Jethro

Before I left for Uganda I told my friend that I did not feel like God was leading us to adopt from Uganda. Though I loved the idea.

But then I got there and held these adorable mommyless little children and thought surely God was calling us to adopt. :)

Well the little guy that got my heart the most was Jethro.

He was recovering from a major burn on his stomach and needed extra holding.
As I held him the nurse came to give him his medicine.
She forced it in him as I held him, realizing he was beginning to choke, I tried to sit him up and let him catch his breath, she kept pushing in the meds.

I got pretty emotional and had to step away for a bit.
A little later I asked her what his medicine was for....
her answer... for his cough.

All I could think was maybe his cough was from aspirating his meds.

I don't know the whole story and I do not mean to criticize, at least he had opportunity to have medicine. It just seemed this little guy was not favored in this place. It seemed he was one of the least of the least. It seemed that many of the mamas didn't like him much.

As I went back each time I tried to hold him and he seemed to remember me. One afternoon as he was being fed by a volunteer he saw me and threw his hands up for me to hold him.

What fun it was to hold him. He absolutely loved my paper bead necklace and would pull on it and suck on it.

After arriving home and as I tried to process our trip I would wear my necklace and think of Jethro. I prayed for him all the time and he is the one we contacted the orphanage about adopting. Our answer was "check back in 3 months", but in my heart I knew it was "no".

It didn't really make sense to me until we heard about our girl, but even then I felt like God had to have a plan for Jethro. As my little mind works I tried to scheme up a plan like ....
bring our girl home and then start adopting Jethro.

I knew it was my plan and not God's, but I just couldn't believe that God would leave him an orphan. I felt very passionate to pray for him and I have learned that God does this in my heart so I will pray and He always has a plan.

So I prayed, and just this week I heard wonderful news!

Jethro is being adopted. A wonderful couple that loves the Lord.
A couple that has been to Uganda and met Jethro has heard the call and not only are they adopting him they are going to live in Uganda at least for a time.

I know God had this plan and He would have worked it out even without my prayers, but it is so wonderful to know a little guy and pray for a little guy and be moved by God to intercede and then get to sit back and watch a beautiful family come together.

Jethro couldn't have a better family because I know that they are the family God chose for him.

~Jethro~

God has big plans for you little guy, and like the Jethro that gave wisdom to Moses, I pray God will give you wisdom to share with those God places in your life.

You are a treasure and a joy and I pray you will be blessed all the days of your life with the love that only God can give.

What A Momma Means

My Mom

Always there ~A protector ~A helper ~A comforter
~ An example of Christ~



Many people in Africa cannot say that.
Many adults still desire that kind of relationship.
Grown women still want a mom.

At the Hope House in Uganda something got me.
It was not the conditions of the way people live.
It was not the fact that many of these women have had to sell themselves to survive.

It was when Maureen was beaming as she introduced her mom to the group.

It was when two grown women introduced themselves
and ended with "and I want a mom".

Then there were the little ones without mommas

In Uganda half of the population are about 15 years old or younger.
There are 2 MILLION orphans, this means 2 MILLION kids have lost either a mother or a father. Unfortunately, many of them have lost both.

In Uganda only 2% of the population are 65 years old or older.
They have no older generation to pass down wisdom learned from a long life.

We met and loved on many orphans while in Uganda.

They are precious and though many of them needed and wanted material things,
their need for attention was much greater.

Even big boys need a momma.

I pray that God will speak this over them:

"As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;
and you will be comforted...."
Isaiah 66:13


Little boys need to be protected.

These little ones are loved and they know how to be big helpers.

They are in a good orphanage but yes it is just that; an orphanage.
They do not have a mommy or daddy.

I fell in love with the girl in the middle. She is so precious!
When I asked her how old she is she said, "I don't know".
She is a smart girl and she has a great education.
She has a safe place to live with great caregivers.
But she doesn't have a mom or dad to care for her
and she doesn't even know her age.

This was a great orphanage.
The kids here took a while to warm up to us.
They are bonded to their caregivers.


This was a much different picture than the first orphanage we visited.
The first one the kids would go to anyone as long as someone would touch them.
The first orphanage the mamas can get kind of mean.
The first orphanage was so hard for me that I told our group,
"I hate it and I don't want to go back".

Well guess what,

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME!

It is hard at that home.
I was uncomfortable.
I don't like getting yelled at by a momma.
I don't like seeing babies dying from something that could easily have been prevented.
I don't like seeing 53 little children age 3 and younger packed together every day of their lives.
I hate showing up and seeing a baby a couple of hours old and finding out he was just found in a pit latrine. He had maggots on his eyes and umbilical cord.

I HATE THAT I CANNOT FIX IT!

But I can do something.

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (NIV)

1 John 3:17-18

I can pray~I can give money~I can give time~I can share Christ's love

~I can share their stories so they aren't forgotten~

This Mother's Day

I can

~thank God for my mom~

~and I can pray that children will be united with the family God has designed for them~

"God sets the lonely in families..."

