Friday, May 30, 2014
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Where has the time gone?
To say that I am behind on blogging is a HUGE understatement.
Our team traveled to Uganda in April of 2011. It is now the end of December and I have yet to tell about all of the story.
The many things that we witnessed were life-changing......but those words don't even do the surroundings we saw justice. I have no words for what we gazed upon.
I will come back (pinky promise) to tell more about the African adventures but, for now, am on a SPECIFIC MISSION!! While in Uganda I found that many women had been given the chance at a real job. They had left what they knew which was a life of prostitution.
They had been schooled in a new trade. A trade that would feed their children,keep them clothed, and bring them closer to feeling like they are worthy of the breath that they breathe.
They now make jewelry....beautiful jewelry. Their specialty is making paper bead necklaces. They literally find old newspapers, sit for hours and roll tiny pieces of them into beads, then cover them in a laquer to keep them secured.
One necklace takes many hours to make. Yet, these women are simply trying to feed and clothe the children that they birthed into a world of little opportunities.
One may say, "Why don't these women practice safe sex or simply be abstinant?"
Did I mention many of these women are babies themselves? Many still in their teens have been impregnated due to rape or incest. Yes, many have had to carry their uncles or father's child. They have not "CHOSEN" to have children. They have literally, not been given a choice.
CAN YOU IMAGINE? We are so quick to pass judgement as to how some people should lead their lives. We are quick to give advice or suggestions; yet when we are given all the details......we become silent.
The brokenness that surrounds these women must seem too heavy for them most days.
We have been given an amazing opportunity.
My friend, Lutaaya, recently came to America. One of his sponsors and partners of African Hearts Boy's School brought him to the U.S. to have him tell others about the need in Uganda and what he is doing to help make a change in the lives of the people of Uganda. If you would like to know more about African Hearts, click on this link to take you directly to their website.
http://www.african-hearts.org/
Guess what he brought with him when he came????? YOU GUESSED IT!!! PAPER BEAD NECKLACES!
My sister Kim and I were excited to get our hands on these. We know, even though we are thousands of miles away, we need to be COMMITED to making a difference in the lives of these people.
We have decided to SPREAD THE WORD through one of the most widely known social media networks around. You got it, FACEBOOK!
We pray that anyone who reads this will choose to -----share---- with a friend or possibly 1,000 friends.
It is NOT our job to sit back and enjoy our comfy livs as people on the other side of the world are literally STARVING TO DEATH! They drink from the same water they bathe in. They are skinny, starving, homeless,sick, dying, orphaned, unloved, abused, hurting,and they are longing to be rescued, fed, loved, well, and simple live. SIMPLY LIVE.
They are a happy people, which truly took me back. They have nothing....N-O-T-H-I-N-G!!! They are lucky to sleep on cardboard, yet are some of the most grateful, happiest people I have ever encountered.
I surely could take a lesson from them. We all could....and should.
I know many have not been to Uganda, and that's okay. I hadn't either until a few short months ago. I ask that you trust me when I say the need there is overwhelming. The need is BIG....HUGE! But, God is BIGGER tha their need. He has blessed us in ways that soome can never imagine. Even if you think you have litle that you can give or do, your little would mean so much to a child that may likely die from malaria or starvation.
We must do!!!
My sister and I have possibly 250 paper bead necklaces. The colors are remarkable. To find out that the beads had been made of paper after seeing these crations, we were blown away. Surely, I thought, they were teasing me. But, no.....all jokes aside......paper. Yet, their beauty is breath taking.
We were told by our friend that he would leave as many strands of paper beads with s to sell as we wanted. Our response you ask?? GIVE US ALL OF THEM!!! Surely we can tell your story, their story, and people will want to give. Also, in return each will have a beautiful necklace to cherish too.
The pictures truly don't do them justice. They are GORGEOUS!!!
We have decided to sell these necklaces and then send our friend the money we make, via paypal. We are NOT keeping ANY portion of the funds received from the necklace sales for ourselves or any other purpose. ALL MONIES DONATED WILL BE SENT TO UGANDA, TO OUR FRIEND, TO FEED THE STARVING CHILDREN of the streets.
No ifs ands, or buts, we simply want to be God's hands and feet. We feel blessed to even remotely be a part of His plan.
If you live in another state, we will ship any necklaces you order. If you live close, we promise to deliver. If you choose to simply donate to this very worthy cause, WE THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!
The pictures that you see on this page are not photoshopped or perfected in any way. These people are NOT actors. The pictures are ones that were taken while we were in Uganda.
I pray you will find yourselves wanting to do more to help a people that are destitute.
Please join us a we work to help feed and love on the people of Uganda.
Your efforts will not go unnoticed. God will surely bless you.
Please email or send money via paypal to: heart1054@hotmail.com
Thank you for partnering with us.
Many Blessings to come,
Bambi
Our team traveled to Uganda in April of 2011. It is now the end of December and I have yet to tell about all of the story.
The many things that we witnessed were life-changing......but those words don't even do the surroundings we saw justice. I have no words for what we gazed upon.
I will come back (pinky promise) to tell more about the African adventures but, for now, am on a SPECIFIC MISSION!! While in Uganda I found that many women had been given the chance at a real job. They had left what they knew which was a life of prostitution.
They had been schooled in a new trade. A trade that would feed their children,keep them clothed, and bring them closer to feeling like they are worthy of the breath that they breathe.
They now make jewelry....beautiful jewelry. Their specialty is making paper bead necklaces. They literally find old newspapers, sit for hours and roll tiny pieces of them into beads, then cover them in a laquer to keep them secured.
One necklace takes many hours to make. Yet, these women are simply trying to feed and clothe the children that they birthed into a world of little opportunities.
One may say, "Why don't these women practice safe sex or simply be abstinant?"
Did I mention many of these women are babies themselves? Many still in their teens have been impregnated due to rape or incest. Yes, many have had to carry their uncles or father's child. They have not "CHOSEN" to have children. They have literally, not been given a choice.
