A generation ago, HIV appeared in East Africa. A small village named Bulanga in the Rakai district of Southern Uganda was one of the first places to be affected. ​People died. No one knew how they were getting sick, but everyone was affected. 

The normal social structure shattered.

Extended families could not absorb all those left behind. Orphans, widows, the most vulnerable were left to fend for themselves. And those that were brought in by aunts and cousins were often mistreated and even abused. Children did their best to care for their younger siblings. All suffered. ​

Hope withered. ​

*   *   *   *   *   *   *​

My friend, Pastor Fred Matovu​, was born in Bulanga. He survived the epidemic, and in 1999 decided he needed to respond. He took in kids who had no where else to go. At first it was a few, but  Hope Child Care Program grew rapidly. Soon Pastor Fred, his wife Ruth and a small team of dedicated adults were providing for hundreds of children. The vision grew too. Soon Bright Hope Primary School was founded. Classes were formed for students in grades K through 7. A clinic was established. A church was built. A clean water well was drilled, and the kids were healthier.

Hope was planted.​

*   *   *   *   *   *   *​

But hope didn't stop at the HCCP gate. It seems this kind of hope is too big to be contained. If you've followed this blog at all in the last year, then you probably know the miracle of Faith's house. ​After living in a tiny mud hut with her twelve children, a generous group of volunteers built her the first Homes of Hope house in Africa. Here are a few links to help refresh your memory: 

First Homes of Hope Build in Africa​
​Homes of Hope in Uganda (Mini-Documentary)
​First Homes of Hope in Africa - Team Member Testimonies
​Homes of Hope in Uganda - Faith in Her Own Words

Hope sprouted.​

*   *   *   *   *   *   *​

Two weeks ago, our family returned to HCCP We visited Fred. He gave us a tour of the property. He showed us the classrooms. We saw five hundred plus kids get a mid-morning snack of maize porridge. We met teachers. We talked with students. Pastor Fred shared his thoughts of the future with us. He hopes for a day where Bright Hope School is no longer a boarding school. (Currently more than half the students stay on school grounds—their extended families aren't able to care for them). Of course he wants to continue to provide education, but there is a growing hope for the more homes to be built, for families to be established, and for Hope to take root.

Join our family as we pray for and meet with Pastor Fred this week in San Diego. Pray that God will open up new ways for His dreams for Bulanga to bloom.​

​