Heavy Hearts

The past two days have been wonderful, but also full of sorrow.  

Yesterday was spent touring the areas around us.  We started out the morning visiting Amazima which is Katie Davis's non profit organization in Jinja.  Katie wrote a book, Kisses from Katie, that was published this past year about her experiences and life after moving to Uganda.  I highly recommend the read!   We pulled up in our van and there were easily 300 children on the property.  It was quite overwhelming to be honest.  Brad (the only other American worker that works with her in Uganda) gave us the run down on how everything works.  He informed us that we were one of the last groups to be able to come when the children were there due to the increase in "tourists" since the release of her book.  They are doing wonderful things in Jinja and have many dreams for the future.

From there, we went on a Nile River lunch cruise which was very relaxing after such hard work.  Being on the Nile was so surreal...just thinking that at one point it was blood.  Afterwards we were able to do a little shopping!  We thoroughly enjoyed this time, however, my thoughts and heart were with the children at Agape.  It is amazing how close you can feel to people after only one week.  

Today was...almost brutal.  We arrived at the orphanage to smiling faces but eyes full of sorrow.  And that is how it was the entire day.  Their voices were no longer shouting and singing with a voice full of joy.  This was something I was not prepared to face today.  I knew it would be difficult to say goodbye at the end of the day, but I had no idea there would be a lingering sadness over the entire day.  

These children are so special.  They love us so much and long for us to come back...and to come back to stay for a much longer period of time.  At this point, they will go one year without seeing any of their supporters which have become Mothers, Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters.  I pray for peace as they continue on with their every day lives here in Uganda of studying and giving glory to Christ.  I pray that they can see hope for themselves and continue to feel our love from America.  

We fly out tomorrow and arrive back in Atlanta during the early afternoon.  We look forward to being back with all of you, however, our hearts are heavy for these beautiful children.  Thank you for letting us be the salt and light of the Lord here in Uganda.  Please pray for these boys and girls that they may be comforted, that they receive peace and joy in their hearts, and that they will remember the love that we share for and with them.  Also, join us in prayer for safe travels for us back to the United States.  Can't wait to see each of you.

"Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart...For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.  For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
2 Corinthians 4:1, 5-6

Sunday in Uganda

It is quiet now. I am sitting alone in the hotel lobby with only Jesus beside me. He has shown me through the stench, the poverty, the despair, the feelings of helplessness of Uganda, of how much He loves me when He suffered and died on that old rugged cross. I was in that same poverty in my sin before I asked Jesus to come into my life and transform the dying rotten sin stained soul into a new life as vibrant and beautiful as the tropical setting where I now am. Oh how amazing is God's love. When you can see the love of God in a deplorable environment as the streets of Jinja, then I believe you are starting to see through God's eyes the love He has for each of you and me. It is easy to focus on the negatives that abound and lose sight of the work that God is doing here. Lives are being transformed. Death is dying and life is living among all the surrounding contradictions that threaten to engulf the senses. The enormity of the task could easily distract and carry one away. That is Satan's whole purpose, to deceive, to distract, to manipulate our thinking and emotions and leave us in a sense of despair.  One can not focus on the burns, the tumors, the distended bellies, the pipe cleaner sized arms and legs, the nakedness, the running sores, the elephant appearance of skin, and the scars. But then again maybe we need to focus on the scars because scars represent healing. Jesus has scars, He doesn't bare wounds. Those scars signify the healing available for all the ugliness sin has to offer. The burns, the diseases, the malnutrition, the oozing hurts, the bareness that the soul carries in a sinful state. Jesus quietly and gently comes in and begins to apply the oils, the lotions, the antibiotics, the bandages, the soap and water, the life-sustaining manna to the soul that causes transformation and trades our ashes for beauty. Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee, how great Thou art. None of this is a surprise to Him. He knew this day before I was formed in my mother's womb. He knew when I lay in a hospital bed in Billings, Montana in 2003 that I would be here writing this and that you would be there reading it. How amazing and awesome is that? Why would anyone walk away from a love like that? Why would anyone not want to trade sickness and death  and poverty of the soul for the living water that forever satisfies? Mike

Love

We've learned to love in many ways.  We've also learned to receive love in many ways.  Our team has been so very busy the past two days in completing buildings by completing a roof, setting up computers, and painting.  

