sorry sorry sorry! (now i am sounding like a ugandan) I know it has been 10 days since I last wrote and a lot has happened. From sprained ankles to what we though was malaria to missing my kids downstairs! I was playing the Ugandan version of dodgeball, which by the way is 10000 times more fun than the American way, and well fell in a hole and sprained my ankle. On a positive note, my team one the dodgeball game! I have been sick in bed for the past few days with body aches, fever, headache, etc, but thankfully it's not malaria. It is some other kind of infection or something. No worries though because I have to take a total of 63 pills in 7 days and I will be better. Haha I just find it funny that I am taking 63 pills... This has been a rough few days. I miss my little toddler boys so much and I am only feet from them. I can here them outside of my window singing songs and playing. I will sneak downstairs every once in a while when I have a burst of energy and go and see my boys. Two days ago I walk around the corner and Christopher was the first one to see me. His face lit up and I am sure mine was making some ridiculous face because for that moment my focus was completely on the fact that I love this kid.. and that he was running full speed at my legs. I can't even think about they day I actually have to leave this place.
As I said before I am going to be back in Uganda in December. Oh goodness just typing that makes me so happy! God is faithful and has everything figured out already and I am trusting in the fact that He wants me here more than just this summer. Through lots of prayer, random moments of quietness (there isn't usually many), and just looking at these kids I know this will be home.
Being here in Uganda or well I guess being anywhere outside of our normal comfort zone your perspective can get radically changed. Looking back on the first day I got here and even the months leading up to it I was just flat out naive. Rightfully so. I have never been here. I don't want to step on people's toes, because I am all for mission work. But I have seen people and teams come and go since I have been here. Taking pictures of our kids, video taping, and well anything other than actually interacting with them. I see mzungu missionaries in town taking pictures of street kids, but not actually asking them their names or even taking them for a soda. We want to be Jesus for these kids? Buy them a coke and a piece of chocolate cake and talk to them. I am in no way putting myself above anyone I am just as guilty of passing up opportunities. The term "facebook opportunity" comes to mind. This shatters my heart. These kids are more than a facebook opportunity. Sometimes we can be so off base with our mission work.
My prayer is that our hearts be radically changed and our minds be open. That any expectations we have of what we can do for people be shattered. That we carry out the name of Jesus to the ends of the earth and make His name famous. Not our own. That we might show compassion and love to everyone person without missing an opportunity.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
beads. headbands. bags.
Well if you read the last post you now know I have plans to be back in Ugandan for Christmas. I can't stay away from this place. These kids have taken hold of everything inside of me, and they aren't going to let go. I have such a peace about being in this place. If you are a Carpenter's Way member you heard me talk about this possibly being long term. Well I am here to say that I feel more than called to be in Uganda. This is my heart. Nothing has been more clear to me.
I have received so much support from every one of you. Whether it has been in prayer or financial ways. They are equally important! I cannot thank you enough for the all the blessings you have provided.
Here at Amani there are Ugandan women working here called the "mamas" and they make the most wonderful things from necklaces to purses and bags to headbands. Some of you have seen the bead necklaces they make. I will post pictures soon. They also make handbands which are in most of my pictures on Facebook and some of them make bags or purses. You can buy most of these things in the shops in town, but I would much rather support these women! They are some very talented ladies!
Now I would like to fundraise by bringing back these beautiful pieces of work these women have made by hand. I have already purchased some things from them, but I am going to continue to buy. Most of you know I sold t-shirts to fund my trip this summer. I will bring back an assortment of things to fundraise with. I wanted to get the word out now to see if people might be interested in buying so I could see how much and what to buy! If you are interested at all just message me on facebook or tell my mom :)
Once again I would love for you to support these women and myself in prayer and if possible financially.
Love you all very much and can't thank you enough for what you have already done. You are all such a huge blessing!
I have received so much support from every one of you. Whether it has been in prayer or financial ways. They are equally important! I cannot thank you enough for the all the blessings you have provided.
Here at Amani there are Ugandan women working here called the "mamas" and they make the most wonderful things from necklaces to purses and bags to headbands. Some of you have seen the bead necklaces they make. I will post pictures soon. They also make handbands which are in most of my pictures on Facebook and some of them make bags or purses. You can buy most of these things in the shops in town, but I would much rather support these women! They are some very talented ladies!
Now I would like to fundraise by bringing back these beautiful pieces of work these women have made by hand. I have already purchased some things from them, but I am going to continue to buy. Most of you know I sold t-shirts to fund my trip this summer. I will bring back an assortment of things to fundraise with. I wanted to get the word out now to see if people might be interested in buying so I could see how much and what to buy! If you are interested at all just message me on facebook or tell my mom :)
Once again I would love for you to support these women and myself in prayer and if possible financially.
