hello all:
if you're in or near springfield, illinois this weekend then check this out:
you can come to an open house to get information on how you can "give the gift" this christmas. if you have to shop for a gift for anyone (friend, neighbor, loved one, colleague, client, vendor, teacher...you get the idea) this can help save your sanity while also helping change the lives of orphans.
you simply make a contribution in honor (or in memory) of someone. you choose the card you'd like and include a personal message and sweet sleep sends the gift to them. there is also a video which shows the recipient what their gift is helping do this year.
you can even have sweet sleep take care of sending out your holiday christmas cards. the principle is the same as give the gift and addresses are not added to any mailing list. contact sweet sleep for more on this.
the 2009 give the gift is providing for 450 beds to children in northern uganda who have been living in a war-torn region for over 22 years. the war is now in a time of peace, however there are over one million people who are displaced; 3/4 of them are children in child headed households.
each bed is $88 and you can donate whatever amount you would normally spend on that person's gift, or whatever amount you would like. i will be spending several weeks with those children over christmas distributing their beds and sharing about what they represent: god's love, hope, protection, provision, redemption.....
attached is the information on the open house. for more on give the gift, visit www.sweetsleep.org/givethegift
if you'd like to host an open house in your area, let me know!
see you in the next blog....with more on haiti!
jen
you are invited to the home of
John & Maggie Colbert
sunday, november 15, 2009
2-5 pm
springfield, illinois
For the last six years we have been supporters of an organization called
Sweet Sleep, which provides beds to orphaned children around the world.
This Christmas we have decided to help provide beds and mosquito nets to 450
orphans in northern Uganda, thanks to an opportunity called “Give the Gift”.
When you give the gift of Sweet Sleep to in honor of someone you know,
you not only honor them—you change the life of a child in need by
giving them a healthy and comfortable place to sleep.
Please join us as we open our home to our friends and colleagues to share how
you can help “Give the Gift” to your friends, family, fellow colleagues.
Additionally, you will have the chance to purchase hand-crafted Ugandan
jewelry. Our friend, Jen Gash, is the President and Founder of Sweet Sleep and
will be here to share more with you and help you get your holiday giving off to
a meaningful start.
regrets: 217.698.9708
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The flood
Last August Haiti was battered by several hurricanes and subsequent rock and mud slides. Then, to add insult to injury, massive flooding from the heavy hurricane rains. If you’ve read my blog from Monday on how our work in Haiti began, then you already know some of this and, you know our ministry began in Haiti as a result of these natural disasters.
More than a year later Haiti is still struggling to return to “normal”. As I go through the areas which suffered damage I can see many people have managed to start over. It’s not until I go to an orphanage that I can see the aftermath of the catastrophe is still very real.
Tuesday afternoon we drove about an hour or so outside of Port-au-Prince to an orphanage with 120 children who range in age from newborn to teenager. On the way I began to learn their shocking story. One night last August the children and their caregivers were sound asleep. Suddenly, around 2 in the morning, they were woken by a “rushing” sound. Their orphanage sits directly against the banks of a large river that flows through Haiti. The director knew instantly that the concrete walls holding back the river had broken and that in a matter of minutes they would be flooded.
Somehow they managed to wake all 120 children and run with them up a mountain across from their orphanage.
The flooding from this river caused many deaths and wreaked havoc everywhere. Roads were flooded or washed out and there was no way to escape. The children and caregivers stayed on top of the mountain for THREE days before choppers could get to them and rescue them. Once rescued, they lived in UN tents for a while before moving to an abandoned building. The kids were quite sick during this time and clearly very traumatized.
The children we saw there were honestly some of the saddest looking children we’ve ever been around. For sure they were absolutely the quietest. They came right to us and pretty much just clung to us as much as possible. So much so that is was almost impossible to walk. I had a tiny little girl at my tip toes holding on to my skirt for dear life and just looking up at me. I had another child to the side holding my skirt and two more in the back. There were kids holding onto my shirt and my arm. And then there were kids all around them just wanting to be close.
The children are back in their orphanage, but are sleeping on the floor because their beds were washed away. They desperately need 60 new bunks, sheets and mosquito nets.
Gosh, I'd love to be able to put beds in their orphanage. Any takers?
See you in the next,
Jen
Orphanages—Tuesday
The first orphanage we visited Tuesday was one with an industrious director who had lived in the States and saved enough money to return to Haiti to build an orphanage. While in the States he also made enough contacts to help fund the ongoing needs of the orphanage.
In addition to the orphanage, the campus holds a school, church, hospital and get this…a hotel for relief teams to use for lodging. Besides the opportunity for team lodging, the other reason we wanted to visit the orphanage is because we had heard the director welded his own bunk beds because of the poor quality of the ones that are sold on the street.
His concept was better than what we would later see at most orphanages, but still isn’t a design Sweet Sleep would want to use for our Haitian model. The metal is just too thin and therefore unable to withstand lots of little bodies for years to come. The orphanage did need a few more bunks and many more mattresses.
The next orphanage was vastly different (see the two pictures above). We were welcomed by 40 bashful little children in their yellow school uniforms. They were gracious enough to allow us to interrupt their school day for a few minutes before we went to see their living situation.
Under the banana trees was a little lime green and pink cottage which was home to 16 girls who lived there (only girls live here because there is no building for the boys to live in). You could tell by the slant of the structure that it had been there forever. It had a little bit of a Swiss Family Robinson feel to it---until you walked inside. If these children lived with the Robinson family they’d be sleeping in beds cleverly fashioned from natural resources. The director and his wife have gentle loving hearts and were orphans themselves. Now they have these 40 children they educate and care for (what they call a “small number”) and make do with what they can. This means that the 18 girls share two very small rooms with only 5 beds among them. Bunk beds would make their simple home a much more livable space.
The next and last orphanage we visited Tuesday needs a blog all of its own. And, since we’re about to leave for our last day of discovery, I’m going to have to post that later.
Pray for what God might show us today and that He would direct our path to the places we are supposed to direct teams to this summer.
See you in the next blog,
Jen
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
safety....in haiti
There’s really no way for me to sum up what we’re learning or seeing, other than to just share it with you as we have experienced it. So, welcome to our Haiti scouting trip.
As everyone at home began to hear we were going to Haiti we would get one of two reactions:
1. “Oh, you’ll love it. The people are so kind and the need there is so great.”
2. “Oh, you’d better be careful. Haiti is dangerous.”
We arrived and had no problems at the airport. Security randomly picks people to go through their bags (for those of you who are old Moldovan team members, it’s kind of like that). Stuart and I used the ol’ “don’t make eye contact and act like you know exactly where you’re going” trick and walked right on out.
Our on the ground partners and guides for this trip, Sandra and Pastor John, were outside waiting for us and off we went.
I remember when I was a little girl I thought New York City had to be the most dangerous place in the world to be. I didn’t have any experience to back up this thought, but it was the conclusion I let myself come to from hearing news stories or people talk about things that happened there. One summer, while growing up, my family drove through NYC on vacation. I vividly remember sitting in the back seat with big eyes and a racing heart. I looked at every store front , every car and alley I could---just waiting for the moment when I would see an armed robber jump through the glass window to make off with a bag of money or plastic bag full of Statue of Liberty figures. I remember being really disappointed: New York just didn’t live up to the hype.
Haiti reminds me a little of that trip to New York. The hype that half the people had reported to us had my little mind expecting to see Haitians running down the street waving guns in the air or mobs setting fire to cars. On the contrary, everyone in Haiti seems to be too happy or too busy doing whatever in the world it is they’re doing to brandish a gun or burn anything.
We’re staying at a mission house which shares a compound with a children’s home that is on the opposite end of the property. In the two days we’ve been here there’s been a revolving door of people who’ve made our meals more interesting. The property is extremely close to the airport, so It’s an ideal place for people to overnight as they are coming or going. Each of 18 or so people we’ve talked to have been coming to Haiti for a number of years. In fact, a woman named Betty has been coming here for mission work for 41 years (confession: as I watched her this morning at breakfast I wondered if that would be me 35 years from now, sitting at the table with a bunch of people visiting Moldova. The thought made me really tired!).
We’ve had fascinating conversations with them on the topic of safety in Haiti. There were 3 unrelated people/organizations who have worked in Haiti for at least 20 years. All said they remember when Haiti was considered to be one of the safest countries in the world. I thought that was interesting. Even more interesting to me was when they came to the conclusion that they felt part of the reason for the violence Haiti has experienced has happened as a result of Haitian people living in and traveling to the United States, learning the violence in America, and bringing it back home with them. Understand, we weren’t sitting around the table with a group of anti-American rebels, but with 2 missionaries and a director of a faith-based relief organization who, collectively, shared over 90 years of ministry to the people of Haiti. It made me stop and think. I’d not thought of this before, but I suppose it is true; if western styles and fashions can spread around the world, if our American pop culture becomes Europe or Asia’s pop culture, our violence can also serve as a model to other countries. We don’t just share the good things….we also can share the bad. Interesting to chew on.
Later on in our breakfast conversation I asked the director of the relief org if he would mind sharing the page from their team manual which talked about safety. He happily agreed and asked if I wanted to know what the first rule was: “If you’re concerned for your safety while on this trip, then we do not recommend you leave the Miami airport during your layover.” Amusing. And, true. At the end of our conversation, all of them, with all their decades of ministry experience in Haiti, agreed that the country is much safer now than it has been in a long time.
Those who know me know I’m THE biggest scaredy cat ever---I mean, I’m so scared to fly I don’t even unbuckle on the airplane. But, before bringing groups here I really wanted to and needed to experience Haiti myself to properly gauge the issue. Stuart and I were just talking about this and both agreed that neither of us have felt uneasy or that we were in danger at any time we’ve been here.
While talking about this, it’s worth noting that our teams don’t ever mill about on the city streets anyway. We work our teams hard: they wake early, have breakfast and team devotions, pack the vans and head out to the orphanage where they spend the day with the children. Sometimes the team will bring the goods for sandwiches and eat somewhere on site at the orphanage, and sometimes we’ll load up with our translators and partnering local church members and take over the local pizza place or small restaurant. At the end of the day we load back up, fall asleep in the vans on the way home and then unload, eat dinner, talk about the day, have prayer time, shower and pass out. The only trouble makers we generally ever see are about 8 or 12 years old and can be easily deterred with a soccer ball and some attention.
So, all that to say….teams….bring it on. These kids need you here. Jesus needs you here. Bad.
See you in the next blog,
Jen
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Haiti
Tonight I’m sitting in Haiti ready to tell you some stories, but it’s occurred to me I might start at the beginning.
Over the last couple of years as we’ve prayed for direction on where else we could minister, many countries presented needs to us. In my world we’d give beds and bedding to every kid who sleeps on a broken metal bed, urine-soaked thin cotton mattress, filthy piece of Styrofoam, on the floor or in the gutters. Our budget makes my world a hard place to live, and so I wait for God to lead us and pray for patience.
Haiti was a country which had been in our prayers for a long time, however I just never really felt God give me any confirmation that was our place to serve. About this time last year, Jon came into the office telling us he thought we really needed to prayerfully consider Haiti again. We listened to him tell us about an orphanage which had suffered extreme damage from the recent hurricanes and subsequent rock and mud slides. The children had lost nearly everything.
A couple days later Jon had pictures of the orphanage, the splintered beds, cars covered with rocks and mud just everywhere. He said he had heard the lead singer of Audio Adrenaline, Mark, share about this need on his drive in to the office. Turns out Audio has a nonprofit called Hands and Feet which supports an orphanage, this particular one, in Haiti. Again we listened and looked over the pictures. Jon seemed certain we should respond and begin our ministry in Haiti. I needed to pray more. I needed the proverbial “sign”.
Two weeks later, just before Thanksgiving, we were exhibiting our Build-a-Bed program at a Children’s Pastor Conference in Nashville and were headed home from a long day. As we were leaving the event we heard a band close a song and somebody began to talk. Stuart said it sounded like Mark from Audio. I looked in the room as we walked by and saw their Hands and Feet logo on the screen and said I thought we should just listen to him talk.
Mark shared the story we had listened to Jon tell us…showed the same pictures. It was good to hear the story from him, but I stood there telling God I just wasn’t sure if “this” was where He was leading our ministry. Then, Mark shared another story and changed all of that.
On July 8, 2007, a young boy watched as a pregnant teenage girl walked up the hill past his front porch on her way to the latrines up the road. A while later this boy saw the same girl walking down this hill…except it was clear she was no longer pregnant. Instantly the boy knew what had happened. In Haiti many newborn babies’ lives end when their desperate and destitute mothers literally throw them away at birth. The young boy knew this girl had gone into the outhouse to deliver her baby and leave it there.
The boy quickly ran up the hill and opened each door, looking down into the deep concrete hole to see or listen for a baby. Finally, in the third toilet, he found what he had prayed he wouldn’t: a newborn baby’s faint cries coming up from the deep, dark, wretched sewer hole.
He tried frantically to think of a way to reach the baby and finally ran to get some friends. They tried desperately by lowering each other as far down as possible, but the hole was much too deep. Finally they ran to look for help and found it in the form of some UN soldiers from Sri Lanka.
The soldiers carefully broke apart the concrete walls of the sewage hole so it was large enough to lower a man into the depths to reach the baby. Much time had passed and the cries from the infant were quieter and further apart.
Shockingly, there’s footage of this rescue. Once the soldier had been lifted down into the excrement and found the baby, he wrapped the infant in a sheet that was then secured to a rope and lifted up onto the surface. Once unwrapped they found a baby girl, still alive, and rushed her to the hospital. Incredibly, the baby girl didn’t have a single broken bone, cut or problem. What a miracle.
That story, combined with the video footage they showed, is without a doubt heartbreaking and moving. However, what got me more than anything else was the date Mark had said all this happened on: July 8th, Galina’s birthday.
Galina is a young teenage girl from Eastern Europe I’ve had the blessing of watching grow up over the 5 years—now two of which have been with me here in America. I brought Galina here because I absolutely felt God telling me to do so. Honestly, it was such a leap of faith for me and didn’t make sense to anyone, certainly not me. What was I, a single woman who traveled a lot and didn’t make a ton of money working for orphans and Jesus, going to do with a teenage girl? Apparently God didn’t really care about that and so opened the doors for her to come live with me and have opportunities she wasn’t going to have in Moldova: a chance for a high school and college education.
At the time I heard Mark’s story Galina and I were just shy of her first year in America. For the sake of this story, I’ll tell you the first year was beyond any difficult experience either of us had ever had. There were so many times I asked myself if any of what we were going through was worth the struggle, how things might turn out and what on earth God was doing to each of us in the process.
From what I can see, there’s really no reason Mark needed to mention the date when he started his story. Who knows if that’s always how he shares this miracle, but that night as I stood in the back of a room leaning against a wall crying, I knew God had let him share that date with me for a very specific reason: to remind me if we give everything to save just one life, that is a life everything is worth. There was my sign.
So, Haiti. More on our work tomorrow. Oh, and that little girl…today she is the absolute most precious little girl who has been adopted by Mark’s parents who run the orphanage she was taken to after leaving the hospital.
See you in the next blog,
Jen
Monday, October 05, 2009
Be A Part of History
The Christian Alliance for Orphans (www.christianalliancefororphans.org) is sponsoring the first ever national Orphan Sunday on Sunday, November 8, 2009. This national campaign has 50 partner organizations working to promote the event, and for Tennessee that partner is Sweet Sleep (www.sweetsleep.org). Since we’ve agreed to be state coordinators and since, you have a heart for the orphan, I am hoping you can help to canvas Tennessee in the launch of this significant annual event.
The goal of Orphan Sunday is to be the day that sparks a revolution in the hearts of Christians to care for the orphan. All across America, people, churches and colleges are hosting “events” such as sermons, Bible studies, Youth group gatherings, book clubs, fundraiser, concerts and lectures to speak for the orphan. An “event” is simply something people can attend/participate in that is connected to any of the three components of caring for the orphan: 1) Adoption 2) Foster Care and 3) International Orphan Care. These “events” can be as simple as a time of prayer at your church or home, making a meal for a newly adoptive family, signing up for Safe Room training (for those in the Nashville/Davidson county area), taking a $5 offering to provide a life-saving mosquito net for children in northern Uganda who’ll be getting new beds from Sweet Sleep or even showcasing the various orphan ministries your church already has in place (to spur church members to get involved).
