Yesterday when we entered the compound of Cherish Uganda, we were introduced to the HOPE principles that fuel the hearts & minds of all who work, live and participate in this community.

H = Healthcare – an obvious pillar for kids living with HIV in this residential community.

O = Love – love for each child who lives here, each child who comes to school here.

P = Prosperity – the desire for each child to prosper so they can be generous in life.

E = Education – each child needs an education to maximize their God-given potential!

These principles infuse everything that happens at Cherish, where kids living with the HIV virus learn that there is hope for them despite their disease, despite the stigma, despite the  other challenges of life.

This morning we were welcomed into the morning circle of the Cherish staff.  We joined in the songs, the prayers and exchange of peace.

No one was surprised to see Donald connecting with one of the littlest members of the circle!

Nor were we surprised to find Claude and Larissa talking about micro-lending and community banking while leaning comfortably on a drum!

Then we walked a short distance from the existing 5 children’s homes to the site of a new home… one COF helped to fund with our Best Gift to Jesus!  Brent handed out the plans for both plot and home, explaining the layout and improvements made to the new design of this home.  Currently all the plans have been submitted and are awaiting approval from the local authorities.  Once approval comes through… the build could happen within months and the doors swing wide open to welcome 8 more children living with HIV into a home filled with love and hope!

We took time to stand in the center of the plot and pray for the build process, for the kids and staff that would come to this house, for God’s hope to reside here and shape the lives of these precious kids soon to come.

Not pictured is the hard work our guys did… demo!  They demolished some buildings to make way for a medical clinic which will add to the Cherish team’s ability to offer the best healthcare to all their kids.

And in case you wondered… the woman at the helm of all this hope is our friend, Rachel

.  She carries the vision of Cherish forward with compassion, joy and some good humor!

So a great day at Cherish Uganda today… we can feel the HOPE!!!