Heather's camel ride

The Healing Power Of Jesus!

I got to witness one of the most touching things today. The Show Mercy team ventured out to the cancer ward at a hospital here in Uganda. It was filled with adults and children that are battling cancer. One of the patients (his name was Joseph) was sitting on the edge of his bed and was not moving . As I approached him, it looked as if his pastor was intensely praying for him. I waited as he finish and asked if I could also pray for him (Joseph). I then asked Joseph, how can I pray for you? He was unable to respond and wasn’t moving at all. He began trying to respond very slowly but very few words came out. I then turned to his pastor friend and began asking how I could pray for Joseph. He then told me that he was having a fever which was caused by malaria and at the same time pain in his hips which was probably caused by cancer.

My heart was moved with compassion for him. I began praying with great intensity and telling the malaria and pain and cancer to go in Jesus name. I kept asking the Holy Spirit to come and to take over Joseph’s body and kept taking authority over the sicknesses in his body. I then stopped to ask how he was feeling. His pastor then looked at me and said, “I feel the presence of God so so strongly”. Joseph wasn’t improving yet but I was determined to see the goodness of God heal him, so I kept on praying.

I kept telling that evil malaria and pain and cancer to go in Jesus name. Then the Lord showed me this picture of himself wrapping his arms around Joseph and cradling him close to his chest, so I began telling Joseph this and telling him that God sees you and he loves you so much. “Joseph”, I said, “It’s your day. Jesus is going to touch you. I then opened my eyes to find tears just streaming down this very tall, grown man’s eyes. Oh, I thought to myself God is touching him. I then asked him, “How are you feeling Joseph? Iis the pain leaving, what is going on in your body”? He then started feeling his hips and started moving his head. He then said, “I couldn’t move my head before!” He then boldly began moving his legs. His pastor said, “He couldn’t move his legs before”. Then Joseph began moving his body all around.

He then stopped and just stared at me in total shock without saying a word but his eyes thanked me over and over. I could tell by the look on his face that God was healing him and he was so moved he just kept starring at me. The look on his face told me he was being healed and touch by the almighty God. To see him go from not talking and moving to now moving and starring into my eyes was one of the most priceless moments for me. God’s healing power and most importantly God’s love overcame the sickness in Joseph’s body and I got to be there when it happened. My heart was so full that no words could really express how I felt at that moment. No amount of money would have given me the satisfaction that this amazing moment brought to me and to Joseph. Oh, my amazing sweet Jesus, you are so, so good! ~Heather

What Is Your Purpose?

Most of us have been told at one time or another in our lives that what we have and how much we have (speaking of material possessions) never really fills that endless, deep hole in our hearts. Some of you already know this from many of your own experiences of trying to fulfill the emptiness of your heart with stuff (I know I have). Our culture of America sadly flourishes in this mind set. The truth of the matter is that our hearts forever long to be seen by somebody…I mean really be seen! We want to know that we are enough, we matter, we are important. We all long for this in some way, shape, or form…whether we admit it or not.

As I was talking to one of the Mama’s at Hope Children’s Home today (Mama Beatrice) the topic of her living in America came up (you could see the stars in her eyes as she talked about it). A lot of Ugandan people dream of coming to America. To them it is seen as an answer to their daily challenges. America seems “the” place to be. Life would be so much better for them…if only they could make it there (we have so much money and so many things).

I began sharing with her that even if you were to live in America and had all the money you wanted, it wouldn’t really give you a deep fulfillment. She looked at me puzzled. Maybe my English accent stumped her or maybe she couldn’t understand why I would tell her this odd thing. How could that be true (money not being an answer)? I began explaining to her how months before moving to Uganda I had a lot of really nice things, big house, two cars…. but one thing I lacked, purpose. What was my purpose? What was God thinking when he created me? How was I to make a difference in this world? What was I born to do? I was missing pieces to a puzzle in my life.

I have found many pieces to my puzzle along this amazing journey. The most important and profound one is this. As I began to love, honor, adore and see the Children at Hope Children’s Home I found…me. What could be more fulfilling than giving yourself to somebody who needs to be reminded that they matter, that they are seen, that they are loved and truly adored? To me…nothing. I have found that there is a lot of buried treasure in so many people if we just stop for a moment and listen to their hearts and listen to who they are. Then we can help them see what a gift and treasure they truly are and that they have great value and purpose.

