Legos

Miles ended up collecting about 100 lbs. of Legos!  We loaded them up and flew them to Uganda with us.  After being in Uganda a few weeks, I began learning about a children's home that sounded like a perfect home for the huge box of Legos.  Redeemer House homes about 17 children over 6 years old. Once we arrived, we unloaded legos on the dinning table and the kids went to town.  Miles was a bit shy at first, but soon warmed up.  They created all kinds of things and I know these little Legos will loved on!

 This boy was hit by a boda, motorcycle taxi, just the day before.  We managed to get him to give us a little smile!

A BIG thank you to those who donated!  

Week Three

Week  three

June 18

I joined Brittany's team at Sangaalo.  They were out looking at the newly purchased land and I arrived just in time for lunch and bath time.  I fed four babies, Brandon, Nicole, Isaac and Taylor their lunch and then proceeded to the baby washing station.

The aunties have it down to orderly routine. I stood over an empty basin with a clean water bucket next to me.  I had a fresh wash clothe for each baby and a bar of soap. One by one, I was handed a naked baby.  I washed them, head to toe, and passed them on to the next auntie, who lotions them up with Vaseline and then dressed them.  I love getting to spend extra time with the little ones and watching them grow.  Many I've known since they were brand new.

Brittany's team was heading to Kampala and I joined her to head towards the airport to pick up my team. I waited anxiously for those infamous Go. Be. Love shirts to come through he baggage claim doors.  It seemed like hours, but finally we were all together!  No lost bags!  I roomed with Calllie, my new coleader, and we prayed together.  

The next morning, we got on the road to head towards Jinja.  We all got to know each other a little bit. We got settled in at Providence Guesthouse, and headed straight to Abide Ministries.

Abide strives to prevent children from becoming orphans.  They are referred families by the government or social workers that would have abandoned them due to poverty.  They then help those families by teaching them a trade and helping them keep their kids.  The moms LOVED us being there.  We played with the children, danced and sang worship songs. We prayed for their needs.  Such sweet families.

Our team is building relationships.  As a leader, I love watching them come closer to each other and grow in their spirituality.

June 20

Last night, I was woken to a high pitched scream, and the words, "there's a bat in my mosquito net!"  

Today, we took the team into the village of Wakissi to work with Healing Faith.  Healing Faith works to educated, prevent and treat Malaria.  We taught the kids the creation story and had a blast singing and dancing together.  A parachute had been donated and the kids absolutely loved it! Jason, from Healing Faith, tested and treated a few positive Malaria cases.I have seen him do it many times.  It's almost as if I have become desensitized to it.  I sometimes forget the severity of it and the impact Malaria has on those deep in the village with limited to no income and treatment.  One of the Missionary Kids got really emotional watching a girl about her own age suffer with many if the symptoms.  It brought her to tears and then I remembered THIS is why I come.  THIS is why I bring people here.  To be affected.  To see with their own eyes.  To be changed.

June 21

Wow!  That's all I can say! Our team spent the day walking thru about 2.5 miles of rural Ugandan village bush.  We walked until we found any type of shelter where families may live and sleep.  With a translator, we told them why we were there. We explained that we came to educate about Malaria and were sharing the love of Jesus.  We found that many families had no idea what caused malaria.  They all welcomed us into there homes.  They all wanted prayer, they all received nets over all sleeping areas.  It was awesome to see the smiling faces, the receptiveness and joy to have visitors.

As we were traveling, we came across a Jaja (grandmother) that had just lost her son. It is customary for a tarp to be hung and for visitors to come and sit with them.  We sat, and grieved with her.  Although you would never know she was suffering from a loss, because she was so happy we had come.  

The genuine happiness that comes from such simple acts is admirable.

June 22

After an amazing church service at Acacia church, we headed to Sangaalo Baby Cottage.  We spent the rest of the day loving on little ones.  We brought over 100 cloth diapers and about 70 cans of formula.  It was awesome changing the kids from their rag diapers into their new cloth diapers.  We showed the workers how to use them.  No more rags!

Our Nurse and Nurse Practitioner checked all the babies.  Two needed medication and we were able to make a trip to the pharmacy.  

I always love seeing the kids growing up!  I've been visiting these babies for three years, it's awesome to watch the changes.

June 23

Today we were the first Visiting Orphans team to get to work with Sole Hope.  Sole Hope treats children with jiggers and then fits them with shoes to prevent future outbreaks. We divided up into stations.  We have foot scrubbers, chigger removal, shoe fitting and education.  As the children were finished, we entertained them until all others had gone thru.  Truly a team favorite!

