Beauty for Ashes...

Today I had my favorite Uganda moment so far...actually, I had two
favorite Uganda moments.

In the past week, Restoration Gateway has received 4 new orphans.
These kids come to this place with nothing except for the clothes on
their backs. I wish that we spoke their language, Lwo, or that they
spoke English, because there is so much that I want to ask them. They
must all have so many stories--good stories and terrible stories both.
Even though I can't listen to them, I hope that my being around them,
playing with them, teaching them, and hugging them can somehow squeeze
out of them the stories that have been painful and bring eternal hope
to their lives... but this can only be done through His work through
me.

Today, I was given the job of going to get new shoes for the new
orphans. Their poor little feet are completely scuffed up and dirty
(which, I suppose, is how all feet are here...TIA). So, I collected
the new kids and brought them up to the storage room in the church
building. I had them try on different shoes that had been
donated...lots of crocs and flip flops. It took awhile to find shoes
that fit each of them, but when we found a fit, I put the shoes on
them and sent them on their way. I didn't think it was that big of a
deal, but...

Jacob. Jacob is a new orphan that has been here about 5 days. I tutor
him each morning in English, and I have seen him stay after class to
work on writing his letters. But I have never seen Jacob smile. I know
there is so much behind his stern face ... I want to know his story.
Today, when I put his red crocs on him, I said to him, "These are
Jacob's. You can go back home. These are YOUR shoes." Right then, I
saw the biggest smile come over his face. Jacob hurried down the
stairs and out the door, where I heard him running and giggling all
the way back to his orphan home. Not only did Jacob finally smile but
he LAUGHED with delight.

"To all who mourn in Israel, he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of dispair."

My second favorite Uganda moment happened this evening after dinner.
Two orphan boys showed up at Restoration Gateway with a police
officer. We have been expecting these boys for a while, but they
finally came tonight. Their names are David and Christopher. David is
5, and Christopher is 3. Though they are different ages, the brothers
are the exact same height and weight due to the intense malnutrition
they have experienced during their short lives. They are true
orphans--they came from a town where they wandered the streets looking
for food. They ate off the ground and would split what they could find
everyday. The boys were brought over to us, and I picked Christopher
up. Macy handed them each a biscuit...and they ate it so fast. We held
them for awhile. There were no words exchanged. The only sound that
came from these brothers was the sound of them chewing their bread. We
carried them to their new home where Mama Lillian greeted them gently
(though she was so excited to have them!) We introduced the boys to
their new "brothers and sisters" who welcomed them and held them
immediately. Orphans welcoming, loving, and caring for other orphans
is one of the greatest sights to see...

Holding Christopher in my arms was my second favorite moment thus far
in Uganda. Christopher and David now have an earthly home. They will
be loved deeply here by their new mamas, their new siblings, their new
teachers, and by us. They will also be taught that more than any of
these, they are loved abundantly by their Heavenly Father. Love reigns
in this place. Keep praying for us as we learn more about Love that
redeems nations and orphans. Keep praying that each child would find
that Love to be their hope and joy. I can't wait to experience more
moments like this here...

To all who mourn in Israel, he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of dispair."

Praise our Redeemer, JESUS.


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