Teresa SpurlockFounder/DirectorIn 1998, I found myself on an all-women’s trip to Uganda. Being raised in a small town, I immediately felt the community (albeit 38 million people)! The needs were great, yet my overwhelming reaction was that I wanted to share the JOY with those back home!
So many life lessons in the years to follow, whether it was through fundraising, matching prayer partners, finding committed sponsor families for Starfish, then Taraja in Kenya and/or taking teams. I enjoy bringing diverse people together, watching kids, sponsors and groups stretch and grow through pain, sorrow as well as accomplishments! I witness firsthand that there is something to learn from each person encountered. We need one another and I’m so lucky to experience this on a continual basis!
As our very capable partners lead, together we collaborate, seeking to create space for kids to thrive, in the midst of a chaotic world! The communities that have naturally developed along the way are by-products of committed and loving humans in various stages of life. I’m passionate about them all!
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. - Matthew 25:40
Susan Stonehow101 AdministrationWhen I stepped into Uganda in 2005, my heart had a sense of being home. I fell in love with Uganda and its people in only 5 days. The YFC staff at Mirembe House tenderly and passionately cared for pregnant teenage mums and their children. Watching them tirelessly and joyfully press on through extreme circumstances created a new passion in me! I helped grow the Starfish Programme from that year forward. It’s been a true labor of love. And, as I helped them, I was helped in return! Together we learned much as relationships grew richer and deeper.
Our Ugandan and Kenyan partners are indeed heroes to multitudes of young lives in their countries. Their calling to help the vulnerable is humbling Each child is unique, watching them grow is a privilege. We as how101 are honored to come alongside them. My health does not allow frequent trips - but my love abounds in all those we serve.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen -Ephesians 3:20-21
Emilie BauerleAdvancement/StarfishI visited Uganda for the first time in 2006. While there, I was introduced to young mothers and their children living in challenging and often desperate situations. A few years later, I was invited to visit a home for abandoned street boys, unwanted and alone. In both instances, I was overcome by the needs and my desire to serve. It felt like an impossible task... but God had a plan! He asked us to begin with one. Just one! That is what our small team did. We came alongside one young mother, one child in Uganda, one hopeless boy in Kenya.
The work has grown and How101 has grown, serving over 200 in our program. Our goal remains... to help, one child at a time. We assist through a personal sponsorship program which provides for the education of our children we care for their health, safety, and well being. How can we do this? We can’t but God has given us dedicated, committed, and highly educated teams in Uganda and Kenya, called to guide, encourage, and respect children, young mothers and teens with love and compassion. They are our boots on the ground. We are beyond grateful to them because they are doing the work, they are fulfilling the vision and mission, the hope and dream- helping our world by changing lives... one child at a time.
Bonnie VaughnAccountabilityWhen my son was in sixth grade in 1995, he was assigned a semester-long independent project on a country. He chose Uganda and it was such a massive project that I helped with gathering information and I fell in love with the country. One morning in church, the bulletin asked if women would be interested in forming a mission team to go to Uganda. I said YES! I was part of the first team to go to Uganda in 1998 and have been able to return to serve on three additional team trips. The blessings are many!
I was on the trip in 2002 when the vision for the how101 ministry was born. God's hand has definitely been on how101 since the beginning. We watch as He gives our leadership guidance and wisdom in all the ministry is able to do.
I love how101 because the connection is truly one on one and I have special relationships through that.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. - 1 John 3:1
Beverly BrossAfar Bazaars + TarajaSince first traveling to Uganda in 2011, I have developed a lasting relationship with many moms and children in the Starfish Programme. It is a privilege to work alongside our very capable local leadership partners as well as witness the positive growth and development of all of us involved. It continues to be a profound blessing in my life.
In the years that ensued, I have returned to Uganda repeatedly, and then also to Kenya to be a part of the program that how101 assists at Taraja Home for Boys. This transitional orphanage has been a haven for young boys who were previously living in desperate situations - often on the streets of Nairobi. Witnessing the leaders and mentors in the home as they offer spiritual, emotional, physical, and educational support has been such an inspiration to me. I am proud to walk alongside these young men to assist and encourage them in eventually reintegrating into their home communities- to become productive and confident members of society.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28
Laura WebbAdvancement/Starfish CampMy first trip to Uganda was in 2013. I quickly fell in love with the kind and compassionate people, especially the children, in the Starfish program. I was so touched by the thankfulness each child in the program feels for its personal sponsor. My husband and I now sponsor four children in the program. Knowing each of them has enriched our lives.
