Serving together: Anna

One of the blessings of being a CURE GO Team leader, is seeing people blossom as they serve the LORD! Anna is a gifted nursing student.  She is very tender, compassionate and cheerful with children which made her an ideal candidate for our mission at the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda. Anna taught Sunday School songs to the caregivers during our Mbarara Mobile Clinic. She helped with other nursing duties too...including assistance to the mothers caring for their child born with Spina Bifida. Anna is a fine seamstress which helped make the sustainable craft project a huge success. Thanks, Anna for all your willing service to the LORD.

Anna was very flexible and willing to serve in any capacity. No she didn't chop down a tree with this axe or 'slash' the grass with the machetes.  She was helping load our CURE 'coaster' (bus) for the trip to western Uganda.  We had a saying, "They who are flexible, will never be bent out of shape"! Indeed, Anna exemplified 'going with the flow'.  Now that the team has returned to their homes, I am missing Anna's smile and sweet gentle spirit! Her passion for obedience in following Christ is an inspiration to us all! Love you dear Anna! Thank you for the opportunity to serve our great God together!

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Philippians 1:2-3

Look for your favorite GO Team Uganda 2010 member in the days to come!

Back in the USA!

GO Team Uganda 2010 leaving Mbale for Jinja then home!

"Don't cry because it is over...rather smile because it happened." (Dr. Seuss)  It is always with mixed feelings that I leave my beloved ones in Mbale, Uganda. My heart is linked to the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda and the staff. Each visit draws me closer to the mission and staff members. 
How grateful I am for the love and partnership with CURE International! 

How grateful I am for the GO Team members....each one was unique and brought their special gifts to our time together. 

Many of you following this blog are interested in the real scoop....you know,  the pictures that say the thousands of words to describe our wonderful time in Uganda. (Please see the hundreds of pictures on a Shutterfly link http://uganda2010curegoteam.shutterfly.com/ )

Thank you for all your faithful prayers while we were away. But....please do not stop! Our journey is not really over. We now have the responsibility to assimilate what we have learned and experienced into our lives. How will we be changed? 

The GO Team Uganda 2010 is in the process of re-entering daily life in the USA. Some have already returned to work, school, home and ministry responsibilities......just like that!  As we prepared for our return we prayed that our lives would be transformed in our plans for the future and to stay engaged in the mission of CURE International.  We discussed various ways that we could share our experiences with others with church, community and family. We discussed ways that our team could continue to impact the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda.....praying, buying CURE crafts and anything that might help raise awareness and funds for the hospital. May God direct our plans to bring help to the children and to bring honor to Him.

As we return to the USA:

• Please be patient with us if we seem "overboard" enthusiastic,  slightly depressed or sad.......we are trying to understand the things we have seen and heard. 

• Please try to be patient if we seem 'spaced out'......our bodies have endured many miles of travel, many short nights of sleep, different food, different water and sensory overload everyday for the last 16 days or so!

The GO Team with the backdrop of beautiful Mount Elgon

• Thank you for understanding if we can't quite put into words all that we have seen or done.....or if we talk your ear off until your eyes glaze over! It is all part of us getting the word out about CURE and the joyful, challenging and amazing experiences we enjoyed.   

• Please help us to keep the stories alive by giving us an opportunity to share these with anyone who is willing to listen....church, community, family, work gatherings etc

• http://uganda2010curegoteam.shutterfly.com/ remember is our picture gallery....please take a peek....you don't have to look at every single picture....try to find the ones with your loved one holding babies or in a random pose with a new friend...GO Team member or Ugandan!

• If we suggest that we sell the house, its contents, the car and use the proceeds to sponsor surgeries in Mbale, Uganda....you will know that our hearts have been touched with the plight of the dear children and their caregivers! Help us to pray for wisdom and God's direction for stewardship of our time, talents, money and other resources....who knows?

•  Meanwhile, help us to take the next logical step by faith.....nurture our spouses and family members, complete studies and commitments at work with excellence.....serve the Lord right where we are...and being available for His next assignment here or abroad! 

