Feeding the Neighbors ...who exactly is your neighbor?

Good Morning Sweet Friends,

Hope the beginning of this Christmas season is finds you well and remembering what Christmas is truly about. Yesterday I went to the school down the road that Sarah and David are trying to supply food to. (This was the school I wrote about before I left this time and asked if any of you would want to help). Now that I have walked on the soil and entered into the dung walled classrooms, I have a better idea of what is going on over there and the needs they have. So, for those of you who expressed interest in helping, this letter is for you.

First, let me add words to the attached pictures of this school.  This is a government funded school, which for them basically means the government pays the salaries of the few teachers that are there. Other than that, they have tried to raise funds to build buildings and buy desks and chairs (which you can see from the pictures is not that successful). Most families with money will send their kids to boarding schools, so government schools are filled with the poorest of the poor families. Sarah and I walked the campus: stones laid on top of each other with dung stuffed between the rocks to hold them in place, most of the classrooms had no chairs or desks. The teacher escorting us told us the kids sit on the floor on papaya leaves. The roofs are tin scrap pieces (so extremely loud when it rains) and leak when it rains; therefore, washing out the dung from the walls and creating quite a mess. There are 280 students who attend the school, but there is never perfect attendance. Again, being a poverty stricken school, when it rains, the kids stay home to help on the farm (bc it’s easier to dig after rainfall) and so many of them were missing yesterday when we visited. I’d say ¼ of the kids were at school without shoes and some without uniforms. Uniforms are a big deal here because it’s your identity of where you go to school. The headmistress even said, “If one of our students is hit by a taxi on the way home, because of their uniform they will know who to inform so the parent or guardian will know their child is dead”. Sobering facts.  The kids are SO sweet and yet come from awful homes. The headmistress told us of one of her students that morning was afraid to come to school because her dad had thrown out her uniform with his girlfriends clothes the night before.  This family consists of the drunken father , his 4 children and his random “ladies of the evening” that come every night to their one roomed hut. Food and clothing come second to his drinking habits. Another boy was laying on the grass when we arrived. As we walked by the teacher pushed his leg and the boy sat up; glassy eyes, sweat dripping down his head from an obvious fever and he could barely move he was so weak. The boy has malaria but no one at home takes care of him, so he’d rather come and lay in the shade of the tree of the school yard. Another student entered the teachers room when we were there and suddenly all the teachers gathered around this student. Sarah translated for me: the boy had a HUGE gash in his leg from hitting himself with a machete while he was gardening, but with no care giver, he was unable to go to the hospital to have the gash taken care of. Sarah and I gave some money and told the teacher to take the boy quickly to the clinic. I could go on, but that gives a brief picture of what I saw yesterday.

The teachers gathered the kids and then had Sarah and I come and speak to them. Both of us were able to talk to them about Jesus: how Jesus has a special place in his heart for the little children, how Jesus is their constant provider, care taker, and friend. How they can talk to Jesus anytime they want about anything. In these moments you realize: Jesus is truly all you need. When you have NOTHING: Jesus sustains. Jesus provides. Jesus loves. Jesus cares. I sat there telling them about Jesus, challenging my faith…what if that was ME. Would the message I was saying be enough? Yet, these sweet kids were filled with Joy and hope. The faith of a child…

Sarah and David are so passionate about helping this neighborhood.  Again, $2000 would feed these kids one meal a day for a year. (A meal that most of them go without, daily!) Food, shelter, and clothing, the 3 basic necessities, most of these kids are lacking. So, here I am again faced with the question, “What can I do?”. What can WE do? I would love to bless this school and these sweet little ones.

There are a few different ways to give. It’s hard because this ministry is outside Cornerstone, but Tim (the founder of Cornerstone) is willing to give David and Sarah the money sent in. It just takes a bit more “work”. So, if you are interested in helping, please follow the procedure Tim has put in place so that we make sure the money gets to the right place and doesn’t frustrated the organization in the process. The other option would be wiring the money or a direct deposit, this wouldn’t allow for a tax write off, but would get the money to where it needs to go without a long process. Again, no pressure to help, but if your heart is moved, any amount would help these kids and allow you to be a tangible way of helping a community and allowing David and Sarah to be a witness of Jesus love.  

·         On donations - send a check payable to International Foundation and posted to:

International Foundation
PO Box 23813
Washington, DC  20026-3813

It needs to contain a note that it is for Cornerstone Development Africa.  Send an email to Tim at  cstone@imul.com letting him know you have sent in something that helps to ensure it is put on the right account.

·         Wired or direct deposit…send me an email and we’ll make it happen.

I’m praying we can really help this community. Thanks for joining me in this desire

The School House: 

Sweet boy laying in the shade with Malaria

 Talking to the kids about Jesus

 Notice the lack of shoes

 Sweetest smile!

