Dreading Tomorrow's Goodbye..

I knew today would be a good day when we woke up to the best eggs I've had in a while! :) We started our hour and a half journey to the orphanage around 8:30 as usual but today I got to expedience the front seat, and WOW what an experience! The poverty of Kampala really gets to me and to drive through it for hours everyday makes it hit home for everybody. The driver, Patrick, taught me many things about his country that I will never forget while we were driving down the busy roads of Kampala.

When we arrived at the orphanage with our plan for the day (recreation, lunch, worship then crafts) we were soon told by one of the teachers that the kids had a special surprise for us! The whole morning before lunch was spent in the prayer garden while they took turns getting up in front of the group to praise God. It was amazing to hear them sing their little hearts out with a tremendous passion for it! Their voices are all beautiful, too, so that's a plus! :) After they showed us their worship and then their play they delightfully presented we got our chance to sing the songs we've been teaching them all week and today was awesome in the fact that over half of them have learned all the words and hand movements! Some of them better than me!

After worship time we had a small bit of down time and I got the opportunity to sit and play with the little ones and it really started to sink in that tomorrow was going to be the last time I might ever see these beautiful faces! It got really emotional for me and all I wanted to do is take them all home but I know that God has a plan for everyone of these children.

At 1:00 we sat down to have lunch which is always a feast and always very good! The food is different but very tasty. Nobody has lost weight on this trip, to say the least!

After Lunch we got to make crafts! We all went to the shelter not a minute too soon because it started to rain! Rain here in Uganda is beautiful. It wasn't a down pour but it wasn't sprinkling. It was perfect and the sound that the raindrops made as it hit the roof of this shelter could put me to sleep! We got out these foam crosses that were sticky and had them stick them to a piece of paper and write down their favorite verse. I had the little ones so they just colored. I didn't get to see any of the older kid's favorite verses until a boy named Aliga, whom I had never spoken to before, came up and gave me his and said 'gift' and I said well thank you so much as he walked away. I then looked down at the red piece of construction paper and realized he had written John 3:16 with very colorful drawings everywhere. It was really beautiful and it touched me! Not a minute later a little girl came up and opened up her hand and it looked like a handful of beads but when i picked one up I realized it was a bracelet and a necklace. The little girl ran off as soon as I put them on and I didn't get to catch her name but it's safe to say that I will wear them often and pray for that delightful little girl. During coloring the children were taking turns tracing their hand on a sheet and writing their name. What a neat idea! I haven't yet seen the finished project but I am super excited to get to see it today!

After craft time with the bible verses and pictures we had kindof a free time with the children. I got the chance to sit down with a quiet girl named Kathy. I learned she was 9 and had been at the orphanage for 3 years. She told me of the place she was from and told me that her parents have both passed away from AIDS. This silenced me. I knew most of these children's parents were gone but to have this little girl, Kathy, whom I had played ball with yesterday while she was screaming and laughing, had no parents. Her parents were the teachers and caregivers of the orphanage. I learned she had a twin, Moses and he soon came over to talk with me and told me of his friends at the orphanage and what he was learning. I had braced myself for this experience but I don't think anyone can truly prepare themselves for when a loving and beautiful child tells you of their parents dying from a scary disease such as AIDS.

Because craft time took so long because of all the fun the children were having and the detail they were taking in their drawings, after my conversation with Moses and Kathy it was time to leave the orphanage. It didn't hit me until I got on the bus that tomorrow is the last day I get with these children and it's a short day at that. I am excited to go to the market tomorrow and bring some things home for the ones who didn't get to experience this, but at the same time I am wishing I had more time to connect and hear more of these children's stories! It's daunting to me that I can't fix everything for these children and I can't bring them home with me and now I have to leave them all together and on the way home from the orphanage passing all the children on the street yelling 'Mzungu' (white person) like the kids had the first day at the orphanage, tears started streaming down my face. These kids weren't just orphans anymore, they were Kathy, Moses, Martha, Kato, Waswa, Barbara.. They were my friends and will never leave my heart.

