Friday, January 25, 2013

Kneel before the King




Knowing it was our last day made opening our eyes to daylight just a little bit harder. Sequestered in my room until the last minute, trying to finish the constitution needed for official registration of Chayah, when I heard Janet and our two dental patients down stairs. Off we went planning to see someone who could assess some obvious problems. Dental offices are the walk-in sort I guess and when office number 1 was crowded with patients, we headed off to the second. An empty waiting room raises a couple of questions that there was no possible way to answer with any certainty, so we trusted the Lord and in went Doreen and then Regina. Within the hour, two girls were seen, 2 teeth were pulled, 4 cavities filled, and a couple of names on school sweaters were completed in the waiting room.

This morning we got a real chance to observe Regina. She is so completely shut down when away from all the other kids, that we had to wonder and then ask Janet again where she had been in her short 4 years. Her only known family, a mother, left her alone in the market one day when she was just a year old. Witnesses said they saw her with her mother who was playing with her and gave her some candy. Next thing they knew Regina was sitting alone and crying and her mother had disappeared. Someone else took her in, but this compassionate caretaker had also taken in many others- all crowded into a one room mud floor/thatched roof home. Regina was seen daily, alone and crying. It’s just one example of the bonding and trust issues that will affect the long transition period ahead. Some are on their absolute best behavior, quiet and reserved probably wondering if one false step will result in a giant U-turn in their lives.

From the dentist, we headed to the bank and then, for some food for the evening meal. Arriving at the house about noon, the adults and a few assorted children sat around and talked while we continued with the sweaters, talked with Solomon about the registration, and gave up the hope of seeing Paul the carpenter complete his work before we left.

The kids decided on their own, they wanted to have a picnic on the back porch to eat their lunch. We knew this final meal would begin the clock ticking towards the end of our part, of a new beginning. We gathered everyone in the sitting room and while they perched on the couches, plastic chairs, or scattered themselves on the rug, we encouraged them to work hard, take care of each other, their new home, and their Mom. We reminded them that Jesus would take care of their every need as they served each other. We reminded them as they went to school, they should work hard to be good examples of their family and the One who had set them apart for this special place.

Without any real fanfare, except the angelic orchestra that was playing loudly in my heart, the older boys hung the sign on the front porch, identifying our little piece of heaven…CHAYAH.

We moved to the front porch for the cake Olivia had helped to make in the new oven, then began our goodbyes. Surprisingly, the kids said goodbye today just like any other day. Janet, hopped in the van with us and as we drove away, 19 happy, jumping, waving hands sent us off.

Our Mommy, Janet, waited as we showered and packed and then escorted us the 5 hours to the airport. As we sit in the Brussels airport now, I cannot find anything eloquent to say to neatly wrap up this adventure. Perhaps, because really, it’s just the beginning of one thing or the middle of something, certainly not the end.

Much of our lives we wait for the “one thing” or “a calling” or our “life’s purpose,” something that makes us feel that we have meaning on this earth, something worthy of a label or words etched on a grave marker when we’ve finished here. Truly though, CHAYAH is God’s work. If it weren’t so, we could never leave and have any confidence. It was His vision and purpose before we were even born. These children, in this generation, in Uganda, brought together at this time, to be joined with a huge group back in the U.S. so that God could fulfill His purposes. It is our privilege to have front row seats and season tickets for His show.

Ephesians 3:14-21 “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Taking Ownership

Wednesday we met Janet, John, and Olivia in town to continue our pursuit of a world record in errand running. These two high school students needed passport photos for their school IDs and we needed about a van full of school supplies. 216 little blue notebooks, 18 rulers, 2 dictionaries, 18 reams of copy paper, 108 rolls of toilet paper, 2 boxes of markers, 2 dictionaries, 2 special textbooks, 12 reading books, and 32 brooms. We got the shoes exchanged for the right size and bought the indoor propane stove. Each child must bring their own cup and plate to school; high school students bring spoons, so it was back to the plastics store for the third time this week.