CAN YOU IMAGINE? We are so quick to pass judgement as to how some people should lead their lives. We are quick to give advice or suggestions; yet when we are given all the details......we become silent.
The brokenness that surrounds these women must seem too heavy for them most days.
We have been given an amazing opportunity.
My friend, Lutaaya, recently came to America. One of his sponsors and partners of African Hearts Boy's School brought him to the U.S. to have him tell others about the need in Uganda and what he is doing to help make a change in the lives of the people of Uganda. If you would like to know more about African Hearts, click on this link to take you directly to their website.
http://www.african-hearts.org/
Guess what he brought with him when he came????? YOU GUESSED IT!!! PAPER BEAD NECKLACES!
My sister Kim and I were excited to get our hands on these. We know, even though we are thousands of miles away, we need to be COMMITED to making a difference in the lives of these people.
We have decided to SPREAD THE WORD through one of the most widely known social media networks around. You got it, FACEBOOK!
We pray that anyone who reads this will choose to -----share---- with a friend or possibly 1,000 friends.
It is NOT our job to sit back and enjoy our comfy livs as people on the other side of the world are literally STARVING TO DEATH! They drink from the same water they bathe in. They are skinny, starving, homeless,sick, dying, orphaned, unloved, abused, hurting,and they are longing to be rescued, fed, loved, well, and simple live. SIMPLY LIVE.
They are a happy people, which truly took me back. They have nothing....N-O-T-H-I-N-G!!! They are lucky to sleep on cardboard, yet are some of the most grateful, happiest people I have ever encountered.
I surely could take a lesson from them. We all could....and should.
I know many have not been to Uganda, and that's okay. I hadn't either until a few short months ago. I ask that you trust me when I say the need there is overwhelming. The need is BIG....HUGE! But, God is BIGGER tha their need. He has blessed us in ways that soome can never imagine. Even if you think you have litle that you can give or do, your little would mean so much to a child that may likely die from malaria or starvation.
We must do!!!
My sister and I have possibly 250 paper bead necklaces. The colors are remarkable. To find out that the beads had been made of paper after seeing these crations, we were blown away. Surely, I thought, they were teasing me. But, no.....all jokes aside......paper. Yet, their beauty is breath taking.
We were told by our friend that he would leave as many strands of paper beads with s to sell as we wanted. Our response you ask?? GIVE US ALL OF THEM!!! Surely we can tell your story, their story, and people will want to give. Also, in return each will have a beautiful necklace to cherish too.
The pictures truly don't do them justice. They are GORGEOUS!!!
We have decided to sell these necklaces and then send our friend the money we make, via paypal. We are NOT keeping ANY portion of the funds received from the necklace sales for ourselves or any other purpose. ALL MONIES DONATED WILL BE SENT TO UGANDA, TO OUR FRIEND, TO FEED THE STARVING CHILDREN of the streets.
No ifs ands, or buts, we simply want to be God's hands and feet. We feel blessed to even remotely be a part of His plan.
If you live in another state, we will ship any necklaces you order. If you live close, we promise to deliver. If you choose to simply donate to this very worthy cause, WE THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!
The pictures that you see on this page are not photoshopped or perfected in any way. These people are NOT actors. The pictures are ones that were taken while we were in Uganda.
I pray you will find yourselves wanting to do more to help a people that are destitute.
Please join us a we work to help feed and love on the people of Uganda.
Your efforts will not go unnoticed. God will surely bless you.
Please email or send money via paypal to: heart1054@hotmail.com
Thank you for partnering with us.
Many Blessings to come,
Bambi
Sunday, April 10, 2011
IT'S A BOY!
Yes, you read that correctly!! IT'S A BOY!!! Actually, it's three boys. They are beautiful African boys and I am now their momma.
They are......oh wait, let's not get into that just yet. Let me tell you how the day began. Come on, it'll be worth it! Please stay with me and trust me on this one. Ok?!
Our day began with a visit to Ssangu Babies Home. One baby is new. She just came back to the babies home yesterday after a stay in the hospital. Her name is Arrianna and she is one of the most tiny treasures I have ever seen. She may weigh 5 pounds.....on a good day. No,seriously. She is so itty bitty. She has a head full of black curly hair. Her skin hangs from her almost pencil sized arms.I am able to count every one of her ribs and her spine is protruding from lack of baby fat that would normally be present. I see no baby rolls as I gaze upon her tiny figure......no round belly from being fed well.
My heart cries out for her. Ohhhhh Arrianna, Jesus loves you! He truly does!
I hear people say.....Why do you want, need more children Bambi? Why do you travel to foreign lands? What for? I heard something shortly before departing for Uganda that quite disturbed me.
Why are you going to Uganda to take care of other people's children? You have your own five at home that need you.
I tell you that God does not want us to be SIT STILL people. He has not asked me to stay and watch but has said Listen......GO!
My children are at home. They have cell phones and fresh smelling clothes. Each plays on a computer some time throughout the day and asks, "Mom, what's for dinner?"
Children in Uganda have no home. They do not have cell phones or clothes, let alone clean ones. No Mom. No dinner. Kinda puts things into persepective doesn't it?
I would highly suggest for any person, no matter the age, to take a mission's trip. Go somewhere, anywhere. Don't be scared. Don't hesitate even though I know at times we cannot help ourselves. The thought of stepping outside of our comfort zones can be debilitating.
When God asked me to come to Uganda, I was FOR SURE he had dialed the wrong digits. WRONG NUMBER GOD! OOPS TRY AGAIN GOD!
But, he was insistant on where He would be sending me to love on His children. There is no love like the love of a momma and I feel honored to pour out any speck of love that I can during the short time I'm in this land.
He does also know that I have a liking for big brown eyes. OK GOD, you roped me in! Sign me up! I'm hooked!
I have no inkling why our BIG, GIANT, AWESOME God would choose me, this crazy, simple, unworthy, Missouri Momma to love on the unloved forgotten treasures of the world. I know He does not call the equipped, but He equips the called. And here am I, in Uganda, in awe of His awesomeness, unworthy of these blessings that have been bestowed upon me.
