Randomness

This is a post of all of the random stories and photos from the past few weeks.  They may not necessarily go together, but I thought they were worth sharing.

One afternoon this week we got to visit an orphanage.  This is a home I've wanted to visit for months, but it always fell through.  It was so fun to get to see it and meet the children.  This home is just for younger children.  They are all under 3 years old.  Mercy did a great job of playing with the children.  It was interesting to see her next to these kids.  She looks so huge and healthy.  Amazing what 9 months of a mother's care will do for you.   Right before we left, we helped to feed the children dinner.  They each got a jar of baby food. Mercy acted like she wanted some.  I knew if she tasted one bite of room temperature vegetables and beef she'd change her mind.  She did!  But then she decided to help me feed the little girl that was sitting with me.  This girl has some pretty severe delays and developmental problems.  Mercy fed her every single bit of that jar and did it so sweetly.  I was very proud of my girl.  Each time I tried to clean up her mess a bit, she would say, "Me help!".  She was a helper!

The other fabulous part of our trip to the orphanage.  I got a popsicle.  I've been majorly craving something sweet and icy.  I never knew Flavor-Ice could taste so good. ha!

The other day I had to go to a government office.  While standing outside at these windows waiting for help a woman came up to me.  She pointed at Mercy, who was asleep in the sling, and asked, "Is she real or is she a doll?".  I told her that she was indeed real and happily sleeping.  The woman then went on to accost me and tell me that Mercy's yarn brains were causing her brain damage.  Something about plastics and the UV index.  Who knows?!  She said that if I was her mother I should care about her brain.  Oh my!  I just smiled sweetly and thanked her for the information.  Finally, she walked away.  I should have known the woman was crazy as soon as she asked me if Mercy was a doll.  What grown woman carries a baby doll around strapped to their body?  The other people around all rolled their eyes and gave me sympathy looks as she walked away.

This is a picture of my favorite mannequin.  I walk by this several times a week and she always makes me smile.  My favorite part, besides the ridiculous grin, is the extra padding they stuff in to her hips.  I love Uganda!

This is Brian.  He's my favorite driver and calls me "Mom".  If you've followed our story for very long, I also attended Brian's wedding introduction and he works with "Be a Blessing" ministries.  Anyway, he wore my friend's glasses at lunch the other day so we could look the same.  Like mother, like son. 

Brian is also super sweet with Mercy.  My friend captured this super cute pic of the two of them.  Love it!!

Speaking of Brian, the other day, I mentioned to some ladies that his wife is newly pregnant.  One woman said she had some extra prenatal vitamins with her that she'd love to give her. Brian was SO excited!  Anyway, that got this sweet woman to thinking and she now wants to collect prenatals for lots of expecting mamas in Uganda.  What a great way to help curb the huge problem of malnutrition and development.  I love the idea of starting from the very beginning with the babies while in utero.  This woman wants to partner with "Mercy for Mamas" and pass out vitamins with each Mama Kit.  You can read more about her project here.  If you'd like to donate some vitamins let me know or contact her via her blog.

This is a picture of Mercy running to our security guard Alex.  Mercy loves Alex.  You often here her yelling "ALEX" at the top of her lungs while running around the compound.  And yes, this mama has been known to let him entertain Mercy for quite a while.  She gets him to dance with her, jump, and they play "open and close the gate".   I am grateful for Alex!

Why yes, that is a man riding on a motorcyle with about 20 live chickens strapped behind him.  Yes, it is.

Speaking of animals... this is a goat tied up in the village.  They wanted him that way.  Not sure why.  Pretty sure, PETA should never visit Uganda.

This is me reading Mercy her favorite book of the hour, "Greedy Zebra".  I've read it or pointed at the pictures in it 998 times.  Don't fret, we do have lots of other books, but this is the fave for right now.

This is a blanket that my new friend Kelley made for Mercy.  She stayed at my place this past week.  She sews and brought over several blankets to pass out to very sick children, and she made one special one for Mercy.  She and her pastors prayed over each blanket before she left.  I thought it was so thoughtful, and I love the colors.


