What a SURFING trip!

I've never been much of a swimmer.

Let alone a diver.

A surfer? NO WAY!

But having spent 12+ years in the Pacific Islands and now living close to a great surf-spot, I do understand a few things about surfing.

This picture best describes my trip to Uganda:

SURFING

There are several elements involved in surfing.

1. WORK

You've got to swim out from the beach to where the waves break.

Sometimes this can be quite far and tiresome - swimming against the tide.

But you're in your element (water) and it's enjoyable.

2. MISSING 

.. .the "wrong" waves.  They're not the right ones - maybe too small or not going in the right direction, so you dive under and don't try to surf them cuz you're on a mission and want to ride the "perfect" wave.

3. FEAR

 A big one starts building up, looming up before you and fear may creep in.

If you mess up, it could drown you. You might feel overwhelmed.

It can be scary.

4. EXHILARATION

When you DO catch that perfect wave and ride it - 

OHHHHH

the exhilaration is INDESCRIBABLE to anything you've ever experienced!!!

Or you can call it - finding yourself in the very center of God's will for you and living out your destiny, which includes who you are - who God made you to me, with the dreams, desires, giftings - 

and in my case, a few decades of "sharpening", too.... haha

This morning, I've arrived back at the beach, so grateful for HIS protection

{cuz people do get hurt in surfing, too.}

It's been a work-out - and I am tired.

Felt sweet FATHER's voice whisper to me:

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Was so tickled - just like a little girl with her father.

After laying in bed for a while, communing with him, I felt him 

SMILING OVER ME.

Oh, HE so so melts my heart with HIS LOVE!

And then, a little later that still small voice came again:

KEEP SPEAKING OUT!

And I will - you betcha!

There are many stories to come and many photos.

In a couple of hours, I will start my trip back,

stopping for one last meeting with a Pastor friend.

Our Ugandan son Richard is planning on coming to the airport to see me off.

Then to Ethiopia, Dubai, Brisbane, Auckland - and HOME!

If you have prayed for me during this time,

THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!

I have seen God work out so many details and help me so much at critical times,

There's no 2 ways about it: This was a GOD-ordained, - orchestrated and blessed trip!

Would appreciate prayers - for my journey back home (that I get some sleep)

 and for my re-entry at home.

This can sometimes be the most challenging part of it all.

SO SO looking forward to being with my family again - they've been absolute champions, 

the whole family - working and sacrificing to take care of the little ones and run the household!!

THANK YOU VERY VERY VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!!

MUCH LOVE to each and every one of you, my beautiful family

and to you who have prayed!

Oh, I've got to share this one more thing that has encouraged me HUGELY as I try to "digest" what I have witnessed, seen, heard, felt, smelled...

The daughter of friends (she and her husband work in Cambodia with YWAM) sent me a facebook message a few days ago, at a perfect time. Even though we hardly have any contact with each other, she felt to pray for me. She told me a bunch of encouraging things and then, very specifically.

Quote:

"... He put lots of things on my heart to pray over you but I got this one specific picture of strong hands holding someone (didn't actually see who was inside of the hands)... 

I saw the words FATHER's hands and felt like God said: "Tell her that: I know. I am more than aware of the things on your heart, I see it all - even more than what you see, I feel, I LOVE each one that you love and I love you". 

The hands were actually black/brown...not white...thought that was interesting when I found out you were in Africa! They were very strong, trustworthy and hardworking hands. Father's hands."

End of quote

WOW WOW WOW!!!

Amazing what God does! Seems so random - but so incredible encouraging!

This picture of FATHER's HANDS has been continually before me and I am comforted to know that 

HE CARRIES THEM!

HE HOLDS THEM!

HE KNOWS!

HE SEES!

And his hands are not idle, nor indifferent.

HE is at work ("hard-working") - 

let each of us yield to HIS workings in our lives so that HIS hands can become TANGIBLE hands reaching out to these most desperate precious precious people in such humungous need!!!