Kristen was excited about the stove with an oven and wanted to teach the older girls how to make a cake. Sounds easy, but finding a pan to bake it in was a challenge. We settled on a sauce pan that was about the right circumference, then headed to the “American Market” and tried to decipher the names of the ingredients. We somehow succeeded with a tiny bottle of vanilla, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), and oil. She used the flour at home and the raw sugar and fresh eggs, and then popped it in the oven, and 45 minutes later it looked perfect. Janet was astounded, because to bake a cake in the village, sand is heated up and poured in a hole in the ground, then a pan of batter in placed in the hole and left for about 4 hours for it to bake. While that was baking, I made eggs in a basket for the older girls to try. Finishing the cake, the girls cut up some vegetables to sauté, and fried some bacon, all on the outdoor charcoal cookers. Boiled water cooked the macaroni noodles quickly and every member of the Chayah family had pasta for the very first time. We aren’t sure if they actually liked it or not. They are too polite to be honest I think.

I spent a good part of the afternoon typing some legal documents that need to be turned in so that our sweet mommy Janet doesn’t get arrested for operating a home without registering it. People in the area know all about the new home and every day we are receiving guests with requests to help other children. A lady came today who had dropped off a letter yesterday about 7 children that she keeps. Three are hers, and the other four belonged to her brother who has passed away. So, registration is a must and apparently every office you visit requires just a bit of cash to keep things rolling.

Speaking of rolling…I ran into Paul the carpenter today. Do you know he was far from his shop strolling down the street in the visitor’s part of town? I asked him to please get the benches and Janet’s bed to us tomorrow by noon as we are leaving. He smiled and nodded and apologized and told me he had been under a lot of pressure. You know, there must be a real translation issue at work here, because I’m not at all sure he feels pressure to any degree. Oh Paul, I love you in a “Jesus way,” but having trouble with loving you in the “people way.” We’ll see how tomorrow goes.

It’s time to hand over the real ownership of the house to the residents at Chayah. Today, as the older girls learned some baking, the middle girls learned to repair the screen door. The two oldest boys climbed a 12 foot ladder made of tree trunks to measure 17” on either side of the center of the porch roof and hammer a nail with a wire hanging from it for the Chayah sign that’s just about done being painted. They are children, but learning to take some responsibility for their home and learning to maintain it and care about its condition. Tiny Shakira has even taken to wall murals, both inside and out, and though it is such a sign of childhood, writing on the walls, her artistic bent will need to be steered towards paper.

The three of us left here, did a skit and told a fun story tonight. These Muzungus will stop at nothing to hear these beauties belly laugh.

Tomorrow is the last of our business and will be filled with the dentist, stitching more names on sweaters, and sharing our last cake together. I can’t imagine what leaving will look like. Olivia and I talked today about just how good God is to have planted something that will bring us back again and again. I believe we might actually be trying to ward off the pain of separation that is sure to accompany tomorrow’s goodbyes. But it’s time for the Muzungus to leave this family to establish itself, routine, school, and serving one another and their neighbors. No doubt we’ve been a distraction, well intentioned and God ordained, but it’s time for them to have some ownership of their new life. I believe the next time we see them, they will have changed in appearance…sickness treated, a balanced diet, and some education. It will be a sign they have tasted new life, new hope and a future that looks bright. God has done something amazing and we are so grateful to have seen its beginning.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Treasures in heaven...jewels for a King!

Only because it is the end of the trip, have I dared push through today as if I had a full night’s sleep. Because after sitting up listening to the heart of our House Mom, Janet, until 3am, I was hoping to sleep in just a little bit later than usual. Well right, except that I was in a home with 19 children who as it turns out get up every day at 5am for prayer, devotion, and singing. Just hearing those voices this morning made me venture into their place of worship and get on my knees to join them.

