More Help for Oasis

In the past week or so we've been busily working on things at Oasis of Life.  My friend, Billy, is working with me on this project.  He's been a huge help and it's always good to get the input and opinions of my Ugandan friends.  We've been working on getting all of the school supplies, sorting out shoes that did not fit, getting quotes on repairs to the plumbing and then for adding water and electricity at the boys' house.  We've also been working on a comprehensive list of all of the children, ages, grade, and school they attend. 

Then yesterday we got to bring our dear friends out to Oasis.  This group from Illinois is the part of "Libraries of Love".  I've mentioned some of these women before on here.  They've been some of our biggest adoption supporters and I'm so grateful for them.  When they heard about Oasis they knew they wanted to come for a visit.  Their leader, Debbie, asked me a week or so before they left if I needed her to bring me anything. I told her that if they had extra space that it would be great if they could gather up some used backpacks for the children at Oasis.  Virtually all of the children needed a bag.  The ones you buy new here are poorly made and don't last long.  You can buy used bags that are sturdier, but they are pretty expensive.  I had bought bags for the secondary students last week because some of the children had been sent home from school for not having a bag.  But I still needed bags for the primary school children.  Wow, Debbie and the group came through in a big way.  They ordered 48 brand-new bags for the kids.  They even thought to bring fabric markers with them to write their names on them.  The children were thrilled!  I'm pretty sure a few of them may have slept with their bags still on.

Here is another cool story of God's provision.  Debbie said several months ago someone gave her a giant bag of cloth diapers to give to whomever.  Debbie packed them in her bag a few weeks ago and figured they'd find someone to give them to.  Then I emailed her and asked for the backpacks.... and cloth diapers.  Lo and behold, she told me she already had them packed and was wondering who God was saving them for.  Now we know.  The caretakers were very glad to receive these diapers and so am I.  Now I can hold babies with little fear of getting wet.

The ladies also brought some balls and jump ropes, beanie babies, and some other treats.  And best of all they got to love on the kids.  I think these guys knew some grandma-types when they saw them.  They curled right up in their laps to take a nap.  Or maybe it was all of that singing and dancing that wore them out.  Oh, do these kids have some dance moves!  I must get video of them. Too cute.



This is Billy Paul (not to be confused with Billy), he is not a grandma, but isn't he cute with the sleeping little one?

 Thank you so much for your love and support for the children of Oasis.  They are very grateful and so am I.