Today we had approximately 350 kids in attendance. As word spreads through the neighborhoods of the skits, songs, and games, more and more kids show up every day. Working with these kids is very rewarding. They are so full of life and love.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Nateete
One of the churches where we are working with the kids is called Gospel of Life. This church is located in Nateete, which is one of the poorest areas surrounding the main city of Kampala. The church is ran by Pastor Chris and his wife Sylvia. The church is also located within a predominantly Muslim population.
Today we had approximately 350 kids in attendance. As word spreads through the neighborhoods of the skits, songs, and games, more and more kids show up every day. Working with these kids is very rewarding. They are so full of life and love.
Today we had approximately 350 kids in attendance. As word spreads through the neighborhoods of the skits, songs, and games, more and more kids show up every day. Working with these kids is very rewarding. They are so full of life and love.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Prayers
We know there are many friends praying for us in the US and in Uganda. We don't take that lightly. We are very grateful. Trips like this can be dangerous for various reasons. Today we witnessed a horrific traffic accident. A large truck loaded with sand could not stop and crashed onto incoming traffic. We were shaken up pretty badly.
Please continue to pray for our safety and for our work to be fruitful.
Please continue to pray for our safety and for our work to be fruitful.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Rejoice and Weep
Yesterday our verse to study was "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep". Yesterday was also the last day we spent with the children from the orphanage. Just like prior years, we had a big party at the resort where we were staying. I don't know the count, but we must have had some 200 people, most of them children and most of those in the pool. I didn't get a good picture showing the large number of kids, but below are a couple of pictures anyway. It was a lot of fun. It was easy to rejoice.
It was bitter sweet though, because we knew the time was coming to say good bye. The pool started emptying out and by the time I walked to the parking lot, children were already boarding the buses that would take them back to the orphanage. There were lots of hugs and a few tears. Time to weep with those who weep.
One thing you may know about me is that I lack empathy. It is something that doesn't come naturally to me. I have to work at it. I didn't know exactly how one could weep with those who weep without truly feeling the emotion. However, maybe all it takes is a little effort to participate in life.
It would have been easy to extract myself from the roller coaster of emotions that took place yesterday. I could have stayed in my room during the pool party. I could have found a secluded place to read a book, or I could have found some way to not rejoice with the children. I could also have chosen to stay away during the sad good bye. But that would have meant missing out on life.
I am so glad for every moment I rejoiced with those kids and for every little hand I touched through the windows of the buses as we said good bye, and for every smile and look of love lived in between. It is good to learn that even at this stage in life someone like me without the gift of empathy can experience life, the way it is meant to be. All it takes is willingness to participate, to join in.
It was bitter sweet though, because we knew the time was coming to say good bye. The pool started emptying out and by the time I walked to the parking lot, children were already boarding the buses that would take them back to the orphanage. There were lots of hugs and a few tears. Time to weep with those who weep.
One thing you may know about me is that I lack empathy. It is something that doesn't come naturally to me. I have to work at it. I didn't know exactly how one could weep with those who weep without truly feeling the emotion. However, maybe all it takes is a little effort to participate in life.
It would have been easy to extract myself from the roller coaster of emotions that took place yesterday. I could have stayed in my room during the pool party. I could have found a secluded place to read a book, or I could have found some way to not rejoice with the children. I could also have chosen to stay away during the sad good bye. But that would have meant missing out on life.
I am so glad for every moment I rejoiced with those kids and for every little hand I touched through the windows of the buses as we said good bye, and for every smile and look of love lived in between. It is good to learn that even at this stage in life someone like me without the gift of empathy can experience life, the way it is meant to be. All it takes is willingness to participate, to join in.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Uganda's Beautiful People
I mentioned in the past how friendly Ugandans are. I wish I could share with you in person of the many experiences that illustrate this. I can share a few stories though; I love seeing children waving at us as we drive through various streets. I wave back of course, but what you may not expect is that whenever you wave to an adult they will also wave back and many times they do so with a wide smile on their face.
Today after returning from the orphanage and the local church in Jinja, I decided to go to the pool here at the hotel we are staying at. There at the pool I saw Hope, the young lady that serves breakfast at the hotel. She was in the pool playing with a boy and a girl (her friend's kids). I approached her and said hello. It wasn't long before we were all tossing a frisbee. Then some other young adult (Kato) joined in. Perhaps this isn't an extraordinary thing, but there is something about the Ugandan culture that is so welcoming.
Two days ago I visited a very small local shop where they sell touristy stuff. I recognized the lady working there from my last trip here. I helped refresh her memory by reminding her that I gave her a string backpack so she could copy the design. When she remembered me she reached out and gave me a warm hug. I wasn't expecting that reaction at all.
Some other day I gave a mostly melted small candy bar to a little girl that was sitting on a chair, watching after some items for sale. She got up from her chair, reached out for the treat and then bowed to the ground with her hands together to say thank you. This is the same thing my Ugandan son Jessee did (twice!) when he found out I had decided to sponsor him.
On New Years Eve, a few from our team stayed up late to welcome the new year. They played cards for hours. Later I found out a couple of workers from the hotel had joined in and taught my friends some new card games. I wasn't surprised at all. In fact, it seems we are making new friends everywhere.
Today after returning from the orphanage and the local church in Jinja, I decided to go to the pool here at the hotel we are staying at. There at the pool I saw Hope, the young lady that serves breakfast at the hotel. She was in the pool playing with a boy and a girl (her friend's kids). I approached her and said hello. It wasn't long before we were all tossing a frisbee. Then some other young adult (Kato) joined in. Perhaps this isn't an extraordinary thing, but there is something about the Ugandan culture that is so welcoming.
