Missing these girls.

This was taken by my friend Brooke. I'm the one holding Sharifa. She was new to Amani and HATED the cribs. She only loved to be held by white people, so of course, I spoiled her and kept her out of her crib until the last moment possible.

Amani Dress Day.

Here are the little girls God has privileged me to love on at Amani.  Each of them are so unique and I'm so thankful to be their Auntie.  Oh how I miss waking up to them singing and putting them to sleep singing some more.

Meet my girls:
(I took the first pictures the day I gave them the dresses, but took more throughout the month.)

Emily

Lydia.

Alima.  

Mary and Martha. 

Mary and Martha.

Rukia. 

Precious. 

Jennifer.

Josephine.

Grace.
(The youngest twin set.)

Peace.
(The youngest twin set.)

Justine.

Sharifa.

Jane.

The older girls each got 2 dresses. 

Trouble.

Redemption is beautiful.

The scooter, Josephine.

Caroline.

Justine.

Rukia.

Oldest Twins.
Mary (R) and Martha (L). 

The HAM.

Jennifer.
She was SO proud of her dress.

Screaming Alima.

Mary.

How did I leave this???

Because I know I'll be back.

Once I've gone, I can't forget.

Middle Twin Set.
Josephine and Caroline.

And these girls are waiting for my return.

God is Mighty.

We Have Flights!

Long Story Short:

We missed our flight home yesterday, but are finally rebooked through a different airline tonight as Ethiopian Airlines were completely booked through the 17th of August.  We are flying KLM and should arrive home tomorrow.  God is good and this was one of the first times we had to completely rely and trust on him.  God provided unimaginable comfort.  It was quite an interesting night.

Already missing all of the beautiful children.

Some of the little girls and their beautiful dresses!

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