Thank you so much for the enthusiastic and encouraging comments! Look for the next blog to tell some stories about the people I enjoyed working with!!

Mbarara Bound

 We are leaving for Mbarara on the hospital coaster. We are packed full with everything including the kitchen sink! We are very excited and a little apprehensive. There are so many new experiences to assimilate. We have seen God at work in our lives in so many ways.

Mbarara is to the left of Kampala and Mbale to the right near Mt. Elgon Park.

Saturday was a super day enjoying God's beautiful creation at Sipi fall. Everyone except Maureen hiked. One of the highlights was a cultural dance display. We all joined in the fun bedecked with vines. Well almost all of us. Rick and Mandi took pictures and video. We learned that the festivities were for circumcision ceremonies! Oh dear! It was a learning experience. There is some video footage I am willing to pay big bucks to delete of me dancing. The guide said I was a great dancer. I learned it all from my daughter Marie!

We ate dinner at Lanmark Inn. It was Indian cuisine. Most of us enjoyed it. The others tried it and enjoyed the garlic Naan bread. We had a hilarious finish to the meal. It was suggested that we have tea. It was brought in the largest thermos imaginable. Sam was doing the honors of pouring the tea.... and then there was a major thermos fail. Tea was everywhere! We all laughed ourselves silly!!

I am sending this from Kathryn Hall's blackberry and the bus is bumpy so more later about our Sunday worship experiences. We are all pretty healthy...just a few aches, no sickness. Thanks for all your support and prayers. We are keen to get to Mbarara to serve the Lord, the mothers at the clinic and the camp site. Blessings!

(Map added by the "blog fairy") 

Pearls!

Hello everyone: We are here in Mbale Uganda. Everyone is healthy and very joyful to be at the CURE Children's Hospital. Sam has taken 220 pictures already...so we will give you a sample or two (when we can get the cables hooked up!) The team has been working together in unity and we praise the Lord for answers to so many of your faithful prayers!

You may be wondering why today's blog is called Pearls.....well our first morning in Kampala our devotional was on James 1: 1-6.....verse two in particular reminds us to count it all joy when troubles or temptations come our way......for there are great results when we reframe our difficulties into opportunities for growth in Christ's character!
So we were not surprised when some things didn't go the way we expected...ok...nothing major, don't worry....just little things...little struggles with our schedule, getting settled....jet lag etc. Everytime something unexpected happens or frustrates one of us...we look at each other and say PEARLS!!! That is our code word to remind each other that God is going to use these challenges or irritants to make something beautiful..like a pearl. Most of you who know me, know that I wear a pair of pearl earrings most of the time. They are white and perfectly round. White represents the purity of Christ...His righteousness....not our own, the round sphere represents the wholeness and fullness of God's character to me...His holiness, creativity....
Each team member is a pearl to me....I feel like I am walking around, working with an exquisite strand of pearls!! Beautiful people....!!! God is working in all of our lives. You parents have done a great job!! It is such a joy!
Today, after breakfast of omelettes, grilled cheese/onion/tomato sandwiches, chicken wings, fruit, bread, juice and tea/coffee we walked to the CURE hospital. It was a pleasant and cool morning to walk. We arrived just as the staff devotions began. Worshipping the Lord is very energetic and energizing! We clapped, sang, danced, jumped all at the same time! It was so much fun to worship the same living God and Savior in a different culture, different place and even different language. And the Lord understands us all! It will be a busy time today as we prepare for Mbarara clinic 10 hour away by bus. We leave Monday.Tonight we will go to a slum called Namutella....we will have time to visit with AIDS orphans and people who have great needs. We are excited to be invited to a church supper!  No crockpot chilli dinners here! Tomorrow the team is having a tour of Sipi falls...a little hiking and sightseeing. Sunday will be a full day of worship and completion of packing for the mobile clinic in Mbarara.
Please pray that we would enjoy strong health to complete God's Work here.Pray for us to process all these experiences into godly thoughts and actions in our daily lives when we return. Thanks for all your support!
Blessings!  And Pearls!