I ask that people following this blog pray for our team and saying our goodbyes tomorrow. It will be really hard for all of us to leave behind these kids. There will be tears from me I know and I'm sure from many others. We came to teach and play with the kids but the kids have taught ALL of us SO much that I will never forget. I just hope we can take back the stories of this trip and more people get to experience it. I wouldn't trade the heat and exhaustion for anything right now. I almost don't notice it anymore when I'm playing with the smiling faces.

Goodnight and God Bless,

Danielle Meece

You're never too young to teach.

I've known since God placed this trip to Uganda right smack dab in the middle of my life that my world was going to be rocked in a serious way. It's been a very humbling experience for me, one filled with thoughts such as "Who decides what makes one persons life better or worse than the next?". These children have so little and the vast majority have life stories that include more hardships, pain and loss of parents, siblings and other loved ones than anyone I know. The only items they own are identical to every other child there.  Yet the happiness, joy and hope these kids have for their lives and their futures is humbling to me. They truly and fully trust in God like few I've ever known. They express no doubt whatsoever that He will always provide them with their needs. So, who is better off?  The average person who has all of his needs and quite a few of his wants taken care of, but has no hope, no joy, no happiness, no faith in God or a young orphan living in rural Uganda whose heart, soul and mind overflows with all of those things?....I know what I think, what about you?

We started the day watching foot races between a few kids selected from different age groups. The team and kids enjoyed it so much and were cheering each group on just as loudly as the one before. But the group we all loved most and who God used to remind me of a very important lesson was the youngest group, "the babies" they call them. They were the last group and they ran with every bit of spirit, focus and intensity as the older kids. The smallest one could not have been more than 4...maybe 5 years old, tops. The other kids were yards ahead of him, several had already crossed the finish line when he was just passing mid field, but he continued on, running just as hard and with as much intensity as if he still had the chance to win. He wasn't just last, he was dead last, but he kept running like he was in first place and nearing the finish line with someone hot on his heels! He never gave up. There have been many times in my life that I've wanted to give up on various things, a few times this included life itself.  God guided me through many dark seasons of life and even though I've made it through to better seasons of life, I've been reminded this week and today in particular, that I still have much to learn, many truths to be reminded of...and today's reminder was brought to me by a little Ugandan boy who never gave up.  Never, ever give up.

From the races we moved to their beautiful prayer garden for a time of worship. Today was different in that instead of us just leading them in worship, THEY led us first! It was fantastic! Joyous songs of praise lifted high with voices, hands and dancing, quiet songs of reverent worship from pure hearts... Most were in English, but a few were in their native language of Luganda and I think we all agreed last night the songs they sing in Luganda are our favorites.  This service was by far the most enjoyable and moving one of the week for me and one that I will cherish the memory of forever.

One of the older groups singing and dancing.

The babies during the worship service.

It's been a week full of constant amazement and awe at the perseverance, spirit and faith in God these children possess and we all agree that we will be broken-hearted when we have to say our goodbyes tomorrow.

much love,
Peggy

Here are a few photos of today's activities.

Some graffiti I noticed on one of their tables....

do you think they might have been excited about getting a new bed?

Sweet, soft spoken Isma hurt his arm while playing football.  

Isma is going to be a great lawyer one day.

Several of these children show amazing artist skills.

 The table of younger kids drawing their little hearts out.

Making a banner with the outline of each child's hand which they then signed.

 

Wednesday

Today's worship service in the prayer garden.

Spending time with the kids at Blessed Hope today was truly wonderful. Starting our days at the orphanage by seeing the kids, absolutely enthralled, sprint to the bus and wait at the door just to touch the hands of their visitors, has been a touching experience. After that, today, we split the kids into their houses and played different games with each house. Darlene and I taught some of the kids to throw a frisbee, while other members of the team led different games. At this point of my recounting of today’s events, I would like to take the time to brag a bit on Darlene. Her energy and uncompromised passion for these children, that has been evident in all she has done including even teaching them this simple game, have brought tears to my eyes on several occasions. She, even if she won’t admit it, has a natural ability to make children feel loved and she has proved to be invaluable on this trip. Anyway, she and I organized different frisbee games and the kids really had a blast.

