Dec 20th – woke up last night thinking about my boy. I asked George if we could stop by and ask him & Elisha if they wanted bunk beds and if so, whether they wanted metal or wood. He said, "they've never had a bed so how would they know?" We just put an order in for a set of bunk beds. $65 worth of jewelry I need to sell to get them :)
George getting a 50 cent hair cut. Bahahahaha.
This is better than the movie "Barber Shop" :)
This is better than the movie "Barber Shop" :)
Dec 20th – is sitting at the police station checking on the guy George brought in the other night. I am praying that he is still alive. George says that the guy whose bike was trashed might be wanting him to help since he rescued him. It's sad that they think that beating a guy within an inch of his life is going to help any. I asked how much it was and George said $120. $120 or someone's life? Heartbreaking.
Dec 20th – has more photos to upload but the network has been down since Sat. This morning we met with some of the parents & children from the part of the village that feels disconnected. George told them that we're making plans to get a road to them & they were excited. Then he told them about the sponsorship program and if they were people that showed their emotions, they would have cried. My heart is full for them.
Dec 20th – stopped to check on Charles on our way home. We recently found out he has cancer. I was NOT prepared for what we found in his home. He hadn't bathed in God knows when & he MIGHT have weighed 70 lbs. He was in the floor on a foam mattress and both it and his pillow were dark brown. NO ONE SHOULD SPEND THEIR LAST DAYS LIKE THAT. God help us.
**Trying to find the sponsors for his kids so I can see if they will go together and get him a bed, milk and sugar. Milk and sugar is all he asked for. Breaks my heart. Needless to say I broke the "no crying in the village". For 15 minute...s I cried out to God to help me not cry. But I saw the calendar nailed to the bricks beside his bed that had a picture of Jesus on it and it said "The Good Shepard" and I thought about Psalm 23. I might have held it together had George not started praying. I lost it. I absolutely LOST IT.
** $60 for a bed (actual bed, mattress, sheet set) & $25/month for milk & sugar. I asked George about food but he said Charles wouldn't eat anything and just wanted milk & sugar. He told him that he'd bring him a plate after our Christmas party. He said, "you always remember me." God, that just breaks my heart.
Charles' daughter Stellah. Bless their family.
I hope they never get too used to me that they don't run to the road as we pass by.
I love hearing them yell "Bye Mastah" and "Bye Mzungu".
They never say hey. It's always bye :)
I love hearing them yell "Bye Mastah" and "Bye Mzungu".
They never say hey. It's always bye :)
Dec 20th – couldn't find the meds we needed to buy for Maria's Mom in Bombo, so we are going to Kampala again tomorrow. We also have enough to buy Charles a bed so he can be a little more comfortable before he goes to be with Jesus. Please keep him & his family in your prayers. Maria's Mom is having a seizure every day. We desperately need to find her meds tomorrow. Please pray toward that as well. Praise God that we moved that lady into her home to care for her. God is good.
Checking on "Chubby"...er, Maria today :)
Fatimah & Halimah and their brother that definitely needs de-worming.
We've decided to pass out the de-worming tabs at our Christmas Party.
How often can YOU combine the two?
How often can YOU combine the two?
Dec 20th – can't sleep. I'm thinking about Charles & ordering his bed later today (it's 1:30am here), how Maria's Mom must feel not understanding why her body seems to be turning on itself (she has Epilepsy that has gone untreated for years), and I'm praying the rest of the money comes in for our 1st annual "Christmas in the Village" (we need about $80 more). And to think - last year at this time I wasn't even in a relationship with the one Man who died so that I could be reconciled to a Holy God. I'm soooo blessed.
