1-30 Manna From Above

Today I (Alisa) want to share something the Lord brought me in my quiet time this morning. It is from a daily reading by C.H. Spurgeon:

Genesis 28:15 – “And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest’

Do we need journeying mercies? Here are choice ones – God’s presence and preservation. In all places we need both of these and in all places we shall have them if we go at the call of duty, and not merely according to our own fancy. Why should we look upon removal to another country as a sorrowful necessity when it is laid upon us by the divine will? In all lands the believer is equally a pilgrim and a stranger; and yet in every region the Lord is his dwelling place, even as he has been to his saints in all generations. We may miss the protection of an earthly monarch, but when God says, “I will keep thee”, we are in no real danger. This is a blessed passport for a traveler, and a heavenly escort for an emigrant.

Jacob had never left his father’s room before: he had been a mother’s boy, and not an adventurer like his brother. Yet he went abroad, and God went with him. He had little luggage, and no attendants; yet no prince ever journeyed with nobler bodyguard. Even while he slept in the open field, angels watched over him, and the Lord God spoke to him. If the Lord bids us go, let us say with our Lord Jesus, “Arise, let us go hence.”

As I sit here this morning, mosquito bitten, bathed with a bucket of water, fed beans and rice for several weeks, watching out my window as the rain pours and turns the ground to cement like mud, I am yet so grateful to Him for all He has done for us. Jesus has been with us every step of the way. When things have been hard we have asked for help and He has blessed us, when there looked like no way could be found He led us on. In truth here in Uganda, Africa we have found a new freedom. Jesus has freed us of the need to take care of ourselves and instead do His will in loving others. In that love we have found Joy and Peace like we have never known before.

I wonder today if that is not available to all of us wherever we are if we are in His will. All we need to do is forget about ourselves, our needs and serve Him faithfully in love reaching out to those before us and asking Him to show us their need.

Here are some of the pictures of children He let us love today:

Boys Will Be Boys

Today at Hope we got to see the children in everyday action; with no big teams on the compound life gets back to normal. There were children doing their laundry, helping with kitchen duty, watching a movie (We brought a few “G” rated videos from the states), and even more children just running and playing outside.

It reminded us of our own home and bringing up eight children, seven boys and one girl. They all had their chores and their free time. Even though we have many boys, we felt it was very important to train them up to know how to take care of themselves. This means cooking, cleaning, laundry and dishes. That way when they were grown they could either do things for themselves or appreciate their wives’ care of them from a first hand knowledge. We see this at work at Hope as well and we approve of all the children pitching in to help so no one person has to bear the burden of all the hard work.

That said we want to relay two incidents that happened today that show children are not so different across the world. In the morning I (Alisa) was working with Lia (another team member on an extended stay) to interview all the children to add information to their files when some noise and then crying broke out in the front yard. Knowing that sound quite well, I went out to see what was going on. As it turns out, two little boys had been playing and had collided with each other. They were both hurting, crying and a little mad at each other. Pulling them both up on my lap, I just held them and cleaned their faces and dusted their clothes. It brought back the memory of my own little ones who would get into altercations. As soon as they knew they were loved and cared for the tears dried up, smiles came back to their faces and off they went back to play again.

Later in the afternoon all the adults were sitting in Pastor Prossy’s office once again when BANG went a very loud noise! We all sprang into action to see what had happened. As it turns out the sound was glass breaking as a ball sailed into one of the front windows. The big boys had been playing soccer and lost control of the ball. That really took us back in time to our house. How many times have we had to replace windows because of our boys? As Randy cleaned up the mess, making sure all the glass was cleaned up; Alisa relayed a similar incident to Pastor Prossy. After the second time one of our boys (who will remain nameless) broke a window, Randy told him he would need to pay for it himself. Prossy then asked if our son had a job earning money at the time. I replied that he did not, but Dad gave him one and he earned the money for the broken window.

A little while later after the clean up, Prossy called the big boys into her office. As is their custom they came in on bended knee to face their punishment. She then told them that she would be arranging for them to do some work in the neighborhood to earn the money to pay for the window. She said she would not buy the window until the work was done. It was so sweet to see them smile and clap their hands after they heard their fait. You could see they were relieved that they could do something to make up for the loss of a window to their home.

So boys will be boys all over the world and parents can be parents if they have the love in their hearts to raise them well.

Lets Talk Shower.

Most of you know what an electric water heater is. We know where they belong in a house and the job they do. As you look at the photo, you may notice an electric wire going to the showerhead. That’s the waterheater. As a contractor of 30 years, I have become knowledgeable of some of the wiring codes. Here is one I remember… NO LIVE WIRES IN THE SHOWER! NEVER, EVER, GOT IT. Well as you might remember from other blogs, This is Africa (TIA). Here they put live wires in the shower and with in reach of the person showering. So this is how they work. When you are ready to get hot water, you turn on a switch, which they have located outside of the showering stall (not sure why, it must be for some safety reason, like “Honey, I’m being electrocute!!! Hit the safety switch… HURRY). You wait for a few minutes and you either get water from the roof’s holding tank at its current temperature which is almost cool enough to drink but not warm enough to call it shower water, or you get scalding hot water that actually burns you. There is no way to adjust the temperature. We let it collect in the laundry tub they supply you with, then dilute it with water (from the roof again) from the sink, and with a liter water bottle cut in half, you dump it over your head and body. The next thing you know… you’re clean and ready for the rest of the day. I love it here. Who ever thought I could blog about a shower?