The one thing that I really love about SMI is that they truly believe that each one of us has a purpose(whether you live here in Uganda or the U.S.) They have encouraged the children who live at Hope Children’s Home in many different ways that they have a purpose, that they matter ,that they are loved and seen by God. Please join with Show Mercy International today. Help us as we help others find their purpose in life, you might just find yours in the process. Go to www.showmercy.org.

Life is hard, but God is good

It’s been almost 1 year exactly since God pulled off a pretty big miracle and sold our home in no less than 26 days which enabled us to make our way to Uganda to serve Show Mercy. I can’t help but think back at this 1 year anniversary and contemplate all that has happened since. Since this time last year our lives have changed so dramatically that it is difficult to put into words. As a family, we laid aside everything that was familiar and “normal” and ventured out into the unknown of Uganda. All we knew was that God had, without a doubt, called us to take this step and that He would fill in all the gaps along the way.

Taking that initial leap was a bit scary and as it turns out, a lot of work! As we settled into life in Uganda, however, the initial step that brought us here didn’t seem nearly as big as the reality of living, working, schooling our kids, and ministering to those in need around us. Lately I’ve been thinking about the Bible story where the disciples were trapped in a horrible storm out on the lake. Jesus came to them, walking on the water. Peter eagerly jumped out of the boat to join Him (a literal “leap” of faith) and quickly discovered that he was in over his head. As he began to sink, Jesus reached down and rescued him from the waves. In some ways I can sympathize with Peter, eager to jump out of the boat, then a little overwhelmed with the reality of my decision!

I think through all of this God is teaching me that that first step out of the boat, although extremely important, pales in comparison to the strength needed to stand in the waves that are crashing around us every day. To be honest, I don’t think those waves are any stronger in Uganda than in the western world (maybe just a little different!). The good news in all of this is that whatever steps of faith we have taken and whatever rough waters we find ourselves in, Jesus is there with His gentle eyes and firm grip to keep us afloat, just keep your eyes on Him.

Thank you so much to all of you who have stood with us through this journey in prayer, encouragement, and financial support. God has used all of you to bless our family so much.

Keith's Thoughts on Uganda

Have you ever been to Africa? Have you ever met a person born in Africa? If not, I hope one of these things might happen to you. You won't really know what it's like until you've experienced it for yourself, but I can tell you what I have experienced from the Ugandan culture. My dad and mom tell about many things in their blogs. I hope I can show you more of a teenager's perspective of life in Uganda.

I dearly love all the people at Hope Children's Home. I always find it so easy to love these people. It may be different for other people, but as for me God has placed a special spot in my heart for loving those who lost their parents, have no family, or are have been rejected. It is sad that these people live in poverty, but God's light is shining over Africa and making a huge difference in people's lives. Some may call them a lost cause or uncivilized people, but I see so much love and joy in those that find their true purpose that God has shown them. There is so much to know about them. If you get a chance to know more about God's love for Africa, or He has stirred your heart for Africa please make room in your life for Africa or other people in need of God's light.

I often miss my friends from back home, but I guess that's where E-mail comes in handy. My dad doesn't have to be at work all day, and we do school at home so our family is totally different now. We find opportunities to work together all the time. I have found that we are also closer as a family. I find it so amazing that while God sent us here to bless others He has blessed us so much. While in Uganda, Africa we have access to western food, internet, an awesome church, a wonderful house, and opportunities to love the Ugandan people at every corner.

A year really flies by when you have lots to do. Between doing school and driving to Hope Children's Home every day the weeks just fly past you incredibly fast. It’s hard to think that we’re already over half way through our stay! Often times I want to go home, but the next moment I never want to leave. There are things I will miss and things I won’t miss. For instance, I won’t miss the weird feeling of kids pulling on my arms to get my attention. I will miss the kids themselves, however. I think Show Mercy has done a great job at fulfilling their mission to reach out in love to Uganda.

Keith-

Making Mandaz

I asked our security guard to teach us how to make Mandaz (African donuts). We had made so many that I thought it would be fun to give them out to our neighbors and tell them Jesus loves them in their language...

Rose Nakasi

Rose’s mother died, and her father remarried. Her step-mother beat her and didn’t care for her. Rose’s father brought her to Hope Children’s Home so that she could be taken care of properly. This young lady seems to bubble over with joy and giggles most of the time. If you make eye contact with her, you will be sure to receive a smile back.

