October 22nd - Goodbye Heart

I don't know how to begin this.  I thought about it the entire way home.  So I'll try to explain how I left my heart in Uganda...

I mentioned in a previous entry that we were doing our mission work with 5 current Leadership Development Program (LDP) students within Compassion.  This program is very selective and doesn't occur within every Compassion country.  Uganda happens to have the second largest LDP program in the world.  They graduated 104 of the premier students from across Uganda on Friday and we were there to witness it.  These students not only receive a University education in their chosen field but are given intense training on how to become a servant leader.  How to speak up for Jesus.  How to change the world around them.  They are amazing.  The sponsors of these LDP students, in my mind, are among the most blessed because they get to watch an outstanding person of God as they become who they are meant to be in this world.  And we got to work hand in hand with 5 of them for 2 days.  One of them stole my heart.

Emmanuel, or Emma for short, is a young man who's smile radiates joy.  His absolute love for Jesus shines right through.  He worked so hard at painting the CSP room with us but at the same time began to form a friendship with us all.  He is now in his second year of LDP and hasn't had a sponsor the entire time.  He shared with me that the most difficult part of that is not having the correspondence and the emotional support that a sponsor gives.  He told me about the many many letters that his sponsors sent to him throughout the time they supported him in CDSP (Child Development through Sponsorship Program).  The joy that he had when they sent him a photo of the President of the US and the love that they sent in each letter he received from them every 1 to 2 months.  But now he has been missing that.  He taught us a song that I will never forget:

"I will no more suffer,
I will not beg for bread.
I will no more suffer,
I will not beg for bread.
He's my Daddy Lord,
He's my Daddy Lord."

The way that these children (now young adults) lean on their Heavenly Father is so much more intense than how we in America lean on Him.  Here most of our needs are met and so we rely on self.  There they have to lean on their Daddy Lord for all of their needs.  And if they're lucky enough, a sponsor will take their hand and tell them: I believe in you. I am proud of you. Keep up the good work. I love you!

And so I'm choosing to tell Emma that.  I'm choosing to tell him that I support him.  I support his desire to get a University education in statistics and economics.  I support his goal that one day God may use him to open an orphanage.  I support that he and his friends go out into schools, even Muslim schools, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I support him unconditionally. Not for anything that he will ever be able to do for me but because I know he's going to make a dent in God's Kingdom.  He already has.  He changed the heart of this Compassion Advocate.  He taught me the importance of sponsorship when he looked in my eyes and asked me with such softness to PLEASE pray that he would have a sponsor soon.  I can't even hold back the tears now when I think of that moment. I was already calling out to God to PLEASE let me be the one.  Let me share in his journey. And we were waiting for an answer.  God had told me yes, pursue it, but we had to make sure that Emma didn't have a sponsor yet.  So I couldn't tell him to his face that I would be that person and that I would stand by his side in this adventure.  But that evening, when our trip leader came into my room and told me that I could be the one, I burst into tears alongside my good friend Sarah.  We rejoiced in a way that came from so deep inside our souls.  I feel such joy in knowing that God loves me so much that he will use me in this way.  You see, many people see sponsorship as a way to help someone in poverty.  It is that.  But what it really is, is a way to open your heart to the many ways that God will show you His unending love for us.  Thank you Jesus for putting Emma in my life.  Thank you for taking a piece of my heart and leaving it there in Uganda....

October 21st - Komakech Henry

Wow.  What do you feel when you're about to meet a child that you've supported for 5 years?  You've seen the letters and the drawing as well as updated photos.  But you haven't yet held them in your arms.

Until today.

Today I met Komakech Henry.  I learned so much more about him than letters could ever tell.  He is EXTREMELY shy and timid.  Henry, my beautiful child, is a complete orphan.  He has lost both parents.  I had previously been concerned that the loss may have been due to AIDS but now I am fairly certain that it wasn't.  I was told that Henry's tribe comes from the northern part of Uganda.  The portion that borders Sudan.  There is a huge prevalence still of the "Lord's Army".  Had Henry's family not relocated him to the central portion of Uganda he very well may have become a child solder.  I thank God that he didn't.  After moving to the central region he lived with his grandmother.  She has now also passed away.  So my little orphan is now left to live with his uncle and 7 children in what I can only imagine is a very small home.  Still he tells me, through the help of the interpreter and with as few words as possible, that his family life is good and that all at home are well!

