Derrick and Julianne

Christmas 2010 through 2011

" May we share in the songs of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men during this Christmas."

Derrick Ssebugwawo to Julianne Murray

"During this Christmas I will be thinking of you. Christmas is a joyful, happy time and I hope your's is filled with excitement."

Julianne to Derrick

Reply from Derrick Ssebugwawo, Sounds of Hope Youth group, Uganda

Hullo Juliane,

When we are in school break, I really miss school time and friends. I am footballer and volley baller which I enjoy most. I am a goalkeeper to our school team. Therefore when I am at home I miss all that. In the village there is not much time for games as we are very few youth who can do play any game. Again when we are in fellowship as Sounds of Hope Youths, we get the opportunity to practice sports and music as case is. My friends are funny guys but very serious when it comes to class work. Fortunately we were all promoted to another class this year. We have started lessons of the new class. Pray for us that we excel.

Happy time please.

Derrick

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

April 2011

Dear Derrick,

When I am not in school I too miss my friends and school time. I play two school sports so it keeps me busy and when I am away form it, it can be difficult to adjust and I miss it. What is your favorite part about school? What is your favorite activity or subject to learn about? My favorite subject in school is science and social studies. I like learning about the earth and then everything that happens in the world and it's past. My favorite activity is sports and going to sporting events! Hope all is well and I hope to hear from you soon.

Julianne

Correspondence March 2010 through December 2010

My name is Derrick Ssebugwawo. I am 14 years old and a member of the Sounds of Hope youth program in Uganda. I live with my parents, four sisters and a brother. Their ages are 2 to 16 years old and I share a room with my siblings. My chores include cleaning the house, washing clothes and utensils and cooking.

I am in the third year of secondary school and walk one mile each way to school. My favorite activities are sports particularly volleyball and football (soccer).

I regularly attend church with my family and want to grow p to be an engineer.

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

"Dear Derrick ... Hello! I'm glad I got to read about you. My name is Julianne and I am 13. I am in the 8th grade and I want to be a teacher. I like to play soccer and lacrosse. I also have siblings. I have a sister and a brother. I love listening to music in my free time.

My favorite thing about our 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.

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

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

Reply from Derrick Ssebugwawo, Sounds of Hope Youth group, Uganda

Dear Julianne Murray,

Allow me to appreciate you for choosing to be your Pal. Am to be proud of our friendship. My dad is Paul and my mom is Edith. Both parents are living. My dad is a pump attendant at a fuel station and my mom is a shop keeper. Am living with both of them. When I get together with other youth at Sounds of Hope, I learn new things.

My best subjects are Physics and English.

Your new friend, Derrick

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.

Derrick 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

Derrick -

I am going into high school next year and I am so excited. I will be in the ninth grade so I will be a freshman.. My favorite subjects in school are math and social studies. Derrick, I would like to know more about you so please tell me and I will let you know anything you want to know about me.

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 Derrick Ssebugwawo, Sounds of Hope Youth group, Uganda

Hi Julianne,

Congratulations upon having completed your grade 8 and joining the high school. Please am wishing you the best in all your studies. Am coming in the family of 5 children and am the 3rd from the eldest. We are all in school. My dad and mom are still alive. I enjoy playing football and listening to music. When we get together as youth group, we carry out sports, music dance and drama.

In our secondary, we are so many youth of which most of them are Muslims since it is a Muslim founded school. Though it is a Muslim founded school, we have freedom of worship without any disturbance or influence from any school administrator. Sounds of Hope helps us practice and share what we have or know spiritually and how we can get involved in different church programs to positively impact our communities. We are also encouraged to give to those who do not have as you may know that Sounds of Hope is centre with a purpose of bringing the needy children and youth for education regardless of their financial stand. In this regard, we also ask our parents to buy books for these fellow needy children and youth and we are glad that some parents respond positively for cause. I will let you know more about when I get to hear from you as we keep in touch.

At Sounds of Hope, we can tell that we are proud of Tim Ferguson that came up with this idea of Bible Pen pal which has got together.

Stay lovely,

Derrick

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

Dear Derrick,

We are also very proud that Tim came up with the Bible pen pals idea. I am now in High school and I am enjoying it very much. The work is much harder but I like going to school and being with my friends. How do you enjoy school? And who are your friends and what are they like? My friends are very fun outgoing people that I enjoy being around very much. During your youth group what kind of sports do you participate in, I play lacrosse and soccer. I am an attack man in lacrosse and a defender in soccer. I hope all is going well I look forward to talking to you again.

Bye,

Julianne