Before

 After (even more updates since this picture!)

 Computer Room

Painting

We completed another day of vacation bible school where we talked about God being in charge.  We discussed leprosy and made masks to remind the children to set their eyes on Christ.

 John 14:15

We continue to grow to love these children at Agape as well as the children in the surrounding area. 

 

 George drawing on scrap wood blocks for the children to take home.

 Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

 

Girls will be girls.. Africa or USA!

 

Today was a very special day.  First of all we celebrated by surprising Mrs. Sherry with singing and cards for her birthday.  We had to say goodbye to our teammate Nate, due to circumstances back in the US, but pray for safe arrival back in AL.  At the end of the day, we baptized our friend Mosa who was Muslim.  His name is now Moses (You change your name to a biblical name when becoming a Christian).  Two other children from the orphanage professed faith in Christ and were also baptized.  The children were beyond excited!

 Went in as Mosa...

 Out as Moses!

 Peter

Zima (also Muslim) came out Mary!

so excited!

I apologize for the lack of updates and information... Just know that we are all working so diligently that we are exhausted by the time we return to the hotel.  Not to mention that power is not consistent meaning internet is scarce.  I know that everyone here is taking many pictures and we all look forward to sharing them and our thoughts with you.  Again, thank you for your prayers and support.  I hope you are able to see the fruit of your labor.  We are able to be a light shining in this place...just as the children of Agape are a light to the neighbors around them.  

What better way to end the day than with a little African dancing??

 

Team Picture

We finally have a team picture to post!

Front (L-R) Nate, Laura, Sue, Angelina, Tim, Emily, Tom

Back (L-R) Gerald, Paul, Peggy, Sherry, Marie, Moses (bus driver), Glen, Barry, George, Mike

Laughter

Today was a day of fun!  Well, for some of us....others continued to work where their gifts are needed such as on the roof.  We began our day with vacation bible school where the children learned the phrase "God is with us".  They made journals where they can write prayers, thoughts, daily activities, and anything that is on their mind.  Laura and Sherry shared times in their lives where God was present with them.  Vanilla was placed on their wrists as a reminder that we may not be able to walk physically hand in hand with Christ, but the smell reminds us that He is always with us wherever we go.  We ended our VBS time with prayer for each individual child.  This was a powerful moment.  To call to God and pray by name for each child while holding their hands was amazing.  You could feel the Spirit give words to you as you prayed different prayers for so many children.

Bookshelves

Roofing Project

Sherry was so excited that they remembered the bible verse from our previous lesson!

Carrying the "Arc of the Covenant" - Relay Race!

Vanilla to remember that God is with us

Our shadow is also a reminder that God is with us with every move we make

Prayer 

The afternoon was spent teaching the children many games that we brought with us to leave at Agape.  For hours we taught and played Cranium, Go fish, UNO, Monopoly, Jenga, Snakes and Ladders, Checkers, Speed, and so much more.  They loved every single minute of it.  

THANK YOU for sending these items with us!

Many have never seen a puzzle

I was able to talk with one girl who has been at Agape for three years now.  She told me about her parents dying when she was six years old and that no one was there to take care of her.  She did not have food.  She did not have clothes.  Then, the Lord sent William to her.  Her exact words "now I have everything!".  She has brothers and sisters at Agape, food, clothing, a place to sleep, a dad in William, and the Lord has provided all of this for her.  She gives every credit to Him.  It is amazing to see the faith she has and the way she is continuing to grow in her understanding and love for Christ.  I know this story resembles many others at Agape.  Please continue to pray for the children of Agape and the children of Uganda who have lost their parents to AIDS and have no one to care for them.  We are now very aware of this...what will be our response??

