Tory Wolf, a sophomore social work major, just returned from delivering letters of Christian encouragement and love to Ugandan kids.
The Brentwood native previously visited Africa twice, going to Rwanda, Ghana, and Uganda. This time she went toting the letters written by members of her Lipscomb social club.
“I came up with the idea to give the kids letters of encouragement,” Wolf said. “I thought it would be cool to present these kids with a token that total strangers care about them and are praying for them as they begin this new chapter of their lives.”In the first weekend of November, 700 Ugandan people were being relocated from camps to permanent homes. Wolf was working with an organization called Sweet Sleep, which partnered with the American Refugee Committee to get each child in relocated families three things: a bed, a mosquito net, and a Bible.“Sweet Sleep is trying to raise money right now for beds, mosquito nets, and Bibles,” Wolf said. “Not every Lipscomb student may be financially able to give a bed or mosquito net or Bible, but every person can at least give a card of encouragement.”Wolf got help with her project from Pi Kappa Sigma, a service club founded by girls attending Lipscomb in 2002. Unique to the Lipscomb community, it is dedicated to serving others in Nashville and around the world.During orientation, new and current members gathered to write more than 90 letters for Ugandan orphans.“Even if we can’t raise all the money to help every refugee, it’d be nice to give someone a letter of encouragement,” said Christina Bartelt, sophomore elementary education major and new member of PKS. “I love encouraging people – I feel like it’s one of the things I’ve been called to do.”Bartelt is from Fayetteville, Tenn., and, like most members of PKS, she enjoys serving others in whatever way she can.
Heather Hall, sophomore elementary education major from Louisville, Ky., and service coordinator for PKS, said Wolf’s enthusiasm inspired the project.
“Tory Wolf thought it would be a great idea if fellow Christians wrote letters to the kids there,” Hall said.
“We all decided that that was a wonderful idea – spreading God’s love, even if it’s as simple as drawing a picture and writing a short note.”
Wolf is devoted to this type of mission work.
“This is my passion,” Wolf said. “Since there are a million displaced people, there is a huge need. This is my plea to the Lipscomb community – that people would be willing to reach out and help in any way they can.”