When they finished, they went straight to their chores, no asking, no reminding, no standing over them to keep them going. All beds were made, everybody was bathed and dressed, some more creatively than others, and belongings were put into their cases. The youngest ones don’t have much responsibility beyond that for now, but the older ones, 10 and up, were sweeping the exterior stone areas, washing last night’s dinner and party dishes, bathrooms were cleaned, floors swept and mopped. Yep, this is the daily routine and no one complains, no one is slow.

Breakfast was served about 8:30 or 9am during this “holiday time” from school and was warm milk with a chai tea sort of flavor with some sugar and 2 pieces of bread. Then its play time. Today though, the two in Secondary School or high school needed to go for registration.

Janet and I walked Olivia and John, in the hot sun, to the school to see how long it would take. About 2 miles, and uphill, told me that the $25.00 for all 3 months transportation fee to have the bus pick them up about ½ mile from the house was a good investment. After about 10 minutes of walking, I asked Janet when the hottest months in Uganda are…um hmmm January. So sleep deprivation and dehydration were the way we were operating today. On the way back, you know the downhill part, we were picked up and headed home.

Today there were games of tag, tent building, card games and Janet, Kristen and I attempted to stitch names on the red sweaters with yarn. We were instructed to write the names with marker first, then stitch them with the yarn. Ok...not fun. But we couldn’t leave it all for our mom to do, there are 16 of them just for the primary level. Tomorrow, we teach the older girls. Somewhere in here, we ate lunch.

We met today planning for our need to officially register the home with the local government and how to get that started. Meanwhile, Kristen walked the oldest 14 back to the Nile to play in the water. Before they left, she taught them a game in the yard, tucking a handkerchief into their pockets and chasing each other trying to pull flags and be the last one in the game. They played and played and played. Squealed, shouted, cheered for each other and may have actually “fixed” the last round, so that Micah could win. Then, carried him into the house like he was some kind of hero, cheering so loudly for their own personal missionary he could hardly contain his joy.

The 5 littlest ones were supposed to be napping, but behaving like real children, they were spying and sneaking out of their rooms to see what all the fun was about. When the group finally left for the hike to the river, the “babies” settled in and fell fast asleep, interestingly, on the floor. Perhaps comfort is more about what you are used to than what it feels like to the body. The house was quiet and Janet worked on lists for our final 2 days, while I continued to stitch names on sweaters.

The gang arrived back from the river refreshed, but tired. Our van is in the shop for breaks etc… so we were riding the boda bodas back to the hotel today. Picture the 3 hotel pillows we borrowed for the night, tied together with twine, a suitcase, a Muzungu grandma straddling a motorcycle in a skirt, holding onto a driver that wants to talk American politics during rush hour on a bridge crossing the Nile. If we leave here having missed a possible adventure, I don’t know what it was.
 

Tomorrow, we begin tying up whatever loose ends we can before closing the book on this ground breaking trip. I have seen that our President was sworn in again, but when it comes to an inaugural event, I don’t care what the glitz and expense was in the most powerful capitol in the world… this was better, hands down. You’ll never convince me otherwise. I don’t care who designed clothing, what song was played for a dance, or who was in attendance…this morning, in the family room of Chayah, where the music came from the hearts of children and genuine, innocent prayer eclipsed any speech writer’s best attempt…before the sun was even up, a new day began full of hope, anticipation and new life.
 

As our heads hit the pillow tonight, please know, we have appreciated every prayer on our behalf, every encouraging word along our journey last fall and every sacrifice you have made. It matters… if they could speak it to you or you could see it in their eyes you would better understand the depth and breadth of it.

These are treasures for heaven, 19 jewels to be worn by King Jesus…our King of Glory.

