It's been awhile

Yes, I know, and a lot has been going on.

January went quickly. Way too quickly, as we were preparing to say good-bye to Walter who was getting resettled with his dad (and family). We had sleepovers, movie nights, Saturdays at the pool, trips to town with the aunties, and lots and lots of cuddles and hugs. We also were busy game-planning for 2014 – goals, ideas, things that worked, things that didn’t, Ekisa as a whole, social work specific, just all across the board. Lots and lots of meetings. Em and I had several meetings in Kampala with adoption agencies and other organizations that we are striving to work with. [Still waiting and praying through information received in those.] But like I said, time went all too quickly.

February 1^st, Walter went home with his dad, step-mom, and brothers and sisters. Talk about answers to prayers! Hearts very happy, but lots of tears in saying good-bye. Emily will be sharing more about his story in the Ekisa blog, hopefully soon, but such a story of redemption.

The next week Erika and I headed out of Jinja for a week vacation. A time to relax, unwind, recharge, and be refilled with the hope, strength, and peace that only comes from our Savior. We headed to Kampala for one night, and then took a bus to Lake Bunyonyi in southwestern Uganda for three days. It was beautiful, but not the lay in the sun, swim in the lake vacation I had thought. It was cold! Though everyone in America will laugh at this in comparison to your cold winter, we were freezing! Long-sleeves, jeans, sweatshirts, a wool blanket to wrap in wherever we sat, and socks with our flip-flops. I think we wore the same thing for three days because we only packed one “cold weather outfit”. My taste of winter this year! But it was really wonderful. We got to read a ton, play games, watch a couple movies, eat some great food, and allow ourselves to be completely under-whelmed with life when so much of life is Jinja is overwhelming.

When we left we headed to Rwanda. We were there for less than 48 hours, but still a nice little visit. We took public transportation to the border, had to walk across, then find public to get to Kigali. Oh what fun we had trying to communicate with people who do not speak English or Luganda, but French and Kinyarwanda – both of which Erika and I know not a lick. But we got on a matatu that we were pretty sure was headed to Kigali right before a huge thunderstorm hit. Sitting in the front of the van, driving on the opposite side of the road (or the same as the US, just opposite to Uganda), in the middle of a storm, swerving between Rwanda’s 1000 hills, there wasn’t a lot more we could do than laugh a bit. Just add it to the list of my travel stories!

In Kigali, we went to the Genocide Memorial, which was incredible to see, but so eye-opening to something that I knew so little about. To think this happened in 1994, and how everyone in Rwanda my age, or older, has the genocide as part of their story. It impacted them in some way. We were very humbled and thankful to get to experience this culture (even for a little bit) and get to celebrate with them in the reconciliation that has happened over the past [almost] twenty years. Afterwards, we got lunch with some Rwandans (friends of a friend), and then spent the rest of the day hanging out in the city.

The next morning we woke early to hop on a bus headed back to Kampala. Spending all day on the bus we drove to our lodge and got KFC – yes, Kentucky Fried Chicken in Uganda – for dinner. Not that I would really ever go there in the States, but the little things from home can be really exciting! Before going to bed, we watched some of the Olympics and got to cheer on some mogul skiers!

The next day we were going to head back to Jinja midday, but after getting back in touch with people from Ekisa, heard that it had been one heck of a week, and we had gotten close to 10 referrals for either admittance or our Community Care program. One of those little girls, we were going to meet in Kampala to take to the doctor’s, as she was very malnourished and possibly more severely sick. So after spending a bit more time in Kampala, going to the doctor, taking tests, and waiting on results, we got home around midnight – all to wake up and dive right back into the busyness of everything that was going on. Somehow, the week leveled out and with the help of our awesome social work and community care teams, most of our loose ends got tied up and we admitted several new families into our Community Care program.

