Journey to Orphans of Uganda, Africa

Mountain View

“A mountain view can literally take your breath away. Getting a clearer view of God can do the same. Here at the Warming House, you’ll find truth that will help you know and understand who God is and how He feels about you. What you find here may cause you to live your life a little differently."

Alex S. was one of the finalists in our mission trip scholarship contest here at The Warming House. 

She just returned from her trip to Uganda, Africa. Thought you might enjoy hearing a little about her experience through excerpts from some of her blog posts.

Her team’s first day in Africa was spent at a children’s prison that holds over 200 children.

Blog entry from Friday, June 3rd:

“The second we arrived, a group of about 30 young kids were cheering and welcoming us. We literally just loved on the kids all day. I don't think there was a moment when a single member of our team didn't have their hands full either holding a child or holding hands with 2 or 3. The kids come from such rough backgrounds, but still worship God with their whole hearts... it's unbelievable!”

On their second day in Africa, Alex and her team visited three additional children’s prisons. During these visits, they learned about "Sixty Feet", a ministry whose purpose is to love and help these imprisoned children.

 http://sixtyfeet.org/

Next stop for Alex's team: Canaan’s Children’s Home . . .

Blog entry dated Monday, June 6th:

“2 days ago we left Kampala and headed to Canaan's Children’s Home, which is near Jinja. Canaan's is a home for orphans, with about 120 kids, ranging from 2 to 18 years old. They are so precious! They're so sweet and affectionate, always shining with joy. I love getting to wake up to them outside singing and playing, and getting to tuck them in every night. Yesterday we went to Amazima to help with their feeding program. There were almost 300 kids (lots of babies, almost all toddlers, and some older kids.) It was so humbling to get to serve the kids their food and love on and play with them.”

 

“God is doing big things and showing me love and hope in these kids that completely doesn't depend on circumstances. Thanks for reading and I'll keep you posted.”

Continuing on to Jinja . . .

Blog entry from Wednesday, June 8th:

We went to Jinja to shop at a market and eat at a cafe yesterday. There were lots of street vendors with little booths. After the market we went to a baby cottage for a couple of hours and held and played with over 30 babies. They lived in the cutest little cottage and it was the first place we've visited that adopts out. Last night was our last night at Canaan's so the kids did a performance for us with a ton of singing and dancing. They are so talented! This morning we walked them to school and had to say our goodbyes. It was so hard to leave the kids, especially my precious Baby Eddie.

Pastor Isaac and Mama Rebecca with Alex and her brother Graham

Pastor Isaac, who started Canaan Children's Home, told us his testimony before we left and it was the coolest thing I've ever heard. My heart is still in Jinja with the sweet Canaan kids. 

 

How the trip changed Alex . . .

Blog entry dated Monday, June 13th:

“We've been back in the States for a day now and it's still shocking. It's hard to believe that Africa is a whole world away. The 2 weeks were incredible and such a blessing. It was so cool to see that God is SO much bigger than our own little worlds. He is living and all-powerful. Everyone that I saw and met on the trip didn't praise God because of the circumstances they were in but simply because of the fact that He is God, and let me tell you, their circumstances were nothing like ours over here. The adults and kids worshiped like I've never seen; nothing held them back, they praised with complete surrender. They live trusting that God will provide their needs day-to-day and that He is more than enough. It definitely challenged me and will change the way I live. Thank you all so much for your prayers! Our team all arrived home safely and changed by the trip. Africa, I miss you already... but if it's in God's will, I will be back very soon!”

If you’d like to hear more, you can visit Alex’s blog at livinthislife4thenext.blogspot.com

• Sub-Saharan Africa (the area in Africa south of the Sahara desert) contains just 10% of the world’s population. In 2008, the total number of people living with HIV/AIDS rose to 22.4 million – 67% of the people in that region. In 2008 alone, 1.4 million people in this region died from AIDS. (1)
• In Africa, HIV/AIDS is a heterosexual disease.
• 14.1 million children in Sub-Saharan Africa had been orphaned by HIV/AIDS in 2008 (2). The numbers are rising.
• There are approximately 2.5 million orphans in Uganda. Over a million are a direct result of AIDS. (3)

(1)  Worldwide HIV & AIDS Statistics Commentary; AVERT; www.avert.org/worlstatinfo.htm; copyright AVERT

(2)  AIDS & HIV Information; Statistics; AVERT; www.avert.org/africa-hiv-aids-statistics.htm

(3)  http://sixtyfeet.org/

Fireside
Join me by the fire for conversations about how to nurture your family and create a warm and inviting home for family and friends.



Martha's back to tell us how to make our bedrooms a refuge from the world. In the craziness of life, that sounds like a wonderful idea! Here's her post.

I visited a friend after she moved into her beautiful new home in the Rocky Mountains. As she gave me the tour one couldn’t help but notice that every room was in order and beautifully appointed. That is until we came to the Master Bedroom. No one was allowed in there. I later realized why as I walked by her open bedroom door one day. It was an unfinished mess and in the decades I have known her it has never changed!

I have learned over the years that one’s bedroom needs to be a refuge. When I hit the sheets at night I need it to be serene. For me, a cluttered room leads to a cluttered mind. That is something I don’t need when I’m weary and starved for rest.

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to make your bedroom a refuge. It begins with “order”. Everything has a place and it should be there. Turning down a bed for the night is a step in preparing for a night’s sleep. The little effort it takes to make a bed in the morning will present its reward at the end of the day.

While my daughter had their house on the market she kept it in “show shape”.  The bathroom had lovely towels rolled and placed in baskets.  In the bedroom, fresh flowers were kept in view, the laundry was always put away and she told me how nice it was to go to bed at night with a tidy night stand, turn down her bed and drift off to sleep in serenity with an uncluttered mind!


I also love linens. However, they can be costly and I love a good deal. The most beautiful pillow cases I have are from TJ MAXX and believe me they didn’t cost me a lot. If you have the ability to sew or embroidery you can adorn the plainest of linens with beautiful trims and accents.

Reading before sleep is a must for me. It helps me unwind and drift off. However, I need a lot of light for reading. This can be a problem for my husband as he tries to get to sleep without the help of a book. I found the perfect light. It is actually a small half lampshade with hooks on the flat back side that can be hung over a headboard. It can slide from one side of the bed to the other and requires a low wattage bulb. Another possibility is the new e-reader. They are a truly perfect solution although more costly.

  
Reportedly, the perfect temperature for sleep is between 68 and 72 degrees. For me, the colder the better as I like to snuggle beneath a feather duvet or quilt! I also need moving air, not just cold air. Maybe I’m claustrophobic and actually snuggle a little too far beneath those quilts!

 As long as things are clean and in order, your bedroom can provide you with a peaceful respite from the chaotic world we live in.               

 ______________

Friends, so glad you stopped by. Until we meet again . . .

Enjoy the view!
Lisa

If you enjoy this blog, would you consider sharing it with someone who might benefit from its message?