Luko's Graduation!

I just received an email from the 60 Feet sponsorship coordinator that is worthy of

BIG PRAISE!!!

Ben meeting Luko while in Uganda last March

Our boy, Luko, that we have sponsored through 60 Feet has just graduated from

the U.C.C Vocational Training Institute.

He is one of the first ten graduates of the sponsorship program and we are so proud of him for sticking with it even when the going got tough. 

Several months back, we received word that Luko was struggling in school and had been suspended.  Thankfully, he was given a second chance and was allowed to return to school.  The 60 Feet team prayed with him in Uganda and we prayed for him from Minnesota.

Praise Jesus that our God is a God of second chances (and third, and fourth, etc).

Luko now has a degree in catering and we were able to bless him with a graduation gift of several cooking supplies that he'll need to get his career started!  Here he is with his boxes of cooking supplies!!

It has been such a blessing to be a part of this young mans life from across the world.

Sixty Feet did a great job keeping us connected with how he was doing in school through emails and letters.  We are so thankful for this, because it brought tremendous 

Life,

Purpose,

Intention, 

and Reality

to the entire sponsorship process for our entire family.  

Here are a few words from the 60 Feet interns in Uganda about graduation day:

"It's not every day that you get to attend the graduation of formerly imprisoned kids in Uganda.  It rained all day, but that didn't stop the celebration.  There was a DJ, a traditional dance, and about 200 smiling graduates.  It was so encouraging to see 10 of our sponsored kids among them, proudly wearing their caps and gowns.  These kids have defied the odds.  Some of them had spent a lot of time away from school before they were given this chance, so they had to struggle hard to catch up with the other kids.  Some of them had to push through being looked down on for being poor or because they were in prison.  But they made it.  They have earned not just their certificates, but also the respect of their friends and family."

Please join us in praising God for His work in Luko's life!

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24

Aaaaggghh!

Well.....it's been one of those weekends.  

You know the type...

Dad's gone,

kids are fighting,

Mom's patience is wearing thin,

snotty noses, 

fevers,

teething,

did I already mention the pathetic example of patience displayed by Mom?

All I can say is that I am beyond thankful for new days,

fresh starts,

forgiveness,

and Jesus.

It's through the tough days that I learn that I can do nothing on my own.

It's the tough days that I find myself crying out to God for strength.

It's at the end of those tough days

-when the kids are asleep-

that those difficult moments seem so small

and my reaction to them seems 

so BIG

so disproportionate.

I am thankful that all of this brought about a great teaching moment for us.

I shared with the kids that I asked God for His forgiveness last night for my behavior.

Then I asked for forgiveness from them.

We talked about the fruits of the spirit:

Love,

Joy,

Peace,

Patience,

Kindness,

Goodness,

Gentleness,

Faithfulness,

Self-Control.

I am thankful that today was a better day.  

Devotional/prayer time/singing with the kids to reflect on Orphan Sunday.

Making handmade "Get well soon" cards for Great-Grandpa in the hospital.

Enjoying taco-in-a-bag that benefitted an amazing family.

Afternoon movie with popcorn at home.

Sledding and hot chocolate.

Watching Avery help Sawyer with his sight words.

Pizza.

Tucking my freshly bathed kiddos into warm beds.

Choosing to see the positive in today.