Please pray for Uganda

Today there have been massive riots with gunfire, tear gas and beatings.  See the links below, by far the worst yet I think.  It's very scarey and unnerving with all the chaos going on here.  We were going to head to the market this morning within the hour and the riots broke out, right by the market.  Praising God for keeping us safe.  My friend had gunfire right outside her guesthouse so they hid in the hallway. We are staying indoors and trying to stay safe from the pockets of violence everywhere!!!  Please pray for all the families stuck here and for their safety as well as the people of Uganda for their safety and peace.

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1152948/-/c25w2jz/-/

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1152936/-/c25w3hz/-/

8th Week Update

HE IS RISEN!!!! Happy Easter from beautiful Uganda!!!




The blessings continue to pour over us as a family here. I made a transition this week and moved into a 2 bedroom apartment that I found. I had been searching for one for a long time but most of them were entirely unaffordable. But God provided me with a place that was equivalent to staying in my guesthouse and we love it!



The kids think it's incredible to have their own room, even I think it's incredible to have my own room again! It also has a small living room and a KITCHEN!! YEAH! Oh and a bathroom of course :) Everyone that knows me knows that I love to cook so we've been cooking up a storm. Of course it is Africa so I have to make everything from scratch over 2 small burners but I'm still loving it! We are getting on a normal routine like we have at home with getting up, making beds, etc. We are so blessed.



The kids are doing so great. It's incredible to watch their growth everyday. They are so good about making their own beds now and helping take their dishes to the sink. Every time I look at them I realize why I'm suppose to be here with them, that bonding time I've had is priceless. Rebekah told Abigail "I love you Abigail" on Skype the other day, Abby was SOOO excited. She wasn't prompted she just said it, it was adorable.



Praying you all had a blessed Easter at home, I went to church with my friends here. I just love African style church, the music inspires me every time. Everywhere you walked you saw people dressed up in their finest and walking to church. There was no sign of the Easter bunny here, the stores weren't adorned with Easter baskets and candy eggs. So great to see that, as it should be. This is my 2nd year missing Easter with my family and being in Uganda but it really was a blessing. I didn't fret over not have the Easter baskets for the kids, I got to be with my family here, the Lord has provided or us financially and we're all safe and healthy. Couldn't ask for anything more then that.



We are hopeful for some news this week, praying up a storm that we'll get a court date. Only 4 more days and I've officially been gone for 2 months so I'm anxious to hear some news. By now we're pretty comfortable here so were making the best of the situation. I feel like we have some sense of normal being in our own apartment and we're ready to wait this out! I packed for 8 weeks so I'm starting to run out of everything it feels like. Maybe that's just part of humbling me a bit more. :)



Thank you for your continued prayers and blessings of meals for my family at home. Its nice that my family has something nice to eat with the 3 of them. I know Jason is running around like crazy with baseball, swimming, daycare, and school and it's so thoughtful that people bring him a meal that he doesn't have to prepare at the end of a crazy day! And he LOVES eating with the 2 kids just to have some good bonding time. Thanks to all that are doing that for us you have NO idea what a blessing that is.



So here is to a beautiful week bring glory to Him each day. We are requesting prayers for a court date, financial provision, and clarity in the coming week.



In Him,



Heather

I apologize for not having any pictures up yet, I'm running quite behind.  To be honest yesterday and today have been emotional days for me.  Yesterday the pastor at church talked about a time when he lost two children at birth and he wondered where God was, he said he cried out to him and he had to die to the situation because he could no longer bear the weight alone.

So I realize thats what I've needed to do.  I have to die to this, I have to release myself completely and trust in God to take the reins.  He's testing my faith and I'm failing miserably thinking I can control the situation with my ideas.  The reality is he has me here for a reason and I personally believe it's for my spiritual growth.....again.  He's forcing me to look only to him and trust that he will provide in His time.  He is faithful everyday.  Even though I don't have any answers, he is faithful today.  So I have released my control and left this up to him.  And I will be happy here everyday until he calls me home to my family there. 

God has blessed us with such amazing friends.  I have friends send me uplifting messages and scripture and it always amazes me how it speaks so clearly to my heart. Today our friend Travis felt like the Lord told him to share this verse with us and when I read it I just sobbed.  I felt God speaking to me so clearly.   James 1: 2-5  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trial of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." 

Thanks Travis for being obedient to the Lord and sharing what he laid on your heart.  How at peace that makes us feel today.

OK OK, I know I missed my 6th week update and everyone has been emailing me to see what’s going on, but the truth is that I didn’t have a ton to update!!!


I have kept myself busy every day, hiking the hills, spending time with my amazing children, spending time with friends and doing my best to stay positive. After all, this was entirely my own decision to leave before we had a court date so I can’t complain that I am currently “stuck” here right? As painful as that is to admit it is our reality. :)

The truth is that our judge is brand new and he’s asking for patience and time to review the laws in the family division. I try to remember what it’s like to start a new job and the pressures that come with that and I in some small way can understand. I am told by almost everyone he’s a good Christian man and so my heart feels relief knowing that my case will be in his hands. Although patience is hard to come by these days I’m trying to take it in stride.