More of TIA. It is now 1:30 and I have been waiting since 10:00am for my ride. I have call my friend who are to pick me up, but they can’t get something printed because there is no electricity where they are, and I don’t have a printer to help them out. I have had a wonderful morning and now a wonderful mid-day. I have hope they will arrive soon as we are running out of daylight in just 5 hours and that is about what it will take to accomplish today’s task.

See the electrical tape!

To the left of the door is the "safety?" switch.

Randy's first time behind the wheel. Note the right hand steering wheel. This is not easy over here.

My friend Patrick is in the passenger's seat.

A New Uganda

Our Children of Hope,

We love them dearly.

Isa 1:17 – Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

These are the things God calls His people to do; these are things that are good in His sight. As we are here in Uganda we see the need so clearly. There is much injustice. There are many who are oppressed. There are more orphaned children than adults and many of the adults have been abused so much in their lives, they don’t know any other way. So, the cycle of abuse continues on. Then there are the widows…too numerous to number, who have been left alone from the ravages of war, aids, malaria, and other harsh realities of life in Africa. Their lives are a struggle, they need help.

Driving through the streets you see so much need. The need is greater than we can comprehend. We ask ourselves “Where do we begin?”

Then, we drive into “Hope Children’s Home.” Things are not perfect here either; at first glance you see 94 children, orphans, living in one large home and one smaller one. But they are children who after being rescued from horrible circumstances are now being fed, clothed, cared for, schooled, bathed and loved. Children who once had no hope of a future are now filled with hope. The Lord has looked down upon this small corner of the world and reached clear across to the other side of the world to touch the hearts of men and women who are willing to answer the call of injustice, respond to the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless and plead the case of the widows. This is the work I have seen here; the work Show Mercy is doing in Uganda. But Show Mercy is not just a humanitarian organization started by two well meaning people. It is a movement of a God who says “The plight of my people in Africa is not OK with me”, it is the obedience of His children to hear the call and lay down their lives to follow Him faithfully. Show Mercy is all of the people who give to sponsor children, build buildings, feed hungry people, help those in need or join a team to serve as missionaries, short-term and long-term here in Uganda. We together are Show Mercy; a family of partners working to raise a family of children who will one day be the new face of Uganda, end the cycle of poverty and abuse, and usher in a new day in Uganda.

We can see in our minds eye a day when all the good seed that has been sown into these children will come to a day of a fruitful harvest. We see a day when they are grown, schooled, working and returning to their community the goodness that they have enjoyed. These are the faces of the new Uganda. Your sacrifice is making a big difference. Thank you.

Together with Him,
Randy and Alisa Varga

As For Me and My House We Will Serve the Lord!

Today we got a taste of what life in Uganda will look like. Having much to accomplish, we separated today and went to work. Alisa went to Hope for the day while Randy hit the road with Patrick the builder to get some errands done.

At the home I (Alisa) found a more peaceful version of the children. With only Lia and I there as visitors we found the children more into their daily routines. It was nice and a lot quieter. We started off the day by continuing the interviews we had started when the team was here. We are attempting to talk to each of the 94 children and ask them questions to update their files. This worked great until the battery ran out on Lia’s computer (Hope had no electricity today). So then we went to plan B, “Sock Day”.

All the Kids with socks.

A portion of the socks that our children raised were handed out to the children of Hope. They were so cute coming in one by one choosing a pair they liked and fit them. They smiled from ear to ear with excitement. When the children all had their socks, the staff each selected a pair themselves as well. Then, came some of the people who live in the village, pleased that they were invited to share some of the blessing; choosing a pair for themselves. Finally we commemorated the event with a picture. Later in the day we had lunch, walked to the boy’s home, visited with friends and read stories to the children. I brought a book out and just sat on the front steps. Soon I had a crowd around me and began to read. But before I could read, two of the boys began to take turns reading to the rest of the children. When the book was over they said “we want to read it again!” So of course we did. Life is slow here. We can take time to visit, to walk, to read a story once again. I noted that this is the life the Lord is calling me to and I think it suits me well.

