Taban Moris

Taban Moris, called “MOH-ris”, age 15

One of the most devastating side effects of the civil war was that it broke apart the traditional family structures designed to care for children when their parents died. Children without extended family members close by to watch out for them fell through the cracks, scavenging on the streets or even dying. When Moris was three days old, his mother died from a respiratory disease or infection. Completely overwhelmed by grief and the prospect of caring for a newborn and six other children, the father committed suicide. Somehow the children ended up at a refugee center, where the staff connected them to IWASSRU. The youngest three children were brought to Amazing Grace.
Moris is a mischievous, talented young man. He’s quite clever, which gets him in trouble often at school, since he cannot seem to keep his mouth closed! He plays the drums for evening worship with incredible natural talent, having never had any kind of training. His personality comes out even in his drum-playing, as he’ll stop the singing to correct the singers or scold someone for not dancing. At one point he said he’d like to be a bishop, but now he has decided that instead he’d like to be a professional footballer (soccer player).

Juan Annet

Juan Annet, called “JOO-ahn” or “Mama Nancy”, age 17

In a country both recovering from war and anticipating war again, criminal justice systems are somewhat patched together. Juan and her grandmother fell into the justice system when the grandmother was caught poisoning people in their town. Both were arrested, as much for their own protection as for the sake of justice, since mob vengeance is common. The grandmother died shortly after and, although she was found innocent of any wrongdoing, Juan had nowhere safe to go. They kept her at the prison, a ramshackle collection of huts with one armed guard, housing both men and women. One day, while working in the fields, Juan was raped by a fellow prisoner and became pregnant. She gave birth to a little girl called Kiden Nancy in mid-2008 while still in prison. Mama Susan petitioned to receive custody of Juan and her daughter, which was granted in early 2009.

Juan cannot read or write, despite completing the equivalent of 5th grade, because the school system she was in was so underfunded, overloaded, and ill-equipped. It would be extremely difficult for her to return to school now, so she is eager to participate in some kind of training for a career, like tailoring, catering, or hair-dressing. Her daughter Nancy is a beautiful toddler, full of personality, who brings joy to everyone at the compound.

Kabang Annet

Kabang Annet, called “KAH-bahng”, age 17

When a father dies, the mother is left with an extremely difficult decision. She can try to provide for her children without the income of the father, or she can remarry, knowing that her new husband will likely reject the children from her first marriage. Kabang’s father was a house-builder who was killed by a client who did not want to pay him. Her mother remarried and left Kabang and her brother with their grandmother. The grandmother’s health began to fail and she was no longer able to care for them, so they were brought to Amazing Grace.
Kabang shows strong leadership and a drive for justice both at the home and at school. She describes her heart breaking for children at school who are punished for nothing. She does extremely well in debate, and expresses a desire to become a lawyer. Her empathy, sense of humor, and dependability make her a popular leader, designated by her peers and her elders alike. She took the initiative of teaching a Sunday School class for the children at their local Anglican parish, and the children of Amazing Grace all sit for her Bible lessons.

Kiden Lillian

Kiden Lillian, called “KEE-dehn”, age 16

The rate of death in childbirth in Southern Sudan is one of the highest in the world. Birth is often attended to by midwives who have few resources for complicated pregnancies. Her mother had died in childbirth when Kiden was born, then Kiden’s father was killed in combat in the civil war, so Kiden and her sisters were sent to their blind, widowed grandmother. The grandmother found herself unable to care for young Kiden and brought her to Amazing Grace when she was five years old. The sisters’ locations are unknown.
Kiden is one of several beautiful, smart, hard-working girls at Amazing Grace. She is industrious, both at her school work and her home responsibilities of caring for the small boys, gardening, fetching water, and cooking. She is initially shy with strangers, in the same way that many teenage girls are, but once trust is established, she displays playfulness, wit, and humor.

Poni Evaline

Poni Evaline, called “POH-nee”, age 14

Because of the extended civil war, the women in need of a husband far outnumber the available husbands. With the added component of traditional polygamy, a husband with multiple wives is common. Poni’s father was a soldier in the war and disappeared, presumed dead. Her mother evacuated to the refugee camps with Poni. Being a single mother is difficult at the best of times, but in a refugee camp during wartime, it was a nearly impossible burden. Her mother became the second wife of a man with three children already. They had another daughter and then, in 2005, the husband drowned while fishing in the Nile River. Poni, her three step-siblings, and her half-sister were brought to Amazing Grace when both mothers became very ill and could not provide food for them.
Poni is extremely bright and inquisitive. She doesn’t hesitate to question things she doesn’t understand, and she does this all with a brilliant smile on her face. She is the main leader of the praise time each evening, dancing with exuberance long after others have tired. Often laughing and singing her way around the compound, her joy is contagious, and the other girls look to her for leadership on many occasions.

