Although I am still processing somethings God wants me to share and I am enjoying my quiet time w/ Him as he brings things to my heart, I wanted to give you a couple of ways to check in on the Oatsvall Team ...  We are in Orlando again for the YBOA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT (Team 147 won it last year) ... We are enjoying it as our vacation also, before Maggie's surgery on July 12th ... You can check in on us at 147mom (twitter) or on FB at gwen oatsvall ... I have learned how to upload video and pictures easy  (not always a good thing ... hee hee ... I totally posted by accident a horrible video of me singing happy birthday to my Emily on FB) ...  Thanks for always praying for my family ...

I am going to let the ANNA'S post tonight ... They are two amazing college students who love the LORD and my kids ... They are here w/ us and I am so thankful for them ...

Tomorrow is Daisy's 4th birthday and Sunday was Emily's 7th birthday ... I can't believe how fast they are growing ... I don't want to miss it !!!  GOD HAS GIVEN ME THIS TIME and I want to make sure I am present and I can do both ... I can be a mother and share my heart for orphans ... It is a balance and God is the only one that can direct my path ... I have to make sure I am listening to Him carefully ...

So I will check back in soon and I pray that my heart is able to share what God is orchestrating through me ...

blessings

I have had a few sweet friends ask me why haven't I blogged more about the trip or if something is up, since I seem quiet on the blog front ... I think as I process all I have seen in Uganda and all my family is dealing w/ right now (Maggie's surgery changes this summer, Joseph's school/speech/ and working on his future needs, Scott's health scare, and just life w/ the 8 of us), I want to make sure I am speaking from my heart and that I say something that will honor the LORD ... I can spout off the top of my head sometimes and that is not always wise ... I am a very out spoken and passionate person, but I am learning in my quiet times with the Lord that I can sometimes over shadow Him in MY PASSION AND LOUD MOUTH ( this something I don't want to do)...

I don't ever want to make my life, my issues, or my passions to EVER OUT WEIGH THE KINGDOM ... It is the things eternal that are most important ... I love how gently sometimes God will poke me w/ the words from a friend ... Or how He can abruptly knock me off my feet with His presence in song ...

I am never more at the center of HIS WILL than when I am still and seeking HIS direction ... We had our 147 Million Orphans work day yesterday and we spent half the time just sharing, encouraging, and being each other's friend ... As 147 grows, it is an honor to serve w/ these women God has given us to work with at 147 ... We are all seeking God's face, wise w/ with the business side, and humbled to be helping children ...

So just know that when I am quiet, it is a GOOD THING ... blessings to all and I am so excited to report that many people are seeking some of the adoptable orphans we meet while in Uganda ... MAKES MY HEART SING AND DANCE  !!!

"Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves. When our dreams come true because we dreamed too little. When we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord."
-Sir Francis Drake


There is a lot to think about in this comment ... I don't want to dream to LITTLE and I don't want to be so close to the SHORE than I don't absolutely have a need for the LORD ... I SIMPLY WANT TO BE DROWNING IN NEED FOR HIM ... He gives my days clarity and direction (WHEN I LET HIM) ... It is a choice each to desire Him in a country that gives us so many THINGS ... It is easy to lose that URGENCY AND DESIRE for Him if we are not careful ... Being w/ Katie last week was refreshing, refueling, and SCARY ... Her daily life is so much more than I could handle everyday and yet she does it EVERYDAY and I know why ... She swims in the deep end and dreams big AND IS ALWAYS DISTURB BY THE THINGS THAT DISTURB THE LORD !!! 


LOVE YOU KAITE !!! 


thankful to have people in my life that get it and hope that I can encourage others to JUMP ON IN !!! 

Just another packed day ... Amazima Saturday worship (playing, singing, and lots of yummy food) then of course there is the baby that was just born and her mother that needs Katie's attention, followed by the man at her gate, whose surgery wound is abscessed and must be tended too and don't forget the daily re-dressing of the burn leg (the man's house was set on fire -he now lives in the back of Katie's yard until he is healed) ... This is just one day in the life w/ Katie ... Every single day we were here the day was somewhat of a juggle around caring for those who are sick or wounded ( I won't go into detail about the broken face that occurred this week of one of Katie's friend) ... I know Suzanne has already explained it much better, but I just can't help, but share it also ... As we hopped out of the van to watch Katie do her FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE service, I was caught up in the sheer GLORY she shows of the Lord as she cares for others ... I know she is a mom to 13, runs Amazima's education program, feeds 1200 children a day, and so much more, but SHE WAS BORN TO BE A CARETAKER ... To watch her move w/ such ease as she gets medical supplies, dresses some really disgusting wounds, or soothes someone who is in pain is like a DANCE with her ... She brings peace and comfort to the situation and the people here trust her ... They know she cares and listens to them ... THEY KNOW SHE WILL COME BACK TO CHECK ON THEM ... I believe of all the callings on her life this is the one that shows all of her true God given talents ...

