sends you to the principal's office, but the kind that says, "you got a package and it doesn't fit in your mail box!" so i waited patiently in line while the postmistress helped other patrons, until finally it was my turn. i proudly presented my slip, and she handed to me a worn envelope with a big sticker on the front that read, "HANDLE WITH CARE."

i smiled at the thought of that statement - little does the United States Postal Service realize the amount of care that went into preparing the package. i hurried outside and ripped open the envelope. (i also bought a sheet of Mark Twain stamps.)

i'm not really a cryer, but as i sat outside the post office reading through the brightly colored & stickered & crayoned & markered cards from the kids at Swan Lake Vacation Bible School, i couldn't help but tear up. (i called my mom. and she cried, too.) you see, a couple of months ago, SOMObeads was contacted via facebook to partner with a VBS in the midwest as their mission of choice. we had been thinking for a while that it would be incredible to work with kids and foster in them a desire to help other kids who haven't had as many opportunities. and then we didn't move forward with it. so God took over.

after a series of emails, an eventful phone call and a frantic summer, i now sit with 111 cards in my lap and the most sincere gratitude in my heart for the children and families that set time aside to say, "i care about Gulu, Uganda."Not only did they pray for us and raise money for H.E.A.L.S., they also shared many beautiful words with us. these are just a few ...

"you are special." - Hannah

"God will always be there for you! He loves you no matter what!" - Luc

"dear Uganda, i hope u are all safe and God does to, because He made u, He listens to u, and he watches over u." - Kaylee

"Jesus loves you!" - Jessica

"i won't you to have more mune." (Translation: "i want you to have more money.") - Zoe

and little Ty, who has blond ringlets and shared a pretty snazzy crayon picture.


apwoyo. thank you. thank you. thank you.