Coming home - in pictures

Here you go, it took me a few days, but here's some pics of the sweet homecoming.  Life is good, oh so good, but it is an adjustment with almost doubling the number of kids!  And boy, having 3 kids within 13 months of each other is chaotic! mostly fun, but hugely chaotic!  More ups then downs, which is good, more sleep would be nice, but I'm sure that will come too.  It takes getting used to from everyone!  God's blessings are enriching our lives every day!

Leaving the orphanage to finally go HOME

One final night in Kampala - excited to have things that belong only to them!

Story time before a final sleep in Uganda

All set to take off - BA has great service and gives the kids their own "travel pack"

Figuring out these earphone thingies

Mmm mmm, no more matoke and g-nut sauce!

Zeke quickly captured the hearts of the friendly flight staff

As did Kaysia

Almost there - Landing in Calagary

You can almost feel the excitement building!

the kids (including the big one on the end :) ) waiting with anticipation!

Oh what a sweet reunion it was! Zeke ran straight to daddy and melted his heart all over again!

Discovering their forever home for the first time - "Hey that's me on the wall!"

My BED - the face says it all

Home sweet home! - couldn't be happier!

And to all those who physically came out to the airport - a BIG thank you!  You all made the arrival very special and memories that will last a life time!  To those who were there in "spirit" also a BIG thank you!  You all have been SO supportive and your prayers were and still are HUGE!  Thank you for praying Cher and the kids home and thank you for continuing to pray as we figure life out as a family of 7!!  WOW, I love saying that so much its worth saying again - a family of 7!  Blessings to you all!

Teach

Some pics...

We are home!  And I don't want to keep all of you waiting too long, so here's a few to "tickle your taste buds" so to speak.  I'll try to get more and in sequential order when I have more time.

First of many family protraits

We were hungry on the way home - McDonald's was easy for a first NA restaurant experience (self-family photo). Notice Zeke and Kaysia are more interested in the food then the pictures :)

As I type this, this is what you would see - she has been on my lap most of the morning.  SO.SO.AWESOME! Thank you Jesus!

More to come in the next few hours/days - depending on time :)  We.are.so.blessed!!  Blessings to you,

Home and Happy in Canada,
Teach

They're coming home!

I am just WAY too excited to sleep and even though I should be working right now, I am just way too excited for that too!  Kaysia and Ezekiel and my beautiful wife are all getting ready to board the plane in Uganda for the long journey home!  Its here, the day is finally here! This is real, I know it is (somebody pinch me).

I was chatting with a friend last night and was asked where I saw God in all of this, with this all quickly coming to an end.  I sat back and said, "Where do I begin?!?" Friends, I can't even begin to explain how visible the hand of God was in EVERY part of this, especially this last trip to Uganda to finally finish this!  There is no other explanation for this then God and only God! He set His PERFECT plan into place long before Cher and I even thought about adoption, long before we were married, yes even long before we were born.  He knew when and how I would meet Kaysia for the first time on that mission trip - He set it up and then spoke to me when I need reassuring.  He nudged Cheremi's heart (and mine too) that we still had a son there that needed us now too.  He moved in the orphanage director's heart to give us our son's name, when her policy is to NOT let people adopt two children at a time.  And that was just the beginning of this story!!  God was there in court each and EVERY time, working out His perfect timing.  He was with us when we were a family split apart for almost 6 months and He comforted us when I had to leave the two kids in Uganda and come home.  He sustained us while we waited (not always patiently) for His plan to come to light so that everything was JUST RIGHT for us to return to court.  He made sure our case went to the specific judge that He wanted, even though we were expecting a different judge.  He softened the judge's heart to rule in our favor even though he is opposed to international adoptions.  He found people that needed to be found at just the right moments.  He set the dates, the hours, the minutes, yes even the seconds in order that everything would fall into place PERFECTLY for us to get our rulings, and paperwork and provincial government letter and visas and courier at EXACTLY the right time - a time that seemed impossible to happen by human standards (good thing He's God and not just a man!) He is bringing my wife home with the two kids even as I type this, just the way He had planned.  Friends, I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of what God has done throughout this process, and I only know what I saw and experienced, not to mention what He was doing behind the scenes! There is some MAJOR glory that goes to God for ALL of this.  Like I said it is God, only God - "to God be the glory, great things He has done!"  Oh what a story and testimony He has given us!

And just in case you didn't know already, you are all invited to share in the celebrations of Cher and the kids landing at the airport tomorrow, Tuesday, September 21, at 7:50PM.  Please, if you are able and want to, come to the Calgary International airport and welcome them home with me!  We would LOVE to see you there (we would love to have as many people as possible)!! There's going to be some pretty major celebrating God's goodness tomorrow - if you hear someone shouting YAY GOD! from your home, it might just be me when I see them coming through those doors!  Thanks for coming along with us on this journey.  Pictures to follow over the next few days of the homecoming.  Blessings,

Celebrating God's victory,
Teach

Tuesday...

I have longed to write this blog for a VER VERY long time!  My wife and kids are coming home!!!  The visas arrived via courier today.  Cheremi has them in hand and is now ready to come home WITH the kids!  They leave Uganda and arrive home this Tuesday, Tuesday September 21, 2010!  Oh what a day that is going to be!!

We want to invite all of our friends and family to come to the airport and help welcome them home!  We want to celebrate, we want a BIG crowd!  It is a truly momentous day and YOU are ALL invited.  Now I know that it will not be possible for many of you to come, simply because you do not live close enough to drive to Calgary, so we will take a TON of pics and let you share in the home-coming via pictures on the blog.  BUT for those of you who do live close enough to drive or who are up for a bit of a drive, COME, come to the Calgary International Airport on Tuesday, September 21, 2010.  Their plane lands at 7:50 PM and we want as many people as possible waiting for them at the gate to celebrate their home-coming!!  Friends, you have been such a big part of this journey, please come and share in its happy ending!  God is SO good!! The writer if our life stories has written a pretty incredible story to bring us to a new chapter in our lives and we could not be more excited to see the new chapter begin!  Why not share in the new beginning with us?  Blessings,

Shouting a BIG ol' YAY GOD!

Teach

VISAS!!!