June 24

The day of rest...and much needed.    We took a boat road on the Nile river and FIVE team members wanted to be baptized.  What an honor!

June 26

We arrived in Kampala the night before and headed to market to buy a few things for our feast.  We woke up early and started cutting up meat and vegetables.  The kids played outside taking turns loving on us.  Like many children lacking parental involvement, they craved any touch or affection we could give them. Every time I left the kitchen to check on my team, there was always about 5-10 children waiting for me to scoop them up in my arms.  It's overwhelming.  They all deserve individual attention.  They all deserve my love. I do my best.  I make sure to acknowledge them all, and they all get "I love you and you are beautiful" from me.  I've mastered saying it in their native tongue of Luganda. The children were served beef soup and fried rabbit!  One of the boys who lives at the children's home, David, has been building a rabbit business for over a year.  I promised him I would buy from him last November so he was elated when I followed thru.  

After a long day of feeding and loving on kids, we headed up for rest.  My team was completely overwhelmed by the huge need for love.  I've seen it many times.  All I can do is smile.  When my team members are broken down in tears, I know that God is breaking their hearts for what breaks His.  That is the whole purpose!  He wants more for us!  He wants US to be the solution!  We have to take that pain we feel and use it to change things.  To have an impact.  To be His hands and feet!  I. LOVE. THIS. STUFF!

June 27

Today was our last day as a team.  We participated in a chapel service with about 400 children in a small church.  As always, their worship was over the top! 

This team rocked it!  We young and old, single and married with kids, all different denominations and from all over the US and Germany.  We all came together to serve and to love. Mission accomplished!

Week Two

June 10

Today, our family traveled with Healing Faith in their Mobile Malaria Unit, to the village if Wakissi.  Healing Faith has been working with this village for over a year educating, preventing and treating Malaria, and ministering to the spiritual needs of the people there.It is still rainy season, so the dirt roads looked more like an obstacle course of mud holes.  It was an adventure getting to the village.  On our way, we stopped to check on a family that had recently had a new baby, and one that had just lost a baby.  This was the kids first real encounter with village life.  As we pulled up, goats, chickens and rabbits roamed around.  Marley fell in love with all of the bunnies!  

When we arrived in the village, the kids were in school.  They joined us in the field for some games and a bible study.  I watched my children interact with the village kids.  Both hesitant at first, but eventually, they warmed up.  Marley got bucked by a cow, and Miles got whooped in a game of soccer.  It was a good day!

June 11

Sangaalo baby home is where little baby Brandon lives.  I had the honor of naming him last summer.  He is about a year old now.  My Brandon finally got to meet the little baby that wasn't expected to live.  We brought the toddler Lego blocks and the kids went crazy!  They loved them!  Miles was beginning to see how much his efforts were appreciated.  

Brandon and I got to spend some time with Jason and Kari, from Healing Faith.  I'm so glad God brought them into our lives!  

June 13

Brandon left today.  This kids were so distracted playing with the Segner kids that I'm not sure they fully understood that they wouldn't see Daddy for a whole month.  Hadlee on the other hand is going to miss her Uncle Boo!  Our family really enjoyed spending time with Kari and Jason!

Today I learned to navigate around with my cane on my own without my husbands strong arm on my side.  I think I got this!

June 14

Our morning started with some family worship and a devotional.  Miles chose the songs and then read the story of David and Goliath.  We talked about what we can learn from that story.  Miles blew me away when he said that he knows that God has power over the enemy.  Miles, like most American kids, is addicted to video games.  He said that he is now going to rely on God to give him the strength to overcome that addiction.  Proud Mama here!

The kids and I braved traveling on our own today!  We stepped outside our compound gates and waved down a Boda driver.  All three of us piled onto a motorbike with my cane!  Ha....it was a funny sight.  The kids loved it! We ate lunch, got some groceries and then headed back home just long enough for a nap.  Then Brittany, my coleader from last summers team called.  She had just arrived in town.  We caught another Boda to eat dinner with her team.  On the way back home, around 8:30pm, my Boda driver got lost!  For a second I feared the end of our trip would be at some black market mzungu sale!  We eventually made it home safely!  I learned to always keep the address of the guesthouse with me!

The kids are adjusting wonderfully!  We have settle into a routine.  They wake up to the sounds of roosters, birds and all sorts of animals and insects.  I cook them breakfast.  I have been getting creative with our menu options of bread, bananas and eggs!  Then they venture out onto the compound we are are staying on and play with Boone, the guard dog, or whatever other animals are around!  They have been playing with Legos until we are able to take them to some kids. Miles has been journaling and Marley working on her alphabet.  They play and I love it!  Occasionally I reward them with some electronic time, but that is becoming less and less.  They are content running around barefoot and exploring!  I am happy they are adjusting!  

