Technically this is the last two days in Uganda, because I have so much to share…
First, I would like you to meet Gloria. She has HIV, and because of this she is not allowed to live at the orphanage… however, she comes every day to get meals and play with her friends there. I love her.
Second, remember when Noah gave Colby one of his chickens? As a thank you, Colby decided to get Noah a chicken to replace it… this one will lay eggs for the home, too, so it will be an extra special blessing. Wendi had to hold it when we got into the car. hahahaahahahahaaa
And then Colby brought it back to the home.
Here is our team, surrounding Mama Kathy, the lady who started the whole place. They need to move within the next month because when the landlords found out that the home was being used to house orphans, they kicked them out. Kathy is working on finding a new place for the children to live, and really trying to find some land to buy so that they can build their forever home.
After leaving Redeemer House, we went to the slums of Kampala to minister to some street kids. Naturally, Gerald got their attention with his awesome rhythms of song and dance.
And the Cross family passed out soccer jerseys to all the children there…. how rad is that??
The following day, before leaving for the airport, we got to visit Watoto Villages… these are places for orphans to be raised up and educated up through college. The children here are not adoptable, however… they are raising up the next generation of Ugandan leaders here. They work on that motto “it takes a village to raise a child” and it works beautifully.
This is one of the Watoto Village homes. All of them have a house mother (a local widow), and eight children.
The children are educated through college, but some may instead want to learn a trade. They have a metal and wood shop, auto shop, catering department, farming department, construction, and masonry that they can learn, too. They build everything the village needs, and if they have extras, they sell them with all the money going right back to Watoto.
Another thing they do is they provide a place for women who have AIDS to receive counseling, educaiton, and a way to care for themselves. These women are making jewelry to sell in the shop at the Watoto Church.
After our tour of the villages, it was time to leave Uganda. WOW. It’s crazy to think it was only 4 days! It was such an intense time of service.
When we arrived at Addis Ababa, we got to stay at the home of some of Wendi and Rick’s friends, Joey and Destiny. Their home is an amazing place of respite and peace. We were greeted to comfy made beds, our own towels, water bottles, and bars of soap. They made us coffee, fed us an amazing dinner, and loved on us in a way that truly blessed our weary bodies and hearts.
It was a great time of friendship and renewal. Joey has a beautiful ministry I will get to share in a later post. He walks by faith in God and really taught me what it means to trust Him. I am so glad to now be able to call Joey one of my friends.
This is Destiny and their youngest, Gali. Destiny is very shy in front of the camera, but her heart is not at all. She reaches out to people and connects with them in amazing ways. I only knew her for a few days, but I feel like she is now a lifelong friend.
The next post is the one you all have been waiting for – MEETING NEBEYU – or what those in the adoption circuit call “Gotcha Day!” I can’t wait to share… but it’s time to board my flight from London back to the US! As soon as I land, I will post again. Thank you for putting up with our Internet issues!!
by jessie
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