Well, its late, real late, but I can't sleep... do you know why?!?  WE HAVE BEEN GRANTED VISAS FOR OUR KIDS!!!  I want to SHOUT it from the mountain tops!  YAY GOD!!  You not only moved that mountain, You smashed it, crushed it, flattened it, demolished it and blew the tiny specks away!  To God be the glory, great things He has done!

Our kids are free.  They have been released from Satan's hold that was stopping them from coming home.  Christ has gained this victory and sent Satan running with His tail between his legs.  Two more kids are coming home, to their forever homes!  In the words of my dear friend, Linn, can I get a YIPPEE JESUS?!?

The CHC in Nairobi is couriering them today (Friday) to Kampala and they will be in Cher's hand soon.  AND not long after that, she and the kids will be boarding a plane and COMING HOME!!!!  Working out the final details on the return trip and will post it along with when the visas arrive in hand when it happens..

Thank you, friends for walking with us down this long road.  Thank you for praying with us and for us.  Thank you for storming the gates of heaven for our kids.  Thank you for fasting. And thank you for blessing us in a way that is beyond words.  God heard your prayers, He saw your hearts for these two orphans and He released them.  Thank you just doesn't seem like enough!  Blessings,

Teach

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." I Cor. 15:57


"and the LORD brought about a great victory." I Chronicles 11:14b

One more mountain moved, one more to go!

Today we received the letter we needed from our provincial government in order for the visas to be issued. This is the LAST, the FINAL, the END (boy it feels good to be able to finally say that) of the things the CHC in Nairobi needs before they said they would give us the visas for Kaysia and Ezekiel!

Over the last 10+ months they have added requirements and added requirements and added requirements... you get the picture BUT, my friends, they have no more requirements to add, they have promised they would be satisfied with what we now have given them.  They have told us they will issue the visas!!

This is the LAST mountain to be moved before we can bring our kids home - the LAST mountain standing in our way! Well, this week has been all about God moving mountains.  We have seen Him doing mighty things this week!  AND this week is not over and there still stands one mountain in our way.  Can God do it?  There is no doubt in my mind! He is the God of the impossible, He has moved impossible mountains this week and I know He WILL move this last mountain!  We are praying for one last miracle tomorrow (actually over night while we sleep here in NA).  We are praying the CHC issues AND couriers the visas to Kampala tomorrow and that they arrive on Saturday for Cheremi to pick up.  WHEN this happens, Cheremi will be able to come home with the kids on Monday. Oh what a glorious day that will be!!  More on that to come after we get the visas.  Stay tuned friends, more GREAT, AMAZING, AWESOME and GLORIOUS news to come!  Blessings,

Still standing in awe of our Father,

Teach

One Mountain Moved...

Just a quick update because I am expecting to put more good news up here in the next 24 hours.

WE'VE BEEN GRANTED FULL ADOPTION FOR BOTH OUR KIDS!!!  YAY GOD doesn't even begin to express the praises in our hearts right now!  Wow! Full adoption orders.for both kids.from a judge who is opposed to foreigners adopting Ugandan children. God.moved.that.mountain!!  Cher said she could see the hand of God over the court room and directing that judge.  Awesome, just awesome!

Now to collect paperwork, scan and email to the right people and then visas! Expecting to see God in more incredible ways VERY soon! More news to come... keep praying! Blessings,

Standing in awe,

Teach

A lot to be Thankful for...

Well, I am home in Canada.  The trip was good, although I was worried a little about making my connection in London because we left an hour and a half late from Uganda - exactly the time between my flights, uh oh!  Thankfully, the pilot made up some time in the air and I had exactly 30 mins to from landing to catch my flight (10 of which were spent taxiing to the ramp). Needless to say, I ran through the terminal, waited anxiously through the security check line and ran to my gate, making it just in time - thank you Lord!  My luggage was not as successful as I was, but that is only details.  God kept me safe and got me home in time to begin a new school year today.  Not the most amazing first day of school ever, but it got done.  Again, thank you Lord for endurance, energy and strength today!

I landed in at the airport only to find out shortly afterward that the judge did not show up again on Monday - very disappointing!  Thankfully, we were NOT defeated because today the judge was there and agreed to hear one, and only one case - OURS!  YAY GOD! Cher said it went pretty much like we expected and the judge will make a ruling on Friday, unless it is declared a national holiday (interesting how it works in Uganda that national holidays aren't determined more then a few days in advance) in which case we will get our ruling on Monday.  Either way, our case was heard and a ruling will happen shortly!  Thank you Jesus!!

Cher was in good spirits this morning when I talked to her and she said she really felt "at peace" about it all.  Another answer to my prayers and SO very comforting to know that God gave my wife peace today!! Thank you, Lord.  He is SO good and SO gracious, sustaining His children even through the toughest trials!

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is a BIG day.  A day of prayer and fasting for ALL orphans.  A day where like-minded people join together to petition our good and gracious God to break down the walls, to move those mountains, to break the chains and release the orphans home to their forever families.  It is extra special for us because so many of you have committed to adding our kids to your prayer list and will be remembering Kaysia and Ezekiel when you pray and fast tomorrow.  Thank you for joining us tomorrow.  I am excited to see our kids and so many others freed to finally go home! If you don't know about this, please jump over to "A Place Called Simplicity" and read about it here and consider joining us.  It will be something that will truly bless you as you pray for something that is so near and dear to the Father's heart.  Praying expectantly and with anticipation, believing God will make it happen SOON! So much to be thankful for today, even the small stuff like a running hug from my kids when I got home from work tonight.  I am so truly blessed!  Blessings to you as well,

Teach

Update and prayer...

I'm sorry I haven't been able to write an update until now.  The internet has been down at our Guest House, so we are out in town at another internet spot.

Here's what I can tell you... Court on Friday didn't happen.  The judge did not come to court because he had a sick friend that he went to visit instead.  Unfortunately, these are the kind of things that happen in Uganda.  To say that we were disappointed and discouraged would be an understatement.  Friday was not the day God has already chosen for our kids to be released.  We wait expectantly for that day!

Where does this leave us?  Well, I am heading to the airport in the early morning (Monday 6AM, Uganda time).  I have to work Tuesday and have taken all the time off I can - my employer has been more than gracious and understanding!  As I am boarding the plane, Cheremi will be stepping into the court room with the two kids.  We are believing the judge will be there this time.  So as I head home, I leave my wife and two children behind.  It is not a place I wanted to be, but here I am.  God's strength is the only thing carrying us through right now - "for when I am weak, then Christ is strong!"