Words will never adequately describe Uganda and the people that I have come to call family in the past 7 days.
Truly, this trip has been breath taking in so many ways.
Many days are harder than the previous one. I find myself crying, my body shaking uncontrollably from the sheer depth of the emotion that I am experiencing.
Yesterday was so hard for me....devastating to be quite honest. DEVASTATING! Oh how my heart hurts, longggggggggggggs, aches to do more. More loving, more giving, more doing for these people.
Please God guide my steps as I seek to only do your will for my life.
Please keep my 3 new African sons safe and loved until I return to love on them more. They are beautiful, smart, full of potential boys.
My new son, George, he aspires to be a pastor one day. How proud this would make his Momma! Hey, THAT'S ME!! THAT'S ME!
You are going to hate me but, I must depart for now. Dinner is served and I am forced to close up shop so to speak.
I will tell you all about my new sons as soon as I can steal away for a brief moment.
I WISH YOU COULD SEE THEIR SMILING FACES TONIGHT AS THEY ARE SO HAPPY TO NOW HAVE A MOMMA TO CALL THEIR OWN!
I love you all!
Love,
Momma Bambi
They are......oh wait, let's not get into that just yet. Let me tell you how the day began. Come on, it'll be worth it! Please stay with me and trust me on this one. Ok?!
Our day began with a visit to Ssangu Babies Home. One baby is new. She just came back to the babies home yesterday after a stay in the hospital. Her name is Arrianna and she is one of the most tiny treasures I have ever seen. She may weigh 5 pounds.....on a good day. No,seriously. She is so itty bitty. She has a head full of black curly hair. Her skin hangs from her almost pencil sized arms.I am able to count every one of her ribs and her spine is protruding from lack of baby fat that would normally be present. I see no baby rolls as I gaze upon her tiny figure......no round belly from being fed well.
My heart cries out for her. Ohhhhh Arrianna, Jesus loves you! He truly does!
I hear people say.....Why do you want, need more children Bambi? Why do you travel to foreign lands? What for? I heard something shortly before departing for Uganda that quite disturbed me.
Why are you going to Uganda to take care of other people's children? You have your own five at home that need you.
I tell you that God does not want us to be SIT STILL people. He has not asked me to stay and watch but has said Listen......GO!
My children are at home. They have cell phones and fresh smelling clothes. Each plays on a computer some time throughout the day and asks, "Mom, what's for dinner?"
Children in Uganda have no home. They do not have cell phones or clothes, let alone clean ones. No Mom. No dinner. Kinda puts things into persepective doesn't it?
I would highly suggest for any person, no matter the age, to take a mission's trip. Go somewhere, anywhere. Don't be scared. Don't hesitate even though I know at times we cannot help ourselves. The thought of stepping outside of our comfort zones can be debilitating.
When God asked me to come to Uganda, I was FOR SURE he had dialed the wrong digits. WRONG NUMBER GOD! OOPS TRY AGAIN GOD!
But, he was insistant on where He would be sending me to love on His children. There is no love like the love of a momma and I feel honored to pour out any speck of love that I can during the short time I'm in this land.
He does also know that I have a liking for big brown eyes. OK GOD, you roped me in! Sign me up! I'm hooked!
I have no inkling why our BIG, GIANT, AWESOME God would choose me, this crazy, simple, unworthy, Missouri Momma to love on the unloved forgotten treasures of the world. I know He does not call the equipped, but He equips the called. And here am I, in Uganda, in awe of His awesomeness, unworthy of these blessings that have been bestowed upon me.
Words will never adequately describe Uganda and the people that I have come to call family in the past 7 days.
Truly, this trip has been breath taking in so many ways.
Many days are harder than the previous one. I find myself crying, my body shaking uncontrollably from the sheer depth of the emotion that I am experiencing.
Yesterday was so hard for me....devastating to be quite honest. DEVASTATING! Oh how my heart hurts, longggggggggggggs, aches to do more. More loving, more giving, more doing for these people.
Please God guide my steps as I seek to only do your will for my life.
Please keep my 3 new African sons safe and loved until I return to love on them more. They are beautiful, smart, full of potential boys.
My new son, George, he aspires to be a pastor one day. How proud this would make his Momma! Hey, THAT'S ME!! THAT'S ME!
You are going to hate me but, I must depart for now. Dinner is served and I am forced to close up shop so to speak.
I will tell you all about my new sons as soon as I can steal away for a brief moment.
I WISH YOU COULD SEE THEIR SMILING FACES TONIGHT AS THEY ARE SO HAPPY TO NOW HAVE A MOMMA TO CALL THEIR OWN!
I love you all!
Love,
Momma Bambi
Saturday, April 9, 2011
With a heavy heart
Today was the hardest day yet in Uganda.
I was aware of the mission that was planned for today, yet had no idea how difficult it would actually be.
A woman who lives here in Uganda was getting married. She has 16 sons who were once street boys, yes they lived on the streets of Uganda with no momma to love them.
We had been invited to her wedding. If any of you can remember, we were collecting shirts, ties, and other items to fit about 200+ street boys because they too were invited to the wedding.All of the team brought many suitcases filled with donations for these lil kings.
Let me explain how these boys live. The images you have seen on tv that show the filth, the trash, the poverty......this is truly where these children live. This is the real deal, no dress up......no pretend play, oh how I wish!
Our day began by going into the slums of Uganda. Our van pulled up and boys screamed with glee for what seemed like miles away. They knew we were coming. They had been told.
These children have nothing......no I can't stress enough..........they have nothing.
They fight each other to just have an opportunity at a warm meal, which is something that looks like mushy, runny glue. Yet they are thankful, for they have nothing.
I heard many call out to me, Mommy.....Auntie.......they long for someone to just show them affection.
Many children in Uganda huff paint and other things because when they do this, it curbs the hunger pains. I sat across from a 10-12 year old boy that was higher than a kite.
I prayed that Jesus would send in a rescue boat to come whisk him away to a better, safer life.