Love you all very much and can't thank you enough for what you have already done. You are all such a huge blessing!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Christmas in Uganda?
I have been here for about a month and it feels like home. Everything about this place screams forever. Maybe not Jinja, but Africa. My focus is on this summer and these kids but for the past couple of days I have been thinking when is the next chance I will be able to get back to my second home.
I can't think of a better way to spend Christmas!
I have fallen in love with a boy named Christopher. I have mentioned him before in this blog. Just thinking about him now brings tears of joy to my eyes. His laugh sounds like the woodchucks from the Geico commercials. That right there is perfection. He has a scar from a burn on the side of his head. He has the most beautiful smile with two dimples to match. He is the first toddler boy I see in the mornings and the last one I say goodnight to. Every night I walk to his bunk and say "nkwagala" which means "i love you" and he kisses my forehead. It takes everything in me not to tear up. My heart grows each time.
Now don't get me wrong. Everyone of these kids has a special place in my heart and I would go to the ends of the earth for them. They are all precious in my sight and love them all dearly.
I got to take Christopher to town yesterday. And yes I showed him off to everyone. Around here people just assume that you are the child's mother. I have to admit I don't mind that assumption. We went to a little place called Ozzie's and shared a cinnamon roll and a cheeseburger. Well let me rephrase that... Christopher had a cinnamon roll and my cheeseburger. He occasionally would shove a fry in my mouth. Oh how I love him.
I can't think of a better way to spend Christmas!
I have fallen in love with a boy named Christopher. I have mentioned him before in this blog. Just thinking about him now brings tears of joy to my eyes. His laugh sounds like the woodchucks from the Geico commercials. That right there is perfection. He has a scar from a burn on the side of his head. He has the most beautiful smile with two dimples to match. He is the first toddler boy I see in the mornings and the last one I say goodnight to. Every night I walk to his bunk and say "nkwagala" which means "i love you" and he kisses my forehead. It takes everything in me not to tear up. My heart grows each time.
Now don't get me wrong. Everyone of these kids has a special place in my heart and I would go to the ends of the earth for them. They are all precious in my sight and love them all dearly.
I got to take Christopher to town yesterday. And yes I showed him off to everyone. Around here people just assume that you are the child's mother. I have to admit I don't mind that assumption. We went to a little place called Ozzie's and shared a cinnamon roll and a cheeseburger. Well let me rephrase that... Christopher had a cinnamon roll and my cheeseburger. He occasionally would shove a fry in my mouth. Oh how I love him.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
New kids!
We have gotten two new children at Amani. Enoka is 5 months old and from what I understand has been living off tea. He is so tiny and so beautiful! He will get fattened up here in no time. Another child who is 6 or 7 years old came yesterday. I am not sure the story behind him or what his name is. He doesn't speak english and I don't speak lugandan so that poses a little problem! Prayer for both kids would be greatly appreciated. They are receiving lots of love here and are already getting spoiled by the Mamas and Aunties!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Let us love
Let me just go ahead and say sorry for the rambling in this post! It is very late here and couldn't sleep!
I haven't really talked about what we actually do day to day here at the orphanage so I will give you a little insight into what goes on day to day.
We start our day around 7:30, but luckily the babies are a great alarm clock for about 6 in the morning! I work with the toddlers everyday. I work with the toddlers, which is mostly little boys. After breakfast we brush their teeth, put on diapers, and get clothes (most of the time they put them on backwards). Brushing teeth is always an adventure. Apparently the toothpaste tastes delicious, which leads to eating the toothbrush most of the time! After getting ready for the day, we play with blocks, or legos, stuffed animals, puzzles, or anything really. Reading books is my favorite. I love watching the kids read or reading to them. "Well done well done. Read again read again. Very good Auntie." I think that's how the chant goes. I could be wrong because with toddler boys in sounds more like "fjdkofnohaoggjwka AUNTIE" Up next is snack time. Usually some biscuits (crackers) or some fruit. After snack it's back to play time. Usually we will go outside and let the kids let some energy out. After the second play time lunch is served. Posho, rice, beans, chicken, fish, and other things that I can't spell are all served at some point in the week. After lunch its nap time for a few hours (for the kids and us). Late in the afternoon you either get to take a kid to town or play with them out in the yard depending on what you are scheduled for that day. I love taking kids to town! You take them on a boda, which is a motorcycle. I know in America you would be crazy to take a kid on a strangers motorcycle and just hope he takes you to the right place! After activities or outings you get the kids ready for dinner then on to bed time. Bed time is always interesting. It always brings a smile to my face putting the boys to bed. AH i love getting so many hugs and kisses goodnight.
