A hand to hold

Everyday children from the community enter the gates of Jordan House, some I know their names but many of them I don’t. They come to just hang out, they come to see the muzungu’s (white man), they come because they are hungry, they come to play with their friends that live at Jordan House and sometimes they come to receive a simple hug, kiss or hand to hold.

Early this week a little boy that I had never seen before was in the compound just wondering around looking a little sad and lost. I was sitting with a group of children close by playing ‘ring-a-ring-a-rosie’ when i gestured and verbalised for him to “come” in the local way. He quickly followed my request and soon we were playing ‘ring-a-ring-a-rosie’ together. Surprisingly he wasn’t at all shy, like I thought he would be. He kept wanting more tickles, every time bursting out with a high pitched laugh that made me laugh. I would tickle him just so I could hear his adorable laugh, which he didn’t mind at all.

For the rest of the afternoon he was my friend, holding my hand everywhere I would go, often leading me to wherever HE wanted to go. At that point I didn’t care if he was the only little boy that I had became friends with my whole time here.

Later that night I thought about this little boy, who’s name I did not know and a huge smile over took my face. I was reminded who simple this little boys intentions had been. He just wanted to be with me, to take hold of my hand and simply be together. God wants to simply be with me with whatever I do. He wants us to wake up in the morning together, He wants us breathe life together, He wants us to cry together, He wants us to laugh together, He wants us to have conversations together, He wants us to go to sleep together at the end of the day. It’s so easy to try and do things on my own and not include God but He wants to lead me wherever HE wants, just like the little boy and He simply wants a hand to hold, MINE!

It hurts

Today Will and I meet a lady at Entebbe airport. As we were waiting for her my eyes welled up with tears as I watched families greet each other, some were even crying themselves as they hugged their loved ones. I so wished that was me, greeting my family back in Brisbane, Australia. At that moment I would have given anything to jump on the next flight back to Australia. 

But I had to really ask myself the question, if I was really given the choose, would I? The answer was easy, no! It hurts so bad sometimes being away from family, especially when I don’t know exactly why I am here but at the same time that’s why I couldn’t jump on the next plane. I wouldn’t change this point of my life for anything! It’s hard waiting for clear direction from God but following God isn’t easy, sometimes it hurts so bad. But I know that God has my best interests in mind, He would never leave me, He is my comfort, He is my provision, He is my guidance, He is the reason at 11 years old He placed Africa not just on but in my hear,t I have to continue to push on and be lead by his voice. 

Challenged

Everyday here in Uganda I see beggars of all ages; men, women and children. It breaks my heart, especially to see children begging. These children deserve the chance to be a child, to play, to laugh, to dance, to learn, to have an education and to be loved. Many times children are taken from villages or sold by their parents to men that than bring them to the city to ‘earn’ money, only to give the money they ‘earned’ to their boss. Men and women with deformities, disabled or without limbs deserve some dignity.

Everyone here says not to give money to beggars, as money doesn’t fix anything. It’s true money doesn’t fix the self-mutalation, the child slavery, the drunkness that thrives amongst some of the beggars. Living here I have somewhat come accustomed to their way of life and accepted it. Sometimes I get so angry when I know and can see it’s all an act. 

But I was extremely challenged this week when I was having time with God.

Acts 3:2-7

‘Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put everyday to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 

Everyday people walked straight past the crippled man on their way to worship God. Some may have given him money but many may have just walked straight past without even an acknowledgement. The thing that God challenged me with the most with was the fact that the people where on their way to worship God, but couldn’t even stop for broken. 

God challenged me to be Peter and John, to take hold of the precious gift Jesus left behind, the Holy Spirit and simply pray with the lost, the broken, the unloved. When doing home visits in the slums I sit and pray with Mama’s and their children. Why not sit and pray with the beggars? How can I say that I love Jesus, if I simply walk by!

It's the simple things...

Today’s Highlight: Sitting on a local Mama’s verandah, playing with her beautiful daughter while watching it rain. It’s the simple things that make me feel God’s heart, His heart of just sitting to play and love the children, even the children in the slums. 

Pay Day

We have been here for almost 3 months and today I was looking back over our time so far and remembered something that I would like to share with you.

It was only 2 weeks ago that we payed the ladies from our Woman Empowerment program. One of the ladies, Betty, came to pay day with no products (set of earrings and bracelets) because she didn’t have the money to buy the materials needed to make the products. We gave her the money needed for the materials (that would then be taken off her pay when she gets it) as well as two days to bring the products and then we could pay her. 

