Zula's Big News

many of you know my undying passion for this little girl. but what many of you want to know is, what is the big news?

well, friends, today i signed up to be Zula's sponsor!!!!

. . . . .

this morning i set out to the local coffee shop in need of prayer and guidance on what the next step for us would be. i wanted to help her the most beneficial way that i could find. from the coffee shop, i headed to the market to pick out a new dress to replace the tattered skirt and brownish/blackish shirt she would always wear. with no luck finding a dress, i stumbled upon an adorable Gap floral tank with matching pink Target pants all for $2.50 (did someone say, score?!). 

when i arrived to CRO, i was a little bit late for worship and all the kids were inside...all except one.

she greeted me with a warm hug and i pulled her aside to get her into her new fun and girlie outfit (which are the best ones, might i add). everyone was so impressed with Zula's new "smart" outfit. it was so nice seeing her glowing from all the attention and admiration. 

next, was definitely one of the hardest things i've ever done. i had to tell her i was leaving. 

we sat down in the office with a translator (Zula has never been to school so the only english she knows is simple and the small amount i've taught her).  i explained what i was doing, that i was going home and going back to school. that i had to work so that i could get the money to come back and see her again soon. i felt my heart rip out of my chest when she lowered her head and looked away from me.

but nothing a little tickling couldn't fix! i got her back to laughing in no time. finally, i decided i wanted to do a home visit and see where she was staying.

when we arrived to her village, the first thing i noticed was the distance from her home to CRO. they are about 10 miles apart. which results in about an hour to and hour and a half walk...everyday. she leaves her home at 7am and arrives home around 6pm. 

upon arrival, we were surrounded by absurd conditions. there were people drinking everywhere you looked...even small children. we pulled up to a small, one room building with a blanket for a door. there were two stools that they used for chairs inside, and the old lady came out to welcome us. this is her home. this is Zula's home. 

i greeted the old woman and thanked her for watching Zula (since her mother, father, and grandmother had all passed away). the old woman then told me she was actually not the well-wisher that Zula had told me about before. the well-wisher gave Zula and her younger brother (age 5) to her last week and went to a village...not knowing when she will be back. 

we spoke with the woman for about ten minutes asking questions and answering hers. we explained that i wanted to help Zula out the best way that i could. finally, we came to the conclusion that i was going to put her in boarding school.

the boarding school is close to my parents home and is run by people from my family's church here in Mbale. we are taking her tomorrow to go back-to-school shopping and show her where she will be living for the next trimester! i am so beyond excited for her. i will even be getting a monthly report from her including anything she personally wants to send me. i am so blessed that the Father has placed this little girl in my life and plans on me being involved for quite a while.

so, yes, Zula and I will be together for a long time! she plans on staying with my family for the holidays  and i plan on coming back to visit her this time next year. it's kind of funny, i feel almost like a mom.

also, check out that super trendy/cute outfit! :)