What do we need from you? Prayer! A lot of prayer!  Here's what you can pray for:
1) Strength for both of us as we continue this fight - For me as I travel home to be with our other kids and begin back to work after over 10 months of being off work. For Cheremi as she stays behind to finally complete this (court, rulings, paperwork, visas).
2) Safety - for me as I travel and for Cher as she stays in Uganda.
3) Patience - God's timing is perfect but it doesn't make it easy to understand or wait for.  It is difficult and prayers are often the only thing that keeps us going
4) Finances - God has miraculously provided everything we have needed for this adoption and we know He will continue to do so, even in this time when we are facing more expenses again then we had thought.
5) Our kids, all 5 of them - Kaysia and Zeke are SO ready to come home to Canada.  They ask for it, and you can see they are ready.  Trae, Nate and Nea have been SO good through this stressful time and are anxiously awaiting their brother and sister being home.  Our family has been in limbo for over a year and we cannot wait for the day when we can live a bit more "normal" life with everyone under one roof (not that life is ever normal, but at least we all will be together :) ).
6) Officials - pray for the judge to be in court and make a speedy ruling, pray for the judge's clerk to have the written paperwork ready quickly so we can send it to the CHC in Nairobi, pray for the lawyers as they plead our case for exemption to Ugandan adoption law so we can be granted full adoptions of K & E, pray for the CHC immigration officer to be satisfied once she gets the documents and grant our visas, pray for the AB government to email the letter we need from them to the CHC quickly once they receive our court documents and pray for both governments to keep the doors of adoption open and even make it easier so other families and children don't have to go through what we and other families have gone through.

I'm sure I am missing something but if you pray for that, it would be a great place to start!

Also, we are still trying to figure out how it looks for Cheremi to come home with the kids.  We need to figure out someone who can travel with her to come home because I am leaving.  It would be really nice if someone could come and stay with Cher in Uganda until the process is complete (we are praying for less then 2 weeks, and possibly only 1 week) and then fly with her and the kids to Calgary.  We are willing to pay for flights and some basic accommodations, etc. but need to figure out the right person and work out all the details.  A couple have come forward and we are trying to figure the details.  If it is on your heart to help in this way, please email me at james.schalk@gmail.com and I will get back to you.

Lastly, our dear dear friend Linny at A Place Called Simplicity has posted an amazing post to pray and fast on ours and other families adopting behalves, please go and read it and consider fasting with us on Wednesday! It will make a HUGE difference and means a lot to us!

That's it for now.  We will try to keep updating you on what is going on.  For now, thanks for your prayers and keep them coming!  Blessings,

from Uganda for the last time,

Teach

Prayer for tomorrow

Tomorrow is a BIG day!  Tomorrow we are excited to see how God is going to work everything out.  Tomorrow we will be one step closer to bringing our precious son and daughter home.  Tomorrow we go to court, appear before a new judge and try to get our ruling and paperwork.  We need your prayers.  If you think of it, around 12 AM MST we will be at court.  Sometime (shortly hopefully) after that we will stand before the judge and he will hear our case.  I will be honest with you, today there is a whole mixture of emotions and nerves. Pray for favor with the judge. Pray that the judge will be willing to grant our adoption of Kaysia and Ezekiel. Pray that he will even be able to give his ruling right then or even later in the day.  Pray we can get the paperwork we need and pray our visas will be granted.  In the next 24 hours, we are trusting and expecting God to show up BIG! We know He can and are asking boldly that He does, believing He will.  Please join us in prayer!

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:14–15

Lord we are asking for You to release our children. Give us a ruling and visas so we can bring them home! Thank You for being in control of this all. Amen

Blessings,

In Uganda

Teach

God is good...

We finally got a court date - this Friday.  We were really hoping for sooner, but it is a date and that is what we were hoping for, so at least now we know.  Living in limbo is hard.

With court on Friday, we really need a miracle to happen in order for all of us to be coming home next Monday.  It just seems impossible for everything that needs to be done in the process to get done.  Court was the one factor we thought we needed early to make everything work.  That is, at least by our human standards and timing. That is not happening, so what can we do? We can continue to pray for a miracle... we can continue to trust that God's timing is perfect... we can continue to trust that God knows when and how this is all going to end... we can continue to praise our Father above for all that He has already done in this process and all that He will do to give us the victory!

"God is good, all the time and all the time, God is good."  I love that saying because it is true - God IS good ALL the time.  Even when we feel disappointed that things are not working out the way we thought or planned, God IS GOOD.  Even when we can't see how things will work, God is GOOD.  Even when we don't know what is happening and when things will happen, God is good! GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME! In good times and bad, in hard times and easy, God is good!  Praise Jesus for that!  Praise the Lord for His constant goodness and love.  God's got this whole thing wrapped in His goodness and today I choose to rest in that, believing that if He wants all of us on that plane on Monday, then we will be and if we are not, then He has something even better planned! Thank You for Your goodness, Lord, You are SO good to us! Blessings from Uganda,

still here fighting but also trusting in God's goodness,

Teach

listening to "Praise You in the Storm" by Casting Crowns & "Your Hands" by JJ Heller & "Our God is Greater" by Chris Tomlin

God is working...

"Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told." - God in Habakuk 1:5

God is working; He always has been, even when we couldn’t see it.  We, both Cheremi and I, felt like God was calling us to go back to Uganda, that He was going to finish this SOON.  It has been a LONG time, this has been a LONG battle and we just want our kids home!! 


When we felt like God was telling us to go, we booked our tickets, made the necessary arrangements at home and came.  The road is still uncertain, for us, but not for God.  I will be totally honest with you here - we have NO guarantees.   We do not have visas yet and we are still fighting with the CHC to get them.  We are trying to do what we believe God is telling us to do.  So we have come.  


Back to court is our next step – back to try again to get Full Adoption orders for both kids.  We are praying the judge grants our exemption of the Ugandan Law of living here for 3 years and fostering the kids for 3 year.  The judges have done it for others, so we pray that they will do it for us too.  But first we need a date.  We came, hoping, praying and thinking from what our lawyer said that we would have court this week.  Now, it doesn’t look that way.  BUT we also came thinking we were assigned a judge and that was not so either, and today, praise God, we were assigned a judge.  That’s the first step.  We have a judge to hear our case, the file has been allocated and now we wait for the date he will see us.  There is the slightest chance it could even be tomorrow – miniscule really, but that doesn’t matter for God and we know that He has a God-sized solution planned for all of this.  So we pray.  We pray for court in God’s timing, maybe tomorrow, maybe early next week.  