Gotta add the photos of these 2 kiddos - orphans taken care of by their grandmother 

(we're trying to find sponsors for them)

The grandmother has recently lost her lively-hood as her hands won't allow to do do weaving anymore (she was making and selling mats) - as a matter of fact, I found out the next day that she really needs to see a doctor. There seems to be an infection. But she has no money for the doctor.

These 2 will only have a chance for a future if SOMEBODY steps up, steps in:

When we did the sponsorship applications this week, the rule was just to take one child per family.

So this grandmother chose Promise. 

Let me present her this beautiful girl with such a promising name:

But when I saw her little brother Ronard, I just couldn't resist and took down his photo and info, too.

Found out later, that just before I spoke out that we'll try and find a sponsor for him, too, his grandmother (see photo below) was just talking with Jane, our amazing YWAMer {in Lugandan} 

and saying, "What's gonna happen to this one?"

Anyways, gotta get ready to go.

The blessed broken tooth

There are already 2 other blog-posts queuing in my mind, but a promise is a promise, and I said I was gonna tell you about how my broken off tooth ended up a huge blessing. 

Ready for this?

Grab a cuppa {as we say in NZ, or a coffee}

It's a bit long...

On Monday, I was planning on driving to a rural area outside of Kampala to visit Praise who had just moved there with her {what I thought} 17 orphaned children.

Obviously, I was not driving myself - are you kidding me?

 I had the privilege of going together with Sam and Irene, the couple who are leading the "Orphans Know More" network and who have also become the "covering" for Praise and her children.

Before I had left NZ, a friend felt in prayer that I was going to gather and minister to a bunch of "sheep" and that there were 2 sheep who were by themselves at quite a distance. 

The Father wanted me to go out of my way to visit and minister to those 2 as well.

While on the way to Praise's, this picture came back to me. 

It was a long drive {2-3 hours} through rural areas and was really "way out there".

I was excited and felt right in the center of God's will. 

{the other sheep were a group of desperate women I had gone out of my way to minister to last week}.

typical side-of-the-road scene

glad I didn't have to travel THAT way!

Before I had left NZ, I had connected via email with the ministry

International Voice for the Orphans

that was just recently started by a wonderful couple whose journey I have been following for a few years through the wife's blog.

Her husband was going to bring a team to Uganda and he had invited me to have dinner with him and his daughter one evening so that we could connect, as we share the same heart for orphans.

This is where the tooth comes in.

If I'd had all my teeth - {haha} -
 the plan was for me to meet up with DW and the team on Wednesday evening in Jinja.

BUT - since I needed to see a dentist {the good ones are in Kampala}, I had to stay overnight in Kampala after my visit with Praise so that I was close for my 9 o'clock appointment the next day.

I would've normally come back to Jinja with Sam and Irene, as already just the gas to visit Praise was over my budget {gas here is same price as in NZ} and they were driving straight back to Jinja
{= free ride back for me, as the gas for the round-trip was already paid}.

But I felt that I should book myself into the same Guest-House that DW and the team were staying in, so that we could connect over dinner on Monday.

My secret hope was that they could then connect with the "Orphans Know More" leadership during their one night stay in Jinja {which did end up happening - Praise God!}.

When I called DW during our drive to Praise's to tell him that I was going to be at their guest-house that evening, somehow I heard myself saying that I was on the way to visit a single 25-year-old Ugandan who's caring for 17 orphans 

{DW was a total stranger and I was "just" making arrangements for having dinner with him and his daugther}.

His immediate response was:

"WHAT?"

"What is she doing? Caring for 17 orphans?"

Bring her with you tonight!"

Sooo, that's how Praise ended up going with me to the guest-house.

I was over the moon happy that DW and the team were going to get to hear her story!

Praise going with me was also a blessing for me Sam, since he didn't have to drive through the crazy Kampala traffic at rush hour to take me to the Guest-house, as he still had a long way back home.