I was honored when asked to join the board in 2015 and it is a privilege to serve along side the other members on the board as we strive to reach out to vulnerable children through education, health care, and sharing God’s love, one on one.
Beth KennedyStarfish Admin/TeamsAfter serving on short term missions in Cambodia with my husband for about 5 years God closed that door for us. I was feeling a bit lost not being able to serve when I had the opportunity to be on a team to Uganda in 2009 with how101. On that trip, I fell in love with a young mom there named Elizabeth and wanted to start sponsoring her. Since then, I have made numerous trips and now sponsor along with Elizabeth’s child, 2 more children, Liz and David. Each time I go, I have been able to spend time mentoring young moms over the years. We spend time together much like our MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group does here in the U.S. where I’ve been a mentor mom for about 13 years.
One of my greatest joys is to be able to serve this community of moms and their children and as Starfish Administrator, I keep track of ALL the children and their sponsors.
For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. - Deuteronomy 7:6
Nicole NelsonMedia ManagerI'm thankful to be a small part of the how101 volunteer team. I went to Uganda for the first time in 2005 and it captured my heart. I was lucky enough to go again in 2015. The joy in Uganda inspires me!
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. -Galatians 2:20
Lori GatesRetiredLori was instrumental in getting how101 off the ground. Her boundless energy for garage sales funded nearly everything for the first few years! Lori is battling Alzheimers and so we humbly ask for your prayers for her health!
In 1998, I found myself on an all-women’s trip to Uganda. Being raised in a small town, I immediately felt the community (albeit 38 million people)! The needs were great, yet my overwhelming reaction was that I wanted to share the JOY with those back home!
So many life lessons in the years to follow, whether it was through fundraising, matching prayer partners, finding committed sponsor families for Starfish, then Taraja in Kenya and/or taking teams. I enjoy bringing diverse people together, watching kids, sponsors and groups stretch and grow through pain, sorrow as well as accomplishments! I witness firsthand that there is something to learn from each person encountered. We need one another and I’m so lucky to experience this on a continual basis!
As our very capable partners lead, together we collaborate, seeking to create space for kids to thrive, in the midst of a chaotic world! The communities that have naturally developed along the way are by-products of committed and loving humans in various stages of life. I’m passionate about them all!
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. - Matthew 25:40
When I stepped into Uganda in 2005, my heart had a sense of being home. I fell in love with Uganda and its people in only 5 days. The YFC staff at Mirembe House tenderly and passionately cared for pregnant teenage mums and their children. Watching them tirelessly and joyfully press on through extreme circumstances created a new passion in me! I helped grow the Starfish Programme from that year forward. It’s been a true labor of love. And, as I helped them, I was helped in return! Together we learned much as relationships grew richer and deeper.
Our Ugandan and Kenyan partners are indeed heroes to multitudes of young lives in their countries. Their calling to help the vulnerable is humbling Each child is unique, watching them grow is a privilege. We as how101 are honored to come alongside them. My health does not allow frequent trips - but my love abounds in all those we serve.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen -Ephesians 3:20-21
I visited Uganda for the first time in 2006. While there, I was introduced to young mothers and their children living in challenging and often desperate situations. A few years later, I was invited to visit a home for abandoned street boys, unwanted and alone. In both instances, I was overcome by the needs and my desire to serve. It felt like an impossible task... but God had a plan! He asked us to begin with one. Just one! That is what our small team did. We came alongside one young mother, one child in Uganda, one hopeless boy in Kenya.
The work has grown and How101 has grown, serving over 200 in our program. Our goal remains... to help, one child at a time. We assist through a personal sponsorship program which provides for the education of our children we care for their health, safety, and well being. How can we do this? We can’t but God has given us dedicated, committed, and highly educated teams in Uganda and Kenya, called to guide, encourage, and respect children, young mothers and teens with love and compassion. They are our boots on the ground. We are beyond grateful to them because they are doing the work, they are fulfilling the vision and mission, the hope and dream- helping our world by changing lives... one child at a time.
