Precious child

 

Overwhelmed

I want to thank everyone for their constant prayers and encouragement as I navigate my way through this long and painful journey that He has called me to. ALL the Glory to HIM! As I said before, I get lost in the Associated Bank parking deck downtown!! There is NO WAY I can go to Africa for 5 1/2 weeks to serve!! I have now left Jinja and the amazing work of Amani Baby Cottage and have sought refuge with Catharine, Kate and Kacie in Kampala. I am so blessed to be with them as they freely offer their comfort, safety and understanding. They too, understand my brokeness..I take comfort in that.

Our hearts are shattered...my husband and I are in constant prayer about our continued roles (both individually and as a couple) as we seek to serve "the least of these" in Uganda. Soon, I will be able to share details about my journey and our little Paul. It's too painfull now and the Lord is constantly working in and on my heart. Until then, I covet your continued prayers over "our baby" and all the children at Amani.


"The place God calls you to is the the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."





As Christmas day nears, remember to:





Live.... Laugh.... and LOVE with all you are..




I take great comfort in knowing that He who created him loves baby Paul even more than I do.



......and that's a WHOLE bunch....

church

 
 
 

darkness tries to steal my heart away.....thank you Jesus!!

I feel so much spiritual oppression. We had a horrible time trying to get to church this morning. The boda drivers said they knew where we were going, but they lied to get us to agree. After driving around, asking everyone, etc. they tried to charge double the agreed on price because of them being lost. We specifically asked them if they knew where we were going, but "they forgot". I needed to go to church, wanted to go and just felt like there were barriers thrown up the entire way.

The church is wonderful. It is led by a missionary pastor (Baptist) from the states and church is outside on his lawn. They just finished an in-depth study of Phil and today was a review. I cried the entire time because, I feel so overwhelmed and I know my heart is not always where it needs to be.

Paul encouraged me to individually pray over each child by name as I treat them. I am really convicted to do this.......

Please continue to pray over me and the children. I am desperately seeking the JOY in this journey.

a few more random pics

 
 
 
 

some pics

 
 
 
 

A calling to grow in grace

Well lets see........there is so much to say!! I arrived in Uganda at 8:00pm Sunday night (here) after a long and cramped journey. My 3rd suitcase was the LAST off the plane so I was worrying because I had a ton of supplies in it for the baby home. I was intercepted by my driver as planned and we were off! It is about a 2 1/2 hr ride from Entebbe to Jinja. He was very nice and did a good job driving. We did see 2 people killed on a boda on the way in (a motorcycle). They were in the street and someone just threw a tarp over the bodies. (I won't ride a boda at night) People here drive CRAZY!!

I was taken to my hotel and was given a lovely room. It was midnight when I arrived so I was freaking out a tad about where I was and what to do, etc. etc. I couldn't see anything. One of the other volunteers was waiting up for me and got me settled in, so that helped out alot. I have a net to sleep under and a few gecko friends that are living in the screen over my bed :).

A few people here have contracted malaria recently so I am being very careful with my net and my meds. I have a beautiful view of Lake Victoria from my hotel.

I am working hard to figure out the routine and learn all the children. I am especially thankful now to have internet access because I looked up medical things half the day today! I was also able to SKYPE with Paul and he helped me with some meds and doses. It made me feel so much better to speak with him about the medical stuff..I'm nervous about starting new meds and diagnosing- I wish he was here..........(sigh). Together, we are an UNBEATABLE TEAM, BABY!!

On Wed I traveled with Mama Lois to the TB clinic. We waited for 4 hours! It was so sad to see very ill people in line to get a small amount of care. Some of the scenes were so pathetic I couldn't even pull out a camera. You who know me well know that photography is my passion, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Some of the images will haunt me, I know.

Yesterday, we took some of the children on a field trip. I was assigned "J" and we walked down to Lake Victoria. We climbed into a non OSHA compliant boat with bottle caps holding the top down and went off onto the Lake. We were able to see some beautiful birds as well as the source of the Nile. It is kinda like a whirlpool and I will have to google the facts but take my word for it- it was impressive. My child had to "susu" while we were on our ride, so I dangled him over the side. So, in about 4 months, a piece of him will end up in Egypt :). Very interesting.

Yesterday I rode a boda-boda for the first time with my friend Alyssa (at the same time-kinda tandem) It was a hysterical trip. I screamed every couple of minutes and she kept calling out to him "SLOWLY-it is her first time". On the way back it was raining so that only increased the fun.

I am working hard trying to figure out the clinic routine and identify all the children. So far, no major problems...Keep praying that the children remain healthy and I can just troubleshoot. I am falling in love of course with the children.

Will try to post more tomorrow, am having trouble getting pics up but will keep trying. Please pray for my fellow volunteers..alot of people are sick right now.

Thank you all for all your prayers! I feel them covering me.

looking for the Joy in the Journey,
Cheryl