Orphan Sunday events do NOT have to be on 11/8, so no worries about trying to figure out how to have your pastor abducted during the service so you can take over the podium. I would be delighted to help you brainstorm ideas, if you would like. There are endless ways that can enable you --and others-- to effectively advocate for the orphan between now and the end of November. The Orphan Sunday website has many helpful ideas, as well as posters, bulletin inserts, Sunday School/Bible study lessons, speaking points and more. The website you’ll want to visit for resources, events and information is www.orphansunday.org .
Please be praying about this day and, if you know of friends, family, colleagues, ministers or college students in other areas of Tennessee who would possibly be interested in finding out how they could help host an “event”, please feel free to forward this email to them or let me know and I can contact them.
Thanks for all you do,
Jen
PS. If you will contact me about your “event” I will be more than happy to take the time to post it to the Orphan Sunday website so that others in the area will be able to find a way to participate in these experiences.
The goal of Orphan Sunday is to be the day that sparks a revolution in the hearts of Christians to care for the orphan. All across America, people, churches and colleges are hosting “events” such as sermons, Bible studies, Youth group gatherings, book clubs, fundraiser, concerts and lectures to speak for the orphan. An “event” is simply something people can attend/participate in that is connected to any of the three components of caring for the orphan: 1) Adoption 2) Foster Care and 3) International Orphan Care. These “events” can be as simple as a time of prayer at your church or home, making a meal for a newly adoptive family, signing up for Safe Room training (for those in the Nashville/Davidson county area), taking a $5 offering to provide a life-saving mosquito net for children in northern Uganda who’ll be getting new beds from Sweet Sleep or even showcasing the various orphan ministries your church already has in place (to spur church members to get involved).
Orphan Sunday events do NOT have to be on 11/8, so no worries about trying to figure out how to have your pastor abducted during the service so you can take over the podium. I would be delighted to help you brainstorm ideas, if you would like. There are endless ways that can enable you --and others-- to effectively advocate for the orphan between now and the end of November. The Orphan Sunday website has many helpful ideas, as well as posters, bulletin inserts, Sunday School/Bible study lessons, speaking points and more. The website you’ll want to visit for resources, events and information is www.orphansunday.org .
Please be praying about this day and, if you know of friends, family, colleagues, ministers or college students in other areas of Tennessee who would possibly be interested in finding out how they could help host an “event”, please feel free to forward this email to them or let me know and I can contact them.
Thanks for all you do,
Jen
PS. If you will contact me about your “event” I will be more than happy to take the time to post it to the Orphan Sunday website so that others in the area will be able to find a way to participate in these experiences.
Friday, September 18, 2009
New Video! Now That I Have Seen: Sweet Sleep for Uganda
Hey friends! We have a new Sweet Sleep video and I couldn't want to share it with you! It includes images from our trip to Uganda this summer and will hopefully give you a glimpse of the scope of our work in Uganda and the difference Sweet Sleep is making in the lives of orphans in Africa and around the world.
Please share this with your friends - and the world! Let everyone you know, know about these often forgotten children. Look into the eyes of these children, some of the 210 million orphans out there in the world right now, praying for someone to love them, to pray for them - and for something we take for granted - a healthy, comfortable place to pray, to dream and to sleep sweetly.
View our new video here - Now That I Have Seen: Sweet Sleep for Uganda.
Want to help us provide beds to sweet orphans like these in northern Uganda? Beds there are just $88. For more information, visit www.sweetsleep.org. To donate, visit www.sweetsleep.org/donate.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Uganda Team Home/Election News from Moldova
Hello friends! Lots of good news to report today... Our Uganda Team finally returned home yesterday (some technically TODAY) after a day of long layovers and weather delays! Our Nashvillians didn't get home until 2am this morning, but everyone is home and to their respective homes safely.
Also, you may remember us asking for prayer for Moldova in their election process. The Communist Party won the most seats in the Parliamentary elections in April, surrounded by reports of voter manipulation and fraud, but did not have 61 votes needed to elect the President so Parliament was dissolved and new elections were held yesterday. But our friends at the Baptist Union, our partner on the ground in Moldova, tell us that the Communist party only obtained 48 seats this time and the opposition parties, the democratic parties, gained 53! The opposition parties are forming a coalition and while negotiations will not be easy, our friends in Moldova are thanking God for this victory and thanking each of you for your prayers.
Valeriu Ghiletchi, formerly the President of the Baptist Union of Moldova, was elected to Parliament in April. We are waiting to hear if he will take a seat in the new Parliament since he was elected last week as the President of the European Baptist Federation! Congratulations to Val!
Also, you may remember us asking for prayer for Moldova in their election process. The Communist Party won the most seats in the Parliamentary elections in April, surrounded by reports of voter manipulation and fraud, but did not have 61 votes needed to elect the President so Parliament was dissolved and new elections were held yesterday. But our friends at the Baptist Union, our partner on the ground in Moldova, tell us that the Communist party only obtained 48 seats this time and the opposition parties, the democratic parties, gained 53! The opposition parties are forming a coalition and while negotiations will not be easy, our friends in Moldova are thanking God for this victory and thanking each of you for your prayers.
Valeriu Ghiletchi, formerly the President of the Baptist Union of Moldova, was elected to Parliament in April. We are waiting to hear if he will take a seat in the new Parliament since he was elected last week as the President of the European Baptist Federation! Congratulations to Val!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
We awoke to a beautiful Ugandan morning! Today is our last day here, and it will be filled with shopping and time to reflect on all that has happened since we arrived in Uganda. I'm excited to come home and share all the stories of these sweet little children, but I could just as easily stay here!!
I can't believe how quickly the time has flown! It seems like we just got here (though our bodies tell us something different!). Though we will leave the continent later today, we have each left a part of us here, and will be taking a part of Africa back with us...in our hearts and our memories of the things we did and the children we loved on.
I can't wait to share the pictures and the stories behind them with all of you!!
Blessings and love!
Les
I can't believe how quickly the time has flown! It seems like we just got here (though our bodies tell us something different!). Though we will leave the continent later today, we have each left a part of us here, and will be taking a part of Africa back with us...in our hearts and our memories of the things we did and the children we loved on.
I can't wait to share the pictures and the stories behind them with all of you!!
Blessings and love!
Les
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Bad Place
An important life lesson is that when you are visiting somewhere you're not familiar with and the folks there have a place called "The Bad Place"...you should believe them. If not, you end up riding on the outside of a Ugandan kayak.
A bit of context: while we were on the river today, we had an ongoing discussion with our guide about the rapids on the river and the propensity of those rapids for sending folks on a lovely trip into the historic and pleasant Nile River (sounds a lot like a Wheel of Fortune prize when you put it that way, doesn't it...). We chatted about rapids with creative and fun names like Big Brother and Sibling Rivalry. But, we kept coming back to the ever present question of how we wanted to handle 'The Bad Place'.
By the time we approached this last rapid of the day, we'd determined that we would take the safer path and avoid this place which fun apparently forgot. So, we dropped (the boat) in the water (after walking the raft around a rapid that could best be described as a fireworks show in the water - Class 6 for those of you rafting enthusiasts keeping score at home). Our guide briefly gave us a how to on finding the calmer path down the river, and reminded us of the safety training we'd taken earlier in the day.
We pushed off of the shore and began paddling out into the rapids. Everything was going very smoothly and we cleared the first section as planned. Then we began the all important task of paddling very hard to get past the bad place and complete the run on the calmer section.
Pause for important life lesson #2: just when everything makes sense, that's when you should probably watch out - and that's a good thing.
God has shown me, and I think all of us, a lot of things on this trip. I think all of us have been outside our comfort zone in one way or another over the course of the past few days. Whether it's been changing schedules, altering priorities, finding the right plane, or just (and most importantly) finding a way to connect with these children (and adults) we've come to minister to, it's been a great growth and learning opportunity for all of us.
It's very easy to get locked in to our "normal" day to day lives as Christians and feel like we're ready for any challenges to that routine and that we're equipped to make it through those things we're comfortable with. Where we run into trouble is when we're forced to branch out into something we didn't expect or we didn't think we were ready for. I think that God gives us these opportunities so that we learn (or relearn) to put our faith in Him and not in our own abilities.
We didn't make it to the calmer route. The 30 seconds to 2 minutes that followed (time gets very relative when one is given an unexpected dunk in the river) are a bit of a blur, but I'm pretty sure of the following (and we'll be able to confirm with video evidence tomorrow):
1) We didn't paddle hard enough to make it to the calmer route
2) There's a giant washing machine hidden in the Nile that apparently thought we were dirty socks
3) Nile water does NOT taste especially good
4) It's a lot easier to ride inside a boat than outside a boat on the Nile (we had safety guides in Kayaks that came to fish us out after we tumbled through the rapid), but being outside the boat can still be comforting
Honestly, it's easy to kid about it somewhat now, but at the time it was one of the scarier moments of my life (and, I think, that of my 7 boatmates as they had similar experiences) for a few of those seconds...which brings us to important life lesson/reminder #3 (which Madelene has so aptly mentioned just now): Every second we have is precious and everything we do should be focused on serving God (and sometimes I think learning or being reminded of life/spiritual lessons from a swim in the Nile is doing just that). We aren't guaranteed any more time on this Earth, which makes things like Sweet Sleep's ministry that much more important.
A bit of context: while we were on the river today, we had an ongoing discussion with our guide about the rapids on the river and the propensity of those rapids for sending folks on a lovely trip into the historic and pleasant Nile River (sounds a lot like a Wheel of Fortune prize when you put it that way, doesn't it...). We chatted about rapids with creative and fun names like Big Brother and Sibling Rivalry. But, we kept coming back to the ever present question of how we wanted to handle 'The Bad Place'.
By the time we approached this last rapid of the day, we'd determined that we would take the safer path and avoid this place which fun apparently forgot. So, we dropped (the boat) in the water (after walking the raft around a rapid that could best be described as a fireworks show in the water - Class 6 for those of you rafting enthusiasts keeping score at home). Our guide briefly gave us a how to on finding the calmer path down the river, and reminded us of the safety training we'd taken earlier in the day.
We pushed off of the shore and began paddling out into the rapids. Everything was going very smoothly and we cleared the first section as planned. Then we began the all important task of paddling very hard to get past the bad place and complete the run on the calmer section.
Pause for important life lesson #2: just when everything makes sense, that's when you should probably watch out - and that's a good thing.
God has shown me, and I think all of us, a lot of things on this trip. I think all of us have been outside our comfort zone in one way or another over the course of the past few days. Whether it's been changing schedules, altering priorities, finding the right plane, or just (and most importantly) finding a way to connect with these children (and adults) we've come to minister to, it's been a great growth and learning opportunity for all of us.
It's very easy to get locked in to our "normal" day to day lives as Christians and feel like we're ready for any challenges to that routine and that we're equipped to make it through those things we're comfortable with. Where we run into trouble is when we're forced to branch out into something we didn't expect or we didn't think we were ready for. I think that God gives us these opportunities so that we learn (or relearn) to put our faith in Him and not in our own abilities.
We didn't make it to the calmer route. The 30 seconds to 2 minutes that followed (time gets very relative when one is given an unexpected dunk in the river) are a bit of a blur, but I'm pretty sure of the following (and we'll be able to confirm with video evidence tomorrow):
1) We didn't paddle hard enough to make it to the calmer route
2) There's a giant washing machine hidden in the Nile that apparently thought we were dirty socks
3) Nile water does NOT taste especially good
4) It's a lot easier to ride inside a boat than outside a boat on the Nile (we had safety guides in Kayaks that came to fish us out after we tumbled through the rapid), but being outside the boat can still be comforting
Honestly, it's easy to kid about it somewhat now, but at the time it was one of the scarier moments of my life (and, I think, that of my 7 boatmates as they had similar experiences) for a few of those seconds...which brings us to important life lesson/reminder #3 (which Madelene has so aptly mentioned just now): Every second we have is precious and everything we do should be focused on serving God (and sometimes I think learning or being reminded of life/spiritual lessons from a swim in the Nile is doing just that). We aren't guaranteed any more time on this Earth, which makes things like Sweet Sleep's ministry that much more important.
Jinja, The Nile and "The Bad Place"
Yesterday we said goodbye to the children at Caring Heart and Africa Greater Life orphanages outside of Kampala, leaving us with one last full day in Uganda before returning home. So today the team decided to travel north to explore the area around Jinja. The drive thru the Ugandan countryside was beautiful and lush, and dotted with fields of tea and sugar cane. Once in Jinja, the team split in to two groups, with one opting to explore the town of Jinja, take a cruise on Lake Victoria, at the source of the Nile River, and visit the rainforest, while the more adventurous chose to go whitewater rafting on the Nile River. I was in the latter group.
At 10am, we set out with our rafting guides in two boats, which were part of a larger day long expedition of six rafts total, on our Nile River Adventure. The section we were rafting consists primarily of class three and four rapids with 3 class five along the route. It was by far the most advanced whitewater any of us had ever done, and for some it was their first time, but our guide spent time with us in the calm water at the start of our trip going over the skills we would need to tackle the rapids ahead.
We made it to our first class five rapid before Kendra became the first Sweet Sleep rafter to go flying out of the boat, but she climbed back in soaked but smiling. Shortly thereafter we lost Stuart (rookie), John, Mike, and Madelene in the midst of one of the class three rapids, but they climbed back in the boat eager for more of what the river had to offer. Up until the last rapid of the day, Whitney and I were the only ones not to take a dip from a rogue rapid. All this time, no one from the other Sweet Sleep boat lost a single rafter.
The entire group of six rafts stopped for lunch at a small island in the middle of the Nile, where we were served an American lunch buffet style, complete with coffee, tea, water and juice to quench our thirst. Lunch was followed by several long stretches of calm water where we could get out and swim in the Nile River. Never in my life did I think that I would get a chance to do that!
One set of rapids after lunch had a waterfall with a 10 foot drop that everyone on the six boats in the expedition attempted to ride, but only the second Sweet Sleep boat with Meghan, Kelsey, Leslie and Valerie managed to ride successfully without a boat flip or a lost passenger - and to see the looks on their collective faces afterwards was a mix of pure excitement and disbelief. It was right after this that our guide reminded us that "The Bad Place" was up ahead and we needed to prepare...
At 10am, we set out with our rafting guides in two boats, which were part of a larger day long expedition of six rafts total, on our Nile River Adventure. The section we were rafting consists primarily of class three and four rapids with 3 class five along the route. It was by far the most advanced whitewater any of us had ever done, and for some it was their first time, but our guide spent time with us in the calm water at the start of our trip going over the skills we would need to tackle the rapids ahead.
We made it to our first class five rapid before Kendra became the first Sweet Sleep rafter to go flying out of the boat, but she climbed back in soaked but smiling. Shortly thereafter we lost Stuart (rookie), John, Mike, and Madelene in the midst of one of the class three rapids, but they climbed back in the boat eager for more of what the river had to offer. Up until the last rapid of the day, Whitney and I were the only ones not to take a dip from a rogue rapid. All this time, no one from the other Sweet Sleep boat lost a single rafter.
The entire group of six rafts stopped for lunch at a small island in the middle of the Nile, where we were served an American lunch buffet style, complete with coffee, tea, water and juice to quench our thirst. Lunch was followed by several long stretches of calm water where we could get out and swim in the Nile River. Never in my life did I think that I would get a chance to do that!
One set of rapids after lunch had a waterfall with a 10 foot drop that everyone on the six boats in the expedition attempted to ride, but only the second Sweet Sleep boat with Meghan, Kelsey, Leslie and Valerie managed to ride successfully without a boat flip or a lost passenger - and to see the looks on their collective faces afterwards was a mix of pure excitement and disbelief. It was right after this that our guide reminded us that "The Bad Place" was up ahead and we needed to prepare...
photos from yesterday....
here we all are -- the entire team! (small african children can be photographers too)
so my friend, tanus, who i have been chilling with all week, found me at church sunday with his new bible in tow. i was showing him how to look up verses when i opened it to the front and found this note. i think i sobbed for about 20 minutes straight. "God loves me and I love God. buyinza tanus, primary six. wakiso children's school of hope. my friend is hannah. another friend is God who created me."oh. my. goodness.
birthday party!!
self portrait. eyes closed. tanus is the one in orange.
have you ever seen anything like it?? p.s. all these kids are coming home with us, just fyi.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Five Loaves and Two Fish
What a beautiful Sunday here in Uganda. Well, today was the team's last day with both orphanages. So although we had a lot of fun with them, we were very sad to leave them behind.