Rebekah and Elijah never cease to amaze me. Rebekah has spoken only English for the last few days and she is doing so incredibly well. Elijah is quickly picking up on his sister’s cue that it’s time to switch over.  They have such a simple sweet spirit about them and I see all the advantages in them of me being here with them so long before traveling home. They are learning all their words, manners, and simple things like eating with silverware. They are SOO well behaved; God has blessed me with a couple of great learners and listeners! And they are quite simply so easy to please. I haven’t found any food other than soup that they don’t like which makes mealtime wonderful. They have learned in the last two weeks that it is OK to stop eating when you are full and they’ve developed a trust that the next meal will be there. And I truly we feel 100% bonded to them. We are ready!!!

There have been riots here the last week; people are rioting over the high gas prices and food prices. Right now food prices are double so people are starving and desperate. There is to be another planned demonstration on Monday that we pray ends peacefully and we will be staying indoors. You could hear shots from the house where I’m staying and there were people killed and children tear gassed in other areas of Uganda. Praying for provision of these people and praying for safety of ourselves and all of our friends staying here.

I went to a place called Prayer Mountain this week. It was amazing. It’s a mountain literally where people can just go and pray anywhere from hours to days, you can stay up to a week. My friend Kelly watched the kids for me and I went with my friend Melissa who has been here since August trying desperately to get home with her daughter. So blessed to have her as a friend here, we prayed, cried, talked, it was wonderful. We went our separate ways for a bit and I just spent some time with Jesus. Ahhhh…….it was so fulfilling. The view from the mountain is that of Lake Victoria and it really was breathtaking. I haven’t had a quiet moment since I’ve been here and it was so well needed. I felt like I finally had time for Him, no interruptions, just Him

I went to a place called the fabric Market today where Ugandans sell their absolutely gorgeous fabrics. It was right next to the famous Owino Market. Let me just say, it was CRAZY down there. I was overwhelmed. I’ve never seen so many Africans and taxis in my life and everyone is trying to get you buy and constantly asking me “where did you get these babies from?” There are people everywhere and pushy! Not a very welcoming environment for someone of Western decent or someone adopting. I went with Kelly and Melissa and we were READY to go after about 45 minutes. I got some AMAZING fabric though for very cheap so I’m anxious to have another story to tell. :)

I’m all about trying to live up the African culture while I’m here. I take boda bodas a lot of places, that’s something I refused to do last year. But I promised myself I would NOT live in fear and lets face it, I’m running out of money for drivers. Today we hiked the hills around us to get to the main road and they were so steep my kids kept sliding back down! It’s amazing to me that vehicles can even drive on them! I ate pretty much all African food this week, yes that means beans and matooke, where I’m staying so I treated myself to pizza at lunch today. I love the African food here but once in a while it’s nice to have something that reminds you of home! I took a deworming treatment this week as I’ve consumed pretty much all the fruits and vegetables and I brush my teeth with the water.…..:) Well enough about that. :) Not living in fear!

Other than that we are doing great! We are still anxiously praying for our court date and are hopeful that it will be this week. I am however waiting on Him for that as His timing is always perfect. I LOVE that we have technology such as Skype to keep us connected. LOVING the weather and trying to take in all God has planned for us.


Psalms 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Be blessed,

Heather

Pictures of the week! LOTS OF THEM!

Can you believe it?? It's been 5 weeks since I came! Praise GOD for keeping us safe here in Uganda and at home.

I have to set the record straight. I have had SO many people tell me over the last week that they know this is tough for me, or they say things like; I know you are struggling, Is it going to be as long as last time, It's a very rough time for your family, I feel helpless how to help your family.

So let me say, this is NOT a struggle, a rough time, or horrible for us. First of all I miss my family and I am horribly homesick for my children and husband but in no way shape or form are we having a rough time. We are nothing but BLESSED with our time here! And Jason and the kids are blessed with their time at home bonding as well. If I had to be stuck somewhere for 3 months anywhere in the world I'd rather be no where else but here. I have had so much confirmation this week that this is where we are suppose to be right now and I'm trying to embrace everything I can in Uganda. The culture, the people, the weather, this is all part of God's plan for my family and I want to celebrate that!! It's NOT a negative thing if we end up here as long as we did before because in all situations there is room to grow and learn. So we're focusing on that. Trust me at moments it is stressful but we continue to put our faith in he who has provided this from the beginning and remain positive.

This week I got to visit my friend Solomon's school. I will be moving into a guesthouse in a couple of weeks close to his school to teach there for the remaining part of my trip. He asked if I would do mission work there and I happily accepted that. He provides schooling for over 450 children and he feeds over 1500 children a day that have no other source of food. You can just FEEL God working through this man. He does this entirely on fundraised money and on the small farm is has to raise additional funds. I was so moved by the school and I felt God calling me to do everything that I can. I was a music teacher for years before I went back and got my accounting degree so I will be going back to teaching for a bit and this time it's in AFRICA! I can't wait!