So, Praise and I got dropped off at a convenient place and were going to take public transport to the guest house - something I could've never done my myself.

OH MY!

After a ride in the "taxi" {public transport here, see photo},
we got to a busy place, swarming with people, motorcycles and cars everywhere.

What ensued was THE SCARIEST boda-boda (motorcycle) ride EVER!!!

Don't know what I was thinking... but there somehow seemed to be no alternative.
{Rich made me promise later that I will NEVER to this again - happy to oblige!}

Praise had first suggested that we walk, but I had a carry-on and a bag and wasn't sure how far the walk was going to be {it would've been VERY long}. 

As I hesitated, she just took initiative and got two bodas for us.

Before I knew it, I was sitting side-ways {skirt wouldn't allow any other way}, holding on to my heavy bag with one hand,
and with the other hand hold on to the back of the seat - literally, for dear life.
{glad that Praise offered to take my carry-on!!!}

The driver was driving like CRAZY, zooming in and out of traffic.

On several occasions, we were literally - no exaggeration - 2cm (1 inch) away from hitting another vehicle. 

Several times, I had to pull in my feet
{with flip-flops only - wasn't expecting to be on a motorcycle when I got dressed that morning}
so that I wouldn't hit the sidewalk.

I was crying out to God praying, praying, praying! 

My main goal was not to fall off - 

I had to move constantly to balance out the movements of the boda in order to stay on.

Thank God for his protection!!

I was a nervous wreck on arrival at the Guest-house,
shaking inside - and even a bit on the outside.

But didn't want to show Praise ~ ~ ~
so I just filled out the paperwork for the guesthouse and off we went to the room.

And starting now is when the BIG BLESSING occured - bear with me
{if you're still reading at all}:

Praise was really tired.
She was just recuperating from malaria - plus the move with all that it had entailed.

As we had 1 1/2 hours before dinner, I invited her to lay on my bed to rest.

{she was going to stay overnight at a friend's house in Kampala}.

The night before I'd left NZ, Jeremie had kindly put all of our worship CDs onto my laptop iTunes.

So, as I was going to take a much needed shower,

{and oh, what a joy to have a REAL shower, complete with hot water - I took my time! Just washing my flip-flops was a mission - with mud caked on the soles!}

Praise was going to rest with worship music playing in the background.

She loved it!

When I came back, I felt to put on some Kim Walker songs for her to listen to.

The sweet presence of God came and filled that room through the songs.

Holy Spirit was ministering to both of us, but especially to Praise.

Particularly through this song:

Long story short {yeah right - short?!} 

GOD was able to deeply minister to Praise through the songs and prayers he led me to pray over her right there in that simple guest-house room.

And - if that wasn't enough - when Praise got to tell her story to DW and the team after dinner,

 I'm not sure if there was a dry eye in the room...

They also encouraged her greatly and prayed for her so beautifully, gave her some blessings and even paid for her to be able to stay overnight at the guest-house instead of venturing out again at 10pm.

It was sooo special!

And I believe that a DIVINE connection was made that day - that you will yet hear about!

All because of that broken off tooth!

WOW!!!

{not my actual tooth - yikes - just taken from google..}

GOD - I stand in awe of YOU and how YOU orchestrate events - 

because YOU love the orphans AND those that care for them!

The dentist "story" is another whole blog-post in itself 

{not even the ones in my queue}

Let's just put it this way:

GOD IS SOOOOO FAITHFUL!!!!!!!!!!

just saying...

... I would SO love to leave some money here for Praise - 

at least make sure every child has a warm blanket and a mosquito net.

A decent blanket is around  NZ$7 (US$6)

A mosquito net that goes over a bunk bed is about  NZ$8 - (US$7)

This is where you can give if you live in New Zealand.

mark: for "Orphans Know More" - Praise

This is where you can give if you're from the USA.

mark: for "Orphans Know More" - Praise

If you're from any other country, just email me (email address to the right) and I'll figure out a way for you to give!