Two days ago I visited a very small local shop where they sell touristy stuff. I recognized the lady working there from my last trip here. I helped refresh her memory by reminding her that I gave her a string backpack so she could copy the design. When she remembered me she reached out and gave me a warm hug. I wasn't expecting that reaction at all.
Some other day I gave a mostly melted small candy bar to a little girl that was sitting on a chair, watching after some items for sale. She got up from her chair, reached out for the treat and then bowed to the ground with her hands together to say thank you. This is the same thing my Ugandan son Jessee did (twice!) when he found out I had decided to sponsor him.
On New Years Eve, a few from our team stayed up late to welcome the new year. They played cards for hours. Later I found out a couple of workers from the hotel had joined in and taught my friends some new card games. I wasn't surprised at all. In fact, it seems we are making new friends everywhere.
Rivers of Life
I love the children at the orphanage (Siita). After all, our church has had a long standing relationship with Siita. However, the children at the Rivers of Life church bring so much joy to our work here that I wanted to share about them.
As we arrived for our second day and got out of our vans, the children came to hug us and greet us with their bright smiles. They clung to our hands as we walked to the room where we would all gather.
When it was time to sing and dance they were eager to participate and once they learned the songs the room was bursting with children's voices and dancing in a manner that I hadn't ever heard or seen before. When I think of what I witnessed I can't help but to think of the word REJOICING. The room was so full of life, flowing like a river. Then it hit me, this is the Rivers of Life church.
What a blessing it is to be able to witness life to the fullest. I pray that I never forget what true rejoicing is and that I have the courage to live life like these children do, without hesitation and in complete abandonment to love.
As we arrived for our second day and got out of our vans, the children came to hug us and greet us with their bright smiles. They clung to our hands as we walked to the room where we would all gather.
When it was time to sing and dance they were eager to participate and once they learned the songs the room was bursting with children's voices and dancing in a manner that I hadn't ever heard or seen before. When I think of what I witnessed I can't help but to think of the word REJOICING. The room was so full of life, flowing like a river. Then it hit me, this is the Rivers of Life church.
What a blessing it is to be able to witness life to the fullest. I pray that I never forget what true rejoicing is and that I have the courage to live life like these children do, without hesitation and in complete abandonment to love.
Monday, January 4, 2016
Fruitful Lives
Yesterday our pastor shared a message using the acronym LIFE. He shared with the graduates from the Orphanage that when they received Jesus they began a long race. They had a great start, but now they (and us) need to continue the race and have Longevity ('L') to finish strong. We must live in a manner to love others. The letter 'I' stood for Integrity. The letter 'F' stood for Fruitfulness. The letter 'E' stood for Equipping others to continue the work the orphanage started.
It was FRUITFULNESS that stirred something inside of me. Pastor mentioned the fruit of a Christian is his/her relationships. As I have mentioned in the past, I've learned life is about love and relationships. Well today our team did skits and songs at two places. One was the orphanage (Siita) and the other was the Rivers of Life Church. It was at the church that I met Annet, a nice young lady that graduated from Siita and now works for Amazima. Amazima is the ministry founded by Katie Davies, author of "Kisses from Katie". It was fun to learn how the church in Hawaii helped Annet connect with Amazima and how she eventually was hired from a pool of 600 applicants. And it was great to see how Annet's new relationship with Amazima may help other Siita graduates as Siita's graduates need jobs and Amazima needs workers. Above all, it was great to learn that Annet is cultivating relationships with so many children in Amazima in the same manner that she grew up, surrounded by children at the orphanage. Fruitfulness indeed!
Not that we should cultivate relationships expecting something in return, but simply we should do so out of love. I am guilty of not doing a good job in maintaining relationships. This is something I really need to work on. At least now I am more aware of this.
Thanks again for joining me in this journey.
It was FRUITFULNESS that stirred something inside of me. Pastor mentioned the fruit of a Christian is his/her relationships. As I have mentioned in the past, I've learned life is about love and relationships. Well today our team did skits and songs at two places. One was the orphanage (Siita) and the other was the Rivers of Life Church. It was at the church that I met Annet, a nice young lady that graduated from Siita and now works for Amazima. Amazima is the ministry founded by Katie Davies, author of "Kisses from Katie". It was fun to learn how the church in Hawaii helped Annet connect with Amazima and how she eventually was hired from a pool of 600 applicants. And it was great to see how Annet's new relationship with Amazima may help other Siita graduates as Siita's graduates need jobs and Amazima needs workers. Above all, it was great to learn that Annet is cultivating relationships with so many children in Amazima in the same manner that she grew up, surrounded by children at the orphanage. Fruitfulness indeed!
Not that we should cultivate relationships expecting something in return, but simply we should do so out of love. I am guilty of not doing a good job in maintaining relationships. This is something I really need to work on. At least now I am more aware of this.
Thanks again for joining me in this journey.
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Siita's 15 Year Anniversary
Today we visited the orphanage, Siita Nest, during their 15 year anniversary celebration. We had a chance to see the kids, though we didn't have much of a chance to interact with them due to the activities. The celebration lasted for hours. It included a few performances by the kids and messages by a few people involved with Siita, including our pastor, and Mama Alice (Siita's founder).
One of the highlights was seeing so many of the graduates from Siita visiting the orphanage. Many of them are successful professionals that are involved with Siita not only to give back, but also because Siita is where their family is.
I was able to find my two kids. I hugged them and told them I love them, but didn't have much of a chance to really spend time together. I can't wait to see them again tomorrow.
One of the highlights was seeing so many of the graduates from Siita visiting the orphanage. Many of them are successful professionals that are involved with Siita not only to give back, but also because Siita is where their family is.
I was able to find my two kids. I hugged them and told them I love them, but didn't have much of a chance to really spend time together. I can't wait to see them again tomorrow.
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