One Little Street Boy

Lynne, a short term missionary, who is living 

with Emma at Emma's new home,

was at street feeding program last week. 

She noticed one little street boy who just could not stay awake.

He didn't eat.

He only slept.

She felt his head and guessed he had a fever.

Lynne knew she could not send him on his way when the program ended.

She kept watching him.

He just kept sleeping, unable to wake.

As the program ended, she talked to another volunteer.

They would have to do something.

They guessed he might have malaria, or even typhoid.

Lynne brought him to Emma's new home, 

where she knew Emma would be willing

to open her home to him. 

{FYI, as hard as it is to understand, not all missionaries welcome

street boys to their home, even for a bath, meal and fresh set of clothes. 

 I was so proud of our Emmy.}

 Lynne and her friend arrived with him and gave him a bath.

They needed clean clothes for him.

I suddenly remembered that the Lord had told me to pack some

boys underwear size 10-12.  

I giggled.

Who knew?

Only God.

I ran to get the undies.

I went and told Liberty.

She went to her suitcase and found her prized and 

most favorite basketball shorts.

{Our chica Liberty loves playing basketball 

and her red shorts are her very favorite.}

She willingly brought them to me.

"See if he would like these mom."

This precious boy's story tumbled out.

He was from a distant city.

His mom had sent him to the market 

to get some vegetables.

He had met up with a friend at the market

who told this little guy of the tall buildings and King's 

palace in distant Kampala.

Together they decided to hop a bus and find this

'fairy-tale' city of Kampala.

Only thing is: Fairy-tales are just that.

Fairy-tales.

Living on the streets had been painful 

and all he wanted was to head home.

Lynne found a shirt of hers...

{appropriately it has James 1:27 on the back}.

We gave him food. 

We prayed healing over him.

He ate.

He guzzled the water bottles we brought him.

Our team gave him a baggie of fun things and snacks.

Lynne and her friend met up with our son LuTaaya

and he helped them to know what to do next.

Over the next few days he was taken for medical

care and found not to have malaria or typhoid.

{After food, water and prayer, he had perked right up.}

At this moment Lynne's friend is in the distant 

city to see if he can find his family.

In the meantime, he is being fed, cared for, is off the streets

 protected and cared for by a trusted friend....and should the family not be 

found, he has a spot in the Ssenge village boy's home waiting for him.

 I marvel at the network of caring people that encountered this little boy 

and ministered to him....

all believing that God has an amazing plan for him and

 each willing to minister in the best

way they knew how.

As I step back from writing this I wonder:

Who can even begin to imagine this little boy's life?

Who can stand to think what he has been through?

Who can know what it would be like to be alone on the

 streets of a big city at the age of ten?

If you think of him, pray that his family can be found.

Pray that God will open his heart to God's love.

Pray for the missionaries who are His hands and feet around the world.

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, 

whatever you did for one of the least 

of these brothers and sisters of mine, 

you did for me.'"  

Matthew 25:40 niv

God, Break Our Hearts...

We encourage each team we lead to

 pray as we are preparing to head to Uganda to minister 

and throughout the trip 

that God would break our hearts with the things that 

break His...

Not one person on the team will ever be the same

again after walking the streets 

feeding the street children

These two little treasures couldn't get the food into 

their mouths fast enough... 

We gave some a little package with food and a few trinkets...

No doubt, the ladies lovingly ministered....

and the smiles on both sides were priceless.....

Many years ago God stirred Emma's heart for a tribe 

from the north that has had many members migrate south due to famine...

We were able to feed some of the mamas

and their babies as they sat on the side of the busy Kampala street...

Each so grateful for the food...

Who can imagine wondering where the next morsel of food will come from?

And when one has a baby to feed?

Impossible for us to comprehend without a glimpse of 

this up close.

We, truly, are never the same after days like this.

Please Lord, continue to break our hearts

 {every day, no matter where we are}

with the things that break yours

and allow us to be your hands and feet

and voice at all times.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, 

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, 

I was a stranger and you invited me in..."

Matthew 25:35

Front Lines Update

This report is from IVO missionaries, Shawn and Sarah Ferrell.  