And - if there's more than what's needed for blankets and mosquito nets, it'll be given 100% (minus bank costs) to repay the loan for the roof and other building materials - or food - or medicine - or a cow - or a water-tank...

No warm blankets and junk food...

While cuddling up in my warm blanket (in the safety of my mosquito net) in the early hours of the morning, I can't help my thoughts drift to 20 adorable orphaned children who don't have that luxury  

- just 2+ hours from here - in a rural area outside of Kampala 

(totally out in the boonies).

They live in an unfinished house with gaps between the walls and roof (obviously no ceiling) and no glass in the window openings.

The boy's room (the bed on the left is for the male teacher and his 2 children, each bed is shared by 2 children)

They freeze at night.

I heard them coughing - sick because of it.

Since moving into the house 1 month ago, most of them (including "Mummy Praise") have had malaria as they don't have enough mosquito-nets to cover all the beds.

And the mosquitoes there are fierce!! 

I put on mozzy spray just before arriving and when I left I noticed quite a few 'juicy" bites on me. 

(Obviously, mozzy spray isn't even heard of there.)

Girl's room - shared with the 2 female teachers

living and dining room (if it rains)

Their water for drinking, cooking and washing dishes and clothes comes from a water hole at quite a distance. The children have to carry the water to the home.

The day I was there it had rained and the water was muddy, I was told.

There's no alternative - THAT's IT! Dirty or not, they have to use it!

No wonder they're getting sick.

where food gets prepared

outhouse with future bathing room on right

He as stolen my heart, for sure!!! SUCH a sweetheart!!!

My little prince Joseph that I fell in love with on my last visit (even on this visit, there was a special connection between to 2 of us.... lots of special smiles back and forth in the crowd of kids),
has lost some weight and Praise told me that he is not doing so well
(along with about 5 other kids) - and she doesn't know why.

I suggested worms?

I'm not a medical person, but wouldn't be surprised...

The kids also have jiggers in their feet that Praise has to dig out at a regular basis.

The daily menu?

Runny porridge made with maize flour for breakfast.

Posho (maize-flour and water) and beans for lunch.

That's it for the day!

These kids know hunger, but at least they have a minimum!

A funny little thing that happened:

Praise told me that the children don't like living in the country.

It's hard for them - compared to when they were in the city.

The only thing they like about living there is the "junk-food" (I understood).

I couldn't hide my surprise when I asked Praise to repeat:

Junk-food? 

NO - JACK FRUIT! These huge fruits that hang from trees.

haha!

The biggest challenge, though, is the isolation and lack of transport.

Hauling food there...

Getting sick children to a doctor and to get medicine.

Imagine having sick children and the only option is to make them walk a long distance

or carry them (if you can) - not sure, but maybe 3km (about 2 miles)

until you finally come to a road with cars and motor-cycles passing.

And even then, there are no boda-bodas (motorcycles - the cheapest transport) to take you to a clinic.

You may have to wait in the scorching heat - or the rain - depending on the day, for quite a while for a "taxi" - public transport van.

Once you finally reach a doctor and there's a prescription, you have to somehow get yourself and the sick children from one pharmacy/clinic to the next, because most often, the needed medicine is not even available.

HARD LIFE - REALLY !!!! HARD - HARD!!!

BUT - and here comes a BIG BUT:

The children are joyful and started singing for me from the moment I came out of the car just about until I left a couple hours later. I have lots of videos - sooo precious, but can't upload them now.

These kids are sooo adorable, lovable (except for their muddy feet and legs...haha) - 

no seriously, they are the sweetest children with such tender spirits!( photos coming below)

I know for fact the their FATHER is sooo desiring to tangibly lavish HIS LOVE on these little ones!!!

HE is right there with them - and wants ME and YOU to help give them more than an existence!

