Here, the people are taught to show respect by bowing before the person, on their knees.
On our first day at the village, this little beauty held her hand out to me to shake, and when I took her hand she dropped to her knees. It made me cry, and want to take her home with me. Today is the first time I’ve seen her since then, and I even got to hold her awhile!
Had an awesome day, a party with steak, goat, dancers and musicians!
The bathrooms here are odd. There is no shower stall, just a drain in the floor, and a squeegee to push the water towards the drain! So, yes, the entire bathroom floor gets wet!
We went to our third orphanage yesterday. I think this one affected me the most. We help with support, but most of their money comes from people in the States that help. These are mainly kids off the streets of the city, who were just on their own for various reasons. The man that started it is from Texas, very nice. He came years ago and wanted to help.
The conditions in our terms seem inadequate, but compared to what they had before this home, it is a sanctuary. Over 100 children are housed, fed and they get education. And where most orphanages must turn them loose at 18, this one “employs” them or helps them go to trade school or university. It is heartbreaking to think that their lives were worse before, but I am so thankful that they have a chance at a better life now.
We, in America, take so many things for granted. I looks around at all the lushness and wonder how anyone starves. But if you don’t have the money for seeds, you can’t plant. You may get seeds to plant and the rains or the drought can ruin the crops. So very different from what we know, we don’t realize how many opportunities we have.
Today we did some sightseeing. We went on a boat to the Nile river, into Lake Victoria. Very beautiful. At the park there we fed monkeys. They snatched bananas right out of our hands!
In the end of February, we were trying to patiently wait on God, for His leading and direction. I say trying to be patient, because there were days that I just didn’t think I’d make it another day not knowing what we were going to do. We were praying about Africa, Mexico, and if God was going to move us somewhere in the US. We were pretty sure at that point that God was going to move us, the big question was where.
I don’t make it a practice of testing God, or asking for signs, but after a stressful day, I prayed. I asked God to show me where we were going to go. If Mexico, please, Lord, let someone, maybe my mother-in-law, say the word taco – maybe she’ll come over and ask if we want to eat some tacos. (She doesn’t even eat tacos!) If in the US, another word (I can’t even remember now!) And if Africa, the word mango.
I laid down on the couch next to Raelee, She was watching Dora. Drifting off to sleep, I heard Dora say “Look Boots, at all the mangoes on that tree” I jumped off the couch and ran to tell Chris that we were moving to Africa! He wasn’t convinced, but like Raelee’s teacher says, I just knew that I knew! I emailed D and he wasn’t convinced either, telling me if I give God enough options, surely one will hit.
I know different. My God knows how many hairs are on my head, and He knows just how and when to encourage me. I’m not saying we should always be asking for signs from Him, but when we abide in Him for our everything, He will supply our every need. I needed reassurance that He was working, and He gave it!
His Grace For The Journey 