Faith. Trust.

Sarah and I got to go to the village on Tuesday, which is always a blessing. It's no coincidence that I posted about trust before I left. Those village people get it, y'all. They not only trust us to teach and love on their children, but trust that The Lord will provide. They live off their land and somehow make enough to feed their children and keep them healthy and alive.  When we show up in the village, they gladly let us just take their children and love on them and fill them with the Word. We were, and some of us are, complete strangers from a whole different culture, yet they trust us and trust The Lord enough to let us invest in their children. IAnd above all else, they are soooo joyful!! It's so encouraging to be there and interact with them. I wish all of y'all could experience it. -- God has definitely been working on my trust with Him, but trusting people.. Sheeeeesh. I really need Jesus in that area. I got a good slap in the face this trip. 

And the kids.. They wear clothes that have holes in them that are usually too small and have been hand me downs from multiple siblings. They could care less, and it may not be what their parents want, but they are healthy and happy and love Jesus. It's such an eye opener. They are all so joyful too! I know that worldly things don't matter. We all do, but it's so hard to live that out. It's possible though. Sure, we need clothes and shoes because we can't go around naked, but it's possible. All we need is Jesus and his agape love. 

This is not even specific to Africa, but I want to give my parents a big shout out. Growing up, especially when I was away at college, they always told me to not walk through campus by myself at night, not go grocery shopping late, etc. etc. I'm not going to lie, it was a weeee bit frustrating at times. I get it now! Last night we went out to this restaurant, and the girls (the average age here is about 20) wanted to ride boda bodas home. The thought that those drivers could bring us wherever we wanted never crossed their mind. I'm so thankful that my parents made me realize that I can't live my life in constant fear, but I'm also not invincible. They may be reading this and thinking I probably still feel that way, which I'm sure I still have some growing in that area, but hey.. At least I kind of get it, so thanks, Mom and Dad! :) not everything you have said has gone in one ear and out the other. 

The last few days have been so busy and hectic, but in a good way. We spent the last few nights with Jayan, so I haven't had Internet to post. Tuesday there were some bloody riots downtown. We went downtown Wednesday to run some errands. They always say when they're going to protest, and they didn't mention Wednesday. Well, we're sitting in the taxi waiting to go home (taxis are kind of like our buses, but their 14 passenger vans), and all of the Africans' jaws drop, and they start pointing. Sarah and I look behind us, and there are soooo many boda bodas and cops .. Pure chaos. We instantly panic thinking it's a riot. Nah.. It's only a parade for the old mayor of Kampala. :)

I've really been enjoying working behind the scenes in the sponsorship office. Those people work SO hard for these kids and love them SO much! There's still plenty of kids that need sponsors!:)

Praise The Lord! 

Auntie Brooke 

This is Sarah with some of the kids from the deaf school.

Village kids! And yes, they yanked my arms like that the whole time we were there. 

This precious girl stood like this the whole time I was there, even when I tried to walk. Sooo much love coming from these little ones.

  Needed cuddle time! The kids usually don't get this from their parents, and it's not always because they don't want to but because their day is so jam packed. They have to wash every day, and keep in mind that it's all done by hand. They have to work in the fields all day, cook dinner, wash dishes, care for the animals and the kids, etc. etc.

More smiling faces!

Neighborhood kids enjoying our hammocks. :)