Thank You, God, Your Blessings Abound!

We had an amazing trip to Uganda! It is such a blessing to be there for us. We were able to visit our Ugandan family, and spend special times with them. There are ministries we love to check on, and much of our time was spent reconnecting with these. Generosity of friends in the US, enabled us to take baby clothes and blankets to the "Neonatal Intensive Care Unit"  at a hospital in Jinja. Because of "Miss Merle's sewing ministry" we spread "pillowcase" dresses everywhere we went--75 dresses! The little girls' smiles were PRICELESS! We visited special Habiba and were able to go with her to enroll in cosmetology school. We were able to meet grandchildren that we had heard so much about, but who had always been in boarding school when we have visited. We checked on a young man who has struggled with a virus that attacks and destroys the bone. Surgery is required to clean out the decay, and then the leg is allowed to heal. He was doing much better! It was good to visit the children at  Mashah Orphanage and Jennifer's Orphanage. What precious children with beautiful smiles, and loving, caring, personalities!  Sunday, we were able to go to two churches! Such a blessing to teach a lesson to the children in Mathias' and Steven's churches. The teachers are doing an amazing job growing these children in God's Word, and discipling them! We always look forward to seeing Elizabeth, the oldest member of Mathias' church! What a blessing she is each-and-every-time! We spent time at "River Bend Resort," where the group from Oakwood will stay this summer. Wow! It's beautiful, and the food is delicious! Mathias, Frances, Marjorie, and Angela took such good care of us! It is always a highlight of our trip to be able to stay in their home. The hospitality and special times spent with them is such a blessing! Visiting with Joseph, Faith, Steven, and Vickie was wonderful--AND all the grandchildren! Our cup runneth over! Each day, as we awaken, the blessings just come--God is so very good--One-Step-At-A-Time! 

Mark, Patra, Mitchell, and Amaris

Meyers, Allen, and Trent Timothy

Sweet Children at Mashah

Precious Girls in "Pillowcase Dresses"

Don't you love those smiles???

Jennifer's Sweet Kiddos!

Modeling "Pillowcase Dresses" 

Hmmmm...I wonder what they are planning???

The Nile River...I ALWAYS seem to come home with this picture!

Sweet Habiba

Children's Sunday School at Steven's Church

Children's Sunday School at Mathias' Church

Gideon, Esther, and Gracious

Precious Elizabeth

Teddy, and her family

 Frances, Faith, and Joseph

Mark, Patra, Angela, Marjorie, Matthan, Mathias, Mitchell, Amaris, and Frances

Choice, Vickie, Grace, and Steven

Sweet, Sweet Jane

Our host at Reach Youth Global's River Bend Resort--Gedion!

Lessons Learned

Each time we go to Uganda, when I return, I try to contemplate what God taught me while I was there. He ALWAYS teaches me something! This trip, there were ten of us that went from Oakwood Baptist Church. We worked with five local doctors, and two local dentists, and an intern. The doctors and dentists had a genuine love for the people and saw patient-after-patient, loving them in Jesus' name. We also served with our three local pastors--who are also family to us! We could not minister at all without these pastors: Mathias, Steven, and Joseph. Mathias plans ahead of time all we will do. He buys medicines, rents tents, employs security, and so much more! Steven drives us everywhere we go. He is tireless, so kind, and so patient. Joseph leads Open Air Evangelism meetings each night. After we all go back to the hotel to rest, he continues leading and preaching God's word. He also lined up our schools, brought youth and equipment to help us, and stayed with us at the schools. The youth and church members that worked alongside us were amazing. They helped tirelessly to run prescription orders to the "pharmacy," help the doctors, and translate and give instructions both at the medical clinic and at the schools, AND sing! 

We held a medical clinic three days, and then visited schools and an orphanage one day. 1,000 people were seen by doctors and dentists, and 900 children were engaged in games and fun during these days. In the evening, people in the village heard about Jesus, and at each school, an evangelistic message was given. Relationships were also built! An elderly woman walked from her home with a walking stick from 8:00 in the morning to 2:00 in the afternoon to see the doctor. She said she remembered us coming last year, and was so thankful to God we had returned. The children at the school knew that the church that helped fund their two-room school came back to love on them! Relationships were strengthened! Oh, what a blessing it was, and much was accomplished!

Many of God's people worked together to share God's love. Besides those listed above, there were many in the U.S.! Children donated clothes, and made "rubberband" bracelets. Dermatologists, hospitals, and schools donated medicines and supplies. Oakwood members donated LOTS of medicines and supplies. Dresses were sewn for all the girls at two orphanages, and blankets were made for each child at the orphanage that will keep them warm! Even a small amount of glasses birthed the idea of checking eyes and using glasses previously donated by another group. In all, ten suitcases, weighing fifty pounds each were taken and supplies used! 

So, what did God teach me? MUCH can be accomplished for His glory when we cover it with prayer, depend on Him, work together, and help as God leads us to help--whatever that "looks like." In His perfect timing and purpose, He does amazing things! 