Dec 20th – asks that you pray for all the people I've posted about today. Even the guy George took to jail the other night. And pray for us. We are faced with so much hurt on a daily basis that we feel hopeless, too. We laugh & 10 mins later something comes along to make us cry. We doubt
& then we're courageous. Then we remember that we serve Someone who has walked in our shoes.Dec 21st – woke up to find George making breakfast & some guy on the sofa. I laugh inside because George isn't supposed to be doing anything for himself. He made us French Toast, fruit and a cup of hot tea. That guy might go back & tell the whole village but he sure ate good :)
** Found out that the guy is Charles' son. George was getting an update on his health since we'd just found out about it. I could go on and on but it's too painful. I will just say that they had given up on him because they had no money. They are happy that he is getting a bed. God bless them.
Dec 21st – delivered Charles' bed when we got into the village. I wanted to get it in place & put the bed sheets on but George said they'd have to do that. I've learned to just agree with him because I don't yet understand the culture here. Charles said to George, "you're trying to kill me!" I asked what all was being said and George said, "too many thank yous." Praising God for Charles today.
Delivering Charles' bed. I will never forget the smile he wore today :)
Pillow, sheets & blanket for Charles. Praying for comfort and
healing for him. Jesus is in the miracle business, you know!
We went to the school to deliver the 100 kilos of rice for our
1st annual "Christmas in the Village" and look who we found
preparing food for tomorrow!!! They were TOO excited :)
LOVE these women :)
Hard at work preparing matooke! Look how beautiful she is!!!
Dec 21st – asks that you pray for the Dad of the family at the end of the village who won't let his boys be profiled and enrolled in our school. Pray that God will pierce his heart. I am saddened to think that we won't be seeing their faces tomorrow at the Christmas party. I pray for them every time we pass their home. Jesus, they need You. WE need You.
Dec 21st – TOTALLY forgot to tell you guys what I found out yesterday. I was telling George that we had 10 days until school starts and he said, "it doesn't start until Feb." When I first got here, he mentioned that they do that when elections are around the corner & said he'd check on it. I guess I missed it because he said he's been discussing it this whole time. Just ANOTHER reason why I need to learn Luganda :) I can't tell you how relieved we are. We wanted to change the name of the school and need to tell George's brother before he screen prints the uniforms. Wanted to change them as well but JUST got new ones for the sponsored kids from July. So we'll give these a year.
Dec 21st – is MOMENTS away from losing my mind. If you've been with me long, you know the sheer terror I experienced from these stupid rats when I was here in July. George said they were all gone and they were, until the other night after it rained. George was sitting in the chair across from me when one touched his foot. He yelled out & then realized it was "just a rat". I went into shock & ran for cover (mosquito net).
Dec 21st – Dear God, what is Your purpose for rats? Seriously. I've had enough now. My nerves are shot. I have to use the restroom but wouldn't get out from under this net to save my life. Did I mention that the noise they make makes my ear drums ache? They're chit chatting with each other in the rafters above my bed. Have you ever had someone pray about rats? I'm such a baby. Love, Christie
Me: I LOVE that kid's hair. What do you call it? Puffy? George: Messed up.
Yard work with a smile :)
We went to the school to deliver the 100 kilos of rice for our
1st annual "Christmas in the Village" and look who we found
preparing food for tomorrow!!! They were TOO excited :)
LOVE these women :)
Hard at work preparing matooke! Look how beautiful she is!!!
Dec 21st – asks that you pray for the Dad of the family at the end of the village who won't let his boys be profiled and enrolled in our school. Pray that God will pierce his heart. I am saddened to think that we won't be seeing their faces tomorrow at the Christmas party. I pray for them every time we pass their home. Jesus, they need You. WE need You.
Dec 21st – TOTALLY forgot to tell you guys what I found out yesterday. I was telling George that we had 10 days until school starts and he said, "it doesn't start until Feb." When I first got here, he mentioned that they do that when elections are around the corner & said he'd check on it. I guess I missed it because he said he's been discussing it this whole time. Just ANOTHER reason why I need to learn Luganda :) I can't tell you how relieved we are. We wanted to change the name of the school and need to tell George's brother before he screen prints the uniforms. Wanted to change them as well but JUST got new ones for the sponsored kids from July. So we'll give these a year.
