D has been reported as a good kid but doesn't make close bonds very quickly. However, in less
than a week, he had bonded with us very quickly. By the end of the week, we was running to us from across the property with arms open wide ready to fall into us with a hug. He's not known by his care takers as a kid who cries much but on our last day when we had to leave, he cried. There were two days out of the week when we weren't able to see him. The first day we didn't see him was our second day in Uganda. D was asking for "mom". He was referring to Teri. After meeting us only one day, he wanted to see us again. That, my friends, is a God thing.We also got to see some parts of Uganda that most people don't get to see. We travelled for hours to the poorest of poor villages and met with some amazing people. We saw many children in need. We saw families who struggle from day to day with normal everyday needs. We met children who have become heads of the household before their time. We were able to give sugar to some of these families. Sugar is expensive there and a large part of their culture. They use it for their foods and in their hot tea. It was more of a treat than a necessity but we saw a couple of cute old ladies dancing and singing after receiving their sugar. We gave "sweeties" (loli-pops) to almost every child we met. Their gratitude is amazing. No matter how far away you go or which village you enter, the children thank you with the greatest respect. The children, boys and girls alike, would do a curtsey (bending of the knees and bowing of the head) when receiving a gift from us. They would also say "thank you madam/sir" when doing the curtsey. But this was no ordinary curtsey, most of these children would bend their knees and go all the way to the ground in gratitude. These visits inspired us. There is so much more we can do and now we are committed to helping in any way we can, especially in Uganda. It's a God thing.
We, here in America, are living a life that a small percentage of the world gets to live. The majority of the world lives like the people do that we saw. But there are so many that live even below this standard. There are so many that get a cup of porridge a day. There are so many that don't get medical attention for their woulds. There are so many children taking care of their parents and siblings on their own. There are so many needs. A life was changed this week...mine. A heart was directed to help others...mine. Even after our adoption journey is through, our trips to Uganda will not be. There is much to do there and even though everything we do may not make a dent in the problem, not doing it would be a violation of what God has asked of us. We just have to do it, it's a God thing.
The last word we received from the lawyer is an expectation of bringing D home before the end of the year. The lawyer was very impressed that we came to Uganda with all our paperwork done, with plenty of copies if he needed any and with a willingness to get any other tasks done as needed. Our lawyer does not belive in wasting time and we are grateful to have him. Being connected to him was a last minute decision but was definently...a God thing.
Special thanks to the Suubi Project for taking care of our little one until we can bring him home. Special thanks to Pastor Joseph. He is the pastor of the church at Suubi and a manager of the Suubi facility which includes the church, school and children's home. The kids love him. Special thanks also to Arnold. He is a full time administrator at Suubi as well. He taught me some Luganda and put up with my Texan accent as I tried to speak Luganda. The kids love him too. Special thanks to Joshua. Joshua is Joseph's brother and is involved with Suubi as well. These kids love him too. Joseph, Arnold and Joshua were our drivers, tour guides, historians and friends. Without them, this week could have been very difficult. Finally, special thanks to Mindy Ellis. Mindy has a Ugandan daughter already and chose to make her fifth trip to Uganda with us. Mindy was instrumental in making sure that we weren't lost and that we knew where we could eat and what we could drink without getting sick. All of these people made our trip nothing less than...you guessed it...a God thing.
"Dear Jesus, I pray that you protect and keep D safe. I pray that you protect and keep the Suubi children safe. I pray that you protect and keep Joseph, Arnold and Joshua safe. I pray that you use me to do your work. Thank you for showing us your face this week. Amen."
PS: If you have ever considered adoption or thought of how you can help, we must tell you that we met several beautiful and sweet children who need mommies and daddies. Both boys and girls, young and old, these children are amazing, well behaved and loving. Suubi also allows you to sponsor some children from the village. Suubi is located in the Bunfumbwanswa Village. If you sponsor a child from that village, it allows them to go to school where they get an education as well as breakfast and lunch each day. We met several of these children. Open your hearts and minds, pray and let God work in you. Let God tell you how you can help. Do this and you will truly see...a God thing.
JK