Then this week I got to go with Diana, one of our rock star social workers, to do home visits for Jason and Walter. Oh, it was wonderful! I was kind of sick, with a pretty bad cold that I am still recovering from, but apart from that it was great! Getting to see both of them at home with their families. Going to school, walking home with Jason, seeing their houses, their animals, surprising Walter, eating lunch and drinking tea, getting to experience a small amount of the village life of these kids – I could go on, but I was continuously reminded and felt like I was seeing what the Lord sees and was smiling. Knowing that He placed them in these families to be loved for and cared for, to grow and to learn. I was happy because I knew He was happy and that families make Him smile. We have a pretty great God and I’m thankful to have been able to see and experience something that I believe He holds a little closer to His heart, a child going home and belonging in a forever family, just as He longs for us to come and be a part of His family that lasts for eternity.

A Very Happy Birthday

Well this New Year has started off busy. Stacy, our admin person, dealing with all money, salary, receipts, etc., was away for six-weeks over Christmas, so I have been keeping up with all of her stuff, as well as trying to stay on top of mine. To say that accounting skills are not my strength is an understatement. But somehow I managed and she came back on Sunday morning, much to my relief:)

Last week though, getting to celebrate my birthday here, was pretty special. Mind you, it was the first year out of the past six that I have not been skiing with Dad either on my birthday or a couple days give or take around my birthday – so inklings of missing home were definitely there. Thursday, on my birthday, I had to go be at Ekisa the whole day because Emily and Emily had to go to Kampala and Erika was at a training conference, so I got stuck holding down the fort. Which in all honesty is not much to complain about.

When I walked into Ekisa, a big group of the kids and mamas gathered around me and started singing Happy Birthday. I really wish I had it on video, because it definitely tops as my favorite Happy Birthday ever! The rest of the day I really spent as little time in the office as I could, with the exception of getting a few things done, and spent as much time getting cuddles from kids as possible. I think Rachel told me “Happy Birthday” every time I walked into a room the entire day with the amount of enthusiasm as the first time she saw me. Zeke told me “Birthday wo” (meaning “your birthday”) every time he saw me, and plenty of kids asked me where the cake was/when we were having it. Made me feel a little bit guilty that we weren’t even having cake until the next day, and sadly there wouldn’t be enough to share. That evening, Emily, Emily, Erika, Ditte, and I went out for a nice dinner and it was great to spend time with them, and feel loved and celebrated. Really thankful for each of their friendships.

Friday, I took the day to myself. A friend had sent me money for a “free day” to use however, and I found it on my birthday as I was getting out birthday cards that had been written to me before I left. So I used that money and treated myself to a Ugandan ‘spa day’ which included a mani, pedi, facial, and full body massage for the equivalent of $30! Only in Africa, I suppose! That night we had cake and played games with a couple more friends from around town, and it was really enjoyable. Saturday, Sam came over for the afternoon and while I cleaned my room, we listened to music and he drew me pictures, he helped me make food for dinner, we watched Peter Pan, and he finished my birthday cake from the night before. Fun birthday celebrations all around!

Twenty-three was a pretty great year, and I’m excited for twenty-four!

2014

Well, like so many people, on this first day of 2014, I am sitting here reflecting on the past year. And I am blown away.

I started the year back in Charlottesville finishing up my last semester of college, student teaching in a wonderful classroom with eight precious, little boys.

I lived by myself, housesitting for five months, with a dog and three cats – for most of the time anyway.

I got involved in a Community Group through Portico Church, and was a part of awesome fellowship. I got baptized, and became a member of the church. The first time I’ve done this by myself.

 Through many prayers and back and forths, I decided to go back to Uganda, and despite Dad’s reservations, bought a one-way ticket.

I got to celebrate with one of my best friends, and be part of such a beautiful wedding and incredible day!

I graduated with my Masters’ degree in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Virginia.

I left for Uganda on June 1^st, and apart from some minor (major?) snags at the airport, made it there safely. Such an incredible peace being back in a country and a place that seemed to grab a hold of such a big piece of my heart. And the smiles of these kids, so incredibly wonderful!

I began my role as Adoption Coordinator, something so new to me, but so humbling being able to allow the Lord to work through me despite inadequacies I felt. We had good meetings, bad meetings, encouraging, discouraging, but through all of it, Jesus continued to comfort the questions I had, reminding me that while I’m fighting for His children, He already knows the plans He has for each of them.

