Caroline & Josephine

There are many, many stories here in Uganda - some will break your heart and others will fill your heart with joy. The story of Caroline and Josephine have done both for me.

It was mid-September when COG mentor Diana and COG supporter Mike Essrig discovered 2 1/2 year old twins, Caroline and Josephine in the village of Buzeka. Diana and Mike, braving some of the roughest road’s in Jinja, went to Buzeka to do a routine visit and assessment for one of COG’s sponsored children, Jovia. Jovia a bright young student has done well in the COG program, so needless to say, it came as a shock to see Caroline and Josephine, sitting on the ground beside their Jaja  looking severely malnourished. 

Caroline’s legs were too weak even allow her to stand on her own. Josephine sat near her, cross-eyed and lethargic, unable to keep her own head up. Their eyes told a story I had never heard before. Needless to say, Diana, Mike, and the rest of COG knew that something needed to be done to help these two little girls. It was clear that their Jaja, who is also the grandmother of young Jovia, cared for them deeply, but was simply unable to provide for them.

The girls were brought to a malnutrition rehabilitation center called Serving His Children - run and founded by an amazing 22 year girl named Rene. After three months of careful attention and scheduled feeding, the twins were healthy enough to go home. The twin’s Jaja was brought in once a week to spend time with her grandchildren and to go through classes on nutrition and health, so that when the babies were returned home they would return to a family that understood their needs. This is a standard part of Serving His Children’s amazing program. 

Just last friday we picked up Jaja for the last time to help her gather up her two healthy grandchildren and bring them home. I’ve never seen a smile as big as the one across Jaja’s face when she saw baby Caroline standing on her own two feet and baby Josephine, who’s cross-eyed vision has been fixed, walking on her own. It was truly a miracle.

The Joy of Christmas

Last Friday was a day to remember. Absolutely a day that had the Lord was smiling and rejoicing. Don’t know exactly how many kids...more than 250 (a few flukers!) K – P4 kids were here in the CoG ministry centre for the 1st annual Christmas party......they all played, danced, enjoyed food and drink, ate cake, danced some more, heard the story about Christ and baby Jesus and the JOY that He brings to us.....and even welcomed ‘Father Christmas/Santa Claus”.....aka one of our mentor staff.

Wow....what a day...chaotic at times...a few 'bumps and bruises'....but I can’t think of anything that’s a greater blessing than to see our kids being loved on and getting a glimpse of what baby Jesus brought to this world. As we heard one little girl express to her CoG mentor..."I'm going to go tell Ja Ja (her grandmother) that we don't need another Christmas cause we just had the real one".

These are the times of real JOY.

"Two down- Two to go"

We were all so happy to see Phillip when he arrived at the Entebbe airport last Wednesday evening. After a very long flight he was greeted with lots of smiles and hug's from Paul, Cassidy and I. Phillip's been keeping himself busy since he arrived - trying to catch a monkey, honestly, I just think the monkeys are too smart. Phillip, Joe and Cassidy spent almost 6 hours of their Sunday afternoon trying different traps they had made. In the end - no monkey. We'll see.............

Now we all eagerly await Andrew & Meagan's arrival on the 21st of December. The next two weeks will be very busy around here. Schools out and there is lots going on. VBS in the villages of Masesse and Walukaba, a holiday tutoring program here at the office, planning our children's Christmas party.................

Expect to see lots of stories this week.....

God Moments

Life here in Africa is not about the usual or the mundane. But God is everywhere and 'shows up' just when life seems to get a little 'unusual'. Take for example, this past weekend. I needed a little medical procedure. In the US, it would be considered 'day surgery'. No big deal....in and out...all done.

