Monday, April 19, 2010
Lesson #2 from Uganda ... Meet my sons and daughters
What do you say when a child bows to you and thanks you for a plate of food ??? Just think on that a moment ... A child who may go hungry with out the help of ministries like Amazima ... They lined up all 300 plus of them and every single one bowed their precious head and thanked me for their plate of food ... I wanted to hold each one and thank them for giving me HOPE in a world that screams look out for number one ... I wanted them to know they were changing my life, my family, and the legacy we would leave behind ... I saw my spiritual sons and daughters in Africa ... I am called to love them and it was a pleasure to meet them finally !!!
It took me about 3 days of looking at extreme poverty for God to impart some wisdom on me with regards to NEEDS versus WANTS ... I saw middle school boys wearing dresses that looked like something we wore to church in the 80s, I saw children in tattered dirty clothing, I saw bare scared feet, I saw flies swarming children's smiling faces, and I saw eyes so bright with joy that it made me jealous ... You see on day 3 God told me to stop imparting my way of life, my comforts, my judgements on what I thought was a good quality of life and look into my sons and daughters faces ... That sweet boy in the dress didn't care !!! His needs were met !!! The children were leaving Saturday worship/feeding w/ Katie happy, a new story about Jesus, and w/ a full belly ...
Now don't get me wrong there are still NEEDS in their life that will need to be met and as our sons and daughters we need to do everything we can to love on them in that way ... I replaced so much sadness and pity that I had in my heart with LOVE and COMPASSION ... These children are truly warriors for Christ and they are changing the community around them with the JOY and LOVE for Jesus ...
When they prayed aloud their voices rung in my soul and I imagined heaven sounding a lot like the prayers I heard in Uganda ... DEEEAAA Jesus (oh that sweet sweet accent)
Enjoy the pictures and look into the faces of children you will see one day in Heaven !!!
It took me about 3 days of looking at extreme poverty for God to impart some wisdom on me with regards to NEEDS versus WANTS ... I saw middle school boys wearing dresses that looked like something we wore to church in the 80s, I saw children in tattered dirty clothing, I saw bare scared feet, I saw flies swarming children's smiling faces, and I saw eyes so bright with joy that it made me jealous ... You see on day 3 God told me to stop imparting my way of life, my comforts, my judgements on what I thought was a good quality of life and look into my sons and daughters faces ... That sweet boy in the dress didn't care !!! His needs were met !!! The children were leaving Saturday worship/feeding w/ Katie happy, a new story about Jesus, and w/ a full belly ...
Now don't get me wrong there are still NEEDS in their life that will need to be met and as our sons and daughters we need to do everything we can to love on them in that way ... I replaced so much sadness and pity that I had in my heart with LOVE and COMPASSION ... These children are truly warriors for Christ and they are changing the community around them with the JOY and LOVE for Jesus ...
When they prayed aloud their voices rung in my soul and I imagined heaven sounding a lot like the prayers I heard in Uganda ... DEEEAAA Jesus (oh that sweet sweet accent)
Enjoy the pictures and look into the faces of children you will see one day in Heaven !!!
This is sweet David ... He is going to be my new sponsor son in the Amazima program ... so sweet ! I can't wait for my Jeremiah to meet him and play together when we go back !!!
Katie joining in on the fun !!!
All those sweet precious faces !!! Thank you Lord for letting me serve YOUR children !!!
This is Patrick and he works for Amazima ... His spirit is so kind and so gentle !!!
Please continue to pray ... We have 3 families (us included) that will receive our verbal rulings this week and then off to get passports ... I am waiting to do my post on Joseph and Daisy because my heart is aching for them and I am just not sure I can write it yet ...
Also continue to pray for Maggie ... The doctor thinks he might have to add another expander and that will require an additional surgery ... We are going twice a week now for injections ...
147millionorphans.com ... new gear !!!
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21 kind words.:
I've eager to read more about your trip, Gwen. Please know that I'm thinking and praying for your sweet Maggie. This week is our 2 year open-heart surgery anniversary for Josie. You've been with me through thick and thin. Hugs!!
amazing! i just had to email a link to this post to my husband, children and other family/friends. to think that the need of clothing for those boys was met by them wearing a dress, and they were okay with that?! i am so humbled...speechless.
A lesson we all need. How beautiful that the sweetest smiles - the most joy- comes straight from God HIMSELF and not from things of this world..... PRAYING FOR YOUR BABES!!!!
Girl ... once again you leave me speechless and weeping tears of joy. I am longing to sit at your kitchen table in July and hear more. Praying for Joseph & Daisy's court ruling. And praying our sweet Maggie will NOT need another surgery.