I also learned that Henry loves soccer, supports an opposing team to mine (Arsenal), and is a tremendous striker.  While playing with some of the other children he scored the only 2 goals of the game.  Like a proud soccer mom I video taped them both from the sideline!  Though he is so very very shy every time that he would touch the ball or do anything he would casually glance over at me to make sure I was still watching.  The only time I heard his laughter was on the soccer pitch.  This was also the time that his smile was the largest.

I found out that his favorite animal is a cow, his color orange, and that he wants to become a doctor.  I believe this will be the perfect occupation for him based on the character traits that I observed!  He also has never fallen below 20th in his class and is normally up around 14th.  I'm so proud!

The biggest shock of the day was when the children were asked to get on stage as a group and introduce themselves.  Some of the children sang songs and some repeated memory verses.  I was sure that when it came to be his turn that Henry would be barely audible.  Instead he proudly took the microphone and said loudly, "I'm Komakech Henry and I have a song!"  He then sang Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!  I was smiling and laughing with such joy that I can't even put it into words.  What an amazing young man.  12 going on 13 with all his life ahead of him and now I hope and pray that he knows, despite having lost most of his local family, that he has a mom in the US that is so proud of him and loves him beyond measure.

October 19th and 20th - Kigungu Continued

We woke these mornings extremely early and energized to begin our work at the project.  We traveled the hour and 15 minutes back past Entebbe to Kigungu to begin our work projects.  We split into two teams that would sing, dance, and fellowship our way to successful completion of our tasks.  One team worked on the house of the widow as previously mentioned.  My team worked on painting the building that the Child Survival Program will take place in.

The Child Survival program is a fairly new program within Compassion.  Many of you have probably heard the staggering statistic regarding the number of children to die, due mainly to preventable causes, prior to their 5th birthday.  The aim of CSP is to help prevent that.  They work with the poorest of the poor women in the community from pregnancy on to ensure proper pre-natal care, healthy delivery, and a healthy start to life.  They also really help with education within the family as far as family roles, HIV/AIDS prevention, and ways to safeguard their marriage.  The workers go out into the home of the family at least once monthly and they also have gatherings at the church at least monthly.  This is a great way to increase the role that the men play in the family because they are learning the importance of their place in the life of the child.  It really is amazing to get to meet the women.  We had a chance to hear the testimony of a few of them.  One of them touched me in particular...

She is 15.  She was impregnated and dumped.  Happens in the US.  Happens in Uganda.  She was 100% set on delivering the baby and then dumping it by the side of the road.  She couldn't take care of herself at age 15 let alone a child.  But Compassion stepped in.  They promised her support.  Emotional support as well as monetary support.  They promised that if her child is sick they will take him to the hospital and cover her bills there completely.  They promised to teach her about the importance of breastfeeding and malaria prevention.  They gave her hope.

And so I return to the wonderful and fun work that my team was tasked with.  Over two days we painted both the inside and the outside of the building.  The outside is now a beautiful green on the bottom half and cream on the top.  The inside is cream with a beautiful mural of Gods creation.  Flowers, sunshine, and butterflies.  The project staff were really overwhelmed when we were finished because they were delighting so much in the prospect of placing the first baby in the nursery and seeing his or her eyes light up!

I am also happy to report that the home of the widow is nearly 1/2 done.  There will be hired help to finish the rest but the testimony that we shared with her about the love of Jesus Christ that He would send a bunch of white people from across the world to show her love is beyond words.  You could only see it on her beautiful face.

October 18th - Part 2 - Kigungu

The next 3 days will be spent doing mission work at a beautiful project near Lake Victoria.  This property is amazingly beautiful and the breeze blowing off the lake is so refreshing.  You can't really imagine the joy that you experince while pulling up to one of these projects until you see the excitement on the faces of the children.  They were dressed in their beautiful pink school uniforms, smiling, and waving.  They sang and danced for us and fed us lunch.  At this project the children are a bit older and their English is better.  They couldn't stay long because school was in session but we're looking forward to an opportunity to interact with them more in the days to come.

We will also be joined in our mission work by some Leadership Development Students.  I won't tell you much about these students just yet as their main day is Friday.  What I will say is that they are the cream of the crop.  Young adults that have grown up through the Child Sponsorship program and are now attending University.

After lunch we hopped on the bus for a short drive to one site of our mission work.  We will be helping build a new home for the most amazing woman.  She is a widow, has 9 children of her own, and does day care to earn money.  She also has recently "adopted" a baby that was abandoned in the village and no other family would take her in.  Not only is this amazing angel a widow but she is also losing her eyesight.  Her house is literally crumbling to the ground and is really unsafe, especially for the number of children that she is caring for.  She is so greatful to the project and all of the volunteers for providing for her.  It will really be an honor to help restore her living circumstances!

