This is What it's ALL About

The last few weeks have been hard for me.  Since Uganda God has made the needs of the world very real to me.  Sometimes it is so overwhelming.  But today God showed me His grace when I received an email from Lutgarda (the childcare director in Lima).  

At the beginning of this year I wrote about meeting Melanie (me and Ryan's sponsored child in Peru) and visiting her home.  All of us were shocked at the state of her home.  Honestly, I don't think anyone could call it a home. 

Here it is...dirt floor, one bed for three people, walls made out of scraps of cardboard.  There was no door, no windows, and a roof that flew off if the wind was strong.  I'll never forget that evening; as I laid down in my comfy bed that night I thought about Melanie and where she was sleeping.  Every child deserves a safe and warm place to lay their head.  I wasn't the only one feeling this way; my parents and husband all felt burdened to help Melanie and her family.  You see, Melanie's father is not in the picture.  It is only her mother who provides for Melanie and her little brother.  Norma is her name and she travels around doing laundry for a very meager income.  

Once my family and I were back in the states my parents decided to provide the money to build Melanie and her family a new home and finally it is completed!  This morning I received some photos from Lutgarda and I tell you what it was a great way to start my morning!  Please allow me to share these photos with you. 

Norma and Aaron after the concrete was poured for the base of the home

Almost completed!

Melanie excited about her new home

Melanie's family with their new kitchen table

Melanie with her OWN bed!

Aaron, Melanie's little brother...very excited!

This is what it is all about.  Look at those smiles!  Lutgarda told us that Melanie was so excited about her new bed that she didn't want to sit on it to mess it up.  Can you imagine what it must have been like to sleep in her own bed for the first time in her life?  And she is 10 years old.  You can also see in these pictures that besides the bed and kitchen table there isn't much else in their home.  I hope and pray that we can help Melanie's mother start some type of business in order to continue providing for her family.  I am also excited that a good friend of mine will be sponsoring Aaron, Melanie's brother, providing extra support for the family. 

I can't help but think that if the Lutgarda and her family hadn't followed God and started a ministry in Saul Cantoral (where Melanie and her family live) and if AMG hadn't partnered with them then Melanie wouldn't be fed everyday, she might not be going to school, she would still be living in that shack, and she would have no hope.  Most of all I wouldn't have met Melanie who we love very much and we are so blessed to be part of her life. I can't wait to go back to Peru and see Melanie, Aaron and meet her mother.  

This is what it is all about...allowing God to use you for HIS glory to reach the needy and make HIS name and love known.  I am so thankful that God has used me and my family to reach out and show HIS love to Melanie and her family.  Now, anytime I am down I can look at this picture and see these sweet smiling faces...how could these faces not lift someones spirits?!

One at a Time

Sometimes the needs are so overwhelming. In Uganda you see needy child after needy child living with a poor family that has nothing. The hard part was that there weren’t just a few here and there it was everywhere. Driving down the streets in Kampala you see slum after slum with thousands of people trying to survive. Each morning I remember seeing children everywhere with yellow jugs going to a dirty stream to fetch water for the day. It’s hard to deal with. These kids deserve better right?

What is even harder is when you have a name, face and story to go with the devastation. When you know a child whose mother has abandoned them, live as squatters in a shack with nothing…not even firewood to cook food, yet they praise God and sing, “This is the day that the Lord has made!”

After Uganda all the children’s stories are more real. Today I grabbed a stack of bios from Thailand that needed to be entered into our database and the first bio was a little boy who lived in an abandoned doll factory in a bad part of town where drug dealers and gangs like to hang out. His parents abandoned him but thankfully a kind couple took him in as their own…even though they really can’t afford to care for all his needs. When I picked up this bio I had to stop. It was just too overwhelming. Why does this 5 year old boy have to live in an abandoned doll factory (which just sounds completely creepy) in a bad part of town? I just keep thinking: it’s not just Uganda, its Thailand too, and Peru, and the Philippines, and Haiti. There are children living in slums without running water or electricity and don’t know if they will eat today…and it’s not just one country, it’s everywhere!