After playing these games, the kids had a field day organized by the Blessed Hope staff. The kids ran relays balancing glass coke bottles on their heads in the first event. I tried to do it. After failing miserably, I was really able to appreciate the talent of the racers. The kids also ran a race while balancing a spoon and egg in their mouths, which was also interesting. The last event was banana peeling. This was a treat. Each child was given a knife and five bananas to peel as fast as they could. This was made even more interesting when children as young as six joined the competition. My mind was blown at the skill of these children with the knife. I used to work at the Bonefish Grill on the cook line, and my fingers have practically been mutilated. I quit after three weeks. Anyway! These games were a true delight.

This was followed by a feast of a lunch. The ladies of Blessed Hope have prepared unbelievably tasty lunches and have gone far beyond expectations every day. Their appreciation and sense of generosity goes beyond anything I have ever seen, and this is just one illustration of their boundless hospitality.

After lunch, a worship session was held in the prayer garden. Darlene, in her amazing, cheerful spirit, led as I played guitar and our team sang songs for the children. This was an amazing experience, not because of anything we did, but because when we were done, the kids sang back for us. We all saw the hope of the children when they sang to us in their language, Lugandan. We did not understand the words, but we saw the faith of the kids, and we saw the loving and hopeful spirits inside of them. I was not aware of a dry-eyed team member during this experience.

I have had the pleasure of getting to know the oldest member of Blessed Hope’s orphanage. His name is Sseguya and he is eighteen. Sseguya was orphaned at six. Though I do not know how, his parents died then, and his grandmother could not care for him. And though I also do not know how these came into existence, many scars cover Sseguya’s face, chest, and arms. So I know his past has been seen violence. That understood, meeting this young man has changed me. I know he has seen tragedy, yet today, in the prayer garden and afterwards in conversation, I saw his hope and sense of honor. Since he is eighteen, Sseguya will be leaving the orphanage soon. He wants to continue school, but his future is uncertain to everyone. Though he acts as a big brother to the other kids and does not show fear in front of them, I was able to see it today, though it was quickly destroyed by his beautiful hope for the future. I talked with him about being brave and what it means to believe in something more, though as I am typing this, I realize that as I spoke these truths to him, it was like I was coming to understand the significance of them myself. It was not he who needed to understand these principles as he lives the meaning of kindness, honor, and strength (he wants to be an engineer and help bring clean water to his people), rather it was I who needed to understand. And now I do. Undeniably, these kids do more good for us on the team, than we do for them. Our blessings here in Uganda are diverse and numerous. Though I have been overwhelmed with the poverty of the people, the sense of optimism, appreciation, and love present here have changed not only my experience on this trip, but also my life.

My Heart Grows Bigger

Sweet Dallen and my dear friend, Jen.

Well it is my privilege and honor to write another blog for our Uganda Sweet Sleep Team. As Monday was filled with hard work and sweat, the last two days has been filled with grace filled conversations and the forming of friendships here at Blessed Hope Orphanage. If I had any reservations before I came on this trip, it was whether or not I had room in my heart for any more children. With my two precious boys back home, Gideon and Abel, and the two boys I fell in love with from last year’s trip to Uganda, Joseph and Amos, I simply didn’t know what to expect from this year’s trip. It is comforting to know that God can always carve out more room in our hearts for those that he created us to love.

Yesterday, I sure that you read from previous blogs, we were blessed with the opportunity to give the kids new Bibles. Many of these children have never owned a book before, let alone a Bible, and they cherish God’s word with such passion. After the kids got their Bibles our team spread out across their campus and spent time with the kids, going over their new Bibles, and answering questions about faith, life, and our homes back in America. During our time together, I was showing the kids my small pocket sized Bible, and the bookmarks that I keep are pictures of my family. The kids just loved looking at Gideon, Abel, and my wife Abby, and asking all about their lives back home. It makes me miss them, but it helps so much, as I get to make them a part of this experience. During this time, God began to expand my heart in some pretty significant ways.

