Haiti day 5...bugs and rain

Bug bites and swollen ankles are the new accessories to shorts and the coolest tshirts we can find to wear. Benadryl, Immodium and gatorade powder are passed in the hallways and when I asked a small group who wants a diet coke over ice, I got the most enthusiastic response all week. Their hopes were clearly dashed when I replied "I know me too". I don't think they thought it one bit funny, but don't seem to be holding it against me.
We hit the ground running again today and Dann and I headed back with Rachel to the Depot to finish going through boxes and putting things away, then making a master list of what was on each shelf. Cloths closet group sorted through the last of the items there and the painting was finished at the boys house. The day care center with the youngest ones, mostly toddlers is at the same location as the depot and about late morning each day these darlings are given their baths outside in two wash tubs. We asked if we could do the bathing for the staff...you know to give them a break today. It was an easy sell and I do believe we had far more fun then the children! Nothing cuter than a 2 year old baby, than a soaped up soaking wet bronze skinned bundle of energy and smiles! I know...right?
After lunch we walked to the transition house, where the older kids are taught skills like sewing, carpentry, baking and screen printing. Just blocks away, we saw an entirely different kind of people. I could feel myself on high alert. The Deeds was with us and just beginning to feel the symptoms of some bug. He went to the community feeding program, but didn't stay long when his fever and aches developed. Dann and I stayed and the door was opened to let them in just as the sky opened with a moderate rain. The kids were not one bit deterred. They still played soccer on the concrete, jumprope and basketball. It was refreshing to us and again they were given a beaded project to complete and taught from the bible, sang some worship songs and had a meal. Dann was back at the guest house with Micah when Ashley the nurse asked if he could come to the clinic with her to stitch up the back of one of the boys heads. It has rained steadly the rest of the day and has cooled everything down a bit tonight. The Deeds is feeling better but he and I stayed back from the worship night to lay low and make sure. Dominoes, the Matching game and Go Fish seemed to be just what the doctor ordered. I am praying all the stomachs settle down by the morning as we might just venture out into greater Port Au Prince tomorrow or possibly do some painting at the new staff house. I do know we'll begin the day again, singing praises to the King of Kings everything after that is up for grabs. Makes for a great sense of adventure and I am always up for that. Sorry there aren't more pictures, I am the mercy of someone else lending me their camera and then downloading what I can. Until tomorrow!

Haiti Day 4

Yesterday began with Dann playing the guitar and leading our team in some worship music.  We are so grateful to be here, serve and see first hand the labor of love of those who now call Haiti their home in order to provide for the children of MDL.   After our holy huddle we split into several smaller groups to tackle some tasks.  The "Depot" an underground storage room at the girl's room is home to donated items from hygiene products, school supplies, craft items, sports equipment and some misc construction items.  We were asked to reorganize it and unpack and store the items we brought.  It has taken 3 full mornings with 3-5 people working to go through bins, suitcases and boxes and create a little more order.  Doing so will allow the staff here to more effectively update the website list of needs for future donations and make it much easier to find items that are needed.  But hot, humid and dusty, roaches and some rodent "souveneirs" provided us an opportunity for a mighty big dose of holy perspiration; probably not at all what our team mates called it over lunch.  Others from the team were next door sorting clothing and setting up a room as a closet that would be easily accessible and clearly marked and seperated by gender and size.  Still another group were doing some painting at the boys home.  Dann, Lynette and Kristen spent the afternoon at the clinic.

A doctor very recently joined Ashley the nurse who looks to be about 25 or so and arrived in Haiti just 2 weeks before the earthquake.  She alone, was the go to person when the boys home became a makeshift hospital. For seven days straight she "deputized" the older boys and other staff members as fellow nurses and treated people with whatever was available including at least one amputation.  Her nursing degree cannot come close to designating her skill, knowledge and all she has seen.  The rest of the women did some crafts with the older girls while they waited for their time with Alicia who would examine and purchase the necklaces and purses each had made for the "store" here at the guest house.  With the money they make, they are required to save 1/3, put aside 1/3 for more supplies and keep the last 1/3. 

All the in between time was spent talking to or holding and playing with any child we could get close to.  Darling little bundles of sweetness and amazingly bright smiles most often mask the history and brokenness of their young lives. 

Each has a story, not that they share with us, nor do we dare ask them to recount such things, but the staff is free to confidentially share some basics with us and the fact that they can smile and laugh, run and play is evidence of what Jesus does and the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the staff and those teams that have come to help.  There is just no more meaningful work if I can even call it that.  Thank you for praying and supporting us.

Haiti Day 3...the good stuff

We rose early today to gather for a meeting this morning at 7am and one of the members talk to us about John 4 and the woman at the well.  Living water is the only thing that satisfies and makes any long term difference in a life.  We were in organized chaos this morning.  Unpacking all the 20 some bins and 23 suitcases here at the guest house, sorting and sending them to the storage room, transition training facility, the clinic and the two homes.  Some of the group went to the storage room and starting rearranging and organizing some of the many things that have been brought to the orphanage in past months and didn't necessarily find their final home.  Unpack, sort, pack, deliver, unpack.  There was so much and we were so grateful how our churches and friends helped resupply so many necessary things.  We got to witness the value and use of the gummy vitamins today at the feeding program that happens three days a week.  About 150 children from about 4 to 12 are identified and invited to the patio area at the boys home.  The boys at the home help set up, organize and host each of the 12 or so tables.  When the gate opens, these chosen children are welcomed in and go immediately to a table based on their age and gender.  They are so well behaved, probably out of gratitude for the meal ahead.  We positioned ourselves at the tables and helped them do a craft, a cross with beads that represented the gospel message.  Then they sang some great songs and they had a such a great time.  A bible story was told to them as a group, in Creole, so I'm not sure what it was but when quizzed about what they had learned, they answered and were thrilled to get a toothbrush and toothpaste as a prize...how different they are than American children. Then we prayed for the meal.  The kids never got up, cried, needed to use the bathroom or anything else.  They all had self control and just seemed to know the rules and the routine.  Then came the food, rice and beans with a small amount of meat.  Some knew they wouldn't eat all of the small portion and immediately poured 1/2 of theirs into someone elses plate or bowl.  No fighting for more or complaining.  Every plate was clean.  Nothing was wasted.  Water to drink and then they were free to play or go home.  We washed the dishes and played with any who lingered.  It was such a great afternoon and if we weren't in love with Haiti before today, our hearts were stolen today.

