International Christmas Celebration Kampala 2010

Wow! Four months of planning and praying resulted in a successful International Christmas Celebration. Over 300 people from 10 nations came together in unity and celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ!!

Welcome to the 2nd International Christmas Celebration Kampala with Refuge and Hope. Over 300 people coming from countries such as Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Congo, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti and more!! As people arrived they were registered and given a color for group team building games later in the day.

Patrick, our MC, welcoming the people to the celebration. Shelah and some translators briefly explaining how Refuge and Hope strives to meet the needs of refugees in Kampala.

Ladies from the Center's sewing class displayed and even sold some of their masterpieces.

Tons of traditional foods!! Students were all smiles!!

Reading of Luke 2...the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

There were two times during the day that chills were sent up my spine. First, hearing the Word of God being spoken to Evangelical Christians, Muslims, Orthodox, and people that have completely lost any faith in a God. It is truth and Isaiah 55:11 says it "will not return to me empty". Secondly, directly after the reading of Luke 2, we had a time of prayer for the nations. One of the younger students had the opportunity to briefly share about the situation in his country. His words were, "I have never seen peace in my country and many of my friends have never experienced peace." He is 20 years old. Can you even imagine never knowing peace? We serve the Prince of PEACE!

Students in English, computer, sewing, and housing installation were presented with certificates.

The students took an opportunity to say thank you to Missy and Robyn, our fall student.go interns. Many tears were shed as students embraced and said goodbye to Missy and Robyn. They have been a blessings to the Center of Hope and to Refuge and Hope and will be greatly missed. And don't forget about our staff Harriet and Peter. They are jammin' out to Christmas and international music.

Games for the kids

..and for the adults. Here two of the people are supposed to move the balloon to the other two people without using their hands.

The students had fun with the games. Thank you Sports Friend International for assisting us with the team building games.
Girls Missy has mentored this fall came to the celebration and did a great job representing Uganda!

God brought the right people at the right time and we believe many seeds were planted. There was dancing, music, food, games, tons of laughter and smiles, prayer for the nations and best of all the Story of Jesus Christ was told from Luke 2.

God has big plans for this celebration! Thank you for your prayers and support!!

From Refuge and Hope staff: We wish you a very Merry Christmas!!

by. robyn