Getting this done in the time that I have here seems impossible, by human standards, so we pray. We pray for a God-sized miracle to come through so that we all can go home together, on the same airplane, at the same time.  We pray.  That’s all we seem to be able to do these days to get our kids home – pray.  And what more does God want from us? Nothing but to trust Him and pray.  So that is what we are doing.


The reunion was full of mixed emotions.  It was SO good to see the kids and SO hard to see how Kaysia responded to us.  We are adjusting and so is she.  Zeke has melted our hearts all over again and Kaysia has too but she is having a harder time showing us, loving us.  So we pray and shower her with love.  They both need to be home, to be out of institutionalized care.  Sure they get love here, but it is not their home and it is NOT the same.  They need to be home, in our home.  SOON, Lord Jesus, may it be soon! Please join us in praying for some God-sized solutions to some only-God-can-handle problems! 


Fighting in Uganda,
Teach

PS: here's a couple pics of our trip so far:

In London at the Paddington Train Station

Zeke in class

Kaysia sitting with mommy

Impossible...

I woke up this morning with the word "impossible" on my mind.  I have been learning A LOT lately about God speaking to me and so I said to myself, "okay God, what do you want me to know?" I went to my online Bible search and typed in the word "impossible" in several different versions because I felt like God wanted to speak to me this morning.

You see, lately things with the whole adoption seem IMPOSSIBLE.  Nothing seems to be happening.  No HUMAN seems to be doing anything to help us get our kids home, even the ones that we are paying!

"So God, show me what you want me to see," was my prayer.  He led me to this...


"And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play. “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people. But is it impossible for me? says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.  “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: You can be sure that I will rescue my people from the east and from the west." Zechariah 8:5-7

and these...

"Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:26


"Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Mark 10:27


"For nothing will be impossible with God." Luke 1:37


"He [Jesus] replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” Luke 18:27

It doesn't matter if it is impossible for "man" to bring our kids home because it IS possible for God.  God promised to look after our kids, to never leave them nor forsake them.  God IS working, even when we can't see it, to bring them home.

"I'm learning Lord, slowly I am learning.  Thank You for Your patience with me. I trust You to do all that You need to do to bring our kids home. May it be soon, Lord Jesus, soon! But in all things, Your will be done, not mine..." Amen

Praying, trusting and believing in the God of the impossible,
Teach

Keep Praying...

I'm not sure how to start this, so I'll just get to it.  We need you to keep praying.  Our MP has, to this point, failed to get in touch with the Minister of Immigration.  We need you all to pray that somehow, these two men will connect via telephone or in person.  All attempts have been unsuccessful so far. I'll be honest, its frustrating! Our own government representative has not been able to connect with a member of his own party, a colleague that he is supposed to work with.  It is just frustrating! Bureaucracy is frustrating and even more so when the lives of innocent children are affected. Pray for the people in powerful positions that God will move in their hearts to release our kids and all orphans needing to come home.

Pray for wisdom for Cheremi and myself. Pray for direction on what to do. Pray for continued and renewed patience for this whole progress.  Pray for grace.  And please, pray for our kids, who ultimately are the ones being hurt by this all.  Thank you, friends!  We cannot express in words what your prayers mean to us!  Blessings,

Fighting in Canada,
Teach

The wait continues...

I just wanted to update you on the news from yesterday.  I talked with our MP's assistant today.  She said the Immigration Minister did not call for the conference call yesterday.  Our MP is going to continue to try to get through to him and advocate for us, but for now we wait and continue to pray.  He was out of the office today on business, so maybe tomorrow something will happen.  Thank you for continuing to join us as we pray!  Blessings,

Fighting in Canada,
Teach

PRAY!

I know we have been silent for such a LONG time.  That does not mean we have given up or not been working on getting our kids home.  I have prayed many days about posting on here and every time I hear God whispering, "wait".  I don't know why, but I do know that I have been learning to listen when God speaks, even in a quiet whisper.

Well today, I got a strong feeling that my silence is over.  We need your prayers!  We just found out that our MP (member of Parliament - federal government representative) is meeting via conference call with the Minister of Immigration @ approx. 2PM TODAY.  He is advocating on ours and our kids' behalf to the minister.  We are praying for a miracle to happen today.  We are praying the minister's heart is SOFTENED, TOUCHED and SPURRED into action for our kids and for all the kids who are stuck, not just in Uganda, but around the world, from coming home to their forever families! This is the man who has the power to end this.  This is the man who can get our kids' visas issued.  This is the man God can use to bring our kids home in His perfect plan.  Please join us in praying!  Blessings,

Fighting in Canada,
Teach

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

I have sat down many times over the last 5 days trying to write this post.  I have prayed about it and tried to listen to what God wants me to say.  So here it goes...


Victory.  There will be victory in this but it won't come from me or our lawyer or some government official. It WILL come only from God.  Completely from God and no one else.  Victory that doesn't need me to do anything but trust.  That is what I am learning, that is what I have been learning and accepting.  Accepting and trusting is the hard part for me.  I'm a doer. Always have been and a couple weeks ago I finally came to the point where I realized I couldn't "do" anything to change this, make it happen or get it done.  In fact, I might even say that my trying to "do" was getting in the way of me hearing God.  


When I finally stopped to listen completely, I heard Him say that He has this under control and is taking care of things and it was time for me to go home.  I had done my part in the battle that was going on in Uganda.  I had served my tour of duty on the front lines.  I was finished this part of the work that He wanted me to do.  I was now supposed to leave our kids in His loving arms and go and be with the rest of my family who needs me too.  