Dec 21st – is MOMENTS away from losing my mind. If you've been with me long, you know the sheer terror I experienced from these stupid rats when I was here in July. George said they were all gone and they were, until the other night after it rained. George was sitting in the chair across from me when one touched his foot. He yelled out & then realized it was "just a rat". I went into shock & ran for cover (mosquito net).
Dec 21st – Dear God, what is Your purpose for rats? Seriously. I've had enough now. My nerves are shot. I have to use the restroom but wouldn't get out from under this net to save my life. Did I mention that the noise they make makes my ear drums ache? They're chit chatting with each other in the rafters above my bed. Have you ever had someone pray about rats? I'm such a baby. Love, Christie
George's Mom said she'd always wanted to play
with a white girl's hair, so she did :)
with a white girl's hair, so she did :)
Yard work with a smile :)
Dec 22nd – dropped the PA system at the party & the kids were dancing when we left! Well, it looked more like they were stomping ants, but still ;) We're in Bombo picking the drinks. All bottles. No plastic. Reminds me of times when I was a kid!
Dancing with the kids :)
He got ALL dressed up :)
Lots and lots of dancing!!!
Gettin' down...
Dec 22nd – knows some kids that are going to sleep WELL tonight! I am about partied out, too! They asked me to dance and the crowd ROARED!!! By the time I was done, I think they were crying ;)
Dec 22nd – is spent. We stopped by to check on Charles & there he was, in his new bed. He told George that he slept so well & felt better today. PRAISE GOD!!! I actually took a quick video & didn't even cry when we left. I also watched as a puppy was thrown halfway across a yard today. Joy & Pain. It's rough adjusting some days. Praising God for a good ending. Night, night!
Dec 23rd – just found out that we get to borrow the projector again. Praying the rain will let up. Last night the generator had run for hours during the party and when the time came to show the slideshow (of all the pics I've taken), it went out. We got to show a few. Power & a projector would enable us to have "movie nights". No need for a screen. We used a sheet last night. We're cool like that.
Dec 23rd – Eugene: Holy Bible. Me: Yes, that's my Bible. It's big, huh? Eugene: Huge. If they had such Bibles in Uganda, we wouldn't be able to afford them. How much was that? Me: It was about 35,000 shillings. Eugene: If I had that kind of money, I would feel as if I were in Heaven.
Dec 23rd – Thank you to those who donated so that we could get Charles a new bed, sheet set, blanket, pillow, milk and sugar. Walking in and finding him dying on a dirty foam mattress absolutely crushed me. Something moved in me that day as I sat there and tears welled up in my eyes. He might as well have been Jesus lying there in squalor. No one should spend their last days in that condition. No one. And thanks to the body of Christ, Charles doesn't have to. Selfishly, I pray that God will do what He does best, and work a miracle in this sweet man that has done so much for this village. But I will accept His will. And that is hard, knowing that he has cancer and is wasting away at a rapid pace. I pray that you look past his tiny frame and just focus on his smile.
Dec 23rd – EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! I asked George to pick up some speakers so we could have little mini-parties where we will gather and play music for the village until God provides a projector of our own for "movie nights". We priced a set the other day & they were $60. They're the little ones for a home theater. He just got home with a set of professional 20,000 watt ones that only cost $115. PRAISE GOD! The PA system we rented yesterday cost $75. Oh, and this set came with a microphone. Needless to say, we're MORE than excited. We're about to ROCK THIS VILLAGE :) Merry CHRISTmas to us!!!
Dancing with the kids :)
Hands washed. Ready to be served food.
They're not used to serving so many, so we have to
They're not used to serving so many, so we have to
work on their serving assembly line skills :)
He got ALL dressed up :)
Melinda's sponsored child Rachel = my niece :)
I think EVERYONE knows who these two are :)
Passing out drinks. Had to wait for the bottle tops to be taken off.