Sorry, it didn't load the photo well, but it's taking too long to fix it.

This is a picture of me and Kelley.  We ate pizza and onion rings for lunch yesterday.  The onion rings were AMAZING. And you can't really tell in the pic, but I'm wearing my new sunglasses.  I got them on the street for $2.  I'm sure they are really Dolce and Gabbana's like they say on them , right?? 

And one last bit of randomness... we have some "Love Mercy" t-shirts left.  If you'd like one, please let me know ASAP.  They are $15.  I believe we have at least one of each size left. (YXS-Adult XXL).  I have someone interested in purchasing the leftovers, but I wanted to give you all one last chance at them first.  Comment or email me (melissabusby@hotmail.com) if you'd like one.

I told you it was going to be random.

A Day in the Village

Several fellow adoptive moms from UG started their own ministry, Awaka Children’s Foundation. I’ve often heard about this ministry and the village where they work. This past Saturday I finally got to go visit. What a day! I went with my friends, Kelly and Simon, and some other adoptive families. We drove about an hour outside of Kampala, up into the beautiful hills. Then we went off of the main road quite a ways, where you could definitely say you are “in the village”.
Our first stop was to meet the village midwife. Mama Florence is about 70 years old. Women travel from miles around to use her services. I’ve heard it said that a woman in the village will go miles to a highly recommended and trusted midwife, even if a decent doctor or clinic is closer. It’s all about trust and relationship. Mama Florence is very well known and respected. She delivers approximately 4-7 babies a week. She does not charge anything. She has the labor and delivery room behind her house in a very small mud building. When we arrived there was a young girl, Sylvia, there in the early stages of labor with her first baby. She labored in this small room with very few supplies and no modern equipment. Smoke billowing in from the charcoal fire outside. But I’m very glad to say that because of your generous donations, she had sterile delivery supplies from a Mama Kit. Mama Florence was very excited to get the kits and I know they will be well used. I asked what happens if there are complications during the birth. They told me that when that happens Florence gets a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) and they go the approximately 35km to the nearest hospital. That’s 35 km on a rural dirt, pothole filled road while you are in labor and enduring complications. Can you imagine? It blows my mind. But I’m thankful for women like Mama Florence doing the best they can to help the women of her village. I look forward to getting to know her more and to providing her with more kits.


Delivery Hut



Mama Florence and Sylvia



Giving Mama Florence her Mama Kits

After Mama Florence’s we went on the community site. From there we took off on an hour long walk. We walked about 30 minutes to the area borehole (well) that Awaka recently put in. Before the well was installed, there was no clean source of water. Now they have the water, but many still have to make the long walk to the well with their jerrycans. I cannot imagine that being a part of my daily routine. From the well, we walked to the site of the Awaka Medical Clinic. This clinic is under construction and the work progresses as the money comes in. They hope the clinic can provide all of the basic services including births, HIV medication distribution, and malaria treatments. It will be a huge blessing to the community once the clinic is done.

From the clinic we walked back to the community site where all of the women and children had gathered. About once a month Awaka provides a meal for everyone in the area. The kids sang and danced several songs to welcome us. Then we helped to serve more than 350 children and about 100 women a lunch. Lunch consisted of rice, sweet potatoes, cassava, soup/gravy, and a small piece of meat or beans. We almost ran out of food, but thankfully there was enough. It’s humbling to think that this is the only food that most of these kids will eat that day, and more than likely the only meat they’ll get for a long time.



The Gathering

  

Dishing out lunch

 

Eating lunch

After lunch I led the kids in a few songs. I love acting silly and singing with children in Uganda. It’s one of my favorite things to see them laugh and shout and play. So much fun and the laughter is so contagious. One of the other women with us had brought a ton of toys that her friends and family donated. It was amazing to see how big of a smile a random Happy Meal toy can give to a child who has so little. And many of the mamas had an even bigger smiles as they watched their kiddos play. It was a sweet moment. We also passed out one piece of children’s clothing to each mama. They were very grateful.
Another woman with our group works as a nurse practitioner. She did some basic check-ups and wound care too. It was another one of those moments where the needs are so many, where do you even begin. But I’m sure the bandages and antiseptic helped more than we’ll know.