Haiti...Day 2

After a great night's sleep and breakfast with the team, we were picked up in what was probably a flatbed pickup at one time.  Back inside the cage that protects us from the outside and thank goodness keeps us from falling out, we made our way to church.  It was full and by American standards over full as people packed in tight against each other for the service.  The youngest children from the boys and girls homes sat on the edge of the low stage and looked our direction as we watched them.  The worship time was great and the message about having an attitude that reflects God's promises and ability, was encouraging.  We had time to play with some children in the yard, pushing them on swings and playing hand games.  The language barrier gets to me.  I want to talk to them and hear from them.  A few speak English, but they are the minority.  We came back to the guest house for a quick refill of water bottles and change of clothes and left for the home of the family that had the vision to begin this program and orphanage.  We were served lunch and had time to connect with our team and make some plans for the week.  Then, it was off to the boys home to help them with a craft for their house mom as today is the Haitian Mother's day.  There were some basketball games, soccer games and some pretty crazy monkey bar tricks!  About 5 or so, the women headed back to cook dinner.  We wanted to give the staff the night off and all went well until we were told we had served some dessert bar that was intended for the boys home.  Question:   What could make a girl feel worse than to eat some dessert intended for boys who don't have a mother on Mother's Day?   Answer:  NOTHING.  Tonight we will be planning for tomorrow and what is needed.   I feel so much more prepared this trip.  The degree of poverty here is tragic but somehow I felt more prepared.  The children though, never prepared to see a child 1/2 naked or asking for food.  This morning after the church service Dann went back inside to talk to someone and a man brought in an 8 day old baby, just hoping someone could help him get medical attention.  Another man said his sister has a 4 month old baby girl that his sister couldn't take care of.  Its so much to think about and try to understand. 

Tomorrow we head to the transition program building to paint, organize and build some shelves, then at 2pm we'll head to the boys house for the community feeding program.  Off to the shower and then headed for bed, night all.

Haiti...just say "No, Merci"

We left the house in Ventura about 5:30 and reached LAX in great time, despite the holiday weekend, boarded the plane and left LAX at 11pm.  After a few hours of layover in Miami, some bad coffee and meeting up the the rest of the team, we left for Port A Prince.  Haiti greeted us with a blast of heat and humidity and we boarded the shuttle to the terminal.  The smallest blonde member of our team, the Deeds, was immediately under the watchful eyes of just about all of us.  His mama, had such a tight grip on him, I'm surprised we didn't hear him squeel.  We were given and had read over and over in the airport procedures not to give anything to anyone and say "No Merci" to anyone asking to help us.  From the lines were ushered into, each took his/her turn infront of the immigration desk officer.  Their presentation behind the glass must be intended to break us down and show us right from the start that we are guests and can be removed from the country at the hint of a problem.  I admit I am always intimidated as they look at the visa paperwork, look at me, look at the passport, back at me, back at the passport and then slam the stamp of approval allowing us to move about 10 feet to the baggage claim area  A uniformed guy approached us asking how many carts we needed and though we remembered to say "No, Merci" it came out 4, 4 please!  Dang! That lapse in memory cost us the first $20.00.    In our defense, the US has effectively taught its citizens that when a uniformed anybody in the airport asks a question, we answer. Period.  No hesitation, no questions.   No body wants to be "that guy", the one who shuts down the airport for some security situation because he hesitated in answering the "uniform guy's" question.  So we did.  After all 23 checked bags, with nearly 1200 lbs of supplies and 12 carryons, we headed out.  Uniform Guy asked for our gate passes and our luggage claim tickets.  I'm pretty sure the correct answer was "No, Merci" but instead we each handed over the small claim tickets because "Yes we want to take our bags with us and your uniform has "obey me or go home in a box" written all over it, so here".  It took all of 20 minutes for the real baggage guy to find Uniform Guy and give him another $20.00 to buy back those baggage claim tickets.  We Americans are sharp like a tack we are!  "Big" wearing a hat that said "Jesus is the Boss" picked us up, and all 25 of us piled into the back of a caged truck bed with benches on each side and 2500+ lbs of luggage piled on top.  A bumpy potholed road lead us to the guest house and we listened to some information about the area, tent cities etc... while said Americans sweat the equivalent of a small swimming pool...and oh how I was wishing for one earlier today.  We were given an orientation, introduced to staff and then taken on a tour of the boys' home, girls home and sports center.  An afternoon full of darlings whose smiles could light up the darkest night. The Deeds and some of the young boys traded water bottle sprays and touching each other's hair.  Back to the guest house for dinner and some cause conversation explaining the history of the Manesstero family story of coming to Haiti.  Tomorrow, church then lunch and planning for the week.  Its been great so far.  We are all exhausted and as I finished this up at 9:30, I am pretty sure I am the last one standing and that is just about to end.  Thanks for praying.  I'll try to get on tomorrow.Sorry, no pics...my camera is having Err 99 issues.  Pretty sure a local repair shop would have a guy wearing some sort of uniform that I am helpless to stand up to.  We'll see what a good overnight charging for the camera and recharging for us brings..Night all.

Day 9 & 10

We arrived in League City late Tuesday night to the arms and bright eyes of my Mother-in-law's sister and her husband, the colonel.  That's the official connection but the real connection is true-blue family and a love and devotion to us that will send us out the door today wanting to bring 'em home to California. 

Cousins and their grown children have hurried home from their jobs each evening and the 3 of us have been trying to be ever so charming so that they might just decide to pack up and follow us home.  We have shared great food and such fun conversation.  We heard some Roger & Betty stories, visited the park and the Space Center and were reminded of the joy of a stolen cookie in the middle of the night.

Seaborough Lane has some territorial issues we learned last night.  The Deeds might have been crawling on the floor right along with the herd of Dachsunds, when he got a little reminder that he is not actually a dog.  The morning has brought a near complete recovery of the reminder and a good story to take back to California.

League City...thank you for everything.  We could move here, no doubt, with the feeling of home that we experienced over these 2 1/2 days.  Let us return the favor as soon as you are able, we'd love to have you, all at once would be a dream!