Sorry to be so depressing. These facts have been heavy on my heart (well since I learned about them years ago) for the last few weeks. I feel such an urgency to help these kids…I mean when I hear the needs how could anyone NOT help…right?! But, I am only one person who doesn’t make a lot of money…

There is a story that maybe you have heard…and I have to remind myself of it often because otherwise it would be easy to get too overwhelmed and give up. It is a story about a boy on a beach throwing starfish back into the ocean and the beach is covered with starfish. A man comes up to the boy telling him that he is wasting his time throwing back the starfish because there are just too many. And the boy says, “I helped that one” as he throws a starfish into the water. Even though I know the world if full of suffering, hurt, poverty, and pain that only God can fix HE allows me to be part of fixing those hurts. By sponsoring Jemima, Melanie, and Bobby Ryan and I are a small part of fixing the poverty in our world and bringing MORE to Christ. Sometimes that is so overwhelming that God would want to use me! He wants to use you too. Maybe to bring comfort to a co-worker having a hard time, or lend an ear to a hurting friend, or volunteer in church, maybe God is telling you to sponsor a child or a missionary. I don’t ever want to forget that there are many hurting people in our world and sometimes the smallest gesture can brighten their spirits and let them know that there is a God who loves and cares for them. I always want to be aware that God may want to use me to show His love…I don’t know what that looks like for you, but for me it is being an advocate for the kids wearing rags and smiles. Maybe I won’t end world hunger but maybe I’ll be able to provide food, education, and the knowledge of Jesus to a few kids across the ocean.

Dorcas

Dorcas ministry started in the year 2008 when AMG noticed many young teenage girls were dropping out of school.  When girls would start their menstrual cycle they thought they were dying. Can you believe that?!  So, these girls would miss a week every month in school causing them to get behind and eventually just drop out.  The women at AMG Uganda stepped in and now educates these girls, supplies them with sanitary pads (which a packet only costs $1.50…but most families cannot afford them), and counsels them during this difficult age.  Many of these girls are total orphans and they come from very poor families. They are often abused by their parents or guardians.  They are forced to drop out of school at a younge age, forced into early marriages that lead them to early pregnancy and possibly being exposed to HIV/AIDS or other STDs.  The Dorcas Mothers (as they are called) disciple these young girls to follow Christ and make the right choices, like saving themselves until they are married. 

The girls on the team

One morning while in Uganda the girls on the team had the opportunity to fellowship and encourage the Dorcas mothers and some of the older girls involved in the program.  The team prepared a program with a few worship songs, testimonies, and scripture.  It was amazing how our team pulled together and each of us shared something with the Dorcas group.  This was one of my favorite days in Uganda.  These Dorcas mothers and girls are simply amazing.  We came to encourage them but their faith and complete trust in God encouraged and challenged me!  It is a beautiful thing to worship God and fellowship with sisters in Christ. 

Aly sharing the Word

I hope we were as much of a blessing to them as they were to us!  It really is amazing what this ministry is doing to help many young girls.  What is so amazing is this ministry started with about $10 that some of the AMG Uganda women put in from their own pockets.  Now, Dorcas ministers to mothers and grandmothers of sponsored children, they support two girls through university, and they continue to minister and disciple to young teenage girls entering into womanhood. 

Madie with a new friend

Please pray for the Dorcas ministry.  Let me know if you would like to learn more about the ministry and how you can get involved!

Meeting Jemima

One of the highlights of my trip was meeting me and Ryan's sponsored child, Jemima.  I remember getting in the bus that Saturday so anxious to arrive at Masajja and see her.  I even dreamed about it the night before. 

One of the greatest joys in a sponsored child’s life is to meet their sponsor. Likewise, it is such a huge blessing to meet the child you sponsor. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to go to Uganda and visit Jemima.

Jemima had three other sponsors before me but for one reason or another they stopped sponsoring her. I remember entering Jemima's bio into the computer during my first year at AMG. Her sweet smile and desperate story moved me and my husband to start sponsoring her (her father abandoned the family leaving her mother to care for Jemima and her two brothers on her own). Our relationship grew with letters and photos over the last two years. Honestly I never thought I would be able to go to Uganda because it is very far and very expensive. So, I never thought I would have the chance to meet Jemima. When it was official that I’d be traveling to Uganda I couldn’t wait to write Jemima and let her know I was coming!

