My Best Friends Last Night

Last night, the stomach bug so graciously came upon me.  

It had plagued a few other volunteers too. 

So the toilet, ants, and bathroom floor became my best friend.

Mary.
Ps. They LOVED their new dresses!

Prayers for this to pass quickly.

I've been up almost all night, so prayers for sleep too.

I was suppose to head to Kampala for Friday market, but stayed back because a 2 hour car ride sounds atrocious. Hopefully now, I'll get to see Allison today though because she arrived from Palissa!

Judah.
The most handsome baby EVER.

Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 

 -Galatians 5:1

Prayer Life

One of the things I am so thankful for about this trip is what the Lord is teaching me.  So many things I do not get right, but his patience and grace are unending and overwhelming. 

He knew this summer that I needed a revitalization in my prayer life.  I had bought a book my pastor had recommended about prayer and was saving it for this trip.  I love when words just leap off of book pages. 

Miriam.

I was frustrated.  When I want to be focused, I am focused.  When I want to do something, I do something.  However, my prayer life would be off topic, jumbled, jumping from subject to subject, and I never felt like I got anywhere, nor that my prayers were enough.  I would tell people I would pray for them, but more times than none, I would forget or lift them up quickly.  Praying without ceasing is all over the Bible, but I certainly don’t do that.

Frank.

Once again, God stepped in and has begun to pull of my many calloused layers and show me my need for him.  I now realize I NEED him to get through my day.  I can’t get through it without him.  I have to pray through different circumstances and especially when thoughts come in my head.  I’ve gotten over being able to get myself through the day, and realize that apart from him I can do nothing!! (John 15:5)  Paul Miller says, “Praying is feisty.”   I just love that.

Emily.

I’ve learned that God loves when I bring to him what is on my mind. He helps me move on in prayer.  He doesn’t mind when I pray for the same things over and over again.  In fact, that is part of what becoming like a little child is a lot about.  Our Abba wants us to repeatedly pray to him and pester him about our dreams, desires, wishes, fears, and hardships.  I can ask him anything and everything.

 I’m just a sinful human who is helpless without the mighty sovereign hand of the Lion of Judah.  But he wants ALL of me; the good, the bad, and the ugly.    

Precious.

Now, that is some GOOD news.  

Wycliff.
 My "rawring" date to town.

“And he said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you 

change and become like little children,

 you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”

 -Matthew 18:3

Hairbrush?

I haven't brushed my hair since June 30th the night before I left for Uganda.  

It's about time that I brushed it though, but now I want to make it one month.   

Good thing I packed conditioner and detangler.
:]]

Matthew and Freddy.

Have a blessed Sunday.  My day was wonderful.
I love feeling the Holy Spirit move in church and being part of such a joyful church.
Plus, any day I get to spend at Pastor and his family's house is wonderful.
Blessed.Blessed.Blessed.

Yes, I'm a week behind.

Today I slept in since Saturday is our day off.  I really did everything I typically do, except I get to choose where I spend my time, and I get to catch up on sleep in the morning.  I walked out to the main room/the babies room and swooped one of them up for some morning cuddles.  I enjoyed holding Hope all throughout making and eating breakfast.  Boy, am I getting better each time with multitasking.  Then, after that was done one of the Mamas brought us up Ugandan pancakes.  They were delicious, and I decided that Miriam needed to try her first pancakes with Auntie.  She was sooooo precious eating them, and she enjoyed them.  She was in the snuggle mode, so we just cuddled for an hour or so.

I went and helped Mama get the girls in bed for nap time after their 1^st bath of the day.  They get stuff everywhere during lunch time, so the babies have baths after lunch and dinner.   Then, I headed up to Canaan’s to see all of my loves!  I love showing up and surprising the kids because I can engage in their everyday lives and just be a normal person involved in their lives.  Each expression on the children’s face is priceless when they come running towards me upon hearing my arrival.  How blessed am I to see all these children many times now.  They had just had visitors from a mission team, so the kids were eating their sweeties given to them.  They had rearranged their room, so I got to find out where each kid sleeps.  Here, the kids grow up really fast, so it is good for each of them to have lots of cuddles and hugs.  I’m praying that I get to take a few of them to town for a special day.   I’m still trying to figure out how that will work. 

Eating with them in their dorm.
They were laughing and laughing that I was joining them to eat.

Auntie yinzee. Auntie yinzee.  Was said over and over again.  I love the songs that they learn and my heart melted each time they sang to me.  We ah (are) so appy (happy) to see awah (our) veestah (visitor)  My bodas did not tip over today!  Woohoo!