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
God is working on the hearts of so many. The plight for orphans has never been stronger. Thank you dear friend for sharing your journey with us. I am blessed and touched to the core EVERY time I come by. Heaviness sometimes. for sure. HOPE? YES! God is good and I love seeing Him in you!! Thank you for being a vessel! <><
Prayers are going up for all 3 families rulings...I can't wait to see more photos of your kiddos! I know your heart is aching to wrap your arms around them some more. Praying for sweet Maggie, too!
Love and Hugs,
~Tanya
Oh my ...
had LOTS to say about this post, but don't know quite how to say it.
wrote it out ... but deleted it ... don't want it to come across wrong ...
I will say, thank you for the pics ... so glad your time there was BLESSED ... so glad that the Lord taught you things that you probably never dreamed you'd learn.
Praying for you!
Laurel
PS: A friend of my daughter's came over the other day with a shoulder bag from your ministry. I was so excited, as I haven't seen any of your items in our area (even though there are LOTS of adoptive families in town).
Oh, how I can relate. Thank God for your experience in Uganda. I'm in the process of blogging the same words about my trip to Zimbabwe.
I am praying for your court rulings.
WOW WOW WOW!
Amazing Gwen!
Praying for Maggie!
Praying for your heart waiting to bring your children home!
Praying for your children waiting to come home forever!
Praying for Katie! I love the photos and your precious heart!
Big hugs and lots of love,
Jill
Thank you so much for sharing your heart and love. I have friends in Uganda and love that country so much! I am also praying for your sweet children there and at home.
Loving these updates, loving what God is doing in your lives! God is so so good.
Prayers are with you and the steps happening to bring your kiddos home and prayers for sweet Maggie.
Love and Blessings,
Carrie
www.hiswillandgrace.blogspot.com
wow! no words! I hope to be able to do what you just did over there next year!
I have often thought of my brothers and sisters-in Christ. When I see news reports, read blogs, etc...I will think of them as my brothers and sisters. Never, not once, has my brain thought of them as my sons and daughters. Never. But, friend, they ARE! And, by making that shift, it changes everything to me. A sister has some responsibilities, a Mother has a VERY DIFFERENT set of set of responsibilities. Of course, the sweet children you met are MY sons and daughters! The responsibilities that I FEEL are so different, so real, so urgent! While they were in my prayers before, know that NOW they are my sweet children. My prayers have not changed, but my heart has. I hope this makes sense (I feel sure I am rambling). I just wanted you to know that your post changed me today....changed me in a fundamental way. God Bless you for following His Will for this post as it surely was used to shift my mindset and change my heart.
I will be praying and praying over this in the coming days and weeks.
In Him,
Heather (Mama of three, two boys who were adopted from the US and Miss Maddie from China)
PS
Imagine the change in the world if ALL us Mama-Bears truly treated these sweet children as OUR children. Imagine it....wow
It is so true that they have needs, and great those needs are, but you hit on something that I have seen before. When we look into the eyes of people we consider to be the poorest of the poor we have pity for them, but if you look a little closer and deeper you find that they have such a sincere joy and love that overflows from their spirit. You dont see that very often in the richest of neighborhoods because we tend to let all the STUFF get in the way, and when you have everything why would you need to rely on a God? I will take poor over rich any day because that is where I feel closest to Him.
Wow, you make me so ready to be in Uganda getting my sweet little one. Please keep posting about your trip. It is such a wake-up call to all that REALLY matters. God is so much bigger than the things we consume ourselves with, and I love hearing GOD-SIZED stories.
oh, gwen. these pictures....beautiful. and i love your thoughts. yes, just because WE think that the boys need some athletic shorts or a polo doesn't mean THEY do. praise Him for meeting their needs and praying that more people come alongside these precious people. [me included!]
my heart aches for uganda and i look forward to going back.
praying for everyone's rulings, wordings & Visas!
Beautiful.......
your words...
the experience....
the precious children....
God's plan......
Jesus.......
simply beautiful....
praying....
Tender yes and amen. The love and family of Christ is INCREDIBLE--UNCONTAINABLE--GLORIOUS--
Love to you, Gwen.
You are an amazing inspiration! My blog is small potatos but I do want to list you under my sunshine awards! If you'd like to see it check out www.carterchaos-ecarter.blogspot.com
Be still, my heart! Oh, how we confuse our needs for our wants. So often we look for Jesus in the comfort of our lives, and we miss Him altogether in our confusion. Thank you for sharing your heart!
Longing for and clinging to that beautiful picture of Heaven!!
Welcome Home, sweet Gwen....
P.S. Did you get my email regarding the Mwangza African Children's Choir coming to Nashville? They are looking for churches to preform at as well as families willing to open their homes to host the children's choir members. Hoping the African Adoption Fellowship Group can rally around this great opportunity to serve. I copied Kristi & Tracy on the email as well. Haven't heard back from anyone?!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim