Meet Irene

My sweet Irene

This sweet little girl is 9 year old Irene. Irene and I first met during the VBS we held for the local children in the nearby village and hit it off immediately! She is such a beautiful girl with a beautiful spirit and attitude, always smiling and giggling. Irene's parents both died when she was very young so she lives with her Uncle, Simon Peter and 2 cousins, Charles and Winnifred. She is a P2 students at Kasubi Central (the same school that we will be working with) and is very bright.

Charles, Simon, Me, Winnie, and Irene

When I first met her, she was shy to answer questions in English and would just smile and giggle instead of answering the question. But yesterday, Kasey and I spent the afternoon with their family and when Winnie and Irene started speaking to each other in Alcholi, Simon corrected them and told them they should speak in English so that we all can be included in the conversation. I then asked Irene what she said in Alcholi, and she was again very shy to answer me in English. Simon said that she is shy to answer because she is scared that she will mess up and say the wrong thing. When he said this a lightbulb came on in my head and I could really feel the Lord leading me closer to Irene. I knew that all she needed was a little encouragement because she knows English but was just scared to mess up.

We spent the rest of the afternoon together playing and working alongside of her "Mom" (Grandmother) at the rock quarry breaking rocks by hand. As we spent time together, I asked her more questions in English and she slowly opened up to me. I am really excited to spend more time with her, get to know her on a deeper level, and really pour into her life. Their family is very close-knit and attend church regularly. I pray for our upcoming conversations together that they will be Godly conversations and that I can share with them.

Matt and Jamie had us make goals for our personal ministry the other day. At first I struggled trying to figure out exactly where God wanted me to be, but the more I prayed about it God showed me exactly how I can serve him. My goals are:
1. To work with the teachers and students at Kasubi Central school.
    -help struggling students with English by spending one on one time with them
    -develop relationships with the teachers and minister to them during break/tea time
2. Continue to develop my relationship with Irene and pour into her spiritually,
     -Encourage her and help her with her English
     -Read the bible and memorize scripture together
     -Take Winnie under my wing when Kasey leaves at the end of June.
3. Spend time developing relationships at the Abaana's Hope land.

Please pray for me as I continue to seek God's wisdom to find the best ways to reach my goals.