Happy Birthday



I sit at the dining room table of Chayah this Tuesday morning.  In too few days, the last 3 of this team will be packing up a few possessions to take back with us to our homes in the US.  Our suitcases will be light, but our hearts can be described as both so light in the experience God has allowed us, carried on the wings of mighty Angels, and the so heavy with the leaving and the separation in body from these we have now come to know face to face. 
Can you see I am getting sappy and so flowery in my words, it’s that time in trip, so I’ll try to regroup and return to giving you a picture of life at Chayah on a Monday.
Dot, Micah and I arrived to Chayah about 9:30, Janet and the older girls had gone to the market place as Mondays and Thursdays are lower price days.  We were asked to stay away this time so that they could pay the local rate, rather than Muzungu rates.  We were given the job of walking 18 little ones to the school to fit them for uniforms. I was just a little concerned we would not arrive at Good Shepherd with all of them, so we lined them up shortest to tallest, and counted them.  I so wanted to Muzungu-ize them by giving them a number and making them count themselves at each transition, but most of the youngest ones don’t understand a bit of English, so the instructions alone protected them from my type A behavior.  

Now I don’t know what you are picturing but organized chaos in a small room with dresses, sweaters, shorts, skirts, dress shirts, stockings and t-shirts were the doled out for trying on.  Not one was marked with a size, just passed along until it fit someone, with plenty of room to spare for growing. Chayah means to cause to grow and I believe that with the food they’ve been getting and vitamins, medical care they have needed, Mommy Janet’s prediction of filling out a loose fitting garment will be right on the money.  It took about 45 minutes to fit them all with two sets of uniforms, one for sports, one for the classroom.  It was on this occasion that we realized that squeals and giggles reveal a need for a few more undergarments for the little girls. 

Micah explored the school grounds and was alarmingly warned that the septic tank might be best explained rather than investigated.  We will be forever grateful for a watchful headmaster.  We headed home and arrived with 18.  You can’t even imagine my surprise and relief,
God is good and we are grateful.  Arriving home, we spent some time with the children, and then got a call from Janet to meet them in town.  School shoes for 18 was the order of the afternoon.  Now Janet told us previously that we would not be taking the children to town to have them fitted, but would measure their feet with a piece of twine or stick and label that with the child’s name.  Strings were placed on the ruler there and 18 pairs of black school shoes, tins of polish and brushes were purchased to bring home.  Do you know that if you don’t have the right size shoe to sell, it is ok to just change the number on the box?  So tomorrow, we get to do some exchanging.  School notebooks, pens, 2 calculators for the secondary school students and rulers.  A few mosquito net hoops, a few more plastic dishes, some smaller saucepans, a case of water and we were on to some scheming for another first.

Today was Jesca’s birthday, never previously celebrated, and we needed to plan the first Chayah birthday celebration.  Careful not to set the bar so high that it could not be repeated each month, our only January birthday, a day chosen for her since she had no idea, no birth record.  A 6” cake, individual ice cream cups and a set of candles to be kept and used throughout the year.  Jesca had no idea anything was up.  If she did know she would have no way of guessing what was ahead.   

We arrived back, shoes fitted, play clothes from the market handed out.  Then I don’t know what happened, but we were told it is the way of children every evening.  From 5 to 8, everything broke loose and there was more energy, yelling, running and just plain chaos, or so it seemed to me.  Janet is not the least bit concerned, or bothered by it.  When I asked her what she was hearing she said “children who are very happy.”  Ok, then, me too…in a “could we maybe just color or read a book kind of way.” But then…devotion time.  

Without notice, while I was outside helping to wash dishes, I began to hear singing from inside. In tune and out, soft voices and loud, English alternating with native tongue…beauty so strong and loud I’m sure neighbors far away were being serenaded.  Then praying, all at the same time, walking the room, two by two or solo, weaving back and forth, standing faces to the walls and praising, thanking and asking.  

Sharon then had them all sit down on the rug, and she shared from the Psalms with them.  When they were beginning to doze off, they would get themselves up, walk quietly to the sink and splash cold water on their faces and return to the carpet.  No complaining, only the youngest getting just a tiny bit restless.  

