Front Lines+ Delivers!!!

Emma updates us on our Front Line+ Feeding Ministry in Uganda! 

Click here to read all about it.  

Thank you to all who make Front Line+ Feeding Ministry possible.

You guys are amazing!  

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

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!

How Do We Spell L.O.V.E.?

The Team

Changing lives - One by One!

It took the whole team!

Michelle serving with joy!

 


We spell love by building a Gazebo for the children of API to have a safe place
to receive Christian counseling and healing from their past!

Cindy loved stripping bark!

First we dug the holes!  Colton supervises!

Who's afraid of heights?

Jodi stripping bark with her new friend!

A few days earlier there was nothing here, now it's taking shape!

Fishing anyone?

We spell love by teaching the children of API basketball!

Gotta say,   Coach Dwight is having a blast!

Might have to work on that one handed dribble!

Coach Dwight teaches the chest pass!

Every child of API gets a new ball - these community kids got to enjoy the gifts.

The boys and the coaches!

We spell love by building an expansion for the children of Praise's school!

The expansion almost complete!

Colton on our home made ladder!

George up top... Pastor Harley holding up the wall!

 We spell love training 600 plus leaders!

 We spell love digging jiggers out of feet to relieve the pain and bring healing.

The team worked tirelessly!

Someone has donated money to Ruby's friends to have every child go to the hospital to finish the job!  YEA GOD!

We spell love starting Ruby's Friends to bring medical care
 to vulnerable children and orphans.

We spell love spending time with someone very special

We spell love taking care of the widow and her children.

This woman has 14 children and no way to support!  The team bought food!  But look at the joy anyway!

We spell love by getting sneakers for all the kids to help their feet heal!

Yep, that's how we spell love!

Team 1 - Well done thou good and faithful servants!