Meet Florence!

I want to introduce you to a beautiful woman a had the privilege of meeting and spending time with. 

Her name is Florence. 

She is 1 of 50 precious widows we work with. She is one of five wives that her husband married; however, she was unable to bare children. She has been living alone for quite some time and now with her current condition, it only makes things a bit more difficult. Pastor Paul was notified about her situation and he planned visit with her, while I was in Mawanga, to discuss what options there were. (side note: Pastor Paul receives phone calls almost on a daily basis regarding a widow, child, caretaker, or individual who is in urgent need of assistance).

I was informed that she was having severe stomach pains that were due to a probable hernia. We drove to her house and when we arrived we were surprised to hear she was not there, but she was on her way to the clinic. We quickly rerouted ourselves and made it to the clinic a few minutes before she did. We watched as she slowly walked toward us with each step sending shooting pain through her body. She was hurting and needed relief. After being examined by one of the local staff members at Mawanga clinic we sat outside to discuss with Florence and the nurse. From what we could understand, Florence has been dealing with not only a possible hernia (causing the most pain), but also Malaria and even being anemic. She also shared with us her lack of food and water, which on top of everything, doesn’t give her much strength.

So again, with a similar situation like the one with Hadijah, I didn’t know what to do or say. I looked at her weak body with heavy eyes, just wishing there was a way to relieve some of the pain. I turned to Pastor Paul and asked him “so what do we do?” He graciously smiled at me and said, “this is what we go through every day here. We listen, counsel, and pray with them. Then try to figure out some solution (if there is any).  It’s a constant thing in the village.  You can see how so many people die [because they lack basic needs].”

I walked away with Pastor Paul with my heart heavy. ‘How is this okay? How can I sit with a woman like Florence, listen to her, watch her grimace in pain, pray over her, and then walk away?’ Sometimes it's unbearable. Sometimes I wish there was a better clinic in Mawanga to provide suitable care for woman like Florence, but the reality is there isn’t. There isn’t much medical care available in Mawanga, but maybe someday..Lord willing!

Pray for Florence. Pray for relief. Pray for funds to provide the health care she needs before it gets worse. Pray for all the widows who deal with the daily challenges of life in the village... 

Here is a little message from Pastor Paul: 

my feet are muddy…

that is what happens when it rains in the village. the dirt roads become pure mud. you can slip, get stuck, and add layers to your feet or the shoes you are wearing. it’s impossible to keep your feet clean when you’re in the village. you can bathe and scrub, but there the mud leaves a red stain on your feet showing a sign that you have been in the village. showing you have walked the roads, the streets, and been with the people. it’s something that i love as a reminder of where i have been...and even where i will frequently walk!

as i walk the roads, see the faces of the children, greet the adults…i find myself embracing each aspect of the village more and more. it’s something that i can’t quite find words to describe but i feel it more and more rising inside of me each time i'm in mawanga. the love i have for that place, for the people, for the HOPE that is present, continues to spill out of my heart. more tears are being shed. more emotions are being tapped into. more heartbreaking stories being told. it’s the place where i’m at. in the mud. with the people. bearing the heaviness. the hardship. the unrelenting struggle every day. but i’m humbled to be in that very place. standing in the gap. HOPING alongside the people of mawanga and the surrounding villages….

...more to come

the importance of family

lately i have come to truly understand the importance of family. there is a unique richness. a refreshing feeling. a sense of strength, comfort, relief and a glimmer of hope when surrounded by family.

having a conversation with my mom today over lunch gave me another appreciation of family. as we look back on 2 months of my dad not being with us. we wonder how we are making it? we wonder why we feel stronger then others who are also dealing with a loss in their family. through our discussion we pin pointed an answer to that question... not only do we feel comforted, encouraged, and strengthened in knowing that my daddy is with Jesus, but we long for that day when we will get to see Jesus face to face, for that is our eternal home. our time on earth is temporary. for we just passing through. and yet, if we take that one step further. if we simplified it even more, as my mom pressed...we find that we believe the Word of God is true. We believe God says heaven is our eternal home and this earth is only temporary. God's word is our hope. it is His very words that give us hope, strength and courage to face each day. (Matt 24:35; 2 Cor 4:16-18)

in addition to that though, there is something else. it plays a secondary role...the support from family members. i won't go into details of how mine has been the sturdy support for me and how we all function together, but my mom stated that she has made it thus far because of us kids being strong for her and finding ways to support each other. we have found that we need each other to get through it all. whether we are a sister, mom, brother, dad, child, cousin, friend...we all function together. we all play a specific role. the question is, are you fulfilling your role in the family God has placed you in? it may be your biological family, but it also may be your spiritual family and the people God places around you to live life with. 

i find myself today looking ahead in returning to the people of mawanga. to know we have been called as God's family to love, support, strengthen, encourage, and walk through life together. we need each other. i know i can't offer anything to those in uganda that will fix their situation, but i can offer Christ's love and God's word to them. we can read it together. we can find courage together. we can find truth together that gives HOPE to our weary hearts. together we are the church. the body of Christ. His strength will be our strength. therefore we press on each day...