UNFATHOMABLE!!! There are no adequate words to describe the pain of this momma's heart. My entire body and soul ache for them.
I think of my boys at home and how their biggest stress is which one will play the X-Box next or who drank the last Dr. Pepper.
How I wish this were the case in Uganda.
We fitted boys with shirts, ties, pants, underwear, and shoes. These children were wearing rags. Most did not have underwear, let alone a clean pair.
We then fitted them with corsages and sprayed them with boy's cologne. They were each given a bag with a picture and note from someone in America. We explained that the family was in America praying for them.
One boy, who was about the age of 18 came and found Kim. He had received a picture of her and her family. He said, "I found you! Are you my mother?"
Swallow that in one big gulp! Can you imagine? 18, nearly an adult yet, still longing for a mother to love him.
The smaller children would reach for us and we would hold them. We did not ask what they smelled of, what their story was, or anything else for that matter. We just simply loved. We picked them up. We cuddled them. We told them that Jesus loved them. Time stopped as I imagine what their future would hold.
Will they be here if I come back in 6 months? A year? Will they die of AIDS? Will they get beaten to death while simply trying to get a meal for their empty bellies?
The clothes had been given out, as well as the shoes, yet there were still more children. What now God?? HELP!
We had to tell the children that though they had stood in line and waited so long, in the end they would get nothing. We promised to love on them. Yet, some got nothing.
Some may say, Well, you can't change the world Bambi. Ahhhhhh, but I can change the world of one child, two children......and many more.
In America we worry about our children sharing a room. Families here fit into a room smaller than my bathroom.
Oh how my body and soul aches for these precious forgotten treasures.
Our day went on as we went to the wedding. These beautiful boys, an hour earlier dressed in rags, were now dressed as if they came out of the J.C. Penney's catalog.
Their smiles, from ear to ear. Their bodies danced as the beautiful African music played. For one moment in time, they had no worries. I longed to take their pain........for forever.
One boy stood out to me in a crowd of many. His name is Fred. He is 18 and he is beautiful. He has a smile that would melt any girls heart. His eyes
show pure joy. He is a leader. I could tell this right away. He wood take the younger boys under his wing and guide them.
He danced like I have never seen any boy dance in my life. Yet, he lives on the streets. He is alone.
Tonight I sit at a computer, while I'm sure he is laying in a mud room, possibly laddend with disease.
I begged God to etch his face in my mind. I never want to forget him. How could I? How dare I?
In the middle of the beautiful wedding ceremony, I looked around and many boys were sleeping. I asked why and was told that they are so tired from having no where to sleep. When they feel at peace somewhere, they fall asleep.
Can you imagine being a boy, living on the streets and then someone scoops you up, dresses you in fancy clothing, and invites you over for dinner? Can you imagine?????
This was the case here and excitement consumed us all.
At the reception I watched as boys were served fancy food, and a Fanta Orange soda in a glass bottle. I had to bow my head and thank Jesus as the tears stremed down my face in pure joy.
The singing, the dancing, the food, I cannot put into words how awesome and awful today was all at the same time.
When they children were done, the plates were empty. EMPTY! Nothing that they didnt like was left on the plates. They were so thankful for a simple meal.
Children called out to me....Mommy, Auntie throughout the entire day. It made my heart happy to know for one single moment in time, these princes felt loved.
I wish I could have chartered a 777 plane and brought all of the boys home to America with me. I prayed for Jesus to FIX THIS!!! FIX IT!! MAGIC ERASER BAR KINDA FIX THIS JESUS! Make it all go away! It truly was too much to bear!
I asked about Fred. I wanted to know more about his story. Two beautiful Ugandan mommas inquired for me. I told them I would love to be his American momma. They ran and told him to come here, and so he did.
I explained to him that though we would be 9,000 miles away, I would be loving him. I would be praying for him. I would come back to visit him. He agreed that he would like this.
The tears poured out of my eyes like a faucet as I was consumed by heartache. I begged for heaven and earth to move on his account. SHOW OFF GOD!! SHOW OFF BIG in this young man's life. Let him feel loved. Let him not feel alone. Let him know that my words are true. Let him know that I love him as a momma loves her boy. I love him more than words and ache for him to be consumed with Jesus.
I beg you to pray with me as this day has left me feeling heavy.
More to come,
Bambi
I was aware of the mission that was planned for today, yet had no idea how difficult it would actually be.
A woman who lives here in Uganda was getting married. She has 16 sons who were once street boys, yes they lived on the streets of Uganda with no momma to love them.
We had been invited to her wedding. If any of you can remember, we were collecting shirts, ties, and other items to fit about 200+ street boys because they too were invited to the wedding.All of the team brought many suitcases filled with donations for these lil kings.
Let me explain how these boys live. The images you have seen on tv that show the filth, the trash, the poverty......this is truly where these children live. This is the real deal, no dress up......no pretend play, oh how I wish!
Our day began by going into the slums of Uganda. Our van pulled up and boys screamed with glee for what seemed like miles away. They knew we were coming. They had been told.
These children have nothing......no I can't stress enough..........they have nothing.
They fight each other to just have an opportunity at a warm meal, which is something that looks like mushy, runny glue. Yet they are thankful, for they have nothing.
I heard many call out to me, Mommy.....Auntie.......they long for someone to just show them affection.
Many children in Uganda huff paint and other things because when they do this, it curbs the hunger pains. I sat across from a 10-12 year old boy that was higher than a kite.
I prayed that Jesus would send in a rescue boat to come whisk him away to a better, safer life.
UNFATHOMABLE!!! There are no adequate words to describe the pain of this momma's heart. My entire body and soul ache for them.
I think of my boys at home and how their biggest stress is which one will play the X-Box next or who drank the last Dr. Pepper.
How I wish this were the case in Uganda.
We fitted boys with shirts, ties, pants, underwear, and shoes. These children were wearing rags. Most did not have underwear, let alone a clean pair.
We then fitted them with corsages and sprayed them with boy's cologne. They were each given a bag with a picture and note from someone in America. We explained that the family was in America praying for them.