Liticia and Eddy

I came back laid on the grass with the little girls all over!  Jackie sure does know how to weasel her way into my lap and just throws herself down even if my lap is full.  Caroline has to be up close on my chest and Josephine and Jane will just lay there heads down on my lap.  I helped the mamas put the girls to bed .   9 months to  a year and a half is definitely my favorite age by far.  Their personalities just blossom, and they are learning so much. 

Tina hanging out.

The snuggler.

For dinner, I got a rolex!  My absolute favorite Ugandan meal.  While I was waiting for my food, I  got to spend time wiith Susan and one of the Mama’s again.  All of the babies, were screaming, so I grabbed little Tina and held and loved her.  The babies are spoiled because we do hold them a lot during the day when we are here, but that’s what we are here for to love and love and love and to learn more about God’s everlasting and endless love.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 

Psalm 23:1

Forever.

Grace.

In God we make our boast all day long

and we will praise your name FOREVER.

Psalm 44:8

Josephine.

Day 3

*Bad internet and weekend in western Uganda, but I'm back and hopefully the internet will cooperate at some point. *

This was also written earlier.  

It’s funny how the devil works trying to put so much doubt into your head.  I can say that I did not miss home at all today.  This is exactly where the Lord wants me to be.  Loving on the orphan, who God has a special call for and commands everyone to play a part in helping against them.  He really does comfort your heart. God is good. I’m trying to honor him by watching my tongue, but that is easier over here.  My thoughts still fail though.

My morning started out by waking up to the screams of Isaiah.  He was not having a good morning and did not want to be put down.  I usually hold babies pretty constantly as they are only a room away from me and there always little bits needing some loving and attention.  This morning most of the volunteers left to go and visit Spring of Hope, but I stayed behind to help the mamas.  I had to step in and help teach the preschool this morning because the normal girls were gone.  I had the 3 year old group, and we finger painted.  I was actually impressed at how well they listened and followed directions for the most part.  We also played with playdo and reviewed some of the colors. 

Mary.

After I loved on my little chocolate man Judah.  Oh my goodness, with his baby fro, I could just eat him up.  He loves to be strong and shake his arms, and of course, his smiles every now and then, just reconfirm to me that this is exactly where God wants me.  Some people probably don’t think I’m doing much when I sit and take care of the children all day.  They won’t understand until God breaks your heart, and you realize he calls us all to play a role.  Once you know these children by name and face, you heart just changes and you know they each deserve this love and attention.  Never again, will you question if loving these children is important.  Think of if that was your child, laying on the ground not getting picked up for hours and crying.  Would you want someone to pick them up? That is exactly what the Lord thinks each time and that is also what he thinks about adoption.   “If they would just trust, I would provide. How much are you going to trust me?  How big do you really think I am because I can do anything.”  Plus, 15 screaming babies under 7 months is a lot for 2 mama’s.

I got to spend time with the girls, and Mama Lucy is so busy.  There are 11 between the ages of 9 months to 1 year.  Each of them have a completely different personality, but each will try to squeeze onto your lap, even though you don’t think there could possible me any more room. Bath time is always a production and someone has always peed through their cloth diaper and needs to be changed.  Right now in Uganda is Winter and is upper 70s and lower 80s without the sun.  Even though this seems like the perfect weather, you can find all the Ugandans wearing pants, long sleeves, and jackets to warm up.  Almost all of the children have horrible snotty noses and bad coughs.  I have never had a child projectile on me expect for little Jackie today.  Her snot spit-up shot out of nowhere, but that just added to the delicious orange Fanta spilt by Brian today on our outing, Justine’s su-su, and teenie weenie Josephinie’s snot.  This is just normal, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.   Who needs to have a clean dress on and to feel clean?  I feel like all mother’s have a new definition of what clean really means.      

2 of the 3 sets of girl twins.
Grace and Peace.

I got to have bedtime with the girls which is my absolute favorite.  After feeding Justine and getting all of them nakie, the Mama’s wash them while I dry and place on potties and then dress all the little ones.  While we wait for the 7 older girls to finish, I get to cuddle each girl one at a time and boy, are they snuggly now.  They gaze deep into my eyes, and I get to sing to them and tell them how much Jesus loves them.  I pray that the Lord has mighty plans for each little girl, and that he keeps them healthy and strong in the Lord.  That each of them know that they are loved and that their family be reunited with them quickly, so they do not have to live in an orphanage for long. 

Earlier in the day, while I was holding my little man Judah,  I held Isaiah the one who did not want to be put down.  He ended up falling asleep on me, and eventually finally drank some of his bottle while snuggled on my chest.  Desire was laying next to me, Judah was laying on my legs, and with one of my feet I was bouncing Tina.  Always full and always more love needed. 