Directly following our Bible time, we moved to the shelter do to some rain that began to fall. Our next activity with the kids, was for them make nametags for their beds, and to write thank you notes to all of the people that made their new beds possible. The kids that I was with during our Bible time, all moved to the shelter with me and it was amazing to see their creativity at work, and their wonderful penmanship. As the kids were finishing up, I noticed that one boys note began, “Dear Gideon,” and I realized that Dallen was writing a note to my son. I was very touched, and so I wrote on the back of one of my photographs in my Bible and gave it to Dallen as a gift. He was very touched, as was I by our gesture of friendship.

Upon leaving the shelter, a young boy named William whom I had played soccer with earlier gave me a photo of his family, and I was deeply moved. What a gift, my heart grew more. William is 14, his father is dead, his two sisters stay with his mother, and he has been at Blessed Hope for 5 years. He dreams of being a soccer player, has great potential, and I am excited to pray for this dream to become a reality. I have since talked with William at length, and I hope that our friendship across the world can give him encouragement to chase after his dreams.
I spent the better part of today talking with boys that I have connected with, Dallen, William, sweet little Gilbert, and a natural leader Ishmael. Before we left today, I received another note from Dallen, and I have cried a few times since I have read it. To think that he will be praying for my family, and especially my boys as they grow up, and to have the honor of praying for him as he matures into the man God created him to be is more than I can comprehend. I will write to you both notes that Dallen has written to me, and I am so thrilled that the God I serve can expand my heart far and wide!

“Dear Gideon, I love you so much. I want to tell you that God love’s you. I wish one day one time I will see you. I wish you a good day. From, Dallen”

Dear Uncle Mike, I greet you in Jesus’ name. I love you so much and your friends. I like to be with you everyday. I will not know what will happen when you have to go back to your country, but I will be praying for you everyday. You will be in my heart all of my life. From, Dallen I wish you a good day.”

Mike Warneke

Tuesday-By Alexis

Team USA vs. Team Teacher Netball! Team USA pictured above. :)

Kids cheering on the teams.

Team USA fighting to beat Team Teacher! Go Audra and Darlene!

The fight continues!

Abigail our super shot!

Tuesday June 15th:

Today was a great day at Blessed Hope. We started our day with recreation games with the kids. First was a game called “Netball.” Netball is very similar to basketball only we played on grass and did not dribble the ball. Netball is also only a game for the girls. There were four “houses” of girls and the winner of the first two games both played each other for the championship. Next came a surprise when all of us girls from Sweet Sleep were asked to play the teachers! We put up a good fight but needless to say we got our tails beat. The kids had drums and were chanting “U.S.A…U.S.A…” to cheer for us. The boys then began games of football (soccer in America).

During that time I had a chance to speak with one of the girls who speaks English rather well and is incredibly smart. Her English name is Babra, spoken as Barbara. Babra shared with me that she was a twin before her twin brother died of Malaria and next her father was also taken by Malaria. Her mother is unable to support her and now lives quite a distance away from the orphanage. She is fourteen years old and is amazingly intelligent. She says she wants to be a doctor for babies. I told her that it is called a pediatrician and we had a good laugh as she tried to pronounce it. Later, she asked me to come with her to her classroom. She showed me her books, how to spell her African name on the chalkboard and also gave me a letter she had previously wrote. The letter warmed my heart and went like this: “Dear Aunt Alexersis, I greet you in Jesus name. Yesterday I was so happy. It was a blessing day. Thank you for the love you showed me. Thank you for the beds you and your group provided. I are so happy.
God bless you, from Babra.” This was definitely the highlight of my day.

I think it is safe to say I will never forget Babra.