October 18th - Part 1 - Country Office

This morning we had to opportunity to visit the country office. This is where the magic happens.  The people who work here are paid staff.  They include departments such as:

Communications: They handle communication between sponsors and their children (one on one child sponsorship) including letters and any monetary gifts.

Auditing and Accounting:  Making sure that the money gets to the projects and is allocated and used appropriately

Partnership Facilitators:  Managing the relationships between Compassion and the Churches that they partner with.  All of Compassion's work is done through the local church insuring local jobs and the maximum opportunity for outreach.

We also heard the testimony of a formerly sponsored child.  He told of growing up in an area where the Muslim faith is prevolent and he was even at one point handed over to witch doctors.  His mother passed away when he was 3 or 4 and his father passed away when he was 9.  Normally when this happens another member of the family stepps up to raise them.  That was not the case. 2 of his 5 siblings died due to preventable causes.  They were completely abandoned until Compassion stepped in to help.  He told us that, "When you lend to the poor and needy children of the World you are not only doing a favor for them, you are doing a favor for the Kingdom of Heaven."  He now is an employee of one of the major universities in town and works among people of several different religions sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ!

 

October 17th - Hysterical Laughter

Today was fun.  Mainly a lot of fellowship with our fellow team mates.  We went to church at Agape Baptist church in Kampala.  The most impressive thing to me about the church service is that when the pastor gave a call to prayer and invited people to pray at the front of the church with the elders the majority of the children went up.  A young man named Brian accepted Jesus as his Savior and made us all cry tears of joy as the angels in Heaven were rejoicing!

After church we went to an Indian restaurant.  I will admit that I was not excited for the cuisine as I'm not an incredibly adventurous eater and I am a serious spice wuss.  Even mild salsa is too spicy for me sometimes!  I was so pleasantly surprised.  The food did have some spice but it was very flavorful and quite delicious.  The food however did not compare to the conversation.  We laughed so hard!  I'm not sure I can even accurately explain what we were laughing about.  A little bit of everything but mainly I have developed a reputation for being a "matchmaker".  There are several singles on this trip and I've been pointing out opportunities to most of them as we meet potential suitors.  So we laughed about that.  A lot.

After our long lunch (about 2 hours) we were given a special treat.  We visited a cultural center for an evening of dance and cultural entertainment.  The host was hysterical and the dancing amazing.  At one point some of us were brought up on stage to discuss "mating" or "choosing a suitor" in our respective cultures.  One of the girls that is traveling with us (Sarah for those who know her) was called up on the stage.  When it came her turn to talk she said that the way she finds a potential suitor is, "Dawn Lema!"  The host then invited me up where I was very tempted to start a version of The Dating Game.  The men from the dance troop came out on stage and tried to impress her and one even later commented that he's single.  We really did laugh so much.  I'm sure we burned off all the calories from the Indian Food extravaganza just by laughing constantly.

Side Note to the Advocate Group to Uganda of 2009

For my friends who may be reading this that were on the trip last year but couldn't come this time for whatever reason:

I love you all and we miss you very much!  While you are not here in body it is so important for you to know that you're here in Spirit!  Grace is our trip leader again this year and we've seen many familiar faces.  While at the country office today we saw that Grace has our photo from last year in our cubicle.  They have apologized about last years situation and thanked us repeatedly for "loving them so much"... This should be extended to all of you as well!  Again, please know that we love you and miss you terribly!  We will hug many many many children on your behalf!

October 16th - Returen to Baale

Wow.  What a day... again!  I got to live a dream that I've had since I became a sponsor.  The dream of visiting a child development center on project day.  This is the day that ALL the kids are there receiving the many benefits that are given to children lucky enough to be enrolled in Compassion's projects.  We were greeted by the children singing and dancing for us as we exited the bus.  They then took us into their beautiful church to preform for us.  They thanked us over and over and over again for loving them.  It was so humbling.  We fed them a breakfast of porridge and 2 slices of sweet bread.  Even the smallest of children ate everything that was given to them.  We then taught them arts and crafts and made sock puppets and collages.  The kids had so much fun with the crayons and stickers!  They couldn't decide whether to hold your hand or actually work on the project they were supposed to be creating.  So much fun to watch!  After crafts we played with soccer balls and balloons.  We danced and sang.  But mainly we cuddled.  We held children in our arms, held their hands, and high fived until our cheeks were numb from smiling so much!  After "play time" we served the children the second meal of the day.  They were given a large scoop of rice, greens, and beans.  Again, HUGE hot portions... and the kids licked their plates clean.  For most of them this is the main meal that they will eat all week.