She brought all sets of the jewellery and we were able to pay her the months wage, minus the money we gave her for materials. This situation is quite common as so many families literally live day-to-day and sometimes don’t have the money to even provide food for their family. These families know the true meaning of struggling.

What made my day through this situation was when we were able to pay Betty, her daughter was with her. When we handed the money to Betty, her daughter’s face lit up and she took the money from her mum, held it in her hands with a huge smile on her face. Betty was unable to make an income the month before and Betty’s daughter knew that at least for the next week or so they would have food to eat!!! 

It’s days and people like this that make me so thankful that God has brought me here to Uganda

Playgroup

I’m learning to love like God loves, slowly. 

The one thing that struck me this week was a huge need with children with disabilities and children that are behind in their development. On Wednesday, after our staff meeting, I seen Molly and her daughter, Stacia. I had seen Stacia a few times but this time felt compelled to take Stacia from her mum and give her some cuddles. Stacia is 10 months old and has down syndrome. I put out my hands and she came to me straight away. I cuddled and played with her for about 20mins before she started crying and I gave her back to her mum. 

In the 20 mins that I was playing with Stacia, God placed a huge need on my heart for children with disabilities and children that are behind in their development.

Immediately after giving Stacia back to her Mum, I started doing some research about Down Syndrome and activities that would help with development. God then placed on my heart to start a playgroup with these children. Within 30 mins of when I first held Stacia in my arms, after talking to Danielle and Vanita (Internationals that also volunteer with Operation Uganda), we had come up with four children that we knew could benefit from the playgroup. I asked our social worker, Pamela if we could visit these families and explain to their mother’s what was being started and if they would like to bring their children along. 

The next day I went to visit Molly with Pamela. When I walked inside her tiny house, no bigger than a bathroom, the smell of urine hit me so strong and I stepped in a pool of liquid, which I’m pretty sure was wee. I seen Molly’s other daughter Rita sitting on the cold concrete floor. Rita is severely disabled, almost deaf and almost blind. I knew straight away that Rita needed to be part of whatever God had placed on my heart the day before. Molly was so thankful!

I don’t have a clue what or how to run this playgroup but I know God will guide me. I have no experience with disabled children but that’s what’s so amazing about the love of God, you don’t need to know what to do, you just need to love and He will do the rest… 

Graduation

Yesterday I had the privilege to witness and be part of the ladies from our Tailoring Course graduate. The course was the first of it’s kind and was a huge success. An 8 month course where 10 ladies from similar situations and backgrounds were given an opportunity of a lifetime, to learn a skill that they can then start there own businesses to provide for their children, free of charge. The course also included skills such as budgeting (which is a huge issue here, as people don’t think and plan ahead, which I guess is hard when you only have money and food to live from day to day) teaching them the word and promises of God and showing them the love of God. All 10 ladies were from the local community; single parents struggling to provide the basics for their family. 

To see the joy on their face at the graduation was amazing. Unfortunately I was unable to see the course from start to finish (as we have only been here for 10 weeks) but to hear the stories of transformation throughout the time that I have been here from when the ladies first began to now is amazing. Woman who were involved in witchcraft, now christians and attending church regularly. Isn’t it cool, how something so simple leads lives to Christ, for eternity!!!!!!!

Ladies with their graduating certificates 

Be Still...

It took five weeks, after arriving in Uganda, Africa, that I could say I was semi settled. I had found my feet at Jordan House, relationships were being built quickly and extended upon daily. We had bought a car in this time, thank you to everyone who was praying. We got a good deal with only a few things that we had to get fixed, which we found out later. We were able to get from A to B without the assistance from others and without getting lost. We had learnt the basic greetings in Luganda (Will learnt a lot faster than myself and I think I’m still pronouncing them wrong, as sometimes the locals still laugh at me) I had gained two extra names since being here, “Muzungu” (white man) which gets shouted at you with great excitement several times throughout the day and “Emmanuel” (The nickname for Emmanuel here in Uganda is Emma, so when I introduced myself as Emma they responded with “Emmanuel”) it has stuck with some people ever since, and others just call me Emmanuel as a joke. Within the five weeks we had also sat and prayed with many people, asking God for healing, protection, provision, peace and for His love to saturate their situation and family. God gave me words for some of these people, which brought me to tears, I was continuing to feel just a fraction of how much God loves them, I still can’t comprehend the magnitude of His love. 

