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We pray you had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with your families, friends and loved ones. We are grateful every day for the support you give to us. May God bless you for caring for us. You are making dreams come true in our lives.
Lulwanda is now 13 years old! Below is an excerpt from our Administrator's Report on December 2nd, 2004 when Lulwanda opened its doors and arms to receive the first 13 children into our care.
"...we have entered a very important precarious phase where our skills, commitment, and zeal to deliver are going to be put to a real test. The challenge is can we deliver that optimal care? Can we offer this mercy service more cost effective and efficient than others? Can we cope with the need in our midst? Can we become self-sustaining in the shortest time possible? Can we be a model home that we aspire to be? From yesterday the world is waiting to see.
I do want to assure you brethren that we have started with much zeal and enthusiasm, although things have not been completed our Loving God will show us all through. Keep on praying and mobilizing others to support this cause."
There will always be challenges but we give God great glory! He has been faithful to provide the resources needed to rescue over 120 children who had "miserable stories behind innocent faces" as also described in that first report. The precious 13 children seen below have grown up at Lulwanda and are now attending university or trade school! Some children have been reintegrated with family members and are living independently. They remain connected to their Lulwanda family by cell phone and social media, and will be friends for life.
Your generous donations are truly making a significant impact and are transforming the lives of once poor, desperate children. God bless you. We ask that you would "keep on praying and mobilizing others to support this cause."
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Lulwanda's Children on December 2, 2004
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Save the Date
Friends of Lulwanda Fellowship Dinner
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Houston, TX.
Invitations will be mailed early January.
Information and sign-up are available on the website.
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Do you shop online on Amazon? An easy way to support Lulwanda at no additional cost to you is to make your purchases through AmazonSmile / Grace International Children's Foundation USA, Inc. Amazon will make a donation to us every time you buy. Click the link above to get started and then save it as a preference whenever you shop on Amazon throughout the entire year.
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Christmas Gifts for Children and Staff
Each year at Christmas the children of Lulwanda receive a new outfit of clothing and small treats. The staff members receive a monetary gift with which they can bless their families. Please consider donating $40.00 or more to help with the cost of these Christmas gifts. You can donate by clicking the button below. Thank you for your support.
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As you plan your year-end giving, please consider Lulwanda. There are a few special projects needing funding in addition to our ongoing operating needs. We need additional fencing on our property in preparation for expansion. We will share those exciting details in the near future. A second incinerator is also needed. And as our children grow, they are in constant need of new shoes! Donate by credit or debit card by clicking the button below or mail a check to GICF, 5121 FM 359, Richmond TX 77406. Donations made online receive a tax receipt from Network for Good by email automatically. Receipts for donations to GICF by check will be mailed in January. Thank you for your support.
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Dan and Godfrey riding a boda boda!
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Marium on a recent school field trip
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Timothy and Willy are growing up!
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Patricia and Mary N enjoy swinging
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Ryan and Megan Kelley, Lulwanda missionaries, hosted the children in small groups for a day of fun at their home. The children enjoyed special food and playing with the Kelley kids' toys. Megan used this opportunity to get the children to write their sponsor letters. Watch for those coming to you in late January!
It will soon be the long break at the end of the school year. Secondary and post-secondary students are now writing exams. Some have finished already and are home at Lulwanda or Tendo. The P7 students are finished with their Primary Leaving Exams and enjoyed a special outing along with the S4 students at a hotel pool in town. The new school year begins in February for most.
Many children will be returning to their villages for a few days of Social Bonding with their next of kin over the long break. It is important to keep the children connected to their villages and clans for the sake of their identity and long-term future. Lulwanda staff visits the homes prior to Social Bonding visits to ensure families are able to host their relative and the situation is safe.
Please pray for the students taking exams, the staff and missionaries as they plan constructive activities over the long break and for the safety of everyone during the Social Bonding visits.
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Top left: Phoebe Nam and Peace; Top Right: Malvin and Nooru
Bottom Left: Robinah; Bottom Right: Davis and Faith
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Sibling Groups at Lulwanda
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Lulwanda has several biological sibling groups. In the early days, most of the siblings came to Lulwanda separately. In the past few years, our staff have accompanied government officials to verify the family situations where our children come from. They make numerous village visits and speak to several people to identify the children and establish their next of kin. They have been intentional to bring any at-risk siblings in a family together at one time. It has proved to make for a very smooth transition for the children.
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Anthony Woj. and Doreen N.
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Emma, Clement and sister Egulasi Grace
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Milton, Ketty, Kevin and Dan
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Back row: Sarah and Esther (twins) with their "cousin sister" Sarah G.; Seated is Marium who has been cared for by the family of these three girls since birth. She goes for Social Bonding with them each year.
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Pricilla and Mary are siblings as well as Peace and Dezi but unfortunately, we did not secure photos of those two groups.
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Thank you and God bless you!
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From all of us at Lulwanda and the GICF-USA Board and volunteers, we wish you a Merry Christmas and pray for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!
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