We started out our day by going to Africa Greater Life and having church with them and although it was a three and a half hour long service, it was very enjoyable watching the kids singing, dancing, reading their new Bibles, and praising God. They are definitely quite the little worshippers. We blessed them with heart pillows for their new beds and in return, they blessed us with African Safari hats.
Next we went to Caring Heart where we had a HUGE party. It was non-stop dancing and singing. The team threw a birthday party for all the kids and then also the teachers and the widows that attend their church. We were prepared for 450 kids, but we had at least 500-600 people. The team is still amazed by the miracle that happened because every single person got a gift. It's like in John 6 where Jesus fed the 5,000 with only five loaves and two fish. God definitely did that same miracle today and it was astonishing. All of their faces lit up with joy and happiness and I am very glad I was able to be a part of that. God Bless Uganda and everyone reading our blogs.
-Cortnie Treadway
We started out our day by going to Africa Greater Life and having church with them and although it was a three and a half hour long service, it was very enjoyable watching the kids singing, dancing, reading their new Bibles, and praising God. They are definitely quite the little worshippers. We blessed them with heart pillows for their new beds and in return, they blessed us with African Safari hats.
Next we went to Caring Heart where we had a HUGE party. It was non-stop dancing and singing. The team threw a birthday party for all the kids and then also the teachers and the widows that attend their church. We were prepared for 450 kids, but we had at least 500-600 people. The team is still amazed by the miracle that happened because every single person got a gift. It's like in John 6 where Jesus fed the 5,000 with only five loaves and two fish. God definitely did that same miracle today and it was astonishing. All of their faces lit up with joy and happiness and I am very glad I was able to be a part of that. God Bless Uganda and everyone reading our blogs.
-Cortnie Treadway
Torn between two worlds.
July 26, 2009. 9:43pm Kampala time.
It is hard to imagine that our time with the kids is already over.
While the days have been long and chaotic, and many of us come home exhausted, time seems to fly surrounded by these children - they are so easy to love.
Today has been a day of halves for me: this was the first day I really stopped to think about the life I left in America a week ago, and my heart strings stretched across the ocean. And yet, as I said goodbye to "my" kids this morning, I felt the strong pull of the heart strings that have latched onto Uganda. And I've realized my heart will forever be pulled between these worlds.
My morning was filled with sweet moments. I spent three and a half hours with my two beautiful 7 year-olds, Jelis and Patricia. We sang, danced, took pictures, and opened God's book (as they call it here). Our second day here, Patricia became sick from contracting Malaria, and I could tell she felt like an untouchable. What a blessing it was this morning as she realized that my love and God's love for her could not be separated by a sickness. Later in the day, I had an opportunity to talk to Faith. She is 18. She speaks wonderful english, is a fabulous singer and loves to dance. We talked about her desire to visit New York and what it is like to fly in an airplane.
We piled into the bus, and I (unsuccessfully) tried to hold back the tears as we said goodbye. I can hardly comprehend what the condition of my heart will be when I return to America.
But I leave confident that we have been the hands and feet of Christ to these orphans, even if only in a small way. And that is thanks to many of you reading these blogs. So thank you for sending us, but know that we aren't the same people you sent.
We are mzungus. We are dancers. We are winners ;-)
And we will probably force most of you to look at the thousands of pictures we've taken in these few days. We can't wait to come home, but probably for each of us in some small or large way, we are home here. And we are not ready to leave. But as life moves on, so will we, confident that God is guiding our paths and thankful that His plan for our paths brought us here.
Writing from between two worlds,
-Melissa Rau
It is hard to imagine that our time with the kids is already over.
While the days have been long and chaotic, and many of us come home exhausted, time seems to fly surrounded by these children - they are so easy to love.
Today has been a day of halves for me: this was the first day I really stopped to think about the life I left in America a week ago, and my heart strings stretched across the ocean. And yet, as I said goodbye to "my" kids this morning, I felt the strong pull of the heart strings that have latched onto Uganda. And I've realized my heart will forever be pulled between these worlds.
My morning was filled with sweet moments. I spent three and a half hours with my two beautiful 7 year-olds, Jelis and Patricia. We sang, danced, took pictures, and opened God's book (as they call it here). Our second day here, Patricia became sick from contracting Malaria, and I could tell she felt like an untouchable. What a blessing it was this morning as she realized that my love and God's love for her could not be separated by a sickness. Later in the day, I had an opportunity to talk to Faith. She is 18. She speaks wonderful english, is a fabulous singer and loves to dance. We talked about her desire to visit New York and what it is like to fly in an airplane.
We piled into the bus, and I (unsuccessfully) tried to hold back the tears as we said goodbye. I can hardly comprehend what the condition of my heart will be when I return to America.
But I leave confident that we have been the hands and feet of Christ to these orphans, even if only in a small way. And that is thanks to many of you reading these blogs. So thank you for sending us, but know that we aren't the same people you sent.
We are mzungus. We are dancers. We are winners ;-)
And we will probably force most of you to look at the thousands of pictures we've taken in these few days. We can't wait to come home, but probably for each of us in some small or large way, we are home here. And we are not ready to leave. But as life moves on, so will we, confident that God is guiding our paths and thankful that His plan for our paths brought us here.
Writing from between two worlds,
-Melissa Rau
some hope for the road
i'm not exactly sure how to put into words all that i am feeling today. this was the day we had to say goodbye to our kids at both orphanages. this week has been an experience i will never forget. we started our day at africa greater life, where we went to church with the kids there. it was very hard to keep my eyes open. in case you didn't know, african church services are very long with lots of singing. it was an amazing passion filled service, but by the end of a week of work and playing with children, a 3 hour service would be hard for anyone to stay awake. the higlight of the service me sitting in between Fred and Resty while they showed me the bibles they got the day before. they asked me to write notes to them, which i ended up telling them how special they were and how much God and i loved them. they both looked up and me with huge smiles and eyes lit up. Fred then wrote, "the person who gave me this bible is called Lauren and God loves me" in the front cover. it was such a sweet moment. we then got to spend a half an hour with the kids to talk, play, and say our goodbyes. i ended up hanging out with Resty, who wanted to show me her bed one more time. her and the girls in her room had decorated their beds and were so proud of them. each took turns showing me their beds and all the presents they received that week. i then got a few moments with her where Resty told me she had 4 sisters and 1 brother, but her brother died. she then wouldn't talk anymore about it and we just sat and held hands for the rest of our time. we said goodbye and got on the bus and headed to caring heart.
at caring heart we got to throw a huge birthday party for the kids. their faces were so bright, some of them couldn't stop smiling. it's amazing how a simple celebration that we can take for granted can mean so much to a child who never gets to have one. it brought me to tears to see the kids wearing their burger king crowns knowing that today they are extra special because we are celebrating the fact that they were born, that God created them, and he loves them just as they are.
i then got to spend the rest of my time with my girl Sonya. she's 5 and just beautiful. her eyes smile way before she does, and when she does smile she can light up the room. she would never leave my side anytime we were at caring heart. the language was, unfortunately, a slight barrier but it was enough to just hang out and play together. before i left she asked me for my address so she could write me. we siad goodbye and headed home.
it's never easy to say goodbye to kids you've gotten to spend an entire week with in such an intense atmosphere, but i feel hopeful. these kids do not have much but they have people here in their own villages who care for them and love them very much. in a way, it's a little more comforting to leave knowing that we are leaving them in good hands. heck, the entire village showed up and celebrated the children receiving beds at caring heart. i'm still sorting throught everything tonight, but that's how i feel right now. hopeful. these kids are bright and beautiful and the hold so much hope and love inside them already. i trust that God is taking care of them and will keep providing for them.
at caring heart we got to throw a huge birthday party for the kids. their faces were so bright, some of them couldn't stop smiling. it's amazing how a simple celebration that we can take for granted can mean so much to a child who never gets to have one. it brought me to tears to see the kids wearing their burger king crowns knowing that today they are extra special because we are celebrating the fact that they were born, that God created them, and he loves them just as they are.
i then got to spend the rest of my time with my girl Sonya. she's 5 and just beautiful. her eyes smile way before she does, and when she does smile she can light up the room. she would never leave my side anytime we were at caring heart. the language was, unfortunately, a slight barrier but it was enough to just hang out and play together. before i left she asked me for my address so she could write me. we siad goodbye and headed home.
it's never easy to say goodbye to kids you've gotten to spend an entire week with in such an intense atmosphere, but i feel hopeful. these kids do not have much but they have people here in their own villages who care for them and love them very much. in a way, it's a little more comforting to leave knowing that we are leaving them in good hands. heck, the entire village showed up and celebrated the children receiving beds at caring heart. i'm still sorting throught everything tonight, but that's how i feel right now. hopeful. these kids are bright and beautiful and the hold so much hope and love inside them already. i trust that God is taking care of them and will keep providing for them.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Webale, Topistar.
I have looked so forward to my turn to blog- and yet, I dive into this at an almost complete loss for words. If I was abundant in words, I'm positive that they would still not do the experience justice.
I was told my life was about to be changed by this journey and I couldn't grasp in what ways it might until the stories started piling up and my heart was broken-- in the best possible way.
Instead of giving you the rundown of the day- as I'm sure you have read the others and have an idea of what has gone on- I am going to take you a little further into the experience of one child I have had the great priviledge to love. I think just a glimpse with me into what goes on, has gone on, and continues to go on in the lives of these children will be enough from me and mean more than any words I may have.
Topistar (pronounced more like Dopista) is a beautiful, intelligent, 12 year old girl that lives at Africa Greater Life Orphanage.
The day that we brought beds to Africa Greater Life, I met Topistar. She was patiently waiting for me as I was walking out of the girls' dorm. When I rounded the corner, she tapped me on the shoulder to say in broken english (pretty much my favorite sound ever)... "Tonight... I get... to sleep. Thank you very much for helping us. God Bless you..." and off she went. Obviously struck by the statement, I made a mental picture of her face and went back to work.
The following day we returned to Africa Greater Life and walked with the children to their individual beds to talk with them. As I was walking down the hill toward the girls' dorm to speak with them, Topistar ran to me and grabbed my hand to show me her bed. I didn't realize until I was with her talking that she was the same girl from the previous day. Needless to say, we are new friends. :)
Today during the birthday party, Topistar ran to sit beside me and was attached to my hip for the day. When she received her bible as one of her birthday gifts, she ran back to me and wanted to read to me from it. As we read, we talked about how much God loved her and how He knew her before she was born... as soon as her birth was mentioned, Topistar's demeanor changed.
Soon enough, it was obvious that the topic bothering her was her birth and shortly thereafter a woman walked up to me and repeated "Wabale, Wabale, Wabale, Wabale..." (Lugandan for Thank You")
Topistar began to tell me that the woman was her grandmother and that her mother had died some time ago. She has been living at Africa Greater Life for years. As we spoke, I asked her if she could write her name for me. As she wrote, I asked her to tell me about her life.
The following is word for word my letter from Topistar. Hopefully it will give some insight into why my heart is broken, and yet full...
my name is Namusisi Topistar.
i am 12 years old.
my brother is called david.
my mother is died when was sick.
my father is died when bad person killed.
my mother when died i am ever so young. (**here I asked her if she felt sad sometimes...to which she wrote in response:**)
i feel bad person see me write on paper.
my father is work in police
my father is have young child the bad man came and kill father's child and father is fight with bad man
the bad man was kill my father
me and my brother david hide my father is left there.
me and david pastor is help us.
think you to help bring beds.
think you. God bless you.
I love you.
Bye Bye
I don't know that there are sufficient words to follow this up with. We discussed what she can do when she feels sad and how tightly God holds her in those times- and yet our eyes glistened and my heart broke. Topistar's story is so far from over, and I have no doubt that she is one of the committed hearts that the Lord searches all the earth for. "...He wants to make them strong."(II Chron. 16:9)
Luckily, when I leave and return to the states, although my heart will break to leave my new friends, I will have comfort in a great big God who will still be with them.
We are leaving them, but He will not... because this is so much bigger than me, and He is so much bigger than this.
Kathryn
I was told my life was about to be changed by this journey and I couldn't grasp in what ways it might until the stories started piling up and my heart was broken-- in the best possible way.
Instead of giving you the rundown of the day- as I'm sure you have read the others and have an idea of what has gone on- I am going to take you a little further into the experience of one child I have had the great priviledge to love. I think just a glimpse with me into what goes on, has gone on, and continues to go on in the lives of these children will be enough from me and mean more than any words I may have.
Topistar (pronounced more like Dopista) is a beautiful, intelligent, 12 year old girl that lives at Africa Greater Life Orphanage.
The day that we brought beds to Africa Greater Life, I met Topistar. She was patiently waiting for me as I was walking out of the girls' dorm. When I rounded the corner, she tapped me on the shoulder to say in broken english (pretty much my favorite sound ever)... "Tonight... I get... to sleep. Thank you very much for helping us. God Bless you..." and off she went. Obviously struck by the statement, I made a mental picture of her face and went back to work.
The following day we returned to Africa Greater Life and walked with the children to their individual beds to talk with them. As I was walking down the hill toward the girls' dorm to speak with them, Topistar ran to me and grabbed my hand to show me her bed. I didn't realize until I was with her talking that she was the same girl from the previous day. Needless to say, we are new friends. :)
Today during the birthday party, Topistar ran to sit beside me and was attached to my hip for the day. When she received her bible as one of her birthday gifts, she ran back to me and wanted to read to me from it. As we read, we talked about how much God loved her and how He knew her before she was born... as soon as her birth was mentioned, Topistar's demeanor changed.
Soon enough, it was obvious that the topic bothering her was her birth and shortly thereafter a woman walked up to me and repeated "Wabale, Wabale, Wabale, Wabale..." (Lugandan for Thank You")
Topistar began to tell me that the woman was her grandmother and that her mother had died some time ago. She has been living at Africa Greater Life for years. As we spoke, I asked her if she could write her name for me. As she wrote, I asked her to tell me about her life.
The following is word for word my letter from Topistar. Hopefully it will give some insight into why my heart is broken, and yet full...
my name is Namusisi Topistar.
i am 12 years old.
my brother is called david.
my mother is died when was sick.
my father is died when bad person killed.
my mother when died i am ever so young. (**here I asked her if she felt sad sometimes...to which she wrote in response:**)
i feel bad person see me write on paper.
my father is work in police
my father is have young child the bad man came and kill father's child and father is fight with bad man
the bad man was kill my father
me and my brother david hide my father is left there.
me and david pastor is help us.
think you to help bring beds.
think you. God bless you.
I love you.
Bye Bye
I don't know that there are sufficient words to follow this up with. We discussed what she can do when she feels sad and how tightly God holds her in those times- and yet our eyes glistened and my heart broke. Topistar's story is so far from over, and I have no doubt that she is one of the committed hearts that the Lord searches all the earth for. "...He wants to make them strong."(II Chron. 16:9)
Luckily, when I leave and return to the states, although my heart will break to leave my new friends, I will have comfort in a great big God who will still be with them.
We are leaving them, but He will not... because this is so much bigger than me, and He is so much bigger than this.
Kathryn
Birthday in Africa
Today was another amazing day in the great country of Uganda. The day started off with us preparing bags for the birthday party we were doing for the children. When we got to Africa Greater Life we were greeted with smiles and hugs.We piled into the worship hall to do worship and throw the children a birthday party. We asked them if they knew what a birthday was but the room was silent.We explained that a birthday was a day of celebration and a day to remember how much God loves you. We sang happy birthday and passed out the birthday gifts that consisted of a mirror, pens, bible, beanie baby, toothbrush and toothpaste and a crown . It was an amazing experience to see the children look at their reflection for the first time as many of the children had never seen their reflection before.
After the celebration we had the opportunity to sit with the children with their new goodies.It was really nice to be able to spend quality one on one time with the kids. One of my favorite moments was when I played with puppets with the children. The majority of the children had never seen a puppet before. They were so fascinated by them. It was awesome to see them laugh and smile. Another of my favorite moments was sitting with the older girls in the grass and listening to their stories. We shared stories and I showed them my pictures. The next thing I know the girls say that they needed to run to their rooms to get something. They brought out their photo albums and they each gave me a picture of themselves. It was a moving expierience because it was so selfless.