But amongst all this I’m ashamed to say, I was frustrated at God! Why you may ask? To be honest it was for a selfish reason, God hadn’t spoke to me, He hadn’t revealed anything great and amazing in the five weeks of being here. This was really hard for me to get my head around, Will and I had obeyed God, we were here in Uganda, I was spending time with Him and NOW I was becoming really impatient!!!

We celebrated our second wedding anniversary, with a weekend away in a small town, called Jinja, about an hour and a half outside of Kampala. It was Sunday night, our last night in Jinja, before we headed back to crazy Kampala, so we decided to have dinner at a local cafe. We left at 4.30pm, for an early dinner as we didn’t have lunch, we didn’t get far!!! We drove for about 10mins before realising that the car was overheating, BAD! We pulled into the closest petrol station (Shell, yes they have Shell petrol stations here in Uganda), open the hood to try and find the problem, we found it alright, a nice big crack in the radiator. I don’t know much about cars but I knew that if you drive a car with a cracked radiator, you will have even bigger problems. We knew we had to get it fixed but how? It was a sunday afternoon in a small, stalls and shops were closed. We tried bottles and bottles of radiator coolant to see if it would just tie us over to get back to where we were staying, FAIL! We tried soap to fill the hole, YES SOAP, a TOTAL FAIL of an idea from one of the “mechanics”, we knew it wouldn’t work but he was insisting that it would. I just had to laugh, Uganda…. After an half and hour another guy finally come along and suggested we take it across the road to a different petrol station, brilliant idea in the end! We drove the car across the road to the other petrol station and had another lot of mechanics look at it. They defiantly had more of an idea of what they were doing. They said they could fix it, we agreed, four and a half hours later it was complete and we able to then go fill our very hungry bellies.

What has this got to with my journey here in Africa? Everything!!! Normally when something goes wrong like that, I get so cranky, I swear (I’m just being honest) and make the situation worse for myself and everyone around me. This was different, not once did I get cranky, swear, or take my frustration of the inconvenience out on anybody. Yes, it was extremely inconvenient for what we had planned, but extremely conveniant for God to get my attention. 

You see as they were repairing the radiator in the dark, with only a small hand held touch and the light from mobile phones, which were completely hopeless, God was ripping my heart apart. Tears rolled down my face which matched perfectly how I was feeling on the inside. I had put a worship CD on and just hang out with my creator, the best hang out time I had had in a long time. God reminded me what it means to “Be Still”, it’s not putting a time limit on God, it’s not demanding things from Him, it’s not compromising with Him, it’s not trying to make things work in my favour. In fact it’s the complete opposite! It’s being in tune with His small voice, it’s letting him take control of the situation, it’s shutting my mouth long enough and letting God talk, it’s simply hanging out in His presence and waiting on Him. 

Why get frustrated at God that He hadn’t spoke to me the way I wanted Him to, when I wasn’t giving Him the time He deserved, silencing myself and merely waiting on Him. It’s in these quite times with God that He has the time to do what He’s been wanting to do in a long time. It’s a simple thing that God longs from us but it can be a hard thing to do at times, and I’m still learning.  

First Not Second

I want to thank everyone who has been writing emails, encouragments etc… to Will and I. It means so much, especially the days when we miss family, friends and just the little things about home. 

I want to apologize for the non-existent blogs over the past 6 weeks, please forgive me, I do have a good excuse! Firstly my days have been extremely busy and sometimes long at Jordan House, just when I think I might get a spare five minutes to sit down and start I am very wrongly mistaken. Maybe I could write one when I get home I think to myself, notice I say maybe! Secondly the chance of having power when we get home is very slim, hence maybe. Thirdly I honestly have no idea where or how to begin to put into words the past weeks. I will try and start from the where I left off in my last blog…

As I said in my last blog, Jordan House wasn’t what Will or I expected it to be like. Many people before we left asked us things about our expectations regarding different situations, scenarios etc… My answer would often be “Honestly I don’t know what to expect” After arriving and working at Jordan House I soon realized that I DID have an expectation, to a point, about Jordan House and my role that I would carry out. At a point I actually said out loud to Will “I don’t think I could this for a year” The moment the words came out of my mouth I was reminded that God has called us here and He will gives us everything we need for our time here, including the strength needed. Don’t get me wrong I’m not bagging out Operation Uganda and we both still want to be here but it can be really frustrating when you don’t know why you are here. I’m glad I verbalised what I was feeling, there is defiantly a power in your words as they are released from your mouth. 