Road Trip Day 7 & 8

Shawnee Oklahoma…Can I just say that nothing you read on the blog about this part of our trip can come close to describing all that has taken place in 2 ½ days.  We ate and walked and watched movies… there were a few wrestling matches, some shopping and cooking and a field of dreams for one little man.  A little bit of girl talk, a bit of mother-son time, some sibling laughs, some dreaming and planning, not quite enough hugging, but that just leaves us anxious for this couple of college kids to return home in a few weeks. 

We leave today after a few errands and a quick lunch and head out to Keller Texas.  We’ll stop there to see one more cousin and her amazing and big family in their new house.  Then on to Houston to see the Taylors, we think of them as "Plum" good relatives.  Micah has talked about seeing cowboys on horses, complete with holsters for their guns since before we left on the trip.  I realized yesterday that his expectations will be pretty high when we hit the state line, so I have tried to warn him by telling him that cowboys drive trucks now except when they are on their ranches, so we might not see any horse riding-gun slinging men in boots tomorrow…”that’s just terrible” was his response.  I just love him!  If I could wrestle me up some rodeo men to hang around the neighborhood while we’re visiting, I think I’d sell my left hand…I need my right one to hold on to his as we drive off into the sunset tomorrow, leaving my own boy behind here in Oklahoma. 

Get ready Texas…there’s a curly headed cowpoke and his mama and DD about to see Texas!

Day 5 & 6

Humboldt Iowa…We spent the day meeting more Nelsons and Johnsons and visiting different places that I remembered from my last visit in 1983…(way too long ago).  We went to the cemetery where my dad is buried and I surprised my own self by getting emotional.  I don’t know why it hit me that way.  It’s been almost 40 years and I know its only his body buried there, but just seeing and tracing his name on the headstone made  me wonder again, “what if?” We left there and went to see some property that my cousin had purchased to build a new home on.  It will be so nice for them, plenty of trees and lots of space…no fences between houses allowing neighbors to be neighborly.  One cousin, Susie and her family lived in Humboldt until 2 weeks before we arrived, when all 14 of them moved to Texas.  But, we got to see the house and hear the stories of where their home schooling was done and the music was rehearsed and many cars have been worked on.  A home rich in memories, tell-tale charts still on the wall detailing meals etc…  My cousin Rick and his wife Connie share our empty nest woes, but recently purchased a house and had it MOVED to the property where my grandparents farmed and raised their boys.  “How on earth do you move a house across town?”  “On a truck”…well ok then.  I have seen modular homes moved in sections, but a regular ol’ house?  Micah loved the daughter’s racecar in the garage and thought it was pretty cool that the house had theme rooms.  Aunt Bev stole Micah’s heart and devotion with an extra special piece of apple pie with plenty of vanilla ice cream.  She stocked us up on GORP for the road and we had a great dinner with the whole gang followed by a trip to the park to see the train Uncle Howard built.  Chambry, Chase and Micah could have stayed and played all night, but we ended the evening with sparklers at the park and said goodbye to Steve.  Saturday, we left the hotel and spent a little more time at Uncle Howards before heading out on the 10 hour drive to Oklahoma.  Humboldt represents the only place I know where my Dad is somebody.  Somebody with a history, with a childhood, with people that really knew him and remember him as a person, not just a position in a family.  God knows what he is doing and he always has.  I do wonder how life would have been different had he lived a long life, but I do not doubt that God can bring beauty from ashes and replace mourning with gladness, Isaiah 61:1-4  It is His way.  I love what He has brought to my life and for the family in Iowa who honor my dad. 

We arrived in Shawnee Ok about 2am and Dot scooped a sleeping Deeds up from his carseat without a peep…until he say Uncle Ryan when he opened the door.  Remember when our babies stretched their arms out to be picked up or handed over to someone else?  That was the Deeds…without a word, just a sleepy smile, he stretched from Dot’s arms to Uncle Ryan and melted against him.  I don’t know who looked more content…Uncle Ryan or the Deeds…or me, but the middle of the night has never felt so good.

Quote of the day –running into the restaurant… ”I can’t wait to order what they have!”

Sunday morning came early for Dot and me…the deeds woke up pretty early and his mom pulled a trick out of her bag by sending him into Uncle Ryan’s room to negotiate a breakfast date at the donut shop.  Sarah came over and we headed to Ok City to the fireman’s museum…advertised as open on Sunday, but alas, not this Sunday. Thankfully the zoo was right next door and we saw all the best the zoo had to offer including an ape that found Micah so intriguing, he nodded to him, then sauntered over to be nose to nose with him at the window of the exhibit!  Micah thought it was probably that the ape thought he was also an Ape…  ”since he didn’t have his shirt on”.  We had a great day, got some laundry done and are settling in for a movie tonight. 

Quote of the day “Mom, when I grow up will I grow hair all over my face?”  answer “Yes”… “ok then I’m going to shave in the afternoon and the nighttime cause I don’t think I want to grow that.”

Road Trip Day 3 & 4

We left Rawlins Wyoming about 10:30 Wednesday morning and headed to Cheyenne about 2 hours away Can I just say that if you are Terry Bison Ranch and you spend some time and money creating a great website full of intrigue and adventure...please be prepared to deliver on your tease.  We arrived to...well no one.  The alpaca's, horses and ponies were accessible, so we parked and walked the cat walk overhead and then took an apple from the car and fed the ponies small bites on small gloved hands, stretched out flat preserving fingers.  Of course, the Deeds insisted on wearing his cowboy hat and I thought a car and three Californians might have raised some interest and a greeting or at least a scolding for feeding their animals, but no one...was around.  There was country music playing from speakers around the different buildings...but without any humans in sight, the thought crossed my mind that we could have just walked in on some major crime scene and the barn might contain more than some tack and baby kittens...perhaps I watch too much CSI.  We seized the opportunity for some good photo ops and finally found the guy that gives the train rides who was more than nice, but seemed a little tired from the three rides he had given earlier that morning.  After the animals, we were anxious to visit and fish from the stocked pond, except that I guess we were supposed to bring our own poles and string and whatever else fisher guys use.  I told them how far we had traveled hoping they would find a loaner in the back somewhere...but alas my charm and sympathy seeking techniques failed miserably.  Dot and I were sorely disappointed...the Deeds seemed just as happy to stand in a mud puddle and pretend to fish with a stick.  My bitterness...it lingers. 

