In 2000, at the age of 19, I had the privilege to go on a short term mission to Kenya. Stepping off the plane, I had a strange feeling like I had come home… in a country and continent that I had never been to, It just felt right. I had gone there thinking I would have a wonderful time and get Africa “out of my system”. But God had other plans…. My passion for Africa continued to grow. Then between 2001 - 2005, I went to South Africa 4 times to work at an orphanage. The kids captured my heart, and made me appreciate the little things and look at life on a whole different level. A year later in 2006, God opened my eyes to Uganda, East Africa. I stayed with a host family on both trips that year and fell in love with the people and the culture there. All of these experiences have helped shape me into the person I am today. I have learned so much about joy, praising God, friendship, heartache, and unconditional love.
Over the past 4 years, I have been living here in the States. Spending time with my family, watching my 6 nieces and nephews grow, working and trying to find my place in this busy world we live in. I had started to think that my Africa adventures would be over… but again, as we all know, Gods plan tends to be different than our own.
I will be leaving in September to go back to Uganda, East Africa for a year to work with an organization called Global Hands of Hope. The Ministry is working to intervene in the community by aiding in life skills development, food security, family enrichment, sustainable development, and education. Teaching carpentry, metal works, tailoring, cooking, baking, mechanics, gardening, and sewing. They work primarily with women, children and “at risk” youth. Global Hands of Hope is bringing not only the educational help they need, but more importantly, they are sharing God’s love with the communities they are working with. Through my orphanage experience in South Africa, special needs workshops, childcare courses with Cloud Nine Preschool and Bible study, I know that God has been preparing my heart for such a time as this.
I will be spending half of each week in the Kampala area working with their home office, helping with Sunday school / church, and working within the community. For the other half of each week, I will travel 2 hours to the village of Bukeka which is located about 30 minutes from city of Jinja where the Nile River begins.
Global Hands of Hope started a school last year called the “Suubi Child Development Center”. I will be teaching English to children 3-7 years old. There are currently 116 students. Think that is a lot of kids? It is actually just a drop in the ocean of needs among the children in this community. The community has over 980 children under the age of 5 years!
I will also be teaching classes to parents on basic childcare, nutrition, self esteem, and development. This area has not had a lot of Christian influence in the past, and were are excited to start bringing God’s love into this community where the needs are so many. My hope is that eventually some Bible studies and small groups can be started as well.
Many of you have stood by me during my past missions to Africa. I am so blessed to have people like you in my life. My passion for Africa has grown deeper with each trip, even though it can be a little scary at times, I am submitting my life to Him, and I know that this is exactly where God wants me to be. Yay!!
1. Prayer support * Pray that God will prepare me for this new chapter in my life and that God will bless our efforts as we minister to the people of Uganda.
* Prayers that my financial needs will be met as this is a volunteer position.
* Pray for Spiritual, Physical and Emotional strength as I prepare for my trip and while I am in Africa .
* Smooth flights, and safe travel to and from the village weekly.
2. Financial support At this time I need to raise $9,000 for the year to cover expenses
for plane tickets, my host family, in country travel, malaria medication, etc. It is quite
a challenge, but I know that God will provide.
3. Sharing and Communicating - I will be keeping a blog during my time in Uganda.
Until I leave, it will have fundraising information, trip updates, prayer requests, etc.
During my stay in Uganda, I will be updating it with information and stories from the
Ministry, the school, the village, the Church, the kids, etc. Please feel free to share this
blog with your friends and family, so that together we can raise awareness and try to
make this world a little smaller.
Whether you feel led to contribute financially, through prayer or sharing, all of your support is appreciated. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this letter, and if you have any questions, please feel free to email me or find me on facebook! Take care, and I hope to hear from you soon!
luvafrica1981@yahoo.com or she_she55@yahoo.com God Bless,
Alicia Bodine
Global Hands of Hope started a school last year called the “Suubi Child Development Center”. I will be teaching English to children 3-7 years old. There are currently 116 students. Think that is a lot of kids? It is actually just a drop in the ocean of needs among the children in this community. The community has over 980 children under the age of 5 years!
Many of you have stood by me during my past missions to Africa. I am so blessed to have people like you in my life. My passion for Africa has grown deeper with each trip, even though it can be a little scary at times, I am submitting my life to Him, and I know that this is exactly where God wants me to be. Yay!!
1. Prayer support * Pray that God will prepare me for this new chapter in my life and that God will bless our efforts as we minister to the people of Uganda.
* Prayers that my financial needs will be met as this is a volunteer position.
* Pray for Spiritual, Physical and Emotional strength as I prepare for my trip and while I am in Africa .
* Smooth flights, and safe travel to and from the village weekly.
2. Financial support At this time I need to raise $9,000 for the year to cover expenses
for plane tickets, my host family, in country travel, malaria medication, etc. It is quite
a challenge, but I know that God will provide.
3. Sharing and Communicating - I will be keeping a blog during my time in Uganda.
Until I leave, it will have fundraising information, trip updates, prayer requests, etc.
During my stay in Uganda, I will be updating it with information and stories from the
Ministry, the school, the village, the Church, the kids, etc. Please feel free to share this
blog with your friends and family, so that together we can raise awareness and try to
make this world a little smaller.
luvafrica1981@yahoo.com or she_she55@yahoo.com God Bless,
Alicia Bodine