The most pure absolute joy that I was able to experience this day was when I was given the honor to meet the child of a friend.  Her name is Robyn and her little boy, a tiny 7 year old, is Charles.  I met Charles in the morning so I was able to observe him all day and try to decipher the kind of kid that he is.  He is the kind of child that is rather timid.  Always watching the other kids.  I could just tell that his wheels were turning.  Occasionally he would run up and kick the soccer ball or bat the balloon.  Several times I caught him looking at me.  After our group had our lunch in the afternoon I went and found Charles.  I grabbed his hand and sat him on a bench outside of our bus.  I then went on the bus and pulled out a few gift bags filled with a new outfit, a hat, school supplies, candy, a tarp to protect their homes, a towel and wash clothes, a blanket, and - most impressively to Charles - a new soccer ball and pump!  I'm not sure that Charles understood what was going on at first.  I put the over sized hat on his head and handed him the soccer ball.  We sat there for a few minutes while he had a look of awe on his face.  Then, fortunately, someone came over to translate.  They told Charles that the gifts were for him and they were sent from his sponsor.  He immediately leaped up and threw his arms around me!  He knew then of the love that Robyn had sent for him had materialized not only by a lot of hugs from me but several wonderful presents.  He stood there for probably 5 or 10 minutes with his arm around me until I stood up and proceeded to show him some of the other items in his bag.  He was, of course, most engrossed in the soccer ball.  He just kept staring at it in adoration.  When other children would come around and try to put their hands on it he would let them, but he tightened his grip...

At the end of the day we went back into the church and were presented with presents from the project and sent on our way with many prayers and many blessings.  The children led us out to the bus singing, "Bye Bye Visitors, Bye Bye Visitors, Bye Bye Visitors, May God Bless You!"  I was on the bus and looking for sweet Charles with his big bright eyes and endearing smile when he locked on to me and walked confidently up to the bus and reached up to me and grabbed my hand in thanks.  It was all I could do to hold back the sobbing...

Thank you Robyn for affording me to opportunity to share your love with such a precious little boy!

October 15 - Heaven on Earth

We made it!  The journey was long but already worth it...

Approximately one year ago UG-556 Caring Hearts Child Development Center provided us refuge from the violent political riots that were occurring in Kampala, the capital of Uganda.  We had been working all day doing missions work building mud housing for a family and helping stack bricks for a church.  On our way "home" to the hotel for the night we learned of the fierce rioting that was occurring.  We learned that it wasn't safe for us to get back to the hotel.  We also just "happened" to pass UG-556.  UG-556 just "happened" to be one of the few child development centers that has housing for some of the children that are sponsored through the project.  They also had just received donations of bunk beds, mosquito nets, and bedding that they hadn't even had time to fill with children.  So they offered them to us for the night.  They also offered us their hearts.  The children hadn't been expecting visitors so their faces just filled with joy at the surprise.  We didn't sleep very well that night but we knew that we were in a place of refuge.  A place filled with the Holy Spirit. 

Today, upon our return, we were given a welcome that none of us could have imagined.  The hill that we drove up last year to seek safety was filled now with singing dancing children!  Lifting praises to Jesus they greeted us with smiles and hand shakes as we walked up the hill.  So many faces. So much love!  It was hard to keep the flood of tears down to just a trickle.  The absolute JOY of being "welcomed home" by these people that had already blessed us so much!  A choir of orphans sang several songs for us, the Pastor gave us his testimony, and one of the children said a prayer of thanksgiving for us.

And then we played.  It's hard to imagine the number of children but the number was in the hundreds.  All of them, with us, on the hill playing soccer, Frisbee, blowing bubbles, jumping rope, and holding hands.  That's all I did.  I just held hands with one boy and one girl.  At first it was a very young boy and very young girl.  They just latched on to me before we could even get out of the church.  They loved when I would swing their arms to the beat of the worship music coming from the church.  I was rubbing their hands and after a while the little boy started to rub mine in return.  So sweet!  After a while the hands changed to an older boy and an older girl.  They were with me for at least a half hour.  They love, love, love it when you take their picture and then show them how it turned out on the screen!  But every time, as soon as you're done taking the photo, they want your hand back! 

