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: 

Equipping

One of the goals of ROWAN is to equip and empower the people by giving them basic tools and then let them run with it! :) It is as though you are placing HOPE in their hands..and HOPE does not disappoint.

One of the current programs on the ground is our Savings and Loan Program. Our local staff teach and train groups of women, men, and caretakers. Throughout numerous meetings and discussion sessions, the group selects a leader, they decide rules, fees, and how they would like the program to work. As I listened to Sam and Christopher teach, I watched this group begin to take ownership of the tools they were given. They developed a vision for themselves as they established the foundation of how to be good stewards of their finances. There was an excitement coming from each individual as this program was being set in place! 

What a joy for me to witness the first steps of what 

will make a huge impact in the lives of these people! 

Here's a little clip of Christopher on our Savings and Loan Program..

...He’s still Faithful

words from a woman who is bearing so much on her shoulders. a woman who has lost her husband. A women living with HIV/AIDS. A women trying to raise kids of her own…still says that He is faithful! A women who works in her garden every day to try and make ends meet. A woman who has a growth on her neck that causes additional pain to what she is already dealing with….still says He is faithful! A woman who just had 5 MORE children abandoned to her from another lady who didn’t want her own children with HIV/AIDS…still says that He is faithful! a woman who met jesus for the first time just a year ago. A woman who gives sacrificially and puts others before herself. A woman who stands strong amidst the storms and trials…still boldly proclaims that her Lord Jesus, her Father in Heaven…is FAITHFUL & GOOD!

Meet my beloved HADIJAH. One of the many widows ROWAN is ministering to. Her situation is like so many others. the loss of her husband. disease stricken with HIV/AIDS. becoming the main caregiver. the task of maintaining the garden production to make ends meet. It’s a daunting cycle and reality of so many people. And just when you may think you have heard enough, there seems to be more…

As I sat with hadijah in her house, I couldn’t bear it any longer. I broke. I couldn’t keep the tears from falling. I began weeping in her presence. several faces looked towards me in confusion of why I was crying. Fighting through the tears, I finally got words out, saying, “I understand a little of the pain. I understand how much it hurts to loose a family member. To be left to figure out life. To try and make sense of it all and to try and keep going every day.” (i just couldn't quite grasp the idea of the only parent i had left, disowning me because I was sick). Hadijah, though, has welcomed these additional children in with loving arms and with full assurance that God will take care of ALL of them. 

as we sat together crying, she continued to say...

"though there is so much, HE IS STILL FAITHFUL AND GOOD!"

a video below...

(I was encouraged to make a little personal video of my visit. This is the first one I've ever done so bear with me! :) Also, in case you were wondering...AMAKA is a new program through ROWAN by bridging the gap even more to the people in Mawanga. As you become a member, you become a part of our family..which is in fact the meaning of AMAKA) 

Enjoy...

The garden is growing!

With the passion fruits only being planted a few months ago, they are beginning to produce fruit! J I feel so blessed to have been there from the beginning of this new project with digging holes, to planting, to now seeing the vines growing with fruit. It's a beautiful illustration of how we may have a part in planting a spiritual seed, having someone else water and nurture it, but then watching God grow it, mature it, and transform it!  I’m telling you, if you look, you will Jesus in EVERYTHING!

the first fruits of the garden!

            

I sat down with Christopher and John (local ROWAN staff) to get a full update on the garden. We went through the pros and cons of it all. To be honest, I couldn’t help but see the progression since the last time I was in Mawanga; however, the staff saw what was lacking and still needed. Once I understood the status, I then felt what they felt. They are trying so hard to make things happen for the production of this garden, but when funds are lacking, there’s only so much to do. And if things don’t happen soon, the passion fruit project will not make it. You see here’s the situation…they have some poles for the vines to climb, but what they are up against is the ants and termites! They are EVERYWHERE on the poles. So what they NEED is ant spray to kill them off. In addition to the spray, they need more poles and wire to finish out the garden and do it right. :) There is a need for approximately 300 poles and about 100 meters of wire. To walk among the garden and see it with my own eyes, I can only imagine what our staff and our widows who planted the passion fruits are feeling every time they look out over their garden. In a way, it represents HOPE for them. They are putting all they have into making this work and by being there, I am only challenged more to wrap my arms around them and carry them through it! We have to! I believe God calls us to! 

Please be praying for the garden and how you can stand with them! 

Passion Fruit Garden

This is the remaining area of the garden that still needs poles and wire!

standing in the gap...

ROWAN BEADS OF HOPE

made by the hands of Ugandan Women...

these necklaces and earrings were all hand made by the woman in the Mawanga village. every piece was intricately made and represents someone. there are faces behind these beautifully made necklaces. there is hope in their eyes again.

my dear friend kelsey works with women from all different backgrounds, but particularly widows; which is part of the heart of ROWAN - Rural Orphans and Widows Aids Network. 

when she came to visit me in texas back in january she left these necklaces and calenders....

the truth is they need to be sold so that the ministry can receive support. i haven't been the best at focusing on that goal, BUT NOW i am making that my top priority. i am asking for your help...

you will bless so many others by supporting ROWAN through buying one of these items. all proceeds go straight back to ROWAN!

necklaces = $10

earrings = $5/pair

calenders = $10

watch this video see how these necklaces were made...

if you are interested, leave a comment and your contact information if i don't have it already. i will mail you the items you want! email me, call me, facebook me....lets work together to get these sold for the women in Uganda!