Thanks for your continued prayers.  We can feel them and need them!  Much love from all of us.

Progress

The last two days at the orphanage have consisted of lots of WORK!  We've primed and painted ceilings and walls (4 coats!) in a soon to be computer room that the government mandates for the orphanage.  The men have bravely climbed on top of structures to secure and continue working toward completing a roof on the new building.  We've moved bricks and sticks, made bookshelves, and we are exhausted!  However, it is totally worth it.  The children are in school for most of the day beginning at 8:00 and ending around 5:00.  They have a break for snack (porridge) and lunch (rice and beans) during the day.  When the children see us working they ALWAYS say "well done" with a bright white smile.  They are so excited about having a bigger room to live in and a place to eat.  Their faces lit up when they saw the painted computer room and the talk of having computers to use for school work caused them to be so excited.  Did I mention that they love school??  Because they do.  

One of the hired workers working on the building professed faith in Christ today and wants to be baptized.  Praise the Lord!!!  

The children are doing their best to teach us phrases in Luganda.  It brings a lot of laughter to everyone as we try to copy what they say, remember it, and use it correctly.  Paul Joseph has taught them the southern word "ya'll" which they are beginning to use often.

We are excited about a full day tomorrow with the children.  We were able to bring some board and card games with us for them to keep, so we plan to teach them how to play.  Sherry is going to lead us in another day of Vacation Bible School....much to anticipate!  

I believe that many of us are still trying to figure out the best way to love these children.  It is easy for us to hug them, hold their hands, laugh with them, etc. but I know we have so much more we want to share and talk about with them.  We can see the beauty in their hearts and long for them to continue down the path the Lord has brought them to now.  

I hope that the previous blog post from Mike was a good insight to how others are feeling about this beautiful, yet heart-breaking place.  You can also check out the following blogs for other thoughts:

http://livinggratitude.blogspot.com

http://agape4uganda.blogspot.com

Hope to be able to post pictures again tomorrow!

Uganda

The Lord woke me up shortly after midnight and I began to think about what I am seeing with my eyes. He told the prophet Habbakuk to write his vision down on a tablet and make it plain so that a herald could run with it. When I was in college,  I studied journalism and have never used it. Now I will endeavor to record what I see with my physical eyes so that you my readers may see through my words and maybe your part is to run with it. Some of the SIFAT staff visited one of the many medical centers here in Mukono. They had a large space but their medical equipment consisted of 1 needle. If medicine could e obtained, which is slim at best, everyone is given a shot with the same needle. We all know what happens then. There are no aspirins, no Tylenol, no vitamins, no bandages, no alcohol, no no latex gloves, no means of providing tests to diagnose their condition. This is everyday existence for the average Ugandan. If they had soap and clean water many disease could be prevented. There are few opportunities for them to receive any eyeglasses or any type of vision care, same with dental care, and on and on. The young girls need sanitary napkins. Seems like a simple thing to provide.  The list is endless. Every need can't be met. There is not enough money to fix their situation. There are no excuses. We can't help them all but we can make a difference in the lives of a few and trust God to multiply our meager efforts. This is only one place in millions of places around the world, but I have sen this place with my own eyes and I hope some of you can see it through my words. I sat in the airport at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia surrounded by a multitude of people from many parts of the world. As I sat there I kept thinking how could God love each and everyone of them equally despite all their differences and uniquenesses? I was overwhelmed by what I saw. I don't have many answers, only lots of questions and the assurance that love covers a multitude  of sins. It is easy for us to be cynical and simply write people off and dismiss any concern for our fellow man. We Americans are a nation of spoiled, self-absorbed people yet at the same time we lead the world in charitable contributions. I don't understand the dynamics of that. I don't care about your political affiliations but I can't help but admire the elder George Bush telling us to be a point of light and JFK admonishing us to ask not what our country can do for us but what we can do for our country. Both were calls to action. Sherry and I use to teach the children that you know when someone loves you not by what they say but by how they treat you. Are we going to love our global citizens?

Mike H.