There's no plastic in these parts :)
See this baby's orange hair? She's malnourished. She doesn't
look like it though, does she? We're taking her some formula
tomorrow and praying it provides the nutrients she's missing.
tomorrow and praying it provides the nutrients she's missing.
This child can break. it. down. Wait till you see the video.
I'll have to upload it when we go back to Kampala.
I struggled with recording or just soaking it all in.
I'll have to upload it when we go back to Kampala.
I struggled with recording or just soaking it all in.
Here's the little girl that started the de-worming drive.
And she has on the dress I gave her that night.
She can D A N C E, too! I laughed soooo hard!
And she has on the dress I gave her that night.
She can D A N C E, too! I laughed soooo hard!
Lots and lots of dancing!!!
Gettin' down...
Dec 22nd – knows some kids that are going to sleep WELL tonight! I am about partied out, too! They asked me to dance and the crowd ROARED!!! By the time I was done, I think they were crying ;)
Dec 22nd – is spent. We stopped by to check on Charles & there he was, in his new bed. He told George that he slept so well & felt better today. PRAISE GOD!!! I actually took a quick video & didn't even cry when we left. I also watched as a puppy was thrown halfway across a yard today. Joy & Pain. It's rough adjusting some days. Praising God for a good ending. Night, night!
Dec 23rd – just found out that we get to borrow the projector again. Praying the rain will let up. Last night the generator had run for hours during the party and when the time came to show the slideshow (of all the pics I've taken), it went out. We got to show a few. Power & a projector would enable us to have "movie nights". No need for a screen. We used a sheet last night. We're cool like that.
Dec 23rd – Eugene: Holy Bible. Me: Yes, that's my Bible. It's big, huh? Eugene: Huge. If they had such Bibles in Uganda, we wouldn't be able to afford them. How much was that? Me: It was about 35,000 shillings. Eugene: If I had that kind of money, I would feel as if I were in Heaven.
Dec 23rd – Thank you to those who donated so that we could get Charles a new bed, sheet set, blanket, pillow, milk and sugar. Walking in and finding him dying on a dirty foam mattress absolutely crushed me. Something moved in me that day as I sat there and tears welled up in my eyes. He might as well have been Jesus lying there in squalor. No one should spend their last days in that condition. No one. And thanks to the body of Christ, Charles doesn't have to. Selfishly, I pray that God will do what He does best, and work a miracle in this sweet man that has done so much for this village. But I will accept His will. And that is hard, knowing that he has cancer and is wasting away at a rapid pace. I pray that you look past his tiny frame and just focus on his smile.
Dec 23rd – EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! I asked George to pick up some speakers so we could have little mini-parties where we will gather and play music for the village until God provides a projector of our own for "movie nights". We priced a set the other day & they were $60. They're the little ones for a home theater. He just got home with a set of professional 20,000 watt ones that only cost $115. PRAISE GOD! The PA system we rented yesterday cost $75. Oh, and this set came with a microphone. Needless to say, we're MORE than excited. We're about to ROCK THIS VILLAGE :) Merry CHRISTmas to us!!!
I love, love, LOVE George's surprises! Someone
PLEASE let him know you saw his purple socks :)
PLEASE let him know you saw his purple socks :)
Dec 23rd – was profiling a kid today and he said he wanted to be a cow when he grows up. We asked several times but he kept saying he wanted to be a cow. I reviewed his notes afterward and guess what his favorite animal is! A goat. Bahahahahaha! Dec 24th – Who remembers my my 3 abscessed teeth one year ago? Well, guess who's heading to the dentist on this Christmas Eve! Poor George. He's been up all night. He does SO much for SO many people and I can't stand to see him in pain. NOT happy about having to go to Kampala today but it's not an option. Please keep us in your prayers. Dec 24th – stopped by to see Brian & Elisha on our way out of the village. They wanted so desperately to be with us today that they asked if they could come. Dirt road, hands shielding their eyes, my heart watching every move they made in the bed of the truck, most likely I will die of love. It's Christmas Eve and there's meat hanging from any tree in the yard of those that can afford it. God is good. Always. Dec 24th – Me: What is Boxing Day? George: The 26th, the day after Christmas is called Boxing Day. I don't know what it means. You don't have Boxing Day in your country? Me: No. George: How do you call the 26th? Me: The day after Christmas.
