Another day of blessing...

Yesterday was a great day. It was not easy, it was long and tiring, but I am so glad that I got to be a blessing to five adoptive families. I started off at my lawyer’s office. She briefed me a bit on the children I was going to visit. Then I got a driver and headed out to their neighborhood. First stop was the home of a woman ( I’ll call her “T”) who helps care for several children that will be adopted in the coming months. “T” is a community leader and works to help get kids off of the streets and to families. She is caring for two children. These children are waiting for their adoptive mom to come next month. I met these kids in December, shortly after they came to stay with this woman. I must say they look remarkably better, and I can tell they are getting good care. The little boy had been sick recently and his adoptive mom wanted me to check on him and see if I thought he needed to go to the doctor. Thankfully, he was doing much better. I just had to pick up some cold/cough syrup for him. I got to hang out with them for a bit, take some pictures, and love on them for their parents. Such a privilege!

From there, “T” walked me to the “home” of another child. This child stays in one of the worst slums in Kampala. The walk there was an adventure. It had rained yesterday morning and the roads were so muddy. We weaved in and out of vendors, animals, and children and somehow I did not fall down. Mercy and I really stood out in this crowd and we got asked many questions. We came to one point where “T” started to slow down. A crowd had gathered outside one of the shacks. She told me that a young woman died there that morning from a botched abortion. Family and friends were gathering to mourn the loss. On our way we watched as a police truck pulled up to retrieve the body and file a report. It was heartbreaking for me to watch what was probably an all-too-common experience for people in this slum. I saw tons of children walking around half-dressed, filthy, and sickly. Most of them should have been in school, but obviously their families could not afford to send them. I saw two of the most malnourished children I have even seen in Uganda. When an African child is malnourished their hair often turns lighter. These kids had hair almost blonde and big bloated tummies. One was naked and the other had on only a shirt. They sat playing in the mud, while people just walked around them never giving them a second thought. Heartbreaking! I can’t really share about the home of the child I was visiting. That is his family’s story to share, but it was not an ideal situation. I wished I could somehow take him from that situation right then. But all I could do was pray for God’s protection for him, pray for this process to move swiftly for him, and thank God for providing an adoptive family for him. As we walked out of that slum and back to my driver I kept thinking about all of the children living in that one small area. I wondered how many of them were hungry, sick, and without any one to love them. For me it was another powerful reminder of the great needs of people all around me. While here in Uganda, I stay in a nice house in a secure area. We have a guard, electricity, a refrigerator, microwave, hot water, and tons of food. Even in the midst of this third world country, it can be easy to forget the reality of those around me.

From the slum, I went back to the lawyer’s office. She wanted me to meet another family that had arrived just the night before. She told me they needed to talk to an American who could explain the whole process for them and help them find a good place to stay. So, I went to a very late lunch with this couple. Poor things were feeling a bit overwhelmed. They only had about a day’s notice to travel. They were totally jet lagged. They met their child for the first time at court. And they just needed some advice on the process. I was glad to be able to share lots of information with them. Anyone who knows me knows that I can be an information junkie and a bit of a control freak. During this whole adoption process I’ve soaked up tons of info, especially during the last 5.5 months here in Uganda. So I am glad to be able to share and help others out. After lunch I took them to look at a couple of guesthouses and we found a great place for them to stay.

Then late last night I helped the two adoptive families staying here at Herb and Ellen’s with me. I looked over their paperwork and told them what they needed to take to the embassy, questions to ask, etc. I gave them phone numbers, directions, etc. Just call me the adoption concierge of Uganda. 

Before bed I was thinking about all that had happened during the day. It was a long day. It’s been a long 5.5 months, but it was truly my joy to help these families. My goal is to be a blessing to others even in the midst of my own frustrating circumstances, but it’s funny how God always blesses me in the process. I know God has me here for a reason and I feel like part of the reason is to help other families. I would be totally miserable here if I just stayed home and wallowed in self-pity over my circumstances. Instead, I daily make the choice to walk with a smile on my face, accept my circumstances, find joy in the small things, and look for ways God can use me.

Tomorrow I’m going to visit a place called “M”. You can read more about this place at http://www.sixtyfeet.org/. Please take the time to look at their website and blog. The conditions of the children there are unbelievable. No person should ever be subjected to the treatment these kids have endured. I know it’s going to be a heart-wrenching experience. Pray for me and the team I will be going with. Pray for God to use us in a special way. And in case you are wondering or worried, Mercy will be staying home tomorrow with my friend, Kelly.

And one last plug… I am about $75 short of being able to purchase 120 more Mama Kits next week. Would you consider a $5 or $10 donation? Just click on the Mama Kit/PayPal link in the upper right corner.