WHAT??

So although, many people speak English here, the words and meanings are not always the same.

Here's a challenge for you, I will give you a word or a phrase and you comment on what you think the italicized words mean. Let's see how close you can get.

1. One of the maintenance men came to me the other day and asked for spa glue.
2. One of the boys came to the door and told me that my bowel was on the table.
3. Some of the big kids asked if they could borrow some fla.
4. One of the big boys said he wanted a new jumper.
   
5. The four suits in card games are di, supa, flower, and mutima. Which one is which?

Good Luck! We will post the answers in a few days! Enjoy!

Being still

Last week, in the middle of making sure there were enough egg salad sandwiches for the medical team's lunch and counting necklaces which the house moms had made to sell, I was stopped by a fellow missionary, Adam, who came to tell me about a new baby girl. He had been at the local hospital and the staff told him of a baby girl possibly only a day old who had been treated there and then taken to the local police station. She had been found in an abandoned hut. The staff asked Adam if he thought we could take her, so he dropped by to tell me about her.

Wow, my mind began racing. When a problem comes to my attention, many times my mind goes into full throttle to figure out what I can do to fix the problem. My mind indeed did this very thing when I found out about this little girl. Where could we put her? The house we have our babies in is full to capacity. Mark and I just can't take on another responsibility and have her in our home. Claudia, our fellow missionary who has a major heart for babies, already has two in her home along with 5 other children. The thoughts went on. My problem is that as I try to figure out a situation I get stressed feeling more and more responsible for coming up with a solution for the dilemma at hand. Then I get even more stressed about little issues--like egg salad sandwiches (oh dear, we need to get those down to the office for lunch!) and necklaces (wait! I lost count!). I felt myself getting stressed.

Fortunately for once, I stopped! I walked into my room and laid flat on my back on my bed and I stopped. I waited and I talked to God. I was still. And as I laid there still, I was reminded of God's love, promises and names. He loves me, He loves that little girl and He shall supply all her needs! He is the God who created her; He is the God who sees her--He saw her abandoned in the hut before anyone else saw her. He is omniscient and sovereign and knows all things about her life and is in control of her life.

Then once I was still enough to know who He is and to listen, I was reminded of the system in Uganda and how it works. She is now at the police station and they will contact probation who will then contact one of the orphanages it works with. That orphanage may be us or it could be someone else.

"Oh, Lord!" I prayed, "You know that little girl and you know what is best for her. You know that if GSF is the best place for her then you will provide and show us where to put her. "

It was like God reminded me in that moment, "I will give grace and wisdom when it is needed." Not sooner or later.

I then got up and knew that in that moment it was time to focus on egg salad sandwiches and God was so totally in control of that little girl's life, I need not worry about it.

We have not heard anymore about that little girl but I have complete peace and know that God knows exactly where she is and the number of hairs on her head.

A little laughter

Here’s a little story just to remind you that kids are kids everywhere - they just have different ways to express themselves:

 

Mark and I were out with some of the little girls on our back veranda today when one of them lost a bead from her new earring she had just received for her birthday.  So we all began looking in the dirt next to the veranda.  Imagine a bunch of little girls leaning over with little bottoms in the air, and then all of a sudden one jumps back quickly and says, “Aye, someone brought pressure!”  Yep, soon some of the others were holding noses and it was obvious someone had “gassed” (the term they normally use).  And just like anywhere else in the world, there were snickers, accusations and denials.  And Mark and I are still laughing tonight about the term “brought pressure.”

Because I called you!

We have had a medical team here this week and it has been incredible but pretty crazy. Okay, life here is always pretty crazy! So Friday, wasn't any different. Mark was going out the door at 8:30 to go up to the guesthouse to see the team and take some groceries and other supplies up there. "Wait, I'll go with you!" I called, eager to get a few minutes with my man. (Those of you who have been here you know well that the drive from our house to the guesthouse is about 30 seconds to a minute long. But I will take anytime I can get especially when a team is here).

We went up to the guesthouse where the team was praying. I heard one pray, "and Lord, be near to the missionaries and help them. They are here all the time and deal with these situations and problems all the time." I didn't think much about it at the time but tucked it away in my mind.

We unloaded everything and then went up to the chapel where the clinic is being held to drop off more things. As we walked into the chapel, I noticed the line of people already waiting to be seen. Our matron, Juliana, pointed out a few who had come back for a re-check and explained their situations. I was reminded of a little girl who had broken her leg several weeks ago and was just seen the day before for the first time for the injury. We sent her to the nearby hospital only to be told there was no one to do an x-ray; now the mother has refused to go anywhere else. There were others in the clinic that morning - ones who had babies with high fevers, elderly who had walked several miles with no shoes, young widows with many children and so many others. I finally left feeling a little helpless and overwhelmed.

On my walk home, I was met by two of our helpers in the toddlers’ house to tell me that our newest little boy was having problems again. Sweet little boy was found abandoned several weeks ago and had a medical problem which is going to eventually require surgery. After talking with these ladies, it seemed we were going to have to do something immediately. I sent them both on errands and then turned back around to go talk to Mark and the visiting doctor about what to do.

As I walked back to the clinic discouraged and overwhelmed, my mind came back to the prayer my visiting friend prayed for me and my fellow missionaries. I thought about how inadequate I am to be here. And I honestly, thought to myself God why, am I here? Why am I one of the ones who are to stay here? I really was expecting to be reminded of all the great things done here or of all the smiles and hugs I get all day and to be told it is all worth it. But God said in His still small voice Because I called you! There is no other reason needed! God told our family not in an audible voice but through many confirmations, open doors and burdened hearts to be here and that is why I am here. It is not because of anything I am; as I said before I am very inadequate. It is not because I am content or enjoy being here because there are days I don’t. It is because God called Mark and I and our family to come that is why we are here. It is not about us but about God and His Glory.

