A new house

We have moved into another house here in Jinja, Uganda! The house is BIG! Well, we consider it big, compared to our Texas home of 25 years. The bedrooms are large, the kitchen is very large, the dining and living rooms are large, there is an in-door laundry room(something I have always wanted) and the bonus room upstairs with large storage closet is an extra. Right now, we have two house guests, so every bedroom including the bonus room is filled. My heart's desire was to have a home and have guests. We are so at home already! You have a place to stay, so come visit!

Outside the house, the yard is filled with beautiful flowers, trees, bushes and plants. Our porch is big enough to sit and enjoy the scenery. The weather has been cool enought to accomodate a cup of coffee on the porch! Here is a picture of a rock on the path outside our kitchen

Yeah, well, I think it looks like Africa with a red dot where Uganda is. Maybe you can see it.

We are grateful to the Lord for the house. It is a few minutes walk from our gate to the new Amani Baby Cottage. Now, Dustin only needs walk a short distance instead of 30 mintues. Now, Mary has a longer walk to the present Amani, one she hasn't tried yet! Thank you for your continues prayers for our family. Pray for the children going through the process of guardianship. Pray for peace, strength and rest. God has plans for us, we trust in His Holy Name. Thank you!

David

David is blogging tonight:
"Thank you for supporting us. I went to the zoo. I am helping my dad build the new Amani Baby Cottage. Today at school I learned about the food pyramid. How is church doing? One of my friends is turning 5 tomorrow and then going to Ameria on Thursday!!! Sunday is my and Courtney's adoption day, number 8. The money here is different, it is called shillings."

WORDS

Court: what great joy to be in court and hear the judge say "granted". With that word, another child belongs in a family with a dad and mom. The work getting to that word and the continuing process until the family boards the plane, is tedious-emotional-hard work. But, the reward? priceless and joyful. I am honored to be a part of this side of the process.....meeting the parents, walking with them through the days of steps, sigantures, forms, appointments, disappointments and joy. I am thankful.

Airport: what great joy to be in the airport waiting for a parent to meet their child, some for the first time! With that word, "waiting", I had time to observe others waiting and those arriving. Most of those waiting had signs with names for people arriving. So, I watched the arrivers: those whose expressions showed exhaustion, wonderment, anticipation, and some even fearful. I watched teams with matching t-shirts with many bags, ready to "conquer the world." I saw grandmas greet their families: in a word, that made me sad. But, I knew I was in the airport because God had brought me to receive a parent coming to see their child. I am thankful.

Illness: what great joy to be here in Africa and be well most of the time. The word "illness" struck me last Friday. I began with slight nausea and then uncontrollable shakes. If I had been at home in Jinja, I would have gone to the International Clinic. But, I was at the US Embassy in another town, with a parent , her child and her mother-in-law. Can you see the word "embarrasing" coming now? As a guard escorted me out of the building, the parent was quickly seen and recived the document we had come for. We then proceeded to an ER, malaria test negative, infection positive. Two IVs  and one injection later, we were on our way back to Jinja. After a few days rest, I will be good as new. I am thankful.

Prayer: what great joy to know some of you have been praying for us. Living here is not "a piece of cake", instead the word is ......well, there several that come to mind, but I am NOT complaining, just describing.....trying, hard, difficult, stretching, ...yet the words that come to mind that make those words just little words, are......rewarding, family, children, progress, people, prayer(LOTS of that word). I am thankful.

Continue: what great joy to know that God will continue to use us as we follow His leading. We have been here for 3 months! We are seeing families united and bricks being laid. Restoration is a beautiful sight when seen with our eyes. Pleae "continue" to pray for us, support us financially, and write to us. Emails from you mean so much to our whole family. Let us know how you pray, let us know how your family is doing, and continue to read our blog and newsletter. We are thankful

Amani's Mommas

One of my most favorite times here in Jinja Uganda, is to be with the mamas of our babies' home. They fill my heart with song, my mouth with laughter, and my spirit with love. One of the mamas is also our neighbor. We sat together one Sunday afternoon and made a necklace, a bracelet and a pair of earrings from orange beads. Well, I say "we" made them.....I had strung only part of the necklace and she had made a bracelet and earrings, then finished the necklace for me! She had remembered I wanted orange jewelry to wear with my gomez and I have lots of use for that color.

The mamas at Amani Baby Cottage always have an encouraging word when I am not smiling. Some have an admonishing word when I slightly complain that I am tired. Some have tears when the children are having heartache. But they all have such love for the children. You can't be around them long and hang on to any grief, pain, weariness, sadness, homesickness, illness......they just don't allow! I love them so much, I am grateful for the way they bathe, feed, clothe, sing, play and care for the children.

