Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Day 4 In Uganda
Place number 1 we visited was an HIV orphanage ... I am going to let Suzanne share w/ you about that ... I walked in w/ a brave face and was trying to stay calm, but one look into her eyes had me in a puddle and thanking the Lord sweet Josie Love is home ... please read joiningourjourney.blogspot.com
Place number 2 we visited was Welcome Home ... This is an orphanage located in Jinja, Uganda ... It houses children 2 months - 6 years ... We met the director and got some information about their children and their ministry in the village where they help people especially with medical needs ... They are doing good work ... The orphanage was clean and had some very sweet ladies loving on the children ... I am not sure how you look into the face of an orphan and not be broken ... It doesn't matter how well cared for they are ... THEY DESERVE A FAMILY ... We stood there and thought of at least 10 families that we know who could easily love and care for an orphaned child ... Make them an ORPHAN NO MORE ... I just don't see how we feel it is ok for children that are adoptable NOT TO BE ADOPTED ... I know there will always be orphans in the world because not all orphaned children are adoptable, but SO MANY ARE AND IT IS TIME FOR US TO STAND UP AND SHOUT !!! I have said it once, so I will say it again ... "IF WE STAY WHERE WE ARE, THEN THE ORPHAN WILL STAY WHERE THEY ARE." ... Let's not be bystanders, but doers of the word ... I saw the sweetest 6 year old boy that was napping and stuck his head up when I walked in the room ... My heart leap, skipped, and did a little butterfly when he looked at me ... I spoke to him and asked him a few questions ... It was at one point that I asked him who was his best friend and he replied, "Vivian" and the teacher told me that was his sister ... Can you get more precious than that !!! This little boy wanted to make sure I knew he had a sister ... THEY ARE TOGETHER AND BELONG TOGETHER ... I pray that from all the people that have asked me about adopting from Uganda that I can find these two a family ... We left there with a sense of purpose, yet helplessness ...
Place number 3 today was an older children orphanage ... We were met by the most joyful and quirky young man named Noah ... I would guess him to be 20 something ... He along w/ a couple of other ladies where running this orphanage of about 32 children ... age 3-15 ... He spouted out all these children's stories, introduced us around, showed us the home, and we walked with him to school to pick up the elementary children ... They all joyously ran up to Noah and gave hugs and smiles ... As we were getting ready to walk back to orphanage two little boys grabbed my hand and another two grabbed Suzanne's hand and we just melted ... There brown hands holding tight in our white hands just seemed so fitting and right ... It was as if they were streaming their story into our hearts so that we would share it with you ... We are their voice TODAY, so that they are NOT forgotten !!! We watched them walk into the compound and immediately go change into their play clothes and start washing their uniform by hand in a small round tub... Once they were done a couple of boys climbed this tall tree and began throwing mangos down to the ground for all to eat ... And when they were done they were off to play ... THIS IS THEIR LIFE ... They are living it and yet there is this small spot in their eyes that says they know there is something more out there, but they need help if they are to change their world ... Suzanne and I were challenged today (once again) to never grow complacent in doing the Lord's work ... We can never dull our senses to what is around us whether it is next door or across the ocean ...
It seems each day we have been here there has been some type of devastating news of death or sickness and it is the norm ... Let's not pretend this does not happen or close our eyes to it - we can make a difference and that is what will honor the LORD ... We can't stop all the hurting in this world, but I sure don't want to have regrets about TRYING ... Doing our very best with the LORD is always good enough ...
Uganda, China, Ethiopia, Honduras, India, United States, or where ever the LORD is calling you then go and do your best to love on people, spread his word, and provide a need !!!
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16 kind words.:
So thrilled you got to visit RH!
Thank you!
Gwen, Could you please post information about the adoption agency you work with? And the adoption process, and costs through Unganda?
I am currently adopting through India. But I was wondering what your agency was, and about the process, and stuff for future reference. I am sure other people are too.
