Saturday, May 6, 2017

Baby Ryan


Today I was able to meet baby Ryan. He is 1 month and 2 weeks old. This moment is so bittersweet for me as I held this precious child of God. On one hand I was filled with joy to see such a miracle and absolutely perfect child but then on the other hand I had to face the stark reality of little Ryans life ahead.  His family of 5 live in a small hut made of mud, cow dung and straw with no ventilation, no running water and no latrine or sewage in site.  The harsh truth is that 1 out of 3 children die under the age of two in this village and I truly only have my prayers to God that Ryan would not be one of them.  As my tears of joy mix with my tears of worry and sadness I am once again reminded of why I have been called here to Uganda.  To bring Life through the message of Jesus Christ and make a difference in one child at a time in the belief that one day these odds will change and babies like Ryan have the same hope and opportunity at life that babies in the USA have.

Saying goodbye is never easy...

As we prepare to say farewell, we don't say goodbye to all. We are taking some of the kids on a trip. 
We give hugs and handshakes and some tears are shed as we see friends and family parting.  
We are taking some of the kids from the Beyond Ugonda Children's Home to the city!  We told them it's a long ride and we will have dinner. 
We took them to the Ugandan Cultural Center for a dinner show about their culture. 
First we got to enjoy sitting with them on the bus, enjoying lunch along the way. It wound up being about a five hour trip. They got to see everything on the way. 
They got to go through a huge buffet!  And then were treated to songs and dance.  Tonight they get to sleep in a HUGE bed. And sleep in the motel and have breakfast here. This is something without support of Starfish and the ministry we are partnering with here Beyond Ugonda these kids could never do. 
Your praying is most important. But we also must have supplies donated. Erin gave art classes and did a great job. Her student is going to continue the class!  We could really use art supplies and there are still kids without clothes.
But everything takes money as well. Please pray that God will continue to bless. Even a small amount given in Love is  multiplied. Please support Sharing the LOVE of CHRIST to these kids.

Friday, May 5, 2017

God is so great!

After morning devotion, we went to the land that God has given to Beyond Uganda.  They have built a church there and have crops planted. We walked the land and prayed for everything there. That God's love would show in all that is done. 
We had church with the kids!  The choir sang for us then we got to minister to them!  An animated story about a King. Then we learned how we never Know how God is going to form us when he begins to work, using balloon animals to help them visualize it. 
Then we fed them a huge lunch! And many came back for seconds.  It was such a privilege for us to serve them.  
Then we got to give them treat bags and let them have fun as we were leaving. 
We had also prayed for rain because of the drought. Later that day it rained hard!  It quit and everything where the water was rushing slowly was gone. Then it rained again.  So that the ground could soak up some of the water. 
Later in the day we visited the local government hospital.  We went to the maternity ward where ladies had just given birth or were in labor. We did not take pictures there, but picture a large living room with concrete walls.  Two partition walls four feet high. And 16 beds in each section.  48 beds in the size of a large living room in the States.  The ladies can reach over and touch each other!  Over half full. Debbie was able to address them on health issues and consult on a couple of complications.  God sent her because she has this specialty.  

If you feel God pulling at your heart about a trip, he will use you!  He can supply everything if you can believe.  Please look at the website to see possibilities if you feel God needs you.  

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

The simplest things can show His love!

Another amazing day pouring into kids!  Our team has an amazing artist who has been giving two classes a day at different locations.  
Seeing the kids not only soaking in the teaching, but appreciating that someone is taking the time for them!  
They are so proud!  It's amazing to see how the kids light up!
Another part of the team went to the village where "The Happy Family".  We told a bible story, gave them each a bottle of bubbles, and as we left a treat bag!  These are kids that do not eat for days!  And no one EVER has come to see them!  
We got to tell them Jesus loves them!  

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Another day of Blessings

Tuesday we prepared lunch for children who only eat from scraps left on the street by others. Nothing that would be considered of any worth.  They are treated the same way by communities, they don't want "those kids" around, even in the poor village area.  We are ALL made in Gods image!  Our team serving them lunch first!  Then getting to hug and pray over them as we played.  The Kids in the children's home realized that they don't have even as much as them.  
One of our team helped cook. And even made banana pudding which they have never heard of. This made an interesting day. Everyone in the community came to see. To see a man working in the kitchen? And a white man!  The men of the culture do very little here. And can have multiple wives to take care of them. The women carry water great distances sometimes, or the kids must get it.  I carried the five gallon cans of water for a teenage girl, and she could not believe a man would carry water. 
If you have ever heard the story of Jesus feeding the multitude, I can introduce you to someone who has seen it in person!  Food was prepared for not near as many as ate!  I asked the lady in charge if there was enough food.  She was concerned,  but I reminded her, that my God is owner of everything.  And that we would have plenty.  However kids kept coming and coming, we had the team and workers to feed, and needed to send food to the office for others.  So we did this, and had surplus!  God provides.   
Then the day got a little better!  You ask how?  After God using us to show the love of the Father?  Blessing those that haven't eaten anything for a few days?  Giving hugs to the outcast?   
Because of the support of you! We supplied and delivered beds, mattresses, and mosquito nets, to the kids in the children's home!  No more waisted money on malaria medicines from being eaten with mosquitos at night while sleeping!  No more of the bugs eating the beds!  And a comfortable safe place to rest. Everyone was so excited! Even the village kids wanted to help unload!  
It is so humbling to see what God can do when we let him.  
Please continue to pray for the team, and for Starfish as we continue to share the love of God to His children in need, both here locally and abroad. And pray for Beyond Uganda as they minister here in their country.