Psalm 66:6

Updates~Just in Case You Ever Wondered

I thought I would update everyone on some things I have posted about in the past. I do not want to leave anyone hanging in suspense and not be able to sleep due to my lack of keeping up. lol So, hear goes...

Africa~ we have our passports! Thank you much to those who have been praying for us.

My teammates~ I mentioned I would share about my 2 partners from church and never got back to it. So, here it is in a nutshell since I think most of my readers are related to my 2 partners in some form. lol

About a week after I found out about the trip, I got an email from Terah. For some reason when I was replying to her I felt the urge to invite her to join me on the trip. So, I sent the email with a p.s. "Do you want to go to Africa?" Then I went to my sweet husband, Jeromy, and told him what I did. He said, "she will think you are crazy." I said, "yep, I think she will." Well long story short, she didn't get my little question. I never got a reply and figured I would let it go. Then a few days later, at an evening church event, she and I started to visit and I said, did you get my email about Africa? She was surprised and said, "no" but she was obviously very interested. She wanted to know more and when we met up again less than 5 minutes later she had already talked to Lyle and he said, "yes".

WOW! So we talked and her sister Heidi got involved in the conversation and I thought for awhile she might come too. (Maybe next time Heidi. :) Well in less than 48 hours Terah committed to the trip and God has shown himself in many ways providing for her and making a way for her to go. And now the last major hurdle is taken care of and she has her passport. YIPPEE!

If that was not enough to keep me praying and dancing and yelling with excitement the day we finally got all of our information to our leader at the last second, I got a call. Sweet Kaylee called to find out about the trip. Me of little faith told her today was really supposed to be the day we had everything in. She said, "well do you think I could send Linny a message and see?" Well yeah that wouldn't hurt. So the next morning I got an email from Linny asking about Kaylee and said she really wanted her to go. So we spent a lot of time that day emailing and calling and getting important information to Linny. Another huge day of jumping up and down, yelling with excitement and a day of serious prayer. BTW Kaylee had already been working toward a mission opportunity that didn't work out. I am sure at the time she didn't know God had a trip planned for her with her own cousin. I am so thankful that God worked it out so she would be ready for this trip.

So, there you have it. My version of the story of how Terah, Kaylee and I became partners. Just in case you ever wondered.


Here are some random updates on old posts.

Cloth Diapers~ done! gave them away, no surprise I am sure, I just don't have the motivation to keep up with them.

Gavin's counseling~remember the "I Can't Walk' post". I can't remember what I last posted about this and I am too lazy to go all the way back to find out. he he! We finished counseling and we feel Gavin is dealing very well with his grief. For a while the subject of not walking was a big thing and I am sure it will resurface, but for now I think our openness and encouraging him to share his thoughts and feelings has really done what he needed. This was recently tested at a therapy appointment the other day. A little boy about 7 years old told Gavin he just needs to practice walking after all that is how he learned. Gavin didn't seem phased, rolled over and said I can't. He was very matter of fact and moved on. I told the boy that Gavin can do a lot of things but his muscles in his legs do not work like his. After a lengthy conversation the little boy decided a Dr. should just cut out Gavin's muscles and put in new ones. All the time Gavin was interested but seemed to be thinking "oh another kid that thinks he knows it all". Anyway I was nice to the little boy and told him he should grow up and be a Dr. someday since he has it all figured out.

Updates complete~stay tuned for some upcoming posts about the trip to Uganda and hopefully what God is doing in our little neck of the woods. He is always faithful and He is always teaching us new things, not that we can keep it to ourselves but, so we can share and Glorify His name.

THIS IS A TEST

THIS IS A TEST OF THE EMERGENCY BROADCASTING SYSTEM!!!

I wish God would send out a warning like this
when we are going through the test.

something like: THIS IS A TEST OF YOUR FAITH IN THE GOD SYSTEM!!!!

We are waiting for passports for our trip, yeah Terah and I.
This didn't seem to be an issue since we are not flying for over 4 weeks,
but it seems we need the passport number
and expiration date to get the tickets purchased.
My response "YIKES", Terah's response "I feel like this is a test.
If I go I am fine, if I don't I am fine, whatever is God's will".
It is good to have friends to remind me God is in control.
I am a control freak and God is using this trip
to help me to relinquish my hold on life.
I think tonight I can rest in knowing He is in control.

Thanks Terah!

My prayer tonight:
"Thy Will Be Done"

Curious Minds Want to Know!

I have had a lot of questions about our upcoming trip to Uganda, so here is the scoop, the whole scoop and nothing but the scoop.

When: April 4-16th


Where: Kampala, Uganda

For great maps of the location:
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/ug.htm

Kampala is the capital of Uganda. It is on the north side of Lake Victoria.
It is said to be a safe place and quite beautiful. We will be there during the rainy season and it looks like it should get up into the 80's Yippee! Notice we are just above the equator.