Bandaging kiddos

And we passed out Mama Kits to all of the visibly pregnant women. It was sort of funny watching Godfrey, Awaka’s director UG, determine if the women were really pregnant. I had to assure the women that we will continue to supply more kits, so if they weren’t pregnant now there would be a kit for them when thei r time comes.


Arguing with Godfrey over whether or not a woman was pregnant. ha!

One of the ladies with our group has just been in Uganda for a short time. This was her first experience in the village. She asked me if I have gotten used to it. The sad thing is that in some ways I have. It does not shock me anymore to see children running around barefoot, babies with no diapers, huge herniated belly buttons or swollen tummies from malnutrition or worms. But it still gets to me when I stop and think of the reality of everyday life for these people. Nothing is easy. Growing food, getting water, washing clothes, cooking food, going to school, seeing a doctor… nothing is easy. Yet they still smile. They still are grateful for what they do have. These women work hard to do anything they can to make a living for their families. They weave baskets, make jewelry, garden, and sew. They still have the same needs and desires for their kids that we do. They want them healthy, happy and educated.

Kids walking the path with us

I can tell that Awaka is making a real difference in this village. I see kids with decent clothes that I know were donated. I see kids getting medical treatment that otherwise would have no hope. I see Mama Florence with a way to boil water and sterilize supplies, which she could not easily do before. I see kids in school that never would have been there without Awaka. One thing that is different about Awaka is that when you sponsor a child, you are actually sponsoring their whole family. You help them all to eat better, go to school and get medical treatment. You help to maintain the local well and contribute to the construction of the clinic. If your family is looking for a way to sponsor a child in Africa, let me suggest Awaka. It’s run by some amazing women that I know have a real heart for the children of Africa. You can find out more by checking out their website, www.awaka.org. I’m glad to say that “Mercy for Mamas” is partnered with them to provide Mama Kits to those in need. I hope each time you give toward a Mama Kit you’ll think of 19 year old Sylvia giving birth in a mud room with Mama Florence.

Beads for the Busbys

I have some more Ugandan Jewelry to sell!!!  Sorry to give you the leftovers, but Cody and some friends have sold the majority of it at home.  But I wanted to give you in blog-land a chance too.  We really appreciate the help as we try to fund the rest of this crazy adoption journey.  And I love sharing the beautiful handmade jewelry with you.   Every piece you buy helps to give a woman in UG a job.  All beads, unless otherwise noted, are made from recycled paper.  I love shopping with a purpose!

E-mail or comment on here about any items you are interested in and I'll let you know if it is still available (melissabusby@hotmail.com).  Also if you'd like a close-up or more description of something let me know.  I'll send you payment info via email.  All items will be shipped USPS as soon as possible.  Thanks!!!

13" Bigger Bead necklaces in Rust, Orange, and Dark Purple ($12)



11" Big Bead Nccklaces in Lime Green/Yellow, Green, and Light Blue/White ($12)



18" smaller beads in blue, green, yellow and gray (gray is made of shells, not paper) ($10)

 

18" Smaller Beads in red, charcoal, pink, maroon, navy, dark purple, and brown ($10)

32" Small Multi-colored beads, 26" Small Multi-colors, and wooden necklaces in cream and hot pink ($15)



29" Multi-colored wooden necklaces, wooden necklace and earring set, and 26" small and large multi-colored beads ($15)



Gray shell with paper beads wrap bracelets ($5) Only 2 left.



Stretchy bead bracelets in pink, white, gray and yellow ($5)



Earrings in yellow/orange, brownish, and blue ($5)



Court

I apologize for the delay getting this update posted. Melissa has had problems logging in to the blog.