 Women who are making a difference

Thankful

This mornig as the rain POURED and David and I drove into Kampala, I watched out the window as women in skirts and high heels were riding on the back of boda... soaked! Mud puddles everywhere. Businesses flooded. Kids cold bc they don't have warm clothes. And I was struck with how strong Ugandans are. Can you imagine in the US, riding to work in the pouring rain, on the back of a motorcycle, being wet all day and that being normal? Can you imagine your business every few days being flooded, literally having to use buckets to shovel the water out off the floor. I met up with some friends were lunch and we walked in the rain, my jeans were soaked..but I couldn't dare complain. How could I? I had warm clothes on, a rain jacket and this is not the norm for me. You just have to go wtih the flow.
I wasn't sure how today would work out, but I knew I wanted to say goodbye to Scott and Sam. I ended up making a new friend who was leaving to fly home for New Zealand, but Grace was a gift. She knew Scott and Sam (the world is SO small) so she came to coffee with us and then the sun came out and she and I hit the craft market as the guys went home to pack. Now, I'm sitting in the sun, eating curry and drinking a glass of wine, waiting for David to finish work. My heart is so happy. No, so Thankful. Lord, keep me from complaining about my "discomforts" as I see those around me who really know what difficulties are!

what a difference a day makes

What a day!!! My mind shift and time this morning truly gave me a new …everything! Today was a great day! Simple and great. A few girls helped me do laundry today (they are still so shocked a mzungu can do laundry…and tell me I do it ‘wrong’) and we had a great time just hanging out and talking. Then, it was tea where I cut up some fruit and made tea for us all. There was a funeral today, I went to see what it was like and got to see some before the rain poured and we left. Then, I took a couple girls on a walk with me into town to buy some air time. We spent the next two hours talking all about our culture differences, boys and dreams. It made my heart so happy. We went to a local farm and bought some veggies for Sarah. Then, it was hanging with the girls as this was most of their last night here. Sophie and I took a walk to chapel and were able to spend some good QT one on one. We prayed over each other and then I felt the led to give her some money… I swear, God speaks and I can’t help but give. When you think of all we have…what is $30 to us makes a literal impact on them forever. Sophie told me all about how she has been saving since our last conversation …where I really challenged her to save for what she wants. She has so many hope and dreams and all are centered around following Jesus. I know I can trust every shilling she spends. Then, I headed to the dorms to sit on the dirty floor and teach the girls the rhythm cup game. They LOVED it! Girls kept coming is as they hear the beat and us laughing. We played for over an hour. It’ll be a piece of me they can keep when I’m gone. Then, it was going to each bed to hug and kiss each girl … I’ll miss those girls, yet again, feel confident I’ll see them again. God willing, maybe for their graduation next year. They really want me to bring friends next time…anyone interested? Start saving!!! They are worth every penny (or $100 bill J)

Making a Turning Point

I am choosing to have a mindset change starting right now. Yes, this trip isn’t all what I thought it would be, being sick consistently is not fun, having my trip moved back and pushed longer was not part of my plans…but, NOT MY WILL BUT GOD’S BE DONE. I don’t get it, but I do trust and I do know that I know that I know, God is in control, even when it doesn’t make sense. My part is to simply trust Him as I walk through this day.

These verses really spoke to me today as I listened to a podcast about living in the “plan B” sometimes:

John 16:33

“…in ME you may (this is a condition…it’s my choice, my mindset) have peace. In this world you will (this is a promise..life will suck at times!)have tribulation. But TAKE HEART, I have overcome the world”

I can choose to have peace during this time. Even when it’s hard. Even when I don’t understand. Even when I don’t know the future…God does. I know I prayed to get here and He opened the way, so I know I’m in the center of His will, even if I’m sick or feeling unhappy. I can still have peace, but that decision is mine. Do I choose to focus on God’s goodness, His timing, His plan or do I choose to look at my circumstances and be frustrated. No, today I choose to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith…who endured the cross…for me. I will have trials and pain and suffering, but I also have a really big God who I trust, who has proven time and time again that He will take care of me and has not left me so I choose to cling to those promises.

Hebrews 6:19

“we have this (The Cross) as a sure and steadfast anchor of our soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain”.

Even in the rollercoaster of life. The twists and turns. The unsure endings. When I feel like a kite being tossed and turned by the wind… Jesus is my sure and steadfast anchor. He is the only one that has stayed with me at all times. He is the only one that can make sense out of my crazy unpredicatable life.

I choose HIS ways over mine anyday…even when they don’t make sense.

Deb, take heart. Deb, look up. Deb, remember who you serve and why you live the way you live.

….in HIM, I choose peace.

Weekend Events

I have written many a letters in the past few days and none seem right to “post”. Before I begin into what the past few days have been, I have to be honest… these past 2 weeks have been good but challenging. I’m not really sure why, but for some reason, it’s been hard. Not feeling well for the majority of the time I’m sure is part of it (you can pray I feel better. It seems every other day is a rough health day: migraines, aches, pains, stomach issues etc) I may have to go to the doctor again if it doesn’t clear up. It hit me yesterday: Jesus’ 40 days of testing were NOT easy, wandering is NOT easy, Noah in the ark I’m sure was not pleasant, and although I’m not any of these might biblical characters, it hasn’t been easy. So I have to step back and say, God, what are you trying to teach me? Why the hardship? Why the sickness? Why the numbness? What am I supposed to be learning? And…can you teach it to me soon, so I can move on from these trails? Even in the joy of being here, there is a disconnect…and it’s really frustrating.