When we move into our new building, the mamas will be divided into the cottages of children they are assigned to oversee and care for. This will not lessen the bond they have, but will strengthed their bond with the children and give them great joy. The cottages are being painted beautiful colors and Scriptures are being painted in each one, as well as in the clinic. The mommas will be surrounded by beautiful walls, but their spirits is what carries the children through hard times and joy.

When you think of us this month, pray for the mommas. There are almost 35 workers: cooks, dishwashers, laundry(you can't IMAGINE the amount of handwashing these wonderful workers have), mommas, housekeepers, assistants, social workers, administrators, and more I probably can't think of right now. Pray for the finishing and the move into our new building. Pray for the health and well-being of the mommas. Thank you for taking time to read and pray.

 Like the t-shirt reads in the above pic of my neighbor-friend, the mommas truly believe GOD IS ABLE!

HOME IS?

Going to an African Introduction for the groom to meet the bride's family. No, that is not Jesus and Abraham, though they do look mighty handsome! We were glad to have been invited, making us feel at HOME here in our Jinja town. How do you know you're HOME?


We know we're HOME when the cow bellowing outside ourr window doesn't give us a second thought as being abnormal.

We know we're HOME when our youngest son eats ants from the market and I don't say no!

We know we're HOME when our oldest son has an IV for three days to treat severe malaria,the bag of fluid hanging from a picture hook on the wall. One night while the nurse was here hooking up a new bag, a bat was on my shirt. Did we scream? Of course, but we are still at HOME! Dustin and David have become pretty good batmen!

We know we're HOME when walking places is the norm and getting a ride is a blessing.

We know we're HOME when the power goes off just minutes before ten people are arriving for dinner. We lit the candles, held the flashlight to fill the serving bowls, and are with laughter anyway. The dishes can wait until morning!

We know we're HOME when our house is filled with children laughing, playing outside for hours, taking time to have tea, and just.....taking time. There is not much hurrying, no "fast food", no red lights to stop traffice(although that could be a good thing!!)

What makes you feel like you are HOME? I pray God brings peace and joy into your HOME, will you pray He continues to do the same for ours? We are grateful for you that read this blog, those that pray for us, and those that also support us. We are at HOME where the Shepherd provides, we do not lack, we do not fear, we do not need for any good thing....surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in the HOUSE of the Lord forever.  You are most welcome to come visit our HOME

WELCOME TO OUR TOWN

WELCOME TO OUR TOWN, JINJA UGANDA AFRICA

OUR TOWN, where the kids play in the street! Both children AND little goats!

OUR TOWN, where the traffic includes cows! Just take a walk with us, but watch your step!

OUR TOWN, with one stop sign! Seems there aren’t many traffic rules, just drive on the left side, watch for people, boda bodas and bikes in the way!

OUR TOWN,  with the sweet smell of rain and the most amazing thunder you have ever heard! It has been raining a lot, makes for a lot of red mud that changes the color of our clothes. Makes lots of rainy-inside play with lots of kids making lots of happy noise!

OUR TOWN, where the windows are always open (if there is a screen), so you always hear sounds of birds, dogs, children, frogs, vehicles, etc, but there is a peace in hearing the sounds.

OUR TOWN, where one house may not be just one family, but rather as Courtney observed “each house is its own neighborhood!”

OUR TOWN, where we feel so at home.

OUR TOWN, wishing you could join us and experience the blessing of being here.

You are most welcome to OUR TOWN!!!!

OH THE JOY!

IF I WERE A RICH MAN, YA DA .......For some reason that song is playing in my mind as I write. I think because even if I was richer at this moment, I can't think of being any happier. Here are a few reasons why:

I was able to talk to our family in San Antonio yesterday. Hearing their little voices makes my heart smile and sing all at the same time! Oh the joy of grandchildren!

Today I saw a little boy go into the arms of his mom and dad for the very first time! There was no hesitation as he walked toward them and wanted to be picked up and hugged. He was all smiles while we were all tears! Oh the joy my Heavenly Father must have felt when He adopted me into HIS Family through His Son Jesus Christ!

It is a beautiful, breezy, cool Sunday afternoon. The family is together watching a movie, having coffee and coloring. Oh the joy of family being together.

At lunch today, Dustin asked the adopting parents if they have a Sunday night tradition at their house. They thought for a moment and said no, they didn't. Well in the past 20+ years, we have had a Sunday night tradition, starting with Melissa, Kirby and continuing with David and Courtney. We have a "pick off tray": popcorn, lunch meat, cheese, crackers, etc. We watch a movie together or America' Funniest Videos. We may not do that tonight, but we will be together with family and new friends.  Oh the joy of traditions. Oh boy, another song from my fav movie of all time!! TRADITION!!!

Yes, I am rich: family, grandchildren, adopting parents, being in Africa, traditions. BUT beyond those: I am a child of a King and THAT makes me rich in love, grace, compassion, and so much more. Oh the joy of having a loving Savior!

We hope to post some pics soon of the new building and our beautiful Uganda! OH THE JOY!!!