Reach out and buy some blankets, mosquito nets, help finish the house, invest into seeds for farming, a cow for milk.

WHAT WAS TOTALLY UNEXPECTED - ready for this?

I was expecting to find 17 children with Praise and maybe 1 or 2 helpers.

When we arrived, I was swarmed by kids from everywhere, couldn't count them.

{By the way, Praise now takes care of 20 orphans, not 17 - and she was told by her spiritual parents, mentors and leaders from the "Orphans kNOw More"- network that she cannot take in any more right now}

Anyways, soooooo - I found out that:

Not only did Praise venture out into this half-finished house, but she also built a school!
And made it available to the children of the village, whose parents were MOST THRILLED that FINALLY, there was going to be a school in the village!

I remember her writing a year ago that her dream was to do exactly this:

the school with 3 classrooms - probably wouldn't meet New Zealand building consent...

So now there are 80 kids going to school (since early Feb)!

They showed off everything they knew - their numbers, alphabet, songs and huddled around me, wanting to hold my hand, checking out my funny white, wrinkly skin with freckles, wanting their picture taken and when I started showing them some photos on the camera display, they almost ran over each other to get a good look.
Oops! I quickly made that camera disappear again -  didn't want anybody to get trampled on.

Even in what they call "Baby Class" (4 year olds) the kids know the alphabet and recite it together with the name of the word next to the letter - see that special look on Josephs' face? He was following me closely with his eyes wherever I went

counting to 100 in English (they don't speak English yet)

singing - and singing some more

one of Praise's treasured princesses

These children are getting LOVED, introduced to JESUS and even an education!

All this just because of one crazy courageous woman whose comment,
when I asked her about the school was,

"I had no choice. They have to go to school."

Praise was very tired... she had even built some of the school and house with her own hands.

You can read  here and here about why she moved to the country.

She's a smart, entrepreneurial young lady, besides being a lover of God and a nurturing, loving mother!

Really, this lady is something else!

She's incredible!!!

This is the house she built

here they live - 20 orphans, Praise, 3 teachers and their 3-4 children (can't remember exactly)

Instead of using the rent-money (read the links above to understand) for all the 3 months (Jan-March)

and starting the children in a school where she'd have to pay for all kinds of supplies, uniform etc. just to pull them out again 2 months later,

She used the remaining rent money to buy doors for the house and what she would've used for school to start a school for many.

She borrowed materials for the roof and some other necessities

and then moved them a month ago.

I was able to have a VERY special and wonderful time with Praise - all because of my lost tooth.

But more about that in the next post.

So - watch this space!

HERO of the faith!

One of the things I shared about on Sunday was the heroes of faith (Hebrews 11) that are an encouragement to us today as they have made their mark in history 

(remember the picture of the pencil - that always leaves a mark with whatever it does?!)!

Well, there is nothing more touching and exciting for me than to meet a REAL-LIFE HERO - especially one who's got the FATHER/MOTHER heart of GOD and is caring for the abandoned babies and children, taking them in, caring for them, loving them as her own - under the most challenging circumstances and with no support whatsoever - except her GOD!

Let me present you to Praise - my hero - full of FAITH and LOVE:

Was trying to upload a bunch more photos to help tell you yesterday's story, but it didn't work.

Oh well, another time!

Speechless

It's 11pm - and I don't have words for today...

Just tears

and BIG emotions!!!

Jesus, you are AWESOME beyond measure and I am so in love with you!

You'll get to hear about today some other time.

Just letting you know for now that the broken tooth was a

HUGE BLESSING

{in disguise}

I am staying overnight in Kampala and will see the dentist tomorrow at 9am, then head back to Jinja.

Day 8 - just beginning

Good morning, once again!

Good thing I woke up at 5am. This gives me a chance for an update, as today, I will be in a meeting at 8am and then drive straight to Kampala for the day 

(and possibly the night, depending on when I get a dentist appointment).