Holly came to visit me, and I got to show her my life in Uganda. Such a wonderful visit with a wonderful friend.

I saw Jason go home with his family. With his brother and sisters and aunt. He now has a forever family. A child, who has lived in an orphanage his whole life, now has a home.

I met some great people coming and going through Jinja, but great friendships that challenged me, but pointed me to the cross. I am thankful for those.

I have gotten involved in great community here, with others who are here longer-term, and able to invest in each other’s lives. Such a blessing to walk alongside others who are here serving and following the Lord’s call for their life.

I got to work with our two amazing social workers with our second domestic adoption case, see an amazing woman pursue and desire a child, and become a mom.

My parents came to visit! I never thought that my Dad would be here, but they both were, and I couldn’t be more blessed to have been able to share all of this with them. I got to experience new parts of Uganda with them, like raft the Nile and visit Sipi Falls. And we got to celebrate Thanksgiving together.

I got to be a part of Amy’s story, whose Mom had been lied to and manipulated, but who continued to fight for her daughter. Amy was resettled with her mom right before Christmas.

I celebrated Christmas in Uganda. Bittersweet not being home, but I love that it is now part of my story, having gotten to celebrate the birth of our wonderful Savior with these kids that I love so dearly.

I brought in the New Year with friends, eating our belated Christmas dinner, watching Ugandan fireworks, playing games, and complete with champagne.

I know I forgot things, but looking back on the last year, these things stand out. I have spent seven months of the last year in Uganda, something I don’t think I ever would have planned or thought. But I am so incredibly thankful.

It’s hard for me to even think about what 2014 will bring – but I’m so excited. Thank you for taking the time to follow me in this journey that the Lord is taking me on. I know He has big plans for this next year, bigger than I can imagine and better than I could plan.

So here’s to the start of 2014!

Love from Uganda from Sam and me!

Tis the Season

Well here you go for anyone who hasn’t already seen this video – which I’m assuming is very few of you considering how viral this has gone over the past several weeks. Yes, even over here in Uganda I’m able to keep up with some things that are going on at home:)

Like so many people, I watched this video and heard them sing (Emily already downloaded their album, which is wonderful) and was completely on board with their renditions. However, this song, “Little Drummer Boy”, stood out to me in a newer light than it ever has before. Just in listening to the lyrics, I was so reminded about how much we each relate to this little boy in the song.

In this song, a little boy is told about a baby king who he should go see and bring gifts to honor him. Standing before baby Jesus, this little boy says he doesn’t have anything to bring him, so he will play his drum for him; he “played [his] best for him.”

I am so much like this little drummer boy. What do I have to offer Jesus? Nothing, yet everything. I don’t have crazy gifts to offer him, but my life I can live to glorify him. Like the boy who played his drum, I can offer my talents that I have been given to honor and glorify him. This is humbling because whereas this doesn’t seem like much this is what he wants. He wants us to sit humbly at his feet, acknowledging our deep need for a Savior; a Savior, born as a baby, who lived a perfect life, and who died on the cross to give us eternity with him.

This is the Christmas message. This is the weight of the season and the joy that we find in the celebration of the birth of Jesus. And this is what I have needed to be reminded of.

Since Thanksgiving, when we set up our Christmas tree and started playing Christmas music, we have been trying to get in the Christmas spirit. We have put on Christmas movies in the background of everything we’ve been doing, had a Christmas craft night last week, have had music playing in every room of the house all day everyday, wrapped all the kids presents last night, made Christmas cards with some of the boys, and have been practicing for our Ekisa Christmas play. And still in this 80-degree weather, I’m having a hard time and feel like I’m just pretending it’s really Christmas time. But reminders, like this song, point me back to the meaning of Christmas and how grateful I am for my Savior, whose birthday I celebrate on Christmas day, despite how warm it is outside or where I am in the world to celebrate.

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11

An Incredible Visit

Well they have been gone a little more than a week, so I suppose it’s about time for me to give an update on Mom and Dad’s time here. I could quickly sum it up saying it was wonderful. But I could also probably write for pages and pages on everything we did, saw, experienced, and shared together. So here goes my attempt at a happy medium! Enjoy!