Seme Khamis

Seme Khamis, called “SEH-mey”, age 9

Medical facilities are rare and often staffed with untrained or underpaid workers, so when someone is struck with an illness or accident, it can be devastating. Seme and his brother lost their mother to what is only known to be a “swelling illness” very soon after Seme was born. The father was unable to care for an infant and a ten-year-old, so he sent them to an elderly aunt. The aunt could not care for them either, and they were brought to Amazing Grace when Seme was barely a year old.
Seme is a child who feels things very deeply. He will be laughing and playing one moment, then something happens and he’s weeping or fighting. He thrives under praise, and wilts under criticism. School does not come easily for him, but he is very diligent at his job of feeding and caring for the three dogs. His older brother watches him carefully, trying to shield and protect him when possible from things that might hurt his little heart.

Timon Tonny

Timon Tonny, called “TOHN-nee”, age 5

Not all Southern Sudanese evacuated to Uganda or Ethiopia during the civil war. A few remained behind, often migrating away from the now mine-filled farm lands toward the cities looking for work. Tonny’s parents lived in the capital city of Southern Sudan, Juba, but died a few years after Tonny was born. He was moved from place to place until Mama Susan’s relatives in Juba heard his story and brought him to Mama Susan’s attention. She accepted him to live at the home in Kampala in 2008.
When Tonny first came to live with Mama Susan he was very shy, but has become a bit of a gang leader among the neighborhood children. He loves to color and draw, and is always hesitant to send his masterpieces off to his sponsor, unsure if they will appreciate the genius of his detailed works. He works diligently at his jobs at the home, which include washing shoes, and is doing well in his first year of nursery school.

Bojo Samson

Bojo Samson, called “BOH-joh”, age 8

Families at the edge of poverty can be utterly wrecked by the death of a parent. Bojo’s mother died from a snake bite when he was just a baby, and his father, traumatized and grieving, was badly injured in an accident a few days later. Unable to work as a result of the accident, he brought Bojo and his older brother Korsuk to live at Amazing Grace for a better life than he could offer them.

Bojo is extremely active, and loves to play games. Even while playing football (soccer), dirt is a distraction and he’s often found hunched over, playing with handfuls of it. When the ball comes back to his end, though, he jumps up to get a foot in the game. He plays so hard during the day that he often falls heavily asleep during evening prayers and has to be shaken several times to get him awake enough to drag himself off to bed.

Augustine Michael

Below is another profile of one of the kids that will be benefiting from your choices this month.

Augustine Michael, called “Ah-GUS-tin”, age 18



War rocked Southern Sudan throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and many South Sudanese fled to refugee camps in Northern Uganda. Augustine and his father were among those refugees, Augustine just a baby. In the camps traditional society broke down under the pressure of relocation and dependence on aid, so when Augustine’s father died in the hospital, he was left, orphaned and alone. He lived at the hospital until age 4, when a woman took him home to essentially be used as a servant. He was not attending school and often ran away back to the hospital, which he thought of as home.

After being placed in Amazing Grace, Augustine thrived. His grades have always been excellent, and his leadership skills have really developed in the atmosphere of caring for younger children. He is respected by the staff and children alike, and his ready smile and eagerness to help endears him to all.

Juan Catherine

The reason why we're doing this month is so that we can stand in solidarity and share with the kids in East Africa. Here's a profile of one of the kids that will be benefiting from your choices this month.

Juan Catherine, called Catherine, age 10

Some of the refugees from the war in Sudan made it all the way down to the capital of Uganda, Kampala, where they found themselves destitute without a community to support them. Catherine’s parents, two young street kids, were barely more than children and just trying to get enough food in their own bellies. They could not possibly take care of Catherine as well, and they heard that IWASSRU could give some help to South Sudanese children. Mama Susan accepted Catherine to the home for fear that she wouldn’t live much longer if left with her parents.