This trip has been absolutely amazing. I have felt so close to God these days. These children have changed my life. They have reminded me how to enjoy the small things in life, to be strong and to be grateful for everything I have. I have made some special connections with the kids at this orphanage I was blessed to be able to remind the children that they are loved by God and not forgotten.I am truly blessed to have been given a chance to come here. I want to leave you from a quote from an Indian poet " I slept and dreamed life was happiness. I awoke and saw life is service. I served and found that in service happiness is found."
After the celebration we had the opportunity to sit with the children with their new goodies.It was really nice to be able to spend quality one on one time with the kids. One of my favorite moments was when I played with puppets with the children. The majority of the children had never seen a puppet before. They were so fascinated by them. It was awesome to see them laugh and smile. Another of my favorite moments was sitting with the older girls in the grass and listening to their stories. We shared stories and I showed them my pictures. The next thing I know the girls say that they needed to run to their rooms to get something. They brought out their photo albums and they each gave me a picture of themselves. It was a moving expierience because it was so selfless.
This trip has been absolutely amazing. I have felt so close to God these days. These children have changed my life. They have reminded me how to enjoy the small things in life, to be strong and to be grateful for everything I have. I have made some special connections with the kids at this orphanage I was blessed to be able to remind the children that they are loved by God and not forgotten.I am truly blessed to have been given a chance to come here. I want to leave you from a quote from an Indian poet " I slept and dreamed life was happiness. I awoke and saw life is service. I served and found that in service happiness is found."
A birthday for the kids
Today was a day full of changed plans and it was amazing. The morning started out with 22 team members lined up in various assembly lines to put together birthday gift bags. Whether we ran out of a particular supply, were making several hundred more gift bags than originally anticipated, or were even having to account for space in the van for ourselves and the added supplies, I watched our team change plans on a dime and make it work. We first went to Caring Heart Orphanage where each day this week we encountered hundreds more children than we had been told would be there. What we saw today were only about a hundred kids; the others had gone out into the village to work as it was the weekend. We had planned a birthday celebration for hundreds but no one was home! While our incredible leaders came up with a new game plan I was able to tour the campus. I found the clinic where Nurse Rosa eagerly gave me a tour. In the back room two children, about nine years of age, were being treated for Malaria. They had IV drips and Rosa told me about their symptoms and how much they had cried yesterday. Today, however, they were smiling and much better. The best part though was seeing them tucked so safely into brand new sheets, with the thick blanket pulled up to their chins. Even in their sickness they were so very happy for their new bedding. As we prepared to depart, to go to Africa Greater Life, Pastor Paul prayed over us with the children who were present. Then he asked the children to pray over us. Several of us were moved to tears as the soft voices of these children, arms raised, murmured their blessings for us in their own language.
When we arrived at Africa Greater Life we were greeted with smiling faces, all of whom have become familiar and known to the team. It was amazing to watch the children gravitate to the team members to whom they had become most comfortable, as a child goes to their parent. Hand in hand we filed into the chapel and worship began. After listening to the children sing stirring songs I had the blessing of presenting the worship message. I spoke about creation and about how God created them wonderfully and in His image. That led us to the birthday celebration, for which we explained what a birthday is and that it is the day God created them. Many of the children did not know when their birthday is, only their birth year, but they all delighted in celebrating their creation! First the children received Bibles, being called one by one by name. To many of these children, this Bible is literally their sole possession. I was filled with awe and joy as I watched the children disperse with their new treasure, flip through the pages, and smell the fresh ink. And using a pen they received in their gift bag, each child wrote his or her name in the front cover of the Book.
Also in their gift bags were hand mirrors. I saw excitement and wonder as these children gazed at themselves. There are no mirrors for these children or photographs of them. They don't get to stare into their own eyes and memorize their sweet smiles.
After the celebration we had the opportunity to sit with the children with their new goodies. I spent some time with a few young boys talking about their new Bibles and reading scripture to them. I was able to take my worship notes and show them where in the Bible I found the message and I gave that note to them to use as a bookmark. One boy I spent some time with was nine year old Ezera. I was amused that first he wanted me to write my phone number in the front of his Bible. I drew him a smiley face and wrote a note instead. And he really wanted my sunglasses but rather, I gave him my peanut butter crackers and an empty Ziploc bag. Finally he told me that he wants me to sponsor him. I asked him what that means and he told me he wants to come to my home and he asked me about my boy. It struck me how tangibly these children understand that there is a different norm than that which they know. At least this boy understands that sometimes someone could come and take them home. All I could do was explain how happy I was that I got to spend this week with him and how glad I am that he can know Jesus' love every time he sleeps in his new bed and reads his new Bible. I will pray for Ezera that someone who can give him a home will find him one day.
When we arrived at Africa Greater Life we were greeted with smiling faces, all of whom have become familiar and known to the team. It was amazing to watch the children gravitate to the team members to whom they had become most comfortable, as a child goes to their parent. Hand in hand we filed into the chapel and worship began. After listening to the children sing stirring songs I had the blessing of presenting the worship message. I spoke about creation and about how God created them wonderfully and in His image. That led us to the birthday celebration, for which we explained what a birthday is and that it is the day God created them. Many of the children did not know when their birthday is, only their birth year, but they all delighted in celebrating their creation! First the children received Bibles, being called one by one by name. To many of these children, this Bible is literally their sole possession. I was filled with awe and joy as I watched the children disperse with their new treasure, flip through the pages, and smell the fresh ink. And using a pen they received in their gift bag, each child wrote his or her name in the front cover of the Book.
Also in their gift bags were hand mirrors. I saw excitement and wonder as these children gazed at themselves. There are no mirrors for these children or photographs of them. They don't get to stare into their own eyes and memorize their sweet smiles.
After the celebration we had the opportunity to sit with the children with their new goodies. I spent some time with a few young boys talking about their new Bibles and reading scripture to them. I was able to take my worship notes and show them where in the Bible I found the message and I gave that note to them to use as a bookmark. One boy I spent some time with was nine year old Ezera. I was amused that first he wanted me to write my phone number in the front of his Bible. I drew him a smiley face and wrote a note instead. And he really wanted my sunglasses but rather, I gave him my peanut butter crackers and an empty Ziploc bag. Finally he told me that he wants me to sponsor him. I asked him what that means and he told me he wants to come to my home and he asked me about my boy. It struck me how tangibly these children understand that there is a different norm than that which they know. At least this boy understands that sometimes someone could come and take them home. All I could do was explain how happy I was that I got to spend this week with him and how glad I am that he can know Jesus' love every time he sleeps in his new bed and reads his new Bible. I will pray for Ezera that someone who can give him a home will find him one day.
My Favorite Day
Sometimes things don't go exactly as planned because God has something better he wants from you... This is what I learned today. The day started off as planning for a birthday party for the children at Caring Heart Orphanage. This is the orphanage that we have had 600 plus kids come each time there, and we were trying to make sure we had birthday bags and gifts for each of them. So we got up and began making bags with mirrors, beanie babies, pens, toothbrushes,toothpaste and candy. Once we arrived at the orphanage we were told they wanted us to come back tomorrow when the whole village would be there. We did have some
pretty sweet moments before we left though, one being throwing beach balls around in a class room with a bunch of the kids. I'm pretty sure that was their first beach ball experience and they loved it!! I met little Grace during this because she was so small she couldn't touch the ball as it was being passed over her head, but she knew how to solve that.... I felt a little hand pulling at my shirt and the little cutie wanting to be picked up. After that Pastor Paul wanted to pray over us so all of the children went outside. Another girl who I have spent a lot of time with (who is an older child there) found me and stood beside me to pray. This may have been one of the best moments I have had here, Grace in my arms and Marion beside me, both with hands lifted high as they prayed. Marion began praying in her own language and then started in English. The words this child was saying to God took my breath away. She praised God with words I have never heard an adult use,much less a child, and she prayed for us in ways that brought tears to my eyes. It was beautiful.
So after the change of plans we headed to African Greater Life to celebrate their birthdays with them. Some of the friends I had met named Sophia and Patience greeted me and led me into their worship center to sit with them. I noticed Sophia had on one of the necklaces made of paper and so I asked her if she made it and she ran out of the room and quickly returned with paper and begin tearing it into strips and teaching me how to make the necklaces. She then placed the necklace she was wearing around my neck and told me she wanted me to have it.
We then passed out the Bibles we had brought to them. The children were so excited. Smelling, touching, and holding the Bibles close. Faith, a beautiful child, told me that it was her first Bible and she loved it. It was so amazing to see the reactions the children had as they held their new Bible. Next the birthday party began. The children each went through our tunnel of arms we made for them and received their gifts, which they loved. The rest of the day we had time to sit down and just hang out with the kids, which was my favorite thing so far. Just being able to talk to them one on one and hear some of their stories. We colored, we read, and just got to enjoy our time with them.
So today, even though it turned out differently then planned was a beautiful day. We all left with so much joy and all so excited about the time we had experienced. God is so good.
Whitney
pretty sweet moments before we left though, one being throwing beach balls around in a class room with a bunch of the kids. I'm pretty sure that was their first beach ball experience and they loved it!! I met little Grace during this because she was so small she couldn't touch the ball as it was being passed over her head, but she knew how to solve that.... I felt a little hand pulling at my shirt and the little cutie wanting to be picked up. After that Pastor Paul wanted to pray over us so all of the children went outside. Another girl who I have spent a lot of time with (who is an older child there) found me and stood beside me to pray. This may have been one of the best moments I have had here, Grace in my arms and Marion beside me, both with hands lifted high as they prayed. Marion began praying in her own language and then started in English. The words this child was saying to God took my breath away. She praised God with words I have never heard an adult use,much less a child, and she prayed for us in ways that brought tears to my eyes. It was beautiful.
So after the change of plans we headed to African Greater Life to celebrate their birthdays with them. Some of the friends I had met named Sophia and Patience greeted me and led me into their worship center to sit with them. I noticed Sophia had on one of the necklaces made of paper and so I asked her if she made it and she ran out of the room and quickly returned with paper and begin tearing it into strips and teaching me how to make the necklaces. She then placed the necklace she was wearing around my neck and told me she wanted me to have it.
We then passed out the Bibles we had brought to them. The children were so excited. Smelling, touching, and holding the Bibles close. Faith, a beautiful child, told me that it was her first Bible and she loved it. It was so amazing to see the reactions the children had as they held their new Bible. Next the birthday party began. The children each went through our tunnel of arms we made for them and received their gifts, which they loved. The rest of the day we had time to sit down and just hang out with the kids, which was my favorite thing so far. Just being able to talk to them one on one and hear some of their stories. We colored, we read, and just got to enjoy our time with them.
So today, even though it turned out differently then planned was a beautiful day. We all left with so much joy and all so excited about the time we had experienced. God is so good.
Whitney
Friday, July 24, 2009
A Great Day at Africa Greater Life
As an iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17
This verse has a whole new meaning to me than ever before after my journey through this week.
I would like to explain by sharing a couple of stories that happened just today.
We spent the day today building 108 beds at the Greater Life Orphanage. I was assigned to play with the kids while some of the team built the beds, which was great! As I was attempting to teach the kids how to play kickball, I had a little boy walk up to me and press a piece of play dough very firmly to my arm. He pulled the piece of play dough from my arm and shook his head in disgust. He then placed the play dough on his arm very firmly and looked at me and shrugged his shoulder. I then realized that when he put the play dough on his skin and took it off it had pieces of black on it (it was dirt, because he was so dirty) and he thought if he pressed hard enough on my arm, he would get white on it.
As I walked around the campus today at the orphanage I had another little boy come up to me at least ten different times. He would smell my skin and then would rub his lips along my arm and kiss me. He did this various times through out the day.
I had another fellow, who was about two years old, that found me as soon as I stepped off the bus. He held my hand all day. He went every where I did, but would not smile. I tried everything! We left to have lunch and when we came back I walked into the worship area and caught his eye, I clapped my hands at him and motioned for him to come to me. He smiled so big!!!
As I started this entry with the verse, I will end by saying....
I thought I was coming to make a difference in a child's life this week...
but what has happened is... these kids have changed my life! I am the one who will go home with a whole different perspective of life and my own family I am so blessed with!
Stacey Spain
This verse has a whole new meaning to me than ever before after my journey through this week.
I would like to explain by sharing a couple of stories that happened just today.
We spent the day today building 108 beds at the Greater Life Orphanage. I was assigned to play with the kids while some of the team built the beds, which was great! As I was attempting to teach the kids how to play kickball, I had a little boy walk up to me and press a piece of play dough very firmly to my arm. He pulled the piece of play dough from my arm and shook his head in disgust. He then placed the play dough on his arm very firmly and looked at me and shrugged his shoulder. I then realized that when he put the play dough on his skin and took it off it had pieces of black on it (it was dirt, because he was so dirty) and he thought if he pressed hard enough on my arm, he would get white on it.
As I walked around the campus today at the orphanage I had another little boy come up to me at least ten different times. He would smell my skin and then would rub his lips along my arm and kiss me. He did this various times through out the day.
I had another fellow, who was about two years old, that found me as soon as I stepped off the bus. He held my hand all day. He went every where I did, but would not smile. I tried everything! We left to have lunch and when we came back I walked into the worship area and caught his eye, I clapped my hands at him and motioned for him to come to me. He smiled so big!!!
As I started this entry with the verse, I will end by saying....
I thought I was coming to make a difference in a child's life this week...
but what has happened is... these kids have changed my life! I am the one who will go home with a whole different perspective of life and my own family I am so blessed with!
Stacey Spain
Uganda - Day 5: Africa Greater Life Orphanage
Well we had another crazy wonderful day of building beds. We spent our entire day with the beautiful children at African Greater Life Orphanage, and it was so touching to be greeted with "Good morning, Mike," by some of the dear friends that I had previously met. They were so appreciative and took much pride in their wonderful new beds. What an incredible opportunity to share with the sweet little children as they crawled into their new beds for the very first time.
I have made some special connections with the kids at this orphanage, and it made this journey so incredibly meaningful and fulfilling to sit and talk with boys like Joseph and Israel to tell them the very reason we came to bring them their beds, "Because we want them to know that they are loved by God and not forgotten." It is hard to describe in words the floors and mattresses these kids were previously sleeping on, but the difference these Sweet Sleep beds make is unbelievable. We have been so utterly blessed by the gratitude of the children, the teachers, and the entire community we have been working in.
My heart continues to be broken by the things that break the heart of God, and he is growing an immense sense of purpose in all of us on this trip. I am continually asking God where this journey is leading and it is hard to process everything that has impacted us. We are all so truly blessed at the chance we have been given to love these children, and be loved by them in return.
Mike Warneke
I have made some special connections with the kids at this orphanage, and it made this journey so incredibly meaningful and fulfilling to sit and talk with boys like Joseph and Israel to tell them the very reason we came to bring them their beds, "Because we want them to know that they are loved by God and not forgotten." It is hard to describe in words the floors and mattresses these kids were previously sleeping on, but the difference these Sweet Sleep beds make is unbelievable. We have been so utterly blessed by the gratitude of the children, the teachers, and the entire community we have been working in.
My heart continues to be broken by the things that break the heart of God, and he is growing an immense sense of purpose in all of us on this trip. I am continually asking God where this journey is leading and it is hard to process everything that has impacted us. We are all so truly blessed at the chance we have been given to love these children, and be loved by them in return.
Mike Warneke
Thursday, July 23, 2009
moore pick shures.
in no particular order...more fun times in photo form.
"mad house" sums this scene up pretty good.
home made gifts from the teachers and orphanage workers.
this is a self portrait -- you can see my hand. it's crazy how many orphan's hands you can hold when you only have 2 of your own. i think i counted 9 at one point....
there may or may not have been up to 160 kids sleeping in this room every night with exactly only the mattresses/beds you see pictured. crazy.
"mad house" sums this scene up pretty good.
home made gifts from the teachers and orphanage workers.
this is a self portrait -- you can see my hand. it's crazy how many orphan's hands you can hold when you only have 2 of your own. i think i counted 9 at one point....
there may or may not have been up to 160 kids sleeping in this room every night with exactly only the mattresses/beds you see pictured. crazy.
Beds and the WHOLE village
So today at Caring Heart started out with worship with all the children, teachers, and many people from the village. By the end of worship we were all dancing and jumping around singing "Jesus is a winner". It was precious and hysterical all at the same time. After worship we played outside with the children while waiting on the buses to bring us the beds. Two soccer balls, some jump ropes, three frisbees, and bubbles made for great fun for the almost 600 orphans.