About 9:00pm dinner was served and then each was ushered off to their bedrooms.  But Janet was excitedly rallying the older girls to set a table with a lace curtain, the 6”cake with one single candle, 3 places of biscuit cookies and 24 ice cream cups.  We had tiny colored flashlights that each one strapped to their finger.  The whole family surrounded the table with such excitement as we stayed with a blindfolded Jesca in her room.  When the moment arrived, we walked her to the table, lit the candle, removed her blindfold and under the African darkness and tiny waving lights, Miss Jesca listened, face beaming, and watched as her new family gave her her very first birthday party.   
Whether Jan 21st is even close to the date she was born, doesn’t matter anymore.  She has a new birthday now and reasons to believe she is significant, valuable, and noticed in this world. 
She herself served everyone a morsel of the cake, passed out cookies and served each ice cream, before she had one bite herself.

 “What is this we are eating now?” one asked.  When questioned, we counted at least 7 who marked today their first experience with the frozen treat.  

Everyone pitched in to clean up and headed to bed.  Marking another first, we had decided to spend the night at the house.  Micah and Kristen chose the sitting room, resulting in 80+ mosquito bites on Micah alone.  If I told you I slept on the floor in Janet’s room it would only be a ½ truth as we were up until 3am talking, then up at 5am with everyone else for devotion time. 

I don’t really know how to attach any one word or feeling to Jan 21st, 2013…Chayah’s key scripture is Psalm 118:14-17 and says it best “The LORD is my strength and defense, He has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory, resound in the tents of the righteous.  The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things.  The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things.  I will not die, but live and proclaim what the LORD has done.”

Sunday, January 20, 2013

And then there were 3, well and the 21



We headed to Chayah this morning to find 18 shiny clean and dressed children ready to attend  church as a family.  The oldest, Sharon, had gone to Kakira to teach Sunday school.  Another first... we piled them all in their van, added Mary, the cook, Mommy Janet, Kristen, the Deeds, me and Chris the driver. Yep, you counted right, 24 people in a van with 7 seats.  Like the US, a special license is required to drive a van that seats more than 7 people.  Now that is not at all the same a driving a van which seats 7, and piling in 17 more.  The number of people is not regulated; it’s the number of seats that count.  So…when in Uganda… We all went to the church just in front of Good Shepherd’s school.  And can I say that watching everyone exit, was hysterical.  Chris was checking under seats to make sure everyone was out.  Then the Mama, walked her tribe into church all together for the very first time. With the exception of Shakira, who needed to step outside for a bit, the Chayah family sat through at least an hour of introductions and music, before they were dismissed, without issue.  They are already the best behaved and yes I am biased, but it is still the truth!  Once all of the kids left for Sunday school, we sat through great teaching by a pastor from Alabama.  I know… but it was really great to listen to a Southern accent and Swahili translation.  Every tribe, tongue and nation…seems pretty close to heaven. 
After church, we walked a short cut home, finally giving Chris our driver a day off.  It was something seeing this group stretching on and on down the red dirt with cornfields lining the path.  We were at the caboose and arrived home to all the children standing just inside the door of the gate, saying with a dramatic tone and hand motions, “Welcome to Chayah, Welcome to Chayah” as each of the rest of us stepped through.  They are delightful children, acting like children.  If they are struggling on the inside, I don’t see it yet, except Shakira, who is kind of wanting Janet all to herself. 
This afternoon, with fewer of us, the pace was slower, and the children seemed to feel a great sense of freedom and were carefree enough to play and play and play.  Janet and I sat in the yard discussing the monthly budget, but laughed so much at their joy.  We pulled out a bag of match box cars today and everyone took one.  Janet was giggling at two of the 6 year old girls, translating their conversation.  “Well, my truck is stuck in the mud, so please let me go get it out” then turned on a dime and strutted over to retrieve the tiny car from the dirt in the planter.  There was chasing and laughing on the stone walkway which circles the home.  We heard singing and left over water bottles were filled with the outdoor faucet, a board with a nail making just the perfect size whole in the top and water squirted out was called “fireworks”.  I’m not sure where that description came from, but they were squealing and dancing and pouring it on themselves. 
Kristen worked with them on writing to their sponsors, with one of the older girls translating their thoughts and answers.  I worked on more mosquito nets and taught Janet how to scan receipts and email them.  We had a class on taking care of their own things, keeping order in the house, respecting their individual property and the common areas.  Talked to them about the house owner expecting the walls to be free from crayons (should have had this talk yesterday), eating on the tile floor, not the carpet to keep it clean and nice, picking up their trash, and keeping their shoes in the right place etc…
They want to know when we are coming back…and promised that if we spent the night with them, we could have their beds, while they sleep on the sitting room floor.  I’m pretty sure that’s going to happen, complete with a dance party.
Tomorrow night is our first birthday…Jesca.  I think there might be a party in the works, but with 19, we have to set a pretty reasonable standard to follow.  I believe from here on out, there will be one party a month and all birthdays will be celebrated together.  Candles have always been too expensive, even if some sort of treat was possible, but if we can find a box to keep on hand, there will be a candle in the first ice cream some have ever had. 
We were ushered out tonight with a couple of songs that Olivia and Sharon have already taught them.  So laying down our heads tonight with the memories of children sounding like children.  You couldn’t sing me to sleep with anything more beautiful.

