Please,Don't Take My Son

   Even though I am working hard here in Tororo, I am still working hard to graduate college next year. I am currently taking 2 online classes and the due dates for quizzes, forums, etc. are starting to approach. I decided that this morning I would spend time working on some homework assignments so that I can meet all the deadlines that are coming up. As soon as I finished some work then Lisa and I went to Smile Africa to pick up Caleb and baby John.

   Caleb had a little heat rash on his neck and arms so I wanted to take him to get good soap for his skin and some good cream. After we picked up the babies, we went back to the hotel so I could bathe Caleb and give him a bath with the good soap for his skin. Caleb insisted on bathing himself also. He would take the cup of water and pour it on his head and burst into laughter. It was the cutest thing ever! I spent the first part of my day with Caleb. After I bathed him, I got him lunch and put on “The Lion King” for him as I finished some more of my school work.

   Just as we are getting ready to leave to head back to Smile Africa, I get a phone call saying that I should come to Smile Africa right away. I was told it was urgent. I quickly packed up my things, including Caleb, jumped on a boda (a motorcycle taxi) and went to Smile Africa. The whole ride over I was nervous about what was going on that was so urgent. The only thing I could think of was my son, Bogere. I was worried that something had happened to him. I was praying the whole way as we were driving. I just prayed that nothing had happened to my boy.

   As soon as we arrived I ran to the office to see what was going. There was a group of people sitting down around the office. Pastor Ruth then told me that there was a lady, who is claiming to be Bogere’s aunt, that wants to take Bogere and his 2 younger siblings back to her home in Mbale, which is a few hours away. When I was told this, my heart sank to my feet. My first thought was “No, no. You can’t take them.” Then I also found out that this lady came with very man who killed Bogere’s mother.

   My first reaction was fear. I was afraid that this was some plan to hurt these children. After all, this man had threatened to kill Bogere a few times. I wanted to cry, but I did not. Pastor Ruth did the right thing and sent these people to the police to discuss what they wanted to do. That way they will first need permission from the police before they take away my children.

   I am a little scared, a little worried, and a little sad, but I am trusting God with the life of His sweet children…even if it’s hard.

“Thank you Jesus for all that you do. I know that no matter what, you are in control. My heart is heavy, but Your plan is better than I could ever even imagine for these children. I pray that you protect them and keep them safe. Thank you for your unfailing promise. I love you and I trust you. Amen”

If You Build It, They Will Come

   Today was such a long day. There was so much to get done in the baby home so that we are ready for the big celebration on Friday. Today is the day we moved everything from the small baby room to the new, City of Lights Baby Home. We began by cleaning the floors and the windows of the new home. I got so much help from the nannies, it was such a blessing. Then we began to move the beds from the small room to the new home. I was getting so excited as we began to fill the rooms with beds for the babies. Once the beds were in place, we took the dresser from the small room to the baby home. The children were all so excited about what we were doing, they insisted on helping us! It was so sweet.

   Once the dressers were in place, we needed to dress the beds and sort all the baby clothes. The clothes had gotten mixed between the babies, but it is important that they remain specific for each baby just in case one baby gets sick, they are not sharing the germs. We sorted through all the clothes, replaced the ones that were torn, and organized them in specific buckets with each babies name on it. Things are really starting to come together and I am getting more and more excited. 

   As we were organizing, we brought the babies to the new room so they could get acquainted with the new space. There was one baby in particular, Baby Peter, who was not so thrilled about the new environment quite yet, so he cried and cried, which then set off every other alarm, I mean baby, in the room. It was quite the scene. We were trying to calm them all down quickly. We couldn't carry them all because we had a lot of work to do, so we tried to call them down without carrying them. Then finally I gave in and picked up the carrying instigator, Peter, tied him to my back and continued working around the home. Once Peter stopped crying, everyone else stopped crying. 

   Finally, the rooms were getting more organized. My heart was getting more and more excited as the rooms started to fill up. We started out with 10 babies…now in just one day, we have 24 babies/toddlers in this babies home. It has grown significantly. I am so grateful that God has entrusted me with His precious children. 

"Thank you Jesus for trusting me with Your babies! I pray that you will continue to watch over these children. For each child that you bring to us, I pray that you provide abundantly for them! I pray that this week will run smoothly as we set up this beautiful home. I love you! Amen."