Court did not go our way. There were a number of issues that came up. The good news is we get to continue working to straighten things out. We are disappointed but not crushed. Our timeline remains indefinite for now. Thank you for all of your prayers and your mountain of encouragement.

Prayer Information

By Cody...

So tomorrow is the day. Melissa and I honestly do not know what to expect. All we know is that we are utterly dependant on the Lord to see us through. Thank you to all of you who have sent encouragement our way, and prayers sent God's way. Here is some information to help you in your praying:

• Court is at 12:30pm Uganda time, 4:30am Central
• For Melissa, peace and wisdom.
• For Mercy, plenty of distractions and cuteness.
• Pray for our attorney. Pray for wisdom and the right words. We are so grateful for her.
• For our Judge. He is a good man and a fair judge. We want him to be able to grant us a favorable ruling with confidence.
• Most importantly...pray that God would prepare our hearts to be joyful in His will, whatever the outcome. He knows what we desire. We must desire Him more. 

I will post information to facebook as soon as I hear from Melissa in the morning.

Last One Standing

Back in September when we got our original adoption ruling there were six other adoptive mamas in the court room.  We all knew each other vaguely, but little did I know how much I would grow to love and appreciate some of these women and the trials we have endured.  One went home almost immediately with her child.  I hear they are doing well.  Another had to wait a couple of months to go home and we saw and encouraged each other a few times during that wait.
 
Another mama was adopting three children, but the judge told her that she could only take the older two children to the US.  She had to leave the youngest behind and pray and trust the Lord to protect her and to provide a way for her to bring her daughter home.  She made two trips this Spring to bring that girl home.  I got to hang out with them several times and grew to love them both.  This woman was such an encouragment to me and I feel like a real sister in the faith and in mommyhood.  I admire her, her family, and her ministry tremendously.  A couple of weeks ago I got to be with them just hours before they left town.  She was finally taking her baby girl home.  It was such a moment of rejoicing.

The other two woman in court with me that day were adopting girls that had been raised together.  These women go to church together and are neighbors.  Such a neat story.  We would laugh because we'd run into each other everywhere... court, the passport office, the Embassy, and even church.  They also got bad news the same time we did.  They would not be getting visas for their girls.  They finally had to make the heart-wrenching decision to leave them with foster parents while they went home and fought from the US-side to bring these girls home.  We've kept in contact this whole time.  We share the same wonderful adoption attorney in Washington DC.  We've followed each other's stories each step of the way.  About two weeks ago they got the amazing news that the girls' visas were approved.  One of the mamas and the other daddy came out a few days ago to pick them up.  They stayed with us and it was such a joy and a pleasure to spend time with them again.  I am so delighted to say that they are getting on a plane any minute and flying home with their daughters.  I cried as they left.  I am rejoicing for them.  I know the pain and suffering, doubts and frustration they've endured.  We understand so much of each other's trials like no one else can.  Our families will always be united in that way. Last night we held a big going away celebration for them at the house. It was so neat to see these families honor the many people that helped to make all of this possible.  And then at the end, they had a special prayer time for these families. They also included me and Mercy.  These sweet Ugandans and my friends prayed over us and our upcoming court date.  They prayed passionately and boldly for my family to be reunited.  I am forever grateful.

Six families in court exactly 8 months ago today.  Mercy and I are the last ones standing.  Lord, is it our turn? 

PS... Our other special friend, Lawrence (aka LoLo) went home last week.  Mercy and I are both sad and miss him and his infectious smile, but I also love seeing pictures of him with his new family and hearing funny stories of his new life there.  We love you LoLo!

