Edward, Angelica and Bill

Christmas 2010 through 2011

"Let's welcome the Christmas and year which are fresh and new."

Edward Lukonge to Angelica Morgan

Reply from Edward Lukonge, Sounds of Hope Youth Program, Uganda

Hello Sister Angelica,

You can’t tell how lovely I feel to read from you. I am humbled always my encouraging messages thanks to Bible Pen pals program between our two youth groups. Being involved in mountain hiking seems to be very moving and refreshing indeed. I missed it so much. Did you enjoy the Christmas meeting for the youths? We do Sunday school teaching, singing and carrying out skits. I can’t wait to hear from you. Do you dream of coming to Uganda?

Edward

Reply from Angelica Morgan, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

April 2011

Hi Edward,

How are you? This last Christmas show I was unable to attend, but from the ones I have participated in, they are always great. We always perform skits and sing various songs. It's a great time to be a part of each others company, share laughs, and remember our blessings. I would love to visit Uganda. It would truly be an eye-opening event. Understanding another culture, conversing with the people there, and being part of a different environment would be a great experience. Would you want to visit the United States, or any other place? Why? Hope to hear from you soon!

Angelica

Correspondence March 2010 through December 2010

My name is Edward Lukonge . I am 14 years old and a member of the Sounds of Hope youth program in Uganda. I live with my parents, two sisters and two brothers. We raise goats and pigs at our home. I share my room with some of my siblings, who are between 8 and 15 years old.

I love to play football (soccer) and I walk two miles each way to school. This walking gives me strong legs to play football (soccer).

My chores include collecting firewood, fetching water, gardening, cleaning the home and washing clothes. I attend church regularly with my family but don't have a special favorite hymn. I hope to grow up to be a driver.

Reply from Bill Briney, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

" Dear Edward ... I am 26 years old and live at home with my mom and step dad. I have my own room in my house. I have a sister and two step brothers who live on their own. I have a car and drive to work five days a week; I clean office buildings.

I used to come regularly to Youth group when I was younger. Now I just do the mission outreaches - 30 Hour Famine, Hope for the Future and the El Salvador mission trip.

Anthony, Bill (seated); Daniel (back), Vicky (front)

My favorite song we sing at Youth Group is Lean On Me.

I hope you are able to become a driver."

[The Thirty Hour Famine raises money for World Vision which reaches out to the poorest of the poor around the world. At Hope for the Future we prepare for an on-the-street revival meeting by distributing a hot meal - note: served on the streets of New York City.]

Reply from Edward Lukonge, Sounds of Hope Youth Program, Uganda

Dear Bill Briney,

Am so happy to be friends. My dad is Charles and mom is Jovinta and they are both living I thank God. Both parents of are peasants farmers with small gardens. Am living with them at our home. I enjoy getting together with other to learn more new things.

My best subjects Science and Mathematics.

Edward

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.

Edward and Bill, 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 Angelica Morgan, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

Hi Edward,

My name is Angelica. I live with my two parents and have one brother. Some chores I do include my own laundry, cleaning the kitchen and doing errands for my mom. Even though we do different types of chores, we both share an interest in soccor. Soccer is my favorite sport and, for many years, I played on a team. Part of the time I was on a team with my cousin, Daniella, who is also a member of our youth group.

I have a couple of favorite hymns including "Amazing Grace" and "Open my eyes that I may see".

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.

Angelica

Reply from Edward Lukonge, Sounds of Hope Youth Program, Uganda

Hello Angelica,

Am humbled that you chose me to be friends. I also live with my parents and I have 2 brothers and ,2 sisters. My chores at home are collecting firewood, fetching water, gardening, cleaning the home and washing clothes. Am happy that we share the soccer interest. Wow if you have ever played for a team for I have only played during practice and for our school only but good enough we brought the trophy of the tournament. As you may know, I have “Praise the Lord “as my favorite hymns.

Was the mountain hiking enjoyable, and were you part of the youth who turned up for the 1st weekly night meeting in September?

I hope to hear from you again as we enjoy our friendship.

Edward

Reply from Angelica Morgan, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

Hi Edward,

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the hike this past summer, but I can tell you about a hike I did go on a couple of years ago with my church. It was upstate, and my family came along too. It was long but at the same time refreshing and calming. For our first September meeting I was not there because I attend college in New York City and lately have been unable to make a lot of our meetings, although for Christmas I will try to come. That's really awesome that you got a trophy! What types of activities do you do at your church?

Angelica