The bible says that your tongue can either bring life or death. Even though what I was saying was negative, when verbalised it may seem to reinforce my feelings, it actually did the opposite. As the words fell from my mouth my feelings were released and were replaced with God’s promises. I wish I could say that I haven’t said it again; it was just at the beginning of this week that the words came out of my mouth again. I felt guilty immediately after saying it because I know that I can, I know that God is in control, I know this the plan God has for Will and I at this point in our lives. I have learnt through this small frustration that, yes your tongue can bring life or death but we choose which of these the toungue will accomplish. I want life, which means instead of verbalising my weaknesses and doubts I need to verbalise, better still, proclaim the promises of God over my life. If I keep saying such things it will bring both WIll and I down, we won’t be able to reach our fullest in God. This time God replaced my own weaknesses with his strength, but I need to learn that it’s His strength that I turn to first not second!!!!! 

Missing My Baby!

Will's New Friends

Will's new friends 

My First Glance

Flying over and into unknown territory was unexpectingly comforting knowing that our God was behind and in front of us. Unexpectant in the sense that I didn’t at all feel out of place, overwhelmed, sad or remote from loved ones, although we have never landed in a country making a conscience decision before we arrive that whatever happens we need to make this our new home now. 

From birds eye view I could see how lush and green everything looked, surrounded by mountains and the air slightly smoggy. We had finally reached our new home! Will turned to me and asked “Do you feel like everything has lead up to this point in your life and now we don’t know what will happen?” I nodded, turned my head away and shed a few tears without him seeing. God had lead me this point and I had just seen the first glance of my journey from this point on. Although I had no idea what was to come, the feelings that I thought would arise the moment of coming in and landing in Entebbe, Uganda didn’t. I felt a peace that only God could give. 

After getting stuck in the airport an hour and a half due to not having American Dollars for our Visa’s, Corey greeted us. It was so good to see him, we had been counting down the days. It had been almost 6 months exactly that we had seen him off at Brisbane International Airport. After we told Corey about our hick up with our Visa’s, he said that he had some bad news. At first i thought it was something to do with our accommodation, that we couldn’t stay with him, but he procedded to tell me that my mum had got in contact with him and that my family were putting down our family Dalmatian (Katie-Jayne). Initially I was happy that she would be in no more pain. Katie-Jayne was 15 years old and suffered from bad arthritis along with the normal signs of old age, loss of weight, appetite, hearing. It hit me two days later, my first day at Jordan House, when Corey showed me a status update from my sister. It read “Dear Katie-Jayne, thank you for the last 15 years of being part of our family and creating all those memories. Im sure you will have fun in doggy heaven and be at lot more peace. Miss you heaps. Love your sister Clara.I started crying and instantly wished I had been there to say goodbye and be with my family as they had to say goodbye.

On the drive home from the airport i took everything in. The locals selling delicious looking fruit and veg (we stopped and bought some mangos, as I had been craving them for almost a week. I tried one later and they were beautiful) The crazy traffic (we found out later that that wasn’t even bad traffic, as we arrived on a Sunday, the least busiest day for traffic), the way people seemed to be in no hurry and the way some people seemed to just wander with no agenda. Just as we pulled into our very long and bumpy drive way (we go four wheel driving everyday) Corey said that he has been other places in Africa and he finds that Ugandan’s are the most friendliest and have the best smile, we passed a Boda driver (a form of a taxi but a motorbike) I waved and he let out the biggest smile. He didn’t just seem to smile with his mouth but his eyes and heart also. Corey’s statement had proven so true!!!!! My first glance of the beautiful smile that God gave the Ugandan’s.

Our first day at Jordan House Will was sick and had the option of staying at home but he wanted to experience it for the first time together. When we arrived we were swarmed with children and staff. I knew that learning all their names was going to take a while was they introduced themselves to us. Immediately there were children hanging off of us and dancing, clearly showing off. It was hilarious and so precious. The staff were ever so welcoming and it really did touch my heart. They knew our names before we arrived. Just a simple smile from them that first day melted my heart.  