I am excited to see Praise today - if you don't know her story, just gotta go back in my blog to September 2011 - and end of December 2011 (don't have time to find the links now).

AMAZING young Ugandan woman caring for 17 orphans - without any help...

Anyways, my emotions have been such a mess since being here - as usual.

This is what Uganda does to me every time.

At the moment, though, I was just crying as I was reading the sweetest e-card that Rich sent me for our anniversary today! I miss him so much and hugely honor him for the sacrifices he makes to allow me to pursue the dream God has placed in my heart. 

He's my best friend and I can't wait to be with him again! But until then, there's some "business" the FATHER has put on my heart that I will gladly pursue. 

(9 more days til I'm home...)

So, it was funny, I got picked up for church instead of at 9:30 at 10:20.

But I knew better than to stress.

Just used the extra time to pray and prepare some more - so it was actually a blessing!

When I got picked up, I found out the reason for the lateness.

Moses and Penninah don't own a car (with their family of 20+) so they borrow one when needed.

But it was so dirty when they got it yesterday that they didn't feel comfortable to pick me up in it like that and went and washed it first.

Now, that's priorities!

The church service was amazing! Very poor church, dirt floor,  no instruments except a couple of drums, no sound system, just the people!

view from my front row bench - see the dirt? My shoes will never be the same :)

 What is special is that all their older (mostly adopted) children are helping run the church!

Beautiful!

I was touched as 2 small children from the congregation went forward spontaneously at some point when it was testimony time and sang a song. 

All by themselves, first one, then the other.

Oh, the sweet, soft voices!

And no embarrassment - just wanting to bring a gift to the Lord - and the people.

I was apprehensive about preaching, as a piece from my cut tooth hurts my tongue with every word I speak. I really needed to rely on the Lord big time and he came through once again.

It went really well. I felt anointed and able to bring encouragement (felt no pain until after the service).

The pastor (Moses) thanked me in the end and said that people were touched and encouraged.  

I even kept them awake!

Now, if I hadn't been in a Ugandan church last visit, I wouldn't be able to appreciate that comment.

As the services go so long, people do tend to go to sleep when it gets to be after 1pm.

It was fun not to be restricted in time!

In the Western church, you always have to be as precise and short as possible.

Here, it's the opposite.

If you preach under 1 hour, people will still go away hungry.

They want MORe, they are HUNGRY for the WORD of GOD!

I guess they don't have much to back home to in terms of food,

(like in our western countries),

so they're all the more eager to eat spiritual food.

Anyways, THANK YOU SO MUCH if you prayed for me!

I definitely felt the prayers.

Also had wonderful fellowship with 2 families after church.

The friendships that are deepening are precious beyond words.

And sorry, I once again just couldn't make myself take all these photos -

though there would've been lots of opportunity.

Once you're not a "tourist" but a friend, it just isn't appropriate.

Except for this one - 

I asked Moses and Penninah in the end, as I didn't have a decent photo of them yet.

TRUE HEROES, this couple, AMAZING people!!

with their youngest (biological) daughter Deborah

I'll tell you more about them in another post.

Just telling you one thing Moses told me on the way:

As they are working in the villages and visiting/counseling many people, they come in touch with so many needy situations, especially children. 

Even though they find it hard to find food for their own family, he couldn't help himself and committed to paying school fees for 3 more kids in the village.

WOW!!!

Are these people crazy?

Irresponsible?

Maybe...

But they sure have the heart of God and don't hesitate to be HIS hands, too!

2 weeks ago, they had a woman with 5 children come to their home just as they were preparing for church. She was in desperate need of help and when they said they couldn't help, she broke down crying - right there, in their home.

And they needed to take off for church.

This is their daily reality!

There's SOOOO much more I'd like to say, but 'nuf for now.

Appreciate your continued prayers - protection on the road, finding out if/how God would want me to be involved in helping Praise - and the dentist visit, just a few ideas...

