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!

A Basketball Court - In the Middle of the Jungle???

 

Basketball is my sport!  When I was young the idea of playing in the NBA was my dream.  Day after day we would play on the school blacktop, at my home and at every neighborhood friend's home we could find.   We would wear those orange balls down to the black rubber interior.

Ok, admittedly so the talent wasn't quite there to make the NBA,
but that young kid sure liked to dream!

 So when API asked if we could build them a court the answer was a GIANT YES!! 
 Who cares where, let's build it and they will come to play!

A basketball court in the middle of the jungle - sounds crazy right???  It is!

 "Crazy Love" for former street boys, now Jesus loving kids from our
partner ministry "A Perfect Injustice". 

I will be honest my thinking wasn't quite clear.  My planning from the US in my mind looked like this...., dig down in the earth maybe 5" inches.... mix concrete and make a basketball court  say 30' x 50'.   A great undertaking, it would be hard, but we could do it in two days.

Did I mention.... the court is to be 50 x 92?

Then the team arrived.  Rainy season is just finishing and things are growing everywhere and on top of everything.   First step... cut out the jungle floor to see if we could find the dirt!! 
Ok, not quite that drastic, but you get the idea.

 So with slashers, machetees, axes, and a dozen large hoe looking things we attacked the jungle!!!

Did I mention... David had a bit bigger idea.... 50 x 92.   Apparently he had been to the local college and measured the court... besides he wanted them to be able to skate on it as well....
I'm assuming it isn't ice hockey!

Thank you to all who gave that this court might be a reality!  

You are just as much a part of this team!

As the day came to an end we were disappointed we couldn't do a better job clearing the land close to the house... the grass had grown up and the slashers wouldn't cut it, no matter how hard we tried!

 So someone had a crazy idea.... do they have lawnmowers here?  

Answer - yes... better response --- someone volunteered to buy them one.  

Robin has a ministry {highlighted a few posts ago} she started to simply do what she could for orphans.  She bakes and sells the most delicious bread and the sale proceeds... all for the orphans!  And it has taken off --- like a lawn mower.... she's mowing down the competition!
{Throwing in a little Saunders humor!}

Robin, with her ministry money from Bread for Life, bought the new lawn mower for API.  They are so thrilled but nearly as thrilled as Robin.... check out that smile!

Tomorrow we are back at it again!   Let's just say the work will continue long after we are gone.   We will hire locals who so badly need work and will be able to impact the local economy!  Others will eat because you gave for the court!  These are the gifts that keep on giving!

  But by January... I'm thinking a coaching clinic.... oh yea!

Think these boys might enjoy a Basketball Court?

Ordinary Heroes:If We are Willing, He is Able

We all love a great story...and this one is no exception....the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things...things that would seem impossible...but love for the orphan mixed with God's favor is a sure recipe for powerful blessings. 

Meet Robin, a young mom living on the West Coast with her husband and three children: 

Hannah {7}, Christopher {5} and Phoebe {2}. 

 Some time ago God began to break Robin's heart for the orphan.  She knew she could no longer sit back and do nothing. Then the Lord gave her an idea to make bread and sell it and give the proceeds to orphanages to care for little ones. 

 She began her "Bread for Life" ministry on Sunday December 11th. 

 She sold 20 loaves of pumpkin bread and raised $648.00. 

 Can you believe it? 

 But wait! 

 There's more! 

 Listen to what God did: A friend who rents a commercial bakery gave Robin the key so on Monday nights from 8:30 - 5:00am she now is able to bake between 20-400 loaves of bread in a walk-in oven!

But that's not all either..... in His the midst of His powerful favor, the Lord provided people willing to donate most of the ingredients! How crazy and miraculous is that? 

 Robin bakes pumpkin bread and lemon bread. As Robin's ministry took off, God began to move on other hearts...women in the church now volunteer to bake banana bread and yeast rolls. They put a table out approx every 3 weeks and every time we sell out.   Their biggest sale day {to date} they made $1340. 

There is no limits to what God will do.  

When Robin was sharing her story with me, I asked: How big is your church? {Thinking it was probably a mega-church.} But it's not! It has about 200 regular attenders....no doubt, those 200 attenders are having their world rocked for the orphan... 

In just over 5 months Bread for Life has raised over $7,000!!!   

Can you believe it?    

An ordinary mom doing extraordinary things for the orphan...

which has ignited a fire in the hearts of those near {and far}....

all because Robin's heart was willing to do anything. 

Anything. 

 Anything! 

Robin's tag on her blog is this:

If We are Willing, He is Able

Powerful words being lived on:

Willing Robin {and friends}, Able God.

 Oh, and Robin {and two friends from her church} are part of the June 2012 GO Team leaving in less than 2 weeks for Uganda with Dw and Emma...and Robin will get to love on the babies that she has worked through the nights preparing bread so they would eat...