Thanks be to God...and our team



Saturday morning we met early to say goodbye to one member of our team and pray over him as he heads on around the world to Thailand, serving yet another ministry to children.  The rest of us split into our 4 board members heading back to the village of Kakira for a meeting which included just a little bit of diplomacy/ministry…we spent about 2 hours there, while the rest of our team took the boda bodas into town for some last minute shopping and them met us at the Chayah’s home.  We had about 3 ½ hours to finish up any last minute projects and spend some time with the kids.  I know you will be as surprised as we were that the boys slept in the sitting room floor again…really even Ugandan time doesn’t run as slow as Paul, the carpenter.  At this point, if he wants to use the Muzungu’s power tools and converter, he has to get there and get them done by mid week, or even his own guys are gonna be frustrated going back to the manual drill and saw.
A few beds were rearranged, we put up more mosquito nets and the kids got to see some prints of the pictures Katee Grace took of them this week.  We thought ahead enough to bring one of the small portable printers with us and she spent long hours in one bedroom, printing out a great selection from this week for them to hang on the twine with clothes pins.  Each bed was adorned with darling pictures.  They are beginning to feel sure that they have their own space, even if it is the size of a twin bunk.  It’s all their own and only theirs.  Each bunk has a hook for their backpack and a place to hang the towel with their name.  Bathroom’s have a shelf labeled for their bath basket and a nail to hang their sponge.  It’s beginning to feel a lot like home and I think they might be starting to realize it is for good.  Tiny Shakira though, had already spent several weeks in the home and arms of Janet and the girls, so she did ask Janet yesterday when the rest of the children would be going back to the village.  Shakira needs more personal attention and hands on love than the rest, at least for now, so she is feeling a bit put out by so many others around.
We spent some time playing, talking and then the clock reminded us that at least one thing runs on time in Uganda…airplanes.  So the dreaded moment came when we had to round up all of Chayah and say goodbye to 5 of the hardest working, most loving, grace-filled people I know.  The Spirit used this willing bunch to begin a work that God had planned long ago.  We are so grateful.  There were a few tears, lots of hugs and 40 brown hands waving them off. 
Heading back to the hotel, everyone showered, packed and had a snack before the long drive to Entebbe.  I can’t even begin to speak for them.  But we’ve sent them home to you, so they will be speaking for themselves very soon.  Please don’t ask them to be brief.  What has happened through this trip and all they witnessed, participated in and felt, is far too great to be described in a few short words.  On the other hand, some things are just so personal and deeply set that attempts to communicate it fall far short.  God is beyond the beyond in what and how he does things.  How he weaves together broken people from two sides of the globe to bring hope is without comparison.  He is our King, righteous, loving, good and ruler over all.  No suffering is too great for Him. 

