A Fire of Desire Burning Within

Did you ever have some dream or great desire as a kid, something you really wanted to do so badly but the opportunity never materialized and so you put your dream on the back burner of your life.  Then other responsibilities and opportunities came along such has college, marriage, and children, all giving you great joy whereas the forgotten ember of desire remained hidden, still red, but fading and at times seemed unimportant.  One day, forty years later a door flings open and the wind of opportunity has fanned your little almost-forgotten ember into a flaming fire and there stands your dream, shining like the sun before your eyes and your heart is in disbelief that it could actually happen.  I did dream of Africa.  I dreamed of serving in a third world country specifically at an orphanage and the first week of December the door opened wide for me to go to Uganda in February and I just needed to agree to walk through it.   

Almost 2 years ago, as many of you are aware, our lives intersected with Taylor Anne's biological family specifically on her birthfather’s side.  Her Uncle Kyle travelled to Uganda in September and spent two months at the Rafiki African Ministries children's home.  He is taking his mom, Patti (Tay’s grandmother) and myself back there to do more work.  Kyle and Patti leave on February 3 to spend the entire month there.  I will join them on February 13^th to spend the last two weeks assisting them.  Rafiki was started five years ago by a then college age Texas girl, Sara, who was obedient to the call she felt from God to start an orphanage to help raise up great leaders in a fragile country.  Sara and her husband now have two of their own children and twelve more children that they take care of at Rafiki.  I’ve had the privilege of talking with Sara and corresponding with her and instead of thinking “what difference could I possibly make” in a country overwhelmed with poverty and orphans, she realizes the importance of helping the helpless, one at a time, without any fanfare.  I already love this little orphanage and the 12 little faces are taped into my journal.  Their large brown eyes and gregarious smiles are as bright as the same sun we share. Soon I’ll be able to touch and hold each one (and probably wipe noses and change diapers too).  I want to help maybe just one at a time.  Ministering to “one” has always resonated with me.

Some great things have happened during these six weeks of preparation and prayer.  I have such a sweet team of supporters with both finances and prayer behind me.  Within four weeks, I needed to raise $2500 and last week I was at 160% of the funds needed!  There will be extra to buy needed supplies for the orphanage and take with me!  I asked that you join my team of prayer warriors to begin praying for Patti and Kyle as they go before me and for me that I will accomplish all that God has for me and I’m beginning to understand that this dream isn’t a one timer!  Whether I go again or not, only God knows, but I am committed to bringing awareness to the plight of the Ugandan children and help keep Rafiki on the forefront in my circle of influences.

My journal is already full of tidbits of advice given to me by those who have lived and ministered overseas as well as those who have been on many humanitarian journeys to third world nations.  There are pages of these in my journal but some of the most profound for me include:

• The first time you step onto the orphanage property, God will remind you that “this is holy ground; these helpless orphans are His and it’s a privilege to join in the care for these little ones.”

• Take time to just sit outside, observe your surroundings, listen and think to yourself about how good we have it here and how messed up the world is b/c it’s 2015 and most people in the world still live in poverty (well beyond our definition of poverty in the U.S.).

•  Go with a heart that is willing to help with the most mundane of tasks, realizing that these tasks are just as necessary and significant in their eternal value as the tasks that bring more immediate “glory.”

• (and a favorite) - make sure you have a clean set of clothes to wear on the long flight home...nothing worse than being stinky on a long plane ride!  (I was going to give away everything I bring, so good advice to remember to keep something clean for the long ride home!!!! J

So, if you are hearing this for the first time, I would love for you to join my “army”.  Shoot me an email at awadewithwords@hotmail.com so I can add you to my Uganda Team updates.  I feel like I’m taking pieces of you with me!   I’ll share more of that in another update right before I leave, but I did want to share one beautiful expression of someone(s) who are supporting me with their gifts of talent.  Patti, Kyle and I wanted to give something to Sara and her husband as a gift for allowing us to come and stay at Rafiki.  My sweet friends, Dave and Liz Gage painted a picture of Sara’s two girls from a photo that I sent them last week!  So I’m taking a piece of the “Gages” with me and sharing them in Uganda. (If you need a portrait made, I can connect you!).    My next update will be short and sent before I leave on Friday February 13^th.  Love to each of you and praying His Blessing on your lives.

Sara and Joseph's  Daughters: Zoe and Abigail