For the first week we were settling in and getting used to the routine at Jordan House. I would still say we are settling in. Honestly, Jordan House is very different to what we both expected, but I know God has me here for a very good reason. God doesn’t do anything for nothing, there is always a reason and plan behind everything with God. Im excited what this next year will bring!!!!!!

My first glance at Uganda, its people and the plan God has for me has already reminded me that God has an agenda far greater than your thoughts can take you. An agenda far greater even for the “least” of these.

Itinerary

Origin:                      BRISBANE

Destination:            ENTEBEE

Airline:                     EMIRATES

Travellers

CUMMING, EMMAMRS

CUMMING, WILLIAMMR

Flight - Emirates Airline (EK) 435 

Depart:                      20:45                 Brisbane Arpt (BNE), Terminal 1

                            Wednesday 27 July 2011

Arrive:                      05:25                 Dubai Intl Arpt (DXB), Terminal 3

                            Thursday 28 July 2011

Duration:                  14HRS 40MINS

Aircraft:                    BOEING 777-300ER

Flight 435               Non-Stop

Class of Service:     Economy (R)

Flight - Emirates Airlines (EK) 723 

Depart:                     08:25                  Dubai Intl Arpt (DXB), Terminal 3

                            Sunday 31 July 2011

Arrive:                  14:45                 Entebbe Arpt, Terminal International

                            Sunday 31 July 2011

Duartion:               07HRS 20MINS

Aircraft:                    AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A340-500

Flight 723

Class of Service:    Economy (R)

"How hungry are you for me?"

About two weeks ago at church we had a guest speaker who at the end of his sermon had an alter call for people. He specifically called for people with back conditions, two people went out the front, which should have been three. My mum glared at me from across the room as if to say get out there! The guest speaker gave no second chances as he didn’t ask again, he went ahead and prayed for the two people. In my head I told myself there are people worse off than me, therefore I justified my reasoning for staying put in my seat. It wasn’t until earlier this week I was thinking about this particular Sunday night and God asked me “How hungry are you for me?”. It hit me, It’s not about if people are worse off then me, it’s about how hungry I am for Him in my life. Am I willing to get over my pride and stand before Him with my needs and the need for His presence to reign over my life? That’s not to say that God can’t heal me even in my quite time with Him but it does mean that getting hungry for Him requires desperation. To be desperate means having an urgent need, desire. When you have a need and a desire you will do anything and at any cost to see results.   

I read books, watch DVDs etc… of people getting healed all the time in Africa and other third world countries. Blind can see, mute can speak, lame can walk, deaf can hear, so why don’t I see and hear about miracles happening like that here in Australia? I’m not hungry enough, I’m not desperate enough, I’m not thirsty enough to LET the power of God move in my life. These people literally know what it feels like to be hungry and they see and feel the miraculous happen. In Australia we don’t know what it feels like to go to bed without food night after night but we can go day after day, week after week without eating our daily bread from our heavenly father. It may not even concern us the slightest, because honestly, in our comfortable blessed country that part of our life is so often filled with other things. That’s the difference between our walk with Christ and that of third world countries, they have very little distractions, they acknowledge their need for God. I need to acknowledge that I need God. I know in my heart that I need Him in my life but I need to acknowledge that with every opportunity I get, even in church, the place where sometimes I honestly am the most arrogant to that need and hunger for Him. In the past it has become too routine. 

Mixed Emotions

With just 10 weeks exactly till we fly out the emotions are high. Excited, nervous, overwhelmed, inspired, determined, loved, sad, stressed, eager, exhausted, vulnerable, grateful, thankful, frustrated, hopeful, amazed, assured, indifferent, capable, certain, desire, scared, fear, trust, homesickness…and there’s still 10 weeks to go! The weeks leading up to our departure is going to be emotionally draining. I say this because I am an extremely emotional person at the best of times let alone leaving my family and close friends for at least a year. 

I can’t wait to finish up at my job and start something exciting with the people and children in Uganda but at the same time I don’t want to leave my class that I have cared for, loved, nurtured, watch grow, see their potential, set boundaries for, watch and assist in their development, be part of their achievements, when I’m having a bad day I won’t get to hear them say “Miss Emma I love you”. They aren’t just 2 year olds, they are my baby’s that have been apart of my life and I hope that even at 2 years old I have been apart of theirs. I know that I will be building new relationships with the children in Uganda but its sad to know I will be leave the children here that I have come to love so dearly. My last day will be easy knowing that what I am about to embark on is the plan for my life but at the same time extremely hard saying goodbye for the last time. All I know is that when my last day comes I know that I have been able to be apart of these children’s lives, which is truly rewarding!

