Dear Friends,

I am excited to share 2 main things with you this month.

1. We’re going on a trip to Uganda and we are bringing… YOU! That’s right, you have a chance to meet the girls and explore Uganda. The tentative dates are January 15-26, 2025. If you’d like to be kept in the loop about this trip, click here (no firm commitments needed yet).
2. Doreen has identified 3 needs which, if met, would greatly benefit the girls at Lupins Africa. The only thing she lacks is funding. Below is a description of each of the needs & the associated costs. The need will be meet once full funding for that project is acquired. 

Need 1: Clean water (well): 

What: A 105 foot deep well on the Lupins’ safe home property

Why: to provide clean water, cost savings, & increased self-sufficiency (due to a recent government increase, the cost of bottled water is now three times higher!)

Total cost: $3500

Breakdown:

Materials: $2500

Labor: $1000

We have been generously given $2000 for this project, so we only need $1500 more!

Meet the need for clean water

Need 2: Solar power

What: Solar panels, battery, and inverter

Why:  to provide continuous electricity, cost-savings, and self-sufficiency. Details: The intent is to be completely off the electrical grid. Currently, the government turns off the safe home’s power from ~ 8 to 9 PM every night. This is not good for the girls. This project would allow Lupins to have electricity anytime it was needed. Additionally, the government recently raised the cost of electricity by 2.5 times! This purchase would save money and keep Lupins from being affected by further government actions.

Total cost: $6500

Breakdown:

Battery: $3000

Solar Panels: $1000 (8 panels)

Inverter: $1000

Miscellaneous materials: $500

Labor: $1000

Meet the need for solar power

Need 3: Ministry Shade

What: A permanent, shaded structure on the Lupins property, which would fit 80 people

Why: This will make possible several new ministries, including a church, women’s microfinance groups, and community workshops. Currently, the girls have to remotely watch church since it’s too difficult to get them all to church every week. This permanent structure would allow for the girls (and local families!) to have their own church. A trained pastor would be provided by Pastor’s Discipleship Network (a ministry run by Doreen’s brother). Additionally, this structure would provide a space for the microfinance groups (as mentioned in a previous email) which are currently on hold due to lack of space. Finally, community workshops could be held on site for local families, with topics such as effective parenting and preventing child sexual abuse. These workshops always end with a presentation of the Gospel.

Total cost: $6500

Materials: $5400

Labor: $1100

Meet the need for a ministry shade

Mini Updates:

• Home Sweet Home: see the video of the girls at the new property here
• A visit from Doreen: After prayer, discussion, and unsuccessful attempts to acquire a visa, Doreen has decided to wait until 2025 to visit the U.S. We will, instead, focus our efforts on the January 2025 trip to Uganda.

Pray:

• Important! Just a few days ago, while attempting to rescue a young girl, Doreen’s life was endangered. Somehow, the girl’s abusers got Doreen’s phone number and began threatening her life. She had to hide, and then solicit the help of the police to return home. She is now safe, but this frightening experience reminded me that we need to be continuously praying for God’s protection for Doreen and all the Lupins Africa staff.

Thank you for joining me in God’s work, it is bearing so much fruit!

Love,

Kristen

P.S. I want to note that the giving links won’t look different on your end, but I can see the distinction behind the scenes. If you’d prefer to send a check, click here