One boy, who was about the age of 18 came and found Kim. He had received a picture of her and her family. He said, "I found you! Are you my mother?"
Swallow that in one big gulp! Can you imagine? 18, nearly an adult yet, still longing for a mother to love him.
The smaller children would reach for us and we would hold them. We did not ask what they smelled of, what their story was, or anything else for that matter. We just simply loved. We picked them up. We cuddled them. We told them that Jesus loved them. Time stopped as I imagine what their future would hold.
Will they be here if I come back in 6 months? A year? Will they die of AIDS? Will they get beaten to death while simply trying to get a meal for their empty bellies?
The clothes had been given out, as well as the shoes, yet there were still more children. What now God?? HELP!
We had to tell the children that though they had stood in line and waited so long, in the end they would get nothing. We promised to love on them. Yet, some got nothing.
Some may say, Well, you can't change the world Bambi. Ahhhhhh, but I can change the world of one child, two children......and many more.
In America we worry about our children sharing a room. Families here fit into a room smaller than my bathroom.
Oh how my body and soul aches for these precious forgotten treasures.
Our day went on as we went to the wedding. These beautiful boys, an hour earlier dressed in rags, were now dressed as if they came out of the J.C. Penney's catalog.
Their smiles, from ear to ear. Their bodies danced as the beautiful African music played. For one moment in time, they had no worries. I longed to take their pain........for forever.
One boy stood out to me in a crowd of many. His name is Fred. He is 18 and he is beautiful. He has a smile that would melt any girls heart. His eyes
show pure joy. He is a leader. I could tell this right away. He wood take the younger boys under his wing and guide them.
He danced like I have never seen any boy dance in my life. Yet, he lives on the streets. He is alone.
Tonight I sit at a computer, while I'm sure he is laying in a mud room, possibly laddend with disease.
I begged God to etch his face in my mind. I never want to forget him. How could I? How dare I?
In the middle of the beautiful wedding ceremony, I looked around and many boys were sleeping. I asked why and was told that they are so tired from having no where to sleep. When they feel at peace somewhere, they fall asleep.
Can you imagine being a boy, living on the streets and then someone scoops you up, dresses you in fancy clothing, and invites you over for dinner? Can you imagine?????
This was the case here and excitement consumed us all.
At the reception I watched as boys were served fancy food, and a Fanta Orange soda in a glass bottle. I had to bow my head and thank Jesus as the tears stremed down my face in pure joy.
The singing, the dancing, the food, I cannot put into words how awesome and awful today was all at the same time.
When they children were done, the plates were empty. EMPTY! Nothing that they didnt like was left on the plates. They were so thankful for a simple meal.
Children called out to me....Mommy, Auntie throughout the entire day. It made my heart happy to know for one single moment in time, these princes felt loved.
I wish I could have chartered a 777 plane and brought all of the boys home to America with me. I prayed for Jesus to FIX THIS!!! FIX IT!! MAGIC ERASER BAR KINDA FIX THIS JESUS! Make it all go away! It truly was too much to bear!
I asked about Fred. I wanted to know more about his story. Two beautiful Ugandan mommas inquired for me. I told them I would love to be his American momma. They ran and told him to come here, and so he did.
I explained to him that though we would be 9,000 miles away, I would be loving him. I would be praying for him. I would come back to visit him. He agreed that he would like this.
The tears poured out of my eyes like a faucet as I was consumed by heartache. I begged for heaven and earth to move on his account. SHOW OFF GOD!! SHOW OFF BIG in this young man's life. Let him feel loved. Let him not feel alone. Let him know that my words are true. Let him know that I love him as a momma loves her boy. I love him more than words and ache for him to be consumed with Jesus.
I beg you to pray with me as this day has left me feeling heavy.
More to come,
Bambi
Today is my younghest son's birthday. I long to hold him and make him feel special today, but know that God has asked me to be here. He has a purpose.
Satan is busy at work. You know when you're working for Jesus, that really ticks him off. I will not give details but can promise you that he hates us being the hands and feet of Jesus!
We have worked in 2 orphanages so far this week. The sights are amazing. Children long to be touched, loved, and held.
When you travel to foreign lands, there is no rationalizing the thoughts that go through one's mind.
Special needs, older children, deformed children.......we could handle that!
Really, many people say, but why would you CHOOSE an imperfect or scarred child? My response, no one chooses what child they will adopt. God chooses and leads us down the path that He has planned for us.
Let me tell you about yesterday's visit to an orphanage. One girl caught my attention more than the others. I stroked her almost bald head and asked her what her name was. She replied in English with a sweet Ugandan accent, "I am Annette."
I asked how old she is and she said, "I am six years old." Now, I'm not the best judge of age, but I knew that Annette looked more like my Faith, who is 9 and kinda small for her age. Perhaps Annette is a tall 6 year old I thought, but learned later,perhaps thisis not the case.
I thought, maybe she is just confused. You see, many orphans here do not know when they were born......this was the case for Judith, another girl there.When asked how old she was she replied with "I don't know!" I told her that she looked nine, so now she could tell people she is 9 when they asked. What a small piece of information that we take for granted....our birth date.
So, I went inside and asked the nanny there about Annette. I explained that she had told me she was 6, but I thought she was very tall for being 6.
The nanny told me that Annette, was in deed not 6 years old. She is 14. 14???????????????????? NO WAY! I asked her if she was teasing me. There truly was no way that this child could be 14. She may be tall for 6, but no way was she 14!!
The nanny said that Annette is 14, but she tells people she is 6. You see Annette is an orphan and she is HIV+. Her parents have both died from AIDS.
Her mother died first. After her mother passed, her father sexually molested her repeatedly. This is how Annette contracted HIV. Annette wants desperately to be adopted and have a family to call her own. She tells people she is 6, knowing that they may be more likely to adopt her if she is a younger child.
I stroked Annette's beautiful brown skin as I pictured what her future may hold. WHY GOD??? Why? How, could this happen to such an innocent life??? I do not understand. My heart physically aches. I need to throw up. Again, I ask God why.