I couldn't believe that I was playing frisbee with a group of 45 girls, and they were all getting along! At one point, I heard squealing and turned around to see all the youngest ones chasing bubbles around like they had never seen them before. It was amazing! The whole village had come today to see the beds being delivered. There were women and their babies and older men all awaiting the arrival of the beds. When the trucks pulled up with bed frames stacked way over the top, all the people began cheering and screaming.
Before we unloaded all the bedframes, we had a ceremony with Pastor Paul, all the villagers, and all the orphans. We sang again and danced together. Then Pastor Paul asked the village people to bring gifts to our team in appreciation for what we were doing for them. It was very humbling to have the local women present us with bananas, avocados, sugar cane, and other fruits. Some even brought money. It was like the woman in the Bible who brought her offering to Jesus in the temple despite her poverty and need. Then they all lifted their hands up to the Lord and all prayed out loud over our team. It was so moving! After this moving ceremony, we began unloading the beds. Many hours later, more sweat than I even knew I had, and more dirty than I knew I could get, we had all the beds in the formerly large empty room where these precious children had been sleeping on the floor. How wonderful to think that tonight they can sleep off of the floor and with protection from the mosquitoes. I've never seen people be more thankful and appreciative for gifts! Their sweet smiles and hugs were enough thanks for me!
One song that has been on my mind while we are hear is Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Yours". I have a brand new appreciation for these words and wanted to share them with you.
"I've walked the dirt roads of Uganda. I see the scars that war has left behind. Hope like the sun is fading. Their waiting for cure no one can find. I hear the childrens voices singing of a God who heals and rescues and restores. And I'm reminded every child in Africa is YOURS."
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement on this journey! You are a part of it with us!
Rebecca
I couldn't believe that I was playing frisbee with a group of 45 girls, and they were all getting along! At one point, I heard squealing and turned around to see all the youngest ones chasing bubbles around like they had never seen them before. It was amazing! The whole village had come today to see the beds being delivered. There were women and their babies and older men all awaiting the arrival of the beds. When the trucks pulled up with bed frames stacked way over the top, all the people began cheering and screaming.
Before we unloaded all the bedframes, we had a ceremony with Pastor Paul, all the villagers, and all the orphans. We sang again and danced together. Then Pastor Paul asked the village people to bring gifts to our team in appreciation for what we were doing for them. It was very humbling to have the local women present us with bananas, avocados, sugar cane, and other fruits. Some even brought money. It was like the woman in the Bible who brought her offering to Jesus in the temple despite her poverty and need. Then they all lifted their hands up to the Lord and all prayed out loud over our team. It was so moving! After this moving ceremony, we began unloading the beds. Many hours later, more sweat than I even knew I had, and more dirty than I knew I could get, we had all the beds in the formerly large empty room where these precious children had been sleeping on the floor. How wonderful to think that tonight they can sleep off of the floor and with protection from the mosquitoes. I've never seen people be more thankful and appreciative for gifts! Their sweet smiles and hugs were enough thanks for me!
One song that has been on my mind while we are hear is Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Yours". I have a brand new appreciation for these words and wanted to share them with you.
"I've walked the dirt roads of Uganda. I see the scars that war has left behind. Hope like the sun is fading. Their waiting for cure no one can find. I hear the childrens voices singing of a God who heals and rescues and restores. And I'm reminded every child in Africa is YOURS."
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement on this journey! You are a part of it with us!
Rebecca
Day 4 July 23, 2009 BED DAY!!
Today is the day that we all have been eagerly waiting for....the delivery of the BEDS!! Because the beds were late getting to the first orphanage we only we able to assemble beds at Caring Heart and tomorrow we have a full day of assembling beds at Africa Greater Life. Caring Heart has 2 dorms, male and female. In each room we placed 25 bunks fully equipped with two sheets, a blanket, and mosquito nets. While we were making the beds the children were eagerly looking through the windows in anticipation of sleeping in their new beds. We were also fortunate enough to place beds in the teachers quarters for a total of 14 bunks. Today was awesome!! God has blessed each one of us for the opportunity to share God's love with all of these children today! Tonight the children will finally get sweet sleep!!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Uganda.....here we are!
Day one is in the books and our team is about to descend upon the dining room for breakfast and the beginning of day two. Only God knows what's in store. Before yesterday we thought we'd be blessed to minister to 450 Ugandan children growing up in two orphanages. Turns out we are blessed with over 700. Wow.
This is a massive effort. We ask that you continue to join us in the task ahead. Actually, we plead with you to join us. We cannot do it without you.
Right now we need you to consider what lies ahead of our team and our ministry and stop to pray for anything that comes to mind. It doesn't matter if you are a frequent pray-er or have never prayed. Just talk to God about what you think of. And, if you would, we ask you to send our blog address out to all your friends to follow. Or, you can even post it in you FB status to let as many people as possible know about what is, and what will be, happening.
I want to show you pictures of the two orphanages we're working with just outside of Kampala. The first has more than 120 children, 9 widows who help care for them and about 30 beds (with practically no mosquito nets). The second has 305 (or, as we learned yesterday...600) children and just 8 beds (no nets). I think that's all I need to say about that.
I love looking at this sweet little girl's photo.
A bedroom.
This was the image that broke me. This is where the sweet children and the widow sleep. In a quiet moment this past January, with God and while standing before these precious ones, I felt certain Sweet Sleep's ministry in Uganda would begin in this very room.
These are the precious children who sleep in the "bed" above.
Today....we can't wait to share it with you. Thanks for reading, posting your encouragement and for your advocacy and prayers!
See you in the next blog,
Jen
This is a massive effort. We ask that you continue to join us in the task ahead. Actually, we plead with you to join us. We cannot do it without you.
Right now we need you to consider what lies ahead of our team and our ministry and stop to pray for anything that comes to mind. It doesn't matter if you are a frequent pray-er or have never prayed. Just talk to God about what you think of. And, if you would, we ask you to send our blog address out to all your friends to follow. Or, you can even post it in you FB status to let as many people as possible know about what is, and what will be, happening.
I want to show you pictures of the two orphanages we're working with just outside of Kampala. The first has more than 120 children, 9 widows who help care for them and about 30 beds (with practically no mosquito nets). The second has 305 (or, as we learned yesterday...600) children and just 8 beds (no nets). I think that's all I need to say about that.
I love looking at this sweet little girl's photo.
A bedroom.
This was the image that broke me. This is where the sweet children and the widow sleep. In a quiet moment this past January, with God and while standing before these precious ones, I felt certain Sweet Sleep's ministry in Uganda would begin in this very room.
These are the precious children who sleep in the "bed" above.Today....we can't wait to share it with you. Thanks for reading, posting your encouragement and for your advocacy and prayers!
See you in the next blog,
Jen
If you want a little glipmse at how AWESOME our God is, just take a gander at this statistic: 1 day in Uganda=0 mosquito bites for Kelsey!! :) (for those of you who don't know me this is a BIG deal because usually I am the first to be bitten and the last to stop itching!) Here's a couple of other stats just in case you're interested: # of times Meghann has verbalized her excitement about the fact that the driver is on the other side of the car and that they drive on the other side of the road=1,000 and counting, # of sandwiches "lost"=1/2, # of sandwiches found=1/2, # of times being winked at=1, # of times being blown kisses to=2, # of girls to rub the makeup off of my face and put it on theirs=2 and finally # of kids who have willingly left Stuart to come sit with me=2 :) (haha)
(insert smooth transition into next topic here)___________
(insert second smooth transition into next topic here)____________
I never cease to be amazed by the difference certain actions, that to us seem so insignificant, can make in the lives of the world's orphaned and abandoned children! Today, while sitting among the mass of children that God has allowed us to come and serve this week, I began to notice that every time I would make eye contact with one of the kids and smile at them they would smile to themselves while looking away bashfully. After experiencing this response several times it kind of clicked with me and I realized that they responded this way because of 1: nervousness and 2: they weren't exactly sure how to respond. Through this realization I came to another one: These kids are constantly up against hundreds of other kids to win the attention, even for just a split second, of their care takers. Because there are so many children the care givers' attention can't be focused on just one thing, they must focus on countless different things all at once! It is likely that many of the kids have rarely, if ever, had the undivided attention of someone and the opportunity to be singled out and made to feel special. That's what the simple action of making eye contact and smiling and waving to them did for these kids, it gave them a moment to feel special, noticed and loved. I have no doubt that these kids are loved by their teachers (who are absolutely FABULOUS by the way) but I also have no doubt that it is close to impossible for them to focus completely on one child and givehim or her the undivided attention that he or she so deeply longs for when there are hundreds of other kids always around longing for the exact same thing!
-Kelsey Drennan-
(insert smooth transition into next topic here)___________
So, today was the first day for us to meet all of the sweet sweet children that we will be working with all week! I think that I speak for the whole team when I say that our hearts melted instantly the moment we pulled through the gate to the Caring Heart orphanage and were greeted by a massive mob of children singing "we are so happy, so happy to see you here!" x25 :) All of the children and teachers and the directors of both Caring Heart and Africa Greater Life were SO welcoming and made us feel right at home! I can't wait until tomorrow when we get to see all of their precious faces and bright smiles!
(insert second smooth transition into next topic here)____________
I never cease to be amazed by the difference certain actions, that to us seem so insignificant, can make in the lives of the world's orphaned and abandoned children! Today, while sitting among the mass of children that God has allowed us to come and serve this week, I began to notice that every time I would make eye contact with one of the kids and smile at them they would smile to themselves while looking away bashfully. After experiencing this response several times it kind of clicked with me and I realized that they responded this way because of 1: nervousness and 2: they weren't exactly sure how to respond. Through this realization I came to another one: These kids are constantly up against hundreds of other kids to win the attention, even for just a split second, of their care takers. Because there are so many children the care givers' attention can't be focused on just one thing, they must focus on countless different things all at once! It is likely that many of the kids have rarely, if ever, had the undivided attention of someone and the opportunity to be singled out and made to feel special. That's what the simple action of making eye contact and smiling and waving to them did for these kids, it gave them a moment to feel special, noticed and loved. I have no doubt that these kids are loved by their teachers (who are absolutely FABULOUS by the way) but I also have no doubt that it is close to impossible for them to focus completely on one child and givehim or her the undivided attention that he or she so deeply longs for when there are hundreds of other kids always around longing for the exact same thing!
So, I guess all of that goes to say that if the only thing I accomplish this week is making a child feel special and sharing God's love with him or her then I will be 100% satisfied because the love that I have for each and every one of these precious children here in Uganda comes from one source and one source only: the God that created them! and even though we have to leave in a week, He will still be here and His love that He allowed the team and me to to express to these kids will still be here and if there is one thing that will never fail them it's the love of God, our Father and theirs! I'm going to leave you with 1 Corintians 12:3-8 because there is no better way to describe the love of God than that!
-Kelsey Drennan-
there seriously is way too much that could be said just about our first day at the orphanages -- not to mention the trip here...wow. since everyone else will be blogging and blogging their little hearts out with words, i figured i would contribute a little eye candy to give you a bit of a taste of what today was like in uganda.
Cutie Pie Chaos - VALERIE
Valerie, here. Using Stuart's identity to sign in as mine is not working.
Our first full day in Uganda and what a day! We took a whirlwind tour of the city of Kampala, outlying areas, and two orphanages. It was a day filled with overwhelming experiences and images. The city is a hustling, bustling metropolis filled with merchants, storefronts, honking cars making four or more lanes on a road built for two, with bicycles and motorcycles screaming by on either side. And then there's the dichotomy of the city: people nicely dressed for the most part, all seemingly chatting on their cell phone contrasted against a backdrop of sheer poverty and need. The people are beautiful. The shiny ebony tone of their skin, their smiling eyes and welcoming voices.
We pulled up at Caring Heart this morning, the first of our two orphanages we're visiting this week, and were welcomed by a throng of children running to meet us as we pulled into their driveway. With windows down, the soft melody of a song I can only assume they made up just for us, flooded our van. "We are SO happy...so happy to see you here today...We are so happy...to see you...here today. So happy!"
After confirming with the director, we realized the sheer number of kids we were dealing with and had to reassess our game plan. For the 350 orphans we were expecting, the actual number was closer to 500-600. We spent a lot of time loving on these guys, cuddling, trying to learn names. Lugandan was overwhelming the spoken language here so we relied heavily on translators and the teachers to help us communicate. Following introductions of our team to everyone and then a song and dance program from them for us, we broke out into smaller groups. While half of the place was outside, getting fresh air and playing games, the rest stayed inside the meeting hall and worked on an arts and craft project.
After saying our goodbyes and loading on the van, we continued on to Africa Greater Life this afternoon. Again, the welcome mat was rolled out for us in the form of tiny faces and huge smiles. At this orphanage, the number of children present met our expectations of roughly 100. They, too, took us into a meeting hall and entertained us with beautiful music and hypnotizing dances. We shared in worship and then again, broke out into smaller groups to spend time getting to know our kids. I don't think any team member walked around with a free hand or arm the entire time.
It was a long, hot, hard day but oh so rewarding. Our only prayer is that these children and the people who care for them on a daily basis will see in us - in our expense and effort to get here, in our hugs and handshakes, in our presentations and games and arts & crafts projects - that there is a God. A God who created each one special and unique. Who knows their names. Who has not forsaken them. This is just one way for Him to say "well, hi there."
Our first full day in Uganda and what a day! We took a whirlwind tour of the city of Kampala, outlying areas, and two orphanages. It was a day filled with overwhelming experiences and images. The city is a hustling, bustling metropolis filled with merchants, storefronts, honking cars making four or more lanes on a road built for two, with bicycles and motorcycles screaming by on either side. And then there's the dichotomy of the city: people nicely dressed for the most part, all seemingly chatting on their cell phone contrasted against a backdrop of sheer poverty and need. The people are beautiful. The shiny ebony tone of their skin, their smiling eyes and welcoming voices.
We pulled up at Caring Heart this morning, the first of our two orphanages we're visiting this week, and were welcomed by a throng of children running to meet us as we pulled into their driveway. With windows down, the soft melody of a song I can only assume they made up just for us, flooded our van. "We are SO happy...so happy to see you here today...We are so happy...to see you...here today. So happy!"
After confirming with the director, we realized the sheer number of kids we were dealing with and had to reassess our game plan. For the 350 orphans we were expecting, the actual number was closer to 500-600. We spent a lot of time loving on these guys, cuddling, trying to learn names. Lugandan was overwhelming the spoken language here so we relied heavily on translators and the teachers to help us communicate. Following introductions of our team to everyone and then a song and dance program from them for us, we broke out into smaller groups. While half of the place was outside, getting fresh air and playing games, the rest stayed inside the meeting hall and worked on an arts and craft project.
After saying our goodbyes and loading on the van, we continued on to Africa Greater Life this afternoon. Again, the welcome mat was rolled out for us in the form of tiny faces and huge smiles. At this orphanage, the number of children present met our expectations of roughly 100. They, too, took us into a meeting hall and entertained us with beautiful music and hypnotizing dances. We shared in worship and then again, broke out into smaller groups to spend time getting to know our kids. I don't think any team member walked around with a free hand or arm the entire time.
It was a long, hot, hard day but oh so rewarding. Our only prayer is that these children and the people who care for them on a daily basis will see in us - in our expense and effort to get here, in our hugs and handshakes, in our presentations and games and arts & crafts projects - that there is a God. A God who created each one special and unique. Who knows their names. Who has not forsaken them. This is just one way for Him to say "well, hi there."
