It feels as if I never left...

To be honest, it has been a long time since I have felt the love God has for me...especially since Hannah died. However, this morning I was awoken by the Ugandan sunrise shining on my face...and I felt it. I laid there for a long time, just feeling His love for me. It was freeing.
Before my 2 days of plane rides, I prayed that I wouldn't have to do it alone. On my flight from Orlando to Amsterdam there was a girl sitting in front of me. She asked the assistant if she would be missing her connection to Kampala since our flight was delayed. I realized I had the same worry and we started talking. Of course she had been a roadie for Invisible Children and was now working for One Mango Tree in Gulu...we had much to talk about. We rushed together to our next flight and realized our seats were right next to each other! What are the chances! When we arrived in EBB, we both did not receive our luggage! After 4 years of traveling here, I have never lost my luggage! It's still in Amsterdam...we made it, but our luggage didn't. I am blessed to have someone with me in this whole process....a true friendship in the making :)
We'll be picking up our bags tonight so I'm staying in Kampala a day longer...TIA. I can't stay in Kampala too long though....the smog goes straight to the head.
"He is jealous for me...loves like a hurricane, I am a tree...bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.."

Land of a Lifetime

“Last evening my heart was singing!”

These are the words of Esther referring to the purchase of her own land; a dream I have had for her and her family for the past year.

A few days after I returned back to Uganda, we were sitting together with Ojada in the hospital. She looked at me with a serious face, desperate for any hope I could give her. She was sharing with me her deepest fears. She said, “What will happen to my children in their future?” Esther was diagnosed with HIV in December, and since, only worries for her children. She has NEVER asked me for anything, which is rare for a Ugandan. I told her, “This is the time Esther, we are going to buy land for you. God’s people love you and want to provide for you.”

I could continue to buy her the things she needs at the moment (food, school fees, medical care); however, those things will always be there. In purchasing her land, she can build a life for her family.

Her first husband was killed by rebel soldiers leaving her with two children (now 20 &18 years) and her second husband left her almost 2 years ago now with three children (5 total) and HIV. I also found out that this man has several other wives. Along with those struggles, baby Amelia also has HIV and Ojada has bone cancer (and has not improved). Esther has had no place to call her home. She had been staying in Kapelebyong (the original home of her husband who left her) before the cancer of her son. Since she has been gone treating Ojada in Kampala, her mother-in-law has stolen almost everything she owns (along with things I have given Esther). I knew it was up to me, and the grace of God, to get her out of that place.

It’s been one week since we have bought the land, a place for her and her children to call home. When Ojada is healed, she can begin to plant crops and cantaloupe (I brought her the seeds).

I would like to give a major THANK YOU for all who have been supporting the projects in Kapelebyong, Uganda financially and emotionally. If it weren’t for your hearts, this would have never been possible.

This is a photo of Esther on her new land in Katakwi, Uganda with her son James (20 years), baby Amelia (2 years in Feb.), Ojada (9 years) and Esther’s father (69 years).

I would just like to ask for more prayer. Last Sunday I got malaria and went to the hospital. They were just going to give me the pills and then I passed out in the hallway (Tiff and Kerri, you know this well) I was really sick. They had to put me on drip for 3 days. The day after I got malaria, Allison was also diagnosed (the only other person with me). We stayed in the same room very very sick and afraid no one could take care of us. So we prayed.

Then we woke up to an angel (or a guy named Jack from New Zealand who worked as a rafting guide) who had heard of our sickness and brought us food and juice. He took good care of us along with the Ugandan taxi driver who took us to the hospital.

This was a hard case of malaria and we are slowly recovering and gaining strength back. Please pray that we gain health quickly and be able to serve the people around us.
This photo is my hand and Allison in the bed in the background.

There are millions of stars

Breathe in, breathe out…

It’s been over two weeks in and I’m not gonna lie, it’s been difficult.

There is a really bad drought this year in Teso land (the tribe I work with). People depend on the rain for farming, therefore, people are starving. It’s super hot and dry and people are suffering all around us. Although it’s hot, it’s always such a blessing to sit next to my Ugandan sisters under the night sky looking at the Milky Way and God’s amazing creation.

Esther, the woman I’ve lived with since 2007 who has become a very dear friend of mine, was diagnosed with HIV in December along with her lastborn, baby Amelia. Her husband who infected her left her over a year ago with five children to take car of. Her 9 year old son Ojada Dao was diagnosed with Bone Cancer one year ago and they have been from one hospital to the next for the past year. Not only all of this, but they are among the poorest people in the world.

We have been in Kampala the past few days helping Esther and Ojada from one hospital where he gets surgery (his bones are being eaten by the cancer) to another where he gets chemo. This hospital is called Malago. It’s so over-crowded that most days they don’t have a bed to lay on. Yesterday we stayed with them on the pavement outside the ward waiting to be transferred to another hospital. The flies and ants are everywhere and Ojada was in horrible pain. Esther told me that sometimes when the money is not there, they have to walk 5 miles to the next hospital (Ojada is on crutches). As we were loading him into the car, a woman started wailing and we found out her child had just died.

When we got to the other hospital, I was picking up Ojada and he said to me, “You are also now my mother. I fear being at Malago Hospital because all around you people are crying; people are dying.” I set him down on the bed and being so overwhelmed, I ran to vomit in the pit latrine. When I came out, Esther was standing there with water and a worried look on her face. I put my arms around her and with tears I told her how sorry I was that she is sick, how sorry I was that she has to suffer and how much I love her. She looked in my eyes seriously and said, “I will be ok. In the end, we will all be dancing together in heaven. ” We stood there hugging for a long time as tears ran down our faces.

I’ve often tried to figure out why God has some people suffering more than others. I will never understand it until I meet God face to face. When that happens, that thought may no longer be in my mind. Because in the end …..we will all be dancing together in heaven.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take Heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Be praying for these people…..

Tired and dirty but filled with joy…

Week One Uganda: Take 4

Hey everyone! I've been in Uganda for about a week now and doing great! I will be writing more on this tomorrow but wanted to let you know I'm alive and well. Pray for rain here! There is drought and people are starving.
I only have internet on the weekends so updates will be slow...

Uganda: Take 4

The time has come again when I'm off to the other side of the world. I leave for my fouth trip to Uganda, Africa on July 5 and will stay until October...or longer. Those of you who know me well, know I do not do well on a set time frame.

While I'm there I will be overseeing our project called Nu Intentions http://www.nuintentions.com/. This projects is a small finance business where we have trained 8 young Ugandan women to make earrings which create an income for them and their families.

I will be teaching english to these 8 women and also in the local secondray school to war-torn teenagers. The school is called John Eluru Memorial Secondary School and was created to bring peace between two tribes; the Teso and the Karamajong. The Karamajong are a violent tribe who believe they own all cattle. Therefore, they will come and raid the camp killing people and stealing cows. I believe peace can come between these two tribes through education.

I know I am called to be doing this work. We are called as believers to love the poor and broken. I have a vision for these people and that vision is for them to know and understand the love Christ has for them.

"It is a beautiful thing when folks in poverty are no longer just a missions project but become genuine friends and family with whom we laugh, cry, dream and struggle." Shane Claiborne