Fireworks are legal in Wyoming and I am hoping Nebraska and Iowa because we stopped to purchase some sparklers to light up a parking lot in the next few days.  Memories...we're making a few.

Dot looked up a great Rodeo Museum and we stopped there for an hour or so and the sweetest grandma in Wyoming sold us tickets and made me want to bring her home with us.  Frontier Days...not this week, but worth planning a trip around in the years to come. 

Then we hit the road and headed for Lincoln Nebraska...7 hours in the car and we were pushing the limit on exhaustion.  Nothing though that can't be cured by an awesome hotel room and a good night's sleep won't cure.  The Deeds celebrates each time we get to go to the breakfast where "you can get whatever you want and you don't have to pay."  That way we can save our money, he tells us, which I believe illustrates he knows our LOVE LANGUAGE.    A morning swim, showers and we were off to the Lincoln Children's Museum...just google "Heaven on Earth for Kids"  it was awesome!  Anyone of the play areas would have entertained our early childhood traveler for hours...he was like a ping pong ball with so many options.  If I won the lottery, I would build one at home...so great.

We hit the place next door for our first restaurant meal and had the best macaroni and cheese since ever to ever. Amen.  Then hit the road cause we thought we had about 2 1/2 hours or driving to Humboldt Iowa.  Except that it was really 4 hours+ but worth every last minute.  This is the place my dad was born and raised and his family is wonderful.  Makes me so wish we had stayed more connected with them after the death of my father and so glad we still have now.  So genuine, kind, unpretentious and loving and a sense of humor that feels familiar.    I am looking forward to a tour of the town tomorrow.  Perhaps I am trying to recreate days long gone and the history of my Dad, but there is a little feeling of home in my heart tonight. 

Until next time..

Road Trip Day 1 & 2

I woke up early this morning in our hotel room, dark from the black out drapes, (if I were going to have an affair...it would be with black out drapes...they complete me:)  I think it was a headache that woke me up and after making a hot pack (hot towel in a plastic bag from subway, genius!) I climbed back into bed and laid away thinking and pouring out my heart to God, thanking him for our family.  I'm sure it has more to do with the fact that they are ours and no one elses, so I have a front row seat to their dreams, hopes, laughter and see first hand how they live out their priorities with such conviction.  Today I was especially focused on the courage they display.  The character stuff, that is was gets me, what tenders me towards them and makes me so grateful.
Each one in their own way, and on their own path have and continue to face challenges that require an extra measure of fortitude, and they keep walking.  Sometimes the call is to make the right decision and sometimes, to make their decisions right.  It isn't unlike what their parents have also experienced and the grandparents before that...its just different to watch it in your children, and its hard in the dark and the quiet, not to soak a pillow with early morning tears of gratitude and love.

2011 will be marked as a year of great adventure and new things, and the grace and manna God has stored up to serve us each day is more than sufficient!

This road trip adventure began with a marathon of driving and we tried to figure it out last night, but I was way too tired to calculate the number of hours we had driven in the last 24 or ratio of sleep to awake considering time zones and trip odometers and gas stops.... this would I think require something above Mr. Rigsby's Algebra 2 class in 1978!  I do know we recorded 1000 miles and 4 states, 2 sandwiches, 2 salads, way too much coffee and gas prices ranging from $4.99 a gallon to $3.67.  We played the guess who game, the matching game...an eye spy game of sorts, watch Franklin videos, heard hours of legos going on in the back seat, road an Alpine roller coaster...twice and opened a couple of items from the prize box as the eye spy points accumulated.  A 4 year old is good for me.  Who else, but a grandchild could make be go from Jacuzzi to pool at 8 oclock at night, performing a dive move from the 70's? 

Today we are headed to Cheyenne.  Can I just say God and I had a moment yesterday driving through Wyoming...I'm not sure what he was intending for this flat, brown state, uninhabited for miles and miles... no animals, no homes, no plants really...except perhaps he wanted to keep some land for himself, as though he is perhaps some sort of "green" wanting to preserve some creation from the development of an industrial people.  Mission accomplished, Lord, what you claim for yourself is yours to admire, though I have to say it reminds me of the Israelites desert and makes me want to stay on course, lest I be sent to Wyoming for 40 years to wander!

We woke to a car covered with about 2-3 inches of snow, the roads look clear, but we are hoping the Ranch in Cheyenne full of the promise of animals, a train and a pond stocked with fishing success, is open and waiting to greet us.

Until next time...

A reading lamp!

Need a reading lamp?

The pitcher did...so we

collected some favorite books, found a cheap lamp at a thrift store,

gathered some clamps and a hacksaw

sawed off the extra parts on the lamp shaft,
Cleaning up the pokey thingys.
clamped the books down,
drilled through the books,

put the books over the post

from largest to smallest,

here's the pitcher's choice of books...

Ta Da! Well, needs a little adjustment and tightening of "stuff", but the captain has some ideas and

"let there be light!"

In Jesus's Name...

Two weeks home and Uganda is still on my mind, on my heart and not just my rearview mirror.

This morning I woke up, well first at 1:30am because the two boys living next door, who were so absolutely darling little misters as toddlers, have become bigger in stature, older on the calender, but still apparently in the center of the "coolest" of all social clubs...a regular target for the TP crowd.

Oh my word, the memories of our own 3 getting the joy of cleaning up the yard, week after week, roll after soggy, dew saturated roll of the single ply "snow". I remember the Captain retelling a story of a nearly-teenage young man he was following at the grocery checkout years ago.


Checker (wry smile) : "That's a lot of toiler paper you've got there!"

Man-Child: "Yes, my dad has gonorrhea". (possibly revealing some sort of recent school curriculum still fresh on his mind)

Checker (stifled chuckle): "Do you mean diarrhea?"

Man-Child: "um, oh ya"


I am guessing no matter what Dad's condition was, he probably did without that night in favor of one of the ultimate pre-teen compliments...

having landscaping adorned in bathroom tissue!


You can tell the age of the recipient, by the hour the honor is bestowed...next door has progressed from 10pm to 1:30am, and God bless the mama who has stayed up late enough to drive this gang. Seriously she will be forever remembered as the "coolest" mom in the bunch...except I am thinking that in 2010, she might be called "da bomb" and if there is really something more current than that, I'm just sorry.