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
4, 3, 2, 1
We're here!!!! 4 countries, 3 flights, 2 days and 1 happy team! We had a safe and uneventful arrival in Uganda, including an unexpected stopover in Rwanda which apparently was just part of the regular flight plan, that no one told us about :) We are just now nestling down for the night under our mosquito nets! We are tired but overall in good spirits! Can't wait to meet our kids in the morning. I am so looking forward to meeting people here. I want to know their stories, ask them their history and hear about their lives. Uganda suprisingly reminds me of Moldova in the summertime. Smoke from trash fires and factories filled the sky tonight and even though it's cool, it's still muggy! Bumpy roads, crazy drivers... so far it's what I pictured. Rich and poor living right across the street from one another. Tonight in our devotional time, Hannah asked us to think about the one thing we wanted God to accomplish this week in and through us. Statistics tell us that when we write our goals out, we are that much more likely to see them accomplished. So we've written our God sized goals out, traded with a praying team member and are expectantly waiting to be awed by our God. This is what I've been waiting for. To Him be all the glory. Sweet dreams... more to come! Amy
Finally Arrived and Already Inspired
Hey everyone! Meghann Searcy here! Wow! What a trip this has been so far! After about 30 hours of traveling with an hour bus ride at the end (insert minor bus trouble here), let's just say that our team has had some good bonding time already, and we have only just arrived in Uganda. We met up with our out-of-state team members in Newark: Whitney, Kendra, Angie, Melissa, and Mike. Our team is great and I think we are all going to be able to work together to truly make a difference in the lives of these children. While we haven't yet met the kids we will be working with, I would like to share with you an entry I wrote in my journal:
I have just witnessed something miraculous. As I was sitting on our last flight, waiting to take off to travel the last hour from Rwanda to Uganda, I was feeling sleepy and irritated, ready to get off of this plane and get to bed. I noticed that behind me, Tory Wolf was speaking to the woman seated next to her. This woman will never leave my mind. As I began listening in (probably rude) on their conversation, I was shocked by some of the things I heard. This woman was the mother of 20 children, only 2 of which were blood-related to her. She told us that she had been rescuing children from the streets. Her own children are 20 and 24, but these rescued children range from ages 1-11. Her most recent rescue was a little boy. He was found in a bush at one week old. And he was HIV positive. She was contacted by the police and agreed to take him in, "hoping to simply have a proper burial," she told us. The little boy, now called Moses, is living healthy and is HIV negative. "He is a sweet boy," she said. This is only one story. When we told her we thought she was incredible, she replied with, "It's not me, it's the Lord." She also told us that "this is not an orphanage--it's a home. I have no intention of letting them go when they reach a certain age." This is one woman. One woman with an inspirational story of how the Lord can use anyone if we only allow Him to. That is why I am in Africa. I pray that the Lord uses me to do incredible things. Now as I sit here, still waiting for the plane to take off, I am more grateful for what I have and more energized for the week ahead. Thank you, Lord, for letting me meet this wonderful woman.
This was such a wonderful experience for me and it was only on the plane. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us the rest of our time here. Thank you all so much for your prayers! We look forward to sharing all of our stories and picture with you when we get back! Love to everyone at home, Meghann Searcy
I have just witnessed something miraculous. As I was sitting on our last flight, waiting to take off to travel the last hour from Rwanda to Uganda, I was feeling sleepy and irritated, ready to get off of this plane and get to bed. I noticed that behind me, Tory Wolf was speaking to the woman seated next to her. This woman will never leave my mind. As I began listening in (probably rude) on their conversation, I was shocked by some of the things I heard. This woman was the mother of 20 children, only 2 of which were blood-related to her. She told us that she had been rescuing children from the streets. Her own children are 20 and 24, but these rescued children range from ages 1-11. Her most recent rescue was a little boy. He was found in a bush at one week old. And he was HIV positive. She was contacted by the police and agreed to take him in, "hoping to simply have a proper burial," she told us. The little boy, now called Moses, is living healthy and is HIV negative. "He is a sweet boy," she said. This is only one story. When we told her we thought she was incredible, she replied with, "It's not me, it's the Lord." She also told us that "this is not an orphanage--it's a home. I have no intention of letting them go when they reach a certain age." This is one woman. One woman with an inspirational story of how the Lord can use anyone if we only allow Him to. That is why I am in Africa. I pray that the Lord uses me to do incredible things. Now as I sit here, still waiting for the plane to take off, I am more grateful for what I have and more energized for the week ahead. Thank you, Lord, for letting me meet this wonderful woman.
This was such a wonderful experience for me and it was only on the plane. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us the rest of our time here. Thank you all so much for your prayers! We look forward to sharing all of our stories and picture with you when we get back! Love to everyone at home, Meghann Searcy
Uganda Team Has Arrived in Kampala!
Our Uganda Mission Journey Team has arrived safely in Kampala! It's close to 11pm in Uganda, so our team is grabbing their luggage and headed to their team house where they'll get settled and get some rest after 30 long hours of travel.
This is Sweet Sleep's first trip outside of the country of Moldova - this team is full of trail blazers! Please remember to pray for our team as they serve and follow them here on their blog at http://sweetsleep.blogspot.com.
This is Sweet Sleep's first trip outside of the country of Moldova - this team is full of trail blazers! Please remember to pray for our team as they serve and follow them here on their blog at http://sweetsleep.blogspot.com.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Uganda Team On Their Way!
This is the Nashville delegation of our Uganda Team on their way to Kampala this morning. They met up with more team members in Newark and our on their way to Kampala through Brussels. We'll keep you posted and let you know when the team has landed safely in Uganda. Stay tuned for updates!
Beds Are On The Way! Uganda Team In The Air.
Our Uganda Mission Journey Team is in the air!17 volunteers left the Nashville airport just a bit ago and will meet 5 more friends in Newark on their way to Uganda. Our team will be building beds and ministering to 450 children in two orphanages near Kampala, Uganda. Soon these 3 sweet children and their friends will sleep sweetly in beautiful, comfortable new Sweet Sleep beds! Please join us in praying for this team today - for safe travels and smooth connections on their way to Uganda. And don't forget to check back often for updates about our team's work in Uganda!
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Uganda...people get ready.
Day one is in the books and our team is about to descend upon the dining room for breakfast and the beginning of day two. Only God knows what's in store. Before yesterday we thought we'd be blessed to minister to 450 Ugandan children growing up in two orphanages. Turns out we are blessed with over 700. Wow.
This is a massive effort. We ask that you continue to join us in the task ahead. Actually, we plead with you to join us. We cannot do it without you.
Right now we need you to consider what lies ahead of our team and our ministry and stop to pray for anything that comes to mind. It doesn't matter if you are a frequent pray-er or have never prayed. Just talk to God about what you think of. And, if you would, we ask you to send our blog address out to all your friends to follow. Or, you can even post it in you FB status to let as many people as possible know about what is, and what will be, happening.
I want to show you pictures of the two orphanages we're working with just outside of Kampala. The first has more than 120 children, 9 widows who help care for them and about 30 beds (with practically no mosquito nets). The second has 305 (or, as we learned yesterday...600) children and just 8 beds (no nets). I think that's all I need to say about that.
I love looking at this sweet little girl's photo.
A bedroom.
This was the image that broke me. This is where the sweet children and the widow sleep. In a quiet moment this past January, with God and while standing before these precious ones, I felt certain Sweet Sleep's ministry in Uganda would begin in this very room.
These are the precious children who sleep in the "bed" above.
Today....we can't wait to share it with you. Thanks for reading, posting your encouragement and for your advocacy and prayers!
See you in the next blog,
Jen
This is a massive effort. We ask that you continue to join us in the task ahead. Actually, we plead with you to join us. We cannot do it without you.
Right now we need you to consider what lies ahead of our team and our ministry and stop to pray for anything that comes to mind. It doesn't matter if you are a frequent pray-er or have never prayed. Just talk to God about what you think of. And, if you would, we ask you to send our blog address out to all your friends to follow. Or, you can even post it in you FB status to let as many people as possible know about what is, and what will be, happening.
I want to show you pictures of the two orphanages we're working with just outside of Kampala. The first has more than 120 children, 9 widows who help care for them and about 30 beds (with practically no mosquito nets). The second has 305 (or, as we learned yesterday...600) children and just 8 beds (no nets). I think that's all I need to say about that.
I love looking at this sweet little girl's photo.A bedroom.This was the image that broke me. This is where the sweet children and the widow sleep. In a quiet moment this past January, with God and while standing before these precious ones, I felt certain Sweet Sleep's ministry in Uganda would begin in this very room.These are the precious children who sleep in the "bed" above.Today....we can't wait to share it with you. Thanks for reading, posting your encouragement and for your advocacy and prayers!
See you in the next blog,
Jen
Monday, June 08, 2009
Saturday, June 06, 2009
This Team Amazes Me
Two days ago Jerad presented the concept of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross providing us all with the opportunity for eternal life with Jesus. At the end he prayed a prayer and asked the children to pray that prayer with him silently if they wanted to accept Christ as their savior. Yesterday during the birthday party, he asked if any had prayed the prayer and asked Jesus to come into their hearts. I didn’t count them, but at least ten kids came forward and said they had accepted Christ! What an amazing moment! It’s incredibly meaningful and fulfilling for me to see kids like these receive their new beds and to know that they will sleep in comfort because of the work we have done, but to see kids desire a relationship with Christ and accept him as their savior is beyond any words I can use to describe it.
There really are just so many thoughts swirling around in my head right now that I think I’ll just stop here and post more another day when I have had more time to process it all. I consider myself lucky to have been here with such remarkable young men and women, and I’m so grateful for the incredible ways God has chosen to use them this week for his purposes in Moldova.
Thanks to everyone who made this trip possible with their prayers and financial support. We could not do it without you.
Stuart
YongLife Team - Day 6
Looking back on all the things that I have experienced this trip has really been amazing. I have learned how to act like a kid again. It feels like with these kids there is no need for stress or anxiety but just joy and laughter. Whether it is playing games, doing skits, or just joking around with these orphans, it has really shown me that life is too short to be serious all the time. Also, I have realized what compassion and love really are.
I had the opportunity to become very close to one of the kids at the camp, Victor. He would always be at my side throughout the entire trip and it almost felt like there was no language barrier between us. This was much unexpected because I didn’t think I could become close to someone in such a short period of time. I really didn’t understand the depth of this relationship until our final goodbye. Seeing a very tough and strong 14 year old boy basically fall apart in to my arms for one final embrace was gut wrenching and heartbreaking. Then I watched as he began to cover his eyes and hide the tears from his other classmates (because to show any sign of emotion or any vulnerability in Moldova is considered weakness) as we pulled away in the bus.
The time spent here in this country has truly been special and I am eternally grateful for all the prayers and gifts that got me here, and can’t wait to see you soon.
Sincerely,
William Ball
Friday, June 05, 2009
YoungLife Team - Day 5
Hey heyy to everyone back home! Today was very emotional for most of the team and even for the children. It was our last full day at the orphanage, and we kicked off our morning with a birthday party. It was so awesome to shower all the kids that we’ve grown to know and love with princess crowns and baseball caps, soap, toothbrushes, candy and more.
As much as I would love to detail the events of today, I have something bigger on my heart that I shared with the team tonight and I would like to share with you. Before we left for the trip I spent a couple weeks testing my faith. For all of you who don’t know me, I spend a lot of time (willingly) by myself. Whether it is in the car or just at the house, I like to enjoy time on my own thinking about life and praying to God. Recently, I have enjoyed running. I run down to where the bridge is on Moran Road (more commonly known as the road that the rope swing for the Harpeth River’s on). This long and winding road is where I see God. I run until I make it to the bridge, then I stop to walk around, take in His creation, and pray. What I’ve been praying for, for these past couple weeks is for me to learn that Jesus is really all I need in life.
Our faith in God is really a day-by-day choice. What I think makes it so hard to have faith is the fact that we are holding on to something that we can’t physically latch on to. God, yes He is everywhere, but you can’t see Him, you can’t touch him physically, you can’t look Him in the eyes and talk to Him and hear Him answer directly back. Because of this, I have really wrestled with feeling that Jesus is all I need. I knew in my heart that it is the truth, but I have really wrestled in believing that He is all I need in life. So in little ways to test myself, I have done things whenever I feel alone not to look for earthly comfort (such as texting people for no purpose or watching T.V. because I have nothing better to do), but instead pray to God to show me how He is all I need.
The devotion for this morning was the “always trusts, always hopes” portion of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. It was so fitting because I have trusted that the Lord is all I need and I’ve been hoping in some fashion or another He would prove it to me. And let me say, He did just that. To quote Lauren, “God is never afraid to blow our minds with the power that He has.”
My biggest fear about coming on this trip is that our week in Moldova wouldn’t be enough time to leave an impact on these kids. I had a sense of hopelessness whenever I thought about what the kid’s lives would look like after we left, because in all honesty they are set up for failure. But all throughout the day today I never felt sad. At first I felt bad because I wasn’t crying and other people were, but as the day went on I realized why I felt so content with life and the timing of our leaving. I felt comfortable, like this was supposed to happen. To me, I feel like everything is gonna be ok for these kids. With what little time we had, we showed them God’s love. We gave them Jesus, and that is all they need. If all a kid in an orphanage has to his name is the love of Jesus and is completely fine and destined for an awesome life because of it, then I know that that is all I need too.
The director of the orphanage told some of our leaders today that they talked to the kids about this past week and what it has meant to them. One of the kids shared that because of the joy they have seen in the Americans and the happiness that comes with knowing Jesus, they don’t have to live like their parents. (A brief incite to what Moldovan life is like: no one here smiles at people passing bye. It’s very unlike their culture to ask “How are you?” The only person you express your feelings to is your closest friend). They can live a life shining in the light of the Lord. Our mission was accomplished and my prayers were answered.
God is good and has truly blessed me through this experience and for that I am thankful.
Much love,
Beth “Elizabeta” Browner
How do I even put into words all the different emotions and feelings from this week? Right now, I am feeling overwhelmed. Today was a unique day where we did not have our usual schedule of building beds and arts and crafts. Today we threw a birthday party for the children at the orphanage. Even though we do not speak the same language, the look of joy on their faces will always translate. I was overwhelmed with emotions today. The love that my team has for these precious children mixed with the sadness of saying goodbye was truly exhausting. Even as I type, I am trying to process this week.
For me, this week has been unexpected. I was surprised how quickly I fell in love with the children at the orphanage. I did not think that in one week, I could be so attached. I was amazed at how building beds could bring so much hope to the children. It was such a great picture to paint for the kids about how building beds and Jesus’ love go hand in hand. My favorite saying to tell the kids when we were in their rooms and praying was to tell them when they got in bed and had the covers wrapped around them, it was like a big hug from Jesus.
Saying goodbye to the kids today was difficult, but I have hope for them now that we are gone. This morning Cody said something to the whole camp that was so precious I have to share it with y’all. He said that he was excited when he got to Heaven that he would not have to have a translator to talk to them. I loved leaving that with them and it made it a little easier to say goodbye.
It is getting really late here in Moldova, so I need to wrap this blog up, but I look forward to many conversations and many pictures from this trip. I know when I leave Moldova, I will be leaving my heart here as well. I am forever thankful for this experience.
Love,
Rachel Frey
As much as I would love to detail the events of today, I have something bigger on my heart that I shared with the team tonight and I would like to share with you. Before we left for the trip I spent a couple weeks testing my faith. For all of you who don’t know me, I spend a lot of time (willingly) by myself. Whether it is in the car or just at the house, I like to enjoy time on my own thinking about life and praying to God. Recently, I have enjoyed running. I run down to where the bridge is on Moran Road (more commonly known as the road that the rope swing for the Harpeth River’s on). This long and winding road is where I see God. I run until I make it to the bridge, then I stop to walk around, take in His creation, and pray. What I’ve been praying for, for these past couple weeks is for me to learn that Jesus is really all I need in life.
Our faith in God is really a day-by-day choice. What I think makes it so hard to have faith is the fact that we are holding on to something that we can’t physically latch on to. God, yes He is everywhere, but you can’t see Him, you can’t touch him physically, you can’t look Him in the eyes and talk to Him and hear Him answer directly back. Because of this, I have really wrestled with feeling that Jesus is all I need. I knew in my heart that it is the truth, but I have really wrestled in believing that He is all I need in life. So in little ways to test myself, I have done things whenever I feel alone not to look for earthly comfort (such as texting people for no purpose or watching T.V. because I have nothing better to do), but instead pray to God to show me how He is all I need.
The devotion for this morning was the “always trusts, always hopes” portion of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. It was so fitting because I have trusted that the Lord is all I need and I’ve been hoping in some fashion or another He would prove it to me. And let me say, He did just that. To quote Lauren, “God is never afraid to blow our minds with the power that He has.”
My biggest fear about coming on this trip is that our week in Moldova wouldn’t be enough time to leave an impact on these kids. I had a sense of hopelessness whenever I thought about what the kid’s lives would look like after we left, because in all honesty they are set up for failure. But all throughout the day today I never felt sad. At first I felt bad because I wasn’t crying and other people were, but as the day went on I realized why I felt so content with life and the timing of our leaving. I felt comfortable, like this was supposed to happen. To me, I feel like everything is gonna be ok for these kids. With what little time we had, we showed them God’s love. We gave them Jesus, and that is all they need. If all a kid in an orphanage has to his name is the love of Jesus and is completely fine and destined for an awesome life because of it, then I know that that is all I need too.
