Kill Them With Kindness

   Fist thing in the morning we were preparing to go to town and buy things for the baby home that they were needing. Lisa and I stopped by Pastor Ruth's house first to see what her plan was for the day, then we were going to straight to town to purchase necessary items like, mops, buckets, clothes bins, etc. It took us a long time to get all the things we needed. By the time we got to Smile Africa it was around noon. Lisa and I unpacked all the items and started to organize the baby home a little more. In the back of my mind I was still really concerned about Bogere. I knew that these people could have easily kidnapped him from school. As we organized the babies things, I just prayed quietly.

   I looked out the window and saw children from Bogere's school coming back home to Smile Africa. I saw one child after another, but not MY child. 30 minutes had passed, every single child that was in Bogere's class had arrived, except for him. I got worried and went to tell Pastor Ruth. She told me that she was also watching for him and had grown nervous as well. We asked the other school children where he was and finally one little boy told us that he had gotten in trouble at school so the teacher made him sweep the classroom floor. I was so relieved.

   Even though my nerves had calmed down a lot, I was scared of what might happen to him if I am not around. Bogere's aunt and step-father can easily kidnap him from school any day, so we wanted to tread lightly with these people and be as kind as possible, so that they will cooperate with us. Not any easy thing to do, but we had no choice, we needed to "Kill Them With Kindness".

  Even though the little boy told me where Bogere was, I still wanted to make sure I saw him come through the gate with my own eyes. Instead of seeing Bogere come through the gate, I saw 2 other people…Bogere's aunt and step-father. My heart sunk to my feet. I ran and grabbed Pastor Ruth and we all sat down outside her office. I looked into that man's eyes, which used to make me fill with fear, but now it's like this "mama wolf" personality comes out. That man killed Bogere's mother, told me he wanted me dead, and threatened to kill Bogere 3 times, well 3 times that I know of for sure. 

   I am looking at this man wondering why he thinks that he can just kill people and get away with it. The God I serve says, "Vengeance is mine." So I will let God deal with him, and to be honest, God will hold this man to higher consequence than I ever could. So I find peace in that. I am looking at this man and I can tell by the way he is looking at me that he knows I know what he did. He knows I know the truth. I stare at him intensely until he looks away from me. I then look at the aunt…wait a second…I KNOW THIS LADY! Pastor Ruth is talking to them in Swahili, so I need to be quiet and let her speak, but my heart is pounding 100mph. I can feel myself getting hotter and hotter.

   THIS IS THE LADY WHO TRIED TO PUT ME IN JAIL! This was the lady who told the police that Bogere's step-father did NOT beat this woman to death, that actually I was the one who killed her. There was so much emotion running through me but you wouldn't have been able to tell. I sat perfectly still. Then I thought to myself, "You have got to be kidding me! They want me to give my children to a man that killed their mother, threatened to kill Bogere and myself, and to a lady who tried to put me behind bars for helping these children! This has got to be a sick joke!"

   Bogere's aunt is the sister to Bogere's mother, and she looks just like her. I could never understand why she would try to protect the man who killed her own sister, but there are a lot of things I will never understand. Just then I looked up and saw Bogere walking through the gate from school. I jumped out of my chair and ran to him. Bogere was smiling at me and I picked him and held him so close. I carried him back to my seat where the 2 family members were seated. Bogere is afraid of that man, and I don't blame him, so he sat on my lap and stayed close to me. I wanted him close to me so I could easily protect him.

   Bogere's aunt then asked that we build her home so she can take care of Bogere and his siblings, which we obviously said no. Then Bogere's step-father asked that we pay his rent for one month, which we again said no. We finally said good-bye to these people and told them that we would again speak with them on Monday. We were trying to be as nice as possible. Once they left I asked Pastor Ruth, "How can this lady claim that she is able to take care of these children and then in the same sentence ask us to build her home? If she was able to take care of them, she would not need our help." Ruth simply agreed with me, she too could not understand what they were thinking.

   We then had a staff meeting about how the dedication was supposed to go on Friday. We had a lot of things to organize and to plan. IF everything goes according to plan, the dedication will run smoothly and be a successful event. I am so excited for Friday! AND my dad comes on Friday!! 

   Finally the day was over and Lisa and I went back to our hotel. I had to take a quiz for school, which was due on the day of the dedication, so I wanted to complete it early. Once I finished the school work, I laid down in my bed, tucked in my mosquito net, and prayed…hard. Bogere has come such a long way. When I first took this boy under my wing, he was hurting other children, running away, ditching school, throwing stones at the teachers, cussing people out, beating his siblings with sticks, and he was only 6 years old.

   Now, this same boy LOVES people, prays over the food, and prays for people hurting. Bogere also helps his little siblings, including the babies that aren't really his sibling, like baby Caleb. Bogere tells people not to hurt other people and is becoming a great leader. I prayed that these people wouldn't take him and allow him to go back to his old behaviors. I am so proud of Bogere and how far he has come. I love my son. 

   

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.”