I am going to share a little something that struck me on our walk the other day ... Katie, Sarah, Suzanne, Grace and I stole a rare moment and headed out for a long hour walk ... Just five girls talking and gabbing ... We laughed while we sweated off the chocolate we have been eating this week and just enjoyed each other's company ... You could have transported us to America and we would have been doing the same thing ... It is one of those times when it is just us and nothing else ... (thank you Lord for sisters ) ... So as we were walking, I was saying about how I feel like sometimes all my blogs say the same thing - Orphans, Adoptions, Service, Get Out of Your Box, Orphans, Adoption, etc ... And Sarah shared something she had heard at an online sermon that struck me as so RIGHT ON ..." INTENTIONS are plans that are never followed through and they are useless" ... It hit me then that is why I blog and talk about the same things over and over and over again ... I remember having intentions and just staying right there ... NEVER ACTING ... And now that I have acted on the INTENTIONS that God placed in my heart I want ever one else to feel that JOY and not miss out ... Intentions WON'T FEED PEOPLE, Intentions WON'T BUILD A WELL, Intentions WON'T HELP A CHILD HAVE A FAMILY, Intentions WON'T HELP A WIDOW CHANGE HER LIGHT BULBS, Intentions WON'T PROVIDE MEDICINE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DYING, and Intentions won't TELL PEOPLE ABOUT JESUS .... I don't ever want to be a person of INTENTION (ever again) ... I want to be a person of action !!!

I am begging you here from my room in UGANDA, AFRICA to be a person of ACTION ... I want whatever God has laid on your heart to begin NOW ... Take the first step to filling out paper work to adopt, sign up to go on that mission trip, sponsor a child, make a lunch date w/ a widow in your church, or start your own AMAZIMA or 147 PROGRAM ... Don't sit on the sideline with your intentions ... THEY ARE USELESS !!!

I am inspired, scared, and excited about what God will show us next and what will DO !!!

Today was suppose to be a fact finding day, but ended up being a lump in our hearts, tears in our eyes, and a burn in our souls ... You see today we visited 3 different types of orphanages to see if 147 Million Orphans can help in some way ... We wanted to hear their story and see if we can spread the word about their work for the LORD and also see if there was a need for adoptive families ...

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 !!!

This has been a day of mixed emotions ... We started off with a girl's day w/ Katie ... All 3 of us just filling our cups w/ laughter and lots of CHATTING about life, kids, and orphans of course ... The girls just played around us and we enjoyed the comfort we find in being such great friends ... It is as if NO time has passed since we were together... It is a relief not to have to pretend on ANY level ... Suzanne, Katie, and I have hearts intertwined by God ... We all lead different lives, yet on some level they are the same and it is that SAMENESS that brings us JOY ...

We come back to our room and JOHN JIGO calls us from Sudan ... (Remember he is the man, who makes all of our 147 bags) ... He has not been home in over 28 years ... He had been feeling like his heart was empty since his mother passed away in Sudan and he had not seen her since he was 7 ... When he called the JOY immediately jumped out of the phone ... He was rambling so fast about how he spent the day at her grave site and prayed and then visited all of his family that is there ... He screamed over the phone, "I am so happy, happy, happy."  John gushed about how he was with his people and his heart was full... Suzanne and I laughed and almost cried at knowing we got to be a part of healing his heart and helping him to find the JOY that had been missing ...

