Sweetness

I know I said I would post about Uganda and how a life CAN be transformed by our choices to serve, love, give, and pray....BUT, I can't help but share this nugget of goodness with you all.

So, the other day I had a heart to heart with our son, O. I have to be honest and say that our transition home to America after spending 7 months in Uganda has been hard. We've been spinnning around like tops for the last month and a half since we've been back. It's been SO fun, life giving, refreshing, and full of LOVE, but I think we all have felt a bit overwhelmed with the instant busy-ness of life in America.

Most people have asked us how the kids are doing adjusting to the transition home and our general answer has been "good". Yeah,...they seemed to be doing just fine for the most part. Although I had noticed a bit of a change in O since we've been back. There's been an increase in his disobedience and his attitude has been pretty "poopy". Being a new mom I'm still learning how to read my own kids and I didn't think that it had anything to do with being home. So, finally after weeks of attitude and disobedience we sat down and had a serious heart to heart. We talked about what had been going on for the last month and he agreed that he had a hard month.

I never would have expected to hear the next few words that came out of his mouth. (A little background on O: He is all about movies, fun activities, electronic things that make noise and flash, he's into the BIG, LOUD, MOVING, FLASHING, FAST anything!! So, picture us in Uganda with minimal electricity, no movies really, very few toys, and well...that's it.)

Anyway, he told me he was having a hard time being home in America. I asked him why and he said, "I MISS HELPING PEOPLE". Oh my,...my heart broke and rejoiced at the same time and the tears started to flow. He continued to say, "I miss walking together as a family everywhere, I don't like that we have to drive in a car all the time". He continued saying, "I miss hunting and killing cockroaches with you mama!". Oh my... I NEVER would have expected to hear this from O. In fact many times I have prayed that God would prepare our kids hearts if He calls us to go back to Uganda. I honestly thought O and F would be upset to go back because they would miss all the comforts of America. And here sat my son telling me he missed our simple bug filled but Kingdom filled, life in Uganda. This was the best gift a mama could ever get. Our son GOT IT! He gets it!! He gets that life in God's way is SO much better than any flashing, beeping toy or any 3-D movie in the theatre. He can sense in his little spirit that listening to Jesus, loving and serving others, and obeying God when he calls is WAY MORE FUN than the best amusement park around.

Eversince O has been home from Liberia he has wanted to be a pilot and a builder. He has always told us that his dream is to build playgrounds for kids in Africa! After living in Uganda for 7 months and spending time with our Ugandan friends in thier villages, he is determined to make his dream come true. We are going to start something and we've been playing around with a name, fundraisers, (lemonade stands, bake sales, etc..), and all the "how to's" of making it happen. I want O to see that he CAN make a difference in someone's life. He can love and serve others in the way God's called him.

So, we celebrated O's bday the other week and in honor of his "dream" we made him a "playground cake"! Jeff and I put it together with skewers and duct tape and Auntie Mekay and I decorated. Here's to dreaming big and loving others!

We surprised O with an Ethiopian birthday dinner, his favorite!!!

FEEDING THE FORGOTTEN!

I know I just posted from my friend Brandi's blog but obviously Uganda is deep in our hearts as well as in hers. This is her blog post that I copied and pasted. I so believe we can make a difference. I have seen my friends here in Colorado make a difference in the lives of friends in Arua, Uganda. They sacrificed grande lattes, desserts, and going out to dinner in order to bless, serve, and love a family in need in Uganda. Their dollars made a difference, and so can yours! I wouldn't post a link to an organization I didn't trust or believe in. Children's HopeChest (CHC) is doing great work in Uganda, Ethiopia and elsewhere in the world, and I had the privilege to meet them and work with them while we were in Uganda this past fall/winter. In fact, CHC has become a partner with Bethesda Int'l. and Rapha school to facilitate a sponsorship program through churches. So,...please...read on and see just what your dollar can do to change a life!