On our Way!

Rick and I said our goodbyes to our loved ones and got thru security just fine.
You will laugh when you hear my personal bag was three pounds over. I added paperwork for CURE in my bag to lighten my carry-on. Oh well, my carry on is now three pounds heavier! All is good! Please know that the team is pumped and ready for a challenge and to serve. Thank you for all your support shown in so many ways! Eileen Jeffries from
CURE called to wish all Bon voyage and reassure us of many prayers! Those of you who are staying to keep the home fires burning and paying the bills, we thank you so much. This mission is yours too! God be with you and give you peace while we are away.

Who am I leaving behind?

Above is Paul holding 'Baby George'....who is now 18 months old. He was only 11 months in the pciture.  George is very fond of his Grandad! Last time we visited Peoria, he ran to Paul's arms! 
Of course Grandma is going to miss George! He is so cuddly and sweet. We love to play together.
Also above and to the left,  is a picture of Marie, Anne, Mark and Shannon holding George.

 The center picture is my beloved Paul with me! What a gift from the Lord, Paul is to me! He supports me in every way to be an obedient follower of Jesus Christ.....at a great personal cost.
Below is a picture of all the cousins in Kentucky. Aaron is in the beige sweater in the center, he is married to my niece Sarah on his left. Naomi is on his right. Rachel is next to Mark and Rebecca is in the green! We love our family get togethers so much! It is hard to leave the comforts of home and family. But when God calls, He will give me strength to endure to loneliness and pain of separation. God takes such good care of us....He gives us other 'family' by way of brothers and sisters in Christ! I am longing to meet all the members of the GO Team...we will become a little family working together with CURE host staff.  My heart aches to see my Mbale family too! What joy heaven will be when we all get together......and see Jesus!

Little children brought to Jesus

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.....Matthew 19:13 NIV

Everyday at CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda, caregivers are bringing their babies for medical and surgical intervention of Hydrocephalus, Spina Bifida and other conditions. What dear and precious babies/children! I love having the opportunity to cuddle them and speak with the mothers and caregivers. Their minds are so full of: why my baby....why now....what am I going to do....how can I manage? Is this a curse for my sin, someone's sin? Is this a punishment?

 Everyday these dear caregivers and their little ones are brought to the Lord Jesus in prayer. These troublesome questions are listened to and answered honestly based upon scriptures. There are no pat or simple answers to suffering and disease, especially with the sweet little newborn babies. We try to communicate through the gospel story of the man born blind that their situation has the potential to honor God...His goodness, faithfulness, salvation and provision.  Even in the darkest moments there is a faint shadow of our Lord's very present help in time of trouble. The Spiritual Life staff make their 'rounds' daily to share the gospel, the love of Jesus and hope in God's provision for their situation. We pray that each one comes to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their own Savior and Lord.
Standing in this picture is Immaculate, one of the hospital chaplains (pastors). She loves the families and children who come to CURE and communicates Christ's love and plan of salvation in several languages! Immaculate is always ready to share Bible stories and pray with each one. Can't you see the joy on her face?!
The CURE GO Team Uganda will have the opportunity to see this emotional support and spiritual care in action at the hospital. When we go to Mbarara in western Uganda, we will have the opportunity to share Bible stories and the good news gospel message so, in turn, caregivers can tell their families about Jesus who desires to transform their lives!  What a privilege!

It's all about relationships!

Whenever I mention that I am going back to Uganda with CURE International, people ask....well what are you going to do? In response, it is easy to list a series of task, teachings or assignments the GO Team hope to complete, facilitate or work on......

Each trip to Uganda or anywhere overseas with CURE, it is all about people and relationships......which makes sense.....that's what the Lord Jesus was all about......people!

Of course, Jesus met people's needs as He went about healing and performing miracles. All these miracles were signs pointing to the Holy Spirit's power to bring that which is:

apart, broken, damaged, distant, different, estranged, sick, strained, discombobulated......

together by God's love bringing...

restoration, unity, closeness, friendship, redemption, healing, salvation and peace!!