  

Sunday Smiles

   Today was a great day! We started off the day going to Smile Africa. The children have a church service there, so I went and participated in the service. It was so much fun! The music was amazing. I loved seeing all the children of Smile Africa singing and dancing before Jesus. All of the children sat and listened carefully to the speaker as he spoke. The first speaker of the day was a boy who actually lives at Smile Africa. I loved watching God’s miracles at work. When Smile Africa had first taken in this young boy, one might never have thought that he would be a pastor. Today we were watching as this young man spoke about Jesus and taught the other children.

    Once this young man had finished speaking we had another lady come speak as well. The both of them did a great job. I loved watching as these children are following God’s purpose for their lives. My favorite part of the service is, by far, the music. I love how lively the music is and how much they dance. I cannot help but smile as they are dancing for Jesus.

    Once we finished the service, Lisa and I took 2 babies to Pastor Ruth’s home. Baby John, who is only 7 months old, but has the body of a 3 month old due to severe malnourishment, was one of the babies that we took with us. And Baby Faith, who is only 6 weeks old. Sadly, her mother died soon after giving birth and her father cannot afford to care for this little baby girl at this time. So City of Lights agreed to take this baby and help keep her healthy. I have fallen in love with this little girl.

   Once we arrived at Pastor Ruth’s home we just took care of the babies and planned the activities for the next week and the plan for the baby home opening. It was a day of planning so we can make sure we spend our short time wisely.

   After planning the event, I met with a young girl who is pregnant for the second time by the same boy as the first pregnancy. Both of the parents do not work and the mother lives in terrible conditions. Pastor Ruth had asked me to talk with her and counsel her. I do not want to see her keep getting pregnant and not have any way of taking care of her children. I was nervous for the life of this baby that is on the way. I spoke with her and encouraged her. I think I said everything I could possibly say. All I can do now is pray for her and the life of those beautiful babies.

Tomorrow is Monday and this is the week of the opening of City of Lights Baby Home!!! There is so much to get done in the short time that we have, but I am so excited!

“Thank you Jesus for EVERYTHING! Thank you for allowing me to speak into people’s lives. I know I am not perfect, so thank you for trusting me anyway. I pray that you will continue to provide everything we need to make this babies home flourish. I love you! Amen.”

Have a Little Faith

   At the start of day today I was working on a budget and dealing with financial matters for the babies and for City of Lights Baby Home. Pastor Ruth and I were able to discuss, in detail, all of things that the baby home would need in order to run smoothly. It was a really good discussion and it really made things clear for me on how things were going with the babies here already.

   After Pastor Ruth and I talked, Lisa and I walked down to Smile Africa to see the children. As we were walking, worry began to fill my mind. I was wondering how we were going to pay for all of these babies and help them have the best life possible. I let my mind wonder and I forgot about the most important reason that we are doing what we are doing…Jesus. Jesus is the one who put this desire to build a baby home in my heart, it is not my home, it belongs to Jesus, He will make sure that His children are taken care of.

   Right then, as we were walking to Smile Africa, I prayed that God would see HIS baby home flourish, like I know it is supposed to. As I was walking, there was a verse that clearly spoke to my heart. Ephesians 3:20-21 (The Message Version) “God can do anything, you know- far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” God put this dream in my heart, it was His plan all along, I just listened and got to be His hands and feet at the right moment.

   Once I arrived at Smile Africa, I looked at City of Lights Baby Home and my breath was taken away. I was so overwhelmed at what had already been accomplished here. I starred at the home that would soon be home to a lot of abandoned and abused babies. I quietly thanked God for all He has done for His children. As I looked at the baby home the clouds parted a little bit and the sun shined brightly on City of Lights Baby Home. I smiled at the beautiful sight before my eyes.

   We then took Bogere, Betty and Caleb to the hotel for a little movie day. It was good to spend some quality time with the children. I put on the movie “Lion King 2”. The kids loved it! They laughed and laughed and we all had wonderful time together.