FEED THE FORGOTTEN

Too often we hear heartbreaking stories like this (that I posted on Saturday) and do nothing. We feel helpless. . . and so we move on. Not this time. There are people DYING in Uganda right now. There are children who's bellies are hungry and aching. There are mamas who are too weak to stand and babies begging to be held. There are people trapping termites hoping for food and eating dung in helplessness. DO NOT CAVE TO DESPAIR. YOU CAN DO SOMETHING.

Join us and Children's HopeChest to FEED THE FORGOTTEN!!!

For $0.14, we can (and WILL) feed someone a meal of posho and beans. (posho is cornmeal, which is filling and beans are protein). Take that in for a moment. . .
$0.14 a meal
$2.86 for 20 days
$1 per FAMILY
$20 feed a family for 20 days.
How much was my Chick Fil A yesterday? How much is your Starbucks? The bigger question is how much am I willing to give up SO THAT OTHERS MIGHT EAT?
Remember Jesus story of the Good Samaritan? Remember how his very neighbors walked right by him? They probably looked at him with pity. . .probably thought "oh poor guy, that breaks my heart" but the fact is THEY DID NOTHING.
What will you do? These children are starving. . .

these actual children. . .

will you help? The money raised will feed those precious children. There are 3 - 4 villages that we are targeting (I'm hoping for more after we see how much we can raise!) to bring food relief to asap. These people are literally starving. . and waiting for you to act. Will you help? Even with paypal fees (2-3%) even $1 will feed 6 people! You CAN make a difference.
Spread the word, blog about it, facebook it, twitter it, ask your church or school or business to give, post the blog badge anything. Truly, we are begging you. . .on behalf of these children not to forget this post and move on to the next in your google reader list.

Stop, pray, act.GIVE TO FEED THE FORGOTTEN CHILDREN!!!!!
(note: please write FEED THE FORGOTTEN in the notes section when you give)

UGANDA LOVIN'

Please go check out my good friends blog....

http://www.brandisthoughts.com/

Brandie is a fellow Liberian adoptive mom that we connected with 2 years ago while adopting Fatu and Osobie. Brandie and I met officially in Jinja, Uganda last October when her and her husband along with Children's Hope Chest brought over a U.S. team for a Uganda ministry tour. They visited Bethesda International on their trip and I was able to be a part of the team for a few days! She's amazing....really. If I had as much energy as this mama of 3 I would be stoked!

Brandie's church is now sponsoring almost all of the Bethesda International children at Rapha School. Brandie is returning today from her second trip to Uganda leading another team of pastors and folks interested in sponsoring, supporting and doing ministry in Uganda. I am so thankful for her and her heart for the children of Uganda!

If you go to her blog, you should scroll down and read the handful of posts she put up from her recent trip to Uganda! I promise you will be inspired and informed about all that is happening in Uganda. And who knows...maybe even led to be a part of the change and transformation that is happening in children because someone took the time to love and care!! There is huge need in Uganda and I know first hand how one person's love, support, prayers, time and money can not only change one life, but the lives of many!!

*My next 2 posts will be about this very thing... so stay tuned!!

Thank You Africa!

Fatu on her birthday eating her dinner of choice...Ethiopian!!!

Well, as most of you already know, WE ARE HOME FROM AFRICA!! We came home April 1st and I'm just now finding some time to post! Ahhhh!! It's been quite an adjustment to come home to the fast pace life of America. I definitely slipped into the simple and slow way of life in Africa because now that I'm back, I find myself spinning in circles. Just today I found myself staring at the walls wondering how I was going to tackle my way too long "to do" list. How is it possible? I thought I told myself that we wouldn't "do" full schedules again. I thought we'd keep the simple life and just say NO to busy-ness. It is hard to do, especially when you have such amazing friends and family that you want to see!!

I thought I would post some photos since we have thousands (yikes) as well as post blogs that I wrote while we were in Uganda but couldn't post due to lack of electricity and various other interesting things.

THANK YOU AFRICA...

For opening my eyes to a glorious world that has been buried in distraction.
For teaching me PATIENCE.
For teaching me how to have a grateful heart.
For accepting me despite my ignorance, pride, and selfish-ness.