Friday, January 18, 2013

Play Date

We began Friday morning with a s­­urprise visit from Pastor Paul from the village of Kakira, inviting us to come back tomorrow morning to meet with his church there, cut a cake, and describe all that God has called us to at Chayah Home. We met for our devotional time together and it was so perfectly fitting where we are at this point, that we were moved to really pray for protection, discernment, and a great covering over Chayah’s home.

We left the hotel, leaving our youngest team member and his mama here to deal with some fever issues. We headed into town to purchase the last few boards for the outdoor kitchen and to follow up with Paul the carpenter…I will confess that at this point I was really thinking more beat up than follow up, but the Holy Spirit stepped in and spared his life. But imagine his surprise when we nearly walked right into him on the street where our guys were buying lumber. “Today,” I told him, “All of the kids will sleep in their beds today!” “Yes, yes” he replied in a probably- not sort of tone. “At 2pm, we shall be there.” “Bring lots of men, so that they are all assembled tonight!” “Yes yes, we shall be there”. So imagine our shock when no one arrived at 2pm or 3pm, 4, 5 or even 6pm. So we stayed at the house…no way I was leaving that place without a little stink-eye ministry for Mr. Paul. As the sun was setting, I suggested Janet bring as many solar lamps from the house that they would need, so there would be no excuses for leaving before every last bed was in place.

Ah, but I skip ahead…the day was actually filled with so many wonderful moments. With the majority of the projects nearly done, there was plenty of time today to just play with the kids. I met Janet at “Good Shepherd’s School” where she had walked 16 little ducks early in the morning to begin the testing for grade level and school registration. Several failed to pass their tests, meaning they would be starting at the beginning or repeating a grade. The school was nice, clean and organized. We arranged to bring them all back on Monday to fit them for uniforms and pay for their school fees. Janet sent our small tribe home with John, Edrine, and Melissa overseeing them on the ½ mile walk back home. Janet and I finished up and then we talked and walked the red dirt road back to the house. Our own building team had finished up the last of the kitchen and lunch was served. Hygiene class for the second group happened today, photos were printed for their string galleries on each of their beds. Fabric scraps were turned into clothing for Chayah Critters, and we loved that the little ones wanted their babies strapped to their backs, just as they had probably been carried. We got out the cards and played Uno, War, and made houses of cards on the carpet. Our men taught them “Ninja” and another game called over and under. We tossed a soccer ball with a sheet and used it as a parachute. Kids were swung in a blanket and puzzles were done and redone. Signs were made for beds, and all the keys were colored coded with nail polish for Janet. We played a couple of rounds of “spoons” and the 4 with the worst malaria were taken again today to the clinic for their final injections. They are all acting like they feel well, running, laughing, hugging, eating, singing, and dancing.

Plumbing started leaking and another clothes line was put up. Henry the existing caretaker finally left today. Janet had been preparing this young man for leaving, but every day the beds were delayed, he was allowed to stay in the empty room outside. His room was scrubbed down and if all goes well; the beds will be in that room tonight. God protect him if our boys are not sleeping in that room…Oh I kid… sort of.

The kids worked on sponsor gifts, and toe nails were painted. A day with a slower pace is just what we needed.

Evan, our first to head out tomorrow, lead us in prayer outside in the back yard. We gathered this new family into the center, Janet and Mary our cook included, then the 8 of us prayed for protection, love, and that a real sense of Jesus, and who He is would arise from this home. That the Holy Spirit’s presence would lead and guide Janet and the older ones, that the older boys would be Godly examples to the younger boys and also that they would grow to be great examples to the girls of a Godly man.

We want so much for them, but are so very grateful, that we cannot even imagine what God wants and has in store for these darlings.
I Corinthians 2:9 says “No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

We know it’s true. We could never have imagined such an opportunity. To see into the eyes of suffering and be a part of a community at home that believes God can save and rescue and redeem and then acts on that belief. This human mind could never have conceived such joy.