The director of the orphanage told some of our leaders today that they talked to the kids about this past week and what it has meant to them. One of the kids shared that because of the joy they have seen in the Americans and the happiness that comes with knowing Jesus, they don’t have to live like their parents. (A brief incite to what Moldovan life is like: no one here smiles at people passing bye. It’s very unlike their culture to ask “How are you?” The only person you express your feelings to is your closest friend). They can live a life shining in the light of the Lord. Our mission was accomplished and my prayers were answered.
God is good and has truly blessed me through this experience and for that I am thankful.
Much love,
Beth “Elizabeta” Browner
How do I even put into words all the different emotions and feelings from this week? Right now, I am feeling overwhelmed. Today was a unique day where we did not have our usual schedule of building beds and arts and crafts. Today we threw a birthday party for the children at the orphanage. Even though we do not speak the same language, the look of joy on their faces will always translate. I was overwhelmed with emotions today. The love that my team has for these precious children mixed with the sadness of saying goodbye was truly exhausting. Even as I type, I am trying to process this week.
For me, this week has been unexpected. I was surprised how quickly I fell in love with the children at the orphanage. I did not think that in one week, I could be so attached. I was amazed at how building beds could bring so much hope to the children. It was such a great picture to paint for the kids about how building beds and Jesus’ love go hand in hand. My favorite saying to tell the kids when we were in their rooms and praying was to tell them when they got in bed and had the covers wrapped around them, it was like a big hug from Jesus.
Saying goodbye to the kids today was difficult, but I have hope for them now that we are gone. This morning Cody said something to the whole camp that was so precious I have to share it with y’all. He said that he was excited when he got to Heaven that he would not have to have a translator to talk to them. I loved leaving that with them and it made it a little easier to say goodbye.
It is getting really late here in Moldova, so I need to wrap this blog up, but I look forward to many conversations and many pictures from this trip. I know when I leave Moldova, I will be leaving my heart here as well. I am forever thankful for this experience.
Love,
Rachel Frey
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Pictures!
I just wanted to post a few pictures for your enjoyment. Thanks to Marty for the pictures.
Stuart
YoungLife Team - Day 4
We're still borrowing internet from the neighbors, so here are the posts from today's bloggers, Cody Taylor and Anne Martin.
Today we finished putting all of the beds into the kids’ room. It was so awesome to see the excited and grateful faces of these kids as we put brand new beds in their room. I am so blessed that I got to share with these kids a little bit about why we were building these beds for them. They seemed to put it all together and really take a heart for our message.
The best thing about these kids is their attitude. These kids are orphans who have poor living conditions and wear the same clothes every single day. I never saw one frown in all of the days I have been at the orphanage. Their eagerness to help us build the beds was amazing. Anytime they could lend a helping hand, they did. It is a refreshing spirit that you just do not see a lot of in America anymore. These kids have really given me a greater appreciation for my parents and family.
The other day Vasile (the smallest, cutest six year old Moldovan you have ever seen) and I were playing tag. I was running away and he tripped and scraped his knee. I went over to him to comfort him, but he refused to let me see him cry. Since they have no parents, they have been taught to show no emotion. When this happened, it really broke my heart. I thought back to when I was a six year old boy, and I put myself into his shoes. If that had happened to me when I was six and didn’t have my mommy to run to who would kiss it and make it better, I don’t know what I would have done. Vasile didn’t have that mommy to run to, he had to deal with it himself. No child should have to be so tough at such a young age.
Today when we had club, we gave each of the kids a plain white t-shirt. We gave them markers and told them to write on each other. It was so awesome to get a chance to write these kids encouraging messages, and then to have them write on us. I got to write on their shirts “Jesus loves you. You are a precious Lamb of God. You are so beautiful.”
There are twelve Jon’s at the orphanage, so we came up with little nicknames for each. There is one in particular that we call “Mexi Jon.” He is this big, quiet Mexican looking kid, one of the older boys. At first, he was of course too cool for the Americans, but as the week wore on, he began to play basketball with us and come to club. While we were writing on each other’s shirts, he came up to me and wrote a big long part, taking up the entire shirt. He wrote “Jesus loves you. I think that you are a best friend for all of these little kids.” This message really touched me. This kid just got exactly why we had come - to show that Jesus loves all of his children.
These kids are so precious, and I don’t want to leave them. Saying goodbye tomorrow will be truly difficult because in only a few days I have made a relationship with these kids. I’ve made memories with them, and have grown to love them. It is as if they are like my own brothers and sisters, because they are my brothers and sisters in Christ. Tomorrow is not goodbye - tomorrow is see you later. I know these kids; I have felt their spirits when Jerad presented salvation to them. Even though I may never return to Moldova, I will see these kids again. I will. One day when I enter the kingdom of Heaven, I know I’ll see little Vasile giggling his head off. I will see Andrian flexing his muscles, and Jon dancing to “Live your Life.” There will be no need for translators or “I don’t understand you.” It will just be pure joy, all given because of Christ’s amazing grace.
Sincerely,
Cody Taylor
Hello everyone. It’s hard to find words to say when I find myself sitting here speechless. What can I say to capture the emotions of overflowing love, satisfaction, yearning, heartache, and exhaustion that I am feeling? How can I possibly convey the physical nausea I get when I realize that tomorrow is the last day we have to spend our time in the orphanage and that in two short days, we leave Moldova for good?
I expected to have my heart changed on this trip to Moldova, but I was not ready for the reality and intensity of what God had in store. It just makes me laugh how I keep on trying to put God in a box and predict everything that I thought I would feel, think, and see in Moldova, and He always proves me wrong. You’d think I’d give up by now…
What did I think I would feel on this trip? The word that sums it up is satisfaction I suppose. I didn’t think that I would connect with the children all that much nor desire or enjoy the hard work we would be doing each day. What have I felt now that I am here? Ha. Wow. Um….well seeing as I’m crying as I’m writing this (this being the SIXTH-yes sixth its serious- time for me to cry today!) I have felt immense emotional attachment to each and every one of the children I have come into contact with. I have loved building the beds for these children who are so selfless. Today was our last day of building the beds and some of my team and I were literally complaining that we didn’t have any more beds to build. I have felt the absolute exhaustion of waking up at 6:30 I think it is (I’m not sure- there aren’t many clocks around here-I think that’s a good thing), working a full day, and not being able to crawl into bed until around 11:00 or 12:00. I would not trade that feeling of exhaustion for anything. What if we were not tired? What if we were not drained? What if we were not put to the test or emotionally stimulated? It just wouldn’t be real, and it definitely would not be the life-changing and unique experience that this trip has been to me.
I was going to write on about what I would think and see on this trip and what I actually have thought and seen here, but I can’t! For one, I just realized that my blog is already longer than some others’ were (I’m new to this whole blogging thing - I’m more blogging just to counsel myself! Haha) secondly, I am really tired, and third, I don’t think I am being a good representation of what this trip is like and how amazing it is! So let me try this again in a short paragraph and just explain a few things that I have experienced here (here we go again!):
I have experienced the humility and love through the humanity of the Stepanenco family whose house my team is staying in. They each take part in providing us clean towels, hot and fresh breakfast and dinner (and homemade dessert-mmm!), and not to mention 14 beds for our team to sleep in. I have experienced the love of education through Elijah who I have conversations with daily about how to pronounce English words with an American accent and a “southern American” accent (today I taught him that in the south, rather than saying “hello” we say “hey yall!”). I have experienced this awesome concept of knowing everything you need to know through absolute silence.
I can’t wait to tell you all more about this trip. I don’t want to say that I don’t want to go home, but I guess I just don’t want to leave. Thank you all for your prayers. I love you all!
With so much love,
Anne Elizabeth Martin
Today we finished putting all of the beds into the kids’ room. It was so awesome to see the excited and grateful faces of these kids as we put brand new beds in their room. I am so blessed that I got to share with these kids a little bit about why we were building these beds for them. They seemed to put it all together and really take a heart for our message.
The best thing about these kids is their attitude. These kids are orphans who have poor living conditions and wear the same clothes every single day. I never saw one frown in all of the days I have been at the orphanage. Their eagerness to help us build the beds was amazing. Anytime they could lend a helping hand, they did. It is a refreshing spirit that you just do not see a lot of in America anymore. These kids have really given me a greater appreciation for my parents and family.
The other day Vasile (the smallest, cutest six year old Moldovan you have ever seen) and I were playing tag. I was running away and he tripped and scraped his knee. I went over to him to comfort him, but he refused to let me see him cry. Since they have no parents, they have been taught to show no emotion. When this happened, it really broke my heart. I thought back to when I was a six year old boy, and I put myself into his shoes. If that had happened to me when I was six and didn’t have my mommy to run to who would kiss it and make it better, I don’t know what I would have done. Vasile didn’t have that mommy to run to, he had to deal with it himself. No child should have to be so tough at such a young age.
Today when we had club, we gave each of the kids a plain white t-shirt. We gave them markers and told them to write on each other. It was so awesome to get a chance to write these kids encouraging messages, and then to have them write on us. I got to write on their shirts “Jesus loves you. You are a precious Lamb of God. You are so beautiful.”
There are twelve Jon’s at the orphanage, so we came up with little nicknames for each. There is one in particular that we call “Mexi Jon.” He is this big, quiet Mexican looking kid, one of the older boys. At first, he was of course too cool for the Americans, but as the week wore on, he began to play basketball with us and come to club. While we were writing on each other’s shirts, he came up to me and wrote a big long part, taking up the entire shirt. He wrote “Jesus loves you. I think that you are a best friend for all of these little kids.” This message really touched me. This kid just got exactly why we had come - to show that Jesus loves all of his children.
These kids are so precious, and I don’t want to leave them. Saying goodbye tomorrow will be truly difficult because in only a few days I have made a relationship with these kids. I’ve made memories with them, and have grown to love them. It is as if they are like my own brothers and sisters, because they are my brothers and sisters in Christ. Tomorrow is not goodbye - tomorrow is see you later. I know these kids; I have felt their spirits when Jerad presented salvation to them. Even though I may never return to Moldova, I will see these kids again. I will. One day when I enter the kingdom of Heaven, I know I’ll see little Vasile giggling his head off. I will see Andrian flexing his muscles, and Jon dancing to “Live your Life.” There will be no need for translators or “I don’t understand you.” It will just be pure joy, all given because of Christ’s amazing grace.
Sincerely,
Cody Taylor
Hello everyone. It’s hard to find words to say when I find myself sitting here speechless. What can I say to capture the emotions of overflowing love, satisfaction, yearning, heartache, and exhaustion that I am feeling? How can I possibly convey the physical nausea I get when I realize that tomorrow is the last day we have to spend our time in the orphanage and that in two short days, we leave Moldova for good?
I expected to have my heart changed on this trip to Moldova, but I was not ready for the reality and intensity of what God had in store. It just makes me laugh how I keep on trying to put God in a box and predict everything that I thought I would feel, think, and see in Moldova, and He always proves me wrong. You’d think I’d give up by now…
What did I think I would feel on this trip? The word that sums it up is satisfaction I suppose. I didn’t think that I would connect with the children all that much nor desire or enjoy the hard work we would be doing each day. What have I felt now that I am here? Ha. Wow. Um….well seeing as I’m crying as I’m writing this (this being the SIXTH-yes sixth its serious- time for me to cry today!) I have felt immense emotional attachment to each and every one of the children I have come into contact with. I have loved building the beds for these children who are so selfless. Today was our last day of building the beds and some of my team and I were literally complaining that we didn’t have any more beds to build. I have felt the absolute exhaustion of waking up at 6:30 I think it is (I’m not sure- there aren’t many clocks around here-I think that’s a good thing), working a full day, and not being able to crawl into bed until around 11:00 or 12:00. I would not trade that feeling of exhaustion for anything. What if we were not tired? What if we were not drained? What if we were not put to the test or emotionally stimulated? It just wouldn’t be real, and it definitely would not be the life-changing and unique experience that this trip has been to me.
I was going to write on about what I would think and see on this trip and what I actually have thought and seen here, but I can’t! For one, I just realized that my blog is already longer than some others’ were (I’m new to this whole blogging thing - I’m more blogging just to counsel myself! Haha) secondly, I am really tired, and third, I don’t think I am being a good representation of what this trip is like and how amazing it is! So let me try this again in a short paragraph and just explain a few things that I have experienced here (here we go again!):
I have experienced the humility and love through the humanity of the Stepanenco family whose house my team is staying in. They each take part in providing us clean towels, hot and fresh breakfast and dinner (and homemade dessert-mmm!), and not to mention 14 beds for our team to sleep in. I have experienced the love of education through Elijah who I have conversations with daily about how to pronounce English words with an American accent and a “southern American” accent (today I taught him that in the south, rather than saying “hello” we say “hey yall!”). I have experienced this awesome concept of knowing everything you need to know through absolute silence.
I can’t wait to tell you all more about this trip. I don’t want to say that I don’t want to go home, but I guess I just don’t want to leave. Thank you all for your prayers. I love you all!
With so much love,
Anne Elizabeth Martin
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Days 2 and 3 Posts
Hi everyone. We've been experiencing some technical difficulties with the internet where we are staying, but tonight we figured out that we can borrow a cup of wireless internet from the neighbors. :)
What follows are the team blog posts from yesterday and today.
Stuart
WEDNESDAY
It’s my turn to blog, so salut! There have been some problems with the Internet connection I think, but we’ve been connecting with people just fine. Every family, translator, and orphan we get to know is so great. In fact, I’ve been having trouble wrapping my mind around how many small, yet incredible, communities there are in this world. What’s really sad is how difficult the circumstances are, and how much worse they are in most other orphanages. The place we’ve been building beds for these past 3 days was originally a sports camp. When that died out, it was adopted as an orphanage, and the facilities are said to be considerably nicer, and the yard has a soccer field and courts for basketball and volleyball. We have so much fun with the kids, but they must really be having one of the greatest weeks ever. There’s a lot of love out here, and from what I’ve heard, that’s not the way things usually are.
We finished the rest of the bed frames today. Fifty of them. Riley and I were a quality team, while William, Taylor, and Cody were “the pit crew”, which was in constant competition with the Moldovan translators’ team. Twenty eight of the beds were assembled and moved into the rooms. The tradition of talking to the kids in the room about why we have come, and what the beds mean, is incredible. The kids come into the room and we tell them we’ve had fun with them and we love them, but that the reason that we are here is because of Jesus. We tell them that the beds should be like a hug from God, a safe place, and a symbol of love. There’s a lot to say, that’s just the start, but I need to get upstairs for our meeting, and let Stuart publish this.
Marty Gay
Ahh…so, I have FINALLY made it back to the place that stole my heart 2 summers ago!! This week has been GREAT! All of the kids are SO precious and I wish, as always, that I could bring them all back with me! The kids here just have this amazing way of touching my heart with their sweet smiles and their eyes filled with both life that is just waiting to burst out and a longing for a sign that someone loves them. These signs that they are searching for are in no way extravagant, in fact, they are things that I take for granted daily. A hug, a smile, someone’s hand to hold - this is all that they want, just to know that someone cares! In my youth group we are often told that a person needs to have at least 8 personal touches a day. These kids are lucky to get 8 a month. Take a moment to think about that…how many hugs or pats on the back do you give/receive a day? That’s not something that we ever really take the time to think about but when you do, especially from this perspective, it brings me and hopefully you to a realization of how many blessings God has put in my life! I could go on for pages and pages about all that has happened this week and the amazing things that God has revealed to me, but unfortunately time is short and for those of you who have been to Moldova know that the #1 thing to remember while here is BE FLEXIBLE! I am so excited to continue in the work that God has prepared for us the rest of this week and live out the rest of the stories that I will be able to come back and tell! (Although, I am not so excited to have to leave here so soon! Like I said, these kids have stolen my heart and I have no intention of ever giving it back. :)
Blessings,
Kelsey Drennan
TUESDAY
Hey everybody! It’s 9:49 here in our wonderful villa in Moldova. This country is beautiful. For the past three days, it has been capturing my heart. I love it here!