The children are beautiful. All children are. Oh, how I wish I could adopt them all.I love your blogs. Thanks, Jennifer.
We are a WELCOME HOME family!! We brought home our brother/sister wonder twin duo 2 1/2 years ago when they were 5, making us a family of 7. We are in close contact with that lovely director, who is now a close friend, and are head cheerleaders for WH! :) To see you advocating here for WH blesses my heart. Thank you!!
When we said "yes" to adoption, I scoured the web for info, support, and those who had gone before. I've been reading and following since then. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO!
--shannon from san diego
My heart is exploding!!! You visited where Esther is from..my daugher that we have had home for just over 60 days. She loved the picture of the boys...she knew each and every one of them. Thank you for visiting there and loving on these kids!!!!
I am ready!!! My home study paperwork should be finished next week according to my social worker. I can not wait to talk with you. I am headed towards Ethiopia, but I must say I still feel a strong pull in my heart towards Uganda!!! I am hoping to adopt a healthy infant. My age range is 0 -3. After much prayer and thought, I think this is the right direction. If you come across a child in this age range that is adoptable, I would love for you to remember me.
Thank-you for keeping your eyes open to the needs around the world and for allowing us to see the needs through you! Thank-you so much for the work you are doing in caring for these precious children!
Oh Gwen,
Thank you for being the VOICE for the orphans we all need to hear. Praying the Lord will raise up many more families thru your trip. We will pray you thru the rest of your trip.
Love ya friend! Lisa
Wow, I can't imagine the emotions you feel on a daily basis as you make your rounds to all these orphanages!
My church's group was on our way to Uganda and saw one of your teams back in October. It was so neat to hear their stories!
It was during this trip that we fell in love with our little girl that we will hopefully be bringing home by the end of the summer!
I don't know you personally, but am so proud of your vision and obedience!
God Bless, Tasha Via
Love hearing what the Lord is doing! PRAYING for you all as you share your hearts!!! These precious little ones are soo wonderful- PRAYING!!!!! That others will have their eyes opened for the orphans of the world!
Thank you for your reminders and your heart. Thank you for all your work...
i love those brothers up there! so glad you got to visit there and you loved on one of my boys! i wonder if my older one was the one throwing mangoes down?! i hear he's quite the little chef. and noah is the most joyful, quirky young man, isn't he?! so funny.
love you, gwen. love that country. love these children all over the world....so thankful for each person around the world loving on them in the name of the Lord!
Hey, just wanted to let you know that I've created a button to help all of us on the Uganda Adoption Journey stay connected:)
You can grab it at www.ugandaadoptionblogs.blogspot.com
God Bless,
Tasha
PS-I hope Day 5 went well today!
Gwen,
I love your heart, your passion, and your willingness to do WHATEVER God calls you to do no matter how crazy it is! You are helping pave the way for many children to be adopted and loved. I could never thank you enough for allowing me to love on your kids for the past 8 years and for the years to come. I truly feel like one in the family and I can't imagine my life without 8 Oatsvall team members. Your children have done amazing while you are gone, which shows how great of a mother you are, BUT THEY DO MISS YA LIKE CRAZY!!! I love you and could not be more grateful for you.
Anna
We love Redeemer House (and a couple cuties there who belong here)...thanks for visiting & loving them in the mean time!
I'm so thrilled to see you are back in Uganda, gearing up to extend the reach God has given you!
When you're back in town and have recouped, I'd finally love to get together. We have to carve out some time for coffee!
Initially, I bought a shirt, and supported some kids through Amazima. But, with our adoption, and the story of Katie, a book called Radical, and plenty of other confirmations... God has opened our eyes, and altered our course forever and given us an assignment! We're moving to India to serve at Sarah's Covenant Homes- all 6 of us!
www.fadelyfamily.com
Love your writing. We have dear friends who have just made Jinja, Uganda their new home!! Also, another family will make that home the end of the summer. I am so hoping to visit next summer!!