Joyfully reflecting on "Thanksgiving"

Thanksgiving....a day to reflect on everything we have to be thankful for. 

This past weekend, in Canada, we celebrated our "Thanksgiving" with our loved ones and friends, realizing how blessed we are to live in this country.  We have clean water, food on our table and a home to live in.  We have clothes hanging in our closets that we never wear and we take many things for granted.  Most others around the world only dream of this kind of living.  Edwin did, always having faith that one day it would come true but never knowing when.  Because of all of you who believed in us, Edwin's dream did come true and we are so pleased to show you the results of your contributions.

This is Edwin riding on a "Boda Boda", the most common form of transportation.  I would like you also to meet Apollo, as he will be my personal driver when I am living there...Sorry Edwin, he already promised... you are going to have to give him up when I come... :)

Atimu finished welding the doors and windows and in this past week, installed all of them.  What a wonderful job he did and he wants me to say how grateful he was for the welding helmet.  He says Uganda has a long way to go as they had never seen anything like the helmet before.  It helps him so much with his eyes and he is now excited to weld our gate for the concrete wall to be built around the entire compound. This will be completed by the end of the year hopefully.



Atimu's work, no wonder everyone wanted to buy them.  This is becoming a beautiful building.

I would like to introduce you to James...James sat up night after night guarding the doors and windows as

they were being put in.  There have been times when people would steal them as the mortor had not set. 

James protects our compound with his trusty machette.  He works all night and then would stay most of the day and help weed the garden that is being planted.  We decided to hire him as our gate keeper once the wall is built due to his dedication.  Good job James, we are proud to have you on our team.



Thanks to "A Little More Good Goes Bananas" and the "Big Feast Bistro" we have our bunk beds being made.  Again, welded by Atimu.  He is doing a wonderful job and they are 3 high with the ability to dismantle them as we wish.  The money they raised also provided mattresses.  What a team they are.



We want to thank Gerri and Doug Charles for their contribution of a treadle machine.  Owners of Champagne and Lace in Abbotsford, they have been so instrumental in helping us grow.  Gerri has baked banana bread in more than one kitchen, sponsored children and now had the wonderful idea of having someone do all our sewing in Jinja as we need it.  A sewing machine is a way to survive in Uganda and we thank you both so very much for your huge hearts.  You have provided a widow to provide for her family and also for us to have everything sewn at not cost.   

Go Go Beans Restaurant...our first supporter.  You have never stopped believing in us and have always pushed my banana bread to the point where you are now...so much a week.  Thank you Martha and Cory for believing in us and our dream to make a home for these kids a reality. You guys are very special to us. 

All of us involved with Jaaja Barb's Home of Angels, want to say a HUGE thanks to Mark and the staff at the Sumas Save on Foods.  Because of you, we are able to bake our banana bread at 100% profit for the project.  You are always there for us, you are always willing to supply what we need to bake the many loaves that we sell.  We want you to know how grateful we are in helping to make this a reality. Thanks Mark. 

"Helping Hands"....what a wonderful group of ladies who devote their lives in helping the less fortunate. 

These ladies sew many different items for all Mission groups around the world and we were blessed to have them want to help us in Uganda also.  Thank you so much in making us 2 quilts for auctioning off to raise money for our home in Uganda.  You have worked so hard to provide for our little ones and we all thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

I just want to say to all our followers, that you are my inspiration.  Without your wonderful words of encouragement, I am really not sure I could be as enthusiastic as I am.  You give me energy to keep fighting to make this dream come true and Edwin, you keep my spirits up, showing me the results faithfully every day with skype.  You let me meet the people on camera who are important and make me feel as if I am really there working.  I see the kids we are taking in and even though I am on the other side of the world, I see the excitement and realize the importance of all of this.  Thank you  so much and I will never stop fighting for our dream.