Picking them up at the airport was an adventure in and of itself. The waited expectation of seeing them was a bit overwhelming and I was busied praying that their flights and travels had gone smoothly and they would walk through the exit door. Dad saw me first and man, what emotions! It was still hard for me to believe that they were really here in Uganda. They landed in the middle of the night, so the ride back to Jinja went quickly, though Dad had several freak out moments sitting in the front seat. Let’s just say driving in Kampala adds a bit of extra stress to your first few minutes in Africa.

The next couple of days we spent in Jinja, meeting the kids, seeing town, and allowing them to get a bit over jetlag. They did great and it was fun getting to show them little tidbits of my life. However, it was also hard. Life here is different and I think more than anything I feared that they wouldn’t see what I see; love what I love; or simply get why I am here. I prayed a lot and was humbled by the Lord telling me to trust in Him. For He brought me here, and made it possible for them to come as well, and He would be faithful in His plans for all of us and our time together.

Over their two weeks with me I was more than blessed by their visit. Being able to see Mom’s excitement about school and everything being done at Ekisa and Dad’s openness to the culture, the people, and desire to learn more about life in Uganda, were such blessings and brought me so much joy as I saw their hearts open to the Lord’s work here.

Apart from hanging out at Ekisa and Jinja town, we did some fun touristy things as well – things that I got to experience for the first time too, which was really fun! After they had been here for a couple of days, we travelled to northwestern Uganda to Sipi Falls. We stayed in a cute little banda, right on the edge of a cliff that overlooked the valley and a picturesque waterfall (125 meters long!). We stayed two nights and truly got to take in the beauty of the Lord’s creation. We went on a coffee tour at a local’s house, where we saw the whole process of picking the coffee beans, drying them out, then crushing/shelling them, roasting them, grinding them, and brewing them – talk about a fresh cup of coffee! So delicious! The next day we hiked three different falls (a total of about 15 km), each taking your breath away at the wonder and beauty of it all. I swear pictures just can’t even do it justice. That evening we went on a brief sunset hike where we saw the sun set over the valley and got to look back at the waterfalls that we had seen close up earlier in the day. I think it should also be noted that several times throughout the day Dad said, “I think I could live here” – something I never, ever thought I would hear him say!

Coming back to Jinja, they, especially Dad, were seeing everything in a new light. I realized how thankful I was for getting to spend that quality time together, and allowing the Lord to fill us each with much needed peace and calmness.  That next week, Dad helped Billy (a volunteer here) move our swing set so that it is more accessible and able to be used more. It was precious seeing the kids want to help and be involved and then the excitement on the swings after it was finished. We also did a bit of souvenir shopping, Mom found a favorite coffee shop in town, and Dad got to know his way around Jinja quite well. Thursday we celebrated Thanksgiving – complete with a freshly killed and cooked turkey, dishes with precious ingredients that came straight from America like sweet potato casserole, pecan pie, green bean casserole with French’s fried onions, and pumpkin pie, and then all the other basics necessities. We hosted Thanksgiving at my house and a bunch of friends came, and it a special for Mom and Dad to share in that as well, with the Ugandan family I have here.

Then on Friday, we went rafting on the Nile. At first Mom and Dad were hesitant, but multiple times on the river we all commented at some point, “I’m so glad we didn’t miss this”. We had an absolutely beautiful day! Our raft flipped twice in going through different sets of rapids which left us going up and down walls of water, being sucked down, spun in all sorts of directions and eventually pushed back up, and probably ingesting a tad too much of the river itself. But what an experience! Again, one that I’m so thankful I got to share with them.

Their last few days were spent trying to fit everything in that we hadn’t done yet – dinner, drinks, and sunsets overlooking the river and lake, spending time with the kids pre-bedtime (the cutest, cuddliest part of the day), and getting in time together that won’t be had again until mid-May.