Frankie our dog has to stay at Will’s dad’s house since we have moved back in with my mum and dad. The first few weeks he was there he was sad, he wouldn’t eat properly, he got electrocuted by the electric fence that John (Will’s dad) put up to stop him jumping the fence to play with the dog next dog (this didn’t help the relationship between Frankie and John, Frankie wouldn’t go near John for days) Which was quite amusing to watch.  When we would go visit him I could tell he had been sad, but he would get so excited just so see us and he would run around like a kid with ADHD. When it was time for us to leave he would know because he would hear the keys in our hands rattle and he would try and jump in the car because he was so used to going everywhere with us, if we just needed to pop into Woolworth’s he would come for a drive. The look on his face when he couldn’t come and we drove off broke my heart and still does. Overtime though he learnt that we would always come back in a few days to visit. It makes me upset to think that when we say goodbye to him for the last time that he won’t understand that we won’t be back in a day or two, he will be waiting and waiting and waiting for us to come but we won’t. They say dogs can get depressed, I pray he won’t. He isn’t just a dog, he is part of our family and I don’t care if people think I’m stupid and pathetic for getting upset over a dog. Sometimes I just cry thinking about leaving him. Im so used to coming home from work and Frankie greeting me with the biggest welcome, always happy to see me and then he runs around and around showing off.  The moment I’m home he follows me everywhere, he even try’s to follow me to the toilet. He always makes my day and that’s what Im going to miss. Both Will and Corey are talking about getting a dog when we arrive in Uganda as a guard dog for at our house, honestly I think I’m going to find it hard not to become emotionally attached to the dog. People have pets over there just like we do here and to have a dog over there and not treat it part of the family feels wrong, its just the way I was brought up. I can’t become attached though otherwise when we do leave it will be too hard. Its just little things like a dog that can get the better of me some days. 

Sometimes I just lay in bed at night and cry and cry. I cry because I know how much I’m going to miss my family, Im going to miss kissing my mum and dad goodnight every night. My family and I are close and they are one of the most important things to me. Missing my family is a feeling that I know I can’t make go away, it’s a feeling that may creep up on me some days and may get the best of me, it’s a feeling that may wish I was back home, it’s a feeling that I can’t stop, it’s a feeling that I can’t control, it’s a feeling that I wish I was with them, it’s a feeling that I wish they were with me, it’s a feeling that I know Im going to miss out on important milestones, events and achievements, it’s a feeling that I wish I didn’t have already, it’s a feeling that I’m glad I have already and just like my heart breaks at the thought of leaving my family, God revelled to me one night as I lay there crying, that my heart is breaking just a fraction of what God’s heart is and does for His children that aren’t home with Him. He is longing to be with them, to welcome them home. My crying turned into sobbing as I heard His voice so clear, a smile took over my face and I knew then that leaving my family, friends and job for just 12 months is worth it!!!!!!!!! 

It doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy, I know it’s going to be hard, I’m going to have my good days and my bad days but to understand a fraction of God’s heart is comforting. 

Our new "home"

Operation Uganda

After an average family with four children lost everything in a house fire, they felt the call to move to Uganda, Africa and start an incredible ministry called Operation Uganda. Operation Uganda work with the local children, families, men and women providing a children’s Home called Jordan House, a community centre and a local church. Feel free to check out their website www.operationuganda.com

Jordan House provides accommodation, clothing, education, nutritional diet and pastoral care to orphan children who come from many different backgrounds. Many of the children have HIV/AIDS. 

The community centre provide many different projects such as:

- BIO-Sand filter which transforms dirty /soiled water into drinkable water. In an area where Cholera is common this is a life saving project that helps provide a better quality of life. 

- The door sized garden. A practical project to implement in high density slum areas; this project provides fresh vegetables for a household.

- Jewelry making. This projects teachers the local woman the skill of making jewelry, they can then sell the jewelry which provides an income for their family.

The local church that Operation Uganda have started is there to help meet the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of the community. By empowering, equipping, strengthening and releasing the local people they are able to spread the word of Jesus Christ

In January 2010 I contacted Operation Uganda after hearing about them from a close friend, Corey, a year earlier. I filled out a simple form with both Will and I’s skills. Honestly, I didn’t expect to hear back from them, but just 2 weeks later I got the phone call that started the preparation. Liz, from the Australian office contacted me and let me know that they were after both Will’s and I skills. Will is a qualified carpenter and I work in childcare with children services qualifications.

