THE WHOLE STORY.
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2014
Ashli Kelly was a newly married military spouse and her husband (Jake Kelly) was preparing to leave on his first military deployment. She had resolved in her mind that she wasn’t going to be a sappy wife only counting down the days until his return but that she was going to set some goals and get things accomplished while he was away. She had all the usual goals of more exercise, more traveling, home renovations, etc., but she also said she wanted to focus on her relationship with God more. That sounded like something any good Christian would say, right? Well, she didn't know how serious she was when she said it, however, God took her very seriously. She began reading books about the severe persecution some Christians face worldwide and, here she was, worried about what throw pillows she should purchase. She was deeply convicted and started praying for a way that her life could be used to help people, rather than just living for her own wants.
After reading a book Ashli had found about orphans in Jinja, Uganda, she remembered laying the book down on her bed and stating, “That’s it God. I want to help orphans in Jinja, Uganda.” Having no idea how to get started, she contacted the only person she knew who had any connection with Africa. An old friend from Ashli's hometown church had a father who had been a missionary in Africa for several years. Ashli decided to start there and just see if her friend (and father) knew of anyone who needed assistance. Ashli's friend wrote back the next day and was amazed that Ashli had contacted her. Apparently, Ashli's friend knew a Pastor who was trying to care for 20+ orphans from his rent home, which they were about to get evicted from because he had no way to pay rent after buying food for all these kids. Without any further questions, Ashli sprang into action and started finding any way possible to raise money for these kids. It wasn’t until a little time had passed that Ashli finally asked her friend, “Oh, by the way, where is this Pastor and these kids anyway?” She responded, “Oh, they are in Jinja…Jinja, Uganda.” Ashli was utterly blown away and she knew God had led her right where she needed to be.
2015
Initially when Ashli started raising money for the kids in Uganda, she did so by offering “free” family photos to families in exchange for a donation to their mission of caring for these kids. However, as winter settled in and family pictures were not as in demand, she began thinking that they needed some way to generate a consistent income for these kids. She began creating a “sponsorship program” hoping that people would want to give to specific children on a regular basis, much like other organizations. She created a website to help inform people what they were trying to do and to show the kids that were available for sponsorship. It started slow, but eventually caught on and they had roughly fifteen regular contributors.
2016
Things had plateaued the majority of 2016 until the very end. Ashli and Jake had regular contributors, which helped immensely with everyday food and schooling needs. Although, there were so many other areas needing attention such as: the children needing mosquito nets to help with contracting malaria, many needed new mattresses because theirs were dilapidated, as well as many individuals in the leper colony that Pastor Andrew had come to care for desperately needed medical attention. Ashli and Jake had a burden to do more somehow. One afternoon, Jake came home and said, “We are going to Uganda.” Ashlie was stunned and didn’t believe they’d actually do it. Just a few hours later, a friend contacted Ashli via text and said her and her husband had been praying and felt led to give money towards Ashli and Jake's work in Uganda. When Ashli told her they were considering going to Uganda at Christmas, the friend immediately insisted the money be used for their trip. Just like that, Ashlia and Jake started planning to go to Uganda for Christmas.
2017
In 2017, Ashli and Jake received a few more financial sponsors. It was still mostly close friends and family that followed their journey while they were in Uganda through social media and wanted an opportunity to help. A major blessing that occurred in 2017, was that they began a small medical clinic near Pastor Andrew’s home. They were able to stock it when they had additional funds and a local doctor that attended Pastor Andrew’s church would help run it in his spare time.
2018
This year started in tragedy, but there was good that came out of the bad. The mission was growing exponentially with children. Word had gotten out that Pastor Andrew had American funding to take care of orphaned children and people began “leaving” their children at Pastor Andrew’s church in hopes he would take them in and give them food. We would send as many to school as finances would allow. Tragically, one morning when the children were walking to school, a young girl was struck by a vehicle and killed instantly. When the news was shared with our sponsors, one family was so upset over the incident that they donated money for Pastor Andrew to purchase a van. Just a few short weeks later, the money was sent and a beautiful, used 15 passenger Toyota van was purchased and the kiddos started arriving to school safely.
2019/20
During this time the mission plateaued again. Ashli and Jake had welcomed their first baby into the family, moved to California, and then moved again so Ashli could start and finish nursing school. It was a very busy time and they tried to just keep things floating along. Their regular contributors were an absolute blessing during this time. They allowed us to help keep food on the table for our kiddos, along with new clothes periodically and school fees.
2021
It wasn’t until January of 2021 where Jake really began to wrestle with the thought that the kids needed a real home-not a crammed rental house, but a place that could house all of the kids. Ashli and Jake both started having the desire to take this “mom and pop” ministry from barely surviving to thriving. They wanted the kids to be full after each meal, rather than still hungry for more. They wanted all of the kids to have their own bed, rather than sharing 3-4 per bunk. They wanted all the kids to have the opportunity to go to school, rather than Pastor Andrew having to pick and choose who could attend school. They thought perhaps once Ashli finished school, they would have more financial freedom to give abundantly and started inquiring about building a real orphanage building in Uganda. Jake decided to put their idea out into the Facebook world in case anyone else wanted to join in this crazy endeavor.
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Ironically enough, a couple we had met (as neighbors) while living in Georgia reached out to us. They had recently become empty nesters and felt they wanted to get personally involved in something with their time and finances, but weren’t sure what that was. When they saw Jake’s post, they immediately reached out. A true answer to prayer, they had connections, resources, and finances to help us get started as a real 501-c3 and began walking us through the entire legal process. Their hearts were invested from the very first moment we talked and thus “Home for Healing Hearts” was created.