The blessings of forward movements...

Monday, April 21, 2014

Our time here in Uganda has quickly come to an end.  It’s 7pm on Monday evening and we’ll be leaving for the airport in about 2 1/2 hours, for a gruel-some journey home.....

.........Well, life’s funny sometimes. Like an unbridled horse, it it takes off running with no notice at all.  I’m not sure where my thoughts were when I started this blog entry, but now that it’s 37 hours later, I’m not sure I can recapture them. 

Our time in Uganda was brief but sweet.  We went with intentions of encouraging our friends, yet we return the benefactors of such encouragement. 

I’m continually humbled at the modern-day examples of Christ’ life on display as we experience a day in the life of Abbey and the boys.  What Abbey does on is nothing short of Jesus feeding the 5,000----on a DAILY basis.  I could tell story after story, of how he reaches out without hesitation, to encourage & alleviate the suffering of so many.  The beauty of it all is how he not only demonstrates our Christian responsibility of caring for those in need, he has taught this commandment to the boys he cares for.  

Abbey is an anomaly to me.  My human-ness can not process his level of sacrifice, grace, compassion, self denial, and unconditional love, he demonstrates.  He truly is an extraordinary individual...the male counter-part of Mother Teresa. To encounter him, is to receive a blessing.

His forward thinking led him to present a proposal while we were there.  He and Mark have been meeting together over the past 6 months during our absence, discussing how ekissa could begin a project which would benefit the community of Bweya.  While our focus has been to begin raising funds to build a permanent home for he and the boys, his focus is on a much bigger picture.  

As most of you know by now, Abbey has a master’s degree in education, and has been a teacher for many years. His dream has been to run a children’s home, as well as begin a Christian Day School in Bweya.  This project would be more a ministry; focused on making education attainable for the very poor in Bweya, who other-wise would not receive an education.  

Upon Abbey presenting this proposal to Debbie & I, we knew immediately we needed to meet with Pastor Gerald (of Bweya Community Church).  The location of the proposed Day School is the church.  In this proposal, indeed ekissa’s dream of the local church becoming the “hub” of ministry, would be realized.  

We meet with Pastor Gerald and Abbey presented this same proposal.  The unity experienced in that “grass church” made the hair on the back of my neck stand at attention!  I was brought to tears at what God was doing before my eyes. There is such beauty the way God fashions 5 individuals to come together, from different villages, different continents and different life experiences, and realize the unity of dreams, visions and passions.  

Lord willing, the school will begin with 1 class this Fall; the equivalent of our kindergarten readiness program. Both Abbey & Pastor Gerald agreed that starting small, slow and at the beginning level had great merit. While keeping the tuition rate very low, there are other fees/ expenses associated with attending school.  Those fees include 2 uniforms, shoes and scholastic materials (paper, pencils, etc...) I inquired about the need/ requirement of uniforms, for which I was informed of the reasoning behind.  The uniforms give all students equal footing such that there is no discrimination regarding a particular socio-economic level.  Yes, even poverty has its’ stratospheric levels. Uniforms also promote a sense of pride for the students and the parents as it demonstrates in the community that the child is able to attend school. Such a project will require ekissa to find many individuals willing to participate in child sponsorship!  Please join us in praying for this specific project. 

This educational ministry will also open up endless community outreach opportunities for Pastor Gerald. Pastor He commented that when the children begin to come into the doors of the church, the parents will come as well.  Among additional opportunities of spiritual growth, Pastor Gerald is interested in providing parenting classes & community health classes.  These will be requirements for the students’ parents/ relatives in which they live with.

It is also realized that while the tuition cost of the school will remain considerably less than all other schools, there may be some families who will struggle with that minimal amount.  Rather than turning them away due to the lack of capital, they will be able to give other means of compensation to benefit the school.  (ie...a bag of beans, or rice, maize, or provide a service for the school such as cooking, ...) This allows educational opportunities for everyone, with no discrimination, yet it requires some sense of responsibility/ investment on the part of the family.  

Thanks to generous donors, ekissa was able to complete the process of providing power to the church.  This was initiated in October of 2013 (6 months ago), but within a week, the lights will be turned on!

I must close this post for now as we are beginning to board the plane.  We are grateful for this week, for time spent with friends, for all God has accomplished...and the honor for this front row seat in witnessing His hand moving.

Peace,

Sarah

Abbey and the boys

Moses has cooked lunch for everyone

Pastor Gerald, Debbie, Sarah and Abbey

Love is a privilege

Tears streamed down my face today as I turned to look one last time at Abbey and the boys. Specifically the two I call my own, Asher and Edrine. 