I (Randy) on the other hand went to run a series of errands; we went looking for a mobile modem for our computers and found the only office in Uganda that sells them! Next we were off to look for a medical clinic to see what they have to offer. Yes Randy went to look at a medical clinic. It not what you would expect to see in the States, but more of a rundown country business run out of a side room of your house. When you get inside, you see they were rather adequately supplied. There are 6 British and/or Ugandan trained MD’s along with a few specialists, two ambulances (I have only seen one on the roads in the past two weeks), and I was rather impressed. After a lunch of a packet of Costco peanut butter crackers and some bottled water, we were off to look for a 4 wheel drive vehicle. The story is the Ugandans bring in Japanese cars and trucks and sell them by the 1000’s. The newest one I saw was a 1999; the good ones were 1995 to 1997. They are in great shape and only have between 60K to 110K miles! I can only figure they drive about 2000 to 3000 miles a year in Japan. The fun part of all of this is the used car salesmen over here could have come from the “schlocky” dealers on 82nd Drive in Portland! They used the same lingo, the same pressure, the same everything. I had to laugh at this. We did find a great 96 FourRunner, if I was ready to buy for around $11,000. Then it was time to try to cross town to get back to Hope and pick up the gals. An hour later we arrived tired and worn out, but with more knowledge of what we are getting ourselves into. After spending the day with Patrick, I know that God has brought both Show Mercy and myself a great Friend. I feel our lives here are beginning to gel.

Thanks for following along with us on our journey of life in Uganda.

Laundry Day.

1-26-09 This is Africa…

Hudson's Church.

Stephen, the oldest boy. He takes care of the little ones.

One cute little girl who loved the camera!

As we sit here in our new hotel room (but really old),very loud thunder and heavy rain outside, tiny little mosquitoes and the first cold water shower inside; we are faced with the reality that “This is Africa!”

Yesterday was our last day with the team so we have checked in to a more “economical” hotel. Yes, we have moved to “Hotel Ivory”. Located in the town of Nansana, very near Ganda Village, where Hope Children’s Home resides, Hotel Ivory is not exactly a five star hotel, but it is a reasonably priced place that is clean.

Today was a very full day. Our plan was to go to the city of Lugazi to visit Pastor Hudson, the Pastor who has stayed in our home twice over the past two years. It is about a 2 hour trip, and Patrick, a friend we have made here offered to take us there and back. Patrick is a builder here in Uganda, who recently built the two new classrooms for Hope. He is also helping with the constructions plans for the “Field of Dreams”, which is the name given to the property where Show Mercy (God willing) will build a mission base, children’s homes, a school, clinic and more. As for our trip, let’s just say it took well over 3 hours (for a 45 miles drive) due to numerous traffic jams to get there. But as we are learning “This is Africa” and the unusual always is the usual. When we reached Pastor Hudson’s home we had a treat in store for us.

Hudson, His wife Mercy, and their 4 Kids.

Hudson and Mercy.

His wife Mercy had prepared a wonderful lunch for us and we had a long leisurely visit. While there we spent time at their home, their children’s home with about 50 orphans living there, and their church. Hudson and Mercy are warm gracious people who have the gift of hospitality and blessed us with a wonderful day. Mammas and some of the Girls at Hudson's Children's Home.Mercy in one of the rooms.

The way home was much faster than the way going and we arrived back at our new “home” weary but satisfied. We had dinner with another team member Lia, who is also staying at Hotel Ivory and will be here a week after we go home.

I can see that God is bringing very special people into our lives, as He is preparing a place for us here. God is good!

1-25 Sunday: Saying Goodbye…

We spent the day at Hope today. As we arrived, we were ushered into the church were Pastor Simon was teaching. At Bethel church, the service starts early and continues throughout the day. We were honored today to have Dr. Nsaba Buturo, Minister of Ethics & Integrity (One of the President cabinet’s members), his wife Edith and children join us today as they were invited to preside over a dedication service for the two new classrooms Show Mercy and their partners have built for Alpha Omega School. The service was beautiful, lively, and inspiring. Our Hope children had prepared a dance (to worship music) that was dedicated as a thank you to our team. Tears ran down my face as I watched them dressed in white shirts, with ribbons tied to their hands and around their heads praising the Lord with their African dance moves so gentle and sweet. As I watched, I heard the Lord whisper to me, “This is what it’s all about. They are why you are here. I love them so much and want them protected and brought up in my ways.” These children have lived such hard lives for their years, but now they know they have been saved by a God who knows them and loves them. Their souls are at peace, they are in a family, their needs are being met and they give all the glory to God.

When it was time to pray for the people in need of healing, salvation and deliverance it was not our team who was called to come up to pray for the people. Instead we called the children of Hope to come up and step into their destiny of service to their people. One by one they stepped forward and so did many people in the church that were in need of prayer. Our team surrounded the people in support of our children, praying the Lord would hear their prayers and do a work of His Spirit. The Lord honored all of our prayers this day and it felt to me like a beginning. For many Ugandans the white man has been seen as an answer to their problems. But I see the Lord is doing a new work. It will be a work started in the hearts of these children; children who have seen the power of His name, children who love Him and have experienced His love, children who desire to be all they can be for Him.

After church came the dedication service, lunch, then some visiting and goodbyes. As the team headed back to the hotel, someone asked “What one word sums up this visit to Uganda?” One said “Wow’, another “Missionary”, my answer was “Fellowship”. The fellowship of believers has been so sweet. The team, the children, the Ugandan church, the house mamas, cooks, teachers and staff have all worked together and sacrificed to produce a beautiful perfume for the Lord’s enjoyment.

It was sad to say goodbye to our team as there are many from other states that we may not see again. But we are glad to have shared this time and experience together.