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
Saturday, April 9, 2011
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
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. We started making cheesecakes, cookies, cakes, and other baked goods in an effort to raise the $6,000 Kim and I need to travel to Uganda.
The amount of funds we needed to raise scared me.....ok, let's be honest, it engulfed me.
How could we do it? Where would the money come from? The list went on and on.
We posted on Facebook (yes FB, thanks for the FREE advertising)that we were selling baked goods. My inbox and wall lit up with people wanting to place their treat order.
We have now made over 60 cheesecakes, 12 dozen brownies, and too many cookies to even count.
Then, Nana (We LOVE you Nana!) said that she would make home-made girly dresses and give back all the payments received to our trip. The dress orders too, came flying in.......and in,,,,,,and in.... Oh Nana, what have you gotten yourself into?
Now, we are approximately $1,000 from reaching our $6,000 goal. I cannot even believe it!!!!
We have now made a new goal which is to raise more money than we need so that we can buy food and shoes for orphans while we're there. Many children in Uganda have never even owned a pair of shoes. Can you imagine? Take a look in your closet and count the number of pairs you have. I know I have way more than I need. Can you imagine NEVER having a single, solitary pair of shoes to wear??
Can we imagine sitting on the dirt floor, in a mud hut, eating the little amount of food we have, with our hands? No utensils are given.....no fancy place settings, not even a kitchen table to put those things on if they had them.
I'm sitting at my desk. I have a diet coke, a bag of twizzlers, and a slice of pizza in front of me. A candle is burning, vanilla spiced creme is the scent. It's warm here next to my heater. This is quite cozy.
Yet, half way around the world, the scene is different. In fact, it is the total opposite.
What if the lil guy above was yours??? Would you do everything in your power to save him??
I know I would.....I have been down that road three or four times, yes I counted correctly. So so hard it is to have your child half way across the world and another government, another piece of paper work says....JUST WAIT! Wait they say?? How does one do that??
Waiting is not something I'm good at, nor have I ever claimed to be. Not a good waiter to say the least.
And here I am again......waiting. We have 4 weeks until we leave for Uganda. I never thought I would be going to Africa......never! It's just so funny how we plan our lives and then God sets the stage for what He has planned for our lives.
And people call us crazy, ask why we're going to feed other countries when there are hungry people in America, they sometimes ridicule our crazy antics. I have heard so many times lately, "I could never do that!"
I promise, I am the farthest from what most would consider to be a strong person. Most days I whine just because I must remove the covers and get out of bed.
You could do it....................adopt...........mission work..............pray for God's forgotten treasures......Yep, I know you could.
I learned long ago that God does NOT call the equipped, He equips the called!!
Yep, Remember David and Goliath? As far as I remember, David wasn't a stout, muscley young man......but, God equipped him.
My heart has so many fears about going to Uganda.
I'm terrified of not being able to do enough. Two weeks really isn't that long at all. I often dream lately that I am being dragged onto a plane back to America. I don't want to leave and I keep saying, "But, my job isn't done yet.....I can't leave!"
What if that is truly what happens?
I have already contemplated how I could smuggle a few orphans back into the land of the free and the home of the brave.
No, I'm not kidding....how could I be? I truly have plotted out the whole scene.
Two babies or small children will fit in my large duffel bag. Everything goes off without a hitch until they put my duffel bag (orphans inside) through the x-ray machine. Cuz you know those dang machines would show bones!!!!UGHHHHHH! I haven't figured that part out yet and at this point, I'm even willing to show some cleavage if they let me bypass that machine with just a few of God's forgotten treasures.
Yes, Listen.....IN THE NAME OF JESUS........TO SAVE ORPHANS I would show cleavage!
Please pray for us as we grow closer to leaving on this adventure that God has planned for us.
We are so close to our goal.................and we pray we surpass that goal.
The other day Kim posted on her facebook wall: "God is so good and Merciful. He knows our needs before we need them and to see him fulfill them is such a Blessing. I am humbled." Oh how truthful is that statement!!
So happy you have decided to join us in this crazy thing we call life. Please continue to pray for us as we prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
Below is a map from Missouri to Kampala, Uganda. Not that far to travel right????
Many Blessings,
Bambi
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Below is a letter that I sent out as an invite to our auction and benefit dinner.