Shawn & Sarah are responsible for Front Line Feeding programs at two of our partner orphanages.   They also work with a third partner, API, in the street feeding program.  

Shawn and Sarah purchased a truck to make it easier 

to deliver food to various needy orphanages. 

 

They recently reported the truck broke down needing major repairs,  so if you'd like to help get the truck back up and running and delivering,  simply mark your donation truck repairs.  

Any amounts over and above the repair costs will be used on other projects!   

__________________________________________________________________________

Report from the field:  

Building a school.

Raising up a child for Christ in a community of Muslims

.

IVO has built the latest and newest addition to this elementary school. 

This village is full of Muslim households and we are reaching them for Christ through there kids. Many of these kids never had hope of going to school but now there is a place where they can come, learn, grow, be safe and hear about the love of Jesus Christ. 

The newest addition will house the new 4th grade class. 

Seeing all of these kids in their uniforms with smiling faces says it all!

A bag of Posho.

What is that?

Good question, it is what Ugandans call food. It is corn ground up into a powder, then cooked in boiling water to make it eatable. If we ate this 5-7 days a week we would not be excited to see a truck with 50klg bags of this show up at our house. But these kids most defiantly are. They also get beans with each meal. If the money is there then vegetables are added to the beans. Not much for variety but it is healthy and they are getting food. If these orphans where on the streets it would not be so. We are very thankful that these kids are taken care of.

To date this year --- over 7000 meals!  Thank you to all who give!  The need continues so please continue to give and we are finding more opportunities to feed the children.  As always we promise to steward your gifts wisely!! 

Remember to help us get Shawn and Sarah's truck back on the road! 

May the Lord bless you!  We are delighted to serve alongside you all! Dwight & Linny

It's Been Way Too Long

 

WOW, it's been way to long since we wrote!   I cannot believe two months have passed since last  writing  while leaving Uganda.  But there it is in black and white on the calendar.  Two months?  Really?  Where has the time gone??


To begin with, upon arriving home we had to send out year end donation receipts to our generous donors.   We had contracted with a company to help us, "Donor Snap", but they took much longer than we anticipated and it still required a lot of our time. 

Next, was the new concept that I had to be ready for the CPA and the tax man on two levels.  The first of course is our personal return.  That was pretty simple given our past year's income.  What I did not count on was the time consuming posting of each donation and other items over the last year for IVO.  It is now complete & finished and we are on our way.

Please do not think for a moment that the ministry has slowed or stopped in the past two months.  To the contrary!  It is increasing at an ever expanding rate.  We have three team members on the ground in Uganda; Shawn & Sarah Ferrell and Emma Saunders, who are accomplishing many things for the orphans. 

Shawn and Sarah have been busy working with our feeding programs - keeping the children with food supplies and also developing strategies for the future.      (I will share on one of these stories in the next few days.)

Emma, is in charge of the medical, "Ruby's Friends" for IVO.  We now have completed three operations for children with great needs and will fill you in with more details in the next few days.    She is also busy establishing the vision the Lord has called her to.

So there is a quick update with stories to follow in the weeks ahead. 

To our generous donors we again thank you!   Your gifts make everything we are doing possible!

May God Bless You,  Dwight    

Emma & Daddy - I Remember

We are missionary buddies for sure. 

Joined together in our hearts mission to make a difference in the orphans we meet.

Since 2008 we were always together on our mission trips 

to our beloved country of Uganda and their precious children.  

We love the times we've spent together watching God do miracles.

We are mission junkies!

We love the adventure!

We love the the highs and the lows of being with the children of Uganda.

We love the brokenness that always comes in our hearts 

when we see, touch, hold, and simply love the children.

It's been a long time coming but "that day" if finally here.  

"That day" that I board a plane to leave Africa without Emma.  

That day that she stays behind to begin her life-long calling to the children of Africa. 

I've always known the day would come.  

Since she was little she has prayed to come to Africa to care for orphans.

In 2008 her calling and pleas could no longer be ignored.

Almost every day I would open my roll-top desk and find a note with a picture of children
from Africa quoting Isaiah, "Who will go, send me!" 

or 

"If we don't go and care for the children Daddy, who will?"   