Worship was also awesome today. After singing a few songs the children were given their Bibles. It nearly brought me to tears to see how happy the children were to get a Bible. In America, most children do not think twice about new Bibles. I sat with a group of children and taught them how to read their Bibles and helped them find specific verses. One little girl wanted me to read her Bible with her and we sat as she read and asked for assistance on the difficult words.

Overall today was amazing.

Wish You Were There?

You know how sometimes you are watching a really great Jon Denver concert on PBS and every three of four songs some lady comes on and tells you that you can make the entire concert part of your very own DVD collection for just a small $200 donation? Well, try not to think of me as that lady. :)

In all seriousness, though, if you are like me, you are finding yourself checking this blog frequently to see if there have been any updates from Uganda. If you are like me, you can't see the pictures of those sweet, precious kids receiving their beds, mosquito nets and Bibles without wishing you were there too. If you are like me, you are deeply moved by the ministry of Sweet Sleep and the impact that a simple mosquito net can have in the life of a child. If you are like me, you want to do something to make a difference for kids just like these and others around the world.

If these things are true, I want to tell you another way you can be like me, by becoming a bedhead. And while it's true that my naturally curly hair has been known to take up more space than my pillow when I wake up each morning, that's not the kind of bedhead I'm referring to now. I'm also the kind of bedhead who has earned that title by setting up a monthly contribution to the ministry of Sweet Sleep. It is a quick and easy process, and once you've signed up online it is entirely effortless on your part. Your bank will simply transfer $30 a month from your account. Your gift is 100% tax deductible and you will receive a monthly receipt for your records.

As you can imagine, recurring gifts play a vital role in this ministry. Knowing there is a certain amount coming in each month allows us to plan for more trips that can provide more beds and mosquito nets to more kids. While $30 a month might seem like a relatively insignificant amount in your monthly budget (let's face it - most of us will drop that much for dinner out on a fairly regular basis), $30 a month can make all the difference in the world to kids just like these.

Please prayerfully consider signing up today. If you have any questions, you can send them to bedhead@sweetsleep.org. But if you know you are ready now, just click here and you'll be on your way. As a thank you, we will even send you a free gift!

And as you continue to read the stories coming out of Uganda, Moldova, Haiti and beyond, you will be able to proudly say that through your checkbook ministry, you are there too. :)

Bibles

Stuart hands out Bibles to the kids.

Kids admiring their beautiful new Bibles!

A young boy writing his name in his Bible.

This one couldn't wait! He had to sit right down and read his Bible.

Kids sharing with each other what they're discovering in the Word!

Showing kids how to read their find things in their Bibles...

Today we got the privilege to give 202 Bibles to the kids at the orphanage. There are no words to describe how they reacted. They were so excited. The team was giving them out and the teachers helped put their names in them and then they all sat down and started looking through the Bibles, page by page. The kids that were 8 years old and younger got a story book Bible and the kids that were older got a real bible. The kids gathered around into different groups and each team member sat down with a group of kids and the group that I got to sit down with had the story book Bibles. So I figured I would start at the beginning with Adam and Eve. One little boy knew the story and was saying whatever came next. It so encouraging to know that they already knew some bible stories. Clearly the teachers have been teaching them God's word. So I read that story- thinking that they were going to be like my little 1st and 2nd grade Sunday school class and ready to move onto something else- they just sat and looked at me, so I continued onto the next story and then Noah and the Ark and then we skipped over to the woman that touched Jesus' cloak. It was awesome to see kids so sincerely interested in God's word.

One other thing that I have to tell you all about is the kids singing this amazing song. They sing it with drums and dance around- hopefully someone will download a video of it (if they haven't already) and you all can see these amazing kids for yourself. The lyrics are very African like so the words do not do it justice, but I'm going to give it a shot.

"No more suffering, I no more suffering." One kid yells 'Will you beg for food?' And all the other kids go 'I will not beg for food!' Kid yells 'Will you beg for bread?' All the others 'I will not beg for food!' And then they all sing 'He is my Daddy Lord!! He is my Daddy Lord!!'

