Joseph and Vito

Christmas 2010 through 2011

"I hope that your Christmas would be enjoyable and may the essence of Christmas remains always with us and our families. Take care."

Joseph Kirabira to Vito Racanelli

Reply from Joseph Kirabira, Sounds of Hope Youth Group, Uganda

Hi Vito,

Hearing from you keeps me going. At the university, students also prepare carols for the nearby hospital and health centers. At times we hold the carols on the campus. At Sounds of Hope, we enjoyed the last fellowship which saw more people turning to see our presentations. My fellow students from the school visited us too. It was great time I can tell. Is it possible to see the CUTS youth visiting us in the near future? Let us pray for that. I trust your family is doing well plus you at your job.

Until then stay strong in faith,

Joseph

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

Dear Joseph,

I am the youth leader of the group at Deer Park Presbyterian church. You have been corresponding with Vito for the past year. Vito first came to our youth program over 12 years ago as an older teenager. Now he is quite a young man. He has moved on from our youth program as he should. I do see him occasionally during the year as he lives in Deer Park but not enough to be able to facilitate his continued correspondence with you. I do know this - your letters were very important to him and I, as his youth leader, truly appreciated them.

I want to share with you, as older members of your group, the following challenge. Jesus taught us ... where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Keep the sacrifice of Jesus and his teachings at the center of your lives. He does so much for each of us. When we need wisdom, his words, recorded in the gospels, always provide answers. Through our prayers we always find strength.

I hope to start a group for 20 to 30 year old young men and women at our church in October. I do not know whether it will be successful but I will try. Perhaps another Bible Penpal can be found in this group if you are interested. I will always remember all of you at Sounds of Hope in my prayers.

Tim Ferguson

Posted September 2011

Correspondence March 2010 through December 2010

My name is Joseph Kirabira. I am 20 years old and a member of the Sounds of Hope youth program in Uganda. I am in my first year at the university. I have three sisters and five brothers and, when I am home, I have to share my bedroom.

My university is 150 miles from home and I do have chores there. I have to help clean the compound, fetch water, wash clothes and I do some gardening. I really enjoy playing football (soccer). When I am home, I attend church regularly with my family. I am studying to become a medical doctor.

Reply from Vito Pacanelli, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

"Dear Joseph ... my name is Vito. I am 26 years old. I have been attending my church youth program for ten years now. I have a younger brother, who is 22, and we have our own rooms. My house is small but perfect for my family. One of my hobbies is collecting NFL memoraphilia (National Football League). For example I collect helmets, stickers, etc.

Frank, Vito, Dennis, Arindam, Mike

What has kept me involved in youth group these past ten years has been that I can come and get together with people I have really become close to over these years. Since you shared your favorite hymn with me, let me do the same. Mine is Amazing Grace.

Take car of yourself and your brothers and sisters."

Reply from Joseph Kirabira, Sounds of Hope Youth Group, Uganda

Dear Vito Racanelli,

When I came back from the university, I was given the letter and I had already read the reply to my message from the Christian teens activities website. Please we thank you for having listened to God's guidance as regards choosing a pal and you landed my name. I think that is how the Lord wanted it. I am glad and joyful. My dad is Charles and my mom is Milly.They are both living but my dad is blind for almost five years now.

My favorite topic is Human anatomy though very hard. I live with both parents.

You friend, Joseph

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.

Joseph and Vito, 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 Vito Pacanelli, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

Hi Joseph ...

It's great to hear from you. I truly feel blessed that you were chosen to be my Bible penpal. You mentioned that Human Anatomy is a hard course for you. If you keep working at it, you will find that it is also a lot of fun.

Our group meets each Sunday night September through June then takes time off in the summer. I am looking forward to a mountain hike in August, our one summer activity.

Tell your parents I said hello to them and I hope to hear from you soon.

Vito

Reply from Joseph Kirabira, Sounds of Hope Youth Group, Uganda

Dear Vito,

Am at the university very busy with books. I think human medicine is the most complicated and hectic course of all courses in the university. Its practical parts are also very scaring to those who are new to it. Am glad that I have gained confidence in the though with some challenges. Unfortunately, my laptop was burnt by electricity and this has complicated my studies because I need to borrow from a friend that is not convenient to me and to the one who lends me.

I was so happy by the performance of our youth in the International Bible Treasure hunt that was done for the first time and more so with junior youth who were present by then.

Please I look forward to hearing from you.

Joseph

Reply from Vito Pacanelli, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

Dear Joseph,

How are you and your friends and your family doing? It is always nice to hear from you. A few weeks ago we had our Christmas Fair in which we , in part, raise money to help people around the world. Other money is used for our church in Deer Park and for our youth group expenses. I do not know the total amount raised but I know that it is a lot because people work very hard preparing for this fair.

I am always a little stressed around Christmas time as it is always busy at my job this time of year. We were also very busy doing our own Christmas shopping. Last week we had a Christmas party where we go caroling to nursing homes.

Well that all from my end. Can't wait to hear from you again. Until thenm take care of yourself and each other.

Your friend,

Vito

Would you like to write to Joseph, Vito or Lindsay ? Send a note to Timferguson@christianyouthgroup.org and it will be included on this webpage. Joseph, Vito and Lindsay will be notified that you have written.