Day 4 - Part 2 - A Glimmer of Hope

June 29, 2011

After leaving "M" we made our way to Royal Hope Academy in Kampala - a school started by a beautiful, young sister in Christ, Rebecca Sorensen ( http://myfathershouseintl.org/index_files/Page320.htm ).  What a contrast to the morning!!!  Our emotions went to the other end of the spectrum from our time at the prison as we were greeted by hundreds of well-fed, clean, happy, singing and dancing children.  It was BEAUTIFUL!!!

What a incredible time of worship!  God's glory was clearly revealed as we prayed...everyone aloud at the same time saying different things - but clearly ONE IN THE SPIRIT!!!  My heart was so full with love and awe of my Abba Father.  A wonderful blessing...

After worship, Rebecca arranged for those of us who are teachers to meet with the teachers of Royal Hope Academy.  Some of the same struggles and challenges as teachers in the U.S. but with less training and much fewer resources from which to draw... 

Our team had the special treat of going back to Rebecca's house (My Father's House) for dinner after our time at Royal Hope.  The Lord has led Rebecca to be "mom" to 16 children in her home, and they were so hospitable as all 22 of us filled their living room.  It was such a sweet time of fellowship - eating together, hearing Rebecca's beautiful testimony, painting little finger nails, and passing out flip flops to the whole gang ---all by candlelight since the electricity had gone out.  I loved it!  Thank you Lord for this wonderful blessing! 

By His grace and for His glory,

Stephanie

Day 4 - Part 1 - Broken

June 29, 2011

This was by far one of the most difficult, most emotionally-draining days of our journey.

It started with a visit to what is referred to as "M" - a rehabilitation center and prison where many children are sent.  Some are guilty of crimes, some are not...  (See www.sixtyfeet.org for more information.)  We knew that it was going to tough, but we weren't prepared for what was in store...

We shared cookies with the kids,

experienced a time of worship with them (and Moses from Sixty Feet) that was beautifully Spirit-led,

 and helped them decorate t-shirts. 

What we did not know before arriving at "M" was that 250 neglected children had been picked up off the streets of Kampala the night before we came and were brought to this very facility.  The possibility of diseases and sicknesses kept them from allowing us to see the children at first, but as they were "checked in" they came in one-by-one - some very young little ones included. 

Lost...scared...filthy...starving...sad...confused...half-naked...covered with sores...devastated

We played with all of the kids and loved on them for a few hours,

...but then it came time to leave.  As the team lined the inclined walkway to go, I watched the sad little guy in this picture make his way up through the group to find my friend, Doneva, who had been loving on him for the past few hours.  He did not want to let her go...a little bit of love speaks volumes, and he was desperate for more. 

It was an incredibly heartbreaking scene as I watched all of the youngest little ones follow us through the front building all the way to the bus trying to stay with us - craving love, safety, and security.  Telling them to stay back away from the bus was horrible.  I pictured my own children in the same situation, and it was almost too much to bear. 

Standing on the promises of God but asking so many "why" questions...

Stephanie

Day 3 - The Need to Be Loved Knows No Boundaries

June 28, 2011

Here is an excerpt from the one blog that I was able to post while in Africa.  It is referring to the 3rd day of our trip:

We went to a place (a remand home) in Kampala today where children who commit crimes, etc... are held while they await their sentencing.  There were over 150 kids - mostly boys and a few girls.  We spent time introducing ourselves, singing with them,

sharing the Gospel message, making salvation bracelets, and just hanging out.  

We were also able to share juice and a few cookies with each of them (food items that they don't normally get).  The kids loved getting their pictures taken, getting hugs, and just talking with us about our lives and theirs...God made us all with the desire to feel special and loved, and these beautiful children are no different.  

I'm sure they don't realize that they gave us more blessings than we gave to them today.

In my weakness...In His strength,

Stephanie

Days 1 & 2 - The Beginning to an Amazing Journey

June 26-27, 2011

After a 2 1/2 hour delayed flight in Dayton, Diana, Liz, and I made it in time to Washington D.C. to fly to Africa with our team.  We flew from Washington...

to Ethiopia...

to Uganda...

The 2-hour drive from the airport to Kampala was an experience that I will never forget.  I was not prepared for the level and enormity of poverty that I saw.  I was shocked and heartbroken.  I could only bring myself to take a few pictures, and I found it difficult to even speak as we moved along the long road. 

                         
Little did I know that this was only a small sampling of what my heart and eyes would see over the next few weeks. 

After a few hours of sorting all of the donations and craft items that we had brought...

I went to bed that night with images of ramshakled shelters, desperately tired faces, vulnerable children, and red dirt...lots of red dirt...swirling through my head.  My Heavenly Father had already started the process of peeling layers of blindness from my eyes - and it was painful. 

By His grace,

Stephanie

Home from Africa!!!

After 2 incredible weeks...we are safely home from Africa!  So many bittersweet emotions - thrilled to see and hug my wonderful husband and children but with a heart that is aching...trying to process all that I experienced...missing the precious people of Africa.

I was disappointed that I was only able to post once on my blog while I was there, but lack of time and Internet access were both issues.  As my African friends would say - that is just the way the Lord willed it!  His ways and timing are perfect!!!

After I get some much needed rest (and after my lost luggage finally arrives with my camera cord in it!!!), I am planning to create a post with pictures, etc... for every day that we were there.

My heart is so full - God made Himself known in so many ways over the last few weeks - He provided, protected, and opened my eyes and heart to His ways...I can't wait to share!