Dickson and Arindam

Christmas 2010 through 2011

Dear Dickson, Arindam and Lindsay

I am Loyiso Hamilton 19years old from South Africa, just like you guys I'm a youth member at Apostolic Faith Mission and I also have dreams.

I live with my family of four my mother Emelina and two young brothers Ted and Khetha. I'm doing mechanical engineering at university due to my studies I currently live at university residence.

My favorite hymn is Happy day. My favorite subject is mathematics and mechanical technology

July 2011

It's Christmas and I just wanted to say "Thank You for being my friend"

Dickson Lubwama to Arindam Jurakham

Correspondence March 2010 through December 2010

My name is Dickson Lubwama. I am 13 years old and a member of the Sounds of Hope youth program in Uganda. I live at home with my parents, my brother and our chicken! I am fortunate as, unlike many of my friends, I have my own room. My chores include fetching water and firewood, washing clothes and utensils and cleaning my home.

I love music and a favorite song is "We are Very Happy". I walk a mile to and from school, five days per week, and I am in the 6th grade.

I go to church regularly with my family and my favorite hymn is Neyanziza. When I grow up, I hope to be a lawyer.

Reply from Arindam Jurakhan, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

"Dear Dickson ... hi, my name is Arindam and I am 14. I am a guy too and I love music. I think it is really cool that you want to be a lawyer and make a difference in your future.

What I like at Youth Group is our 30 Hour Famine and working with Hope for the Future. They are great charitable organizations and I feel like I am making a difference in the world.

Frank, Vito, Dennis, Arindam, Mike

I attend church regularly but not the church sponsoring the Youth Group. My favorite hymn is Amazing Grace.

I wish you good luck and that you will never give up on your dreams."

[The Thirty Hour Famine raises money for World Vision which reaches out to the poorest of the poor around the world. At Hope for the Future we prepare for an on-the-street revival meeting by distributing a hot meal - note: served on the streets of New York City.]

Reply from Dickson Lubwama Sounds of Hope Youth Program, Uganda

Dear Arindam Jurakham,

Am happy to be your friend.

My dad is Joseph and my mom is Madina. My mom died .My dad is buying and selling coffee. When am with others I feel strong.

My favorite subjects are Science and Social studies.

Your friend, Dickson

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.

Dickson and Arindam, 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 Arindam Jurakhan, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

Dear Dickson,

I am so sorry to hear that your Mom passed away. It really makes me sad because I know how much a mother means. I know God will give you the strength to deal with your loss and keep you focused on your dreams.

My father's name is Dave and my mother's name is Arti. They want me to do very well at school so that I can achieve success in the future. I want to become a doctor so that I can help people and prevent illnesses. I enjoy Math and Science. I have a lot of homework every day and my teachers love giving us tests. I also enjoy playing music - I am learning to play the guitar.

Tell me about your friends. My friends are very funny and love sports as well.

Our youth group takes some time off in the summer with only a mountain hike scheduled for August 7th. Then we start our weekly Sunday night meetings in September.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Arindam

Reply from Dickson Lubwama Sounds of Hope Youth Program, Uganda

Dear Arindam,

It is nice to hear from you again. It was so sad that my mother died when am still in early ages. I miss her love so much. I pray always to see that I get what I have as my dreams. It is joyful for a parent to see his/her kid performing well when at school. Am praying for you so that you achieve your dream of becoming a doctor. Will you carry out voluntary services when you qualify as a doctor? There are so many people who need health assistance because they lack money. Science and Maths involves having a lot of exercises but at the end it pays off well.

It must be very interesting seeing you playing the guitar as you were in the photo. My friends are always playful and have a lot fun words and jokes. During our youth meeting, we do bible reading, memorizing Bible verses, sporting and talk about being clean with our bodies. How were your mountain Hike and Sunday night meetings that started in September?

Kind regards,

Dickson

Reply from Arindam Jurakhan, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

Dear Dickson,

I am thrilled to hear from you again and I sympathize with your loss. I am glad to hear that you are wishing me luck on my studies and I am glad to say that I am praying for you as well. When I finish my medical studies I hope to do volunteer services and help people in need. I hope you are doing well in science and math and it is true that it takes time but it still does pay off. I do enjoy playing guitar and other instruments, what else do you enjoy doing? I am curious about what you do each day and who your friends are? I wish you all the luck and I am praying for you.

Your friend,

Arindam

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