Dec 24th – In the 9 months that George has had this truck, how many problems do you think he's had. You're right - ZERO. I come along & we have a flat. Two friends pull together and donate to get us a brand new set of tires. The very next day, another flat. Today, the air conditioning is going out. We must be doin' SOMETHIN' right. Amen?
The boys at the dentist office. We asked them what they wanted for lunch
Dec 24th – is leaving the dentist office. George needed TWO fillings. Grand total? Anyone wanna guess?
** Answer: $45
Dec 24th – is praising God that the dentist will be coming to the village to do check-ups on the kids. An hour away from his office. THAT is awesome service. Praising God soooo much for His faithfulness and provision.
Dec 24th – has had an emotionally taxing day. I have been humbled, heartbroken, and hopeful at any given point today. We took our boys to lunch and they ate in a restaurant for the first time. We also walked into the mall to hop on the elevator. 2 more firsts (mall & elevator). They rode for 4 hours in the back of the truck JUST to spend the day with us. When we got on the dirt road between Mukono & the village, they got up front with us. Brian between us and Elisha in my lap. About 45 mins from home, Elisha threw up all over the dash, my lap, my legs and the floorboard. I rode the rest of the way with it dripping from the dash onto my feet. I didn't get grossed out. I just held him tighter and prayed he wouldn't get sick again. Not for my sake but for his. It's official. They have me wrapped around their fingers and they haven't even come to live with me yet. I wanted to ask them so much today but they were just soooo overwhelmed. It's crazy how you feel about kids that you didn't give birth to. I thought about Mom and how much she loves us. And then I remembered that soon it's going to be Christmas Eve night and this is the first time I've been away from her. Today was just one of those up and down days.
Dec 24th – is thinking about Him and how I wasn't in a relationship with Him this time last year. He loves me no more now than He did then. Because His love doesn't change. It's REAL. Without conditions. He loves the ones that disobey as much as He does the ones that leave their comfy, familiar life to serve Him in a village where His light's not shining. That's some kind of love. Let it soak in.
Dec 24th – Dear Santa, I've never really asked for anything since I was in like 3rd grade or something but this year I'm in desperate need. Here's my list: a borehole (doesn't everyone DESERVE clean drinking water?), shoes for EVERYONE, and a 4x4 vehicle big enough to fit 250 kids (OK, 7-10 will do). I know you're more into the material things, so you might not be able to help. What you can't give me, God will provide.
Dec 25th – went into Bombo to get meat, rice & drinks. We bought Charles, Maria, her Mom, & the family that cares for them some also :) It's been raining since lunch but we are praying it lifts so we can have a "movie night". Home Alone translated in Luganda is all we could find. Today is a day of HOPE in the village and you can definitely feel it. Merry Christmas from Uganda!!!
Dec 25th – Moses & Messach put our 20,000 watt speakers out in the yard, turned on some Ugandan music and within 10 minutes there were 100+ children out there dancing. We told a few of them that we'd have a movie tonight. Good news travels fast around here. They're now we're watching Tom & Jerry and then Home Alone :) Wish you could hear the laughter from the front yard!!!
Dec 25th – is thinking about the Baby in the manger that has done more in my life this year than I could have imagined. All the changes left me wondering why THIS is what His story for me looks like. But the very LEAST I could do was to obey Him. One year ago I was contemplating ending my life. And I did. I gave it to Him. What a year it's been. I need a vacation. Someone agree with me :)
Dec 24th – In the 9 months that George has had this truck, how many problems do you think he's had. You're right - ZERO. I come along & we have a flat. Two friends pull together and donate to get us a brand new set of tires. The very next day, another flat. Today, the air conditioning is going out. We must be doin' SOMETHIN' right. Amen?
