Just another day in Africa....

Hey Guys!Some days I wonder what in the world am I doing here in Mbarara Uganda? This thought actually has crossed my mind alot lately has I consider that my time here is almost over. I leave in May. Wow! How mind boggling....So many mixed emotions -How can I leave a people whos hearts have become attached to mine??? Will anyone replace me? What's next??Back to Carolina - more school? Yeah I dont know - but I do know this much - the HERE AND NOW needs to be my focus.

On Wednesday - I read a book to my new students entitled the "Orphan Boy". Though - I didnt really agree with the whole context of the story I was able to tie in Psalms 68:5. If you dont know the verse it states " He is the Father to orphans." As I looked into the faces of my students - I realized that most of the children that attend either have one parent left living or none at all. I can't imagine life without a father. (Fortunately for me God blessed me with two :)Nways, the good news is that these children have hope because he looks down and sees them ALL OF THEM.

I was rather late today for worship - so I slipped in the back. I noticed a small girl in a coral colored dress twirling around in circles as the praise music lingered in the background. I caught her eye and she stared at me out of curiosity (I assume because of my skin color) she finally got up the courage to walk up to me. Her icey cold hands stroked my hand. I grasped her hand with both of mine. The music quickly faded completely and the small girl found her place on my lap. To be honest with you...the child was dirty from head to toe. As she sat with me I swatted the flies buzzing over her head - I saw her take her fingers and begin to pick the earwax from her ear...Immediately distracted from the service - I watched to see just where the girl was going to place that wax from her ear canal. Was the wax going on the floor?? On my dress??? In her mouth??? Should I put the child down??? Um to make a long story less long...the wax went on her coral dress. My friend Anthea approached me about this time and asked me for a bandaid for her finger. I gave it to her -and as I looked back down at the child I saw pus oozing from her ear. OHHH...God - I gagged - the stench of her picking at her ear finally reached my noise - I still choose to not put her down. I began to pray....I clenched her little frame closer to me...I'd like to tell you 'supergirljt' put her previous ENT knowledge into practice and played nurse... But no instead I held her....and when the pastor called for the kids to go to Sunday School I told her to go....

She left my presence and I was left thinking THIS IS MY HERE AND NOW. This is what is on Jena's plate for today. It brings HIM glory when we love on HIS children.