Merry Christmas!

Thank you to everyone who supported Beautiful Response in 2017 through your prayers and financial gifts. As you approach the new year, please consider making a year-end gift to Beautiful Response. We have a large year-end goal, and every gift helps. -Caleb & Sonja, on behalf of the kids of RUHU

What's Happening At RUHU - an Update From Patrick

At the beginning of the month, the first ever RUHU Primary 7 candidates from the RUHU Primary School began their national exams. There were 18 children that sat for the exams. It has not been easy to get these kids up to this stage and we are so proud of them, and the work of our dedicated teachers. They now await their results, which will come in early January. The remaining RUHU Primary School students started their end of the year exams on November 22.

All of our Primary 7 and Senior 4 students returned to the orphanage for the holiday break after completing their exams and papers. Seven students sat for Senior 4 exams. Thank you for all of your prayers for these students during this important milestone in their lives.

Sadly, we lost a child in our school this year. She was attacked by a dog and the parents did not take the initiative to take her to the hospital or report the attack to RUHU. As a result, she died. Please pray for her family, her friends here at RUHU, and all the RUHU staff.

All of the RUHU staff attended an internal strategic meeting facilitated by William. This was a one day meeting aimed at getting to know what the organization is doing best…its opportunities, weaknesses, and strengths. Strategies for further development and attainment of goals were discussed and will be implemented.

Out at the Village of Hope, harvesting of the potato crops that where grown was done by Jackie, Teacher Caleb and some of the children during the first part of the holiday break. The farming being done there is helping us to change and improve the diet for both the RUHU daycare students and the children at all the homes.

Unfortunately, this month outreach to the slums was rare due to lack of funds. We did however, receive money for medical care for some of the children living in the slums, including treatment for the girl who was raped, the young man who required surgery on his neck, and treatment for several kids with malaria and typhoid. Money was also received to buy mattresses, sheets and blankets for the children that will be staying at the Village of Hope during this holiday break. We received enough money to buy 25 mattresses, sheet sets and blankets. We also received a donation to upgrade the RUHU Day school which we hope to use to build more classrooms.

We look forward to see what God has planned for us next year! Thank you all for your prayers and support!

Love,
Patrick

Meddy + Angella - A Sponsor's Story

Our family has sponsored Meddy and Angella since Caleb and Sonja returned from Uganda and started sharing the stories of the kids at Raising Up Hope. My kids began writing letters and drawing pictures to send to Meddy and Angella whenever Caleb and Sonja visited Uganda. We would receive letters and pictures back and the letters always ended with the same question or statement..."When will I see you?" or "I hope you will visit me someday."
In June 2015 that day came. I was able to travel to Uganda and meet Meddy and Angella. Both of them are shy, quiet kids. They are not kids who stand out or who you would easily remember if you take a trip to RUHU. That made me even happier that they were "my" kids. It was in those quiet moments that I realized how much my family and I meant to them, and how much they meant to me.

It was the moment when I opened Angella's "life story" notebook, which she had given me to read privately, and I was staring at my own face. Our family picture was the very first thing in that notebook, sent to her in the first letter we ever wrote to her. The caption underneath read, "My family".

It was felt in those moments when Meddy, who spoke very little English at the time, wouldn't speak but would hug my leg, not leaving my side whenever I was around. It was felt on our last day in Uganda at the orphanage as we said goodbye. When Meddy clung to my leg as tears streamed down his face.

These are moments I will cherish forever. I am so honored to be a part of their lives. I can't wait to see them again; to tell them I love them and that I am so proud of them!

​Submitted by Laura