Front door of the dentist office - a lace curtain :)
The boys at the dentist office. We asked them what they wanted for lunch
(planning to take them to a restaurant since they've probably never been)
and they said "rice & matooke". I soooo love them but they're gonna enjoy
an American meal today if "New York Kitchen" is open at the mall.
and they said "rice & matooke". I soooo love them but they're gonna enjoy
an American meal today if "New York Kitchen" is open at the mall.
Dec 24th – is leaving the dentist office. George needed TWO fillings. Grand total? Anyone wanna guess?
** Answer: $45
Dec 24th – is praising God that the dentist will be coming to the village to do check-ups on the kids. An hour away from his office. THAT is awesome service. Praising God soooo much for His faithfulness and provision.
Dec 24th – has had an emotionally taxing day. I have been humbled, heartbroken, and hopeful at any given point today. We took our boys to lunch and they ate in a restaurant for the first time. We also walked into the mall to hop on the elevator. 2 more firsts (mall & elevator). They rode for 4 hours in the back of the truck JUST to spend the day with us. When we got on the dirt road between Mukono & the village, they got up front with us. Brian between us and Elisha in my lap. About 45 mins from home, Elisha threw up all over the dash, my lap, my legs and the floorboard. I rode the rest of the way with it dripping from the dash onto my feet. I didn't get grossed out. I just held him tighter and prayed he wouldn't get sick again. Not for my sake but for his. It's official. They have me wrapped around their fingers and they haven't even come to live with me yet. I wanted to ask them so much today but they were just soooo overwhelmed. It's crazy how you feel about kids that you didn't give birth to. I thought about Mom and how much she loves us. And then I remembered that soon it's going to be Christmas Eve night and this is the first time I've been away from her. Today was just one of those up and down days.
Dec 24th – is thinking about Him and how I wasn't in a relationship with Him this time last year. He loves me no more now than He did then. Because His love doesn't change. It's REAL. Without conditions. He loves the ones that disobey as much as He does the ones that leave their comfy, familiar life to serve Him in a village where His light's not shining. That's some kind of love. Let it soak in.
Dec 24th – Dear Santa, I've never really asked for anything since I was in like 3rd grade or something but this year I'm in desperate need. Here's my list: a borehole (doesn't everyone DESERVE clean drinking water?), shoes for EVERYONE, and a 4x4 vehicle big enough to fit 250 kids (OK, 7-10 will do). I know you're more into the material things, so you might not be able to help. What you can't give me, God will provide.
Dec 25th – went into Bombo to get meat, rice & drinks. We bought Charles, Maria, her Mom, & the family that cares for them some also :) It's been raining since lunch but we are praying it lifts so we can have a "movie night". Home Alone translated in Luganda is all we could find. Today is a day of HOPE in the village and you can definitely feel it. Merry Christmas from Uganda!!!
Dec 25th – Moses & Messach put our 20,000 watt speakers out in the yard, turned on some Ugandan music and within 10 minutes there were 100+ children out there dancing. We told a few of them that we'd have a movie tonight. Good news travels fast around here. They're now we're watching Tom & Jerry and then Home Alone :) Wish you could hear the laughter from the front yard!!!
Dec 25th – is thinking about the Baby in the manger that has done more in my life this year than I could have imagined. All the changes left me wondering why THIS is what His story for me looks like. But the very LEAST I could do was to obey Him. One year ago I was contemplating ending my life. And I did. I gave it to Him. What a year it's been. I need a vacation. Someone agree with me :)
Sometimes I wish I was you. You are really living life. :)
ReplyDeleteLove it love it love!!! Can't wait to see videos. never grow tired of reading your updates. Be blessed girl! I'll tell George I like his socks! bwaaahhhaaaa =)
ReplyDelete