Today we got to put twenty beds complete with mattresses, pillows, and blankets into five rooms of four. From the moment we got to the orphanage to the moment we left kids were swarming us. They were willing to do anything and everything to get those beds into their rooms. From carrying wooden planks to manhandling mattresses up stairwells, the kids’ hands were open and ready. The enthusiasm in their eyes makes me want to cry every time. My heart almost bursts. I love them.
After the beds were in the room, we got to pray for each individual who would be sleeping in the bed. I personally got to pray for two boys. They both had families, and one of the things that struck me was that these boys had stayed at the orphanage an extra week just for us. On the first day, the orphanage director said, “We have waited for you for over a year.” I don’t know exactly how that made me feel, but it was incredible. Before I came, I knew I loved these kids, but when I knew they’d waited for me and that they were anxiously awaiting this day, I knew they loved me too. Kelsey, one of our team members, said tonight, “Your love language translates.” Even though, I don’t speak the same language as Marina or Lenuta or Vitol, a simple hug, a game of Alla-Dough (a hand clap game the children taught me), or a smile means the same thing in any language. It means friend. I hope that as this week continues, Jesus becomes their friend. This is what we’ve been talking about in our Club.
Pray that we have time to grab a translator and get to talk to these kids one on one. Noapte Buna!
Meg Jamison
Hey there, It’s Riley Moore. I hope all is dandy back in good ole’ Tennessee. We certainly are having a ball over here in Europe. Moldova is a special place. In a land of sadness and brokenness, we have surely seen joy and full hearts. It is true that these children come from shattered families. They are forced to feed solely off of the attention they receive from the orphanage teachers shared by over 100 other similarly needy children.
We cannot pretend to hide the darkness that looms over the lives of these children like a yoke on an ox. But, neither can anyone pretend to deny their piercing rays of light - the light of their smiles and their laughter as they gleefully chase after Taylor Brasher or me in yet another rousing game of “locca!” or tag – the light in their voices as they shout and cheer in one of our die hard soccer matches - the light in their precious brown eyes as they resound in laughter at their torment of Jerad and Cody - the glee of their giggles with Annie Martin as she tosses aside any pride and gets just as silly and crazy as any of the young Moldovan girls she’s befriended – or the delight of our affectionately named “Popeye” or “Hercules” when William “oohs and ahhs” over the “mass” of his muscles, or humbly lets him lift him up, so Popeye may prove his manly strength.
None of these things could be dreamed of in a place as forgotten as a Moldovan orphanage without the unfailing love of God. It is a love that has been thrust on us, and only by His grace we have been blessed with the opportunity to keep it flowing to these beautiful Moldovan people. We are all Princes and Princesses of the same ruler, and it is magnificent to be able to enjoy His kingdom with them so far away from our physical home.
Please pray for understanding in the hearts of these children, that they would know that they are dearly loved by all of us, and our maker. Pray for hope and peace in their minds as they grow up in such an unfortunate setting. Pray for strength and unity among our mission team, and for the health and wisdom of all here.
Thank you and blessings,
Riley Schilling Moore
What follows are the team blog posts from yesterday and today.
Stuart
WEDNESDAY
It’s my turn to blog, so salut! There have been some problems with the Internet connection I think, but we’ve been connecting with people just fine. Every family, translator, and orphan we get to know is so great. In fact, I’ve been having trouble wrapping my mind around how many small, yet incredible, communities there are in this world. What’s really sad is how difficult the circumstances are, and how much worse they are in most other orphanages. The place we’ve been building beds for these past 3 days was originally a sports camp. When that died out, it was adopted as an orphanage, and the facilities are said to be considerably nicer, and the yard has a soccer field and courts for basketball and volleyball. We have so much fun with the kids, but they must really be having one of the greatest weeks ever. There’s a lot of love out here, and from what I’ve heard, that’s not the way things usually are.
We finished the rest of the bed frames today. Fifty of them. Riley and I were a quality team, while William, Taylor, and Cody were “the pit crew”, which was in constant competition with the Moldovan translators’ team. Twenty eight of the beds were assembled and moved into the rooms. The tradition of talking to the kids in the room about why we have come, and what the beds mean, is incredible. The kids come into the room and we tell them we’ve had fun with them and we love them, but that the reason that we are here is because of Jesus. We tell them that the beds should be like a hug from God, a safe place, and a symbol of love. There’s a lot to say, that’s just the start, but I need to get upstairs for our meeting, and let Stuart publish this.
Marty Gay
Ahh…so, I have FINALLY made it back to the place that stole my heart 2 summers ago!! This week has been GREAT! All of the kids are SO precious and I wish, as always, that I could bring them all back with me! The kids here just have this amazing way of touching my heart with their sweet smiles and their eyes filled with both life that is just waiting to burst out and a longing for a sign that someone loves them. These signs that they are searching for are in no way extravagant, in fact, they are things that I take for granted daily. A hug, a smile, someone’s hand to hold - this is all that they want, just to know that someone cares! In my youth group we are often told that a person needs to have at least 8 personal touches a day. These kids are lucky to get 8 a month. Take a moment to think about that…how many hugs or pats on the back do you give/receive a day? That’s not something that we ever really take the time to think about but when you do, especially from this perspective, it brings me and hopefully you to a realization of how many blessings God has put in my life! I could go on for pages and pages about all that has happened this week and the amazing things that God has revealed to me, but unfortunately time is short and for those of you who have been to Moldova know that the #1 thing to remember while here is BE FLEXIBLE! I am so excited to continue in the work that God has prepared for us the rest of this week and live out the rest of the stories that I will be able to come back and tell! (Although, I am not so excited to have to leave here so soon! Like I said, these kids have stolen my heart and I have no intention of ever giving it back. :)
Blessings,
Kelsey Drennan
TUESDAY
Hey everybody! It’s 9:49 here in our wonderful villa in Moldova. This country is beautiful. For the past three days, it has been capturing my heart. I love it here!
Today we got to put twenty beds complete with mattresses, pillows, and blankets into five rooms of four. From the moment we got to the orphanage to the moment we left kids were swarming us. They were willing to do anything and everything to get those beds into their rooms. From carrying wooden planks to manhandling mattresses up stairwells, the kids’ hands were open and ready. The enthusiasm in their eyes makes me want to cry every time. My heart almost bursts. I love them.
After the beds were in the room, we got to pray for each individual who would be sleeping in the bed. I personally got to pray for two boys. They both had families, and one of the things that struck me was that these boys had stayed at the orphanage an extra week just for us. On the first day, the orphanage director said, “We have waited for you for over a year.” I don’t know exactly how that made me feel, but it was incredible. Before I came, I knew I loved these kids, but when I knew they’d waited for me and that they were anxiously awaiting this day, I knew they loved me too. Kelsey, one of our team members, said tonight, “Your love language translates.” Even though, I don’t speak the same language as Marina or Lenuta or Vitol, a simple hug, a game of Alla-Dough (a hand clap game the children taught me), or a smile means the same thing in any language. It means friend. I hope that as this week continues, Jesus becomes their friend. This is what we’ve been talking about in our Club.
Pray that we have time to grab a translator and get to talk to these kids one on one. Noapte Buna!
Meg Jamison
Hey there, It’s Riley Moore. I hope all is dandy back in good ole’ Tennessee. We certainly are having a ball over here in Europe. Moldova is a special place. In a land of sadness and brokenness, we have surely seen joy and full hearts. It is true that these children come from shattered families. They are forced to feed solely off of the attention they receive from the orphanage teachers shared by over 100 other similarly needy children.
We cannot pretend to hide the darkness that looms over the lives of these children like a yoke on an ox. But, neither can anyone pretend to deny their piercing rays of light - the light of their smiles and their laughter as they gleefully chase after Taylor Brasher or me in yet another rousing game of “locca!” or tag – the light in their voices as they shout and cheer in one of our die hard soccer matches - the light in their precious brown eyes as they resound in laughter at their torment of Jerad and Cody - the glee of their giggles with Annie Martin as she tosses aside any pride and gets just as silly and crazy as any of the young Moldovan girls she’s befriended – or the delight of our affectionately named “Popeye” or “Hercules” when William “oohs and ahhs” over the “mass” of his muscles, or humbly lets him lift him up, so Popeye may prove his manly strength.
None of these things could be dreamed of in a place as forgotten as a Moldovan orphanage without the unfailing love of God. It is a love that has been thrust on us, and only by His grace we have been blessed with the opportunity to keep it flowing to these beautiful Moldovan people. We are all Princes and Princesses of the same ruler, and it is magnificent to be able to enjoy His kingdom with them so far away from our physical home.
Please pray for understanding in the hearts of these children, that they would know that they are dearly loved by all of us, and our maker. Pray for hope and peace in their minds as they grow up in such an unfortunate setting. Pray for strength and unity among our mission team, and for the health and wisdom of all here.
Thank you and blessings,
Riley Schilling Moore
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Joys of Serving in the Third World
Hello friends! Thanks for following our team currently serving in Straseni, Moldova. Currently, there is an internet outage in the area of Chisinau where our team is staying. The area is called Posta Vechi meaning Old Post. It's old, and thus power, internet, and other utilities occaisonally have outages. :) Unfortuately, there is an internet outage tonight.
So, while our team is preparing for their day tomorrow and enjoying being with God and being disconnected from the world, we have to wait for an update. :) The team is "blogging" and saving their thoughts on the computer so when internet is available again, they can send their thoughts from their 2nd day of ministry in Straseni. Please continue to pray for the team as they prepare for their work in the orphanage tomorrow and we'll update you, or the team will update us all, just as soon as possible.
So, while our team is preparing for their day tomorrow and enjoying being with God and being disconnected from the world, we have to wait for an update. :) The team is "blogging" and saving their thoughts on the computer so when internet is available again, they can send their thoughts from their 2nd day of ministry in Straseni. Please continue to pray for the team as they prepare for their work in the orphanage tomorrow and we'll update you, or the team will update us all, just as soon as possible.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Night 2 in Moldova, Day 1 in the Orphanage.
It is 10:23 at night here and 2:23 in the day back home. Today was our first day in the orphanage and it was incredible. The beds did not show up on time so we did not get a chance to build any. It was fine because that gave us more time to play with the kids. Riley and I got our first introduction by invading the soccer or "futbol" field. The little kids do not look like much but I got embarrassed by them for I am not the best soccer player. Riley of course did just fine and he could be found running up and and down the field leading the kids. William, Caitlin, Marty, Cody, and Beth joined in soon after and it became an all out battle on the field. After that came the hang out time off the field. I got into a game of "tag" with some of them. These kids are a true joy and to see the smiles on their faces when they get attention is truly amazing. The rest of the day was filled with arts and crafts, a young life skit, and sad good byes as we tried to explain to the kids that we would be back tomorrow. As I was leaving I saw a flock of girls around Kelsey as she was saying bye, you could see the love she had for those kids in her eyes and they knew it. I feel blessed to have witnessed that. After another amazing dinner the team sat on the roof and sang worship songs to Marty's talented guitar skills. We all look forward to tomorrow to spend more time with the kids.
Day 1 in Moldova :)
Today we had our first experience at the orphanage! We all woke up around seven and then around eight we loaded up on two buses and were on our way. The ride to the orphanage was not exactly a smooth ride considering one of the buses, my bus to be exact, broke down and we had to wait a while for another bus to pick us up. But, Lauren told us at the beginning at the trip that we needed to have things things during the trip, flexibility, patience, and respect. So, we got to exercise those a lot earlier then we thought we would have to haha. However, we did actually make it to the orphanage and not long after we realized all the bed supplies were not there yet so we ended up not actually making beds today, but instead we got to play with the kids all day. These kids are all adorable and I already love every single one. A few of us decided we would play soccer with some boys and I'm pretty sure we all successfully made a fool of ourselves at one point or another but all in all it was a really great time. We had arts and craft time after lunch and as Jerad innocently taught one kid to throw a paper plane, it only took a few more minutes for every other kid to catch on as Jerad's plan backfired and he became the new target. Club tonight was also really fun because the skit Cody, William, and Annie did was hilarious and then Rachel did a great devotion that introduced all the kids to Jesus. I'm sure a lot more happened today, but those were a few of the things that stood out to me and it was definitely a great start to this trip!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Holy Cow!
As we were walking into the Frankfurt airport I realized that it was only 18 months since our Young Life team started YL at BA. That night our team went to the BA campus opened up the book that has pics of every student and their name and we prayed for every name in that book. I don't say that to pat us on the back, I say it because that night we said, "Won't it be cool to actually know the people that own these names?" At the time we only knew Meg Jamison.
Now 18 months later we're in a foreign country with these people that we have come to love. It's amazing how God moves. This journey has brought it share of laughs and excitement. There's already been a scavenger hunt (to pass away the hours at the Frankfurt airport), including stewardesses in 20 questions (and getting animated life giving responses), and countless inside jokes. Can't wait to share them all.
Your prayers for respect, patience and flexibility are coveted!
Jerad Burkhart
Now 18 months later we're in a foreign country with these people that we have come to love. It's amazing how God moves. This journey has brought it share of laughs and excitement. There's already been a scavenger hunt (to pass away the hours at the Frankfurt airport), including stewardesses in 20 questions (and getting animated life giving responses), and countless inside jokes. Can't wait to share them all.
Your prayers for respect, patience and flexibility are coveted!
Jerad Burkhart
Safe and Sound
After a full day of travel, we're finally getting ready to call it a night. We've survived customs, enjoyed a delicious meal from our host family, and organized our plans.
We can't wait to lay our eyes on the orphanage tomorrow for the first time. So many months of planning a preparation - we are thrilled to put it to good use.
Thank you for your prayers and support on this journey.
Lauren
We can't wait to lay our eyes on the orphanage tomorrow for the first time. So many months of planning a preparation - we are thrilled to put it to good use.
Thank you for your prayers and support on this journey.
Lauren
Saturday, May 30, 2009
And they're off!
It's official! Our Brentwood Academy Young Life Team is en route to Moldova!
After some last minute drama with Marty's missing passport (that's the reason he's not in this photo) Marty barely made it to the airport, the team finally made it through security, they boarded their flight and have arrived safely in Chicago -- they're now preparing to board their flight to Frankfurt. Please pray for safe travels as the team heads to Moldova and check the blog for updates from the team when they arrive!
Here's the whole team safe and happy on their journey. :)
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
If for only one life...
Anybody who has ever sat and talked with me about our trips to orphanages knows that one of my favorite things about taking people to minister to forgotten children is seeing how God changes lives. And, of course I'm not just talking about the lives of those we go hoping to serve.
Over the last six years I've been blessed to see the joy on the faces of countless children, teachers, workers, translators, drivers and team members. Another thing I always say is that you can never know the impact you will make in the life of a child, or that a child will make in your life.
I want to share part of a letter I received this week from a child who lived in one of the orphanages Sweet Sleep has ministered in:
"I thought my life was a disaster all through my childhood, or let’s say all until 7th grade...I was in the orphanage from 1st to 9th grade it was a pretty bad life until I met this amazing woman called Jen. Since Moldova is a third world country we received help from foreign countries, and one of them was America. We had a lot of Americans coming to Moldova and helping with kids. They brought candy, clothes, activities and most important LOVE. Now let’s speak about love. What is love? In my opinion love is not just a word, it is a word that implies a lot of words. Some of the words are compassion, forgiveness, happiness, involvement, willingness to do something, and most important it is a relationship (well at least to me). I had a relationship with a lot of Americans that came to Moldova and I valued it. Every American meant so much to me..."
I don't know how else to share the importance of our work with you then to share about if from a child whose life was changed because of this ministry.
In a short time Sweet Sleep will take a group of YoungLife seniors to an orphange in Moldova to minister, again, to children there who long for love. I want you to join with me in praying for these young people and for their leaders and our staff who will travel May 30-June 7th. I encourage you to come back to our blog each day of their trip to see about what adventures God has given them. And, I want you to commit to pray for everyone you can think of who's life God desires to bring closer to Him.
One other thing. I want....I need, the children need, for you to sponsor a bed for a child. If you look up in the sky tonight, imagine you are seeing the Orphan Signal in the sky. We need funding for 77 more children to have beds to dream in. 77.....it's not that many children. Maybe you cannot purchase an entire bed, but can you send an email to a group of friends and together provide for a child? If so, we'll bring home a letter from one of the children you helped give a place of their very own. Feel free to use this blog as your own words. They are the children's words and wishes......let's do this together.
I'm praying for the team, the children, and for all who might read this or have the opportunity to be connected in God's unique and awesome way.
See you in the next blog,
Jen
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