Humbled

January 2015

As we arrived to Bweya Community Church (BCC), one could hear the praise and worship coming from inside as it flowed out of the open doors. We joined them and continued in praise and worship. How freeing the experience is to praise God for His blessings.  We were free to worship in our own way without fear of offending anyone.  It's such a shame that in the states, we possess such fear. What would happen if we let go and really worshiped and praised our father as He deserves. 

During this time, some of the children danced and praised God.  How awesome that at such an early age they are already loving and thanking their Lord. 

As the pastor was beginning to speak, I was asked to join the children in the shade of a mango tree. There were about 70 children of varying ages.  I nervously shared with them as God gave me the words. I was trusting Him and my fear was gone.  I felt so blessed that I could share His words and that He had invited me to be His instrument.  Humble...it's truly what you feel.  It is comforting that He alone offers such peace.

Talk about "humble", my next experience was that I was asked to feed the children because I am a Jajja (Grandmother).  Several of the church ladies prepared rice in a large way. The children all lined up in an orderly fashion, with the youngest in front.  Some were so small, they were hardly walking, but they sure held onto their bowl of rice. I knew that for some, this bowl of rice would be the only meal they received today.  It was rather like feeding the 5,000.

We must meet their needs and share God's love as they come to know Him.  I was amazed at how so many of them had already come to know and love Him. These children are God's seeds for the future of Bweya village. Investment in them is top of the list as this community grows and spreads God's love.

Jajja Mary   

Different...But The Same

January 21, 2015

When coming to Uganda, every experience is a new experience. even after 6 years I'm constantly learning things about the Ugandan culture. While humanity is more alike than different, the ways in which we "do life" can be very different.

As we were preparing to leave the village and return to the guest house, we received word from Abbey that his 18 months old nephew had been killed. A large truck of cement was backing into a driveway where 18 month old Emma was standing. Not seeing the child, the driver knocked Emma down, driving over him. The truck unloaded and pulled away unaware until the neighboring children started screaming. 

Young Emma was whisked to a local medical clinic where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

We were given directions to Abbey's family home where we joined him. Here in Uganda, this young mother is left only to return home and sit in mourning with her dead child.

Culturally, death of a loved one is celebrated with the deceased being wrapped in white cloth/ sheets and placed in the home. Relatives, neighbors & friends come to the house to pay their respects. The following day, the burial ceremony is held.

In the case of Emma, his mother Zam returned home , wrapped him in sheets & laid him on the floor of their one room home which was approximately (10 x 10), while Zam sat in the corner on the same cold wiping her own tears.

When we arrived, it was buzzing with people who had come to be with the family. The tradition is that a fire is built, and food is prepared in order to feed the growing crowd of people. The people remain encircled at the home for 24 hours.

Zam's friends & relatives took turns, entering the room in small numbers, to sit with her, offering words of encouragement or cry with her. Mary ( my mom) and I entered, kneeling beside her.  Mary prayed for her offering her condolences.  All I could do was put my arms around her and cry.  Each of us... mothers; trying to grasp the sting of losing a child.  I realized my tears were falling on her as her tears were dropping on my cheek.  We may come from different parts of the world; our cultures may greatly vary, but the rawness of these tears shed between moms, was the same. 

As we departed, walking down the rocky, dry red road, we passed the ash-covered blood trail, where this dead child once laid---reminding me of the shortness of life. The smoke-filled air from the burning fire pit--- reminding me of this painful present time of mourning...yet, in the distance, the cry of a newborn baby---reminding me of the hope of tomorrow.

Sarah-

Lake Victoria at sunset

Just How Amazing Is Your God??

January 20, 2015

I was reminded this week of the people in Exodus, making their way by the cloud during the day and the pillar of fire at night.  The people knew when and where to move, as well as the moments to be still.

Pastor Gerald had several members of Bweya Community Church (BCC) join us one afternoon at the church.  We enjoyed spending time together as they openly shared how they came to the BCC and what the church as meant to them.

One particular family, consisted of a mother named Dorothy, her 2 adult daughters and 4 grandchildren.  This family is from Rwanda, where the mother left to escape the remnants of violence, to locate work.  In doing so, she left her 2 daughters behind in Rwanda.

Dorothy was gone for a long period of time when the daughters decided to travel to Uganda and look for her.  While they were searching for her in Uganda, Dorothy returned to Rwanda looking for her daughters.  The daughters feared their mother was dead.  Having no money, food or shelter, the 2 girls were passing through Bweya village and stopped at   BCC in hopes of someone helping them.

The church had very little to offer the girls except a small parcel of land to cultivate vegetables, and shelter in a storage closet behind the church.  The girls accepted the hospitality of BCC and they remained.

Meanwhile, after returning to Rwanda, Dorothy was informed that her daughters had traveled to Uganda to find her. She headed back to Uganda in search of her daughters She searched for months with no success.

After fearing her daughters dead, Dorothy passed through the Bweya community, stopping at the church.  As she began sharing the details of her journey, Dorothy learned her daughters were staying there behind the church.

God delivered a miracle to this family!  The moment Dorothy learned of her daughters' whereabouts, she immediately began singing and dancing, in celebration of finding her once-thought dead, daughters.

Sarah-

"Success"...how do you measure it?

January 26, 2015

Arriving in Uganda was like taking a refreshing drink of cold water.  Nine months is too long to go without the gracious smiles and welcoming embraces of our Ugandan family.  The warm gentle breezes...the dry African dirt...my heart was finally at home again.

We've come with an agenda of several meetings, but the meetings have been nothing short of rich fellowship.  After five years of coming and going, the local people are finally freely sharing their lives with us.  They've begun to offer pieces of themselves---and what an humbling gift it has been.

Much like the pride of a mother when her child takes his first steps, my eyes have seen Bweya Community Church begin to independently walk.  The steps have been slow in coming but the cautious, deliberate forward movement is obvious.

This small population has come into understanding that ekissa can not eradicate their struggles, but have realized the value of identifying local resources and maximizing potential. Instead of being hungry, they're using the land around the church to grow crops.  Individuals, as well as families, are not only able to feed themselves,  but are able to use their vegetables as a source of income, and pay school tuition fees.

The piggery (pig farm) that once sat empty, is filled with pigs and an additional pig pen has been erected.  Like the agricultural projects, the pigs are also providing food and a source of income for families.

While poverty remains evident, the level of pride and personal satisfaction is rising.  They are implementing avenues of sustainability for themselves instead of waiting on someone to "fix" their situations.  Rather than waiting on change to come, they are ushering it in!  Our refusal to invade their village, creating dependency, is working.  After giving basic essentials, by the grace of God, they are succeeding!!

Sarah-

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison

Joseph's providing for his family through raising pigs

Rosette growing corn to feed her family

Muzeeyi (respected old man) Daniel enjoying some banana trees he's planted

 “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” — Theodore Roosevelt