NEW BEGINNINGS

We've travelled some 10,000 miles, spent a little over an hour travelling by car, 38 hours on three flights, eaten 3 airline meals, walked a few laps during the layovers, tried to bribe the Admiral's club attendant into a stolen shower and still have at least 2 -3 hours of driving to Jinja. We've watched movies, listen to music, played solitaire, and read. FILLER... All the things we've done as we wait. It feels maybe like the end of a pregnancy. Expectation, excitement and responsibility blend into anxious anticipation. Knowing that the next few days and steps have been planned out and set before us by The Lord, yet sensing a fair amount of parent-like responsibility for these "first borns".

Believe us when we say that we know we are not qualified, capable, nor entirely comfortable in this trek. But the God who showed us this need and plan months ago is all of those things. Last week when the adults of our group were stressing about missing passports, I heard 6 year old Deeds in the background singing away, not a care in the world and said aloud, "Boy, life was easier when we were kids! Just knowing that whatever might be going on in the trouble department would naturally be taken care of by the grown-ups in charge". I so wish my faith had the same carefree confidence; complete assured that my FATHER will take care of any contingency. It's humbling for sure to see the markings on the "faith" growth chart set so close together. Forward progress is called success even when it has followed some jet lag. 

The last flight each trip is full of humanitarians, missionaries, safari vacationers and returning residents. I don't know if it has been my seat assignments this particular trip, but it seems just a bit different. Every one seems seasoned and comfortable as opposed to the edge do your seat excitement we have experienced previously. Or maybe its my own familiarity now coupled with a good dose of sleep deprivation. 

Over and over we have asked The Lord to confirm his hand in Chayah: assure us that we are in His will, steer us away if not. I pray we have heard Him clearly, that He will continue to equip us for this and that as we step into this ministry, we also humbly and appropriately step aside in complete submission to his will. 

CHAYAH...new life, new hope...a new journey.
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A New Year, A New Beginning

It is the eve of 2013 and though we sit looking back over 2012, it's difficult to spend too much time reflecting on the past when a trip with so much promise sits just 6 calendar squares from today.

Four Chayah board members and five adventurous, Jesus-loving, mission-minded, servants are making lists, gathering supplies, checking passports, filling needed prescriptions and praying at every turn that God's will and plan will be accomplished for 19+ anxious children in Kakira Uganda.

You would think great anticipation would be tempered by nerves and an insecurity about our ability to assist a mighty God in such a fete, but tonight for the sake of this small tribe of children, we couldn't be more motivated to tear away the last page of 2012 and finally get to this new month of great beginnings.

The Lord has blessed every big and little thing in this journey. I cannot even begin to describe how much better He does things than we would have ever done on our own. Our greatest desire is that each child would know that the one true Savior, Jesus, came for them and only that he sent a few Americans to help them move.
We have met as a team and will complete our official pre-trip planning and scheduling. If a gust of wind, on the runway of any of the five airports we touch, happens to blow away our schedule, its just as well. We go with open hearts, open arms and ready to serve this new family as best we can and as each need arises. Plans will give way to what works best and if the two overlap it will be a surprise to all of us.

What we do know and plan, is that the first 2 days will be meetings, planning, and arranging for all that waits to be "ferried" and purchased and bought and moved in. Bunk beds have been built, a dining room table completed along with a smaller version for the smallest members of the family. Two staff members to assist have been chosen, one is ready, the other has yet to be approached.

Day 3 and 4 involves stepping into the plans that have been made, and cleaning, moving, purchasing, arranging, and assembling. Day 5 will be spent in the village itself. Church on Sunday Jan 13th and visiting the most desperate. This day will include packing up and moving ("shifting") Janet, our house mom, and the 7 children her current 300 sq ft protects.
Monday morning, the 14th of January, the first group of Chayah children will be ushered from their current situations to the hospital for complete physicals and then welcomed "home".

Tuesday the 15th, we complete the family's tree with the second group. Wednesday brings fun, crafts, games, stories, and comfort, joy and celebration. Thursday we will give Janet and her staff some time with their new family as we visit a nearby orphanage "Sonshine Baby Home" complete with 50+ orphaned infants/toddlers. How we leave them is yet to be discovered, but God will show us, lead us and comfort our hearts.

Your part can be best spent in prayer for us. Rejoice as we record our joy, petition our God as we report our sorrow. Appeal to the one who knows all for wisdom in confusion and comfort in frustration. We know He is real. We have seen His hand, heard His plan and are confident in His plan. 2012 will be surrendered into the history books with the title "Well, we didn't see that coming!"

2013 begins a chapter in the lives of Chayah children called "New". The author is a Savior who values the orphan, and has proven his commitment by submitting to a cruel death which allows each of us to follow His leading with great joy. As you reflect on 2012 and all that has been accomplished in your lives...be confident that anything you have given away, at any cost is immeasurably more valuable than what you have gathered or kept. The best part of this life is that part you give away for another...a humble savior proved it...don't live another day without believing it.

We are so grateful for you!