Wednesday, March 12

Well, the day started with my 3 girls sleeping in for a much needed rest after some good work the day before. I woke up early and headed to town with Emmy and our driver Emmy (who by the way seems to be a body double for "the playmaker" Michael Irvin). He needs to be a playmaker to navigate the heavy street congestion, banana bike boys and the many pedestrians who come within inches of our vehicle. This man is very skilled at what he is doing, and we feel the Lord directing his path clearly.

Our first stop was the bank to open a new account for Pastor Emmy. You see here in Uganda pastors work for free. The Lord provides for them somehow someway. I have had a chance to be at Emmy's current house usually every evening, and it is quite a humble place. He has 4-5 rooms, a nice-sized living room with an old compaq huge computer in the corner. A large hole is next to that where he just sold his tv and vcr to feed the orphans last month. His house payment is $160 a month. Water is $25 and electricity (about 5 lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling) is $40. He feeds for $200 a month and keeps his 5 own children, his wife and about 14 more orphans - for a total of TWENTY ONE PEOPLE each month. All for around $500 a month. Wow ... I am astonished of how so little can take care of so many, and this would be upper-middle class for this country. He is quite the man ... I love watching the children come up to him in the city. They walk up, wait patiently for him to stop talking to me, and then almost bow in reverence to their pastor. He seems to know everyone by name, too.

So back to the city. We left the bank and went searching for soccer balls. We found two, and he said the orphans would love them. Then, we went to find some special snacks for the orphans. They would each get a small bag of treats (kinda an African treat) and a thing of juice. We got one for each of the 110 for just around 50 cents. Emmy said this would be quite the treat. They never get this. Just pouridge in the morning and some makobe, rice and beans for lunch and dinner.

Next, we went by the minister's office, but he was still busy. Who I thought was the governor was actually the state director of their equivalent of the CIA. Yikes. His office was in a very modest building, dusty concrete hallway. We were going to have to come back. The real governor was down the hall, but he was going to try to meet with us later.

We left for the orphanage bearing juice, crackers, and two brand new soccer balls. My heart sunk when I saw the rolled-up ball of tape they had been using so well. Our van soon arrived with the entire 110 greeing us like a ray of sunshine and sense of hope coming to Gilligan's Island. We told them that the Lord had told us we must return to bless their precious hearts. The Lord loves them, and we were only just beginning to help them. We would bring their story to many of our friends and family, and with our pictures and Emmy's arrival this summer after obtaining a visa, we would see the Lord continue this mighty work. The children carried the big boxes of juice and crackers in to the newly-constructed classroom buildings. Many of us had more elaborate childhood forts than these structures. These children don't know any different and have quite the pride of what the Lord is providing. Next we prayed and thanked Him and passed them out. Monica, Bailey, Libby and I passed them out. What a treat. Their genuine smiles were priceless. Many responded with their best English "thank you." Many of them just held them ... after a while, I began to observe that many had never even seen a cup of juice with a thin aluminum lid. They didn't even know how to open them!! Oh my goodness, I nearly lost it then. We went back around and helped them. They were holding it like the precious "cup of cold water" that is was. They didn't want to lose one drop. Oh Lord ... my cup so runneth over ... Thank you for blessing me so. We walked away from that experience feeling as if we were so poured into, I can't begin to tell you what it feels like. There is no better feeling in the world. I don't think I have had this much joy ever in my life. When you see the pictures, I will let you be the judge.

Next we went to bless the teachers and support staff. We prayed for all eight of the teachers and thanked them for their faithful dedication to this school. The Lord, in addition, provided a blessing for the two male and two female dorm leaders, the water boy (down to the river), the assistant cook and main cook. I shall post a picture of each and describe them all soon. One in particular, Elusam, is the main cook. He cooks for all of the 110. Then, he stays up all night protecting them all. He sleeps very little. We brought him two flashlights and gave a special blessing for everything he does. I can't imagine working so hard EVERY DAY ALL DAY AND NIGHT.

Next, we went back to the orphans and showed them the soccer balls. It was the LOUDEST OVATION of the entire week. They erupted with joy. The recreation teachers, Emmy and Bonny, were ear to ear ivory grinning. I think mine may have been bigger. What a thrill to see them so overjoyed with just two balls. There is precious little ground to play but we found a way to juggle with it and kick it around. I am even more determined to get more of these there soon.

We posed for some pictures and were trying to soak up our last few minutes with these precious children of God. We are so determined to return, and we haven't even left!!!

Next we went back to the minister's ofice. There, we were able to meet with John, who I thought was the governor. He went on explain all about his job as head of the CIA for the area. "We look for bad guys and keep this place safe" is basically his message. However, he continued to say how his government loved the Lord. What a blessing. Next, we waited outside for the real governor. He was very busy. Many important men were walking in and out of his office. Most of them were carrying their own security with large automatic weapons. ;o)

Monica had made friends with all of them, with a few life-savers. We were sitting there across from a park, and I asked Emmy what it was. He said it was a golf course. I asked him if he had ever played, and of course he said that he hadn't. I asked him next if he knew who Tiger Woods was ... he said no. What about Disneyworld? Nope. No concept. No clue. What a fantasy land of lifting up those who we think are heroes and thinking Disney is the ultimate trip. I have taken my girls there and have no problem with it ... it just seems a little over-emphasized ... way much so. Finding true joy is hard these days, but I can tell you that I have never taken a trip like this and felt more joy, more love for God's people and more confirmation that he has my family right where he wants us to be. I will soon be headed back to Tyler, but part of my heart will remain with my new friend, his school of orphans and his precious churches praising the Lord out in the African bush.

Finally, we were called to speak to the governor. He met us graciously and agreed to support Emmy on his travels. We wrote a letter, and he stamped it with his official seal. Amazing! What an answer to prayer. Next is up the embassy early in the morning Friday and a meeting with the MBKI lawyer that afternoon.

We returned to the hotel and treated Emmy's family to a meal. It was eating high on the hog for them . I wish you could have seen their kitchen in their home. THEY LOVED this meal. With their plates piled high, they enjoyed every morsel. Imagine eating a meal that cost half your dad's salary for the month. What a treat it was just to watch.

Emmy kept thanking us and the Lord. He said he feels like he is dreaming ... so am I.

Better go,

Thanks for praying for us. Pray for safe travel and good decisions from the "playmaker" behind the wheel.

Psalm 72

Bub