AMAKA! 

how do i describe a village...

Unmistakable smiles. Unconditional love. Unwavering strength. Unselfish servant hood. Unbreakable relationships. Unending fellowship with each other and with Jesus Himself. Unified hearts, spirits and lives. That is Mawanga.

I can’t seem to find the words to adequately describe my experience in Mawanga but I will try. My vision of the village and what I imagined it would be, didn’t quite meet up to what I experienced. I was stretched, challenged, humbled, strengthened, loved on, embraced, shown grace, mercy, and so much more that I could ever imagined.

From the first steps on the beautiful dirt, to the tears I left behind, I know one thing is for sure…God is moving among the people there. For me to catch a glimpse of His work was such a privilege and honor.

I have so many stories from the village. Journey with me to the remote village in eastern Uganda….I would be welcomed by friendly animals such as the cows, goats, chickens, lizards, the loud birds, and the lovely rats that paid a nightly visit as I dosed off the sleep..but that’s just the beginning. I would then met the individuals that make up the Mawanga community- and listen to the testimonies of the hundreds of lives ROWAN is impacting; which include a group of about 30-50 of the most beautiful and strong widows I have every met. Not to mention, 100 plus orphans who are being ministered to throughout the week, and the amazing local ROWAN staff who give their time sacrificially every day. They serve, love, and empower the people of Mawanga with the ability and vision that God gives to them. I would hop on a motorcycle and ride around within the 30 villages that ROWAN reaches to sit and encourage people living with HIV in their homes, I got to help prepare the garden for planting dozens of passion fruit trees. I had a fun time at the adult literacy class that serves 80 community members weekly as I taught them a silly song to remember specific words, and I also learned patience and diligence from the widows that make bead necklaces out of paper! After this long day, I would have a night visit by the rats as I fell asleep under the mosquito net! J

One of my most memorable experiences was meeting all the secondary students (high school) and hearing about their dreams and goals! In addition, I got to teach songs to the young children, and walk around the land that we believe the Lord will give us one day for a school. But even with all of these incredible memories...I had found something even greater. I realized the more time I spent in Mawanga, the more I got to SEE Jesus.

From the preparation state I was encouraged to go with an openness of the heart, soul, and mind. I was challenged to OPEN my eyes and SEE. So many times we can go watch and look from afar, but when you are aware and you stop to SEE what is right in front of you, it changes everything. Each time I went to Mawanga, I wanted to see what Jesus wanted me to see. I prayed that He would show me who to see with spiritual eyes, who needs to be loved, touched, and given value and hope. I desired to see beyond what I could physically see. I can’t tell you how that changed me. I saw Jesus do so many things…I saw how He is bringing tangible HOPE to people. I saw how He reaches down and carries the weary. I saw how He supports and provides for the widows. I saw how He is restoring relationships, bringing community and fellowship into a place that has been so desperate for it. I saw how He has brought smiles of joy back on the faces of so many who have felt helpless in the past. I realized that when I was willing to go where He called me, He welcomed me into a family that loves radically and unconditionally. I saw how Jesus is healing, making all things new, and drawing each person to Himself. I saw how alive Jesus is and dwelling there in Mawanga. I saw how much more Jesus’ love is for me!

I cannot think of a more beautiful place to have spent my time. There is life, freedom, and HOPE rising! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have come alongside ROWAN and everyone involved! I am looking forward to many more moments in the village as I plan to go back in the next month or so...

anyone want to come join us in Mawanga? let me know! :)

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village visit #3

i am changed each time i spend days in the village. i never know what God is going to teach me. i never know what my conversations will be like. i just know they will be filled with rich wisdom, challenging questions, grace, hope, and love. 

all of the ROWAN students with pastor paul and i

i met up with ronnie, pastor david wafula and his family friday, dec 9 in the morning. we wanted to get out to mawanga to be a part of the children's program. we arrived around mid-day. i couldn't contain my excitment as i FINALLY met the students of ROWAN! :) my heart was spilling with more joy and love for them. pastor paul kindly took me around and introduced me to everyone. the kids were split up into 3 groups: secondary students, primary, and then the little ones. i found myself holding back tears as i looked into each one of these students eyes. these are the kids of ROWAN. they each have a story to tell. 

