Pelagia and Daniela

Christmas 2010 through 2011

"May the spirit of Christmas bring u peace, the gladness of Christmas give u hope, AND the warmth of Christmas grant u love. Happy Christmas"

Pelagia Nalubega to Daniela Bodden

Reply from Pelagia Nalubega, Sounds of Hope Youth Group, Uganda

Hullo Daniela,

In your last message to me, I quoted this message "I too have struggles in my life, but I have learned that it's best to keep your head up high, and overcome your fears and attempt to move on with life." That has become an encouraging tool to me in my daily life. It is so wonderful to me and thanks so much for the message. We should not be over taken by life events but we need to be thoughtful of what we need to achieve in our lives. I will be amused when I live to witness you achieving your life dreams. We had wonderful school break for 2 months which the longest in the year. Are schools in progress or in break there?

I remain your friend,

Pelagia

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

April 2011

To Pelagia

I am so flattered that you quoted me .. Thank you !!! Its kinda funny how we basically live across the world from each other ... However we kinda have the same struggles and it just proves to show what a small world we live in ! We are actually in spring break right now .... We get like one week off before Easter !! Its a nice break but the weather kinda stinks ... Some days its really nice out .. And others its cold and rainy !! I can't wait for easter .. My family colors eggs .. And we have a scavenger hunt in our backyard in which my parents hide money in plastic eggs .. And me and my cousins try to find them !! Its really fun .. How do you guys celebrate your easter ??

Good luck

Daniela

Correspondence March 2010 through December 2010

My name is Pelagia Nalubega. I am 14 years old and a member of the Sounds of Hope youth program in Uganda. I am in the seventh grade and live at home with my parents, three brothers and six sisters. We have a big family and my siblings range between 2 and 18 years old. I share a room with some of my brothers.

My chores at home include washing clothes, washing utensils, cooking, fetching water and firewood. I enjoy athletics and particularly running. My favorite is a one and a half mile race. School is far away - five miles so I walk ten miles each day to and from school. This is why running one and a half miles does not seem so far.

I attend church regularly with my family and my favorite hymn is Nesiga Dunda (I Trust in the Creator). I hope to become a teacher when I grow up.

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

"Pelagia ... my name is Daniela and I am 16 years old and I'm in the 11th grade. I love that you have a big family and I do too. I have one brother, five cousins, my mom and dad and my grandma and grandpa.

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

Let me tell you what I like about our youth group - we participate in the community and we try to help others that live by us (in New York City) and even those across the world. Also we learn about the Bible and try to use Bible verses and lessons and translate them to modern life. My favorite hymn is, "Here I am, Lord" because it explains how youth have to carry out the Lord's word and that is what we learn in youth group.

I think it's great that you want to become a teacher. I don't know what I want to be but I will go to school and learn as much as I can. I hope you do the same. Best wishes and I hope you accomplish your dreams."

Reply from Pelagia Nalubega, Sounds of Hope Youth Group, Uganda

Dear Daniela Bodden,

Choosing me to be your Bible pen pal gave me new life.

My dad is Noah and my mom is Pelagia. They are both living and gardeners. Am living with my grandma.

My best subjects are Science and Mathematics.

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.

Pelagio and Daniela, 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 Daniela Bodden, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

Dear Pelagia,

I am so glad that my letters have encouraged you to accomplish your goals in life. I think you should never give up on becoming a teacher. Do you know what subjects you would like to teach? I to have a big family and I see them all the time. Even though they can be annoying and bother me at times, family is very important and they will always be there no matter what. I think it great that you are so close to them and have brothers and sisters that you can look up to. I wish you the best of luck with your dreams and I have faith that you can accomplish all of them.

Our youth group is having it's last Sunday meeting on June 20th until September. We will have one mountain hike in August. What things do you do in youth group?

Reply from Pelagia Nalubega, Sounds of Hope Youth Group, Uganda

Hello Daniela,

Your letters really meet a lot to me. Am to try my best to achieve my dreams and please pray for me in this struggle. I would love to teach English.Do u love tours? Do you hope to visit any African country in your life? During your free time what do you do? Do you have your best friend? During our youth group meetings we practice sports, Bible reading and health issues pertaining our bodies and life. The sisters and brothers I have are great people around me and am proud of them.

I hope to hear from you soon,

Pelagia

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

Dear Pelagia,

I am praying for you and your struggle;, I too have struggles in my life, but I have learned that its best to keep your head up high, and overcome your fears and attempt to move on with life. I believe everything happens for a reason, and even though things might seem impossible to overcome at times, these problems are what shape your life and make you a stronger person in the long run. I would love the visit Eygpt, and see the pyrimids. During my free time I like to go to the movies and the beach; it's one of my favorite places in the summer. Yes I do have a couple of best friends and they mean a lot to me. I would like to know if there was one place or one thing you could do in your life, what would it be and why ?

love,

Daniela

Would you like to become another Bible Penpal with Pelagio or Daniela ? 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. Pelagio, Daniela and Lindsay will be notified that you have written.