Why: We are going to love on orphans. Some in orphanages and some that live on the streets. We are doing this because these children need people to love them and we feel it is our turn. We are God's hands and feet. It is His heart that these children are cared for. We know we will only be there a short time and I feel maybe we won't even make a difference. When we leave they again will need food and love. I pray this trip is one that will change eternity for someone.
I pray that through these stories maybe someone will feel God's call to adopt a child with no hope. I pray that someone will feel called to go long-term and serve where I don't feel I can. I pray that this will be the beginning of going as well as sending funds to assist these sweet children. I know there are kids around the world that need God and love and food. I pray that this will be a little flame that will help to begin to make a fire roar. A fire that can be felt and seen by "All the Children of the World".


Who: I am going with 2 of my friends from church, Terah and Kaylee. Both had only 24-48 hours to commit to the trip. Terah hadn't really planned on a journey like this but her and her husband have seen God leading this direction for their family so she is following God's lead. Kaylee has been ready for missions and has just been waiting for God to show her when and where.

We are going with a team lead by Linny and Emma. They are the wife and daughter of Senior Pastor of The River Church.

The River Church website if you are interested.
http://www.iriverchurch.com/

As you already know, I have been following Linny's blog for some time now. She loves the Lord and loves the orphans, and when you put those two passions together you get a dynamic ministry.
http://www.aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/

There are 19 of us on the team!

How: I saw the post on Linny's blog inviting crazy ladies to join her. I sent for an application and here we go. It was really a simple process. Linny and whomever she confers with said I could go. Yippee! So thanks to some wonderful friends and family and a nice tax return we will send in the money for the trip and off we go. My passport is in process and I still need to get my Yellow Fever shot. Maybe this week. :(

And the kids will be in good hands. While Jeromy is at work, my mom will have the kids. She does great with all of their needs and Jeromy is a super dad and can handle diapers, therapy, meds. and setting Gavin up on the Wii. The girls are great at helping with laundry and dishes and some sweethearts from church are helping with meals for the family while we are gone. So really I don't think they even need me, but I need them so I promise I will be back.

We do ask for your prayers. We pray that this will not just be a time of meeting physical needs but ultimately a time to meet spiritual needs. Maybe our true mission will be in the airport or on the plane, but pray that we can lovingly share the hope we have anytime the Spirit leads. Pray for us as I know it will be hard to be away from our own families and babies and it will be hard to leave babies in Africa with no mommies. Please pray for our children. God is working in the hearts of our kids. Little Gwen already has a heart for the orphan and Kaly and Ayla want to go with us. I know this trip is not just about this trip, it is giving these kids a passion at a young age to want to make a difference in this world to serve God and help others.

Thank you all for your support we could not go without hands and feet here in Idaho supporting us and helping us and our families during this exciting journey.

Kampala

When I was 6 we had a missionary visit our little church and talk about Africa. I really do not remember anything about it except, that from that day on I had felt like I was supposed to be a missionary to Africa.

I love to hear people's stories of mission trips to Africa and when I have heard of someone going I have always wanted to hide in their suitcase and go with.

Later in college I decided to pursue nursing school, so I could be a medical missionary to Africa.

Before Jeromy and I began dating. Way back when Jeromy was boarding the plane to go off to Alaska, as I was telling him see ya later. I said something to the effect that I was going to be a single missionary to Africa. Thankfully it only took him a week to decide to call me back anyway.

My long standing joke is that I tell God I wanted to go to Africa not Athol.

My late Gpa Dave would tease me every time Africa came up. He would always tell me he was praying I couldn't go to Africa. I would say No Gpa, I want to go and he would just laugh.

Jeromy and I have pursued trips to Africa, but none of them have worked out.

Not until now.....

See I have been following a blog....

...a blog of a very passionate woman, one that loves the orphans and loves Jesus.
A woman that is leading a team to Kampala, Uganda. Linny is quickly becoming one of my greatest heroes here on earth, and I am excited she is quickly becoming a friend through this process of getting ready for the trip.

No, I have never met her, but I love her and I am going to serve along side her, Lord willing.

Another amazing thing is I get to go with 2 wonderful gals from church. (this story I will post separately) We go sometime around April 4-16th and we get to love on little children in the name of Jesus.

Please pray for us as we prepare for the trip.

Terah's passport is going to require a little more work, pray she has time to get it through.

God calls all of us to serve him, to deny ourselves and follow him. For the last 30 years he has called me to Athol and Alaska and back again. Now as I get to be called to Uganda for 2 weeks I pray that God will show us His will. You see I really feel it is for much more than a 2 week trip. I don't think God would have prepared me for 30 years to go if that was all he had for us. I have no idea what his plan is but pray our hearts will be open to His leading.