For helping me experience the PEACE that surpasses understanding.
For showing me what it really means to give.
For teaching me about reducing, reusing, and recycling.

For living in JOY.
For sharing your land, your lives, and your hearts with us.
For sleepless nights.

For stirring my heart and challenging my mind.
For helping me to see God’s beautiful creation with new eyes and appreciation.
For giving God the greatest praise.
For hands that hold HOPE.
For not keeping silent.

For teaching me about an eternal truth…LOVE,
loving God and loving one another!

Boda boda style...papa and Fatu

Sunday school Football!! The boys from down the street came over as often as they could to play with F and O and a real soccer ball!! We played games, sucked down mangoes, and laughed a lot!! Jeff coined these times as "Katie's kid's club" Fatu peeking out of the bus window at the yummy ground nuts for sale

God's Will Ladies Choice store!! oh, yeah!!

You will be encouraged today!!

YOU WILL BE ENCOURAGED TODAY!!!

I know a pretty bold statement to make...but I promise you that by the time you read this post, you WILL BE ENCOURAGED. Many of you may be feeling hopeless today, feeling all alone in this world with no one listening. Or you may be having a day where you are questioning God’s faithfulness and goodness. You might be in a seemingly impossible situation and feeling ready to give up. You may be feeling despair, pain, and suffering. You may be wondering, “Why on earth would God lead me down this path?” You may be wondering if your prayers will ever be answered. Your heart may be heavy with grief. Your faith may be weak. Your trust in your Heavenly Father waning. I have been in all of these places at some point in my walk with Jesus. I have wrestled with fear, I have cried too many tears, and I have doubted my Father. I have questioned His goodness. I have. To say I haven’t would be a lie.  

BUT, despite myself, despite all of my feelings or all of my outlooks on situations and life, GOD HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN. HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN FAITHFUL!! Maybe not in the way I imagined, dreamed or hoped but in HIS way, which is always the best way. Now I have to say that I am writing this while in one of those places where tears flood my eyes minute by minute and day by day!! I am not speaking of tears of pain, but tears of JOY! Tears from beholding the beautiful mystery of our God, while crying out “HOW GOD?” “HOW ARE YOU SO FAITHFUL? “YOU BLOW ME AWAY GOD!!” “YOU ASTOUND ME!”    ...YOU BRING ME TO TEARS, TO HUMILITY, TO YOUR THRONE ROOM LOST FOR WORDS FOR YOUR BOUNDLESS GOODNESS!!

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans for hope and a future."  
"Do not fear"
 "I do not leave you as orphans"
These aren’t just words. These are promises. This is truth. This is the way, heart, will and mind of our God. This is the reality we can live in.

Okay, please keep reading… I promise you it won’t disappoint!!
Do you remember our African Christmas? READ HERE if not. I will give you synapses of our Christmas. We decided to go to Mulago Hospital on Christmas Day and love on the children and families in the children’s ward. We did just that and while we were roaming the halls we were directed to a little boy in a crib. There he sat, lost, scared, confused, malnourished, sad and abandoned. 

We later found out that the hospital staff called him Uwalu (oo wa lu), I don't think this was his real name. Well, our hearts broke. We cried out to God that day as a family. Fatu and Osobie held his hand and peered at him in the crib. We spent time with him praying silently for God’s mercy and love to shower him. We left knowing we’d be back to see him the next day. Our hearts were heavy. We walked home from Mulago hospital talking with Fatu and Osobie about the boy. We talked and prayed for a mama and papa for him. We even talked to Jesus about whether or not he was to be in our family. Osobie cried that day as we left him. They knew ‘that’ pain. They had lived in it before. I am sure they were reminded of their time in the orphanage. The next day we went back to see Uwalu and dressed him in one of Osobie’s shirts. We gave him car toys and candy, hoping he would feel loved. We left Kampala and left Uwala in Mulago. We prayed and prayed to know if he was to be in our family, and we felt somehow, that that was not the plan for his life. Our hearts remained heavy but also at peace and our thoughts and prayers continued for Uwalu for weeks and months.

