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.
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