Resty and Julianne

Christmas 2010 through 2011

Reply from Resty Nansamba, Sounds of Hope Youth Group, Uganda

Dear Juliane,

Unlike me, you are such a talented lady I can say and I admire all your talents. Thank you for being able to use them well. Being part of the soccer and travel teams is a challenge many ladies like may not take up but you a strong lady who has been part of that life. Do you have a soccer team? I love netballing and I have been part of the team that won the trophy last month for our school.

Please keep it in your prayers so that you come with your travel team to Uganda. Our youth leaders are planning to have soccer for girls. I hope to hear from you soon as you enjoy great time.

Resty

Reply from Julianne Murray, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

April 2011

Dear Resty,

Yes, I am part of a soccer travel team. We travel around the state I live in. We do not go to different countries although that would be very interesting and a lot of fun. I have never heard of netball, what is that and how do you play? Are there any other sports that are popular in Uganda? Or do you guys enjoy playing other kinds of games. In America we have many sports the most common ones are soccer, football, baseball, basket ball and lacrosse. Please tell about how you guys have fun in Uganda! Write back soon and take care!

Julianne

Correspondence March 2010 through December 2010

My name is Resty Nansamba. I am 15 years old and a member of the Sounds of Hope youth program in Uganda. I live with my parents, five brothers and five sisters. We also keep pigs at our home and you can see we have a large family. Even with a family this size, I am lucky to have my own room.

My chores include: cooking food, washing clothes and utensils, cleaning our home, fetching water and firewood and, lastly, gardening. I am in the seventh grade and have to walk six miles each way to get to and from school. That means I walk 60 miles a week but I am used to it.

I love music and a favorite piece is called, "Angels of Hope". I go to church regularly and my favorite hymn is Ndi Mukristu (I am a Christian). I hope to grow up to become a nurse.

Reply from Julianne Murray, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

"Hi Resty ... my name is Julianne. I am 13 years old and I am in the 8th grade. I think that it is awesome that you want to be a nurse and help people. And, wow, you have a big family! That is awesome. I want to work with kids when I am older. I think that would be fun! I have two siblings. I have a small family compared to yours. Another thing I love is music.

(Back) Chantal, Daniela, Rachel; (seated) Julianne, Linda

My favorite thing about youth group is being with my friends. We meet every Sunday night and I have gotten really close to them. I also like our Olympics competition, which we have each Spring (like right now!). We do athletic events and have fun.

I attend church regularly with my mother and my favorite hymn is 'Here I am, Lord'. "

Remember, follow your dreams."

Reply from Resty Nansamba, Sounds of Hope Youth Group, Uganda

Hello Julianne Murray,

It was nice to read a letter from you. My dad is John and my mom is Mary. Am an orphan. My dad died and am living with my mom. She is a gardener. Practicing Bible reading is the lesson I learn from meeting other people.

My best subjects are Science and English.

Your friend, Resty

Comment and Challenge from Lindsay Ullmann, United Kingdom

Hi ... my name is Lindsay Ullmann. I started to write poetry when I was your age and it helped me to learn more about myself as a person. I grew to understand that I had to search to just find myself . I am in my 20's and now am a professional songwriter and singer. So if we turn our thoughts around into something positive we can accomplish almost anything - through creativity and spirituality.

Resty and Julianne, do you feel that you have had a wake up call in life like I had through poetry, when I was your age? If so, would you care to share? Would you agree that creativity and spirituality can help us and also those around us?

Reply from Julianne Murray, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

Dear Resty,

Hello! Resty I cant wait to get to know you better then I do! I now want to know more about your church life. Do you go to church on a normal basis? Are you involved with any events that go on? And what is your favorite part about going? Next I want to know about your family. Do you have any extended family such as cousins? I do and I am very close with them all. I usually see most of my cousins once a week. We eat by my Grandma's house. This year I am graduating from 8th grade and going into High School. In four more years, I will go to college. You can tell me anything else you want!

Our youth group takes some time off in the summer with only a mountain hike scheduled for August 7th. Then we start our weekly Sunday night meetings in September.

Julianne

Reply from Resty Nansamba< Sounds of Hope Youth Group, Uganda

Dear Juliane,

It is good for you to know me better so that we can be great friends. In our church we have Sunday school programs for children and programs for youth. I go to church on a normal basis and meet other youths in our youth groups at Sounds of Hope. When we meet, we carry out sports training, Bible reading and carrying out some music and drama practice.

My favorite part of all the events is sports and Bible reading. Am still living with my parents and we are 10 people at our home. Both parents of mine are alive. Extended families are very common here in Africa so I have a lot of people in our extended family and I visit some of them during holidays. Please I wish you success as you graduate from 8th grade going to high school.

Is the High school equivalent to University? Am glad that your parents are paying the fees for you to get the needed education. Do you have some animals at home? We have some animals at out home and we enjoy seeing them. What is the difference between high school and College compared to Ugandan education?

Joyful moments to you please.

Resty

Reply from Julianne Murray, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

Dear Resty,

Our youth group is pretty interesting so far. I also play sports, I play lacrosse and soccer on both school and travel teams. I play defense in soccer and I play attack in lacrosse. Do you play any sports outside of your youth group or participate in any physical activities? Extended families are very important over here too. Most of us are very close to our families. Now that I am in high school I have to work a lot harder. How are you enjoying school? Are you a good student or do you find things difficult? Hope everything is going well for you please right back soon.

Until next time,

Julianne

Would you like to become another Bible Penpal with Resty or Julianne ? Send them a note and/or answer Lindsay's question by writing a note to our website e-mail : timferguson@christianyouthgroup.org. Your thoughts will be included on this webpage. Resty, Julianne and Lindsay will be notified that you have written.