We were having a fun and joy filled day when we headed out to dinner and saw a BOTA (aka motor-cycle accident) ... It was a hit and run.  The two men on the motorcycle were fine, but it jolted us ...In a foreign country where there are just not the same rules ... Four other BOTAS chased after the truck to make sure he was reported ... I felt bad for the man, whose BOTA was now crushed ... You see I know that is how he feeds his family by driving people around ... What will he do now ???  It was all very disturbing

 We then went with Katie to the hospital ... She is a regular there taking sick people to get care, medicine, or stitches on a weekly (sometimes daily) basis ... We watched her care for someone w/ such kindness and strength ... The hospital had nothing to offer the person, but a bed and a doctor ... Katie took bedding, food, extra clothes, and comforted them ... I will never complain about taking Maggie to the hospital again ... To say the hospital was sad, scary, and depressing would be an understatement ... It reminded me of a jail cell ... Four concrete wall, chipping paint, metal bed, and one small window ... The only reason this person had a private room was because of Katie ... We prayed over this person and left ... We all sat in the car for a moment in silence ... There is so much to take in when I am here and I don't think I can ever fully process all that I see ... Even yesterday when Katie treated a burn victim's leg (whose house was set on fire), I was in awe of how she cares for the LEAST of these ... This person would have no where else to go for this treatment ... His leg was fleshy and raw ... Most people could not stomach even once what Katie does on a daily basis ... And here she was sitting on the floor gently loving this man's leg ...

From JOY to heartbreak RIGHT BACK TO JOY !!! Thank you Lord for piercing my eyes and my heart for your people ... Please protect Katie as she serves you !!!

A COUPLE OF PICTURES FROM THE WEEK SO FAR ... Will be going into the village tomorrow w/ Katie to buy more necklaces and visit w/ these amazing mothers !!!

It started off a little rough today ... I was not feeling well (it came on fast) ... but there was to much to do not to get out of bed ... Hanging w/ Katie is always an adventure ...

take a look at our day by going to Suzanne's post ...

The smells ... The traffic ... The people ... There were moments today when it felt like I had never left Uganda ... So many things are familiar to me now ... I know that my attachment to this country is because of Joseph, Daisy, and Katie ... My love for them makes me want to understand the people and the country ... I don't want to be viewed as a tourist, but as someone who genuinely cares about them.

After a very long car ride (over 4 hours) because of the FUTBOL GAME today in Kampala, we finely made it to Katie's !!!  Suzanne, Grace, and I tackled Katie w/ hugs and shed a few tears of JOY !!! It has been a long time dream for all 3 three of us to be in Uganda together ... We jumped right into catching up, laughing, and just being together ... Katie is one of us !!! She is a mom doing her best to serve others and yet on many days she is a leader in our life ... She encourages us (like she does many of you out there in blogland) and her faith walk enables us to stretch ourselves a little further ...

There were moments today as we all stood in her kitchen and she made spaghetti for 25 people (and that is just for us and the people living w/ her) that it was like we had never been apart ... You know when you are family because it doesn't matter whether you spend 365 days a year together or 7 days together and you just flow w/ each other ... Not many people get KATIE'S life and Suzanne and I are thankful that God sent us to Katie for such a time as this ...

One of the shining moments of today was seeing the precious family that is living out back of Katie's house ... I don't think I have ever known a time when Katie didn't have someone besides her girls living w/ her ... Women, children, and families come to her and they are either sick, hungry, hopeless, or all of the above and she just opens her home and heart to them .... This is a kind of JESUS love !!! I will be honest and say I don't understand that kind of BENDING ON YOUR KNEES TO SERVE ... She inspires me on so many levels and I pray God will allow Suzanne and I to encourage Katie this week ... That just by our being her and loving on her it will refresh her for the tasks to come ... I know she will say YES to whatever the Lord has for her and I hope we can be a little extra armor for her ...

So much more to come this week ... We will be visiting several places and serving ... I am anxious, nervous, scared, and excited to see what God has in store for us ...

Good night All !!!

Suzanne and I have been blessed with a wise, kind man from Africa to work w/ 147 ... You may have heard of us speak of John Jigo (who makes the mayvall bag and all of our other handmade items from 147) ... He was dropped in our life like an angel and here is his story ... He has traveled with us to Uganda ... Enjoy !!!

http://joiningthejourney.blogspot.com/

Suzanne and I have been dreaming of going to Africa to see Katie together since we met her and today it is coming true ...  I am not sure I can even express in my words how thankful I am to the Lord for opening my eyes that day I set foot in China to pick up Emily .... It set our family on a whole new path in life ...

More to come after we hang out w/ Katie and go to Saturday worship today with all of the Amazima kids!