Day 7 - just beginning

Though today, Sunday, is just beginning, I might as well grab the chance to write now, since tonight I'll for sure not be able to, as I'll be visiting one of the OKM families - and I know it'll be late (dinner there is around 9pm).

And having 3+ hours to myself before heading to church gives me lots of time.... YAY! I LIKE it!!!

Nobody around to distract me - just me and my Jesus!!!

A little riddle for ya:

I was emailed by the wife (pastor and OKM parent) that I would get picked up at 9:30am for church.

When I saw her husband yesterday and asked him what time church starts, he said at 9am!

OK - that's different...

Gladly, I went to a church last time I was here (without ministering) and I figured out that churches here have 2 morning services. I guess like some churches in the US, where you have Sunday school first, where people get taught about a certain topic in small groups all around the church.

And only afterwards the "real" service starts.

The church I went to last time, the teaching during Sunday school was actually a lot better (for my taste) than the actual preaching in the main Service.

Anyways, just a bit of fun..

Had a good night - thanks if you prayed! 

Woke up at 6 with the song in my heart:

"He makes all things

He makes all things

He makes all things BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Oh yes, he does!!!

During the nights here at the YWAM base, I've been hearing lots of interesting noises.

One night, I heard gut-wrenching SCREAMS - was sure that I was gonna hear in the morning that somebody had been killed or something like that. But I didn't (doesn't mean it didn't happen, though...)

This morning again, somebody SCREAAAMING - 

(I prefer not to go check it out but stay safely under my mosquito net in my guest room).

I hear noises through the night of people that must be partying - 

of course, these are sounds coming from the neighbours... (I think - haha!)

This week during one of meetings, as we talked about the history of the communities surrounding the base, I found out that they used to be in a terrible state of hopelessness, drunkenness and violence all over.

This road that I have walked, taken a motorbike on, and driven by car used to be so dangerous, that if you were on it after 7-7:30pm, you'd be sure not to survive it.

The name of the main village surrounding the base is "Namaziba" -

 "a place where nothing good comes from, a well of deep sorrrow."

And every young person's only wish was to leave it as soon as possible, because there was no future.

So much has changed already, I am told. There used to be a bar just about behind every hut 

(they were in the distilling business and of course, had to try the alcohol...). 

Now there is just one bar in the village (and that will go, too!!!)

Being with the "Women of Hope" group on Friday just tickled my heart.

YES Lord,

YOU make all things

YOU make all things

YOU make all things

BEAUTIFUL!!!

There is so much more to do, but little by little we want to do our part to transform 

Namaziba

into a 

City of HOPE!

(as was prophesied a couple of years ago by a visiting minister)

Day 6 - a different kind of JOY!

I am really tired tonight - have been dragging all afternoon

 - so here's mostly just a copy of my facebook update:

How crazy is that? 

Was JUST sitting down to finish preparing my message for tomorrow's service when I grabbed a gum, chewed on it for a few seconds and - whoops - one of my molars broke off (it had a big filling) 

 - no warning... nothing!

Maybe I'm meant to fast completely?! 

Already haven't been eating much ~ 

and I am not even half way through my trip.... 

By the way, the message I feel to give tomorrow is mostly around a parable - 

comparing us with a pencil 

(thanks Elizabeth!)

One of the points of the message is that in life, we will undergo painful sharpenings, 

which will only make us better.

 I was just going to write down this verse in James 1, 2-4 when I felt something in my mouth that wasn't right:

Dear brothers and sisters,

when troubles come your way

consider it an opportunity for great joy.

For you know that if your faith is tested,

your endurance has a chance to grow..

So let it grow...

Yeeehaw!

On another note, I spent a good part of the day today with the group of

Orphans kNOw More-kids

who are preparing for the upcoming ministry/fundraising trip to Europe.

I couldn't believe HOW MUCH the dances that the kids are preparing remind me of Tahitian dances! 

Unbelievable! 