   Tomorrow is our church service and Betty is one of the praise and worship leaders. I am so excited to see my sweet Betty singing and dancing at church. It is going to be a wonderful day tomorrow. J

“Thank you Jesus for reminding me who is in control. Thank you for loving me and trusting me to be Your hands and feet. I pray that you will continue to provide for Your beautiful children. We love you! Amen”

Hit the Ground Running

   We had a very long day to say the least! When I said that we were going to hit the ground running, I was not joking. As soon as we woke up we went straight to the police station, a place I know well. There was a very sad situation that we needed to attend to. A 16-year-old girl, that I know, was being detained for questioning because her 2-month-old son had been strangled to death. Pastor Ruth, Lisa Ibarra and I went down to the police station to find out the truth of what happened to this baby boy. After many hours at the police station we were told that we needed to go to the hospital to get specific paper work in order so that we could have a proper burial for the baby. We had gone back and forth from the police station to the hospital a few times and finally got everything in order.  We still do not have a 100% truthful answer on what happened to this baby, but I trust that God will reveal the truth.

   While we were waiting for the documents from the hospital regarding the baby, we went to town to buy mattresses for the new baby home and food for the grand opening. Then finally we went to Smile Africa. I had not yet seen Bogere, Caleb or Betty, so I was really looking forward to seeing them, especially after a morning like we had. Once I arrived at Smile, Bogere was the first one to greet me. Bogere came running to the van and I jumped out and picked him up and held him close. I was so happy to have him in my arms again. It had been way too long since I had seen him. As I am carrying him, Betty comes running up behind me. As soon as I turn around, Betty jumps in my arms! It was so great to be with my kids again.

   I then found baby Caleb and picked him up and took him with us to open up presents that I had brought for them. They loved all of their new clothes and toys. I was so happy to be reunited with these children again and see them smiling and laughing. Lisa and I were then able to sort through the baby clothes that were so generously donated to these babies. It was so much fun to give all the babies new outfits.

   After we spent a few hours at Smile Africa, we got a phone call from the doctors saying that the documents for the deceased baby were ready. Mama Ruth, Lisa and I went to the town and purchased a tiny coffin and drove to the burial site. My heart broke into a million pieces as the men and women wailed and cried for the life of this baby boy. I saw his tiny body being placed in the coffin and my heart ached. Pastor Ruth said a prayer and we buried him. It was a terrible, devastating moment. I find comfort knowing that this sweet baby boy is now safe with Jesus. The ride back home was a very silent one. No one really had any words to say.

   This was just day 1 of a 2 week journey. I know that I am right where I belong. This is where I am supposed to be, back in the red dirt of Tororo, Uganda. I am so excited for all that God has in store for me this trip.

“Thank you Jesus for your unfailing love. Thank you for loving us unconditionally, no matter our mistakes. I pray Jesus that you will send your peace to the family of your baby boy. I pray that you will continue to make me strong through this trip. I pray that you will continue to use me to be your hands and feet. Thank you for this opportunity to be in Tororo and love on all your children. I love you. Amen.”

Back in the BRIGHT RED DIRT

     After WAY too long…I am finally back in the RED DIRT of Uganda. The flight is never really that bad for me. Although it is usually around a 40-hour journey from Los Angeles, California to Tororo, Uganda, I never really mind it. I have never had any issues sleeping on planes, but the flight from Washington to Ethiopia was…ummm…something special. As my friend Lisa Ibarra and I got into our seats we just started chatting about all the excitement that was ahead of us. While everyone was boarding I paid no attention to the people who were sitting around us. Then I looked around and realized…we were in the “family” section of the plan. Directly in front of us was an Ethiopian family with 7 children all under the age of 11 years old. Directly in front of them was a family with a new born baby and directly to our left was a family with 2 children under the age of 3 years old. I looked around the plane and came to the sad conclusions that neither Lisa nor myself were going to get much sleep on this 12-hour plane ride. We both looked at each other and just laughed at the chaos that surrounded us. What else were we going to do?

   Finally after 12 hours of children screaming, laughing, arguing, and occasionally singing a Taylor Swift song...out loud, we made it to Ethiopia. It was an interesting journey to say the least. Then after a short plane right to Entebbe Airport, I was finally reunited with Pastor Ruth. It was so good to be with her again.