And then, the dreaded time of every day... time to say goodbye and to return to the guesthouse to await another adventure tomorrow...

Packing!

Oh my Goodness!  I will be literally in the air in 24 hours... and I haven't packed a thing!  Thank you Lord for the aisle seat though!  I just got Sarah, Gina, and I checked in and we all got our preferences (with the exception that we'll be one row in front of the bathroom).  I also butted my head right into the business of a married couple that is traveling with us to volunteer to check them in too so that they could have seats together.  I hope this is starting off our trip nicely.  It's what I would want someone to do for me so *fingers crossed*!

Okay, no more blogging tonight.  I still have to clear off the images from my trip to Tanzania from my memory card and make sure my MP3 player has enough music on it to make it through the long car rides that I'm sure we'll have.  Then it's off to bed so that, like a true procrastinator, I can pack tomorrow...

Itinerary

Wednesday and Thursday 10/13-14

Depart from Chicago, via London, via Nairobi Kenya, to Entebbe Uganda

Friday 10/15

7:30        Touch Down in Entebbe
Morning  Check in at Guesthouse and acclimatize
12:00      Lunch at the Guest House
1:30        Depart to UG-556 Caring Heart for CDSP and Home Visits
4:30        Return to Guesthouse
6:30        Dinner

Saturday 10/16

7:00        Breakfast
8:00        Departure for UG-553 Baale Child Development Center
              Participate in the Compassion Program, teach Arts & Crafts
1:00        Lunch at the Project
              Continue interacting with children and participate in some light work
5:00        Depart for Guesthouse
7:30        Dinner

Sunday 10/17

7:00        Breakfast
9:00        Departure to UG-133 Agape Baptist Church
10:00      Attend Sunday Service
1:00        Lunch at the Project
2:00        City tour of Kampala, Uganda
5:00        Return to Guesthouse
6:00        Dinner

Monday 10/18

7:00        Breakfast
8:00        Depart for Uganda Country office for Devotion and tour
11:00      Depart for UG-511 Kigungu CDC for Mission Work Day.  Meet the church and
              project leaders and start mission work at the project with the locals.
1:00        Lunch at the Project
              Continue with work
4:30        Return to the Guesthouse
6:30        Dinner

Tuesday 10/19

7:00        Breakfast
8:00        Depart for UG-511 for Mission Work
1:00        Lunch at the Project
              Continue with Work
4:30        Return to the Guesthouse
6:30        Dinner

Wednesday 10/20

7:00        Breakfast
8:00        Depart for UG-511 for Mission Work
              Finalize the work at the Project
1:00        Lunch at the Project
              Fellowship and say Goodbye
4:30        Return to the Guesthouse
6:30        Dinner

Thursday 10/21

7:00        Breakfast
8:00        Depart to meet with SPONSORED CHILDREN!!!
12:00      Lunch with Children
3:30        Group photo and children depart for home
3:45        Return to Guesthouse and Shopping
6:30        Dinner

Friday 10/22

7:00        Breakfast
              Entire day attending any program related to LDP graduate celebration ceremonies

Saturday 10/23

7:00        Breakfast
8:00        Departure to Jinja & Visit the Source of the Nile River
10:00      Boat Ride and Lunch
1:00        Return to Guesthouse and Pack
3:00        Checkout and depart for Entebbe Airport
5:30        Checkin for Flights
7:55        Depart from Entebbe, through Nairobi, through London, to Chicago and home
              LATE Sunday!

Preparations

2 Days until departure!  Amazing how time flies by when we're looking forward to an adventure!

I will admit to some trepidation having been one of the members of the trip to Uganda last year that was aborted in the middle of the trip.  What if I travel all the way there again and don't get to meet Henry, the orphan that I have sponsored for 5 years?  But I guess the bigger question is, what if I do?  And so I pack, in the midst of a fever that I'm sure the enemy has intended to slow me down.  What you and I know is that our God is bigger.  He knows the plans he has for us on this trip.  Plans to not only reveal Himself to us in a more personal way than he could in the US but also plans for us to reveal Him to those living in such severe poverty that most people from the US will never get to witness. 

I hope you'll take this journey with me.  We're supposed to have Internet access and I will do my best to write every day to share with you what we've been up to.  Please do keep us in prayer that our trip will not be thwarted and that those that we are supposed to encounter will cross our paths in God's perfect timing!