As I serve in Uganda, the blessings from my friends and family there just rain down on me! They live their lives with God at the center, depending on Him. There is an expectancy and faith that pours out of them--and me when I am there! I want that everyday, everywhere I am. I want this verse to be my mantra. "This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid-grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" Romans 8:15 (msg.) He will lead us One-Step-At-A-Time!

Sorting Medicines for Clinic

Sorting and Sorting and Sorting...

We Used the "T.V. Room" at Surjio's to Store Our Supplies

Counting Pills into Individual Perscriptions

Children's Church at Pastor Steven's Church

Precious Children

Our "Pharmacy"

Waiting to See the Doctor

Nurse Brenda

Dr. Peter

Dr. Fiona

Dr. Roda

Dr. Kevin

Our Wonderful Dentists

Tug-Of-War

Games--so Much Fun!

Absolutely Precious!

New School Room!

What an Inspiration to Larry and I--Pastor Mathias and Jennifer!

Picking Avocados! 

Mission Accomplished!

They Love to Read!

Awesome Oakwood Team!

God Is Good!

God is so very good! I KNOW God is good, but He never STOPS being good! When I am in Uganda, I am so aware of God's goodness.  The first day, we woke up in Paradise it seemed! The flowers were beautiful, and the Nile River so tranquil. Miriam and Ivan, and all our friends at Surjio's took such good care of us. The service and care is so sincere, and so wonderful! God is so very good!

Pastor Joseph and His wife, Faith came to visit, and took us to see the God is Grace sewing class and the children in the Wakisi/Mashah School. Joseph and Faith are such an encouragement and blessing to us. The women work hard, and want so badly to help their families. And, the children--glad to see us, and all smiles. The blessings flow abundantly! God is so very good!

Then, what fun to spend the day with our Uganda family! Mathias and Frances took us to see their new grand baby, Amaris! She was just precious, and it was good to see Mitchell, Patra, and meet her parents. God is so very good!

Sunday was God's Day, and we were in my favorite place to worship. The worship to our King is indescribable there! It is such a blessing to reconnect with family and friends, and to see the children in Sunday School. We have seen friends grow up, get married, and have children! We have seen babies become children, and older women, become even older, with God's countenance just glowing on their faces! God is so very good!

Sunday afternoon was wonderful too! We did a workshop with Sunday School teachers at Pastor Steven and Vickie's church. It was a blessing to meet with these precious teachers and encourage them, and work with them on teaching the curriculum we have developed for teachers there. But, THEY are the encouragement to me. God is so very good!

The day ended perfectly with pizza with family at Surgio's! To look around the table and see those we love so dearly, that love us too is pure joy! God is so very good!

Monday was a busy day. Mathias took us many places. We visited the God is Grace jewelry-making class. They make beautiful purses, necklaces, bracelets, Christmas ornaments, and even bowls out of paper beads. Then the hairstyling class showed us how to do all the techniques I've seen and wondered how on earth it was done. Now I know! Could I do it? Absolutely not! We visited beautiful Elevaré, on the Nile River. The guesthouse on the Reach Youth Global property will be gorgeous! It is surrounded by God's beauty! What a tranquil place it will be to come and minister. God is so very good!

One of the sweet girls, Jane, at Mashah met us! She has been such a blessing to us. We tell her that her generosity, sacrifice, and love for her friends is just like Jesus! We visited a family that we met because of Jane. Because of her, these children are able to attend school. We then met Jane's family. They were able to receive help because of Jane too!  Through Jane, we saw again that God is so good!

We were able to visit one of our dearest friends! We have know Habiba from the first time we went to Uganda six years ago. Then, she was ten years old. We met her at our first two-day medical clinic. Two years later, we saw her at a school we visited, and she remembered us! After that, we made a plan! Now, through God's amazing goodness, she is family! She is sixteen, and a sophomore in high school!

We visited Jennifer's orphanage. What fun to see Peace, a precious little girl. She is now four years old. The first time we met her, she was one. When she saw us, she screamed! She had never seen a white person. Now, she hugs us, and climbs in the car with us! It was so good to see all the children, how they are learning, and growing, and the work that is being done on the school. Then, Mathias took us to the highest place in Jinja! The view of God's handiwork was surely showing off His goodness!

Dinner with our family in Mathias' and Frances' home was absolutely delicious! Frances and the ladies worked hard to fix amazing foods, including my favorite--chapatis!

What a wonderful trip to Uganda! God is so very good--one day, one hour, one minute, one step-at-a-time!

Paradise!

Enjoying Time with Joseph and Faith

Children's Church!

A Reunion with Gideon and His Sweet Boy!

God is Grace Sewing Class

God is Grace Hairdressing Class

God is Grace Jewelry Class

Our Precious Friend, Jane

We Were So Excited to Meet Jane's Family!

Such a Blessing to See the Children who Jane Helped to go to School

Larry and these Wonderful Girls--Jane and Habiba

It was Such a Blessing to See Steven and Vickie!

Peace is Growing Up!

Smiles Abound at Mashah!

What a Beautiful View of Jinja!

Our Precious Family!