                                        

    We got our bags, walked to the van and prepared for our 5-hour drive from Entebbe to Tororo. While in the car, Pastor Ruth told me many stories and challenges that faced us in these next few weeks. Within hours we laughed, worried, prayed, and encouraged each other.

   We finally arrived home and I got see all of Pastor Ruth’s children, which to me, are my brother’s and sister’s. We have so much fun when we are together. We had dinner and laughed and caught up on each other’s lives. Mama Ruth and I discussed the agenda for the next day, and it is going to be long, but GREAT day! I hit the ground running. I am so excited for all that God has in store for me this trip and I CANNOT WAIT to see my kids tomorrow at Smile Africa.

“Thank you Jesus for protecting us as we traveled around the world. Thank you for getting us to Tororo safely. I pray that you will continue to protect us as we are here. I pray God that you will give me YOUR eyes and YOUR heart while I am here. Help me continue to take leaps of faith and trust in You. We love you. Amen”

Strength for the Broken Hearted

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:29-31

   This verse has gotten me through a lot of hard times…these past couple weeks in particular. One of my closest friends lost her father last week. This man was amazing. He was at every basketball game, every volleyball game, and every choir concert. As me and my friend Christy grew up together, her father was like another father to me, always supportive and always believing the best in his children and those he cared about. His death was so sudden, it rocked everyone.

   My heart breaks to see my friend going through this. While trying to comfort my friend, my world was also rocked. My mom called to let me know that grandpa went to be with Jesus. I was devastated when I heard the news. My grandpa, "Pop", was one of the most amazing men I know. It's still hard to believe that he is gone.

( I'm the one in the yellow and my cousin Mallory is the baby! )

   In the midst of all the heart ache and devastation that is going on, it can be really hard to find strength and peace. When people die earlier than we think they are supposed to, often times people blame God and they ask "Why?!". To be honest, I don't know why, but I do know that God is a loving God and He is STRONG. When you need strength and peace to get through a situation, you can call on the God of the universe and He will give it to you abundantly.

   I was so overwhelmed and stressed out this week that I did not take a minute to be alone with Jesus. I told myself that I had too many things to do and I would do it later, then later turned into days, then 2 weeks. I found myself getting more and more frustrated and overwhelmed. I was not feeling better, in fact, I was feeling worse. The stresses of life and the heart ache that I was going through was getting too much for me to do alone, but I wouldn't admit it to myself or to God. Then one morning while driving to school I played worship music in the car. I let the Holy Spirit speak into my heart. I broke down crying and just let Jesus fill my heart with his love and peace. It was just what I needed. I finally had the moment with Jesus that I had been needing.

   When I finally couldn't take it anymore, I let God into my heart and He brought peace and strength in that moment. After my time with Jesus I felt I had the strength to get through this situation I was in and help my friends and family with their hurts as well. "God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1. There is no need to go through things alone, God will give you EVERYTHING you need to overcome the challenge.

   People have told me that the second most important decision of your life, after the decision to follow Jesus, is the decision of who you marry because that person will affect EVERYTHING in your life.  After having a couple weeks like the ones I've had, I can honestly say that I married a wonderful man and he is the best decision I ever made. We have only been married for 3 weeks and he has helped me through all of these hard situations. My husband has gone above and beyond for me, loving me, comforting me, and praying for me. He has been such an amazing support to me and the whole family during this time and I cannot imagine doing life without him.

   My friend Christy's mother was married to her husband for 36 years. Just a couple days after her husband died she told me this, "Paris, there were times during my marriage where I was convinced I married the wrong man, but instead of leaving I stayed and persevered. I know now that I married the right man, make sure you tell your husband that you are confident in your decision to marry him and that he is the perfect man for you." I will listen to that advise. Life is so short, if you love someone, tell them.

   My grandma was married to my grandpa for 50+ years. She loved him, supported him, cared for him, and encouraged him through every good time and bad. That woman is one of the few people I know who actually take their vows seriously. My grandma loved my grandpa through everything and she stayed by his side no matter. I am so proud of my grandma, she is such a strong woman. She has been such a great example of how a wife should love her husband. I have learned and will continue to learn a lot from her example.

"Thank you Jesus for your strength and your peace. Thank you for loving me and protecting me. I pray that you will overwhelm my friends and family with your peace and strength. Please be with us through  every step of the way. I love you. Amen."