Wednesday, October 30, 2013

How was Africa?

This is the most commonly asked question.  And the most difficult to answer.

It is vague.  Which leads me in all different directions with my answer.

I could say, "Incredible!"  Because it was.  It was incredible meeting children I have seen in pictures so many times and longed to meet.  It was incredible to buy food for two orphanages and watch God multiple the money we had to spend.
                                            (before)                                          (after)

It was incredible to have church in the African bush.

It was incredible to go on a boat ride in the Nile.  It was incredible to walk through villages in a place I dreamed of being.  It was incredible making new friends that I feel forever bonded to.
It was incredible.


I could say, "Heartbreaking."  Because it was.  It breaks my heart to see people living in such poverty.  It breaks my heart to watch 100s of kids walk miles to school with no shoes.  It breaks my heart to hold a sweet boy in my arms and know that the next day I go home.

It breaks my heart that even though we got to fill the pantry for two orphanages, I know that food will run out. It breaks my heart that people die from an illness caused by a bug, that can be treated and prevented.

It breaks my heart that kids are basically thrown away.  It breaks my heart that people go their whole lives and don't know about the love and grace of Jesus.
It was heartbreaking.

I could say, "Terrible."  Because it was.  It was terrible to walk into a mud hut smaller than my bathroom and realize that is were a family lives.  It was terrible to see that children sleep in the dirt and lay on the ground when they are sick.  It was terrible to look into the eyes of an orphan and so badly want them to know that you love them and God loves them.  It was terrible to have a child come up to your car window begging for money or food.
It was terrible.



I could say, "A Blessing."  Because it was.  It was a blessing that God asked me to go show love to the people of Uganda.  It was a blessing to give a child on the street $10 and watch his eyes light up and then run home.  It was a blessing to pass out pillows that Carys organized to have made for the kids at Ebenezer.

It was a blessing that I got to spend 3 days with Georgie.  It was a blessing to see a place that my husband ached for.  It was a blessing to pray over woman who care for orphans everyday.  It was a blessing to watch the same women sing and clap after receiving a a small gift.  It was a blessing to be a part of Ebenezer purchasing land to build a permanent home on.
It was a blessing.

I could tell you 100 more things and show you 1500 pictures, but if you want the short answer...it was life-changing.  (I like to give the long answer too and go through all my pictures often, so if you want the long version let me know!)  I will never be the same.  I will never view anything the same.  Part of me will always long to be there.  I will pray and depend on the Lord in a way I have never before.  My heart will ache each day for the people I met and the things I saw.  God used a place with red dirt and brown faces to change my life forever.  And for that I am thankful.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

1 WEEK PEOPLE!!!!!!

Yes...in one week Rob and I will be leaving for Africa.  It seems very surreal.  Part of me feels like I am living in a dream.  And shockingly I am at ease about the whole thing.  I have woken up twice in the middle of the night having a freak out moment about the flight and my mind is whirling with all the things I need to prepare for the kids to be left for 10 days.

But...
other than that, I feel good.  I am not nervous.  I am not worried.  I am not stressed.  Just thinking and planning.  I am REALLY excited to get my feet on that African soil and love on some sweet babies!

I am holding fast to this verse....
"See I am sending an angel before you and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you" 
 Exodus 23:20

Our itinerary while there is as follows...

Dates of trip: October 10-19
October 10-  Depart late afternoon
October 11- Arrive at Entebbe Airport, staying at Entebbe Airport Guest House
October 12 -AM Drive to Jinja, PM serve at Sangaalo Babies
October 13 - AII day at  Sangaalo Babies, worship and lunch with them
October 14 -  AM serve at Pillars Of Hope and Home Again School
                   - PM drive to Mbale
October 15 - ALL DAY serve at Ebenezer Childrens Ministry
October 16 - ALL DAY serve at Ebenezer Childrens Ministry
October 17 - AM serve at Ebenezer Childrens Ministryr, PM drive to Jinja
October 18 - AM at Healing Faith
                    -PM travel to airport, leave Entebbe 11 :30pm
October 19 - Arrive home in afternoon

I would LOVE if you all would pray over this.  It would mean the world to me.  Prayer is the most important piece to this trip.  If you would even be so kind to print it out and put it on your fridge or mirror....that would even be better.  Then it will be a constant reminder to pray.  And remember, we will be 7 hours behind you in time.  


Thanks friends!