Countdown

I leave in 4 days. I have so many different emotions going into this “ending”. I found out some exciting things about work, which makes the return a little easier. I also love my job and can’t wait to return to loving on MORE precious kids. However, saying goodbye to the children here will be difficult. I know I am one of many aunties that come to visit and they are used to people coming in and out, but I really have learned so much and loved so much that it’s hard to imagine going back to a life where I wake up in silence and am not greeted by drooly hugs and kisses. I cannot wait to return to my family and friends and share more stories of my time here. I am going to miss the close relationships I formed here with other volunteers, but know that I will be in contact with them forever! I’m also leaving with the knowledge that I’ll be back. Although I don’t know when, exactly, I know that my heart will bring me back to this place. 

My time in Uganda has been such a learning experience in many ways I didn’t think possible. I got the opportunity to meet Kelsey Nielsen and Megan Parker who are starting Abide Family Center. They even signed a contract for their house today! I am so blown away by this ministry and am so excited to see how the Lord works through them. When people think about orphanages, especially in Africa, they automatically think the children are abandoned and have no family to go to. Or that if they are in an orphanage their parents don’t love them. Most “orphans” still have family, either a parent or extended family member, living that have the ability to take care of them. Some parents just cannot take care of their child at the moment and need someone to step in and give them aide they need. Taken from a blog done by Kelsey, “Abide Family Center will provide holistic, strengths based, social services to vulnerable families.  The center will serve as a transitional living and learning facility by providing caregivers the tools necessary to move toward independence.  Families will be referred to the center by local government officials who have determined the family's need for supportive services rather than the removal of the child from the home.  A team of social workers will work with families to create individualized care plans. Depending on a number of factors, the family will receive either out-of-home supportive services or in-home supportive services.  Some of the services provided directly by the center will include: vocational classes and apprenticeships, parenting discussion groups, money management classes, nutrition planning, and child care services.” This was such an amazing thing to learn about and it really brought some humbleness into my life. As Americans, we automatically assume we could give children in “less-developed countries” a better life because we have more materialistic things. While it is true that international adoption can be such a beautiful thing, many families here are SO vulnerable and can be taken advantage of and they are deprived of the chance to raise their children. I really recommend learning about Abide and what they are going to do. I also ask for prayers for Kelsey and Megan. They are going back to the states in August to finish school and prepare to open the doors of this ministry. 

It has been beautiful seeing every ministry work together and how they are so supportive of each other. Life seems so simple here without distractions of celebrity gossip and other things we can get caught up in in the states. That will probably be a difficult transition when I get home! It has been a great lesson in being content and remembering to rest! 

The Lord has also been working in my heart for another thing, which I mentioned in a previous post. My desire is to not get caught up in an emotional state since I’m here and pray when I return home. However, I’ve never felt so at peace about a desire that is so crazy to some outsiders! I’ve been encouraged by others here and it's overwhelming, which makes me so excited to go home to continue this process of praying and listening to His calling.

Ekisa has been such a blessing and wonderful experience. I’m so thankful for this ministry and what it is teaching people in Jinja and other places in Uganda about people with disabilities. I’m also thankful for what they have taught to incoming teams who have never interacted with children with disabilities. I’m also so thankful my passion has return. Towards the end of the school year I was so swamped in paperwork and getting things done, I forgot why I was with my students. Seeing the small gains these children have made in my short time here has reminded me I’m exactly where I need to be. God has humbled me so much and taught me so many things. 

The song "Break Every Chain" has been playing in my mind---chains have been broken here in so many ways. Chains of pain and heartache have broken and there is love surrounding these people. All in the precious name of Jesus! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6ncg2pLYks