Day 14...and she's off!

Elijah has nothing to do with today's post...between frequent episodes of sickle cell anemia.

Friday we met at the bank to take care of some business and then we went again to another home.  We are looking at and considering the designs of several different places trying to piece together what seems to work best for the needs of our particular ministry.  In preparation for our meetings with EMI next month, we are doing our best to be prepared by understanding what our current and future needs are so that the planning and work they do can be most efficient for them.  

We are so grateful the ways God’s hand has moved since the beginning, just the right person at just the right time, showing us the way to go, the people to talk to and the ones to avoid.  We feel provided for and protected by God himself.  EMI is just one of those things God did out of the blue, when we had no idea there was such an organization.  We pray that even more than the profession services they are bringing to help design Chayah’s new property, that they have the time to see and understand both the beauty and the suffering of Uganda. 

It can be tempting to see every home with a dirt floor as somehow void of family, void of caring or unloving.  The more I see, the longer I am here, the more God reveals the truth of His word.  Jesus did not have anything of value that could be seen.  What he treasured and still does is the heart of people, the most tender place in us, the most vulnerable part is the place he wants to dwell, heal and then make an eternal difference.  In my world, at home, from that lens, everything is beautiful.

I have easily and without awareness judged the wellness of others by their outward appearance.  If their clothing is clean, and their car is moving, they are doing well. I cannot remember a single place in scripture where Jesus commented on those kinds of things, though admittedly my knowledge of the Bible is so small.  Over and over again, he looked into faces, and spoke to the heart.  Perhaps I have a new understanding and greater appreciation of his claiming that he must go, so that the Holy Spirit could come and live in us.  The comforter, and the one who testifies to the truth, the one who guides and reminds us who we are…dwells deeply, intimately inside so that we can see what he sees and be capable of doing what he calls us to do.  It is only what has been given us that we can give away for others.  We are vessels for sure, overflowing with so many things…I am also so easily distracted and can fill my mind and heart with things that have little meaning and value…and then when it comes time for spilling, I can drench anyone nearby with some really petty ugliness.  But grace…

Back at Chayah yesterday, Big Sharon, sat with the big girls, speaking to them as they helped her pack her things. She is walking an invisible line between a big sister and truly a mother to them.   

 She is mature, wise and nurturing.  She is bold, yet humble and they are drawn to her sincerity and love for them.  She can easily be one of them, yet when she leads, they follow without a thought.  Before she left, she also met with the boys, challenging them to respect their siblings and balance their holiday time from school with playing and reading.  She is an amazing young woman and yesterday she left for her final year at the University.  Pray for God’s protection over her and great success this next school year.  Also, that God would speak to her and lead her in the direction He has for her future.  Selfishly, we are praying it has something to do with Chayah’s children.  For now…she is off to college.

I pulled out a second stack of books yesterday.  I don’t really know what I was thinking would happen, but an offer to read to them brings them close.  With their English improving and my attempt to keep the pace slow, even the simplest of books brings much interest.  With that success, I plan to strap a few paperbacks to my mid section on future trips to keep them close.

 A few escorted me to the home of the twins here who are growing like weeds!  Their father was killed in a car accident when they were just a few weeks old, but mom is getting by selling charcoal.

We went to this fun place again and I don't really know who was more entertained!

There were papers to sign at the house and then I headed out and back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner.  The truth usually is that I don’t spend one minute freshening, but attempt to upload pictures and prepare the blog as much as I can.

Judith, our counselor came to dinner with Janet and we talked about the heart issues with the kids and her thoughts on each one.  I had to tell her the joy I feel when she sits on the veranda and the kids, all on their own, come gather round her, all engaging in the conversation with ease.  I can’t understand one thing they say…but it’s so very obvious that they love her and feel safe.  

One girl in particular just seems locked down when it comes to communication.  She is pleasant and obedient, participates and plays, but if she is asked a question about anything that has to do with feelings, she is silent.  If pushed, she easily cries.  When she is near her mother, the anger and rejection is palpable, from daughter towards mother.  When asked why, she is silent.  She is closest to the girls who are much younger and has trouble feeling like she fits with the ones her own age.  She is strong physically and has a will like steel, but struggles in school and has repeated the same elementary grade, now so much bigger than her classmates.  When it comes to my degree of insight…you get what you pay for…but I can’t help but wonder what terrible thing has happened…how long ago and if she will ever be able to be open about it to someone.  Judith, our counselor, is committed to her like red on dirt and her goal over the next year is to invest in the relationship and work to become more trustworthy in her eyes.  Yesterday we were recording the stories of the ones who wanted to tell about their lives in Kakira.  She wanted to come in with us like others had, one at a time…but then sat silent, hesitant to even answer the simplest of questions.  She wanted to do like the rest, to be included in this little project, but the pain on her face…no words, no tears, spoke volumes of something… we just don’t know what.  She sat silent for only a few minutes and I thanked her for coming in, but that she could keep her stories private and it was ok.  We will be praying for her.  Whatever it is that has such a grip on her can be addressed by God himself, we just pray she knows that she is loved and safe and will be able to trust Him with the details even if she is never able to speak the words to anyone.

Friday's over...but Saturday's a commin'