What amazing words coming from these precious children. And they sing it with such heart and the biggest smiles on their faces- it's beautiful.

Thank you all for your prayers. It is obvious to me that you are praying!

Much love,
Rachel Robinette

Overwhelming Joy

Kids gathering to see pictures I've taken of them. Beautiful.

It is so hard to put our experiences here into words. I am so often speechless just taking everything in. Today was an incredible day filled with hard work, sweat and tears…of joy. We accomplished so much in so little time building, moving, covering 200 beds with sheets, blankets and mosquito nets. We made beautiful, colorful tissue paper flowers with the children sitting in the shade under the trees. We sang and sang and sang some more. We worshipped together and sang some more. These children LOVE to sing. And yet, despite the fact that we have a plan going into everyday and activities and games to fill our time together, I see the most joy in these kids faces when someone is simply holding their hand and sitting quietly with them. I am grateful to have had one of these experiences today with 2 little girls named Maria and Jovia. I had been talking with them and getting to know them a little while they sat on either side of me holding my hands and stroking my arms. Maria began whispering with her friend and then looked up at me and said “we want you to pray with us.” I asked her to clarify what she had asked as I am not always certain I understand their accents clearly. She repeated herself clear as day. I was so impressed that these young girls of 8 or 9 years of age would ask a stranger such a request and then I was overcome with the emotion of just knowing that God was there in that moment. I had the privilege of sitting there on the grass with these 2 girls holding my hands and leaning over my lap to pray for their health, their relationship with Christ, their futures, their sleep and at their request “wisdom.” I am so humbled every minute by these children. Their love for each other, their love for Christ, their joy and their gratitude are overwhelming. It makes me thank God every day that I am here for this opportunity and challenges me to become a better wife, mother to my 2 girls, and friend myself.

Audra

Blessed Beyond Belief

Their old beds....

New bed frames arrive!

The great mattress unloading...

Mattresses on the move...

Our little mattress king.

Installing the new bed frames with Gary.

Complete healthy, comfortable new Sweet Sleep beds!

What and incredible day with the kids at Blessed Hope Orphanage. When we arrived this morning, following our exciting drive through Kampala, the kids were all lined up in their respective primary classes and sang a beautiful song for our welcome. They then practiced calling us by our names, with Auntie and Uncle in front of them as a sign of respect. They were able to get a few of our names, although they attempted to call all of us either Jen or Stuart over and over again.

The frames of the beds had arrived last night, so we had a jumpstart on our bed day. 176 brand new bed frames were scattered across their activity lawn, and the mattresses, sheets, blankets, and mosquito nets arrived a bit later, following lunch. While some of the older boys helped organize the bed frames with Gary and I, the others made paper flowers with the kids. After finding a pretty good way of working with the frames last summer, we were able to work together and get things organized pretty quickly. It is amazing how eager the kids are to help us out, and are will help out in any way that they are asked. We were able to get about 100 beds in the two girl’s dormitories, and another 90 beds in the three boy’s dorms. The kids were so excited to see their news beds. While we were bringing in and laying out the bed frames, a young girl came in to her room, she looked where her foam mattress used to lay on the floor, saw a new bed in its place and began to jump up and down with excitement, with the biggest smile on her face.

After a brief time of worship with the kids, we were able to finish getting beds ready, and had the privilege of seeing these beautiful Ugandan children lie in their beds for the first time. What a joy it is to be a part of this experience.

Although the bed day was exceptional, some of my most moving moments of the day came in our hour and one half bus ride too and from the orphanage. To see a young boy, about Gideon’s age (who is my four year old son), selling eggs by himself through the busy streets of Kampala, moved me in the deepest way. I love God with all my heart, and I know that His wisdom is far beyond my comprehension, but it is hard for me to be in the midst of this degree of poverty, and not question the way the world is set up. We as Americans are beyond blessed, and we often haven’t got a clue how the rest of the world lives. We are always comparing ourselves to those who have more and relishing in our own self pity, instead of comparing ourselves to those who have so little, and living a life of grateful service. Whoever is reading this blog, hug your kids, and give thanks for the freedoms they have, and the fact that they are not walking the streets trying to make a living.