Friends, it was hard to hear, it was hard to trust, it was hard to leave.  Satan tried to deter me. He tried to plant doubt and fear in my mind and heart.  He tried everything he could so that I would not listen and trust God.  He tried to convince me to stay in Uganda longer but he didn't win.  I did trust, and still do, that God loves my kids far more than I do.  I do trust the He has this under control.  I do know and believe that He will give us the victory in this battle and that it can and will happen even without me there in Uganda.  I am home.  After five and a half months fighting and doing God's work, He called me back to Canada and now I am home.  It is good to be home!  Good to be with my wife and other children!!  That doesn't mean I am not struggling at all with being home or that I don't wish I was still in Uganda with my other kids sometimes but I know that my place right now is here.  I am exactly where God wants me to be.  It is a culture shock to be back here.  It will take getting used to being back to life here in Canada.  Life is different here then it is in Uganda but I know that God has me and my whole family, right where He wants us and so all these things don't seem like such a big deal when I am resting in Him.  Yes, I wish I was able to bring Kaysia and Ezekiel home with me, but that was not God's plan.  Yes, I wanted to stay until everything was sorted out, but that was not God's plan.


God's plan right now is for us to trust Him and pray for the process going on right now.  Pray for the people God is using to accomplish His perfect plan.  Pray for the people that are waiting for His perfect plan to be finished so they can bring their kids home.  Pray for the kids waiting to come home to be resting in God's loving embrace.  Pray for me - pray that I will not only adjust but also come alive in my place here at home.  Africa has changed me and I don't want to go back to being comfortable in my life, in my walk, in my faith.  I pray that I will be able to take what God has taught me and be radically changed here at home! I pray that God show me what that looks like and show me what His next work He has for me and my family to do.  As one part of my journey has ended, another part begins.  I am seeking answers, resting in His loving arms and listening to Him. Join me in praying.


Teach

Keep those prayers coming

Well, it is the start of another week here in Uganda.  Another week away from home and another week that things can happen.  We need you to keep praying!  Please don't stop.  God is totally working in the hearts of officials here and they need your prayers too.

Things to pray for:
- Meetings to happen to clarify things for everyone in the different government offices with the right people at the right time (soon is our prayer)
- Letters to be written to the right people by the right people to clear up any confusion still preventing visas from being issued (not just for Canadians but also for Americans)
- Embassy officials to have their concerns and questions answered and be satisfied with everything that they receive so that the visas can be issued (again, both Canadian and American)
- ALL the families that are in this process and waiting, waiting patiently to take their children home.  I believe there are now more then a dozen (probably even much higher then that) and I know there are more waiting back home in North America to even come and get started on their court stuff, etc.  This affects a TON of families and especially children!
- protection for the kids.  This is HUGE.  There are a lot of kids caught in the middle of it all and they need your prayers most of all.
- Peace for tough choices that families are having to make or have already made.  Again, there are a lot of families involved and they need your prayers for God's comfort and peace.
- Praise for God working.  This is not man's fight, but God and He alone will win this battle.  There is nothing man can do to prevent God's victory and also nothing man can do to speed it up.  God's timing is perfect and He knows EXACTLY when this fight will be won and He is working to accomplish EVERYTHING He has planned.  Join me in praising Him for that.  To God be the glory, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!  Amen!

Blessings from Uganda

Teach

More work from the devil...

He still here and he's not going away.  When we get good news, it seems like 2 mins later he is working to put doubt, fear and discouragement in our minds.  Well, again, God leads me to His word and says in Hebrews 10:35-36, "So do not throw away your confindence; it will be richly rewarded.  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."

Today I praise again and say thank you Lord for your word, your promises and your unfailing love!!  I will NOT be move from this rock I stand on.  I will NOT be shaken by the devils attacks.  I am resting in God's comfort and His word, right where He wants me.  Thank you Lord, thank you!

Keep praying, things are happening and the devil knows it.  Thank you all SO much for all of your support!!  It is a huge blessing to us!

Blessings from Uganda

Teach

The Attacks Keep Coming...

This weekend was a low one for me.  Satan is attacking me and my family hardcore but he will not win!  On Friday, I went out to do a few things in town and go out for lunch with some friends.  When I got back to my room in the early afternoon, all my electronic devices were stolen!  The culprits took my macbook (lap top for you non-mac users J), my iPod (mp3 player), my digital camera, my flash drive, my cell phone and a friend’s digital camera I had in my room.  Basically everything that I was using to encourage myself and stay connected to my world back home.  For those of you that don’t know me well, I am kind of a techy.  I like my technology, actually I LOVE my technology.  In fact, I worked in the electronics section at Costco for almost seven years while putting myself through university before becoming a teacher.

It was strange right from the beginning because my room has a British double lock on the door (you turn the key twice and the lock goes in on two stages).  I ALWAYS lock the double lock!  When I went to open it, only the first stage was locked.  It was strange.  When I noticed my stuff gone, I thought it had to be someone from the hotel because who else would have a key to my room?  Also, when I first went to this hotel (I was asked to leave Sanyu guesthouse 3 weeks ago – long story not for this post) they told me that I had the ONLY key to my room.  I even had to leave it for the maid if I wanted my room cleaned, which I only had been doing once per week on Mondays.  This had to be someone from the hotel, no one else could have a key or access to extra keys that I was told didn’t exist. I went to the hotel manager and told him my stuff was gone and he said he would call the police.  I was a little in shock, so at first I accepted this and went back to my room.  Then, on gaining my head, I realized if it was the manager who did it, he wouldn’t actually try to help me.  I called a Ugandan friend and he told me not to trust anyone and to go to the police station myself right away.  This was even more confirmed when I started to leave and the manager told me not to.  I went down to the police, filed the report and they came back to the hotel to “question” the workers with traditional Ugandan methods (let’s just say not the same as in North America).  They ended up taking everyone down to the police station and held them all in custody for further “questioning”.   The police agreed that someone from the hotel must have a part in it and are still trying to get answers.  The hotel owner has been very nice to me since then, I think mainly because he doesn’t want me to ask him to pay for my stuff.  He changed the locks to my room, gave me ALL the keys, reduced my fees and gave me access to some other benefits not normally given to other guests.  Well, 3 days later, still not much has changed in my case.  They have not arrested or questioned anyone outside the hotel and tell me they are looking for 2 people.  They do suspect one worker in particular and are looking for his friends.  I don’t really have much hope that my stuff will be found, but who knows?  Anyway, this was probably one of the heaviest blows that Satan could deal me right now.  He is working overtime to discourage me, tear me down and make me give up and give in.