The Others

A little over a week ago I was just hanging out at the house one day with no real plans.  Harriet was using my computer and checking her email.  She had a message from Beth asking about some of the homeboyz that they sponsor.  Harriet helps to take care of the details of the sponsorship.  Beth asked Harriet if she’d checked on Brian lately.  Harriet decided to check on him right then.  She grabbed her phone and called Brian’s dad.  His father told Harriet he was sitting at the police station right then picking up Brian.  Brian got caught stealing and the people that caught him beat him up very badly and then dumped him at the police station.  His father didn’t know what to do with him and felt like he was too out of control for him.  He told Harriet that he thought he’d put him at “M”, the children rehabilitation center where SixtyFeet began their work.  Harriet told him to please not put him there and then she handed the phone to me, quickly trying to explain what was happening.  I talked to the police officer and begged him to give me some time to find a better place for Brian.  He told me that I had until the end of the day. 



Brian, looking much better after his beating

Brian is 11 years old ( or 12, we’re not sure), but has basically been on his own for years. His mother died, he’s the youngest child and his siblings are all out of the house and on their own. His father works and drinks and does not have time to care for him. So Brian often roams the streets. He sells most anything of value that he can get his hands on. He’s been known to steal. It’s part of his survival skills. The Howards put him in school last year, but that was a huge adjustment for him and he had no one making sure he got up each day and went to school. He got so discouraged that he was so far behind t he stopped going.

What was I going to do with this boy? I put out a plea on Facebook for any of my UG contacts. I made a few phone calls. Then I went and met with a couple of people. No luck. Of the places I contacted either they had no openings or they would not take on a “thief”. Finally Harriet and I met with the father. We asked him if he could please watch the boy for the weekend, while I tried to find a more long-term solution. We needed him to stay with him 24 hours a day so that he would not run away or get beat up again. He agreed and we went to pick him up from the police station. When I walked in the room, I saw a boy sitting there eating, and I almost didn’t recognize him. He was truly beaten beyond recognition. The crowd had removed their shoes and hit him repeatedly in the eyes with them. His eyes were nearly swollen shut. I immediately grabbed him, hugged him, and told him that I was there and was going to take care of him. I tried to hold back the tears, while the police officer explained everything and his father signed for his release.

Thankfully that night a friend of mine told me she’d found a place with an opening. The next day we went to check out “Peace for Children Africa”. The place seems to be a perfect fit. They’ll make sure he stays in school, they offer counseling and mentoring. They have extra-curricular activities like music, art and sports. And they help kids like Brian learn to make wise choices and to accept responsibility for themselves. I moved Brian in last Monday. He was not excited about going and pouted a bit when I left him. Thursday I stopped by to drop off sponsorship fees. I saw Brian briefly. He looked great. His eyes were healing up and he had a smile on his face. Then on Sunday, I saw him at church. This particular ministry sends kids to the church I attend each week. He was grinning from ear to ear and seemed to be doing so well. He told me about his new friends and was excited to be starting his new school this week.  Oh, how I wish I'd had my camera with me to get a picture of this happy boy.

Director of PCA, B's dad, Harriet, Me, Mercy, and our new friend

I don’t know what will happen with Brian. I don’t know if this ministry will be the thing to straighten out his life and really make a difference, but I do know that Brian has a chance. For some reason, God led Brian to meet some mzungus on the street last September. They took it on themselves to sponsor him for school. Ten days ago God led Harriet to call and check on him during his time of greatest need. I hate to think of where he would be right now if she had not called. I knew about “M” and knew enough to take swift action to not let him go there. God led me to the right person with the contact at the perfect ministry for this boy. But the worst thought about all of this… what about the others? What about the thousands of other kids living on the streets, stealing and scavenging for anything to survive? What about the hundreds of other kids dropped off at “rehabilitation centers” every day? What about the ones that do not have a mzungu sponsor that will fight for them? I’ve read that poverty, orphan care, homelessness, and abuse take on a whole new meaning when you have a name and a face to put with it. I know Brian. I’ve hugged his neck, laughed with him, played with him, eaten with him. I can read an article in the paper about kids getting shipped off somewhere and not being moved to action, but not when it’s our Brian. It almost makes me scared to get to know more of them. But I will because every child deserves a chance.

For more information on Peace for Children Africa and to donate to help more kids like Brian, check out their website... here.