Here in East Africa, not quite the same. After months of research and investigation, decisions were made to have a Dr. from India -- who practices in Nairobi, Kenya -- travels to Kampala once a month to perform his speciality, since there are no doctors in Uganda with similar experience --at a private 'theatre' (OR) facility built only a few years ago so some surgeons could have a 'modern' place that meets western standards -- Ok, routine deal in Africa.
Everything seems to be coming together. I travel the 2 hours to Kampala with a driver at 5am. Arrive at the facility, not a sole around except night assistant. Ushered into a small 'hospital' type room and wait....almost 1 hour! Satan begins to have a field day with my mind...did I make the right decision, will I leave here on two feet....my fears escalate. About that time, an 'older' Ugandan lady, very matronly, comes through the door in street clothes. She introduces herself as Dr. Margaret, anesthesiologist. My fear just increases. The ONE part of this entire event that had me most concerned....general anesthesia. After the introduction, the VERY FIRST words out of her mouth were "I hear you love the living Lord.....I do to." Wow...where did that come from..how did she know? Whatever the answer, she quotes scripture and calms my fears as she preps the IV. God Moment #1

God Moment #2......I actually walk from the hospital room to the 'theatre' (their term for OR)...TIA....to hear the sweet sounds of worship music. I get to 'fall asleep' humming worship songs. I knew I was in the hands of a very loving Lord.

Several hours later, I wake up to the voice of  Donata. God Moment #3. She is a 'mid wife' nurse that's on the Dr's team. We've never met until now. For the next 2 hours as I regain coherent thought, Donata literally sits by the bed talking to me. I'm sure my words were gibberish, but hers were filled with spiritual thoughts and scripture verses. She tells me parts of her life experience and how Christ the living Lord has encouraged her to reach beyond her orphanage background.

I thought this experience was just to mend my broken body...when it really was about meeting two Godly women, Dr. Margaret and Donata who inspired me when I needed comfort. Thank you Jesus for giving me discernment to recognize you in everyday life!

Respect

First of all, we fully realize its been 3 weeks since the last blog. How time flys when you are having fun. Well we can't honestly say the last few weeks have been a "bowl of cherries", but we can say the Lord continues to show us that He is an everyloving Father and has a plan for our lives even when we don't fully grasp it.
Anyway, back to our catalogue of unpublished stories that need airtime....case in point....
Children of Grace and Micro Business Mentors (MBM) are partners here in Uganda. MBM provides interest free 'very small' loans ($30-300) to guardians of sponsored CoG kids. Their organization was birthed last year by some SF bay area families who were already part of the CoG 'family'. Earning enough money to help feed and sustain your family's daily lives is a reality for many, many Uganda's....especially the guardians of the orphan kids CoG supports. Those that want to start, sustain or simply maintain their own business sometimes just need a little 'boost' in funding. So far, MBM has provided funding to 16 women...all of whom have not only paid their intial loans in full...but also started savings accounts to help contribute to their kids education.

Last week, another 16 women received loans to start their businesses in selling charcoal, tailoring, fruits and vegetables, small retail shop. We were there to witness the joy and gratitude of these women in receiving these loans. The smiles, laughter, singing, praying, and worship for what the Lord had provided was overwhelming.

One of the women is named Feona Night....a frail woman who is also blind. With her 'seed capital', she intends to sell charcoal....a huge blessing for her....one that we take for granted much too often.  We are all blessed to be witnessing the Lord's work.

"Shading" with our CoG kids

St. Nicolaus Primary School is home to about 30 of our nursery age CoG sponsored children. Almost all of these children are from the nearby village of Masesse, and are boarding either because there is not a school accessible in Massese, their guardians cannot care for them or their living conditions are very poor.  When our green jeep drives up they all come running and some are at the gate crying every time we leave. Today, Cassidy, Sylvia and I went to St. Nic's with coloring pages and crayons to let these kids "shade", and you can see from the pictures how happy they were. They rarely, if ever, get to color so it was a very exciting day. Next week we'll go back and teach them what the colors are: red, blue, green, yellow.......

Here's Rachael, who always crys and looks so sad .........

The first time I've seen her smile is when she got to color...........

Sweet Reunion

I'm sure many of you have seen photos of these two adorable children. Jovan and Susan are often at the CoG guesthouse and brighten up our days with their smiles and laughter. 

Jonathon fell in love with these two when he was on a missions trip almost two years ago and has been in the adoption process ever since. He has just arrived here in Uganda with his wife and 12 year old daughter,  and they are all determined to return home as a family along with Jovan and Susan.........

Please pray for them as they continue this unpredictable process.

Pray for Jovan and Susan as they face many changes ahead and as they adjust and become a part of this loving family............................