Now I have to admit to you all that after spending some time in Africa and visiting many orphanages my heart has ached much too much. There are days that I am completely overwhelmed at the needs of Africa. The numbers of lost, abandoned, poor, forgotten, and orphaned children is countless. Their faces run through my mind all day long and even invade my dreams. There are days where I cry out to God asking Him where he is? Has he forgotten them? Who will care for them? Why God? Why must they suffer? There are times when I am hopeless. There are times that my tears just run dry. BUT the truth is GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN. HE HAS NOT LEFT THEM AS ORPHANS. He aches more than we do for the orphans of Africa. His heart longs for them to be LOVED! He loves them! And asks us to join Him in loving them! Even when we fail, and we are unfaithful, He hasn’t and isn’t.

Back to the story….Across the thousands of miles and vast seas was a family praying. There was a family waiting for a son from Uganda. On Christmas day there was a mother aching for her Ugandan son who was somewhere out there waiting to be matched with their family. On Christmas day there was a family wondering where their little brother and son was living and how he was spending his Christmas. There was a mom praying hard for her “son” to be LOVED that Christmas!! She prayed that LOVE would find him and care for him wherever he may be!!

I got an email a few weeks ago from a woman named Sheila. She had googled “Mulago Hospital” and found our blog post from Christmas. Maybe 5 weeks after Christmas, the McDaniel’s accepted a little boy for fostering/adoption. They knew his name was going to be Elijah and low and behold, there in the baby home lie their son, with the name given to him by the staff, Elijah!! He was abandoned mid December at Mulago Hospital and taken to a baby home! After several emails and photos later, it was confirmed…UWALU…the boy…..WAS TO BE THEIR SON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have had tears streaming down my face for the last few weeks!!
I AM OVERWHELMED BY GOD’S GOODNESS AND FAITHFULNESS!! I CANNOT EVEN WRAP MY HEART AND MIND AROUND IT!! HE IS TOO WONDERFUL FOR COMPREHENSION, WHO CAN GRASP HIS INFINITE WISDOM…. 

God brought her son the LOVE she had prayed for her son through a family of strangers that Christmas!!   GOD KNEW. God knew the plans he had for Uwalu /Elijah. He knew the family that he would be adopted into. He cared for his son. Sheila’s and her families’ prayers and our prayers have been answered in the most miraculous way!! Look at him now!!

Never in a million years would I have ever thought we’d know what happened to Uwalu. We had no way of ever knowing what his life would turn out like. Would he be adopted God? Is he going to know the love of a mama and papa? Or is he going to spend his days in a baby home and then an orphanage, alone, and unloved?

BUT GOD KNEW!! GOD HAD A PLAN!!! GOD HAD A MAMA AND PAPA PICKED OUT JUST FOR HIM!!!  HE WILL NOT LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US!

Check out their blog and pray for them as they are still waiting to bring him home....HERE

Share the love!!!

As many of you know, Jeff and I have been working with Bethesda International for almost 5 years now! Before I continue, I also want to say THANK YOU for all of you who have supported Ruth, Bethesda, and sponsered kids over the years!! MOST OF YOU who know us, know Bethesda. And MANY of you have already given to Bethesda in times past!! THANK YOU!!!!THIS POST IS QUITE URGENT & SERIOUS this is why we are asking again for

HELP FOR BETHESDA/ RAPHA SCHOOL!!!

We met Ruth, the founder, in 2003 and our hearts were stirred that very day for Africa. We were so impacted by the love and care that Bethesda was giving to the orphaned and vulnerable children of Uganda. They established foster families where the children were cared for by aunties, uncles, papa's and mama's. The children were confident, proud of their families, and full of love!!Never before had we seen such joy in an "orphanage", but that's because Ruth didn't found an orphanage, she established a community. Ruth's desire was for the children to raised in a traditional "African" way which is within a family. This is how Africa has always been but due to poverty, AIDS, and war, families have been broken leaving thousands of children to fend for themselves.