It is always bittersweet when it is time for me to leave them. The three of us always know when it is our last day together. We never officially speak of it but our uncomfortable silence lingers over us as we await “the moment.” 

I don’t really know the boys well-our language barrier really prevents us from having deep conversations. After all, what is there to talk about?  They’ve been in and out of an orphanage, seen their two younger siblings taken away to “live the good life” in the US, and their daily existence is not an easy one. Don’t get me wrong... they are in a home with Abbey and 12 other boys, and are loved and taken care of. All 12 boys were taken in by Abbey due to various tragic circumstances such as both parents dying, abandonment, abuse, neglect, homelessness,...the list goes on and on. 

As a mom, when two boys ages 9 and 12, embrace you, hold tight to your hand and smile when they see you----you can’t help but wonder if there isn’t something more you could be doing. I made a promise to Asher several years ago that we would always take care of both, he and Edrine. I just pray that my consistent visits will cement in their minds and hearts, that I meant what I said. Not only do I want Edith and Derrick (the 2 children we adopted from Uganda) to be able to know their siblings -but I want Asher & Edrine to know and believe how much I really love them. Heart-wrenching, gut-wrenching love.

  

Driving away today my heart was breaking, as it does every time.  I wondered for a second if there wasn’t an easier way. Why do I keep doing this to myself and them? But then God gently reminded me that it was a privilege to hurt for them, to miss them. That hurt begins with love. I wouldn’t hurt if I first didn’t love. It isn’t a love that was produced from childbirth. It isn’t a love that came from spending day after day together. It is only a love that God could produce. 

I told Usher today to please not ever forget my promise to him. I want so much for him to remember and believe what I have said. Isn’t this exactly what God wants from all of us? He loves us more than we can humanly imagine and He also must hurt for us more than we can imagine.  There is the answer....I can’t do anymore than continue to love them with all my might and I must now believe the promises and remember. God first loved me...... It is a privilege to love.

No peeps here...

Easter

 April 20, 2014

What an amazing gift to have celebrated, in Uganda, the resurrection of our Lord!  I could never adequately give words to the experiences of this day, except to say, IF you have ever been here in Uganda, you know exactly what I’m unable to articulate.

The rain showers came just before daybreak.  However, no amount of storms could hold back the various expressions of worship this morning!  We had quite a cultural experience which included amazing voices lifted to the heavens, grand displays of African dance, a drama reminding us of the ultimate love----spoken prayer in 2 languages and ALL to the same God!  From the larger established church with many bells and whistles, to the grass church in the bush, this Easter morning was one we will never forget.

No Easter eggs, no chocolate bunnies or peeps desired; only expressions of gratitude for the love of a Savior. Oh how our western Easter experiences are diluted by a bunny who lays eggs.  

Gaba Community Church

Bweya Community Church

Who's Hero Do You Want To Be?

Great first day here in Uganda! After 37 hours of travel-I might not remember that I am turning 50 on my next birthday but my body sure did! Even Sarah at her spry 45 was achy and stiff. It didn't take us long to feel better as soon as we ventured out to visit with Abbey and the boys.  ekissa was able to assist them in moving to a temporary rental house until the permanent "ekissa Home" is built.
Their new home is more spacious and meets the local government code for a children's home.

Sarah and I were humbled to observe the interaction of these boys and amazed at the authentic love that is shared within their home. They each exhibit such respect and affection for "their Uncle Abbey" as well as one another. Each one cares for the other selflessly and with no expectation of gain.

Rotating chores are assigned weekly to each of the boys. Lunch was fixed today by Isaiah and Daniel. The table was set by the younger ones, Eddie and David. Sarah and I, along with our dear friend and driver, Eddie ,were asked to join them. Were not talking our average McDonald's drive-thru happy meal nor a PBJ. This meal consisted of potatoes, rice, spinach, avocado and fresh pineapple. The boys prayed and proceeded to eat everything that was in front of them. They laugh at one another and enjoy each others company. After eating, all plates and utensils were collected and they worked together to clean it all up. 

Here are a few pictures of their new home.

It is always special for me to get a chance to spend some time with

Edith and Derrick's brothers, Eddie and Usher. As much as I would like for all the kids to be together it is very comforting knowing that they are living in an indigenous, loving environment where their God given potential is discovered and developed.

We are still actively seeking monthly sponsorships for this home. Please take a few minutes and click on the attached link.....

Whose hero do you want to be?

http://youtu.be/UWHJ6-YhSYQ