As the months past we had to fill out more paper work, forms and waited to be approved. We got approved and found out the different projects that we will be involved in. Will will be putting his skills to work by teaching young boys/men a trade, building, painting and I will be teaching in the orphanage. These will be our primary roles but we will be doing a whole range of things, where ever there is a need!  At first we only intended to go for 3 months, which then changed to 6 months which has now turned into a 12 month commitment. God kept putting on our hearts to commit to longer so who knows where this 12 month commitment will end up.

Loved

Knowing at such a young age what God had in store for me became really frustrating throughout my high school years. I wondered if what I thought was God placing something on my heart was actually just my imagination and thoughts running free. So I made a deal with God. If this ’thing/feeling’ (I was unsure what it was by this stage) was just my thoughts than take it away. I even ask God the question “Will your plan for my life ever happen?”. The funny thing God never answered my valid question the way I expected him to. He never said yes, He never said no, He never took it away. He just intensified the burden on my heart and it became my dream and destiny! At this point I knew, I didn’t have to question God anymore. My questions had been answered.

During high school I struggled. Not academically (although the start of year 11 onwards was down hill) but emotionally. I had seen and heard things as a young child that i was trying to deal with, I was dealing with them in the wrong way. I felt worthless, helpless but most of all unloved and was going on a downward spiral. I put on such a brave face by trying to act tough, be disrepective to teachers, pretend that I didn’t care etc… but little did anybody know, I cried myself to sleep every night for years. My feelings of worthlessness came out in the way I valued myself with boys and the way I let them treat me. I knew I shouldn’t feel unloved, my parents loved me so much, but for some reason I did.

All through school I went to youth and my youth Pastor, Ps Dave, would always say how he had seen so many young people come and go with big God given plans for their life but they had thrown them away for the things of the world and instant gratification. When he spoke about this I could see how it broke his heart and I was determined this would not happen to me. Ps Dave and my parents would talk about how to make your dream come true and never to give up on them. These words were what I heald on to.

I graduated high school and this is when the incrediable journey of feeling loved started. I meet a guy (which is now my wonderful husband) and he helped me realise that I didn’t love myself. How could I feel loved if I didn’t love myself? But before I loved myself I had to know that God loved me. I began this process of feeling God’s uncondtionall love and it ripped my heart to shreds but it is THE most ultimate feeling. Next I dealt with the process of learning to love myself. This was not easy, but I can honestly say now I truly love who I am in God.  This is when my question to God “When will Your plan for my life happen?” got answered. Going to Africa and working among the poor required showing God’s love. How could I do this previously when I didn’t really understand or know God’s love for me.

God’s plan for my life has been going on for years, I just couldn’t never see it. He was preparing my heart for what he has in store. Working among the children and people in Africa will show God’s love and now that I know what that love feels like I can truly fullfill the plan He has more me.

Send Me

Saturday 19th February 2011

It wasn’t by accident at 11 years of age my mum encouraged me to go to my very first Planet Shakers conference with a different church in a different state, even though I wanted to go I was SO scared. I didn’t know anybody!!! Well I did know two girls that I had grown up with but I hadn’t seen them for years and they had all their friends that they hang out with. I was scared that they would just leave me all by myself. I was very shy and would find it hard to talk to people. I cried everyday for the long week that I was away.

God had me there for a reason!!! Throughout the conference we sang a song ‘Send Me’. This became the cry of my heart for the conference. In my worship to God I seeked him with no other agenda apart from seeing his heart. On the fourth day at conference we sang this song again and God placed a heavy burden on my heart for Africa. I started weeping for the country and their people. The words ‘Send Me’ weren’t just words to me, I was asking God to send me to the nation of Africa. 

I had most defiantly felt just a fraction of God’s heart. This burden, that seemed to  come from nowhere, became stronger over the next few days and God revealed what His purpose for my life was. On the second last night, while I was worshipping, a stranger came and prayed for me. Honestly I have no idea what they prayed for still to this day (as the music was so loud) but I felt something that I had never felt before, I felt God’s hand on my life.

At just 11 years of age I knew God had set me apart and that one day I would go to Africa. What I would do over there, I had no idea but that is something that God showed to me over the next 12 years.