Bethesda has been serving children for over 11 years now, and despite the fact that Ruth Muga, the founder died unexpectantly, they continue in their service to children providing education, medical care, spiritual discipleship, and love. Unfortunately, in the last 2 years Bethesda International has suffered from a loss of support due to constraints on their donors in the States and elsewhere. When Ruth passed away in the fall of 2008, even more of their support had been cutoff leaving them in a financial crisis. They have 357 children in their care from nursery to University level, and all of them are suffering due to lack of money for school fees and basic needs.
They are faced with an immense challenge of paying for hundreds of children's school fees for the next term as well as paying the current debts and feeding all the kids!! They also have over 200 children attending their Rapha community school with 55 of the kids being in foster care at Rapha and in need of food. On top of this, the teachers at Rapha have gone without salary for the last 5 months. SO.....those of us partnered with Bethesda/Rapha School, (HopeChest being one of org. partnered with them) are running an emergency fundraiser! We need to raise about $18,000 to cover all the costs of school fees next term, food, care, medical care and long overdue debts!! These children will not return to school next term unless something is done!

They are in a real crisis !

The Bethesda children need us to...

SHARE THE LOVE!!!!

How many of us have received the LOVE from a friend, family member, NGO, or employer when we really needed it? It may not have been financial love but I am sure we've all been blessed by someone at some point in our lives beyond our expectations. I know I have, many times and all we can do in return is SHARE THE LOVE!! This time with children in Bethesda International/RAPHA SCHOOL that need us to stand with them during this difficult time of transition and financial hardship. Join us this week and send others to my blog or Tom Davis's Blog or my friend Brandies blog as we try to spread the word and share the financial love with our Ugandan friends!!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RESCUE FOR RAPHA

Our first visitor!!!!

We were so thrilled to have our friend Stacie come for a visit a few weeks ago. It was such a gift to be showered with love from her and all the others who sent us some lovin’ through Stacie! She gave us some good hugs from everyone back home and we needed it!! She’s a very talented woman with a hearts desire to serve Bethesda International by documenting their work here in Uganda. She graduated from University with a focus on filming/editing. She was here for 2 weeks and her camera became a third arm!! There was not a dull moment!! We spent 1 week in Jinja filming Bethesda’s work of orphan care and community development, then we spent about a week in Arua with a trip to Murchison Falls Nat'l Park and a trip to Gulu to visit Invisible Children's headquarters. We had a fabulous time and wanted to kidnap Stacie for a few more weeks! Here's some photos from our time together...enjoy :)
Our night watchman's(George) mother. Wow!! What a beautiful African mama! I asked her how old she was and she didn't know. We went to visit George's village and met many of his family members and villagers. His mom came out of the hut to greet us and an hour later, as we were leaving she appeared out of her hut dressed to the tee!! She was waiting for me to take her photo in her "smart" clothes, as they call it here.

Roasted white ants for sale on the road. They really wanted us to buy them. I opted for some oranges and ended up getting smacked in the face by an orange by the lady that was selling them!! I gave her 500 schillings and grabbed 2 oranges but she didn't have change so she threw 3 more oranges in the car as we were driving away! I got a fat lip...how funny eh??
Stacie shooting some African wild life!!

Yes,...that reads, Grilled Gizzards! Hmmm..sounds tasty!

Our visit to Invisible Children was amazing!! They are truly making a difference in the lives of the children of Gulu. We were able to tour several of the schools they are helping to rebuild as well as their upcoming "bag project". It's sure to be a hit!! We were so blessed to meet Vanessa, the girl in charge of the "bag project", who toured us around for a day to see the sites. We were also surprised to see Loveland Highschool's name (a school in Colorado) etched on a plaque on one of the newly rebuilt science labs. They were one of the top fundraisers of that project!!

Sugar cane!!! Fresh off the side of the road and into our bellies!! A bit messy though. Kids from our friend Fred's village! We had a fun time of chasing each other and dancing together to a little tune called "Africa" by Toto. Thanks Stacie...or should I say thanks Jeff Shoemaker, the songs been stuck in my head since you left!

Stacie's teaching Osobie how to to shoot a mean scene!!

The great White Hunter!! Jeff thinks they were hippo bones??