UGANDA MISSION’S TRIP BENEFIT DINNER/AUCTION
Who is Invited: You, your family, and anyone else that has a heart for Jesus,orphans, and the mission work that He asks us to do
What: BBQ dinner (pulled pork and smoked ribs) Silent Auction and Raffle, Family/Child Photography, Adult Game of Basketball (Get your game face on!), Worship Music, and GREAT times with new and old friends
When: Saturday, February 26th, 2011, 6 p.m.-whenever the fun stops
Where: Immanuel Lutheran School Gym
1500 Lipper
Higginsville, MO 64037
Why: My heart aches for a people I have never met, thousands of miles away. I do not understand God’s plans, nor am I meant to. I do know, however, that He told me to trust in Him and go where He leads me.
Myself, my sister, and 20 other women from around the world are traveling to Uganda from April 4th-16th, 2011. We will be working with the African Hearts Ministry that bring children off of the streets to feed and clothe them. Yes, these children are living on the streets, even as young as age 2 or 3. These children have no one to care for them as their parents and loved ones have all died from the AIDS epidemic, starvation, and poverty. If you gave them a bar of soap to shower with, they would sell it to buy food.
Imagine having no shoes, no food, and, no Mom or Dad to tell you everything is going to be all right. This IS their reality.!This IS every day for them! This IS their life!
We will also be working with a feeding program in Ssenge Village in Uganda to feed handicapped people of all ages. These people drag themselves (literally) from miles away just to have the chance to receive a free meal.
This is where our journey begins and I hope you follow where God has lead us. I have a blog that I have and will continue to journal my adventures, including pictures. The web address is http://3trucksand2hairbows.blogspot.com/. OVER for 2nd page -------->
I ask that you please RSVP as soon as possible to Bambi at heart1054@hotmail.com or by calling me at (816) 565-0867. We want to ensure we have plenty of food and that everyone gets a full belly.
Below is a list of SOME of the items that will be in our silent auction and raffle.
We will be having many “themed” baskets in the silent auction. Here are a few samples to give you an idea of what we will be featuring.
Family basket: family themed DVD, popcorn, 2 kinds of candy, 2 Large pizzas from Pizza Hut
Girly Basket: Hairbows, Dress up attire, nail polish, make-up, and silly bands
Boy Basket: boy’s house slippers, bag of army men, kite, sour candy, $10 Sonic Gift Card
Pampered Chef Basket: This one is full of goodies but you have to come to find out what this basket holds! We can’t give all our secrets away!
Movie Night Basket 4 movie passes to the Lexington Cannonball 6 theater, popcorn, Nerds ropes, Twizzlers, and a 6 pack of soda
Date Night Basket: Dinner for two at Las Carrates (Lexington or Higginsville), Bottle of wine (Shipped in from a donator in Italy, NO FOOLIN!), home-made dessert, FREE childcare for the evening (at Bambi’shouse, 12000 Hwy O, Lexington)
Cookies & Milk Party Basket: 6 dozen assorted, home-made cookies and 1 gallon of milk (stored in the frig while you have dinner and shop)
Also, we will be auctioning: Gourmet Cheesecakes, home-made cookies, Dinner for 4 at McDonalds, hand-made frilly tu-tus, 5-6 course meal at the home of Barry Pruitt in Blue Springs, Missouri, OOEY GOOEY Chocolate gift cert.and MUCH, MUCH more!!
We hope to see you there!
Bambi Rockhold and Kim Hughes
(address for donations if you are unable to attend) PO Box 234, Lexington, MO 64067
my cell (816) 565-0867
UGANDA MISSION’S TRIP BENEFIT DINNER/AUCTION
Who is Invited: You, your family, and anyone else that has a heart for Jesus,orphans, and the mission work that He asks us to do
What: BBQ dinner (pulled pork and smoked ribs) Silent Auction and Raffle, Family/Child Photography, Adult Game of Basketball (Get your game face on!), Worship Music, and GREAT times with new and old friends
When: Saturday, February 26th, 2011, 6 p.m.-whenever the fun stops
Where: Immanuel Lutheran School Gym
1500 Lipper
Higginsville, MO 64037
Why: My heart aches for a people I have never met, thousands of miles away. I do not understand God’s plans, nor am I meant to. I do know, however, that He told me to trust in Him and go where He leads me.
Myself, my sister, and 20 other women from around the world are traveling to Uganda from April 4th-16th, 2011. We will be working with the African Hearts Ministry that bring children off of the streets to feed and clothe them. Yes, these children are living on the streets, even as young as age 2 or 3. These children have no one to care for them as their parents and loved ones have all died from the AIDS epidemic, starvation, and poverty. If you gave them a bar of soap to shower with, they would sell it to buy food.
Imagine having no shoes, no food, and, no Mom or Dad to tell you everything is going to be all right. This IS their reality.!This IS every day for them! This IS their life!