The thing the devil doesn’t know or is failing to see is that I serve an even bigger God!  An awe-inspiring, mountain-moving, gasp-giving, wonder-working, all powerful God that loves me and is taking care of me here.  Yes, I was discouraged.  Yes, I wallowed a bit in my own self-pity.  Yes, I was angry (still am a bit) BUT then God picked me up, brushed me off and told me to “keep on”.

I know we must be getting close to going home because it sure seems like the devil is working extra hard, pulling extra innings, putting in some major over-time to stop me, stop us, from bringing these kids home.  Things are going to happen soon, I just know it.  God knows when this will all be over.  He has it in His perfect plan.

On Friday morning (before this happened), I read  2 Corinthians 4:8 &9, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”  What an amazing message to prepare me for the next attack from Satan.  God wanted me to know that He is still here – that I may be hard pressed, that I may be perplexed, that I may be persecuted and even struck down, but He is not going to let me be crushed, in despair, abandoned or destroyed.  He says in Hebrews 13:5b & 6, “’Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?’” And in Isaiah 43:2 He says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Friends, God is with each of us.  He will not leave us, or forsake us in good times or bad.  And today (as we should EVERY day) I say blessed be the name of the Lord.  I am not discouraged. Although it sucks not having my lap top or iPod or those other things, they are just that, things, material possessions and they can be replaced and they don’t control or change the work that God has me doing here.  God is so good, God is ALL I need and God will continue to carry me through this no matter what Satan throws at me or my family!!  Yay God for that!!

Fighting in Uganda,

Teach

Not lost, but not much to say…

Well, it seems that I have been pretty silent lately.  To be honest, it is because I haven’t had much to say.  Things are starting to feel like they are moving and so I am cautiously optimistic but I stress cautiously!  I really feel like God is lining everything up so that we all will be home soon and life can get back to “normal” (as normal as life can get with 5 kids and dad being gone for 4 ½ months anyway).  Meetings have been happening and are happening here in Uganda.  Information is being processed and people in high places are working on it.  Not much else to say.  Your continued prayers for the gates to open are HUGELY appreciated.  Soon, I know it will be soon and your prayers go a LONG way in helping.  Thank you!!!

I continue to keep busy with the everyday – playing and spending time with kids, going to the lawyers for updates (briefs, he calls them), going to the slums, going to Ssenge, and all the rest of the stuff here that keeps me busy.  I continue to feel that God really is sustaining me and helping me get through this all.  I continue to find that I am drawn to my bible for comfort and am still amazed that it speaks so loud and clear to me.  If you are interested, here’s some passages (like I promised last week) that have really become dear to me:

Psalm 61-63

Romans 16:19-20
Matthew 11:28-30
Ephesians 6:10-18
1 Peter 4:12-19
1 Peter 5:6-11
2 Chronicles 20:15&17
Psalm 34
Psalm 121
Psalm 11:7

Fighting in Uganda,
Teach

Resting in God...

Its been a while since I posted.  I hope that you all are still around.  In case you don't know, I am still here in Uganda, fighting to get my kids home.  This has been a journey of much learning and growing in God for me.  The last week and a bit has had some highs and lows and I have found myself "resting in God".  This phrase has always been in my heart and mind but it just seems so much more real here to me then ever before in my life.  


Its seems that EVERY time I pick up my Bible, God is speaking directly to me, right here, right now.  Never before has the Word been so alive, so real, so personal to me.  When I can't sleep (which is VERY often here) I find myself picking up my Bible just to "hear" what God wants me to right then.  Even though I am missing out on physical sleep, I am getting the much needed "rest" I need directly from my Father above.  I can start the day "rested" even though I may have only actually slept for a few hours.  God is AWESOME in sustaining me.  He rejuvenates me, fills me, feeds me and yes, even gives me the "rest" I need to keep going.  


I am praying for things to come to a close SOON.  I am praying that the visas come QUICKLY.  I am praying that my family be reunited ASAP.  I am praying for all of this just be be FINISHED.  While I am doing that, I am RESTING in God!


Blessings from Uganda,


Teach


PS - I will share some AMAZING passages God has been using to speak to me soon.

Persistence...

I have been looking for this passage for a while now, and today I found it.  It was what I needed to hear again.


Luke 18

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

 1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
 4"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' "

 6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Continuing to fight, pray and be persistent...

Blessings from Uganda

Teach

Happy Birthday James!!!

Well, I am an ocean away from my husband.  It is his birthday today (Ugandan time).... tomorrow for all us North Americans.  I feel completely helpless in helping celebrate him on his special day.  We never imagined we would still be apart.... I didn't plan any surprises in his suitcase for this day!  So, I am asking you to help me.... send my James a birthday message and encourage him as he continues on fighting for our children to come home.

James, you are my hero.  I love you more than words could ever say.  You are an amazing example of what love is supposed to look like.  You have given up so much to be in Uganda to bring  Kaysia and Zeke home to their forever family.  You selflessly give of yourself daily to help others.  You are the most amazing husband, father and friend.... I am so blessed to be called your wife.  I so wish I could be there to celebrate with you.  We are going to have the biggest party e.v.e.r when you get home with our sweet babies.  So today is your birthday (in Uganda) but we will celebrate it again when you get home!  I love you with my whole heart and miss you.  Thank you for doing what you are doing....  Happy Birthday to you my James...  Love you forever!  Cher

More Pics From Uganda...

It's been a bit since I put a pic of the kids up here, so I thought I would give you a couple to see us playing on the swings.  It was a good day again today.  Church was good, lunch was good, company was good.  I even got a massage from a GREAT masseuse (anyone in Marion, Indiana should look her up!)  After the kids had a nap, we played and had some fun.  Here's the pics.

Blessings from Uganda,

Teach

Stress Relief

You know, there is just something SO amazing about going out to Ssenge, to African Hearts, and playing with the boys, harvesting and shucking corn, hearing some amazingly talented young men sing and dancing "like no one's watching" with kids whose joy just flows through their very being.  Today, that was exactly what I needed and God knew it.  So thankful for the HUGE blessings He gives me daily here (and every day, no matter where I am).

I truly believe that when I am helping others, blessing others, the blessing I receive is SO much more.  People keep thanking me for doing this and that and I just feel like "don't thank me, it really was nothing and a HUGE blessing for me!"  Funny how that works when you are just doing what God calls you to do.

Anyway, it was a GREAT day am I am thankful I got to experience it with my new friends from the US.  I think it was a blessing to them as well.