"Ordinary" life in Uganda

Is it possible that living in Africa can seem normal or ordinary? It struck me the other day as I was driving down the road that there is very little that surprises me here now. After 6 months of living in Uganda, the only thing that really surprises me is the fact that the surroundings don’t seem at all strange any more. Sure, it still irks me when people dump their garbage bags in my drive way. It still bugs me a little bit when grown men shout “Muzungu!” (which means “white person”) at me as loud as they can for no apparent reason other than to distract me from the pot holes and ruts I’m trying to drive through. It is incredibly inconvenient when the power goes off just as I place the chicken into the stove (the chicken I’ve been saving all week for just the right day). I still have to laugh when I see a queen sized wood bed frame going down the road on the back of a motorcycle or swerve to miss the cow standing in the middle of the highway.

Before we came here, I was concerned that driving would be very difficult. Now, I can drive down any street holding a cup of hot coffee in one hand while carrying on an in depth conversation. It is truly amazing to me how we as people can adjust to new surroundings and situations. The problem with this, though, is that we can get desensitized to the surroundings, too. For instance, as we go out to visit with the kids at Hope, it’s easy to take for granted their warm smiles, their incredible sense of humor, and the big bear hugs. During the last team visit in January, I was really reminded of what an incredible privelage it is to work here with these kids. Seeing people from the states brought into the culture and environment I’ve grown “used” to was very refreshing and renewed my perspective on the work that we are doing.

If it’s possible for Africa to become “normal”, despite all the differences between this culture and our culture back home, how much easier is it to take for granted all the blessings that we have back in the “civilized” world. Perhaps there are things in your life that have become too normal or bland and you are in need of some refreshing. I suspect that if you were to bring one of our kids from Uganda to live with you for 1 week, you would be amazed to see how many incredible things there are in your world that you consider normal (like flushing toilets, microwave ovens, and the supermarkets you shop in, just to name a few). Take a step back and look at your life. Be thankful for the simple things. Be thankful for the ones that you love and the ones that love you. Be thankful that you have running water and power! Look at all the amazing “normal” things that you see around you every day.

Below is a short video clip of our very "un-ordinary", talented kids at Hope practicing for a wedding performance. Enjoy!

Justine Namirembe 11

Justine’s mother and father are separated. Her mother is a born-again Christian, but her father doesn’t care for the family. Justine has 6 siblings and they are very poor – her mother has a difficult time trying to provide for all of them. Justine is a quiet, gentle thoughtful young lady. I treasure her shy smile that she gives me, when I look at her and smile.

Brenda Namaganda 12

Brenda doesn’t know anything about her mother or her father, and isn’t sure if she has any siblings. She was abandoned on the streets, where she was found eating dirty things, and didn’t have a place to sleep or bathe. Brenda found herself a home at Hope, and is grateful to be surrounded by people who really love her.

When God shows up!

We went to a church in Wakiso village today. God showed up! The Holy Spirit brought joy and laughter to the pastor and when praying for the sick many walked away totally free of pain and sickness. One woman was very discouraged and after getting prayer she came up to me and said, "I feel good and I am not discouraged any more"! God is so good!

It also brought me great joy today to watch our son Wesley carry around a newly hatched chick (just one day old). I wish you could have seen his face, he was in heaven.

Love never Fails!

Now that we have reached the half way mark in our year here to serve Show Mercy International I have been doing a lot of reflecting. I have so many emotions and thoughts about our time spent here so far. The most predominate thought that keeps coming to my mind is how different the children are out at Hope Children’s Home now compared to what they were like when we first arrived.

I can remember when we first arrived how many little eyes would just blankly look at us from afar with intense wondering hearts; who are these people?, can I trust them?, will they love me?, what are they like? I spent much of my time (and still do) just sitting with various groups of children talking and getting to know their personalities and of course learning numerous tongue twisting Luganda words and making them laugh as I attempted to pronouns them, all the while trying to teach them to love one another. In this process I would wonder if I could possibly be making a difference in their little hearts.

Now after five months, as we drive through the gate at Hope Children’s Home, many children run to the car to greet us. Many smiles are given and I can hardly get out of the car because they want to be the first one to hug me and smell the perfume I am wearing. As I make my way to the home (with one child still hanging on my waist from the hug they are still giving me), I have more children running up to me to give me a long, healthy hug. Now, they are telling me that they love me so, so much several times a day and are saying “we need more Aunt Heather’s there is not enough of you for all of us”.

The most recent “sign” to me that yes we are making a difference and yes they are being loved, was while we were out at Hope Children’s Home the other day. I was walking past our car and I found these words written on the window of our car "We love you Heather". My heart...was so touched. Love never fails!

~Heather

---