tukula give away

picture of Melissa Terranova and the child she took in temporarily

Here is where my heart (the new heart--the one that God is breaking) has been taking me of late...

Uganda, Africa.

Where Melissa and Joe Terranova are following Jesus one day at a time, one step at a time.
Where they are not just letting God break their hearts for the people of Uganda, but they're committed to doing something about it.

I think what struck me the most about this couple I have never met, but have grown to love is the simple way they present their story.  In Melissa's own words,

"I get asked very often what I do and why I am in Uganda.   My answer to question number one is: I own a business.  My answer to question number two is: I'm following Jesus.   

I am not in Uganda because I own a social business that works with young tailors - I am in Uganda because Jesus called me to be a disciple and I said yes...then he called me to leave everything again and I said "I'll go" - reluctantly but I said it. THAT is why I am in Uganda."

They created a small business called tukula (translated it means "we grow") to help assist tailors in Uganda.

 My heart nods in agreement with their vision:

"...to bring real and tangible solutions to the world of poverty and aid through different means than just “hand outs” but rather “hand ups”.  We work to help those in vulnerable conditions by using entrepreneurial principles and innovative projects to achieve sustainability. 

Our current focus is meeting basic needs (water and sanitation) of those in rural village communities through the excess profit we receive from our tailoring business.

Our ultimate focus is to serve God and others with grace, love and peace."

Not only have Melissa and Joe walked away from everything near and dear to them here in the States, but they've committed themselves to walking beside their brothers and sisters in Uganda, to giving them a "hand up" with flesh on it.

I want to give you a bag from tukula.  Your choice.

All you have to do is visit tukula and leave me a comment telling me which bag you would like.  That's it.  I'll randomly draw the winner in two weeks.  


Send prayers their way and let's spread the word!  

my mombasa carry-all from tukula

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Lately, God has been shaking me to my core.  I've been staring into starving eyes from the comfort of my computer screen and falling apart.  Something just isn't right with our "prosperity" mentality.  And it's not that money is the entire issue.  It's our love for it.  Our belief that somehow we deserve it.  How quickly we forget that Jesus asked for it all; that it never really belonged to us in the first place.

I'm reminded again of another season in my life where God performed heart surgery.  I was so distraught because I didn't know how we were going to help the few persecuted Christians my husband had met on his trip to Saudi Arabia.  I reached for His Word, desperate for a "this is the way, walk in it" command from Him.  "What do we do, Jesus?" I whispered, distraught over our meager bank account and the desire to give what I knew we couldn't afford.  The first words I read through a haze of tears were "Feed my sheep"  (John 21: 15-19) Jesus was asking Peter if he loved him and after Peter's quick assertion, Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."  And then he asked a second time.  And then a third.  God couldn't have spoken any louder.  His words cut me to my quick.

Joye, do you truly love me more than these?

Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.

Feed my lambs.

Joye, do you truly love me?

Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.

Take care of my sheep.

Joye, do you love me?

Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.

Feed my sheep.

Yes, Lord, I'll do it.  Every day show me hungry people.  Don't let me turn a blind eye.  Don't allow my heart to become hardened or overwhelmed or my vision too narrow.