Their time was quick and goodbyes weren’t easy, and I know I’ve said this a ton of times already, but I am more than thankful and blessed by their visit. And not just by their visit. I am blessed by two wonderful parents who support and encourage me even when I think they’re not sure if they really want to, who trust in the Lord’s plan for my life, who love me like crazy, who have become more than just parents but best friends, and who flew half way around the world to visit me, even though Dad had never really planned on leaving the country. I am blessed by two parents who have truly taught me what a loving parent looks like and have helped me understand the love felt for me by my Father in Heaven. And for this I am most grateful. 

Our view of the last waterfall

Mom and I with waterfall number two

 

About to raft the Nile

Some of my favorite people at the Keep for milkshakes!

Dad's little work crew for moving the swingset

And yes, Dad carved the turkey for Thanksgiving here too!

 

Our Next Big Thing

This has been a long time coming. Then again, I feel that’s how most things go here. We work at it for a long time, there are a couple steps forward, a couple steps back, and then it seems a lot of the time we are just running side-to-side. But I’m also seeing that fighting so hard for something that not everyone else is, makes reaching that final point, or even a halfway point, all the more joyous, because somehow – even if just a little bit – we are making a difference in standing for something that’s really important.

On October 31^st, (yes, Halloween for everyone else) we spent the day in Kampala presenting to the Alternative Care Adoption Panel. In short, social workers present children and/or prospective domestic adoptive parents to the Panel, who approve the family as a good fit for a child, and then make a referral for a child. Kind of like an adoption agency in the States, but the Panel’s primary goal is to see Ugandans rise up to care for their children, as well as try to rid the adoptive process of some of the corruption that happens all too frequently (it was set up by the Child’s I Foundation – CHECK IT, they’re doing incredible work). To show our support of everything they are doing and stand for, we decided to take our domestic adoption cases through them to get approved.

And that’s what we were doing. Read HERE for Joseph’s, our social worker, account of Panel.

You get most of the story through Joseph’s write-up, but here’s a quick run through. Viola, who is our physiotherapist, has been seeking to adopt Zeke, our twelve-year old, crazy, joyful, hilarious, loving boy, who has Down’s syndrome. Their love for each other is so evident and after hearing Panel’s approval, they get to be a family.

“I get to go home and tell Zeke he can call he Mommy.” These were the first words out of Viola’s mouth when we left. Being a part of this special day for her was really incredible, and such a representation of what adoption is. Just as Viola pursued, was patient for, did not lose hope, and unconditionally loves Zeke, I am reminded of our adoption into our Father’s eternal family. And I am thankful.

There are several conditions that the Panel placed before Viola is able to take Zeke home and finalize the adoption, and we are currently working through these to make them possible. You can be praying for this new family, and that the Lord walks ahead of us and knocks down any more barriers that stand before us. I don’t want to run side-to side any more with this; I want to move forward so that Zeke can go live with Viola and learn what it means to be a part of a family!

And in one month...

…Mom and Dad are here (or at least begin their journey here)! And I am so excited! I don’t think that I’m as home sick as I thought I would be at this point, but man am I looking forward to having them here.

In looking forward to things we are going to do, I think what excites me the most is just knowing that they get to see and experience my life here. For at least this year, this place is my life; these friends; these kids; this job; this ministry; this warm weather (as sad as I will be when it starts snowing at home); and Mom and Dad get to be a part of it.

And I know that with them coming here, they’ll get it. Get the way this place tugs on my heart-strings and has drawn me back. Get the love that has developed for each of our kids at Ekisa, and how easy it is for any number of them to make my day. Get the community I feel here and in it’s own way reminds me of small-town Berryville, which feels like home. But more than anything, get that me being here is not actually about me at all, but is seeking to glorify the Lord and the plans He has laid out for me.

These are all things that I know they have caught glimpses of. They have seen and heard the joy that I feel in being here, have gone through pictures that barely scratch the surface of these kids’ personalities and beauty, and have joined me in praying and seeking wisdom that this really is where God has called me. Now, in one month, they really get to be here. I am so excited, and ask for prayers for safe travels for them, the calming of anxieties, and for the building of excitement in travelling half-way around the world to see their favorite oldest daughter:)