Every time I step out my door, I find a little package of gifts in a gallon size zip lock bag, on the steps or in the mailbox, labeled for a sponsored child at

Divine Grace Primary School, Uganda. Getting them all packed up and getting ready to send back to Uganda with Peter and Phoebe Sozi through

Care Ministry. These things will be so cherished, not because of their worldly value, which is

dear, but because of what they represent, a living breathing, loving, praying person who sees and cares for this child. Thank you sponsors, these

relationships will change all of our lives. Over 220 children sponsored, 700+ to go, "Is anything too

wonderful or difficult for God?" Luke 2:27

A taste in photos until I can gather my thoughts

Please click the link to our facebook photo albums:
Trying to capture this trip in photos

More of Uganda for those who have asked

The Last of Uganda

Homesickness while still at home

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men... Ecclesiates 3:11

Pre trip week. I KNOW those words stir up many images in the minds of mothers everywhere.

For me, the challenge of pre trip week includes an inexplicable need to nest, in addition to actually packing. I've heard I am not the only one. This need to nest multiples rapidly if I am leaving children at home. Which I am. In 5 days.

Phil, Hannah and I will be leaving for Uganda on Saturday. Peter, David and Cameron will be in the U.S., together and split up, in Murfreesboro, at the beach, and in Dallas visiting grandparents. I have been so excited about Africa for weeks..... and I still am.... but to be honest, yesterday I got homesick. And I'm still here.

I can remember seasons when my focus was so much on home. Be it because I had little ones here everyday all day, or because we had not yet had our hearts pricked by the the inspiration to go on these trips to other cultures, I remember when my EXTRA energies, my project and over and above the routine efforts were ALL geared toward home. Sometimes I miss that, sometimes I wish my heart were not pulled in directions which are worlds apart. But the fact is, a knowledge and a longing have been born in the hearts of our family, and it cannot be undone. Along side that longing is another, for all the loves of our hearts to be made right, in one home, without separation by miles, poverty, hunger, and disease. We look forward and long for that day, and we have every reason to hope.

And in the end, the end is

Oceans and oceans
Of love and love again
We'll see how the tears that have fallen
Were caught in the palms
Of the Giver of love and the Lover of all
And we'll look back on these tears as old tales

'Cause after the last tear falls
There is love

andrew-peterson.com

I need Africa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAB-zJPsJjs

Charles

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." Col 1:16

Phil spent 12 days in the primary school, medical clinic, and churches supported by our friends Rick and Vicki Rogers and Divine Care Ministries in Uganda, Africa meeting students, pastors and teachers. He met Prossy, the amazing little girl we sponsor at this school. It was amazing to witness what God is doing through these faithful people, and heart wrenching to see how great the need is for resources so that they can do more.

At a church service in a remote area Phil noticed a little boy in a purple shirt sitting alone, very content, massive holes in his shoes. When the service was over and people lingered to visit with the American visitors, Phil noticed that this little boy still sat happily watching all that was going on, but in no hurry to leave. Phil sat down beside him and in visiting with him learned that his name is Charles and that both of his parents are dead. He had walked to church alone. The gentle spirit of this little orphan captured Phil's heart. Phil asked Pastor Peter if he knew the boy and his situation and Peter immediately said, "this boy needs some shoes!" Pastor Peter has developed a heart that sees clearly into the needs of a situation! Peter talked to the church members and learned that Charles was living with a relative, but no other details. Charles sat listening and realized someone was looking into helping him. Pastor Peter said to Phil, "This boy is so happy he can hardly contain his grin!" As Phil left this area and ultimately Uganda, he carried with him a burden for this boy.

A month or so after Phil returned to the U.S. we got this message,
"About the little Charles his situation is very pathetic he and his brother are now working in the stone quarry to get something. This last sunday i invited him to come for the evening services and he told me he could not make it because he works from dawn to dusk. We are inviting him and his little brother to come for christmas. If not then we will send something to their family for christmas."
We (the Newmans) hurt for Charles and his baby brother, to imagine children having to do manual labor from morning to night just to "get something". It was so hard to watch from afar and trust that the Lord and Peter were doing all that needed to be done for these little ones. We were able to send support for the boys, and soon received this message from Peter, "Hope you had a great christmas!! We had a good one and we were honored to have your son Charles as one of our guests! " (Ugandans often refer to the children we sponsor as sons and daughters:) Comforting, but we were so anxious for more detail, more relief!

Well, that relief came in this precious message,
"Praise God Dr. Phil, Laurie and your family? How are you all? Back here we are good, everything is growing, children are growing and the ministry. Thank you so much for your love and support, we pray for God's blessings upon you. Thank you so much Laurie for building up a relationship with the school (meaning PCA) we pray that God will bless you mightily. I am planning to send you pictures about the school and the children at school. And if you need any other information you think would help, please, we are ready to send it. Dr. Phil, we took Charles and his brother to our school, thank you so much, their situation was so pathetic, they had nothing completely. I was at school last week and they were very excited. I teased them, I said I was taking them back, and they shouted a big No!!!!!. Thank you for standing in the gap! Keep us in your prayers please. love you all

Peter and Phoebe.

Praise God for Peter and Phoebe, who are devoted to carrying the burden for little children in Uganda. Divine Grace Primary holds 620+ little ones like Charles. Divine Grace has hundreds of children living at the school and hundreds more walking miles to get there. Some children walk up to 8 miles to school; they are actually dismissed hours early to get home before dark to avoid dangers on the road and from wild animals. Peter told us that many children must swim across a river to get to school; they remove their school uniform and carry it over their head across the river so that it does not get ruined. When the children come to Divine Grace they receive a pair of shoes, but will often walk to school without them in order to “keep them nice”.

Just one more day

Phil is coming home tomorrow from 12 days in Uganda, Praise the Lord! I can't wait to post photos from his trip! Just his text messages have expressed what an amazing experience this has been. 

"just saw a huge pig on the back of a moped"

"I'm seeing my first African sunrise at 5:45 am and many sweet children walking to school up and down hilly pot hole filled roads again.... God Bless them.  Now it's beginning to rain"

"Tons of little smiling faces will swam around you wanting to touch you and hold you hand"

"Peter prayed like I've never heard before, we sang, gave gifts to the teachers, I spoke words of encouragement to them, and needless 2 say I cried.  God was very good."

"I was schooled in worship today.  4 different sermons by 4 Ugandan ministers.  Preaching the likes of which you've never seen and singing as well... all under a big tree on the farm... I've never worshiped/prayed like that in my life..."

"I was asked to speak again twice today to the men.... one of the greatest experiences of my life... all in a ridiculously beautiful setting.  I'm in love with Africans.  And you all.  Love you all more than ever."

"I just stood 5 feet away from a baboon.  Our guide gave him a banana."

"Just got charged at by an elephant .....  we ran obviously.  It was not a full blown charge, 20-30 yards away....  speaking in church tomorrow, please pray"

"met the sweetest child this AM..... Charles.  Orphaned and at church all alone.  12 y.o. but looked  8 or 9..."

"safe in Amsterdam.. can't wait to see you all"