Annette spoke to another lady on our team. She asked if she could be her mommy. She said, I would like to go to America, and then listed the names of many children that have left to travel to America with their adoptive families.
She drew a picture with a big heart that says "Jesus gives you hope."
And to think that I worry at times about how will pay the water or cable bill. Really? Wow, I need a true reality check of myself!
I knew God had purpose for us being here, but never knew what exactly we would encounter.
Uganda is poor, sad, destitute, and the most beautiful place that I have ever been to.
The people here are so kind and beautiful.I consider it a blessing that the people here, for the most part, speak both the native launguage of Uganda as well as Englsh.
When I asked God to break my heart for what breaks His, I had no idea to what extent my heart would be broken.
I held a baby boy a few days ago that was found in a latrine, a place where peple poop. Someone had thrown him there to die. Yes, it could have been a terrible, awful deed, but it could also have been that the mother could not feed this baby. Knowing this may have killed her. Maybe she thought this would be an easier and faster death, compared to starvation.
The police found this tiny one in sewage. His eyes, nose mouth, and ears full of human waste. And God asks, "How much do you trust me?"
I pray that I never forget, I never get to busy with "my" life to remember the people here.
I wonder if God will choose to give me more children. My husband and I both know thatw e are not the captains of this ship called life. Only God knows what His plan is.
Please pray as we continue on this journey in Uganda.
I love and miss you all so much, but again know that God has sent me here.
Bambi
Satan is busy at work. You know when you're working for Jesus, that really ticks him off. I will not give details but can promise you that he hates us being the hands and feet of Jesus!
We have worked in 2 orphanages so far this week. The sights are amazing. Children long to be touched, loved, and held.
When you travel to foreign lands, there is no rationalizing the thoughts that go through one's mind.
Special needs, older children, deformed children.......we could handle that!
Really, many people say, but why would you CHOOSE an imperfect or scarred child? My response, no one chooses what child they will adopt. God chooses and leads us down the path that He has planned for us.
Let me tell you about yesterday's visit to an orphanage. One girl caught my attention more than the others. I stroked her almost bald head and asked her what her name was. She replied in English with a sweet Ugandan accent, "I am Annette."
I asked how old she is and she said, "I am six years old." Now, I'm not the best judge of age, but I knew that Annette looked more like my Faith, who is 9 and kinda small for her age. Perhaps Annette is a tall 6 year old I thought, but learned later,perhaps thisis not the case.
I thought, maybe she is just confused. You see, many orphans here do not know when they were born......this was the case for Judith, another girl there.When asked how old she was she replied with "I don't know!" I told her that she looked nine, so now she could tell people she is 9 when they asked. What a small piece of information that we take for granted....our birth date.
So, I went inside and asked the nanny there about Annette. I explained that she had told me she was 6, but I thought she was very tall for being 6.
The nanny told me that Annette, was in deed not 6 years old. She is 14. 14???????????????????? NO WAY! I asked her if she was teasing me. There truly was no way that this child could be 14. She may be tall for 6, but no way was she 14!!
The nanny said that Annette is 14, but she tells people she is 6. You see Annette is an orphan and she is HIV+. Her parents have both died from AIDS.
Her mother died first. After her mother passed, her father sexually molested her repeatedly. This is how Annette contracted HIV. Annette wants desperately to be adopted and have a family to call her own. She tells people she is 6, knowing that they may be more likely to adopt her if she is a younger child.
I stroked Annette's beautiful brown skin as I pictured what her future may hold. WHY GOD??? Why? How, could this happen to such an innocent life??? I do not understand. My heart physically aches. I need to throw up. Again, I ask God why.
Annette spoke to another lady on our team. She asked if she could be her mommy. She said, I would like to go to America, and then listed the names of many children that have left to travel to America with their adoptive families.
She drew a picture with a big heart that says "Jesus gives you hope."
And to think that I worry at times about how will pay the water or cable bill. Really? Wow, I need a true reality check of myself!
I knew God had purpose for us being here, but never knew what exactly we would encounter.
Uganda is poor, sad, destitute, and the most beautiful place that I have ever been to.
The people here are so kind and beautiful.I consider it a blessing that the people here, for the most part, speak both the native launguage of Uganda as well as Englsh.
When I asked God to break my heart for what breaks His, I had no idea to what extent my heart would be broken.
I held a baby boy a few days ago that was found in a latrine, a place where peple poop. Someone had thrown him there to die. Yes, it could have been a terrible, awful deed, but it could also have been that the mother could not feed this baby. Knowing this may have killed her. Maybe she thought this would be an easier and faster death, compared to starvation.
The police found this tiny one in sewage. His eyes, nose mouth, and ears full of human waste. And God asks, "How much do you trust me?"
I pray that I never forget, I never get to busy with "my" life to remember the people here.
I wonder if God will choose to give me more children. My husband and I both know thatw e are not the captains of this ship called life. Only God knows what His plan is.
Please pray as we continue on this journey in Uganda.
I love and miss you all so much, but again know that God has sent me here.
Bambi
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
As some of you may have heard, I am going on a two week mission trip to Uganda from April 4th-16th.
God has laid a burden on my heart for the orphaned, widowed, and those less fortunate in a land over 9,000 miles away.
God has called me, to simply love. He asked that I show love without reservation, without thinking, without hesitation, to a people that I know very little about.
Our group of 20 women from around the globe will be working in 7 different orphanages, feeding the handicapped, loving on the unloved, but most of all telling tiny treasures that Jesus hasn’t forgotten about them.
He knows their names and knows exactly where they’re at, at every moment in time, and we feel honored to be His messengers.
I thank you in advance for your prayers and also the donations that have been given as our team sets out on this amazing adventure in just 4 short days.
There are 2.5 million orphans in Uganda, over a million of whom are a direct result of AIDS. That’s roughly 1 in 6 children under the age of 17 that are orphans..
Can you imagine?
Deep in the heart of Uganda are places where some of these abandoned, unloved, and neglected children are kept. Some are lucky enough to be in an orphanage. Some are left on the streets, as young as babies, to fend for themselves.