Saturday morning we woke up EARLY to head to the boys school, it’s about an hour and a half drive away, with almost half of it on pit holed roads in the middle of a jungle/bush. Beautiful, but a rough ride. All the girls were in prom like dresses, fancy and sweet. The graduation was supposed to start at 9, but as African time would have it, we began at 10ish. For almost 6 hours we sat as speaker after speaker spoke to the graduates, songs were song, honor was given. It was sweet and I was honored to be there. There were only a few relatives that made the ceremony (as most of these girls come from poverty so transportation is extremely expensive for them to get there) and not many teachers , so it made it even more special to be there. After the ceremony, we all sat around, ate (the same good ‘ol African food…I’m struggling a bit with eating the SAME thing day in and day out this time) and socialized. Sarah and I left in a taxi full of the students around 5:30. It was definitely a full day. My migraine had started around noon, so by the time we got home, I headed to my guest house, turned the lights off, listened to a sermon and headed to bed.

Sunday, we left at 6:30am to head to Kampala for the MTN marathon. They had asked early in the week if I wanted to run it and of course I did. So, David, Sarah, Obdu (our driver) and I headed to town.  There were about 50,000 runners and a see of yellow as we wore jersey shirts to run in. Cornerstones head office was a few 100 yards from starting line, so as soon as we arrived the race had started and we joined right in. About 3 minutes in, Sarah, David and I got separated…so I had the choice: wait or run. I decided to run by myself. It was very entertaining to run amoung thousands of Africans. Their hilarious and sweet humor continued to come out even as we ran (Ie: calling for Boda Bodas, complaining up every “mountain”/hill). What really got me was at all the water stations how much water was wasted, one sip and they’d throw the bottle on the ground… Amazes me how they struggle for water and yet are so wasteful of it…especially since at the girls school we have had a lack of clean water. So see it spilled all over the road made me almost angry. I finished in 51.23…not bad for not running in months and waited at the finish line for an hour and a half to see David and Sarah…. I saw a few friends, but never saw them so I decided to head back to the Cornerstone and see if they were there. After 2 hours we were all finally reconnected. Sarah and I had brought church clothes, so we relaxed and waited for the lunch being prepared while David drove back to Matugga to shower, change and come get us. Lunch was delicious (lots of protein, which was great for after the race) and then we headed to church. The service was great! They take their lead from Hillsong, so the vibe, songs and ambiance felt very American. As we were leaving church, an African man grabbed my arm. I was a bit taken aback and looked at him. How did I know him? He asked me the same question, “How do I know you? Are you from Holland?” …I asked if he had been on a bus ride to Rwanda, did he now Cornerstone etc… no no no. Then he said, wait, I think we sat beside each other on our flight from Amsterdam in February…I got a huge smile on my face and said, “BEN!!” Sure enough,  it was Ben, the sweet guy I had sat next to 8 months ago on my journey out here where I had NO idea what to expect and he had completely calmed my nerves, helped me with my lost luggage and been such a great support. I couldn’t believe it. 8 months later, there was my first African friend, in the middle of Kampala…at church. What were the chances!! We exchanged numbers and will hopefully hang out at some point while I’m still here.

Sarah and David treated me to a milkshake before we headed back to Matugga. It was fun to just sit and talk, no kids, no pressure. The only bummer was I was starting to feel horrible again. Jesus, heal my body, PLEASE!! We arrived home and went our separate ways. I went to the guest house and then headed to see the girls. For a few hours, we all just hung out and laughed and talked. THIS was why I was here. Relationships. Connection. And my heart was uplifted. I have felt so down for the majority of the time and I needed some good connecting time. We are saying goodbye to most of the girls, so it was sweet time as we bonded again before they leave and who knows if I’ll see them again.

Monday, I couldn’t get up for Fellowship (and I had warned the girls). Robina came at 6:30 to try and get me up, but it didn’t’ work. My body is fighting something and I needed to sleep so I skipped the morning time and took a relaxing day. After reading and relaxing, I headed out to see the girls. I am a bit concerned I may have malaria so I went to find Sarah and ask her opinion. We’re gonna give it another day or so before I head back to a clinic. Hoping maybe the marathon took it out of me. Today, I helped the girls with packing, talking about university and then did a computer class for them. It was good to feel purposeful today! I helped Sarah type her class paper and played with the kids. A group of us are going to walk to town in a few minutes…

So, yes, it’s good to be here. I want to come next year for the S5 girls graduation, but at the same time, I just want to feel better and feel like I can give of myself fully. I’m still unsure of what the next 3 weeks look like, so prayers for that would be great too.  Clarity in life…where to go next…etc. All those things lay heavy on my mind as well. Maybe after this week, my final 2 weeks will be dedicated to figure out what the next step of life looks like.