January 2011

To my friends and family,

As my Ugandan friends would begin: Mukama Yeba Zebwe! (Praise the Lord). I am so grateful to see and know the
merciful touch of the Lord. It is evident that He alone has kept me and continues to sustain me. Three and a half years
ago I was wondering how I would get to Africa, where I would go, and what ministry I would be involved in. I questioned
whether I was stepping out in faith too much- putting too much faith in His word that He will lead me and provide for
me. As I reflect on where I am now, I am nothing short of amazed. God has been abundantly faithful to me! I will sing
that praise forever!

I am taking advantage of the new year to share the Lord’s goodness in my life in 2010.

As a missionary, it is quite difficult to separate my work from my life because my work is my ministry and ministry is my
life. The Lord’s hand continues to guide Lulwanda Children’s Home (LCH). We have had a wonderful year of continued
development, both physical and spiritual. The Ugandan government officially recognized our school last year and about
thirty children from the community enrolled. Our school also participated in music and sports competitions at the
district level, and three talented student athletes qualified up to the national level.

On December 1, LCH celebrated its sixth year in operation. We had a really fun time with invited guests from the
community, a big feast including cake for all, and (of course) music and dancing. Although there have been a few bumps
in the road, God continues to uphold Lulwanda as a place of hope and allows us to share that hope with those around
us. The children have such tender hearts that are filled with great love just ready to be shared. When disastrous
mudslides hit a neighboring district, the children initiated a collection of their clothes to give to those who had lost
everything. They are also bringing laughter and smiles to some babies at an orphanage in Mbale town. And with each
new opportunity to travel off the LCH property, people always notice that our children stand out different from the rest.
That makes me a very proud Auntie .

One of my favorite times of the week at LCH is Friday fellowship. For the past two and a half years, we have made it a
priority to come together and worship through song, prayer and sharing of the Word. I have been encouraged and
challenged and have seen hearts of faith, prayer, and truth develop in the children.

In regard to my personal life, I have a number of reasons to boast in the goodness of the Lord. The most recent and
obvious reasons are my new position at LCH and my “new” car. Since August I have been serving LCH as the program
coordinator. This is a big change from teaching phonics and took a little time to adjust – mostly to my reduced
interactions with the children when they are in school. But, I am really enjoying my new position that allows me to have
my fingers in all areas of LCH (school, home, and clinic) through planning and helping things run more smoothly. In
November, I coordinated two big educational tours for our school to hike to the top of a waterfall and to tour a sugar
and candy factory. Not only were the kids thrilled, but it also was very insightful and fun for me and the other teachers.
In addition to planning and organizing the events at LCH, I also help keep our children connected with their sponsors. A
third aspect of my new role, which I only have had a small taste of, is arranging for and hosting American teams and
visitors that come to LCH. This mostly happens in the summer months, so once May rolls around, I will be very busy .

And, though it sounds a little overdramatic, having a car has really changed life as I knew it in Mbale. It is so wonderful
to have the freedom to move around town for a quick errand without depending on others. Having a car has not only
blessed me, but also all the other single missionaries in Mbale. Since it is not advisable to walk after dark, there was
little opportunity for nightly interactions outside one’s own household. Now we can get together for game nights or go

(over)
out for dinner (at one of the four “restaurants”). I can’t say enough what a blessing the car is and what a great provider
the Lord is!

In other news about my personal life, I live with the same two American girls in a really wonderful house. At the
beginning of the year, I started visiting the local hospital with my prayer partner, Favour, to encourage and pray over
people. Though we were less frequent toward the end of the year, I hope to start up again. I have also been
tremendously blessed by the missionary community in Mbale. I participate in the Ladies’ Bible study every Thursday and
our Community Fellowship every Sunday evening, where we studied 1 Samuel and Colossians this year and then shared
a potluck meal together. I also continue to “stand in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30) and pray with Favour everyday at LCH and
have been blessed by a wonderful friend and accountability partner, Tiffany, who serves with another NGO
(nongovernmental organization) in Mbale.

Outside of the tangible boasts that I can say in the Lord, I also have been humbled and amazed by what God continues
to reveal to my heart. As I look back on my journal of this past year, there were two common themes: how much He
loves me and that He is more than enough for me. It always amazes me that as much as you think you understand a
certain lesson that God has taught you, you always seem to grow weak in your conviction of that. Or perhaps He is
simply bringing deeper understanding and revelation to add to what I have previously learned. But my heart has been
changed in the knowledge that His thoughts about me are precious and more numerous than I can count (Psalm 139:17-
18) and that He does not love me for what I do, but simply for who I am. He alone is the Lover of my soul. He alone can
satisfy. He alone gives me grace day by day to do or be whatever He has that day. He is jealous for me. And His love
endures forever! Praise the glorious name of Jesus Christ!

I am currently in Texas on furlough. It has been wonderful to share the Christmas holiday with my family and to get to
have extended time to visit with family and friends. I also know that as much as God has a specific purpose for me in
Uganda, I also have a specific purpose while I am in Texas: to boast in what He is doing in Uganda and be a voice for the
children I love so much. It is interesting that each time I come “home” to Texas, I realize more and more how much
Uganda has become home. Praise God for that!

I will return to Uganda the first of March. Some people ask me how long I plan to be there. My answer continues to be,
“However long the Lord has me there.” I am truly living my dream and until the Lord gives me a new dream or calls me
away, I will continue to serve the beautiful children at Lulwanda Children’s Home.

As always, thank you so much for your continued support and for walking with me (through prayer) on this journey.
May God bless you with the richness of knowing more deeply how much you are His beloved child.

By His grace,

Natalie Rolfe
 (To read the graph: Start at
Proposed Monthly Budget 2011 twelve o’clock, moving clockwise,
$1,686 Saving/Emergency
and reading down the legend)

Flight
$100
$208 $200 $167 If you would like to receive email
6% Medical/Insurance
12% 12% 10% updates, contact me at
Rent/Utilities natinuganda@gmail.com.
$167
10% $194 Food
You can also check out my blog at
11%
Car insurance/fuel www.natalierolfe.blogspot.com.
$100
6% $550 I post monthly updates.
Travel
33%
Miscellaneous *

* compassion projects, internet, clothing, maintenance (car/home), postage, work permit

Financial Report 2010

INCOME SPECIAL PROJECT INCOME
Remainder from previous years 9,709.63 Automobile fundraiser 15,000
Midland Bible Church 3,600 Special Project TOTAL $15,000
Individuals 8,390
GICF 1,200 SPECIAL PROJECT EXPENSES
Total Income 2010 $22,899.63 Automobile & new tires 11,622
EXPENSES Auto Insurance 500
Flights (x2) 4,258.49 Special Project TOTAL $12,122
Medical Insurance 2,599 REMAINING BALANCE for $2,878
Special Medical 117 maintenance & upkeep
Room and Board 3,600
Internet 475
Compassion/Ministry Projects 330
Travel 1,030
Spiritual Retreat 120
Mailing Address in
Fuel/Maintenance 535
Uganda
Miscellaneous 1,200
Savings/Emergency/Furlough 4,000
PO Box 1650
TOTAL SPENT 2010 $18,264.49 Address for Financial Support Mbale, Uganda
Africa
REMAINING BALANCE $4,635.14 Midland Bible Church
Proposed 2011 Annual Budget $20,232.00 2800 North A Street
Midland, TX 79705
** memo line: Natalie Rolfe

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19