Regardless, my own memories of the delight I was able to grant to my own and their friends will always be a sweet spot of parenting in days gone by. A few of my peers looked down their proper noses, I know, and my credibility was lost when I got behind the wheel of a mini van at midnight, or helped set up the hose so we could catch a retaliator... but for the record, so far my own 3 are fine, having risen above the weak parenting they were challenged with.

And, just in case my dear neighbors ever stumble across this posting, my 1:30am walk down the hall last night, to investigate my own "Mighty Dog on alert" was accompanied by a smile that reached back 15 years. Enjoy... say yes and know the memories are worth it to both generations of you...and we have plenty of extra room in our trash cans for the overflow!


Not at all where this post was going...hold on, I'm making a huge right turn.


Witch Doctors and the village of Kakira. I woke up this morning, with that thought burning in my everything. What on earth can be done?

What do I want to do?..For lack of a better explanation, "make a deal with darkness", except what I know is that there is no "deal making" with a liar.

But if I could go back tomorrow (and I am compelled) I would take some fat American dollars and buy back every banded baby in the village, the innocent infants and toddlers, marked for sacrifice, and redeem them for their families in Jesus name. Then I would put enough money in the hands of the family that they would never, never, never have to consider such an answer to desperate poverty or I'd want to buy them cows or seed or medicine or whatever it is that would guarantee they never face such an option. Then I would shove another handful of shillings at the Witch Doctors, themselves, in exchange for relocating, pack them myself and hire some Ugandan mafia equivalent to "help them get settled somewhere else". Oh you think I'm kidding.

I could only be less than obsessed, if each day I am gone from there, didn't represent a day closer to "the day" for a tiny child. The only comfort, and I use that term with absolute repulsion, is that I know the Savior himself will take his own, given in such a manner, with such power and swiftness, and then..."No more suffering"...this baby "is going to see the King", and there is plenty of room for every prince and princess in His presence.

But...still, that is no measurable amount of comfort, nothing to rest in, knowing it continues. And I also know that there is nothing "on Earth" that can stop it. It is a spiritual battle, manifested in humanness. Since Satan can't get to God himself, he will continue to pursue and seduce for his own possession, God's children and not just the young ones. Makes total sense don't you think that if you want to really get to me, hurt my children.

It is gonna get edgy now...buckle up.

Is it possible God would ever allow a small American woman to go back to Kakira and be able to make a stand with THE Redeemer against the Devil himself? Make an "appointment" with Kakira's doctor of death for an impressive stand by THE ruler of all Heaven and Earth?

Am I equipped to stand before such darkness?
"Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world" 1 John 4:4

If Aaron, a 5 year old, can speak the word that causes our enemy to fear and flee, "Jesus", couldn't others come along side in a bold, rebuking stand?

I admit, I went with open ears, compassion, love and a message and most of what I know even of the Christians in Kakira was from listening, not asking. Even with the curiousity of a news journalist, I felt lead toward sensitivity this trip, so I don't really know how it is being dealt with.

More time, more opportunity for one on one, more understanding might wipe the naivete right out of my mind and I'd know that a mighty stand and prayer warriors fight this battle more moments than I think about it. I pray it is so, but would like them to report in as each child is taken back, thank you so much.

Its just the black bands...interesting don't you think that a dark skinned child is marked with a black band? A subtle marking. Just a little black band, around the middle, claiming territory and victory, nothing flashy, just a subtle reminder to anyone close...this one is mine. I shudder at the power in the claim, not ultimate, but certainly some dominion in this age.

Our Pastor on Sunday drew such a picture of our world with that image. Oh we cannot see the band, but people are marked just the same. If only we could see it that way and rush to them, like I am drawn back to Kakira, to save and rescue and redeem, in Jesus name, why we don't bolt to tell the lost about the Savior, the Rescuer, the Redeemer. Like I cried over the babies, Pastor Bob cried for the rest. Christ grieves over them all.

God help us. Help us to know when and how to reach out and then give us the perspective and courage to make a stand for life from the clutches of death. The deal has been made. Christ's life for ours. No fat American anything would redeem like He already has. Its done, its just that free will lives on, desperation lives on.

And in Jesus's name and for his sake I have seen and cannot forget about the black bands...

Uganda 2010 - Day 15

Having spent the night in Mbarara after the day long visit with Ruth, Fred, my driver and photographer of every move I make and I pulled out of the motel about 7:30am, just as the coffee and toast had arrived to my room. But Fred was on a mission, so I grabbed my things and looked longingly at the caffeine I knew I would need for the day…and walked out the door of the “Holiday Inn”. Saying goodbye to Ruth the day before, began the leaving behind of Uganda and a trip I will never forget.
I was exhausted and we still had 9 long hours of driving ahead. Fred knew that the rest of our team was on a game drive while I detoured to see Compassion’s prize and being so
“Fred” he wanted to make sure I got to do everything Uganda had to offer me. He kept pointing things out all day for me to take pictures of and had arranged for us to make a loop through a national park hoping to see something exotic-ish, animal-ish. The drive in was grueling and I am still feeling the muscle soreness of the last 3 days on Uganda’s roads. After about an hour, we paid for entrance and though I wanted to say…please can we just go to the hotel, he had zebra’s on his mind and lunch at the lake restaurant. We did see some of the striped horses and a very few small monkeys, the nation’s bird and a few other small creatures, I am too tired to describe. But Fred wanted to make my trip complete, so onward to the lake. It was peaceful.
As we left the national park it was about 4pm which meant we wouldn’t get to the hotel until after 9pm. I still had souveniers to purchase for my family so he stopped

so I could shop…well at the equator, you know, of the globe, the world…what? Everyone doesn’t shop at the equator?
Of course, my own personal paparazzi snapped more pictures, even as I walked for “short call”.

As usual, when a Muzungu is in the area, the children come running in fascination.

