Provision

Sometimes God’s provision simply amazes me.  It probably shouldn’t, but it does.  A couple of weeks ago I was burdened with how in the world I would get all of the medical needs at Oasis met.  I thought about how I would get all of the kids to a clinic, which clinic would I trust, how much money it would cost.  Then God provided in a huge way.  A medical mission team from the US was staying at Herb and Ellen’s house and offered to come by and check out the kids.  WOW!  Then we realized that the orphanages are only about 10 minutes away from each.  Even more amazing!  So we scheduled their visit for Thursday afternoon.  I had all of the kids skip school to make sure they would be around for the team.  I went out a bit early and got things set up outside for the clinic.  The orphanage is seriously short on space, but I decided that we could split up the group of boys and girls and have the medical team in the main courtyard and the waiting children could play inside the house.  I took my time setting up the chairs, just so, to give adequate space for the doctor/nurse, child, and translator.  Then Billy and I went to meet up with the team and lead them over to Oasis.  When we got to the other orphanage they were running behind.  No big surprise there… this is Africa (TIA).  Finally after about an hour or so we left for Oasis.  I wondered how in the world we were going to have time to get nearly 70 children examined and get everyone home at a decent time.  Then to complicate things more, as soon as we arrived at Oasis and the children were ending their welcome songs… the skies opened up.  It was POURING!  We quickly moved the tables and supplies inside.  Our only choice was to set up in the main room of the girls’ house.  It was VERY crowded and very dark.  So much for my careful planning!  Every inch of the room was utilized and people were crawling over each other.  I really started to think that there was no way this was going to work.  I figured that maybe half of the exams would get done.   We weighed and measured each child.  Then they met with a nurse for a first evaluation.  Then she would decide if they needed to be seen by one of the doctor.  My favorite part was seeing the doctors and nurses pray for each child individually before finishing their exam.  It was beautiful to watch.  And, by an act of God, all of the children were seen in less than three hours.  I couldn’t believe it, especially since the majority of kids needed medication and/or follow up.  It was a miracle.

Dr. Cindy's one phrase in Luganda... "Open please."



Can you see how crowded it was??



Praying to the Divine Healer

In the end there was a huge list of medications for the children.  I again worried how in the world this was going to get done.  Who could we trust to get each child the correct medication and dosage?  Then I realized that God had again provided.  A young lady was there that day to help out.  I am told that she is a regular volunteer at Oasis.  She’s in nursing school and is a very sharp young lady.  She agreed to come every morning and evening this next week to help ensure that the children get their medicines.  This was a huge relief for me.  There is no way that I could do that job myself.  I love to see Him provide over and over.

This is Gift, isn't he a doll?  Loving the hat!

Then on Friday, I got to deliver another blessing.  One of the children at Oasis, Rachel, is handicapped.  She’s never been able to walk.  She’s had a wheelchair before, but it’s been broken for some time.  She spent all of her time lying in bed and getting ignored.  And without a wheelchair she could not go to school or interact much with the other children.  When I met her, I immediately thought of a friend of Aunt Trudy’s that passes out free wheelchairs in Uganda.  Friday, Trudy and I, along with my friends, Debbie and Caleb, go to deliver the wheelchair to Rachel.  She was so excited and her face instantly lit up.  We wheeled her outside and she practiced pushing herself back and forth.  And the best part was when the older girls came home from school, one of them immediately rushed up to Rachel, gave her a hug, and told her how excited she was about her chair.  The smile on Rachel’s face as she got to participate with everyone else was priceless.



Thrilled for her new ride





Rachel and Annah



Some of the Big Boys showing off their new uniforms and shoes



The little ones welcoming Trudy, Debbie, and Caleb on Friday

God provided for me as well.  He sent me Aunt Trudy,  Debbie and Caleb for the weekend.  They were such a blessing and a joy to be around.  They were all serving on this year’s “Libraries of Love” team.  Debbie and Caleb were representing our church.  They decided to skip the team’s safari to hang out with me and Mercy.  It was so nice to be around some familiar faces and people who really know me and my family.  And I loved watching Mercy build relationships with people that I know she’ll spend lots of time with in the future.  It was also a bonus that I had a million and one things to do, things that are not easy to do with a busy toddler, and God provided some wonderful helpers.   Each of them jumped right in and entertained Mercy as much as possible.  And Mercy loved them.  Even my driver, Brian, commented that he’d never seen Mercy so comfortable with new people.  We laughed and caught up on life and I had fun showing them a few of my favorite things around my neighborhood.  God knew just what we needed this weekend.



First Boda Ride for Debbie, off to get pizza

I think Caleb liked it.



Mercy LOVES him.  He may be our new babysitter!



Mercy showing them how to play in the dirt.

We are also asking for God’s provision this week in our case.  Please pray for positive movement and for decisions to be made.