We will also be working with a feeding program in Ssenge Village in Uganda to feed handicapped people of all ages. These people drag themselves (literally) from miles away just to have the chance to receive a free meal.
This is where our journey begins and I hope you follow where God has lead us. I have a blog that I have and will continue to journal my adventures, including pictures. The web address is http://3trucksand2hairbows.blogspot.com/. OVER for 2nd page -------->
I ask that you please RSVP as soon as possible to Bambi at heart1054@hotmail.com or by calling me at (816) 565-0867. We want to ensure we have plenty of food and that everyone gets a full belly.
Below is a list of SOME of the items that will be in our silent auction and raffle.
We will be having many “themed” baskets in the silent auction. Here are a few samples to give you an idea of what we will be featuring.
Family basket: family themed DVD, popcorn, 2 kinds of candy, 2 Large pizzas from Pizza Hut
Girly Basket: Hairbows, Dress up attire, nail polish, make-up, and silly bands
Boy Basket: boy’s house slippers, bag of army men, kite, sour candy, $10 Sonic Gift Card
Pampered Chef Basket: This one is full of goodies but you have to come to find out what this basket holds! We can’t give all our secrets away!
Movie Night Basket 4 movie passes to the Lexington Cannonball 6 theater, popcorn, Nerds ropes, Twizzlers, and a 6 pack of soda
Date Night Basket: Dinner for two at Las Carrates (Lexington or Higginsville), Bottle of wine (Shipped in from a donator in Italy, NO FOOLIN!), home-made dessert, FREE childcare for the evening (at Bambi’shouse, 12000 Hwy O, Lexington)
Cookies & Milk Party Basket: 6 dozen assorted, home-made cookies and 1 gallon of milk (stored in the frig while you have dinner and shop)
Also, we will be auctioning: Gourmet Cheesecakes, home-made cookies, Dinner for 4 at McDonalds, hand-made frilly tu-tus, 5-6 course meal at the home of Barry Pruitt in Blue Springs, Missouri, OOEY GOOEY Chocolate gift cert.and MUCH, MUCH more!!
We hope to see you there!
Bambi Rockhold and Kim Hughes
(address for donations if you are unable to attend) PO Box 234, Lexington, MO 64067
my cell (816) 565-0867
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Oodles of sugar
I can even begin to explain what our God has done to help us raise the needed funds to get to Uganda and love on those beautiful orphans.
Recently, many things have changed regarding the Uganda trip including, My sister (who is now going to Uganda too) WOOT WOOT, a change of hearts for the people that we needed to support this mission,(which we needed BIG time) and the Faith that we now have knowing that God IS going to get us to Uganda.
I wholeheartedly believe that if God asks you to do something, He will help you get there. Didn't say it would be an easy task!! OH BABY NO I I didn't! But, He will get us there.
So, we have started making gourmet cheesecakes, cookies, and cakes to help raise the funds needed.
We are also hosting a benefit dinner/auction on February 26th at 6 pm in the Immanuel Lutheran School Gym to raise some funds needed for travel.
ANY...................DONATION...................Will get you a fabulous BBQ meal and a wonderfully fun evening.
WILL YOU BE THERE???? Please email me at heart1054@hotmail.com to RSVP! We want to make sure we have plenty of food to feed everyone!!
So, here we are.....6 weeks to raise a total of $6,000!!
We are praying BIG time for a BIG turnout at our dinner and auction and many many COOKIE ORDERS!!
Let me know if you would like to place your order today!!
Many Blessings,
Bambi
Recently, many things have changed regarding the Uganda trip including, My sister (who is now going to Uganda too) WOOT WOOT, a change of hearts for the people that we needed to support this mission,(which we needed BIG time) and the Faith that we now have knowing that God IS going to get us to Uganda.
I wholeheartedly believe that if God asks you to do something, He will help you get there. Didn't say it would be an easy task!! OH BABY NO I I didn't! But, He will get us there.
So, we have started making gourmet cheesecakes, cookies, and cakes to help raise the funds needed.
We are also hosting a benefit dinner/auction on February 26th at 6 pm in the Immanuel Lutheran School Gym to raise some funds needed for travel.
ANY...................DONATION...................Will get you a fabulous BBQ meal and a wonderfully fun evening.
WILL YOU BE THERE???? Please email me at heart1054@hotmail.com to RSVP! We want to make sure we have plenty of food to feed everyone!!
So, here we are.....6 weeks to raise a total of $6,000!!
We are praying BIG time for a BIG turnout at our dinner and auction and many many COOKIE ORDERS!!
Let me know if you would like to place your order today!!
Many Blessings,
Bambi
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