I know I have said it before but pictures of these kids don't even do them justice. Their personalities are all so different from one another and I am in love with all of them. I would not trade this time with them for anything. The government doesn't like to put kids in orphanages here. Which means these kids come from the worst of the worst. I look at them everyday and see such joy. It's sometime hard to remember where these kids came from. I can't even imagine. I don't want to imagine. It absolutely breaks my heart to even think of some of the situations these precious ones came from. Loving on kids is something I will do for the rest of my life. Whether it is in Africa, Asia, or anywhere else in the world. Love like He loves. This is what we are told to do. You don't have to be called to love on kids or anyone for that matter. WE ARE TOLD. Jesus makes it pretty darn clear. We sometimes use the "i'm not called to do that" phrase. I am pretty sure we don't have to be "called" to love on people. Sure maybe not in Uganda or in India, but God has us where we are for a reason. He puts us with situations intentionally. Take advantage of every opportunity you are given. I am not sure how I am going to leave this place. These kids. These people. When you stare into these kids eyes something inside you breaks. I know it might sound a little cliched, but I don't care. They take apart of you. More and more each day. I know I will leave Jinja in August, but I will never stop loving these kids. Once you have seen kids like these and have been to a place like this it will stick with you forever.
We get the weekends off to do what we want. Which as some of you heard or saw this past weekend I went bungee jumping :) Let me just say it was the most thrilling thing I have ever done! There is a video on facebook if you would like to watch. This weekend me and two other volunteers are going rafting down the nile! Grade 5 rapids and a 5 hour raft time! As much as I love the weekends it means 48 hours away from the ones I love. Luckily I sneak down there every once in a while :)
I haven't really talked about what we actually do day to day here at the orphanage so I will give you a little insight into what goes on day to day.
We start our day around 7:30, but luckily the babies are a great alarm clock for about 6 in the morning! I work with the toddlers everyday. I work with the toddlers, which is mostly little boys. After breakfast we brush their teeth, put on diapers, and get clothes (most of the time they put them on backwards). Brushing teeth is always an adventure. Apparently the toothpaste tastes delicious, which leads to eating the toothbrush most of the time! After getting ready for the day, we play with blocks, or legos, stuffed animals, puzzles, or anything really. Reading books is my favorite. I love watching the kids read or reading to them. "Well done well done. Read again read again. Very good Auntie." I think that's how the chant goes. I could be wrong because with toddler boys in sounds more like "fjdkofnohaoggjwka AUNTIE" Up next is snack time. Usually some biscuits (crackers) or some fruit. After snack it's back to play time. Usually we will go outside and let the kids let some energy out. After the second play time lunch is served. Posho, rice, beans, chicken, fish, and other things that I can't spell are all served at some point in the week. After lunch its nap time for a few hours (for the kids and us). Late in the afternoon you either get to take a kid to town or play with them out in the yard depending on what you are scheduled for that day. I love taking kids to town! You take them on a boda, which is a motorcycle. I know in America you would be crazy to take a kid on a strangers motorcycle and just hope he takes you to the right place! After activities or outings you get the kids ready for dinner then on to bed time. Bed time is always interesting. It always brings a smile to my face putting the boys to bed. AH i love getting so many hugs and kisses goodnight.
I know I have said it before but pictures of these kids don't even do them justice. Their personalities are all so different from one another and I am in love with all of them. I would not trade this time with them for anything. The government doesn't like to put kids in orphanages here. Which means these kids come from the worst of the worst. I look at them everyday and see such joy. It's sometime hard to remember where these kids came from. I can't even imagine. I don't want to imagine. It absolutely breaks my heart to even think of some of the situations these precious ones came from. Loving on kids is something I will do for the rest of my life. Whether it is in Africa, Asia, or anywhere else in the world. Love like He loves. This is what we are told to do. You don't have to be called to love on kids or anyone for that matter. WE ARE TOLD. Jesus makes it pretty darn clear. We sometimes use the "i'm not called to do that" phrase. I am pretty sure we don't have to be "called" to love on people. Sure maybe not in Uganda or in India, but God has us where we are for a reason. He puts us with situations intentionally. Take advantage of every opportunity you are given. I am not sure how I am going to leave this place. These kids. These people. When you stare into these kids eyes something inside you breaks. I know it might sound a little cliched, but I don't care. They take apart of you. More and more each day. I know I will leave Jinja in August, but I will never stop loving these kids. Once you have seen kids like these and have been to a place like this it will stick with you forever.
We get the weekends off to do what we want. Which as some of you heard or saw this past weekend I went bungee jumping :) Let me just say it was the most thrilling thing I have ever done! There is a video on facebook if you would like to watch. This weekend me and two other volunteers are going rafting down the nile! Grade 5 rapids and a 5 hour raft time! As much as I love the weekends it means 48 hours away from the ones I love. Luckily I sneak down there every once in a while :)
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