This was taken after we first met

So, back to that Saturday...when we arrived at Masajja Childcare Center the Saturday program had already started so we took our seats (in the front) and I started scanning the crowd looking for Jemima.  I finally spotting her and knew it was her because she had spotted me too.  Once worship and the Bible lesson for the day were over it was time for "break tea" and she came to find me.  It is amazing to see the actual face of the photo you have been looking at for two years.  To know she is real and you are helping.  Jemima is a very sweet girl with a beautiful smile.  She was very timid at first but she kept holding my hand and smiling. 

Inside her home with her little brother

Jemima's mother is a cook at the childcare center and they live in a small room at the center (which is also a primary school and church).  I was able to peak into their home and meet Jemima's mom.  When I walked in I saw the photos the Ryan and I had sent her in picture frames on the table.  Wow!  Jemima's mother could not speak English but through a translator she expressed to me her gratitude to me and Ryan for all we do for them.  She started to tear up and so did I. 

Jemima, her mother, and me

When I left Masajja that day I didn't think I would be able to see Jemima again on this trip.  BUT, God is good and I was able to see her two more times.  During home visits in her area I had another opportunity to visit Jemima at her home.  I was blessed to be able to share with her family one of my favorite passages in scripture, Romans 5:1-5.  While we continued visiting homes of sponsored children Jemima came along with us holding onto my hand. 

Home Visit

During my time with Jemima I learned that she wants to be a bank manager one day so she loves math.  Jemima loves to sing and is in the choir at church and at the childcare center.  She has many good girl friends...in fact one of her good friends is named Gladys and my sister and brother in law sponsor her.

I knew that on the third day of being with Jemima I wouldn't be able to see her again and so did she.  I walked her to the bus that would take her home...she said she loved me through tears and I tried to be strong and keep it together but goodbyes are never easy. 



Saying Goodbye

Despite the sad goodbye I feel so completely blessed to be in Jemima's life.  Not only am I in Jemima's life but in her family's life.  What an honor to be able to help this sweet family.  I left Uganda feeling so encouraged by her family.  I know they are safe, I know Jemima has a good mother and friends to help her through life, and I know that both Jemima and her mother love the Lord and obey Him.

God willing I'll be able to go back to Uganda and see Jemima again.  I look forward to seeing her grow into a Godly young women with a very bright future.  Without AMG Jemima's life would be a lot different.  Her mom wouldn't be cooking at the center which provides her with a place to live...so they might be homeless.  Jemima probably wouldn't be able to go to school and learn math so she can be a bank manager.  She also might not be following Christ with her whole heart.  It pains me to think of many other young boys and girls who are missing out on these basic needs and human rights because they don't have a sponsor. 

I'm Home!

I can’t believe my two weeks in Uganda has past. It seemed to go by so quickly yet I have so much to share with you. For the next week or so I will be sharing some of my favorite stories from my time in Uganda.

Jemima's House, the girl Ryan and I sponsor 

I absolutely feel in love with the country. I admit at first the sights and sounds shocked me a bit. Our whole time in Kampala we only saw one street light…ONE! Traffic was a mess with cars, bikes, and motorcycles (or Bota Botas) then people walking everywhere. There was plenty of dirt…everywhere! Every night when I washed my face I was always shocked at how much dirt I cleaned off. But, the people of Uganda are extremely friendly, caring, and hard working. The children there are precious and easy to fall in love with!  

I am still trying to process all I saw and learned about AMG Uganda and about the lives of the kids in the program. It is amazing how close you can get to a child in only a few days. It was hard to say goodbye to the kids and to my fellow team members although, I am so happy to be back home with my husband.

God taught me a lot while I was in Uganda. I feel truly blessed to have been a small part of the work God is doing in and through AMG Uganda. My co-workers there are incredibly dedicated to serving God and reaching many needy children for His sake. Their dedication and faith challenged me in my own faith. Please continue to pray for AMG Uganda, our co-workers, and their ministry.



Home Visits

If you want to know more about the trip please keep coming back as I share some stories and photos.