The children are only $30 a month to sponsor and you can do it right online so if you are interested in helping this ministry PLEASE let me know! It's amazing!

Out of 450 children only 60 are actually sponsored so I am making it my personal goal to help get the word out and get 100 children sponsored in the next year. We will be continuing craft shows of beads and giving the money to this ministry and spreading the word about King Solomons Academy.. If you are interested in helping please let me know and I will get you in touch with Solomon personally.

I went to Solomon's church today and I have NEVER been to such an awesome church. Think southern baptist church times 100!! The music and the dancing was incredible. It was SOOO hot and everyone was sweating like crazy but we all danced and sang for the glory of God and I could FEEL him in that room. I wish you could just feel a glimpse of what it was like, incredible. I attached a picture of the choir singing and dancing. After the church service we went to the sister church in the slums.These are people that have no homes and most days no food to eat. How honored I was for them to receive me with such an awesome welcome. They shouted for joy when they found out I was adopting my two children and taking them home. Was the best church experience I've ever had. Ever.

Solomon talked about PUSH. Pray until something happens. Don't pray once and give up, be steadfast and persistent and God will hear your prayers. So we are going to pray for that court date! I'm hesitant to pray for a fast court day because I know what I learn here spiritually is imperative to my growth in my faith, as a mother and family. At least a date would be nice though. :) Next summer the plans are for Nolan to come with Jason, he is going to LOVE it. And yes, it's very safe. :)

My children are doing fantastic. The time alone here allows even more time for them. They are so sweet and so patient and they are learning what waiting on the Lord means. :) We spend a lot of time cuddling and talking. Found out this week of the trauma they have been through and I'm so grateful for my time here to bond, they need someone just to love them over and over.

So let me clarify again we are doing great!!! Incredible in fact! Jason is getting constant meals brought over to him and is blessed with his group of men that he's in bible study with and our small group. People from our church and family friends have been so helpful and I am so grateful for that. I think there's so many people visiting and bringing things he doesn't get much time to himself! SO blessed.
We are so blessed in our family and in all that we have. I will not complain that I am not able to go home yet, there are people here that have to work months at a time before they can see their families. Thank you for your continued prayers and lifting my family up to the Lord. He is faithful and in His timing we will be home. Until then, I'm going to be blessed here in beautiful Uganda!!!

Have a great week with Jesus!  I have taken over 4,000 pictures so its hard for me to pic which ones I love the most!  Enjoy!

These are children at King Solomons Academy they would cheer and scream everytime the camera flashed, it was SOOO cute.

 This was the youngest kids at the school.  LOTS of children in one classroom.

 These were some of the older students, the school goes up to age 15.

 I couldn't get it all the in the photo but there is actually 2 more rows of children in this classroom.

 This was the baby class waiting in line to wash their hands before meal time

 More children in line.

 Older students in line for food with their bowls.  For most of the children this is the only meal they will receive for the day and it is just rice.  Solomon feed almost 1,500 children at 4 feeding sites Monday through Friday. 

This was the LARGEST pot of rice I have ever seen.  It was the meal for all the children in the school.

Outside view of King Solomons Academy

These are our 4 sponsor children so we have 96 to go!! How many can you sponsor??? Please contact me if you are interested in helping this amazing ministry!

Elijah was feeling pretty handsome getting all dressed up for church.  He was sweating bullets but refused to take the tie off!

 

 And Rebekah was feeling beautiful and twirling in her dress all day. :)

This is the church from the outside, Solomon said they have around 2,000 regular attenders every week between 3 services.  We were packed pretty tight in there.

 The termites have eaten through the wood so its in rough condition, they have broken ground to build a cement church.  It amazes me how in the United States we are so concerned about our church building and what it looks like and it's appeal.  They have no air conditioning, the walls are falling down, the roof has holes in it and they worship the Lord with all their power and it was the most beautiful church I have ever seen.  We shouldn't need fancy building, or even air conditioning, the people are the church and this was a living example of how God would want us to worship humbly. 

 The tin roof had holes in it everywhere and it was scorching hot inside but everyone kept on dancing and singing!

 This is Isaak, his entire education was paid for by sponsorship and he was able to graduate from University due to a sponsor that cared deeply about his education.  He now works at the school and he is able to provide for his family financially.  He had an incredible story about Solomon leading him to Christ and in turn he was able to lead his family to the Lord.

The worship choir was awesome and the guys could really move!!  WOW!  They just radiated with energy and lead the congregation in singing and dancing.

This is Solomon and his beautiful wife

Beautiful site from the balcony of my guesthouse

 View of downtown Kampala

 View of Tank Hill in Muyenga where my guest house is

 Slum area surrounding where the church was, yes, someone lives in there.

 We don't have a bathtub in our new room so Elijah prefers baths in a basin rather then a shower. :)

 This is the sister church of Solomons in the slum area we visited, the shacks around the area was a devastating site.  other then the stage the conditions of the church were horrible but people were there praising God for what he had provided them that week.  The woman that is a pastor is a former muslim that now gives every day to the Lord.



“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Marianne Williamson