The First Week

June 5

Although flying from Europe to Ethiopia is only have the time it would be flying from the States, it still took a toll on the kids.  They were tired.  We arrived at the guest house within only our carryons,  because like true missionary travel, our bags went to Uganda without us.  So at 8:30 am, I had two very tired, hungry kids.  Marley found friends in the guesthouse staff, while Miles complained about being bored.  I was beginning to worry about his transition.  I woke him from a deep sleep for an opportunity to walk to a pizza place. It was a long walk for tired kids, he grew impatient and starting complaining about the smells, the animal poop in the road, and everything else that I have grown accustom to.  Again, I worried about him. In return for a better attitude, I bribed him with a taxi ride back to the guesthouse.  Taxi, really isn't what you would call our hired transportation, but it did the job.  As I piled both kids in to a motorcycle rigged to be a covered three seat car, also known as the blue devils, I saw Miles to begin to find the adventure in it.  

Later that evening, we joined Brandon's team for dinner at the Traditional Ethiopian Restaurant. The day was beginning to look better. Both kids ate traditional Ethiopian food!  And when the dancing began, the kids' faces lit up!  They were mesmerized by the tribal dances.  I couldn't keep my eyes off of my kids.  They were enjoying a culture that is so dear to me.  They forgot about video games, and just observed.  There is hope!  Tomorrow will be another day! 

June7

We arrived in Kampala , Uganda without any problems.  Our Driver, Charles, met us with his giant smile! All four of us piled into the van with all 12 bags.  The kids were too tired to take in the sights and slept most of the journey.  We were warmly greeted by my friends Sarah and Samuel and their three kids.  Sarah had recently had anew baby and I was anxious to hold her. As we were walking off the porch onto the grass to go to our room, I fell. I held to baby up, so that she avoided the rocky path near us.  She was fine.   I handed her off to Sarah and instantly began to fell dizzy.  As I scooted up to sit on the porch, my left ankle popped back into socket.  The toes on my right foot looked a little slanted.  At first, I thought I had dislocated them.  Thankfully, I followed Sarah's advice and went to a hospital.  Nine of us loaded up into a van and headed to get a professional opinion.  Sarah didn't want to miss out on our kids playing, so she brought her three.  Our kids played in the van while I sat in a Ugandan hospital.  They were quick to help me.  After examinations from two doctors, xrays on both feet and $20 later, I was told I had one sprained ankle and three broken bones in the opposite foot.  They didn't have the materials to cast it, so I thanked them for their time and left. 

June 8

We said our good byes and left for Jinja.  Again, my kids could care less about the scenery and slept the four hour trip.  When we arrived at our friends home, we were greeted with warm hugs and smiling faces.  My kids' faces lit up when they finally got to meet the kids that were close to their age. Even though they complained about bug bites, I could see the tone changing.  They were beginning to adapt!

We attended their home church while about 25-30 kids played outside for over two hours.  Miles said it was one of the best days of his life!

June 9

We had planned a family outing, but it poured down rain all day long.  So we improvised.  All 13 missionary kids sat on the floor for over five hours, only breaking for a bowl of rice and beans, playing Legos.  I sat with my leg elevated and iced. I began to see my kids transition to life in Africa ease up.  They were loving it.  Yes, they have bites all over them.  Marley has all kinds of scrapes from falls, but they are having fun!  

After having my foot casted, I hobbled over to a window to see Brandon helping the kids harvest fresh mangos.  Marley came in beaming with pride over her very hard green mango!  She is patiently waiting for it to change colors.

Today was good, my ankle is healing hand I've upgraded to walking alone with a cane.  Tomorrow our whole family will do village ministry together!  

One down…Three to Go!

Brandon is off!  He is on his way to Ethiopia and on his way to experience his first mission trip!  I'm so proud of him!  He has supported me in missions for years and now it's his turn!  All day I've been watching how cool and calm he was.  He never panicked about forgetting something or that we were running late.  He just remained cool.  How does that happen?!  I'm usually a nut case the day I leave!
We parked outside of the train station that will ultimately take him to the Frankfurt airport, where he will fly out tonight.  We prayed.  He was still calm and collected.  We got his bags out and I gave him a hug.  He lost it!
I said, "Boo, it's all right!  I'll see you in a little over a week."  He said, "that's not why I'm crying."  "Then what's going on?" I asked.  "He is so patient with me!  I'm a screw up, and God is STILL patient with me!"
Yes. He. Is!