Thank you to everyone that is supporting this mission team through their prayers, and through your earlier financial support. You have allowed us to be the hands and feet of Christ here in Uganda, and you are allowing our lives to be changed and broken for the better. For you prayer warriors out there, please say a huge prayer for the luggage of our Evansville team, none of us have yet to get our checked luggage, and there is so much sports equipment ,and gifts for the children that we are missing.

Abby, Gideon and Abel, I love you dearly and hope that you can all join me on a journey to Uganda in the future.
Michael Warneke

A Wonderful Greeting

Kids running to greet us as we pulled up...

Our worshipful welcome!

Gary and I with our new friends Esther and Emmanuel.

We pulled up to orphanage today and the children were in the middle of play. They looked up and saw us coming and they ran down the hill to meet us, screaming and cheering. In point 2 seconds flat my heart was in my eyes. They were standing so close to the door of the bus that we barely had enough room to get off. We all started to reach out to touch hands with the kids and say hello and well…..they didn’t let go. Everywhere we walked we had two or three kids holding our hands on each side. They took us to the pavilion where they welcomed us and sang for us, and lead us in worship. It was unbelievable!!! This little boy named Abraham lead the other children in singing, and they sang, “I won’t beg for bread, I won’t beg for food.” And although I didn’t catch every word because it wasn’t all in English, I have every confidence that they were singing about their trust in the Lord. Watching the kids faces as they sang, made me wonder if I truly know what trusting the Lord is all about.

The first child to attach to me was Esther. She didn’t let go of me at all and she’s only been at the orphanage a month. I was in love instantly! She kept looking at my hands, while I held her. She would feel of the front of my hands and then turn them over and look at the other side.
We toured the orphanage and I was amazed. The first room we saw was the administration room, very small, and very minimal supplies. Some donated books. The classrooms were extremely bare. The first dorm room we saw had 25 beds in it and it slept 65 girls. The next dorm room was much the same. We saw the boys dorm room and many of them shared beds too, but many of theirs were on the floor. They are just foam mattresses on the floor. This is something we knew before we arrived but to see it was something different. To put faces on the facts was….well, I just don’t have the words. The way I teared up when they came running down the hill, I decided to stick a tissue in my pocket would be beneficial. I kept dabbing at my eyes all through the afternoon and one of the girls with me, Delphine, asked me what was wrong with my eyes. I told her that they were just happy. Her smile was precious and confirmed her understanding.

We are all so tired, it is unbelieveable. London was great, but I was almost too tired to see it. We saw the highlights. (smile) The ride out to the orphanage is very rough. There are times when I just close my eyes, and hope that we don’t hit what is coming at us. This has unintentionally provided a bit a humor for some of the team members. I first sat on the front seat of the bus to keep from getting car sick, however I was very unprepared for the crazy way everyone drives. And there are people everywhere. I wasn’t always worried about hitting other vehicles, sometimes it was people. At one point Rachel and I talked about the fact that we will be sore from being beat to death on the ride, and from simply trying to stay in our seats. I fell asleep today on a shorter subdued portion of the ride home and was quickly awaken when my face hit the seat in front of me. This is actually a matter of a prayer request for some of the team members (myself included) because of the car sickness that comes from this jolting ride that takes us from the house to the orphanage and back. It is about an hour and fifteen minutes one way, so it is quite a bit of jolting.

I was prepared for some of what we have experienced and not prepared for some. I keep reciting a verse that we are teaching to the kids this week – I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, Phillipians 4:13. And it has never had the meaning that is has today. May we continue to decrease as Christ increases.

Oh and hi to Brandon and the kids. I love you and miss you!