Hands for Yesu

01/11/2026

Yesterday, the kids and I decided to overhaul their bedroom. We sorted through and minimized clothes, rearranged beds, moved furniture, decluttered toys, and gave the room a much-needed refresh.
We spent several hours working together, and along the way, we had some meaningful conversations. We talked about how, as Christians, we are not called to simply follow the customs of the world. Instead, the decisions we make should reflect our faith and bring glory to God. When we choose not to follow the crowd, we will inevitably stand out. People may question our choices, but those moments can become opportunities to share our faith in Jesus.

Fast forward to yesterday evening.

We deliberately chose not to participate in any Halloween activities, including trick-or-treating. Instead, we went out to dinner, sat around the table, and enjoyed some family time.
We received several double-takes and a few comments from people who seemed surprised to see children out on Halloween night. Our children were the only kids in the restaurant. Everyone else was likely out strolling their neighborhoods in costumes.
Then, just as we were preparing to leave, a woman sitting at an adjacent table flagged me down. I walked over, and she began complimenting our children. She commented on how kind, polite, and well-behaved they were. Apparently, she and her husband had been talking about their disappointment in the behavior and attitudes of "kids today." They had noticed something different about ours.
"You're doing a great job," she said with a smile.
I thanked her for noticing and appreciating the hard work that goes into raising children.
And then we headed home.
On the drive back, we had the opportunity to revisit our earlier conversation about being countercultural and standing out in a crowd.
What a beautiful reminder that being different doesn't always mean doing something extraordinary. Sometimes, it simply means making intentional choices, living out our faith, and allowing the light of Christ to shine through our everyday actions.
Our children understood the connection, and they are eager to keep shining His light in a dark world.

May we never be so concerned about fitting in that we forget Whom we are called to represent.

30/10/2026

Sweet smiles from our sponsored children!

Behind every smile is a child with dreams, hopes, and a future full of possibilities.

If you could share one message with these precious children, something that would encourage them, build their confidence, and remind them of how valuable they are, what would you tell them?

What words would you want them to carry in their hearts for a lifetime?

We would love to hear from you!

28/10/2026

The Deaf Church in Kampala visited another Deaf family recently, to share the Gospel and encourage them to run the race set before them.
I love that they’re on mission to share Jesus with fellow Deaf people.
That being said, they need people in their corner to help fund the ministry and keep this mission going.
To join the Hands for Yesu team and support the spread of the Gospel to Deaf people in Uganda, message us for more information.
Alternatively, LIKE, Comment, and share our post so that the team can continue to grow and reach the lost to the ends of the earth.

28/10/2026

Yesterday, I shared about our trip up north to reunite with some friends we met in Uganda.
On Sunday afternoon, we left their home and drove a little farther north for a second reunion, this time with family friends who helped shape so many of my childhood memories.
My parents had been friends with John and Sharon since before I was born, and I grew up spending a lot of time with them. I learned to swim in their pool and remember playing on their tire swing during warm summer days. In the winter, I have vivid memories of sledding down a giant hill near their home, riding a snowmobile back to the top, and doing it all over again and again!
It was such a joy to introduce my own family to John and Sharon, show them the neighborhood where so many of my childhood memories took place, and reminisce about the good ol’ days. We went trail riding, watched the wildlife in their backyard, played cards, and shared plenty of laughter and giggles.
It was the perfect ending to a perfect weekend, filled with meaningful reunions, treasured memories, and the joy of making new memories together.

John and Sharon, thank you so much for welcoming us into your home and giving us the opportunity to share a little piece of my childhood with my family while creating even more memories together. We are so grateful for the time we spent with you!

27/10/2026

We woke up early this past Saturday morning and drove three hours north to reunite with fellow missionaries we had met during my first few years of serving in Uganda. It had been seven years since we last saw each other, and we were eager for the opportunity to reconnect.
What a blessing it was to sit together and reminisce about the memories we made in Uganda. There was something so refreshing about talking about the place we love so dearly with people who understand the ache in our hearts to return home.
Our conversations were filled with references to places, foods, and experiences that might not mean much to someone who has never lived in Uganda, but mean the world to us. Hearing Uncle Duane talk about his longing for a rolex and Auntie Sharon share her craving for chapati brought smiles to our faces. There was something special about being able to mention “Ntinda,” “Busukuma,” “Capital Shoppers,” “boda,” “lindako,” and “susu” and know that the person sitting across the table understood exactly what we meant.
We talked about ministry, life, and our hopes for the future. We compared life in America with life in Uganda and laughed about how even something as simple as a bonfire can mean something different in each culture. We bonded over shared experiences, familiar memories, and our mutual love for and devotion to Jesus.
The truth is, we probably could have stayed for an entire week and never run out of things to talk about.

It is an incredible experience reconnecting with people who share a piece of your story. They understand the experiences that shaped you, the places that still hold your heart, and the longing that never quite goes away.

Auntie Sharon and Uncle Duane, thank you so much for inviting us to your home and for your hospitality.
Needless to say, we are already looking forward to our next get-together!

25/10/2026

24/10/2026

As a cross-cultural (and intercontinental) couple, one of the most beautiful experiences has been raising cross-cultural children.
We are often asked which culture we follow, and honestly, we haven’t chosen just one. Some areas of our home reflect Ugandan culture, while others are more American. We have the unique opportunity to choose which aspects of each culture we want to embrace as a family.
But at the end of the day, there is one culture we ultimately strive to follow: the culture of Jesus.