Imagine your child in these conditions. Being a mother, my heart aches for those tiny blessings that have never experienced being tucked in a night, 3 meals a day, or the opportunity to learn about the love of Jesus.
Where He leads me, I must follow!
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
I welcome you to follow my journey at http://3trucksand2hairbows.blogspot.com/.
Miss Bambi
God has laid a burden on my heart for the orphaned, widowed, and those less fortunate in a land over 9,000 miles away.
God has called me, to simply love. He asked that I show love without reservation, without thinking, without hesitation, to a people that I know very little about.
Our group of 20 women from around the globe will be working in 7 different orphanages, feeding the handicapped, loving on the unloved, but most of all telling tiny treasures that Jesus hasn’t forgotten about them.
He knows their names and knows exactly where they’re at, at every moment in time, and we feel honored to be His messengers.
I thank you in advance for your prayers and also the donations that have been given as our team sets out on this amazing adventure in just 4 short days.
There are 2.5 million orphans in Uganda, over a million of whom are a direct result of AIDS. That’s roughly 1 in 6 children under the age of 17 that are orphans..
Can you imagine?
Deep in the heart of Uganda are places where some of these abandoned, unloved, and neglected children are kept. Some are lucky enough to be in an orphanage. Some are left on the streets, as young as babies, to fend for themselves.
Imagine your child in these conditions. Being a mother, my heart aches for those tiny blessings that have never experienced being tucked in a night, 3 meals a day, or the opportunity to learn about the love of Jesus.
Where He leads me, I must follow!
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
I welcome you to follow my journey at http://3trucksand2hairbows.blogspot.com/.
Miss Bambi
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Only He can give us the desires of our hearts.
I sit here today, amazed at this long.....yet actually very short journey. Just 6 short weeks ago I was given the opportunity to travel to Uganda this next month.
The plan seemed so far fetched, yet God said, "this is where I want you." So many details......so little time God. I tried hard to REASON with Him! That sounds so funny just typing it!
I remember telling God that I knew nothing about the people of Uganda. He reminded me that He and I had had this discussion a mere 4 years ago when I stumbled upon a child's photo from Vietnam. That's Faith, my daughter. And just as I know nothing about the people, His people, of Uganda, I knew nothing about His people of Vietnam. Yet, he said GO!
It's amazing to me, that without knowing all of God's plans for our families lives, I have always known that "this place" is not my home. America.......it's a wonderful, beautiful, blessed place full of rights and freedoms. But, God has told me to travel to lands out of my comfort zone........step out of my comfy bubble and simply LOVE.
While fund-raising for this amazing trip that we leave in about 10 days for,(OMG that is so sonn!! EEKS!) I stumbled upon a website called Sixty Feet.
This organization helps orphans that live in a place referred to as "M." This place is hidden.......no one speaks of it......some have just happened to stumble upon it, while in Uganda.
Here......is their story:
According to the most recent estimates, there are approximately 2.5 million orphans in Uganda, over a million of whom are a direct result of AIDS. Roughly 1 in 6 children in Uganda under the age of 17 is an orphan. Deep in the bush outside Kampala is a place where some of these abandoned, unloved and neglected children are kept. And this is where our story begins…
Not long ago a woman was on her way out of Kampala and drove past a dilapidated old sign that read “M”: Rehabilitation Center for Children. She was drawn to learn more about the place and so she turned down a long, winding dirt road until she came to the end. To her horror, she found rooms of children locked up, young kids chained to windows, and even a 10 day old, malnourished and living in her own urine. She saw hundreds of children with little food and no supervision.
The power of that moment could not be denied. The statistics and figures that Nathalie knew all too well now had a name and a face. The suffering was real and her first hand experience would change the course of her life and the lives of these children. A glorious story of redemption for these little ones began that day when Nathalie followed her inkling and wandered into “M”.
Eight thousand miles away, the ripple effects of Nathalie’s ministry made their way to the shores of America. When we heard about “M” our hearts were completely broken. Living amidst a sea of abundance and well cared for families, we could not begin to fathom the pain and suffering that these children endure on a daily basis. It was clear that God was calling us on a mission too.
In early 2010, some of the men on our team heard about this place and began to pray that God would send someone to help. They soon realized it was them God was sending. They decided that we should go and see how God was at work in the lives of these children, and how we might participate. And so we did.
What we learned was something we already knew but had not personally experienced so vividly. The heart of God is unquestionably devoted to caring for widows and orphans, for the poor and the marginalized, for the hungry and those who suffer injustice. This we knew. But experiencing God at work in this desperate environment made us realize that He was calling us to live out the Gospel and be devoted to His purposes in a way that was tangible, sacrificial and enduring.
It is an awesome and deeply humbling thing to have an encounter with the living God. Deep in the bush outside Kampala, we encountered Him at work and it changed our lives.
Sixty Feet was born out of a desire to participate in God’s work at “M”, to come along side those already involved in the lives of the children, to share the love of Jesus Christ in a meaningful way, and to care for orphans that are otherwise treated as common prisoners. In short, Sixty Feet is a response to the Gospel.
We are just regular people who responded to a call on our lives. We are submitted to the authority of Christ and to His will for this ministry. We exist for His glory and to serve His purposes as long as He would have us do so.
This is our story, and we pray that soon…. it may be your story too.
________________________________________________________________________________________
I have heard that the children here live in unfathomable conditions. They are strapped to beds, have little food, supervision, or basic needs met that you and I would consider to be "the norm."
This is a place that most, including myself, would never want to go! I'd like to turn my head, pretend this place doesn't exist, and go back to my merry little life in Missouri, AKA The land of the free and the home of the brave.
Yet, I found myself asking, almost pleading with God to take me there. Please let me go there! I MUST go there! Surely if even for only one day God....I could do something.......anything!?!?!?!
Today I have found out that we get to go to "M" while in Uganda. My heart nearly stopped beating as I read the email this morning. I know only He can give us our hearts desires.
