Be a Blessing

Last week, my favorite driver, Brian (whose wedding introduction I attended), invited me to a bible study for his ministry. He said he wanted me to share with them about the Mama Kits. This ministry is called “Be a Blessing” and is made up of young people, most of whom attend Muyenga Baptist Church. Their primary goal is to be a blessing to those around them, especially those in the villages. So they search out different ways they can help. They have helped to build churches or at least give the outdoor churches a roof. They’ve worked at orphanages. They’ve led bible studies and crusades. They’ve passed out clothes and food. Any little thing they can do to encourage other believers and also reach out to unbelievers. They strongly follow the principal that we are to share the blessings and resources we have with those less fortunate. They talked about how most people in Kampala have several outfits, but those in the villages may only have one. So they collect these extra clothes to give away. It was so humbling to hear these people, who by American standards have very little, talk about all of the ways they can help others and things they can sacrifice or give away.

I think of my closets at home, our play room, our storage room… what do I hold on to for no reason that could be of use to someone else. Sure, I have garage sales and I take things to the DAV or Goodwill, but if I only had a week’s worth of clothes, would I be willing to still give things away? Brian and the others told me how they’ve never asked for donations from others or from outside groups. They’ve wanted the things to come from them. Wow! I told them a bit about the Mama Kits. And I asked them if they would help me to be a blessing to the women of Uganda. I told them I needed people like them to help me pass out the kits, pray with the women, and make sure they get to the right people. They were thrilled. They said they definitely knew many women that would need the kits. They talked about different ways they could pass them and minister to the women as well. I want people that receive the kits to know that they are given in love because Christ first loved us. I want them to know that there are Christians in the world that do care about them and their children. So, I am very excited to count “Be A Blessing” as a new partner in the Mama Kit Ministry. And I know that they will continue to inspire me, and hopefully you, to look for ways that we can be a blessing to those around us.

This idea of “being a blessing” is not new to me. It’s actually something I’ve tried to practice with my time here in Uganda. I’ve looked for any little way that God could use me to encourage someone else. Lately, I’ve had several great opportunities to help some other adoptive families. While we were waiting to come and get Mercy, I remember how excited and overjoyed we were at any little bit of news about Mercy or pictures of her. At my lawyer’s office, I’ve been able to meet a few kids that have families in the US waiting to come for them. I love getting to take their pictures and also glean any info possible about them to share with their moms and dads.

Last week, one little baby needed someone to foster him for a week or two until his family gets a court date. I really wanted to do it myself, but there was no way I could. So I got my friends, Simon and Kelly, to look after him. And I did get to babysit this little bundle of joy last Saturday! Mercy loved him. His parents are thrilled now to get regular updates and photos of him and even get to see him on Skype.

I got the privilege of going along for a physical with another little boy waiting to be adopted. It was great because I knew just the right types of things they would want to know… information that may not seem important to most people here, but is vital to an adoptive mommy’s heart. I also got to go this boy’s home, meet his grandmother, and share lots of great information and photos with his family in the US.

I’m scheduled to take pictures of a couple of others kids next week. I got to deliver gifts to some other children. I’ve also picked up lots of information on “the system” since I’ve been here. I’m so happy to be able to share little things with other families in order to make their transition and process easier. Our story has even been able to help a couple of families not make the same mistakes as us. Wow, what a privilege! I love getting to do these things and I love feeling like some of my time here can be spent being a blessing to others. Don’t get me wrong… it’s not easy being here. I hate being away from my family. I have my breakdown moments, but at least I can help others in the meantime. God can use any situation for good. So whether it’s Mama Kits or going along for a physical, I love that God is able to use me during what is one of the hardest and most challenging times of my life. I don’t tell you these things to bring attention to myself, but to encourage you that no matter your circumstances there is something you can do for someone else. So, how can you be a blessing to others today?
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Update on our case...

Well, there's not much to update on really. I still do not have a judge or a court date. The people needed to sign off on my file have not gone to work yet this week and today is a public holiday. I'm feeling a bit discouraged. Pray for us that tomorrow we can get some good news.