During this season of living stateside, our children have been exposed to many aspects of American culture that were previously unfamiliar to them—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
We don’t embrace every aspect of American culture, particularly when it comes to holidays. We don’t do Santa, elves, flying reindeer, the Easter Bunny, or the tooth fairy. And when it comes to Halloween, we have made the firm decision not to participate. We believe Scripture calls us away from glorifying death and evil, and we choose to follow Christ rather than simply conform to the culture around us.

That said, when family members suggested carving pumpkins, we had a conversation about it. We decided that pumpkins are part of the fall harvest season and don't have to be associated with Halloween, so we could enjoy this activity together.
I suggested that the kids sketch their ideas on paper before carving their pumpkins, and they immediately got to work!
You can imagine how thrilled I was when they showed me their visions. And these are the final products!

Halloween has no grip on our children. Their hearts are set on Jesus!

As parents, we know we cannot shield our children from every cultural influence, but we can teach them to think biblically, make intentional choices, and stand firm in their faith.
And moments like this remind me that those conversations matter.

Praise God for the privilege of raising our children to love and follow Him!

22/10/2026

The Hands for Yesu Story, Part 13

My second year in Uganda was incredible!

God began expanding the ministry by leading me to a different area of Kampala and entrusting me with nearly 70 Deaf students.
At this new school, I was given the responsibility of discipling the older students. That included leading the weekly chapel services and finding ways to help them understand and apply God’s Word to their lives.
Week after week, our biblical discussions amazed me. These students were eager to learn more about God. Our chapel sessions became longer and longer each week! And I did everything I could to make Scripture come alive for them. Their questions, curiosity, and desire to understand more about Jesus made those times together so special.

But God was doing even more.

I learned about a Deaf church just a few miles from the school. Eventually, we developed a program that allowed us to rent an entire taxi van and transport 20 students to the Deaf church every Sunday! For many of these students, this meant experiencing something truly special: praise and worship, a sermon preached in Ugandan Sign Language, and fellowship with an entire congregation of Deaf believers. They could engage with God's Word in a language they understood and worship alongside people who shared their language and experiences.
Even that ministry began to grow when, on Fridays, five of the older kids would join the church’s evening Bible studies. Eventually, several students joined the praise and worship team, so we were also at the church on Saturdays for practice.

Every week, I prayed that seeds would be planted deep in their hearts. I longed for the biblical truths they were learning to become more than knowledge. I wanted to see those truths lead to genuine faith and decisions to follow Jesus.

And then came Deaf summer camp!

During that camp, several of these students professed their faith in Jesus and were baptized in Lake Victoria!
God was moving, and it was absolutely incredible to witness these spiritual transformations firsthand. After seeing so many barriers standing between Deaf people and the Gospel, watching these students take steps of faith filled my heart with so much joy.

God was at work in the hearts of these students, and I was grateful to have a front-row seat to what He was doing.

21/10/2026

The Hands for Yesu Story, Part 12

Much of my first year in Uganda was spent adjusting to my new environment, the climate, and the culture. I was learning to navigate the bugs and unwelcome critters that found their way into my living quarters while also being in full-on language-learning mode. I was learning both Ugandan Sign Language (because sign language is not universal) and Luganda, the local spoken language.
I served at a small school for the Deaf and at a nearby hearing church. I immersed myself in the community as much as I could, excited to be following God’s call in this foreign land. I was so optimistic, but I was also so naive.

That first year was an emotional roller coaster, to say the least. It was filled with both incredible joys and deep disappointments.
I witnessed firsthand how Deaf children were often dismissed and undervalued. Yet, as I spent time with them, I began to see them through God’s eyes. I saw their worth, their God-given potential, and the possibilities for their futures that others so often overlooked.

Eventually, God began closing doors on this first chapter of my journey and leading me in a different direction. At the time, I couldn’t see what He was doing or where He was leading me next. But looking back now, I can see His protection and provision. He was opening new opportunities that would allow the Hands for Yesu ministry to grow and reach even more people.

By the end of that first year, my understanding of Jesus had deepened in ways I never could have imagined. I had come to relate to Him on a much more personal level, understanding aspects of His heart in ways I hadn’t before.
It was painful. It was stretching. It was necessary.

The major lesson I learned in year one was that sometimes, the very experiences that break our hearts are the ones God uses to draw us closer to Him and prepare us for what comes next.

20/10/2026

I love how much these two munchkins love each other!
Don’t get me wrong—they definitely have their moments when they don’t like each other, just as all siblings do. But when the dust settles, one thing remains true: they are best friends, and they absolutely adore each other.
Being a mom is the hardest job I’ve ever been called to do. Some days are exhausting, and some moments leave me wondering if I’m getting anything right. But there is something so encouraging and reassuring about seeing my littles snuggling together, their giggles echoing through the house. Those are the moments that remind me how beautiful this calling can be.
My prayer is that their love for each other will continue to grow alongside their love for God. May they always be each other’s biggest cheerleaders, strongest supporters, and closest friends. And above all, may they grow into wonderful ambassadors for His Kingdom, reflecting His love wherever He leads them.