Thoughts from the Last 24 Hours

I am safely at home - getting ready to go get ready for SLEEP but before I turn off my "technology" I wanted to put what was written sometime in the wee hours of the morn in Amsterdam but didn't post . . .

And just fyi - I wrote the majority of this after scanning my email in the airport and read there may be some issues w/ the high school and summer usage. Instead of normal "andrea mode" which would include lots of anxiety and panic - I figured perhaps I should just have faith and trust - and God would use whatever situaiton we found ourselves in for good.

The irony??? I opened my email just a few minutes ago - and there was an email from Mark Jordan - telling me all is well - we are good to go and there are no worries!!!! God was at work all the time - and I didn't have to be involved one iota!!!!!!

So . . . .here are my prior thoughts . . .

I look forward to sharing the Ugandan experience with you!

Take care!



We have been in the bus all day - and soon will be to the airport. Our plane leaves at 1am Uganda time - we fly all night - get home US time tomorrow night around six.

The trip was amazing . . . none of us will leave unchanged.

Yesterday afternoon after we ate a late lunch we went to do one final shoe distribution in Aurua. Way too much to type right now - and would much rather "preach" it than type it because it could easily be misunderstod - but let's just say we saw poverty and desperation in a way none of us ever imagined. Desperation - for a pair of shoes. HUNDREDS of children - at least 500 were on the site of that school by the time we left - all wanting, pleading for a pair of shoes.

The team looks forward to beginning a partnership with WC and Acres of Hope. As we prayed w/ Geoffrey and Stanley over the land Sara Beth told us that it was just August 16, 2010 that she and the Ugandan pastors stood on the land and prayed God would lead someone their way to walk along side them in the journey.


Well . . . . my computer died in the van yesterday when we were typing so the rest of the blog went away . . . sigh . . .

We are now in Amsterdam waiting on another airplane -

We said our goodbyes - hearts were heavy yet also filled with hope of what is to come.

THis is fulfilling what I have envisioned Christ called the church to be . . . NOT just something to "help out" but relationships. Kathy and I have prayed hard for a LONG time that God would bring the right relationships to Williamson's Chapel because you are a church with such a heart for serving people - both in Mooresville and now, truly, all over the world. Partnering with children in Afghanistan, looking to grow in the relationship with Christ Church in Kolkata, and now - partnering with others in the hope of building orphanages with a community of pastors in Nebbi, Uganda - I would say that is pretty close to fulfilling the call of the kingdom . . . to do unto the least of these.

And "the least of these" is what we have seen. Bellies so distended . . . hundreds and hundreds of children that run to us when we appear in an area . . . not running up to beg, mind you, simply running up for the touch of a hand. They all wanted to shake our hands . . . and if they were children who had been under the influence of any adult in their midst - as a sign of respect they would curtsey or bow.

The other children who perhaps had not experienced the presence of a "white person" merely stared but never in an unkind way. A curious way . . . looking . . . anticipating of what might can be.

Some realities are:
THIS OLD GIRL is a WEE BIT TIRED :)
THe other nine people who have given so selflessly of their time and money are exhausted too - not just physically but I think emotionally!
And I realized just now as some woman bowled me over while we were having our things scanned at security I am a bit grumpy too . . . .

BUT - and there is a BIG BUT!!!!
if you had told me even a year ago when we were in Kolkata that I would spend 6 days in the midst of nature - using the bathroom in places that really, REALLY are out of my comfort zone with creatures that I hope to never see again - showering in ways that don't leave me feeling clean - and whoever said "oh it's fine if they do not have hot water, African water isn't cold like you think." REALLY???????? Um, yes, it is a little cold!!!!!!

But - despite all those things - I sit here feeling nasty and grumpy but have a heart that is filled with joy and gratitude. I made the mistake of reading a few emails that downloaded and I see what reality awaits in about 10 more hours - - - -

And as a few situations seem insurmountable in the Inbox I remember that I have seen GOd multiply shoes to fit the needs of the children that kept coming . . . I have seen God Provide protection for the team as the earth rumbled a little bit (yes, there was an earthquake in Nebbi on Tuesday - most of the team slept through it but a few of us did not . . .) and I watched God empower two men and some other adults from the US have a vision for no more orphans and hunger in the middle of Africa and God has enabled them to begin on the journey to make that vision a reality.

Those without vision perish.

May we, as we each come home, so grateful to be in step w/ ministry with each of you, continue to see God's vision before us. A vision that is not based on material things or how many shoes and pocketbooks I can have (yes, I have been a bit convicted) but a vision based on using all that we are and all that we have to share God's love through all things - whether it is a single pencil, a "Smartie" (a piece of candy that comes in a pack - we gave each child 1. Not one pack - one piece of candy - and they would wait in line for 15 min to receive one)

Next weekend we will gather to package meals for "Feed My Starving Children." I see there are a few spots still open on Saturday - come join us in making a difference!!!!!!

I have already contacted FMSC to see if the next time (not next weekend, it is too quick to make a reality) but the next time we do this as a church - we can GUARANTEE that the very food we package will be distributed on the ground in Nebbi, Uganda. We also can even potentially schedule a summer 2012 trip w/ the distribution of the meals . . . and also a medical team . . . and a shoe drop. That is the vision for summer 2012. By then, it is my full hope and expectation that the first of the 3 orphanges will be built and children will no longer have names that mean "No Love" because they will be given new names in Christ.

November of this year we look to do another short Africa trip again. A week seems to work if you don't go do any kind of major sightseeing - which we did not do - no "safari's" for us - BUT i don't think a single soul will complain because we saw more animals on the side of the road and in the Nile that I ever imagined . . . .
BUT in November we will take women's dresses. THey do not wear pants . . . so we will do a "woman's dress shop" and let each woman in the village come and pick out an outfit for her! We will not only love those kids - but show love to those that care for them as well!!!!!!

Thank you as a church for supporting this - thank you for not "holding tight" to your dollars but for sharing them so generously with Mooresville and with the world!

Thanks be to God.