every group of students i met, pastor paul asked me to share with them. of course you are suddenly on the spot. as i open my mouth i just asked God to give me what to say. i held it together until i stood in front of the secondary students. i was so excited for them and their commitment in school. they each have dreams for themselves and are pursuing it with great passion. as i was speaking to them, i couldn't hold it in anymore. tears began to fall. i was overwhelmed with how good God has been. His Faithfulness in my life, in my families lives, but also knowing how He's been faithful to these students lives as well. i couldn't speak. i was vulnerable standing in front of them. i haven't cried in front of people in quite some time. and within that moment, i felt the arm of my dear friend. pastor paul put his arm around me and spoke on my behalf.  he was speaking to the students in lusoga (the local language). as i found strength, all i could say was, "no matter your circumstances, no matter what you have gone through, no matter the story you have to tell, you can look back and see how faithful our God has been and that He is good." 

all of the secondary students!

i got to the spend the remaining of the day with them by singing songs, laughing, and getting to know them more. there's HOPE in each of their eyes and i feel so privilege to know them. there are exciting days ahead... the rest of the weekend included organizing and packing up all the 400+ necklaces the widows made, spending time with each secondary students, as well as, attending church sunday morning and worshipping together with the mawangan people! 

what a blessing it is to spend days in the village. what a blessing it has been for me to be embraced by pastor paul and his family. that is what i feel each time i go. part of a family ('AMAKA'). they have taken me in. loved me. cared for me. encouraged me. challenged me. and shown me more of Jesus. my heart is full and 'my cup overflows' with gratefulness and love for them. 

Signature Collection of Beads

coming to the USA soon!!! 

during my last trip to the village, i spent some time with some of the ladies who are diligently working on creating beautiful necklaces...

the ribbon

a few ladies signing paper to be cut out to be rolled into beads..

after varnishing, they hang to dry..

they are hard working women!

a beautiful picture of HOPE for these widows..

each bead was touch and hand made...amazing!!

with momma edisa and ashley

i'm headed back to Mawanga village this weekend to pick up the finished necklaces!! i can't wait to see them, as well as everyone else!! such joy fills my heart!! 

learning from the Mawanga people

(this post is reflecting on my last village trip, november 25-27. sorry for the delay) 

though the trip was short, what i learned and took away from mawanga was more than i expected. there is a special place in my heart for the village. i have always desired to “live and be among the people”. to feel what they feel. to see what they see. and to do life with them. i am far from understanding what the people of mawanga face on a daily basis, but even spending a few days at a time i continue to learn. and i continue to be refined by the Lord. He never fails in His faithfulness in making me more like Him. i fall more in love with Jesus as i see Him in every person. in every face. in every smile. in every moment. i look ahead to all the days i will spend in the village. as i learn from the mawanga people what life is all about. and how caring for those around you is one of the greatest callings/commands and responsibilities we have.

pastor paul was back from the states and i finally was able to spend time with him. he had spent 6 weeks traveling around and sharing about what God is doing in Mawanga -- a beautiful village tucked away in the heart of uganda. spending time with pastor paul was exactly what i needed. it was so interesting to hear his perspective on america and our culture. he made some remarkable statements regarding how we live, what we value, and even the faith he sees in americans. one of the things he said was “what i observed in the states, was the most valuable thing to americans is time and what they do with it. but the most valuable thing to mawanga people is relationships and building community.” talk about a gut check and even just some self-examination. he’s so right though. i’m guilty of the same. i have made excuses. i have chosen other things. i have passed up numerous opportunities to invest in relationships. it’s time to change. it’s time to evaluate what will matter in the end. my time? or building relationships? it's time to slow down and be with people. may i continue to glean from the mawanga people and how they value their time with each other. doing life. everyday. for they are defining “amaka”, a lusoga term meaning family.

pastor paul and i

so thankful to the Lord for all He is doing and all He is teaching me!

mawanga pictures

2 precious orphans i had the privilege of meeting:

meet george & esther

 some of the ROWAN kids shared created designs for uniforms...

it looks like a garden, but it's going to be a large building for ROWAN! 

there will be offices and a big fellowship hall. praying for all the funds to be complete!

the AMAZING women working in the garden!

they want their passion fruit to grow!! :)

for the record..these ladies are so strong! 

i dug 3 holes & each time another precious widow would help fix it :)

a little TLC (tender love & care) for the passion fruit! 

pastor wafu asked me to plant one...

praying the Lord will grow it to produce a bounty of fruit!

and just for those who are curious, mawanga means "a coming together of nations". i absolutely love that! the history of rowan is filled with volunteers and supporters from all over the world! so many people from varies nationalities have already served with rowan in mawanga and there are so many more soon to follow...O Lord, you said, lift up your eyes, the harvest is here. the Kingdom is near. you said, ask & i'll give the nations to you...! 

come Lord, and move among us! may others see and believe that You, O God, have done this!