When my son was in sixth grade in 1995, he was assigned a semester-long independent project on a country. He chose Uganda and it was such a massive project that I helped with gathering information and I fell in love with the country. One morning in church, the bulletin asked if women would be interested in forming a mission team to go to Uganda. I said YES! I was part of the first team to go to Uganda in 1998 and have been able to return to serve on three additional team trips. The blessings are many!
I was on the trip in 2002 when the vision for the how101 ministry was born. God's hand has definitely been on how101 since the beginning. We watch as He gives our leadership guidance and wisdom in all the ministry is able to do. I love how101 because the connection is truly one on one and I have special relationships through that.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. - 1 John 3:1
Since first traveling to Uganda in 2011, I have developed a lasting relationship with many moms and children in the Starfish Programme. It is a privilege to work alongside our very capable local leadership partners as well as witness the positive growth and development of all of us involved. It continues to be a profound blessing in my life.
In the years that ensued, I have returned to Uganda repeatedly, and then also to Kenya to be a part of the program that how101 assists at Taraja Home for Boys. This transitional orphanage has been a haven for young boys who were previously living in desperate situations - often on the streets of Nairobi. Witnessing the leaders and mentors in the home as they offer spiritual, emotional, physical, and educational support has been such an inspiration to me. I am proud to walk alongside these young men to assist and encourage them in eventually reintegrating into their home communities- to become productive and confident members of society.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28
My first trip to Uganda was in 2013. I quickly fell in love with the kind and compassionate people, especially the children, in the Starfish program. I was so touched by the thankfulness each child in the program feels for its personal sponsor. My husband and I now sponsor four children in the program. Knowing each of them has enriched our lives.
I was honored when asked to join the board in 2015 and it is a privilege to serve along side the other members on the board as we strive to reach out to vulnerable children through education, health care, and sharing God’s love, one on one.
After serving on short term missions in Cambodia with my husband for about 5 years God closed that door for us. I was feeling a bit lost not being able to serve when I had the opportunity to be on a team to Uganda in 2009 with how101. On that trip, I fell in love with a young mom there named Elizabeth and wanted to start sponsoring her. Since then, I have made numerous trips and now sponsor along with Elizabeth’s child, 2 more children, Liz and David. Each time I go, I have been able to spend time mentoring young moms over the years. We spend time together much like our MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group does here in the U.S. where I’ve been a mentor mom for about 13 years.
One of my greatest joys is to be able to serve this community of moms and their children and as Starfish Administrator, I keep track of ALL the children and their sponsors.
For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. - Deuteronomy 7:6
I'm thankful to be a small part of the how101 volunteer team. I went to Uganda for the first time in 2005 and it captured my heart. I was lucky enough to go again in 2015. The joy in Uganda inspires me!
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. -Galatians 2:20
how101 Board Members
My degree is in social work and I have been working in the non-profit world for 40 years. I really feel that at my core I am a missionary in whatever field or location that is. I love the work of my heart and my hands, and I am most alive when I am able to minister the love of God to others.
I believe that God created us for relationship, not only with Him, but with one another. This belief is what really shapes most of the way my ministry looks and lives out. I know that it is in relationship that we are healed and held in community and it is in relationship that our deepest wounds are received.
My first trip to Africa was to train for Youth For Christ and Compassion International. I fell in love and returned many times. I was a member of the first team of women who came back with the seed of a dream for How 101.
Keita is a retired Pastor who served at Colorado Community church for over 25 years. His original role in Mission Leadership is what led the first all-women's team to Uganda in 1998! His gifts of encouragement, laughter and advice paved the way for subsequent teams, dreams and resources! Additional roles have included Directing the MORE Life Community Center (which meets basic human needs of people while promoting self-sufficiency and maintaining the dignity of those in need) and his current position as Director of Recovery Ministries.
Keita loves travel, people, cycling - and is especially partial to spending time with his grandchildren.