Catherine loves playing games, singing, and dancing. The children have several games that include sing-song directions to play along to, and Catherine is always ready to play. She does a really good job of including the very small children and neighbors in the games as well, and if there is a tickle fight going on, she is sure to be right in the middle of it. She is really bright and always busy with some job or play.

Thoughts from Eric

Below is a repost that Eric Chapman posted on his blog Friday and graciously agreed to have let us repost.

The Final Days

Woke up this morning realizing that there were only three full days left till I enter Rice & Beans month. (Check out the link above) Yes, I Eric Chapman will spend the month of March eating Rice & Beans and trying to stay away from the Dr. Pepper. You ask...why? Well I have 29 good reasons. There are 29 children at Amazing Grace Children's Home who eat rice & beans each and everyday. Oh they have vegetables, what they can grow. Meat is available but expensive. They make due with what they can afford. The awesome thing is, they don't complain. They know that what little they have is more than most have. I admire them and they humble me.

The neat thing about this March is that the money we save on groceries will go to help our missions in East Africa. Every penny we save is more for our brothers and sisters in East Africa.

So, what am I giving up? HA! Dr. Pepper, candy, chips, cookies, meat, chicken.....AAAAARRRGHHHH!!! LOL! If I don't lose weight then there is something wrong with me.

I ask for prayers that I don't go insane during the month of March (ohhh the temptations of foooood). I ask for prayers that we raise huge amounts of money for our missions in East Africa. Finally, prayers for the children of Amazing Grace, St. Batholomew's, Nambia House, and Grace and Healing Ministries.

Rice and Beans for a Mzungu in Tanzania

By Leisha Adams

(Leisha is on staff with Lahash and currently lives and works in Tanzania)

Measure beans into a wide, flat basket. Remove debris, then wash thoroughly. Place in a large pot and fill to the brim with water. Fill the charcoal burner and use small kindling to build a fire among the coals. Bring water to a boil and cook until beans are soft. Drain and reserve remaining water. Chop onions, carrots, and green peppers, and grate tomatoes. Fry onions in oil with the grated tomatoes, diced carrots and peppers. Cook until soft, then add the beans and cook for approximately ten minutes. Add salt and the reserved “bean water.” Cook several minutes more, until water thickens into a kind of “soup.”

Place rice in a wide basket and remove small rocks, twigs, and bad grains. Wash thoroughly, then place in a pot with water and a little oil. Fill the cooker with kerosene and light each of the eight kerosene-soaked wicks. Cook the rice, stirring occasionally until the grains start to absorb water, then cover and cook until all water is absorbed.

Move the beans and rice into serving dishes and carry to the table, where the cook is expected to pray a blessing on the food. Load plates with a heaping serving of rice and serve the beans and vegetables over the rice.

If your appetite for the traditional wali na maharage is somewhat abated, a generous splash of Tabasco or local pili pili spice will give you a little different flavor and renew your enthusiasm for the national food of Tanzania.

The Children benefiting from Rice & Beans Month

Causes are great and all, but what can really motivate me to action is love. Love cause me to travel, speak up, and sacrifice for others. What we hope to do through Rice and Beans is to deepen your love for brothers and sisters around the world who are vulnerable and could use some love.

The kids that Lahash partners with live in three different nations. I'd like to share photos of the kids that will be receiving our gifts at the end of March.

The kids in this first picture live at Amazing Grace in Adjumani, Uganda. Many of you are familiar with the hell that these kids have been through by following the good work of Invisible Children. War, disease, and hopelessness have marked the past 20 years in the region. Currently the region is stabilizing, but these children can use all the help they can get as they grow up. I took this picture in October when our team stopped there for several days.

The picture below is of the Tenderfeet School in Kibera during early 2007. These children live in the world's largest slums (Kibera, Kenya) and have had a rough go at life. The compassionate teachers at Tenderfeet Education Center are showing God's love to these kids by providing free or subsidized education, food, spiritual counseling, and medical assistance. The children are now schooling at two campuses and we are excited to help the food program at these two school buildings.

My friend took this photo of me and the kids of Dodoma, Tanzania early in 2009. These kids have been infected or affected by HIV. Some of these dear kids have incredible courage despite having life cut short by the horrible disease of HIV/AIDS. Many of them live in homes with many vulnerable kids and the food provided is minimal. We hope to share God's love with them through meals over this next year with your help.