Whatever it is that brings them, I don’t really care, as long as they come. This particular group wanted to try on the bracelet that the Deeds had given me for Valentines Day. So we spent about 10 minutes obliging them. Then it hit…I just want to be home now. Mission accomplished, which makes the next 5+ hours challenging. Sitting forward, unable to rest my head on anything with all the bouncing and weaving, I looked forward to a shower, a bed, some water and sleep.
The room at the hotel where I was to meet the team Wednesday morning, was beautiful and crazy extravagant, considering where I had just come from. Can I just say, no body needs 3 separate light switches for the bathroom lighting alone.
For some reason as the exhaustion set in and my body was finally able to relax, sleep didn’t come, blogging did.
Finally, heavy eyes gave way to a good 6 hours of sleep, and though I had showered the night before, I decided to soak in the tub, as I tried to soak in the past 15 days. It was the day to say goodbye to Africa, to new friends, grateful for a new perspective and for the way I have been changed…until next time…
Lord you are worthy of worship,
Worthy of praise,
Worthy of honor
You’re worthy of thanks,
Keep them close to your heart. Nurture the seeds that were planted in your name and sow in them for a harvest the glorifies you, the God of my home and the God of theirs. Thank you for allowing your broken vessels to serve you here.

Goodbye, Uganda.

Uganda 2010- Monday Day 14- Meeting Ruth

Somewhere a monkey is having a good laugh. I lost my glasses while driving through a National Park on the way back to Entebbe, so picture me sitting in front of my laptop with the font set to 20 and the page zoom a 200%. I am squinting so hard, the Captain may think his wife has actually returned from an Asian country.

Monday May 3, 2010


Arriving in Mbarara Sunday evening, I kept my promise to my family and stayed in my room for the evening, ordering room service and listening to the Brooklyn Tabernacle choir on my computer. The next day was the day I was going to meet Ruth. I had no idea what the day ahead had in store, but apparently my body did, because I sleep really well. Fred, my driver, loaded our things into the van and directed me to go to the office to pay the bill. 82,500 shillings, about $40.00 dollars and that would be for my room service, the driver’s meal and two hotel rooms for the night.
We got in the van and headed to purchase a pair of shoes for Ruth. The only shoe store Fred new about, has shoes, but he said the quality was not good. So he called the Compassion director from Ruth’s project and she was on her way anyway to meet us and told us to wait. We sat in the parking lot of gas station and about an hour later she arrived. She took me to buy the shoes, and then we went next door to purchase supplies for the project itself; paper, crayons, highlighters a football (soccer), net ball (basketball) and a pump to keep them up and rolling. Then we headed out. But oh my word…about an hour on a paved road and then another 2 hours on dirt roads, full of potholes and when I say potholes, I mean everywhere and 6-18” deep, and deep ruts. The driver is constantly jerking the van back and forth from one side of the road to the other,the deep ruts and potholes, providing the bouncing. Let me just say that I have become very aware of every muscle that keeps us upright and bobble head dolls.... they are my people.
3 hours later we arrived.
This post could be a novel, describing everything I saw and felt, but I am going to try to hit the highlights for now.
The project center sat on the top of a hill overlooking a valley that was lush and green. Cows and goats meandered on the road and I got a kick out of the ones that reminded me of myself. Most would vocalize exactly how they felt about their inconvenience, but a few just turned to the bus, squared up and gestured stubbornness with their head and long horns. Alas, the van won each time, but “if looks could kill”…
The project itself was quiet, but Ruth and 4 staff members were there. It was all I could do to get out of the van. Ruth is beautiful and at about 5’10” tall, the stature of this young lady could have been regal, except that she was so humble, and quiet. She couldn’t stop smiling, but as women here are taught, she held her emotions in perfect check.
She is sweet, quiet but smiling ear to ear between trying to hide her enthusiasm. She does speak English, but when you hear that in Uganda, it can mean everything from understanding just a couple of nouns or names, to being able to translate. I was just blubbering, so we were on an even plane with our verbal communication. We hugged first, then pulled back to look at each other then hugged again, and over and over. It was just a moment that can’t be adequately described. For a woman with many words, I am so lacking in any that can describe my heart in those first moments. And if I can just say that Fred, my driver, was like the closest thing to paparazzi Uganda will find. It seemed he was as moved as any of us. More about Fred later.
As is the custom, I was taken in right away to a brick building, concrete floor, crude fixtures and furniture, but all the different foods that they could serve to a special visitor. I was first offered milk, which means hot milk, from the cow in one thermos and a second thermos filled with hot water. Then the question, how much water do you want with the milk, you tell us. Huh? Then I realized, that rather than drink the straight rich milk, they dilute it according to my liking. Then offered me a tea bag or some sort of chocolate granules, which ever I would prefer. Ruth had chocolate, I chose tea. Then cracker type cookies they call biscuits. Then even though there were 5 women at the table, the Pastor, who wore the dress of an American priest, began greeting me and questioning me about different things. Very quickly I realized that the quietness of the Ugandan female voice, is quite a contrast to my enthusiasm and flowery explainations. I mentioned that fact to him and he said, “Yes, why is it that American women are like that? I believe it is the freedom of the women in your country.” Ah, jeez, here we go, I believe that too, but the thought has never felt more obnoxious than this particular moment. I felt as if Ruth's father was sitting before me. He asked about American marriage and how it goes with young people that would like to marry. I explained that for the most part, we allow them to choose each other. That the most respectful of young men will talk to their family and then to the father of the bride to ask for permission. But they can choose and marry without permission. He asked about the bride price in America...ya...not so much. He told me that Uganda was moving towards marrying out of love and choosing, rather than the family's financial desperation. He talked about how many cows Ruth would be worth and said infront of her, that if she finishes her education, she would be worth more for her family, that her beauty was worth something, her strength and her education.
This compassion project runs this way. Children are located through churches, and when I say churches, I mean huts that are maybe the size of a bedroom or large hotel room, here and there along the road. This particular area seems really remote by my standards, except that I know there are places that have no roads at all. Once they are selected, they are registered, the parent is interviewed and the family situation is evaluated to make sure the child will be available enough to stay in school. The sponsorship money we send to Ruth, $38.00 a month, provides a boarding school for her where she attends for 3 months, then has a month off to go home and see her family. She does not live at home, and she does not get schooling at the project. All the children come on Saturday to the site, for games, singing, teaching etc... In other words, this is not a replacement for the parents, but their 2 on site staff members and 2 volunteers work tirelessly checking with the boarding schools, encouraging the child in their faith, and making sure the parent or family
has help and support when a situation arises. If there is a need for medical help, Compassion will help and has additional funds for these types of things. The director was telling me about young woman that has been flown to India for two heart surgeries and goes to Kampala once a month to the doctor for a check up and medication. She will continue to be taken care of until she is 22, assuming she stays qualified for the program. After that, there will be no support for her medical needs unless God connects her to the financial support for the $150.00 per month expense related to the 7 hour travel, doctor visit and medications.
Anyway, back to Ruth. Once the Pastor excused us from the meal and offered a blessing on our visit, he instructed the staff to give me a tour, with Ruth leading the way. I was told that I was the first visitor ever to this particular project and so they were as excited as I was. I can tell you that the project was little more than what looks like a deserted, very old farm and with the mud and cow dung buildings, broken brick church...they are so happy with it and so grateful. After the tour, it was time to get in the van and travel to Ruth's home. Two women staff members, Ruth, Fred the driver and me.
We drove and we drove and we drove, another hour at least, deeper into the hills. Averaging about 15 miles per hour because of the roads and it dawned on me that Ruth being home on school break, had travelled from her home to the project to be there by 8:30 in the morning. I asked how she got from home from the project to wait for me? She walked...yes she walked. It took her about 3 hours, which means she left her home alone at 5:30 in the morning, and walked for 3 hours to meet me. Who am I do be honored so much. That a 16 year old child would do such a thing for a woman who has no ability to understand the length and depth of such gratitude . I don't know when the last time was that you spent $38.00, but I stopped at a road side stand yesterday to buy souveneirs and spent twice that on trinkets.
Ok, back to Ruth... We arrived to her home, which because of the lush green landscape appeared to be tiny, but welcoming. Somehow I thought Ruth's family was her mother, and two girls and one boy. But on the drive they told me that Ruth's mother had 10 children, 5 boys and 5 girls. Ruth is #9 and her 13 year old sister Edith, the last. Once the van stopped, people started pouring out of the house to see this American woman, they would treat like a celebrity. You know I was looking for her 62 year old mother, Kellen, 'cause this mother's heart needed to lock eyes, arms and heart with the one that has done the hard part and made the sacrifices to raise a child we share such commitment to.
Oh my word, you can picture it I hope, because finally, finally I happened upon a Ugandan woman that cries with happiness. We grabbed hold of each other and neither one wanted to let go. Hug, cry, pull back and look into each other's faces, hug some more, cry some more. How will I ever find relief from the fullness of such affection.
We were escorted into the living room, that was the size of my master bathroom at home. The 10 or so women and girls, (Ruth's brother lives on the property, so there were cousins ranging from 5 -10) sat tightly on the couches chairs and I was presented with the honoring gesture of a meal, set on the "coffee table". Soda pop in bottles and water in bottles, biscuits, bananas and Ruth pulled out a photo album of pictures of herself at school, with friends, family members etc...I bet there were 100 or so, the first 5 or 6 were pictures I had sent of our family with the letters.
Then each of the younger girls got up to sing a song for me,