So as I walked through the day, I walked knowing my God had called me, loves me and is in control of my life. He loves this new little boy who was able to wait for a few more days and may be having surgery on Wednesday. He loves the many people in the clinic who were seen and helped. He is a great and awesome God and He calls!

Gloria and Esther

Thank you for your prayers for Gloria. She is home and doing better.

During church, we have a time of testimony. The kids can get up and praise God for whatever is on their heart. Some of the kids will get up and say “I thank God for my life.” Others will thank God for doing well in school or other things. One testimony stuck out to me this week and that was of little Esther age 8. Esther is in Gloria’s house and has also seemed to enjoy taking care of her. Esther got up and with her beautiful smile lighting up the room she said, “I thank God, Gloria got home from the hospital.” As I glanced over at Gloria in her wheelchair, I thought how blessed we are! So on behalf of Gloria and Esther, I say thank you for praying!

We are currently looking for a new housemom for Gloria and Esther’s house and would ask for the right mom for that house. It is not an easy task to be a mom to eight girls and especially when one has so many needs as Gloria. But Gloria and Esther and the other 6 need a mother who will love them.

prayer for Gloria

We are reminded how precious life is and how God has created each life for His glory. We are especially reminded of this with our special needs kids. He teaches us so much through their lives. One of those precious lives is Gloria. We do not know much about her past but in her present state she cannot walk but gets along pretty well crawling and scooting. She also doesn’t talk. The last few months have been rough on Gloria as she has had chicken pox and typhoid. She also has been in the hospital several times for other reasons. I got word yesterday that she was throwing up and very weak again. We put her in the hospital again and are waiting for results. Would you please pray for Gloria, for her future, and for wisdom in how to take care of her? Would you also thank God for her life and what He can teach all of us through her and others like her?

A Mighty Weak Effort

The trouble began when our sound system burnt up some internal wiring a week ago.  The sound board was sent to town on Monday so that it would be repaired by the time of our Good Friday outreach to the village of Buvunia.  On Friday, we were given the bad news that the system would not be ready for a few more days, so we prayed about an alternate solution.  With a 15-person youth team in country, we were planning to show the Passion of The Christ movie in Luganda to this village in the evening and it wouldn’t be possible without the sound board.  I sent a text message to a few friends in Jinja at 2 p.m. to see if anyone had a system we could borrow.  Some fellow Global Outreach missionaries responded and our visiting team picked it up from them after finishing some other outreach events in town.

Departure plans were delayed by various circumstances, so we left GSF at 7:15 p.m. when it was already getting dark.  It has been raining hard in recent days and, knowing the road to Buvunia is already rough, I was fearful of driving our open-air truck loaded with 20 people and all the sound equipment in the back.  Prayers and praises were offered up before departure and as we rocked and rolled along the dark path to the village.  At one point everyone in the back got out and walked because we were near the village and they felt safer on the ground compared to being thrown around in the back due to the severely rutted road.

Once on site in Buvunia the setup began in earnest.  A sheet is hung on the side of the truck to produce a screen.  The generator is hauled out back so the roar doesn’t disrupt the movie too much.  Rustic wires are plugged in all around.  Prayers were offered up asking God to hold off the rains as it was already starting to sprinkle.  Then we discovered that something was jammed into the 220-volt power outlet for our converter/regulator box.  We couldn’t go on without it.  Someone proceeded to open the voltage box, and rig up a way to plug in the cord inside the box (don’t ask me how this worked – and I’m sure the whole contraption violated several safety regulations in the USA to say the least).  Then the microphone cords were shorting out, but we managed a quick announcement of the movie and proceeded to start it at 8:30 p.m.

Though there are many distractions in such a setting, the film went on well and maybe 200-300 people gathered, gripped by the intensity of the show, which is a novelty itself in the first place.  The flogging and crucifixion scenes are extremely intense.  The stars above are brilliant when there is no other electricity around to drown them out – it makes for an awesome movie house.  At the end we invited people to Jesus, recognizing the price He paid for our sins, and routed them to local pastors/churches in their village area.

Afterward we loaded up the truck and van once again to head home at about 10:45 p.m.  Putting on the headlights, I noticed they were very dim.  Sure enough, the truck battery was dead and not giving the slightest hint of starting.  Our GSF teens knew what to do, but I think the American youth were confused about push-starting a vehicle.  The dirt path is fairly level, but there was nowhere to slope down to get good enough speed to start the truck.  Forward once; everyone turn around and try it in reverse.  People from the village joined in the fun, but it was nerve-wracking for me as the driver because there were so many people around; it was very dark and everyone is right on the vehicle trying to push.  I cringed at the thought of running over someone in the scene.  All forward once again and the push start finally worked!  Everyone loaded up and we headed back up the muddy road toward home.  About half way our van, following me, began filling with smoke from the engine.  Not knowing the problem, all the girls loaded into the truck and a few guys remained with the van.  We went on home to GSF, planning to return for the van and the rest of the group.  Fortunately, the van started and they met us at home before we went back.  The dashboard lights wouldn’t go off and we had to unhook the battery to get it to shut off completely.  About 30 minutes later, nearing midnight, we were deluged by another wonderful African thunderstorm.

Weakness.  Dilapidated vehicles.  Failing sound equipment.  Poor roads.  Rainy weather.  I told the team today, “Our best efforts were absolutely pathetic.”    In our weakness…

Strength.  We arrived safely.  The video went on.  The crowd gathered and watched intensely.  The rains held off.  God’s effort overrides ours.  …He is strong!

The whole program and the results are entirely, utterly, absolutely dependent upon the Lord, The Almighty Everlasting God.