 For dinner tonight we went to The Keep.  I believe they have the best chocolate milkshakes in the ENTIRE world!  We watched the Jinja Children’s Choir and Dance Group perform.  Of course, they were absolutely amazing and shake their cabinas like no there.  When you think they can’t go any faster, they take off shaking their thing.  They all just have joy radiating from their faces.  I wish children in American could appreciate dance more.  It is a free gift that God has given us.  Nothing, nothing, nothing, is like African drumming.  I could listen to them create beats all day long. 

Tonight, I gave 3 more of the mama’s their picture I took over Christmas break when I was here.  I had put their pictures in different colored frames I had.  It’s funny how something so simple can cause so much joy to their lives.  Their deep gratitude is something I hope to emulate when people give a gift to me.  All of the mama’s would exclaim many words in Ugandan and then say “ehhhh.”  I can already tell you, I pick up this habit more and more each time I come to Uganda.  Susan would translate what they would say to me, but 2 of them were moved to tears and to watch them look over and over and then gaze up at me.  Wow.

Jacob. So big and so smart now.

Right now, I’m sitting at the kitchen table with some of the mamas and Susan watching boxing.  It’s like the WWE, but I believe from Mexico.  Haha. So entertaining especially to watch their reactions.  In Uganda, everything has to be below the knee, and on this show the women are wearing those hoochie outfits like normal.  Heels and basically 2-piece swimsuits.  You should hear them exclaim over and over and babble in English and Lugandan.  They cannot believe that women would walk around and dance in nothing with their boobs hanging out, legs showing, and men watching.  These mamas are hilarious.  

I have a cyst that just appeared on my wrist.  It was tender before I left, but now it has ballooned into a good size cyst, so prayers that it goes away.  I’m not in pain, but it is a little bit tender. Also, a lot of volunteers and children have nasty colds so prayers that that goes away.  One of our little girls is on IVs because she had a 104 degre fever and she just arrived 4 days ago, so prayers for her as well.  




I the LORD do not change.  -Malachi 3:6

Discernment

Internet has not been working, and it is too slow to upload more pictures besides for one. 

Day 2:

Dear Lord,

I can already hear your gentle reminders that you knew had gotten away from me.  How can you be patient with someone over and over again?  Nevertheless, thank you for your grace.  Today my arms were always full, something you know I’ve missed for too long.  My arms were made for and need children.   I woke up 13 hours after going to bed, clearly I was more exhausted than I wanted to admit.  It seems that only in Uganda where my heart is so thirsty for the Lord is where crying babies, preschoolers singing, dogs howling, and chickens squawking all account for your beautiful creations to wake up too.  In America, I would never be at such peace to wake up to these sounds, but here my heart is changed depending solely on you.     

I can see your divine handiwork behind each person you placed here at Amani this summer.  There is a wonderful coordinator here named Helene.  Wow, is she one of your faithful servants.  She spoke so much wisdom into my life this evening during our volunteer bible study.  Thank you so much for our wonderful bible study and worship session.  How wonderful is your name.

Lord, I love your little man Judah.  What a beautiful tiny creation of yours.   He loves to be held, but of course he knew to cry for the right person because I was going to hold him even if that meant for over an hour when I needed to go to town.  Sometimes, it’s good to remember to just pause and savor the moment.  Things really are not that necessary to get done. I would not tried all those smiles and coos for anything.  All the other things that needed to get done can just wait for another day.   Thanks for your faithfulness and your ability to teach in every circumstance.

PS. Bedtime is my absolutely favorite and tonight with that little Grace.  Be still my heart.

Love your Princess,

Lindsay

During my time at Amani this time, I get to be with the girls.  There are 3 sets of twin girls and about 15 others older than 6 months.  Tomorrow, I’m temporarily taking over for someone and helping teach the 2 year old preschool class, which I’ve been told is an adventure.   Anything with Eric or Grace involved is always an adventure, so I’m sure they are telling the truth.

My Lesson from God of the Day:

Solomon prays for a discerning heart.  He doesn’t pray for a situation or things, but rather God gives him the ability to discern between right and wrong, good and evil.  God always has fun teaching me different things, so tonight when I was praying for different situations, he showed me this passage in 1 Kings.   The Lord is giving me an answer to my questions, but it is not by a blatant sign or a letter with instructions on it.  Instead, it is with the ability for me to use my judgment and wisdom that he has blessed me with.  Discernment is something that I usually choose to ignore when it is not the answer I want to hear.  But once again, Jesus reminds me to not follow the path my worldly flesh desires, but the path less followed for greater fulfillment.  Once again, being pruned is so hard, but it’s the slow steps along HIS path that make me fall in love again with my King. 

So for now, just enjoy this cute little thing.    

Mercy.  Yo chick she so thirsty.  

 Give me Jesus. Give me Jesus. Take this world from me, but give me Jesus.