I almost found myself transported back 20 years

(when we took a team of Tahitians to Europe)

It's gonna be amazing! 

It was hard not to say anything about the trip to the kids 

(12 of them, ages 9-17), 

especially when one of the girls asked me at the end: 

"When am I going to see you again?"

I just said, "I'm sure we'll see each other again!"

She wasn't so sure at all - mentioning that she doesn't even have email...

 

 All going well, she's gonna see me again in Germany in August, but  shhhhhh...

The kids don't know yet that they'll be going to Europe - the leaders didn't want to tell them until May or so, otherwise they'd be way too excited to concentrate on their school work. 

(good thing they're neither on fb nor reading my blog!)

So today, they just thought that this "Mzungu vista" (white visitor) was watching their practice.

And I was thoroughly enjoying it!!!

By the way, I was told by the leader that one of the youth had a vision or dream in December that he was going to take a plane... (and almost left his bag behind)

Isn't that amazing?

I guess God himself gave the secret away... kind-of 

(the boy still doesn't know he'll actually be taking a plane, 

and when time comes, I'm sure he'll be extra-careful not to forget his bag...)

God must've had fun with that one - can just see the smile on his face!

Anyways, would appreciate your prayers about this tooth thing, 

also that I would sleep well (still waking up way too early)

and then be God's toothless mouthpiece tomorrow as I preach.

HAHA!

I really need HIS help and anointing to bring "fresh bread" to the hungry people!

So far, he's been really faithful every time I've had to share without much prep time.

So I'm leaning strongly on HIM.

Will have to go see a dentist asap.

Seems there's a good one in Kampala

(thanks Danielle!)

Just a hassle - a "trouble" that I will do my best to consider as

an opportunity for GREAT JOY!!!

Day 5 - OH the JOY!

Oh Africa, how I love you!!!

Have been enjoying listening to BEAUTIFUL African worship in the distance here on the YWAM base ~ soooo good!

Today would've been the BEST DAY of the year for me - so far 

(who knows what else is coming... the year's just started... haha)

It was a VERY full day today with non-stop meetings all day.

So - the BEST part?

I can barely write this without loosing it... tears coming already...

It seemed harmless enough:

A meeting had been scheduled with the "Women of Hope", the group of women whose children we are trying to find sponsors for so they can go to school.

I had already met a number of them on my 2 previous visits, some of them in their homes, 

most of them during a day of Prayer and Fasting - and also a HIV support group.

I was supposed to explain to them how the sponsorships will work, so that they understand.

Simple enough.

I was completely taken by surprise by their welcome and the whole atmosphere of the meeting!

It was such a HUGE CONTRAST to yesterday's meeting!

OH - the JOY - and CELEBRATION - and HOPE in their eyes and spirits!!!

Even though the promised sponsorships will only help less than half of them -

and then only be for one of their (on average 5) children

and they still have VERY CHALLENGING circumstances and many problems

~ YET ~

Their exuberance and DEEP gratitude touched and humbled me HUGELY!

I had to fight the tears back the whole meeting.

PEOPLE, you have NO idea HOW MUCH it means to these precious ones in extreme poverty to receive a small answer to their prayers (3 years for many of them)

To feel that they are NOT FORGOTTEN

LOVED

CARED FOR by SOMEBODY other than the invisible God

somebody with flesh and blood

who sacrifices a little bit of their abundance

so that they can have 1 child go to school

and have HOPE for a better future!

WOW ~ WOW ~ WOW!!!

I will never forget this day - their faces and smiles will FOREVER be etched in my mind -

 and no, I didn't take photos again (though I did film some of their singing/dancing)! 

Photos just wouldn't do justice!

I feel so incredibly privileged and blessed to have been able to be the bearer of

GOOD NEWS!

(of course they already knew, but my presence and explanation today made it "official" for them)

I dare dream that yesterday's group may experience the same thing

one day - 

hopefully sooner than 3 years from now!