Blessings to you all from Uganda,

Teach

Renewed...

Have you ever just started reading the Bible and not been able to put it down?  Have you ever felt like a particular verse, passage or group of passages were written just for you to hear?

I love reading my Bible and know that it is an important part of my walk with God.  Today, I couldn't put it down!  I just kept reading and God just kept speaking to me.  So many of the words I read felt like they were written just for me, for this time, for this place I am in right now.  The feeling is AMAZING.  I feel SO filled with the spirit right now, so at peace, so confident that God is working to bring this whole matter to a resolution.  I felt like God told David that I would need these words right now, right here and for this very moment.  My heart soared as I read on and on.

So, to encourage you all and to hopefully have some (or all) of these passages speak to you in whatever you are doing right now, I want to write the references here for you to read.  I started reading at the beginning of Psalms last week and just feel like they ALL speak to me.  Have you read the Psalms lately?  You should!  I reread from the beginning again today and then continued from where I was, Psalm 9.  I read through to Psalm 23 and feel like when I go back to my room I want to reread it all again and continue beyond, that's how uplifting it was to me!!  Anyways, here are some key verses/passages I want to highlight for you:

Psalm 10:14-18 - But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.  Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out. The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

Psalm 16: 5-6 - LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.


Psalm 18:28-29 - You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.

Those are just a few of the verses that stood out to me.  I seriously would encourage you to read through the first 23 Psalms (and beyond) again!  I know God used it to feed me, fill me and lift me up today!

Still FIGHTING in Uganda, and NOT giving up!

Teach

Prayer and Fasting...

I don't know exactly what to say but know that some of you might read about this on other blogs and I wanted to tell you here as well so we can get as many people praying and/or fasting for this as possible.

We need you to pray!!  Pray that the judge will see us tomorrow.  Pray that she will add 3 sentences to our orders.  Pray that she will do this quickly and pray that the High Commission will FINALLY be satisfied with everything they have put us through.  Our visas hinge on all of this!  Pray that the other judges in the family court will do the same for the orders they have issued or will issue.  This is no longer just a Canadian issue for adoptions in Uganda.  The US embassy is following the HC's lead and requiring the legal guardianship order wording to be changed as well.  This effects ALL North Americans trying to adopt from Uganda now and in the future.  We need to pray for this and get this done NOW or adoptions from Uganda by North Americans will be forever effected.  Please join us in praying and fasting.

Fighting in Uganda

Teach

FUN!!

Two posts in one day!

School was SO fun today that I just had to post some great pics.  The kids had a BLAST in the tubs and it was a great way to cool off from the HEAT that we had today.  So fun even for the adults to be in the middle of the splashing and playing.  Taking pictures was an adventure and I ended up with soaking wet shorts, but on the plus side, I was cooled off too!  Enjoy!

The set-up before the kids                                             Let the fun begin!

Do you think he likes to splash?

Her goal was to get me as wet as possible!

Priceless memories were made and captured today.  So glad that I was there for it!  Thank you Jesus for even the simple blessings of splashing in the water on a HOT day.  

Blessings from Uganda

Teach

Unknown...

I have been here so long that sometimes it is hard to think of something to write.  Some days it feels like nothing changes, nothing is changing and nothing is happening and so there is nothing to write about.  Last week was one of those weeks in terms of getting home with my kids.  Sure, there was stuff that I did here and it was good, but in terms of getting home, nothing seemed to happen - another week went by and I am no further ahead.  I know what has to happen for the end to come, it is so close I can almost taste it, but I cannot make that happen myself.  I must rely on other people to do their jobs for me to get what I need to take my kids home.  NOTHING I do can make it happen.

You know, when I get to thinking like that I have to catch myself and remind myself that this is not about me.  That I am NOT in control of all of this and that it really is not my job to worry about these things.  It is hard, SO HARD.  I know what I want, I know what I think should happen, but that's just it, its not my plan.  But I KNOW whose plan it is, even if I don't understand it.

These selfish thoughts are just little probes from Satan trying to discourage, depress and bring me down.  He doesn't want me to be here, he doesn't want us to be doing this, he wants to make it hard for me, my wife and my kids.  He wants us to give up and give in.  I've got news for you, Satan, ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!

I don't like this unknown - this not having an end date/time for this to be over BUT I know that God has it under control and WILL NOT let anything change that.  I KNOW God is keeping, sustaining and caring for my family and for me.  Sure there are days that it feels like I can't go on, like I can't continue (many of them actually) but God ALWAYS brings me back under His arm and just says, "Trust ME."  He has promised, "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life... I will never leave you nor forsake you."  Joshua 1:5 (also Deuteronomy 31:6 & 8)

So this week I am trusting God and I am asking you for your prayers this week for me and Cheremi.  Pray for us to not be discouraged when things seem like they are not happening.  Pray that things "start" to happen and that they be a visible encouragement to us.  Pray that God release the doors and bring me and the kids home soon.  Pray that He be glorified through this and that our lives be a living testimony of Christ and His love to others.  Thank you dear friends, it truly does make a difference having you all there for us.

Fighting in Uganda,

Teach

Words...

Not much exciting to post today but I feel like writing because sometimes it brings me down from my frustrations, so this is more for me then it is for you.  I am trying to think and look at the positives from today, as I find this much more effective in remaining positive then focussing on the negatives (and today there were some!!).

So, being positive, this is what I have come up with.  Today, after rushing in to say good morning to the kids and then off to help out a sick friend, I got to see a bit of wonder and "magic".  I got to play with a sick little girl, who to this point, I have not seen very happy.  Today, I decided instead of looking at her as "sick" - the label that has followed her for probably her whole life, I decided just to look at her as a little girl.  Labels can be so debilitating and can cloud our interactions with people.  I cannot begin to describe what it was like playing with this little angel and the joy I saw in her for the first time since I have known her, it was contagious!    She has such personality, such character and a GREAT sense of humor for such a young child.  It took a few minutes for me to get past the label, but after that, we just played.  She crawled over me, lay on my legs, played with my face, splashed water at me, "talked" on the phone to me, laughed, smiled and just played.  Much of our play was down on her level, which was lying on the floor, but it was still fun!  And for a few brief moments, she was just a little girl and I was just a friend playing with her.  It was priceless!