sweet quiet voices, not rehearsed, but an offering of what they had. I sang back to them

, "jesus loves the little children". I just know I was beaming because I am still stuck in that moment, (except that my eyes are more squinty because of the glasses thing.)
Then a tour of the home and cooking building, Kellen's room, the dining area and the water tank that collects water off the tin roof of the home, then a faucet sticking out of it. They were so excited to show me how it works.
I was shown a small hut with thatched roof where the mild is stored in special goard type containers, and I was caught off guard when I noticed a hen laying in the back, very still. "Is it alive?" I asked them. They got such a kick out of that, because duh! what on earth would they be doing with a stuffed life like chicken? "She is brooding, laying her egg". Chickens and me...we have so much in common...but that's another post.
Back to the house we went and it was time for gifts from me to them. I am going to tell you that when Fred brought in the "Home basket" which is actually a cardboard box, that had been taped up at the grocery store, Kellen was so happy and grateful and I was so humbled and embarrassed at the extravagance it represented. I just don't want to be a rich American woman in this place. I want to be like them, not above them. Ugh, how do I do that and still respond with what I can give?
When we first arrived, I gave Kellen her heart necklace that said "Mom" and one for Ruth that had 2 hearts connected. Kellen said she had never worn a necklace before. I gave Ruth a small photo album with current pictures of our family and a box of beads for jewelry making. I had a mug made that everyone, even the Compassion staff, was so fascinated with. It was Shutterfly and had a collage of pictures of our family and Ruth on it.
I opened my suitcase and just started pulling out clothing.

Everything I had brought on the trip to wear myself and several new blouses that had been sent from friends at home. The shoes that I had been wearing. It was like Christmas, each item I pulled out, they looked at and passed to the one who wanted it or was the best fit. Four brothers that stood on the porch outside, each got a baseball

tshirt and they all put on the clothing right away over whatever they had on. Each item that Kellen showed interest in, was offered to her first. Its too much. Too much, that my cast offs are treasures...that something I purchased at the Thrift store to wear here, brings such celebration. Then I felt let to give Kellen a silver bracelet I was wearing, which caused her to cry again. I told her, the shiney silver was far more beautiful on her skin than mine.
Then I don't know what got into me, but before I left home, I purchased a band from Kohl's to wear as a wedding band so that I could leave my own ring at home.
I took it off, looked into Ruth's eyes, told her that I would pray always for a man that would love Jesus and her, honor her, respect her, care for her, provide for her. I told her to always protect her body, keeping it pure until a man that was worthy of her, would marry her. That she was valuable to God, to her mother and to me. I took the ring off my left hand and had her put it on her right hand until the day when a wonderful man replaced it. Ya, I know, God is such an orchestrator and I was so, so, so blessed.
Who am I, that my God would love me that much.
Fred made us take tons of pictures and I was so grateful for the digital age and the monster memory card my brother gave me with the camera. Fred wore out the batteries on the smaller camera back at the project. Oh Fred, you were such a blessing to me.
Then Kellen asked me to pray over their family. I am not worthy to be the one. But God is, and as broken as my past has been, He is the God of redemption and if he can use a small american woman to bless a family and speak to God on their behalf...I needed to surrender to be his representative and an intercessor for them. Yes I am bawling right now, retelling it. I just don't deserve such joy, immeasurable, overflowing, amazing joy.
I prayed for their protection, for the protection of the girls, for health and strength for the grown boys (who are responsible to this family since the death of Ruth's father in 1999.) That God would make himself known to them every single day and that as we seperated in body, that he would bind our hearts together across the globe. The God of America is the God of Uganda...
Fred directed more pictures and I will be embarrassed that he took so many of them receiving gifts, because it is humbling to know that what I gave was no sacrifice at all.
There came a time to leave and yes I waited as long as I could. Fred said we could stay as long as we wanted to. Ya, well maybe not really as long as I wanted to, but I am so grateful for a family back home to pull my heart back home.
I'm going to post this without pictures for now, then add the photos later, so check back, but I am down to last few hours here and my last $2.50. I have no jewelry left, no clothes except what I will be wearing on the plane and they aren't even clean. So if you could pray for those sitting next to me on the 48 hour journey home, they would be most grateful I am sure.
We are just about done with our mission in Uganda. You have done a good work here servants, by your giving to send us, by your praying to protect and strength us, by loving our Savior enough to keep walking on.
Let's stay in this thing until we our lay down heads for the last time. He is so worth it