So in 2008 we began our journey and now 5 years later & 10 mission trips

"That day is here!"

We took our first mission trip in 2008 to Uganda.  

We did not know what to expect and there was not just a little bit of
caution and concern 

in this Daddy's heart.  

I was not letting my precious girl go to Africa without me.

I remember the objections.

I also remember the set up by Linny and Emma with Steve and Celesta Tracey
and their missionary daughter, Abby
 serving in Uganda, coming over for pizza.  

I lost every argument that day of "why not"!

A total set-up!

I was adamant..."if she goes - I go"!   

The next Sunday Steve Tracey, a professor at Phoenix Seminary
 approaches me to
teach a Pastor's Conference.

The rest is history!

So off we went to explore, to investigate and to understand
 the culture and country of "Uganda"!

Ten mission trips later and our love for Uganda is a tight bond.  

Together we have grown to love the people, the place & the culture.  

 I remember discovering Elijah and Elizabeth at Sanyu babies home.... together!

I remember celebrating our African sons/brothers wedding... together!

I remember falling in love with child after child.... together!

I remember watching her grow each time from a young girl to the beautiful young lady she is today!

I remember building dorms, kitchens, and bricks at African Hearts... together!

I remember leading songs, laughing, playing &  hugging children.... together!

I remember painting Ssenge, API and Sanyu.... together!

I remember working with teams..... together!

I remember throwing birthday parties together!

I remember discovering crazy people like Shawn and Sarah....
now missionaries with Emma together!

 I remember leading teams again and again.... together.

I remember her posing for pictures with that gorgeous smile.... together!

I remember discovering Ruby... together!

I remember this current trip so well as every time I would look at her,

 I would take a snap shot of her in my mind!

Believe me when I say I have thousands of snapshots in my mind!

I remember her laughing and giggling as I chased boys with water after BB camp!

I remember her love for our SJ and every child she see's ---
(ok, now the snot is dripping down my face...
I will remember that too Emma - it's your fault!)

I remember all the wonderful times as Daddy & Daughter!

I will remember your tender heart for all the children with special needs!

I remember first meeting each one of your
African brothers and sisters and the laughs... together!

I will remember your love for Watson and Joanna...
 your babies and your reunion with them just days ago!

I remember our last team we led together!

I will remember our last day together as a fun day on lake Victoria!

Even now....

I'm not ready to leave her alone...

as tears fill my eyes and run down my cheek as I write --

the concern returns.  

How will she be? 

 Will she be safe?

Who will protect her if she needs her Daddy?

To paraphrase a psalm:  "Except the Lord watch the house {my daughter}
this Daddy watches her in vain!"

I know that she is the Lord's and that I can't really protect her,
but the 'want to' still remains!

She's been the Lord's since the day Linny rescued her from a SIDS incident!

And tonight as I leave for home...

This time I will remember that we did not go home together.

I left and my Emma remained to follow the call of Jesus Christ on her life to the
orphans and vulnerable children of Uganda.

I am so proud - so happy - so filled with joy for you my precious daughter!

 You are a gift to everyone who knows you.

Now the gift is for the children of Uganda!

Never Forget your Daddy Loves You,

 Daddy 

PS:  We often hear or read stories of the missionaries... as well we should, but what do I do to cope with being the parent of a missionary?  Proud - more than I can say... scared for my little girl --- very much!

VBS: We Get To... Love the Children!

Bare walls - dirt floors 

no special effects 

no power point 

no video or costumes

but lives were changed as they always are at Vacation Bible School.

 We held the VBS at the "Home of Praise" with almost 90 in attendance. 

I'll let the pictures tell the story!

Emma leads VBS - she is a kid magnet!

Sarah Hintz did a remarkable job telling the story of the transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly!                                     Much like God changing our lives.  12 children made a decision to follow Christ!

The beautiful children had their faces painted!

Their nails painted!

And plenty of treats thanks to the Hintz and their church!

Faces filled with joy!

Duck - Duck - Goose...ummm chicken in this case!

Their faces tell the story!

The young brought younger!

This one came up to Praise and said, "today I asked Jesus into my heart"!

After all is said and done.... that's what it is all about!  Introducing children to the love of God!