It really made me realize how much I take "playing" with all of my kids for granted.  I might be tired or frustrated with something from the day or "busy" or... but the best times with my kids are when I just tune out the world and just "be" with them, at their level.  I really needed that reminder today and I really need to focus on that right now after the day I had.  So, "little angel", thank you for being something VERY positive in my day and thank you Jesus for allowing me to experience that today!

Blessings from Uganda,

Teach

3 months...

3 months - a period of time that can mean so many different things.
3 months since I landed in Uganda with my wife after 32 hours of traveling to get here.
3 months (and 2 days) since I said goodbye to my kids in Canada and held them tight.
3 months (and 1 day) since I celebrated my 11th anniversary in Vienna with my wife (top that guys :) ).
3 months since I first held my Ugandan children again and have not missed a day since then holding them.
3 months filled with work that I never imagined I'd be doing in Uganda when I first came back.
3 months fighting my own government to let me (a Canadian citizen) bring MY children home to the country I live in.
3 months (and 2 days) since being in my home with all the things/comforts I take for granted every day.
3 months TOTALLY relying on God for EVERYTHING and knowing/realizing without Him NONE of this would be possible.
3 months TRUSTING God and His plan and timing, even though I don't understand it.

To you, 3 months may not seem so long, just a drop in the bucket, but for me, the last 3 months have seemed like an ETERNITY.
Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I KNOW the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'Plans to PROSPER and NOT to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE.'" (emphasis added).

Lord, today, 3 months later, I am still trusting YOU and know that your plans for my life, my family's lives, are perfect.  May Your will be done when You have planned it to be done.  Give me what I need to continue down this road.  Give my wife what she needs to continue to look after things in my absence.  Give ALL my kids what they need to understand, know and trust that You are working and keeping them even though it is hard.  Thank you, Father, Amen!

Blessings from Uganda,

Teach

Today and some thoughts to think about...

I got up VERY early (4:45 AM) this morning, wanting to make sure everything was ready, including myself, for the early medical exam this morning.  I really wanted to make a GOOD breakfast for Kaysia and Ezekiel, as well as give them a nice WARM bath after they ate (I don’t think they have ever had a warm bath except from Cher and I at the guest house).  They LOVED it!! They played with the water, splashed each other, splashed me and splashed the rest of the bathroom J.  It was nice being able to do things for the kids by myself without having the “mamas” staring at me and, I’m sure, judging me.  I gently washed them, dried them, lotioned them and got them dressed in their OWN clothes, not Sanyu’s but THEIRS.  They didn’t say how they felt, but the looks on their faces made my heart sore.  I felt like I REALLY was their dad today, being able to look after ALL their needs and even discipline them when needed without a “mama” interfering.  I can’t wait to get them home to be able to do this EVERY day!!

The medical exams went pretty much as I expected.  I had experience with this doctor before in June and have heard TONS from other people, so I knew he would already have VERY prejudiced views of my kids before even looking at them.  He did not disappoint.  My kids however, made me SO proud and put the doctor’s foot in his mouth MANY times, proving EVERYTHING he said before looking at them wrong as he went about his exam.  Good job kids!!  I had a few surprises for the doc too, with my previous parenting experience and adoption experience, so I hope he enjoyed the humble pie today J.  With that said, the kids passed the exam with flying colors and the forms were sent away to the Canadian Consulate to make it in time for the diplomatic bag to Nairobi to the High Commission.  Medical exams complete – check.  Visa applications complete – check.  Bring on the visas!!

I didn’t want to bring the kids back right away, so we walked (with the help of a Ugandan friend that came along with us to the appointment) to the big shopping mall not too far away and had “morning tea”.  It was nice and the café even had an internet “hot spot” so we were able to Skype with mommy.  Even though it was hard to hear each other, it was nice to be able to see mommy and talk even though it was only briefly.  Thanks for staying up later to do it mommy!  Overall, it was a GREAT morning with the kids!

   

This afternoon I was able to go to the street-boy feeding program.  I haven’t been in a while, so it was “nice” to be back.  God has been using this time to teach me SO much.  I have wanted to share some thoughts with you for a while, but the time never seemed right.  But today, even though the time may not seem right, I want to share it anyway.  

**Disclaimer – some of you reading may not agree with what I am about to type and may not like to “hear” it, but God has placed it on my heart, so know that I am not trying to offend but ignite a spark in the hearts of those God is calling and need a “push” to get going**

After being involved in the programs for more then 2 months, I thought my heart would become desensitized to the things I see in the slums.  This is definitely NOT the case!  My heart breaks EVERY time I go.  I can truly see that if my heart is breaking for these boys, in a small area of a city in a relatively small country in the world, that God’s heart must be torn in two for ALL of the babies, children, youths, and even adults throughout the world that suffer from poverty, homelessness, abandonment, being orphans and so much more.  Many of these children are orphans – 147 million approximately around the world!  My heart is breaking just typing that staggering number!  What breaks my heart even more then that is what we as “Christians” are (or aren’t) doing about it!!  I don’t have hard numbers or facts here, but I am pretty sure if even ONE QUARTER of the people who claim to be Christians actually did something about it, actually stepped out in faith and adopted one child, that there would be no more orphans in the world.  “Can’t” adopt for some reason?  Are you REALLY sure?  Try watching this:  Why Wouldn't I?

Now granted, there are people who really can’t adopt BUT are you supporting, financially helping, sacrificially giving and making a difference for some one who can and is willing?  Not everyone has to adopt to create a solution BUT everyone SHOULD get involved in one way or another. The Bible seems pretty black and white about this to me – Matthew 25:31-46 (I’ll just quote verse 40), “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” And James 1:27, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” 

These verses are obviously close to my heart but being in Uganda and working in the street-boy program has made it even more real to me.  Working with the orphaned and abandoned or outcast has really broken my heart for the things that break God’s heart.  I may be leaving Uganda soon, but my work for the orphaned, abandoned, outcast, destitute, etc will NEVER end as long as these exist.  And Jesus says, “You will ALWAYS have the poor,” (Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:7, John 12:8 & in the Old Testament Deuteronomy 15:11) which means that WE are not supposed to EVER stop working and serving “the least of these”.  What is God calling you to do today for “the least of these”?  Adopt? Support someone who is? Work in a street-boy program or some other program for the poor, homeless, abandoned, orphaned, widowed?  Get out there and do it!

Fighting in Uganda

Teach