Uganda 2010 day 13

Sunday morning at 8:15am my driver arrived at the hotel in Jinja to pick me up. We will be travelling across Southern Uganda together about 9 hours total. Me, a man that no one knows, a third world country, and a van that the driver must turn the key an average of 20 times, resulting in a click and nothing else before it actually starts. Yep…I’m afraid I may have just moved up the prayer request list a couple of notches.
Scott Harrell told me this morning they wanted to pray with us before we left and that he was going to talk to this driver the way a father would to a man coming to date his daughter the first time.
Fred arrived and I felt instantly at ease. Everyone gathered around us to pray and we were sent off.

Poor Fred…an American woman with a lot of words, a curiosity that won’t stop and 9 hours in the same car. I noticed after about 45 minutes, he asked if I wanted to hear Ugandan Christian music. I think that was code for, "how bout we listen and stop talking." and when I say "we" I think he might have been thinking about me.

That lasted for about an hour, until I figured out where the volume button was and how to turn it down so he could hear me ask another question he has probably answered a thousand times. When his IPOD came out, I took the hint. Well, until I realized I could shout at him and he would take one of the ear pieces out. We stopped for lunch and shared some stories about our lives and how we came to know Christ.

In the van was one thing, facing forward…face to face over a table with this very gentle man…just made me miss mine. The last 3 hours turned into 4 when I asked if we could maybe stop to pass out some dresses and shirts when we saw a child alone on the road or a house within sight where children were. “Oh yes, whatever you want, you just tell me to stop and I’ll stop.” AWESOME! I’m just going to post the pictures he took because, honestly there were few words spoken because of language and the pictures really do tell it better than I could.

They were way back at their house when we pulled up

and I was prepared to walk to them, but by the time we put a hair tie and plastic bag where the gas cap was before the last 100 potholes, they had walked up to the road to us.

I LOVE this one,

because that baby girl was having just a couple of thoughts about me don’t you think? I was able to give the mom a skirt and t shirt from what I brought and by the time we got back in the van, she had both items on over her own clothes.

At the next stop, we found 3 women and two young girls. Oh my word what fun it was. AD you are blessing some darlin’s in Uganda!

We arrived in Mbarara about 5pm. I cracked up at myself when we pulled up to the Holiday Inn. I thought the whole time that it was so funny to travel so far away, only to stay at an American Hotel, but I figured, the Compassion team just wanted to make us feel comfortable and safe. Duh…Holiday means vacation and Inn just means hotel…

Here is the reality of where we are. But you know me, the greater adventure, the better.

And honestly after the bricks from Saturday...even without a toilet seat, I'm good!

We checked in and for the first time in a very long while, I feel like I just want to stay safely in my room. Its not a threatening place at all, I just want to be ready for tomorrow. Fred asked if I was up to going to the store for the things I wanted to bring to Ruth’s family tomorrow. Well, YES I was. The grocery store was about the size of a very small 7-11. He has done this so many times with other visitors, that I told him to get whatever he thought was a good idea. He chose sugar, flour, clothes rice, washing bars, body washing bars, shampoo, lotion, tea, toothpaste boxes for each member of the family with the toothbrushes inside. I chose cookies, candy, had the young lady at the counter select a perfume and whispered in her ear that I wanted to take Ruth those “panties”. She slipped around the counter and bagged them separately. We added gum and juice and anything else Fred even stopped to gaze at. He would look and I would say “yes, they need that”.

Oh my word I am getting so excited. I have no idea what to expect. Fred has told me that the children don’t go to the project site during the week because they go to school. So as long as I get to stretch my arms and heart around this 16 year old girl…I will be in heaven. There are 250 children helped by this particular project site and Fred pointed out about 3 of them along just the one route we took today. I told him that American women cry with emotion and joy. Well lets get real, I told him just about everything I know, while he was trapped in the van for 9 hours driving across a country that probably used to seem much smaller than today. Anyway, he said most American women cry and the children understand. Nevertheless, please pray that I can hold myself together because seriously, I could cry a river just thinking about locking eyes.
And…my video camera that just stopped working yesterday?…started right up today when I changed the tape out! I asked Fred if he knew how to video tape and take pictures and he said “Of course, this is part of what I do for you! You visit and I take the pictures!” It’s all too much for this heart of mine and I am not even there yet.
The internet is down, so I realize that by the time I get this up and going, I may be in the air coming home. But until I have downloaded the emotions of today…I can’t possibly have room for tomorrow without bursting.
Can I just say thanks to my girlfriends who sent along the Starbucks instant coffee? Tonight for the first time, tucked into my hotel room, I ordered a pot of hot water and am livin’ large for a few moments. I haven’t seen one American chain like Starbucks or McDonalds, which is kind of refreshing. But that coffee gave me just a little bit of home. I miss you so much and I keep picturing us all here together. I believe you would really love Fred and he would run for the hills with even the thought of a whole van full of us. But that is not a fact limited to Ugandan men…our "appeal" is global that way!

I think today was take your goat to work day.

Seriously…Vons and Ralphs could learn a few things about their produce presentation.

Until tomorrow…