I am humbled and blessed to be able to visit the children of "M" who have no mommies, no daddies, no shoes, no Veggie Tales movies, no lollipops.....NO NOTHING! NOTHING!
DO YOU HEAR ME>???????? They have NOTHING!! I could scream it from the roof tops when people say, "Well, I would give, do, adopt, do more.....but I just can't afford it!
Don't you get it?????????? God doesn't call the EQUIPPED!!! He EQUIPS the called!!
He provides! He gives! He does! How can we sit around and do N*O*T*H*I*N*G???????
We must DO......ACT.....GET INVOLVED......and save that one little starfish, because of all of us did something......ANYTHING, there would be no more children dying because of a mosquito bite.....and no more orphans.
My heart aches to do more, love more, see more.
I pray for God's hands to hold us........and guide us while we carry out His plans for His children.
I am so blessed to he chose lil ole me to be His hands and feet.
Wow'ed
Sixty Feet....go check it out! http://sixtyfeet.org/
Bambi
The plan seemed so far fetched, yet God said, "this is where I want you." So many details......so little time God. I tried hard to REASON with Him! That sounds so funny just typing it!
I remember telling God that I knew nothing about the people of Uganda. He reminded me that He and I had had this discussion a mere 4 years ago when I stumbled upon a child's photo from Vietnam. That's Faith, my daughter. And just as I know nothing about the people, His people, of Uganda, I knew nothing about His people of Vietnam. Yet, he said GO!
It's amazing to me, that without knowing all of God's plans for our families lives, I have always known that "this place" is not my home. America.......it's a wonderful, beautiful, blessed place full of rights and freedoms. But, God has told me to travel to lands out of my comfort zone........step out of my comfy bubble and simply LOVE.
While fund-raising for this amazing trip that we leave in about 10 days for,(OMG that is so sonn!! EEKS!) I stumbled upon a website called Sixty Feet.
This organization helps orphans that live in a place referred to as "M." This place is hidden.......no one speaks of it......some have just happened to stumble upon it, while in Uganda.
Here......is their story:
According to the most recent estimates, there are approximately 2.5 million orphans in Uganda, over a million of whom are a direct result of AIDS. Roughly 1 in 6 children in Uganda under the age of 17 is an orphan. Deep in the bush outside Kampala is a place where some of these abandoned, unloved and neglected children are kept. And this is where our story begins…
Not long ago a woman was on her way out of Kampala and drove past a dilapidated old sign that read “M”: Rehabilitation Center for Children. She was drawn to learn more about the place and so she turned down a long, winding dirt road until she came to the end. To her horror, she found rooms of children locked up, young kids chained to windows, and even a 10 day old, malnourished and living in her own urine. She saw hundreds of children with little food and no supervision.
The power of that moment could not be denied. The statistics and figures that Nathalie knew all too well now had a name and a face. The suffering was real and her first hand experience would change the course of her life and the lives of these children. A glorious story of redemption for these little ones began that day when Nathalie followed her inkling and wandered into “M”.
Eight thousand miles away, the ripple effects of Nathalie’s ministry made their way to the shores of America. When we heard about “M” our hearts were completely broken. Living amidst a sea of abundance and well cared for families, we could not begin to fathom the pain and suffering that these children endure on a daily basis. It was clear that God was calling us on a mission too.
In early 2010, some of the men on our team heard about this place and began to pray that God would send someone to help. They soon realized it was them God was sending. They decided that we should go and see how God was at work in the lives of these children, and how we might participate. And so we did.
What we learned was something we already knew but had not personally experienced so vividly. The heart of God is unquestionably devoted to caring for widows and orphans, for the poor and the marginalized, for the hungry and those who suffer injustice. This we knew. But experiencing God at work in this desperate environment made us realize that He was calling us to live out the Gospel and be devoted to His purposes in a way that was tangible, sacrificial and enduring.
It is an awesome and deeply humbling thing to have an encounter with the living God. Deep in the bush outside Kampala, we encountered Him at work and it changed our lives.
Sixty Feet was born out of a desire to participate in God’s work at “M”, to come along side those already involved in the lives of the children, to share the love of Jesus Christ in a meaningful way, and to care for orphans that are otherwise treated as common prisoners. In short, Sixty Feet is a response to the Gospel.
We are just regular people who responded to a call on our lives. We are submitted to the authority of Christ and to His will for this ministry. We exist for His glory and to serve His purposes as long as He would have us do so.
This is our story, and we pray that soon…. it may be your story too.
________________________________________________________________________________________
I have heard that the children here live in unfathomable conditions. They are strapped to beds, have little food, supervision, or basic needs met that you and I would consider to be "the norm."
This is a place that most, including myself, would never want to go! I'd like to turn my head, pretend this place doesn't exist, and go back to my merry little life in Missouri, AKA The land of the free and the home of the brave.
Yet, I found myself asking, almost pleading with God to take me there. Please let me go there! I MUST go there! Surely if even for only one day God....I could do something.......anything!?!?!?!
Today I have found out that we get to go to "M" while in Uganda. My heart nearly stopped beating as I read the email this morning. I know only He can give us our hearts desires.
I am humbled and blessed to be able to visit the children of "M" who have no mommies, no daddies, no shoes, no Veggie Tales movies, no lollipops.....NO NOTHING! NOTHING!
DO YOU HEAR ME>???????? They have NOTHING!! I could scream it from the roof tops when people say, "Well, I would give, do, adopt, do more.....but I just can't afford it!
Don't you get it?????????? God doesn't call the EQUIPPED!!! He EQUIPS the called!!
He provides! He gives! He does! How can we sit around and do N*O*T*H*I*N*G???????
We must DO......ACT.....GET INVOLVED......and save that one little starfish, because of all of us did something......ANYTHING, there would be no more children dying because of a mosquito bite.....and no more orphans.
My heart aches to do more, love more, see more.
I pray for God's hands to hold us........and guide us while we carry out His plans for His children.
I am so blessed to he chose lil ole me to be His hands and feet.
Wow'ed
Sixty Feet....go check it out! http://sixtyfeet.org/
Bambi
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