My friend Esther is a beautiful testimony of God's faithful love and care. At one point, she was homeless and sleeping in an open-air church for shelter. She was rejected for her faith in Jesus Christ by her family.
Then the Lord brought her the opportunity to work at CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda. Esther began working as a general helper (we would call it housekeeping/janitorial work).  As she proved herself to be a loyal and faithful worker, the Lord gave her opportunity to study. Now several years later, she is an RN!  Esther always has a smile, a little bit of humor and a lot of love to give to her patients and their caregivers. She has a servant's heart always wanting to help me in some way. Esther is always there to help me out of my cultural and language difficulties....just because she loves me. 
 Even though she has endured many struggles, she is cheerful.  The Lord has provided her with her own little place and restored relationship with her family who have responded to Christ's gospel.  God's love is at work in her life.  I count it a joy and privilege that Esther and I have been special friends sisters in Christ since 2004! We are sisters.....we have the same FATHER!

All sealed up!

See the cord....? Rick is sealing the ends with a candle flame. It's harder than it looks! We only had a few burned fingers. These cords won't unravel anytime soon, that's for sure!

All tied up!

This week one of the CURE International GO Team members Rick came over to help with the sustainable craft for Mbarara clinic in Western Uganda It is a simple sewing project of a drawstring backpack. Simple, yes, once the materials are selected, purchased and prepared.
Every step of the way God was going before and giving favor through bargain prices, kind shop keepers and even crabby ones who softened (once they heard what we were trying to do).

The biggest challenge was cutting the cords....each craft kit needs two 66 inch lengths. Each length once cut needed the ends sealed by burning with a flame. On one of the ends we placed a safety pin.......there were more steps than any of us realized. Each kit will have its own fabric, cords, spool of thread and needles. Once we receive delivery of the spools of thread it will be all hands on deck to assemble. God has already provided several offers to help!

Truly the Lord is going before us!

It will be so exciting to see the caregivers make these bags up and perhaps learn something that could help support the care of their dear children....hence a sustainable craft!

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. Psalm 103:6

Fireworks and Freedom!

Friday night we experienced up close a phenomenal fireworks display at Lake Harrington. Our host had organized the most amazing selection of colors and sounds to entertain family, friends and their neighbors on the lake. It was super! What power---dynamite! We were thrilled. Then tonight, we attended a patriotic concert in Woodford county. What great ways to celebrate our nation's birthday!

How blessed we are to live in the United States of America!

As our CURE International GO Team travels outside of the USA, we have been training to serve the Lord with our eyes wide open. We will observe many cultural differences for sure. We will hopefully learn and share stories with those we meet. We will be challenged and blessed. We will certainly return with gratitude for the many blessings we enjoy in the USA.

The Declaration of Independence speaks of Liberty and Justice for all. Consequently, the USA is a nation established to provide opportunity for all.

*Opportunity and freedom to worship the Lord Jesus Christ

*Opportunities of education and employment

*Opportunity to live in security....

With opportunity comes responsibility........

*To share our material blessings

*To share our knowledge base and to empower those who have been marginalized by society due to poverty, ignorance or other discrimination.

There is the responsibility to do the right thing.

Our responsibility-my responsibility as I go to Uganda is to follow God's instructions in Ephesians 5:15-21 which include the commands:
1. Live carefully
2. Be wise
3. Make the most of every opportunity
4.Understand what the Lord's will is
5. Be filled with the Holy Spirit
6. Speak and sing the words that are a melody to God from your heart
7. Give thanks always to God for everything
8. Be willing to relinquish my personal rights out of respect for Christ

Yes, I enjoy liberty in the USA and liberty as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. With that liberty comes responsibility of relinquishing my rights to self direction and align myself with God's words and ways. OUCH!

To do that consistently----I'll be needing a power that is stronger than fireworks!
Thankfully, the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available--the Holy Spirit's power-spiritual life giving and empowering to do the right thing---obey God!

What a freedom!!